Erik Mercer
@erikmercer.bsky.social
SciFi/fantasy author, translator, language nerd, psychology. Author of "Vagabonds & Bureaucrats". Out there to support fellow writers!
Happy Kukur Tihar.
(If you don't know what that is, it's a festival where you celebrate the loyalty of dogs with garlands and treats. Hugs appreciated.)
(If you don't know what that is, it's a festival where you celebrate the loyalty of dogs with garlands and treats. Hugs appreciated.)
October 20, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Happy Kukur Tihar.
(If you don't know what that is, it's a festival where you celebrate the loyalty of dogs with garlands and treats. Hugs appreciated.)
(If you don't know what that is, it's a festival where you celebrate the loyalty of dogs with garlands and treats. Hugs appreciated.)
October 20, 2025 at 2:00 AM
I subscribed the house to the squirrel channel to give the pets some entertainment.
The reception is great, only the price is nuts.
#dadjoke #writingcommunitydad
The reception is great, only the price is nuts.
#dadjoke #writingcommunitydad
October 19, 2025 at 12:11 PM
I subscribed the house to the squirrel channel to give the pets some entertainment.
The reception is great, only the price is nuts.
#dadjoke #writingcommunitydad
The reception is great, only the price is nuts.
#dadjoke #writingcommunitydad
If you still need an excuse for allowing strange ideas in your writing, look no further than navratri: A nine-night fast of potato chips and chocolate. How come?
The navratri idea is that you retreat to the forest to meditate, consuming only what the forest provides.
#amWriting
The navratri idea is that you retreat to the forest to meditate, consuming only what the forest provides.
#amWriting
September 25, 2025 at 1:11 PM
If you still need an excuse for allowing strange ideas in your writing, look no further than navratri: A nine-night fast of potato chips and chocolate. How come?
The navratri idea is that you retreat to the forest to meditate, consuming only what the forest provides.
#amWriting
The navratri idea is that you retreat to the forest to meditate, consuming only what the forest provides.
#amWriting
When world building traditions and lore for scifi and fantasy, being quirky is not a fault, but good advice based on reality.
Take the bishnoi tribe for example. Their traditional rules ban the obvious like violence, theft, meat, alcohol, and ... the color "indigo".
#amwriting
Take the bishnoi tribe for example. Their traditional rules ban the obvious like violence, theft, meat, alcohol, and ... the color "indigo".
#amwriting
September 24, 2025 at 9:11 AM
When world building traditions and lore for scifi and fantasy, being quirky is not a fault, but good advice based on reality.
Take the bishnoi tribe for example. Their traditional rules ban the obvious like violence, theft, meat, alcohol, and ... the color "indigo".
#amwriting
Take the bishnoi tribe for example. Their traditional rules ban the obvious like violence, theft, meat, alcohol, and ... the color "indigo".
#amwriting
August 11, 2025 at 12:09 AM
To explain the "spell": It's fairly common in India and other parts of Asia, to find this and other warding spells painted on objects that might attract negative emotions toward their owner: like cars--or books.
It's a personal, friendly nod towards some good people in my life.
It's a personal, friendly nod towards some good people in my life.
July 10, 2025 at 6:21 AM
To explain the "spell": It's fairly common in India and other parts of Asia, to find this and other warding spells painted on objects that might attract negative emotions toward their owner: like cars--or books.
It's a personal, friendly nod towards some good people in my life.
It's a personal, friendly nod towards some good people in my life.
A while back, I began to open my presentations with "buri nazar wale tera muh kala", which are magic words to ward off the evil eye--I haven't had a bad response since.
While I'm not sure it's the spell's magic at work, it does give me something to talk about to break the ice.
While I'm not sure it's the spell's magic at work, it does give me something to talk about to break the ice.
July 10, 2025 at 5:10 AM
A while back, I began to open my presentations with "buri nazar wale tera muh kala", which are magic words to ward off the evil eye--I haven't had a bad response since.
While I'm not sure it's the spell's magic at work, it does give me something to talk about to break the ice.
While I'm not sure it's the spell's magic at work, it does give me something to talk about to break the ice.
I recently attended a talk by a person that makes four digits per session as a "communication trainer".
She didn't have much to say.
Except that each presentation should be "an experience".
Ever since, I bring cookies.
It works.
She didn't have much to say.
Except that each presentation should be "an experience".
Ever since, I bring cookies.
It works.
July 8, 2025 at 9:55 PM
I recently attended a talk by a person that makes four digits per session as a "communication trainer".
She didn't have much to say.
Except that each presentation should be "an experience".
Ever since, I bring cookies.
It works.
She didn't have much to say.
Except that each presentation should be "an experience".
Ever since, I bring cookies.
It works.
It's fascinating, how in #SciFi, protagonists regularly eat and drink at alien pubs, while back on Earth, even our local species can't digest food meant for humans and vice versa. Toxins, allergies, intolerances, you name it.
There may be unexplored plot points here.
#amWriting
There may be unexplored plot points here.
#amWriting
June 4, 2025 at 10:12 PM
It's fascinating, how in #SciFi, protagonists regularly eat and drink at alien pubs, while back on Earth, even our local species can't digest food meant for humans and vice versa. Toxins, allergies, intolerances, you name it.
There may be unexplored plot points here.
#amWriting
There may be unexplored plot points here.
#amWriting
She sells seashells by the sea shore.
(I always wanted to say that.)
(I always wanted to say that.)
May 17, 2025 at 2:17 PM
She sells seashells by the sea shore.
(I always wanted to say that.)
(I always wanted to say that.)
The good thing about being in an affordable “homestay” hotel: Every room comes with a free lizard.
May 16, 2025 at 4:12 PM
The good thing about being in an affordable “homestay” hotel: Every room comes with a free lizard.
The magnet inside the temple was so strong, it affected ships at sea. Portuguese sailors found their compasses distorted. They made landfall, got to the source, and destroyed the temple. Only fragments of the magnetic pins remain, and are kept for display, hinting the true size.
May 11, 2025 at 4:40 PM
The magnet inside the temple was so strong, it affected ships at sea. Portuguese sailors found their compasses distorted. They made landfall, got to the source, and destroyed the temple. Only fragments of the magnetic pins remain, and are kept for display, hinting the true size.
The Konark sun temple is a world wonder.
It's resembling the sun-chariot, with 12 wheel-shaped sun dials, drawn by 7 stone horses. Each of the elaborately carved wheels has a precision of 3 minutes.
#amWriting
It's resembling the sun-chariot, with 12 wheel-shaped sun dials, drawn by 7 stone horses. Each of the elaborately carved wheels has a precision of 3 minutes.
#amWriting
May 11, 2025 at 4:40 PM
The Konark sun temple is a world wonder.
It's resembling the sun-chariot, with 12 wheel-shaped sun dials, drawn by 7 stone horses. Each of the elaborately carved wheels has a precision of 3 minutes.
#amWriting
It's resembling the sun-chariot, with 12 wheel-shaped sun dials, drawn by 7 stone horses. Each of the elaborately carved wheels has a precision of 3 minutes.
#amWriting
Animals can provide exposition.
Take this monkey: He demonstrates what true courage means. True courage is taking an ice cream cart to the Hanuman temple.
These little fellows don't care for fruits, they live for sweets, and they will rob you blind.
#amWriting
Take this monkey: He demonstrates what true courage means. True courage is taking an ice cream cart to the Hanuman temple.
These little fellows don't care for fruits, they live for sweets, and they will rob you blind.
#amWriting
May 6, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Animals can provide exposition.
Take this monkey: He demonstrates what true courage means. True courage is taking an ice cream cart to the Hanuman temple.
These little fellows don't care for fruits, they live for sweets, and they will rob you blind.
#amWriting
Take this monkey: He demonstrates what true courage means. True courage is taking an ice cream cart to the Hanuman temple.
These little fellows don't care for fruits, they live for sweets, and they will rob you blind.
#amWriting
Stories are everywhere.
This is "Bound Hanuman" temple. Here, Hanuman was tasked by Vishnu to guard the costal town of Puri from flooding. However, Hanuman has a sweet tooth, snuck off for dessert, and the town was flooded. Upon his return, Vishnu chained Hanuman to his post.
This is "Bound Hanuman" temple. Here, Hanuman was tasked by Vishnu to guard the costal town of Puri from flooding. However, Hanuman has a sweet tooth, snuck off for dessert, and the town was flooded. Upon his return, Vishnu chained Hanuman to his post.
May 6, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Stories are everywhere.
This is "Bound Hanuman" temple. Here, Hanuman was tasked by Vishnu to guard the costal town of Puri from flooding. However, Hanuman has a sweet tooth, snuck off for dessert, and the town was flooded. Upon his return, Vishnu chained Hanuman to his post.
This is "Bound Hanuman" temple. Here, Hanuman was tasked by Vishnu to guard the costal town of Puri from flooding. However, Hanuman has a sweet tooth, snuck off for dessert, and the town was flooded. Upon his return, Vishnu chained Hanuman to his post.
Narrow side-alleys that offer anything and everything from street dogs, haircuts, medicine, photo-copies, to food are a typical sight. Except: They are usually busier than this. (But, it's off-season on a Tuesday night at 2AM.) Best place to find some local stories.
May 5, 2025 at 4:20 AM
Narrow side-alleys that offer anything and everything from street dogs, haircuts, medicine, photo-copies, to food are a typical sight. Except: They are usually busier than this. (But, it's off-season on a Tuesday night at 2AM.) Best place to find some local stories.
Looking for a #cyberpunk book cover? Delhi got you covered.
This is an “AC café”. The only thing on the money they actually make is chai. But they have AC, and can get you whatever the neighboring stalls are selling to enjoy inside your little “cooler box”.
#amWriting
This is an “AC café”. The only thing on the money they actually make is chai. But they have AC, and can get you whatever the neighboring stalls are selling to enjoy inside your little “cooler box”.
#amWriting
May 5, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Looking for a #cyberpunk book cover? Delhi got you covered.
This is an “AC café”. The only thing on the money they actually make is chai. But they have AC, and can get you whatever the neighboring stalls are selling to enjoy inside your little “cooler box”.
#amWriting
This is an “AC café”. The only thing on the money they actually make is chai. But they have AC, and can get you whatever the neighboring stalls are selling to enjoy inside your little “cooler box”.
#amWriting
In case you were wondering what those old winter fairytales are talking about: This is why it's called "ice flowers".
#amWriting #writingCommunity
#amWriting #writingCommunity
February 18, 2025 at 10:31 PM
In case you were wondering what those old winter fairytales are talking about: This is why it's called "ice flowers".
#amWriting #writingCommunity
#amWriting #writingCommunity
Animals in storytelling can ignore decorum. They can go where no character can, provide comic relief, transcend physical and/or social limitations of our characters, provide exposition on protagonists or places, and--best of all--have no need for extended dialog.
February 15, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Animals in storytelling can ignore decorum. They can go where no character can, provide comic relief, transcend physical and/or social limitations of our characters, provide exposition on protagonists or places, and--best of all--have no need for extended dialog.
One of the unexpected benefits of having pets is how it improves writing. I used animals in writing before, but having one in the house is different. Cats can imitate the voice of toddlers. Dogs can feel schadenfreude, and laugh. They can elevate storytelling by leaps and bounds.
February 15, 2025 at 3:16 AM
One of the unexpected benefits of having pets is how it improves writing. I used animals in writing before, but having one in the house is different. Cats can imitate the voice of toddlers. Dogs can feel schadenfreude, and laugh. They can elevate storytelling by leaps and bounds.
Another surreal town name that exists is Münzenberg AKA "mountain of coin", whose original name had an "i" for the "ü", meaning "mountain of mint".
Except, when a noble built a castle there, the plant was swapped for currency, because it sounded more precious.
#amWriting
Except, when a noble built a castle there, the plant was swapped for currency, because it sounded more precious.
#amWriting
February 13, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Another surreal town name that exists is Münzenberg AKA "mountain of coin", whose original name had an "i" for the "ü", meaning "mountain of mint".
Except, when a noble built a castle there, the plant was swapped for currency, because it sounded more precious.
#amWriting
Except, when a noble built a castle there, the plant was swapped for currency, because it sounded more precious.
#amWriting
Sometimes when writing, keep in mind how weird real life can be.
Take this truck driver, for example, who crashed his truck in the middle of a highway at night, got out, and just went home.
I particularly like how the door is held shut by a random branch.
#amwriting
Take this truck driver, for example, who crashed his truck in the middle of a highway at night, got out, and just went home.
I particularly like how the door is held shut by a random branch.
#amwriting
February 3, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Sometimes when writing, keep in mind how weird real life can be.
Take this truck driver, for example, who crashed his truck in the middle of a highway at night, got out, and just went home.
I particularly like how the door is held shut by a random branch.
#amwriting
Take this truck driver, for example, who crashed his truck in the middle of a highway at night, got out, and just went home.
I particularly like how the door is held shut by a random branch.
#amwriting
To all my friends in India, have a very Happy #RepublicDay!
January 26, 2025 at 4:05 PM
To all my friends in India, have a very Happy #RepublicDay!
I successfully reunited a lost pet with its family about five minutes ago. The little lady had been missing for a month. Seeing them all together again made my day. :)
#foundCat
#foundCat
January 16, 2025 at 9:22 PM
I successfully reunited a lost pet with its family about five minutes ago. The little lady had been missing for a month. Seeing them all together again made my day. :)
#foundCat
#foundCat