Mayken Brünings
@maykenalanna.bsky.social
I write fantasy & speculative fiction for kids. 📚 My blog about Paris & published short stories 👉 https://www.maykenbruenings.com/
Trilingual swimmer 🏊🏻♀️ and SCBWI member. I love cows and Brittany.
Trilingual swimmer 🏊🏻♀️ and SCBWI member. I love cows and Brittany.
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 29
Charlotte's story is a WIP (though quite far along) but if you're intrigued, read my spin-off short story in which she makes a cameo. It features her older friend Maelle and the twins Guy and Raoul, all time travel agents in training. Link below ⬇️
Charlotte's story is a WIP (though quite far along) but if you're intrigued, read my spin-off short story in which she makes a cameo. It features her older friend Maelle and the twins Guy and Raoul, all time travel agents in training. Link below ⬇️
November 29, 2025 at 5:13 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 29
Charlotte's story is a WIP (though quite far along) but if you're intrigued, read my spin-off short story in which she makes a cameo. It features her older friend Maelle and the twins Guy and Raoul, all time travel agents in training. Link below ⬇️
Charlotte's story is a WIP (though quite far along) but if you're intrigued, read my spin-off short story in which she makes a cameo. It features her older friend Maelle and the twins Guy and Raoul, all time travel agents in training. Link below ⬇️
Im Asterixpark wird die Schriftart aus en französischen Alben auch genutzt. Nicht überall, aber teilweise. Freut mich jedes Mal wieder.
November 29, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Im Asterixpark wird die Schriftart aus en französischen Alben auch genutzt. Nicht überall, aber teilweise. Freut mich jedes Mal wieder.
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 27
From a Time Protection Agency school essay written by Charlotte:
"And they can’t go back for do-overs either if things go wrong because that would destabilize the timeline."
From a Time Protection Agency school essay written by Charlotte:
"And they can’t go back for do-overs either if things go wrong because that would destabilize the timeline."
November 28, 2025 at 7:13 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 27
From a Time Protection Agency school essay written by Charlotte:
"And they can’t go back for do-overs either if things go wrong because that would destabilize the timeline."
From a Time Protection Agency school essay written by Charlotte:
"And they can’t go back for do-overs either if things go wrong because that would destabilize the timeline."
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 25
When Charlotte's last quill snaps and her dad is out of town, she wishes she could just go buy a new quill. But that's not how the 16th century works, at least not in small places like Saint-Germain-en-Laye. A good thing the Princess's school master has a few he can spare.
When Charlotte's last quill snaps and her dad is out of town, she wishes she could just go buy a new quill. But that's not how the 16th century works, at least not in small places like Saint-Germain-en-Laye. A good thing the Princess's school master has a few he can spare.
November 25, 2025 at 7:09 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 25
When Charlotte's last quill snaps and her dad is out of town, she wishes she could just go buy a new quill. But that's not how the 16th century works, at least not in small places like Saint-Germain-en-Laye. A good thing the Princess's school master has a few he can spare.
When Charlotte's last quill snaps and her dad is out of town, she wishes she could just go buy a new quill. But that's not how the 16th century works, at least not in small places like Saint-Germain-en-Laye. A good thing the Princess's school master has a few he can spare.
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 23
I'll sit this one out, since I'm not sure what Turkeys act like.
In "Asterix and the Great Crossing", they say gobblegobblegobble in English and glouglouglou in French and then get eaten by Obelix. Doesn't apply to any of my characters.
I'll sit this one out, since I'm not sure what Turkeys act like.
In "Asterix and the Great Crossing", they say gobblegobblegobble in English and glouglouglou in French and then get eaten by Obelix. Doesn't apply to any of my characters.
November 23, 2025 at 4:43 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 23
I'll sit this one out, since I'm not sure what Turkeys act like.
In "Asterix and the Great Crossing", they say gobblegobblegobble in English and glouglouglou in French and then get eaten by Obelix. Doesn't apply to any of my characters.
I'll sit this one out, since I'm not sure what Turkeys act like.
In "Asterix and the Great Crossing", they say gobblegobblegobble in English and glouglouglou in French and then get eaten by Obelix. Doesn't apply to any of my characters.
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 21
I'm thankful for my little GalaxyBook that I write on during my lunch breaks, for which I'm also thankful. It's my only regular writing time, so without either of those, there'd be no stories from me.
I'm thankful for my little GalaxyBook that I write on during my lunch breaks, for which I'm also thankful. It's my only regular writing time, so without either of those, there'd be no stories from me.
November 23, 2025 at 4:39 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 21
I'm thankful for my little GalaxyBook that I write on during my lunch breaks, for which I'm also thankful. It's my only regular writing time, so without either of those, there'd be no stories from me.
I'm thankful for my little GalaxyBook that I write on during my lunch breaks, for which I'm also thankful. It's my only regular writing time, so without either of those, there'd be no stories from me.
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 19
“Fare you well, young Charles,” the Duke of Bourbon said, already in the saddle. “And thank your master, whoever he is.”
“Fare you well, Your Grace,” I said. “You understand of course that we will find you should you not honor your part of our agreement.”
“Fare you well, young Charles,” the Duke of Bourbon said, already in the saddle. “And thank your master, whoever he is.”
“Fare you well, Your Grace,” I said. “You understand of course that we will find you should you not honor your part of our agreement.”
November 20, 2025 at 4:36 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 19
“Fare you well, young Charles,” the Duke of Bourbon said, already in the saddle. “And thank your master, whoever he is.”
“Fare you well, Your Grace,” I said. “You understand of course that we will find you should you not honor your part of our agreement.”
“Fare you well, young Charles,” the Duke of Bourbon said, already in the saddle. “And thank your master, whoever he is.”
“Fare you well, Your Grace,” I said. “You understand of course that we will find you should you not honor your part of our agreement.”
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 17
Not a lot of reading for Charlotte, but she does mention studying the barricades scene of Les Misérables (the book, not the musical) in French class. 🇫🇷
Not a lot of reading for Charlotte, but she does mention studying the barricades scene of Les Misérables (the book, not the musical) in French class. 🇫🇷
November 20, 2025 at 4:33 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 17
Not a lot of reading for Charlotte, but she does mention studying the barricades scene of Les Misérables (the book, not the musical) in French class. 🇫🇷
Not a lot of reading for Charlotte, but she does mention studying the barricades scene of Les Misérables (the book, not the musical) in French class. 🇫🇷
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 15
[...]
“And what if he hadn’t sent Jacques Cartier off to explore the Gulf of St Lawrence?” I said.
“Then there would be no French-speaking Canada today,” Mom replied.
It was a traditional family game we played whenever one of us asked a “what if” history question.
[...]
“And what if he hadn’t sent Jacques Cartier off to explore the Gulf of St Lawrence?” I said.
“Then there would be no French-speaking Canada today,” Mom replied.
It was a traditional family game we played whenever one of us asked a “what if” history question.
November 15, 2025 at 6:53 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 15
[...]
“And what if he hadn’t sent Jacques Cartier off to explore the Gulf of St Lawrence?” I said.
“Then there would be no French-speaking Canada today,” Mom replied.
It was a traditional family game we played whenever one of us asked a “what if” history question.
[...]
“And what if he hadn’t sent Jacques Cartier off to explore the Gulf of St Lawrence?” I said.
“Then there would be no French-speaking Canada today,” Mom replied.
It was a traditional family game we played whenever one of us asked a “what if” history question.
#TimeTravelAhuthors Day 13
Desserts!
They didn't have chocolate at the French royal court yet in the early 16th century (no more than tomatoes), but there was a dessert that King Francis was very fond of: cotignac, a specific kind of quince jelly. Charlotte likes it too.
I have yet to taste it.
Desserts!
They didn't have chocolate at the French royal court yet in the early 16th century (no more than tomatoes), but there was a dessert that King Francis was very fond of: cotignac, a specific kind of quince jelly. Charlotte likes it too.
I have yet to taste it.
November 14, 2025 at 7:51 PM
#TimeTravelAhuthors Day 13
Desserts!
They didn't have chocolate at the French royal court yet in the early 16th century (no more than tomatoes), but there was a dessert that King Francis was very fond of: cotignac, a specific kind of quince jelly. Charlotte likes it too.
I have yet to taste it.
Desserts!
They didn't have chocolate at the French royal court yet in the early 16th century (no more than tomatoes), but there was a dessert that King Francis was very fond of: cotignac, a specific kind of quince jelly. Charlotte likes it too.
I have yet to taste it.
November 13, 2025 at 6:17 AM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 11
Time slows down when Charlotte travels with a 16th-century royal train (NOT a 🚂 train, but a procession of horses, litters, and pack animals) 220km between two royal palaces.
But time flies when she tries to find a way to save the princess before her recorded death date.
Time slows down when Charlotte travels with a 16th-century royal train (NOT a 🚂 train, but a procession of horses, litters, and pack animals) 220km between two royal palaces.
But time flies when she tries to find a way to save the princess before her recorded death date.
November 12, 2025 at 6:58 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 11
Time slows down when Charlotte travels with a 16th-century royal train (NOT a 🚂 train, but a procession of horses, litters, and pack animals) 220km between two royal palaces.
But time flies when she tries to find a way to save the princess before her recorded death date.
Time slows down when Charlotte travels with a 16th-century royal train (NOT a 🚂 train, but a procession of horses, litters, and pack animals) 220km between two royal palaces.
But time flies when she tries to find a way to save the princess before her recorded death date.
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 9
Maybe not strangest, but most original: Once Fontainebleau palace had a jeu de paume master on site who explained the game, down to the fabrication of the balls. And we could try it out!
Charlotte watches King Francis play in one scene. Another sport he excelled at.
Maybe not strangest, but most original: Once Fontainebleau palace had a jeu de paume master on site who explained the game, down to the fabrication of the balls. And we could try it out!
Charlotte watches King Francis play in one scene. Another sport he excelled at.
November 9, 2025 at 4:43 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 9
Maybe not strangest, but most original: Once Fontainebleau palace had a jeu de paume master on site who explained the game, down to the fabrication of the balls. And we could try it out!
Charlotte watches King Francis play in one scene. Another sport he excelled at.
Maybe not strangest, but most original: Once Fontainebleau palace had a jeu de paume master on site who explained the game, down to the fabrication of the balls. And we could try it out!
Charlotte watches King Francis play in one scene. Another sport he excelled at.
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 7
King Francis was very athletic. One of favorite pastimes was hunting. In order to better keep up, his daughter-in-law Catherine de Medicis introduced a new type of side saddle for female riders.
That's after Charlotte's time, so she's stuck with the old side saddle.
King Francis was very athletic. One of favorite pastimes was hunting. In order to better keep up, his daughter-in-law Catherine de Medicis introduced a new type of side saddle for female riders.
That's after Charlotte's time, so she's stuck with the old side saddle.
November 9, 2025 at 4:43 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 7
King Francis was very athletic. One of favorite pastimes was hunting. In order to better keep up, his daughter-in-law Catherine de Medicis introduced a new type of side saddle for female riders.
That's after Charlotte's time, so she's stuck with the old side saddle.
King Francis was very athletic. One of favorite pastimes was hunting. In order to better keep up, his daughter-in-law Catherine de Medicis introduced a new type of side saddle for female riders.
That's after Charlotte's time, so she's stuck with the old side saddle.
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 5
The princess, her brothers, and I were seated at the trestle table covered with a white tablecloth, the servants loading our trenchers with food. Her eyes widened as a servant poured orange juice for her and her brothers.
The princess, her brothers, and I were seated at the trestle table covered with a white tablecloth, the servants loading our trenchers with food. Her eyes widened as a servant poured orange juice for her and her brothers.
November 9, 2025 at 4:43 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 5
The princess, her brothers, and I were seated at the trestle table covered with a white tablecloth, the servants loading our trenchers with food. Her eyes widened as a servant poured orange juice for her and her brothers.
The princess, her brothers, and I were seated at the trestle table covered with a white tablecloth, the servants loading our trenchers with food. Her eyes widened as a servant poured orange juice for her and her brothers.
#TimeTravelAuthors
What day is it? I had kinda a busy week, let me catch up.
Day 3
If Charlotte could travel forward in time, she'd check if it was true what the time protection agency teaches them about consequences of changing the established timeline. [Spoiler: It might not be.]
What day is it? I had kinda a busy week, let me catch up.
Day 3
If Charlotte could travel forward in time, she'd check if it was true what the time protection agency teaches them about consequences of changing the established timeline. [Spoiler: It might not be.]
November 9, 2025 at 4:43 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors
What day is it? I had kinda a busy week, let me catch up.
Day 3
If Charlotte could travel forward in time, she'd check if it was true what the time protection agency teaches them about consequences of changing the established timeline. [Spoiler: It might not be.]
What day is it? I had kinda a busy week, let me catch up.
Day 3
If Charlotte could travel forward in time, she'd check if it was true what the time protection agency teaches them about consequences of changing the established timeline. [Spoiler: It might not be.]
Here's mine from my last visit in September 2024. I think my daughter snapped a picture for me when she returned earlier this year but it probably stayed on her phone.
November 9, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Here's mine from my last visit in September 2024. I think my daughter snapped a picture for me when she returned earlier this year but it probably stayed on her phone.
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 1
12yo Charlotte is thankful that she gets to spend time with each of her parents even though they live 500 years apart. The same can't be said for the 15th-century royal princess she befriends - her mother is dead, and her father is off to war - or at least he should be.
12yo Charlotte is thankful that she gets to spend time with each of her parents even though they live 500 years apart. The same can't be said for the 15th-century royal princess she befriends - her mother is dead, and her father is off to war - or at least he should be.
November 1, 2025 at 4:38 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 1
12yo Charlotte is thankful that she gets to spend time with each of her parents even though they live 500 years apart. The same can't be said for the 15th-century royal princess she befriends - her mother is dead, and her father is off to war - or at least he should be.
12yo Charlotte is thankful that she gets to spend time with each of her parents even though they live 500 years apart. The same can't be said for the 15th-century royal princess she befriends - her mother is dead, and her father is off to war - or at least he should be.
Happy #Halloween from Paris with an unintentional Halloween display. 🎃🐈⬛
October 31, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Happy #Halloween from Paris with an unintentional Halloween display. 🎃🐈⬛
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 29
Charlotte:
So far, I’d preferred to stay in the dark about a few things if it meant I could spend time with Dad on a regular basis. Now I wondered what else I’d been unaware of, besides secret hiding places around our regular residences.
Charlotte:
So far, I’d preferred to stay in the dark about a few things if it meant I could spend time with Dad on a regular basis. Now I wondered what else I’d been unaware of, besides secret hiding places around our regular residences.
October 29, 2025 at 4:32 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 29
Charlotte:
So far, I’d preferred to stay in the dark about a few things if it meant I could spend time with Dad on a regular basis. Now I wondered what else I’d been unaware of, besides secret hiding places around our regular residences.
Charlotte:
So far, I’d preferred to stay in the dark about a few things if it meant I could spend time with Dad on a regular basis. Now I wondered what else I’d been unaware of, besides secret hiding places around our regular residences.
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 29
“Didn’t we tell you to back off?” Guy hissed. The ChronoOpportunist froze. Guy could feel the man’s accelerated pulse under his grip. “We won’t let you get away with it. Not now. Not ever.”
“Didn’t we tell you to back off?” Guy hissed. The ChronoOpportunist froze. Guy could feel the man’s accelerated pulse under his grip. “We won’t let you get away with it. Not now. Not ever.”
October 29, 2025 at 4:31 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 29
“Didn’t we tell you to back off?” Guy hissed. The ChronoOpportunist froze. Guy could feel the man’s accelerated pulse under his grip. “We won’t let you get away with it. Not now. Not ever.”
“Didn’t we tell you to back off?” Guy hissed. The ChronoOpportunist froze. Guy could feel the man’s accelerated pulse under his grip. “We won’t let you get away with it. Not now. Not ever.”
#TimTravelAuthors Day 29
Quentin:
When you had two time-traveling parents working all kinds of odd shifts, now that all the kids had left home—that would be me and my older sister Nat, and our twin brothers—getting together as a family became tricky.
Quentin:
When you had two time-traveling parents working all kinds of odd shifts, now that all the kids had left home—that would be me and my older sister Nat, and our twin brothers—getting together as a family became tricky.
October 29, 2025 at 4:29 PM
#TimTravelAuthors Day 29
Quentin:
When you had two time-traveling parents working all kinds of odd shifts, now that all the kids had left home—that would be me and my older sister Nat, and our twin brothers—getting together as a family became tricky.
Quentin:
When you had two time-traveling parents working all kinds of odd shifts, now that all the kids had left home—that would be me and my older sister Nat, and our twin brothers—getting together as a family became tricky.
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 27
We had to write an essay about that, too. What we'd do if we could change the timeline and why that wasn't a good idea.
We're the good guys and the ChronoOppers™ and the baddies, and you don't change the timeline and you stick to the rules. Everyone knows that.
We had to write an essay about that, too. What we'd do if we could change the timeline and why that wasn't a good idea.
We're the good guys and the ChronoOppers™ and the baddies, and you don't change the timeline and you stick to the rules. Everyone knows that.
October 27, 2025 at 7:23 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 27
We had to write an essay about that, too. What we'd do if we could change the timeline and why that wasn't a good idea.
We're the good guys and the ChronoOppers™ and the baddies, and you don't change the timeline and you stick to the rules. Everyone knows that.
We had to write an essay about that, too. What we'd do if we could change the timeline and why that wasn't a good idea.
We're the good guys and the ChronoOppers™ and the baddies, and you don't change the timeline and you stick to the rules. Everyone knows that.
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 27
I'm intrigued. When we were kids, Mom and Dad never talked much about work. They took all four of us plus Maddie (still a puppy then) on a 5-minute trip after Nate and I found the time machine, but that was it.
I study history now, and the time machine is still there, so...
I'm intrigued. When we were kids, Mom and Dad never talked much about work. They took all four of us plus Maddie (still a puppy then) on a 5-minute trip after Nate and I found the time machine, but that was it.
I study history now, and the time machine is still there, so...
October 27, 2025 at 7:19 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 27
I'm intrigued. When we were kids, Mom and Dad never talked much about work. They took all four of us plus Maddie (still a puppy then) on a 5-minute trip after Nate and I found the time machine, but that was it.
I study history now, and the time machine is still there, so...
I'm intrigued. When we were kids, Mom and Dad never talked much about work. They took all four of us plus Maddie (still a puppy then) on a 5-minute trip after Nate and I found the time machine, but that was it.
I study history now, and the time machine is still there, so...
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 25
“I’m sorry.” Maddy wagged her short tail as Theo petted her. “I didn’t mean to scare you. But think of it. Tomatoes at King Francis’s table. Just because some European navigators had made it to the Americas and back doesn’t mean everyone suddenly ate tomatoes and potatoes.”
“I’m sorry.” Maddy wagged her short tail as Theo petted her. “I didn’t mean to scare you. But think of it. Tomatoes at King Francis’s table. Just because some European navigators had made it to the Americas and back doesn’t mean everyone suddenly ate tomatoes and potatoes.”
October 27, 2025 at 7:14 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 25
“I’m sorry.” Maddy wagged her short tail as Theo petted her. “I didn’t mean to scare you. But think of it. Tomatoes at King Francis’s table. Just because some European navigators had made it to the Americas and back doesn’t mean everyone suddenly ate tomatoes and potatoes.”
“I’m sorry.” Maddy wagged her short tail as Theo petted her. “I didn’t mean to scare you. But think of it. Tomatoes at King Francis’s table. Just because some European navigators had made it to the Americas and back doesn’t mean everyone suddenly ate tomatoes and potatoes.”