Jade Lawrence
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jade-lawrence.bsky.social
Jade Lawrence
@jade-lawrence.bsky.social
110 followers 130 following 390 posts
Wanna write Dark fantasy | Romantasy | Urban fantasy.
Actually writes Code | Test cases | Documentation.
Fueled by Coffee | Candy | Comics.
Spends Free time in Library | Parks | Hunched over my Manuscript.
(He/Him)
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jade-lawrence.bsky.social
Lot of good snippets for hurt, especially at the start of my novel. I can't remember if I shared this #WIPSnips, or maybe I did and have just edited since.

Either way, I like this scene, it's a step forward for Aldous.
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity
Heiden joined him across the fire, inspecting the mark on her arm. “It’s not my favorite scar. I should’ve used a bandage.” “It would’ve scarred anyway,” Aldous muttered, annoyed at her lack of awareness. “Be glad that’s all it did. If you had pulled that stunt after sunset, you and Percival would have been dead by morning. Only sunlight can stop the infection.” “But I didn’t.” Heiden rolled her shoulder, testing if the injury really was gone. “Did you ever think I might’ve known that? That the risk I took was calculated?” “This whole fight could’ve been avoided.” Aldous crossed his arms. “When you take risks, somehow it’s others who get hurt. If I die, are you going to tell the poisonous plants from the herbs? The different drakin and their dangers? Will you even know where to go?” Heiden didn’t answer right away. She shifted, gaze flicking to the fire, jaw tightening. Her fingers curled against her knee. “That’s a lousy reason to keep someone around,” she muttered. “Is that really what you think this is? That I’d only protect you if you were useful? I’m not a villain.” “Well, you’re not exactly a hero.”
February 16, 2026 at 2:11 PM
jade-lawrence.bsky.social
I thought I'd never find a good meaningful #WIPSnips for this, too many to chose from. But here we learn a little more about Isa.

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity
When he finally caught his breath, he looked toward the corridor beyond the bars, scanning for any sign of someone approaching. He had expected his sister. Hoped for her. The town loved her. Maybe she could smooth things over, plead on his behalf. Remind them that whatever they thought of him, he could still be useful. As if on cue, light footsteps echoed down the corridor. He straightened and held his breath. However, it wasn’t her. It was never her when he needed her the most. Still, the person who arrived was a welcomed sight. Marianne took a quick search of the dungeon before she found a pathetic man leaning against the cell bars.
February 15, 2026 at 4:35 PM
jade-lawrence.bsky.social
#WIPSnips

Had to vibe for this one. 'Killer', despite its meaning, I think it does fit in this case.

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity
Heiden was boiling water over the fire, watching Aldous brush Sandy. It wasn’t his horse, but he was so gentle with her. She appreciated the care he gave the animal. He was patient and gave attention to the small details. The horse huffed in approval as he spoiled her with an apple slice. His presence made the camp feel peaceful. Such a great guy. And he wanted so little. He’d be content running a stable and being left alone. Killer. His nickname should have been ironic.
February 14, 2026 at 2:24 PM
jade-lawrence.bsky.social
CW: Body Horror (Desecration of a Corpse, Eyes)

I have many grisly scenes in my book that fall under this description, but I think this one is the least spoiler-y.
#Febchantment #WritingCommunity
Heiden and Aldous sprinted across the garden. They made no sound, but halfway through, a loud rattle pierced the air. Impossible to miss. Heiden cursed and drew her sword. There. A ribcage forced upright. Long bones speared through it from the inside, wired together with strands of sinew. Strips of muscle cinched and slackened in quick pulses. At the center, a severed heart beat rapidly, yanking the bones together in sharp, snapping motions. Eager for new company. Around the ribs, set atop a pool of clotted blood, a ring of cut-out eyes stared toward the fields. Crude. Mostly unnecessary. But effective. Fuck that Raise Dead gem. Easily the worst magic in existence.
February 14, 2026 at 1:56 PM
jade-lawrence.bsky.social
Still debating keeping this part in my story or to toss it. Aldous is asking about Heiden's tea for the first time, and why she doesn't share it.

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity
“Alright, Killer.” She thought of the funniest way to phrase it. “Do you have any kids?” “What? No.” His face twisted in confusion. “Want any?” She gave him a grin, hoping he understood the question was rhetorical. “How would I get kids? I don’t live with anyone. I don’t even have a hut anymore.” Ah yes, the old myth where Bastet blesses the home of couples living together. “Ha. You’re fun—” But his brow furrowed, lips parting slightly, like he was searching for a thread that just wasn’t there. By the Dauoigod. He was serious. She’d have to be the one to explain it. But he was twenty-eight. How had no one explained this to him? …No. Not now. There were more pressing matters.
February 13, 2026 at 12:25 PM
jade-lawrence.bsky.social
Tuning deepens the longer a gem is attuned. Each praedica gem has a human limit, a plateau that marks mastery. Mastery belongs to the gem, not the power it grants (so don't lose your gem). Most require four to five years to reach it, depending on the power. Heiden explains below:
#Febchantment
“I have. But it’s way more versatile than people think. It can animate anything that used to be alive. The creative users are the worst. Haywood must be talented. The tuning required to get a drakin flying and hunting like that? Impressive.” “Tuning?” “Longer you wear a gem, the more control you have over it. That’s tuning.” She scratched her neck. “Someone who just found a Raise Dead gem might only manage one skeleton. But after a year? That number could hit a hundred and fifty. And it’s not just numbers. They can customize them. Add arms. Stuff guts back in. Stitch together horrors you’ll never forget.” Aldous grimaced. “The necromancer used bones to coil the drakin like a snake.” “Fun,” she muttered, dry as dust. Then she tugged Sandy to a stop. Her expression hardened. “Speaking of fun... what now?”
February 12, 2026 at 12:11 PM
jade-lawrence.bsky.social
(posted it the wrong spot)
CW: Body Horror Language (though the user is fine) regarding the eye, A very vague description of intimate activity.

Here is what Soulsense feel like.
Luckily, Soulsense was legal. There was no hiding it, anyway. This one she removed each night. Attuning a single gem left the body drained, but attuning two prevented rest entirely. Even so, she wore Soulsense often enough. She had it tuned so finely she could see souls from half a day’s ride away. She took up her leech-hide monocle and set the pale gray gem inside. It was the size and shape of a chicken’s egg, smooth and faintly warm. It glowed a soft white light. When she placed the monocle over her left eye, the gem merged with it at once. Heat bloomed behind her eye. It was invasive, but she was used to it by now. It settled deep in her skull before easing, like an insect scurrying to hide under a rock. She blinked, letting the magic settle. Two rooms down, a young couple tangled together, breath and motion glowing brighter than anything else. Erica flushed and looked away at once. Accidental voyeurism was an unavoidable risk with Soulsense.
February 10, 2026 at 11:10 PM
jade-lawrence.bsky.social
CW: Description of Drowning.

I search for liquid in my manuscript, but it returned nothing even though I swore I used it for this scene. I forgot I switch it out for water, as liquid sounded like he didn't know what he was jumping in.

(Aldous POV)
#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity
As soon as she vanished from view, Aldous took a breath and jumped. The landslide followed instantly. Stone surged after him as he lunged for the exit. A rock slammed into his leg and dragged him under. He tried to swim forward despite the pain, but he was pinned. His lungs screamed. His vision blurred. Water filled his ears, muting the world to a dull roar. He tilted his head up, searching for the surface, but it stayed just out of reach. He clawed at the stone crushing his leg, trying to think, but pain drowned everything else. His chest convulsed. The world dimmed. He was not getting out.
February 10, 2026 at 11:00 PM
jade-lawrence.bsky.social
Yes, there are prophecies. My novel even has a 4,000-word explanation for them (😅 written to avoid a lore dump).

The short version:
Fate is what’s likely to happen.
Destiny is what the gods want to happen.

Soulmates also exist, and I’ve included an excerpt below.

#FebruaryWorldbuilders
grandmother Nuit makes the connections. She sees fate more clearly than any other demon, and the destinies she lays are almost always followed. Unless Aldous’s sister met with one of her oracles or an astrologer, their meeting was simply the most likely outcome.” [Spoiler] smiled softly. “She likes to make good matches. Being blessed by her usually means the relationship will result in a long, happy life. It’s an incentive to stay with someone you love and to quiet doubts. Perhaps that’s the best way to explain destiny.”
February 10, 2026 at 2:11 PM
jade-lawrence.bsky.social
I don't talk about Erica a lot, but she is a powerful Life Drain user. Illegal magic in both Volla and the Kingdom. Possession of the gem alone carries the death sentence.

She also has the same name of one of my in person beta-readers and I assure her, she not based after her.
#Febchantment
Erica, masked and silent, lagged behind, breathing hard as she struggled to keep pace. A shout erupted from the courtyard behind her. “There they are!” A company of at least a hundred monks charged toward them. Erica raised her hand. The air shivered. Every monk fell where they stood. A few fainted instantly. Most dropped to their knees, retching. The danger pressed at her back must have spurred her on, because she caught a second wind and ran again. Aldous’s stomach turned. The ease of it chilled him to the bone. He’d experienced Life Drain vertigo firsthand, that moment where his brain twisted and it felt like he might fall into the sky. But seeing it used on so many at once, watching a crowd fold like that… He understood why Locus Mortis had banned it.
February 7, 2026 at 1:52 PM
jade-lawrence.bsky.social
How difficult is it to find redemption in a town dedicated to a goddess of Love, Growth and Healing?

Pretty hard actually.

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity
The cult branded the mark on people who endangered the community. It was a death sentence for the foolish, and exile for the wise. In theory, it was a way for Fulla to redeem the remorseful. The excommunicated person would find Fulla’s star, heal their wound, and return forgiven. In practice, it was a way to get rid of those the cult deemed too dangerous and blame their fate on a goddess. No one ever passed the trial. About half of those condemned just skipped town. They were shamed and scarred but at least they were alive.
February 7, 2026 at 12:50 PM
jade-lawrence.bsky.social
Draft zero line (something I don't normally share), but it stuck with me. I’ve never loved “the needs of the many…” as a rule. Sometimes the moral weight needs to run the other way.

#FaveLineFriday
Sometimes, we need to focus on the few that need our help, even if it makes life harder for the majority.
February 6, 2026 at 9:20 PM
jade-lawrence.bsky.social
Aldous finds an old system cataloging the forest’s blessings. But there are more herbs here than he knew about.

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity
Each panel featured pictographs. One showed green paste smeared across a red line on a person’s body and in the next image, the line vanished. Another depicted a purple-colored figure eating sanaberries, then appearing normal in the next. The ambrosia apple panel showed a man eating the fruit, then patting his belly contentedly. “What’s this one?” Heiden pointed to a woman inhaling the scent of a white flower, exhaling smoke. “Spirolily,” Aldous replied. “Helps with breathing issues.” He gestured to the next two panels. “No idea what those are.” One depicted one person in a group eating a large fan shaped leaf, and in the next panel, everyone else had gray or no hair. “Maybe for hair loss?” Heiden tilted her head. “Or vanity.” The sixth panel showed a group under the moon. One person ate a tall, skinny white fruit. In the next image, everyone else was colored gray, while the eater remained vibrant. “A cure for sadness,” Heiden said, certain. “We used similar color schemes for posters and manuals in the guard barracks, for the ones who couldn’t read. Purple for poison, brown for disease, red for injury. Yellow was anger. Gray always meant sadness.”
February 6, 2026 at 11:59 AM
jade-lawrence.bsky.social
Heiden giving a description of the more active part of her old job. She has experience and sometime she has to deal with difficult situations.

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity
Heiden gave a thoughtful shrug. “Not really. Well, except skeletons. Lots of skeletons. That and killing visvore leeches were the bulk of guard duty back home. I’ve also fought with a lot of men, taken down more than a few. But I always brought them in alive. I did runs to the dungeon, not the graveyard.” She paused, then added, more quietly, “Unless they left me no choice. A few bandits came after me hard once. Wouldn’t stop. I didn’t let them walk away.” She looked off as she said it. Not with shame, but with the weight of someone who’s had to make hard calls. Aldous nodded. He didn’t push. He respected that. She could admit to the blood she’d spilled without flinching. He couldn’t even dwell on his own choices without feeling them drag him under, like Jokull himself had him by the ankles.
February 5, 2026 at 12:00 PM
jade-lawrence.bsky.social
Before, the choice was obvious, but now... Aldous isn't so sure what to do.

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity
It was time to leave. There was nothing left for him here. He could forage until he reached a trading post beyond the cult’s reach. Apple trees were common, and rabbits were plentiful. The border of the parish was only a five-day ride. He just had to outrun the snow. He hated this place. Volla was the worst. He should be glad to leave. Still, what Isa said lingered. That leaving would shame her. That people would think less of her because of him. That he was giving up. He owed so many a chance at a better life, yet only she received it. Maybe this was what he needed to do to make up for what he did. His gaze swept the naturally occurring flat road that went south to Locus Mortis. The old straight trail. A natural route made by the Central Ley Line. What would he even do once he got there? Start over? Alone? No family. No friends. Just Percival… and even he was getting old. He would spend the rest of his life in pain. He wished he could go back to Ventus and talk to his mother again. She would tell him exactly what to do. Aldous sighed, even if he could go back, even if her illness hadn’t taken her yet, she would just scold him for leaving Isa in such a position. When he left Ventus, he ensured he could never go back. And now he was back in the same place. And just like then, he could hear his mother's voice begging him to take care of his sister. Aldous looked north, toward the vast canopy that dominated the horizon. A goddess had enchanted that forest, and the plants within held powerful healing properties. The deeper one ventured, the stronger the magic. Maybe, just maybe, there was something in there that could remove his branding.
February 4, 2026 at 1:08 PM
jade-lawrence.bsky.social
CW: Blood

Varkyns are an original monster for my book. Think of a raptor covered in green-gray scales. It has a beak like a hawk and bird like eyes.

Most notable, it has four arms. Two for slashing and attacking, two for eating, like picking off moss from trees or meat from bones.
“I’m not sure you can even protect yourself if you continue to use swords.” Aldous turned to the dead varkyn she had slain, their red blood pooled into the dirt. He wasn’t sure why, but he hadn’t expected drakin to have the same color blood as him. “Another lucky stab that saved you. Don’t tell me you ‘made a seam.’ You can’t do that.”
February 3, 2026 at 6:40 PM
jade-lawrence.bsky.social
Oh, too many good choices for this one. Not surprising, most are about Heiden. This scene was fun and light hearted in itself, and shows a lot of character. It also causes a small issue for an upcoming scene.

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
The whole thing reminded her of a kid realizing he was wrong but trying to save face. “Excellent,” she called. “Glad to see you listen to your elders. We’re full of wisdom.” “Elder?” Aldous steered Percival back to her side. “Pretty sure I’m older than you. You’re reckless, cocky, avoid responsibility when you can… Classic youth behavior.” Heiden did not appreciate Aldous’s summary of her personality. “I’ve earned my attitude, young man,” she said, wagging a finger. “You’re too gullible to be older than me. And judging by your bedroll performance, I can say you lack experience of someone older.” She had thoroughly enjoyed him that night but Heiden knew better than to let a man get too confident. “Wow.” Aldous blinked, momentarily stunned. “Okay, you—” She waited, watching him try to navigate the thorns she’d just dropped in his path. Adorable. “It’s just… been a while,” he said, clearly trying to recover. “Particularly with a woman.” “Alright, then. Let’s settle this. How old are you?” Aldous gave her a suspicious look. “Twenty-eight springs.” She grinned. Older. “Thirty autumns. Actually, probably thirty-one by now.” She sighed, mock-dramatic. “Though I won’t complain if you count fewer.”
February 3, 2026 at 11:22 AM
jade-lawrence.bsky.social
Winter’s usually silent back here. Except for this regular visitor, who never misses a season. 🦊
Fox standing in the snow in front of a tree.
February 2, 2026 at 7:18 PM
jade-lawrence.bsky.social
CW: ancient corpses

Context: their first encounter with a wyvern. It's just watching them.

Perished used to be here, but I forgot I changed it. Died felt colder and more... IDK... human.
Aldous tightened his grip on Percival’s reins. The other drakins had avoided their steeds so far. He prayed this one would do the same. The open ground offered no cover. He made a quiet vow not to dismount again unless there was solid shelter within reach. But protection was rare in the city that collapsed on itself. Towers lay in heaps, rubble choked the streets, and underground tunnels had caved in, leaving jagged holes in the earth. Some of these piles were littered with bones, evidence that the city had not died quietly.
February 2, 2026 at 12:19 PM
jade-lawrence.bsky.social
No academies in the Kingdom. In a world of apprenticeships and tutors, schooling is rare. Universities exist for sanctioned experts (like quartermasters), but it's expensive. Church colleges are free if you pass the entrance exams… and can leave home.

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity
“Really?” Heiden blinked, surprised. “You? An astrologer?” “My mother was casteless, and my father was useless at helping us. Opportunities were… limited.” He sighed. “I thought about joining the church. But even if I represented Jokull, I’d still have to leave the earldom. I wasn’t about to abandon my sister in Ventus just to study at an Astareth college.” Heiden tilted her head. “But you’re a stable master now. And it sounds like you earned it on your own. Although… your sister said the city was reluctant to recognize you.” “Isa said that?” Aldous let out a short, disdainful laugh. “Well, yeah. They didn’t want to recognize me because I wasn’t an official apprentice. That, and the laity representatives were puppets of the nobles, who wanted me to keep being a—” He cut himself short. Heiden caught the stumble but didn’t press. Not yet. “The nobles claimed I’d waste my talents as a stable master, despite how naturally good I was at it. They wanted my Questor to deny the certification, but my mentor fought for me. Somehow, he convinced them to approve it.”
January 31, 2026 at 2:05 PM
jade-lawrence.bsky.social
Aldous thinks he’s being considerate. Heiden realizes he’s refusing to lead. This argument changes how they see each other.

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity
She didn’t need to elaborate. They both knew what lurked in the dense underbrush. Nettles, briars, and other kinds of terrain that could cripple a horse, or leave them stranded in poison-laced thorns. “There might not be paths to the sulfur lakes.” Aldous shifted in his saddle. “I can’t think of a single creature that would want to go there.” Heiden let out a short, humorless laugh. “And yet, that’s exactly where we’re going.” She shook her head, like she was just now realizing what they were doing. “We could keep trying the trail, maybe it will veer back north?” Aldous offered. “Do you believe that?” He avoided eye contact, “No.” Heiden softened her expression for the first time that day, “Then why offer it as a suggestion?” Aldous hesitated. He didn’t expect her to say that. He couldn’t form a response, nor did she give him time to. She just sighed and shook her head. “Come on, Killer.” Her voice calm. “I need you to guide us.” Aldous looked down. He wished he said something, but the moment passed. And while he wasn’t sure what role he had in this friendship before, she had just reassigned it. Heiden continued, “I appreciate you considering my feelings, but you know best here. I’m going to need you to lead.” He nodded and urged her to continue, scanning the brush for an opening. A mossy knoll appeared just off the path and he guided the horses toward it. This was going to be as good an entrance as they were going to get.
January 30, 2026 at 5:38 PM
jade-lawrence.bsky.social
What's a fantasy novel without a description of the land? I like to sandwich my landscape between a deadline, a goal, and a complication.

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity
They reached the lakes later than expected. There was still enough daylight to search before returning to the horses, but not much room for delay. Still, as they approached, Aldous took a moment to survey the dangers ahead. If the forest embodied life and growth, the sulfur lakes were its grave. The land was stripped bare, leaving steaming pools, jagged salt formations, and rust-colored crusts beneath a sulfur-laden haze. The ground lay cracked and lifeless, streaked in unnatural shades of yellow, orange, and green. A thick chemical stench clung to the throat and burned the lungs. A white flower would stand out against this desolation. Which was good. They needed to keep their distance. But now, Heiden’s concerns from earlier now echoed in his head. Even if they found the star, Aldous still wasn’t sure how he would retrieve it. Heiden pointed further down the lakes. “That’s weird.” He followed her gaze to a massive, grayish-blue hill that towered over the jagged pillars of the landscape. It was unlike anything else in the area. Too stark a contrast to be natural. Something had to be there. With no better lead, they headed toward it.
January 29, 2026 at 11:43 AM
jade-lawrence.bsky.social
(CW: Fire aftermath)

This is the inciting incident. The moment Aldous can’t procrastinate his way through life anymore. Unable to keep doing what he always has, he has to choose a new path. That doesn’t mean he’s ready to face what waits.

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity
The iron doors shut behind him. A white glow sealed them closed. He drew a slow, agonizing breath and glanced around. Once again, he was alone. He hadn’t been outside since the fire. His lungs still ached from the smoke, but it wasn’t just that. It was what lay ahead. The stairs. The brazier. The stable. He knew what waited at the bottom. That wouldn't change with time. Still, his foot hovering over the first step, as if a pause might delay the truth. But the cold bit deeper, and hesitation would bring nothing back. He descended, each step slow and deliberate, until he reached the blackened remains of his life. Charred boards. Burned hay. Twisted remnants of what had once been his stable. The scent of ash still clung to the air. A cruel reminder of all he had lost. And worst of all, they thought he had done it.
January 28, 2026 at 11:37 AM
jade-lawrence.bsky.social
To me, nothing’s more comforting than the sound of rain and my partner snoring.
Of course, I’m not on an impossible quest for redemption where a cockatrice might kill me.

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity
Rain slammed against stone as Aldous woke. It was going to be a miserable day. He cracked the door for a peek, then quickly shut it. Two cockatrices lurked in the storm, just beyond the threshold. He didn’t think they had heard him, but it was going to be an immediate problem. Heiden was still snoring, so Aldous pondered his plan. He took out his mace and gave practice strokes in the air. He visualized the attack and swung the way he expected to in a real fight. He was so focused that he wasn’t sure how long he was at it. He didn’t even hear the snoring stop. “You’re still swinging too wide. You’ll pull your arm if you keep that up.” Heiden was sitting up in her gambeson. Aldous became red, hiding the mace like he could pretend he was doing something else. How long had she been watching? He deflected. “Do you usually sleep in your armor?” “Only in dangerous places.” She stretched, then grinned and struck a pose. “What would you rather I sleep in?” He turned his head to break eye contact. There was no winning with her.
January 27, 2026 at 11:48 AM
jade-lawrence.bsky.social
“Notice” is one of those words I try to cut from my writing 😅 but I still use it as an adjective. I like this moment because it shows a real side Heiden. I hope there’s enough context here.

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity
Despite the rain, sunlight broke through the clouds, enough to petrify the wound. He stood there, panting while raindrops washed the blood from his shoulder. He’d done it. He’d actually killed them. But it still hurt like hell. He clutched his shoulder with his gloved hand, acting on instinct. Heat flared from the gem, seeping into his skin. A hard knot of stoned tissue pushed out, then cracked apart as the flesh sealed beneath it. The healing didn’t even leave behind a scar. Heiden rushed towards him, her limp very noticeable. She franticly checked his shoulder, then, satisfied he was fine, gave him a push, forcing him to take a step back. “Don’t take your eyes off your opponent. I didn't think I needed to teach you that.”
January 25, 2026 at 2:34 PM