@kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social
Pinned
When you realize your heart beats for #Gothic
As Carol Senf has stated, "the Gothic was... a counterbalance produced by writers and thinkers who felt limited by such a confident worldview and recognized that the power of the past, the irrational, and the violent continue to sway in the world."
As Carol Senf has stated, "the Gothic was... a counterbalance produced by writers and thinkers who felt limited by such a confident worldview and recognized that the power of the past, the irrational, and the violent continue to sway in the world."
Urgent Holiday Request: DO NOT start whistling the song the clothes dryer makes when the cycle is complete.
JUST DON'T.
JUST DON'T.
November 24, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Urgent Holiday Request: DO NOT start whistling the song the clothes dryer makes when the cycle is complete.
JUST DON'T.
JUST DON'T.
Okay. I broke down and started storyboarding my book after watching Mr Scorsese on Apple TV. However, I've decided not to do the cocaine.
November 8, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Okay. I broke down and started storyboarding my book after watching Mr Scorsese on Apple TV. However, I've decided not to do the cocaine.
Killing your darlings. Oof.
Love that character. Written a lot for them.
Reminding myself they're just going on ice, not gone.
After all, there's a whole other book for them to live in.
Still sad. 'Cause you gotta love 'em to write 'em.
Here's some sap to go with the whine.
#5amwritersclub
Love that character. Written a lot for them.
Reminding myself they're just going on ice, not gone.
After all, there's a whole other book for them to live in.
Still sad. 'Cause you gotta love 'em to write 'em.
Here's some sap to go with the whine.
#5amwritersclub
Tom Waits - "Somewhere" (From 'West Side Story')
YouTube video by Tom Waits
www.youtube.com
October 20, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Killing your darlings. Oof.
Love that character. Written a lot for them.
Reminding myself they're just going on ice, not gone.
After all, there's a whole other book for them to live in.
Still sad. 'Cause you gotta love 'em to write 'em.
Here's some sap to go with the whine.
#5amwritersclub
Love that character. Written a lot for them.
Reminding myself they're just going on ice, not gone.
After all, there's a whole other book for them to live in.
Still sad. 'Cause you gotta love 'em to write 'em.
Here's some sap to go with the whine.
#5amwritersclub
Reposted
Just finished the sixth panel in my drawing project titled, "All The Faces The Crow Remembers." 10 panels left to go. There will be a total of 16. Each panel is 9"x 12"(23.9 x 30.5cm). Charcoal on paper. The finished size will be roughly 36"x 48". #art #drawing #charcoal #birds
October 19, 2025 at 9:39 PM
I think I might have figured something out!
I only wish it didn't take so dang long.
#5amwritersclub #writesky
I only wish it didn't take so dang long.
#5amwritersclub #writesky
October 17, 2025 at 9:56 AM
I think I might have figured something out!
I only wish it didn't take so dang long.
#5amwritersclub #writesky
I only wish it didn't take so dang long.
#5amwritersclub #writesky
Reposted
Peaceful assembly isn’t an insurrection.
Storming the Capitol to hang your own vice-president and end democracy is.
Storming the Capitol to hang your own vice-president and end democracy is.
October 10, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Peaceful assembly isn’t an insurrection.
Storming the Capitol to hang your own vice-president and end democracy is.
Storming the Capitol to hang your own vice-president and end democracy is.
Currently mining for a bright silver vein, a shining ribbon through the world on the pages.
#5amwritersclub #writersky
#5amwritersclub #writersky
October 9, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Currently mining for a bright silver vein, a shining ribbon through the world on the pages.
#5amwritersclub #writersky
#5amwritersclub #writersky
Someone asked me how I think up my books- and it nearly always starts with a news story of someone doing something awful or bizarre and wondering what story they're telling themselves about the world.
Up at 3 with kalamata olive induced migraine.
#5amwritersclub #migraine
Up at 3 with kalamata olive induced migraine.
#5amwritersclub #migraine
October 8, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Someone asked me how I think up my books- and it nearly always starts with a news story of someone doing something awful or bizarre and wondering what story they're telling themselves about the world.
Up at 3 with kalamata olive induced migraine.
#5amwritersclub #migraine
Up at 3 with kalamata olive induced migraine.
#5amwritersclub #migraine
Yesterday, completely demoralized.
Then my husband reminded me that I'd written and outlined quite a lot and was likely just tired.
Perspective.
Then my husband reminded me that I'd written and outlined quite a lot and was likely just tired.
Perspective.
a picture of a man in a suit with the caption look at the big picture here
ALT: a picture of a man in a suit with the caption look at the big picture here
media.tenor.com
October 2, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Yesterday, completely demoralized.
Then my husband reminded me that I'd written and outlined quite a lot and was likely just tired.
Perspective.
Then my husband reminded me that I'd written and outlined quite a lot and was likely just tired.
Perspective.
So the other day @alicebooks333.bsky.social posted that she preferred writing a standalone to a series. And I was all "oooh, my characters have sooo much to say!"
Then my writing buddy read my histfic synopsis and said "that's three books," and suddenly I felt a real tug to write a standalone.
Then my writing buddy read my histfic synopsis and said "that's three books," and suddenly I felt a real tug to write a standalone.
a man in a suit and hawaiian shirt is standing in front of a door .
ALT: a man in a suit and hawaiian shirt is standing in front of a door .
media.tenor.com
September 26, 2025 at 11:40 AM
So the other day @alicebooks333.bsky.social posted that she preferred writing a standalone to a series. And I was all "oooh, my characters have sooo much to say!"
Then my writing buddy read my histfic synopsis and said "that's three books," and suddenly I felt a real tug to write a standalone.
Then my writing buddy read my histfic synopsis and said "that's three books," and suddenly I felt a real tug to write a standalone.
It might actually be my favorite film, favorite script.
Crimson Peak. Guillermo Del Torro.
Crimson Peak. Guillermo Del Torro.
a poster for the movie crimson peak showing a woman with bloody hands
ALT: a poster for the movie crimson peak showing a woman with bloody hands
media.tenor.com
September 23, 2025 at 4:15 AM
It might actually be my favorite film, favorite script.
Crimson Peak. Guillermo Del Torro.
Crimson Peak. Guillermo Del Torro.
“When you write a story, you’re telling yourself the story. When you rewrite, your main job is taking out all the things that are not the story.” Stephen King
I start by writing a synopsis- a long one- and really working on it. Then, I map the plot points out on powerpoint.
Then I'll write it.
I start by writing a synopsis- a long one- and really working on it. Then, I map the plot points out on powerpoint.
Then I'll write it.
a black and white photo of a man with the words we 've presumed to prepare a draft below him
ALT: a black and white photo of a man with the words we 've presumed to prepare a draft below him
media.tenor.com
September 20, 2025 at 6:39 PM
“When you write a story, you’re telling yourself the story. When you rewrite, your main job is taking out all the things that are not the story.” Stephen King
I start by writing a synopsis- a long one- and really working on it. Then, I map the plot points out on powerpoint.
Then I'll write it.
I start by writing a synopsis- a long one- and really working on it. Then, I map the plot points out on powerpoint.
Then I'll write it.
OKAY! Rough draft of synopsis for The French House complete! 10,000 words. Tomorrow, I will fill in a few blanks and start polishing the synopsis! 1720's London.
#histfic #5amwritersclub #writersky
#histfic #5amwritersclub #writersky
September 19, 2025 at 9:09 PM
OKAY! Rough draft of synopsis for The French House complete! 10,000 words. Tomorrow, I will fill in a few blanks and start polishing the synopsis! 1720's London.
#histfic #5amwritersclub #writersky
#histfic #5amwritersclub #writersky
Back in it after a lot of research for my 18thc #histfic.
How did Londoners get around at night or in the fog? How much would a hansom cab cost from Mayfair to Westminster? How often did carriages get stuck or break a wheel? What types of pumps did capital ships carry and do they work in a storm?
How did Londoners get around at night or in the fog? How much would a hansom cab cost from Mayfair to Westminster? How often did carriages get stuck or break a wheel? What types of pumps did capital ships carry and do they work in a storm?
a painting of a man in a wig reading a book .
ALT: a painting of a man in a wig reading a book .
media.tenor.com
September 18, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Back in it after a lot of research for my 18thc #histfic.
How did Londoners get around at night or in the fog? How much would a hansom cab cost from Mayfair to Westminster? How often did carriages get stuck or break a wheel? What types of pumps did capital ships carry and do they work in a storm?
How did Londoners get around at night or in the fog? How much would a hansom cab cost from Mayfair to Westminster? How often did carriages get stuck or break a wheel? What types of pumps did capital ships carry and do they work in a storm?
There's a lot that goes into writing a book!
Proof reading for spelling, tense and grammar.
POV/head hopping checks.
Voice consistency & choice- first, third & omniscient.
Character building/arcs.
Plot holes.
Weak opens, soggy middles and unresolved endings.
Unearned twists.
What's hanging you up?
Proof reading for spelling, tense and grammar.
POV/head hopping checks.
Voice consistency & choice- first, third & omniscient.
Character building/arcs.
Plot holes.
Weak opens, soggy middles and unresolved endings.
Unearned twists.
What's hanging you up?
a man is sitting at a desk with a keyboard and the words oh my god writing is so hard above him
ALT: a man is sitting at a desk with a keyboard and the words oh my god writing is so hard above him
media.tenor.com
September 17, 2025 at 1:01 AM
There's a lot that goes into writing a book!
Proof reading for spelling, tense and grammar.
POV/head hopping checks.
Voice consistency & choice- first, third & omniscient.
Character building/arcs.
Plot holes.
Weak opens, soggy middles and unresolved endings.
Unearned twists.
What's hanging you up?
Proof reading for spelling, tense and grammar.
POV/head hopping checks.
Voice consistency & choice- first, third & omniscient.
Character building/arcs.
Plot holes.
Weak opens, soggy middles and unresolved endings.
Unearned twists.
What's hanging you up?
Out nearly a week with migraine and feeling like time has slipped through my fingers. Need to dig down and find some new vein of energy to give to these poor, poor books of mine.
#writersky #5amwritersclub
#writersky #5amwritersclub
a black and white photo of a woman laying in bed with a tcm logo
ALT: a black and white photo of a woman laying in bed with a tcm logo
media.tenor.com
September 13, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Out nearly a week with migraine and feeling like time has slipped through my fingers. Need to dig down and find some new vein of energy to give to these poor, poor books of mine.
#writersky #5amwritersclub
#writersky #5amwritersclub
Did a lot of research and character work today, but still feel itchy that I didn't do as much "writing" as I'd like to have. But I do love what's happening with these people!
#writersky
#writersky
kermit the frog is typing on a typewriter .
ALT: kermit the frog is typing on a typewriter .
media.tenor.com
September 4, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Did a lot of research and character work today, but still feel itchy that I didn't do as much "writing" as I'd like to have. But I do love what's happening with these people!
#writersky
#writersky
Slept in. Needed it. #5amwritersclub had become the three am writers club for a few weeks. Nearly done outlining The French House #specfic historical 18th century offshoot of current-day #gothic #specfic #literarythriller
Think spies, Isaac Newton, Chocolate Houses, Jacobites & land speculation.
Think spies, Isaac Newton, Chocolate Houses, Jacobites & land speculation.
English Chocolate Houses
While chocolate seems ubiquitous today, it did not make its official debut in England until the 1650s when it became very popular in the English Royal Court.)…
randombitsoffascination.com
September 3, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Slept in. Needed it. #5amwritersclub had become the three am writers club for a few weeks. Nearly done outlining The French House #specfic historical 18th century offshoot of current-day #gothic #specfic #literarythriller
Think spies, Isaac Newton, Chocolate Houses, Jacobites & land speculation.
Think spies, Isaac Newton, Chocolate Houses, Jacobites & land speculation.
Some days the #5amwritersclub is just thinking about your book in bed. Like, what are 5 quirks of each character? Why do i think there are two "h"'s in character? How do Freeholds work? What were the building materials in London after the Great Fire? Could Samuel Pepys be more self-interested?
September 2, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Some days the #5amwritersclub is just thinking about your book in bed. Like, what are 5 quirks of each character? Why do i think there are two "h"'s in character? How do Freeholds work? What were the building materials in London after the Great Fire? Could Samuel Pepys be more self-interested?
I collect stories of writers wrestling award winning books over the finish line. Stephen King rewriting The Stand, Michael Chabon says it happens on most of his, and this is Margaret Atwood finding the narrator. Take heart, rewriters!
www.theguardian.com/books/2013/a...
#5amwritersclub #booksky
www.theguardian.com/books/2013/a...
#5amwritersclub #booksky
Margaret Atwood on The Blind Assassin – Guardian book club
The events of the great depression, as lived through by the characters, are all drawn from history, writes Margaret Atwood
www.theguardian.com
September 1, 2025 at 3:02 PM
I collect stories of writers wrestling award winning books over the finish line. Stephen King rewriting The Stand, Michael Chabon says it happens on most of his, and this is Margaret Atwood finding the narrator. Take heart, rewriters!
www.theguardian.com/books/2013/a...
#5amwritersclub #booksky
www.theguardian.com/books/2013/a...
#5amwritersclub #booksky
Writing to the hum of cicadas and frogs...and the startling scream of a night heron. Dripping out the backstory...with one spouse offering an apologia of the other to an adult child.
"She is more your ally in this than your enemy."
Maybe!
#writersky #5amwritersclub #writing
"She is more your ally in this than your enemy."
Maybe!
#writersky #5amwritersclub #writing
September 1, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Writing to the hum of cicadas and frogs...and the startling scream of a night heron. Dripping out the backstory...with one spouse offering an apologia of the other to an adult child.
"She is more your ally in this than your enemy."
Maybe!
#writersky #5amwritersclub #writing
"She is more your ally in this than your enemy."
Maybe!
#writersky #5amwritersclub #writing
Having way too much fun with The French House!
Dreaming up a ripping yarn grounded in the amazing year of 1720 London. I'm really enjoying writing this historical fiction!
#Huguenots #london #Jacobites #histfic
#5AMWritersClub #writesky #skywriters #writingcommunity #booksky #althistfic
Dreaming up a ripping yarn grounded in the amazing year of 1720 London. I'm really enjoying writing this historical fiction!
#Huguenots #london #Jacobites #histfic
#5AMWritersClub #writesky #skywriters #writingcommunity #booksky #althistfic
August 31, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Having way too much fun with The French House!
Dreaming up a ripping yarn grounded in the amazing year of 1720 London. I'm really enjoying writing this historical fiction!
#Huguenots #london #Jacobites #histfic
#5AMWritersClub #writesky #skywriters #writingcommunity #booksky #althistfic
Dreaming up a ripping yarn grounded in the amazing year of 1720 London. I'm really enjoying writing this historical fiction!
#Huguenots #london #Jacobites #histfic
#5AMWritersClub #writesky #skywriters #writingcommunity #booksky #althistfic
A fun 5am start today- revisited my 1720 historical fiction spin off of my main current day series. Fun to take a little break and dip back into the South Sea Bubble! Many parallels to our world, of course.
#5amwritersclub #booksky #writersky
www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/Hi...
#5amwritersclub #booksky #writersky
www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/Hi...
The South Sea Bubble of 1720
The 18th century version of the Dot Com Boom - and Bust!
www.historic-uk.com
August 31, 2025 at 1:20 PM
A fun 5am start today- revisited my 1720 historical fiction spin off of my main current day series. Fun to take a little break and dip back into the South Sea Bubble! Many parallels to our world, of course.
#5amwritersclub #booksky #writersky
www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/Hi...
#5amwritersclub #booksky #writersky
www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/Hi...
Ooh! Real Human Art for sale! Get an art print!
49003330.hs-sites.com/john-whitake...
49003330.hs-sites.com/john-whitake...
August 28, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Ooh! Real Human Art for sale! Get an art print!
49003330.hs-sites.com/john-whitake...
49003330.hs-sites.com/john-whitake...