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tricialyngreene.bsky.social
A_Contrarian_Scribbler.bsky.social
@tricialyngreene.bsky.social
18 followers 7 following 44 posts
Indie Author, Chronic Illness Warrior, Devoted Foodie, Fantasy and Sci-Fi Fanatic, Ghost Story Addict, and Member of the Alphabet Squad

https://ko-fi.com/a_contrarian_scribbler

https://www.tiktok.com/@a.contrarian.scri?_t=ZT-8yQMqZz1WLv&_r=1
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tricialyngreene.bsky.social
Oh, look. A piece from what I'm *actually* supposed to be working on. Novelette 2 of Matchmaker Matchmaker.

Meet Nettie, one of the loves of Merriweather's life, and her cousin Rye. Both are involved in the wake up call Arlyne later receives about the dark side of a Matchmaker's power

#WIPSnips
“Save nabbing festival foods for tomorrow. If you want to eat the best in Wormville, you have got to go to Weaver’s Woes.” Rye joined them. “Best savory pies in all the kingdoms.” “Right, I’m absolutely sure that’s why you want to go. For the pies.” Nettie commented. Rye flushed. “My best friend’s the best pie maker in the village, why shouldn’t I brag?” Nettie stared at her cousin for a long moment, then groaned. “Completely hopeless.” “I’ll bring you back a pie.” Merriweather promised Nettie, pressing a kiss to her hand. “Off with you all.” Nettie gave a shooing motion. “I’ve got a loom to set up.” “I do hope you won’t be busy all evening.” The young trader pouted. “And here I was hoping I would.” Nettie quipped. Merriweather laughed, and Rye threw her hands up in frustration. “I’m going to go check in with the captain. Meet you at Weaver’s.” With that the half-elf was off. “I’d feel sorry for her, if they weren’t two peas in a pod.” Nettie sighed. Arlyne had no idea what the shopkeep was talking about, yet something pricked at her. Almost as if she should know.
October 13, 2025 at 4:03 AM
tricialyngreene.bsky.social
Back to Born in Blood. Going with vibes, as the scene is about an argument over a captured city. Hazen's desire to consider Rhodol's need beyond war and Deodar's obsession with conquering Sard clash. Kali and Ceris attempt an intervention.

#WIPSnips #writesky #indieauthor
Deodar returned in little over a week, just as Kali had predicted. Hazen's own prediction of his victory being ripped to shreds by his father was not long in coming true as well. Outside the private audience chamber, Kali could hear little more than the rise and fall of volume of the two voices within, the tones both took, and the occasional word or sentence. "Conquest", "Disappoint", and "Failure" seemed to be Deodar's words of choice. Hazen was countering with "Victory", "Useful", and "Needless Destruction". The longer the words were spoken at a level she couldn't hear, the more nervous she became. The guards stationed outside of the door glanced between the closed audience chamber door, and where Kali stood stationary at the window. When the opposite door than the one she was anticipating opened, she turned sharply to look at who had dared to come. Ceris entered the room slowly, glancing at the guards and the closed door, before turning to face her. There was a long moment where they each seemed to consider the other's presence. Than Ceris held his arm out to her. "I had a matter I wished to discuss with your father, Princess Kali. Perhaps you'd be so kind as to announce me?" Kali didn't smile, but she guessed from the slight upward turn of Ceris's own mouth that he saw the spark of delight in her eyes. Moving forward, she accepted his arm. "Very, well, Prince Ceris. I suppose I can be of service in this instance."
October 10, 2025 at 8:29 PM
tricialyngreene.bsky.social
Back to Concordat. Didn't really have anything directly for battery. So I went with vibes, and took a scene where there's a power drain.

Because a bomb has been planted... but we don't actually get to that part in the snippet.

#WIPSnips #writesky #booksky #indieauthor
"A patient just said our system was down, what's going on?" She asked. "Some sort of power drain." The engineer scowled at the cord. "It keeps shutting it down." "Can we fix it? I need to be able so see the files that were sent ahead." "I can try replacing the cord, but it seems more like something in the area is draining the power than anything." "That would have to be a lot of power to..." Vaaera suddenly took a sharp breath, and the engineer met her eyes, clearly sharing the same thought. "Get everyone still outside onboard the ship." She instructed the nurse. "But we haven't finished examinations-" "Now!" Vaeera snapped, hurrying out of the tent. She could see the protesters, still chanting, but she didn't see right away the Anurab woman who'd first led them there. She could feel a cold feeling settle into her stomach. Why would the leader of the group slip away? "Which side of the barrier?" She asked the engineer. "It depends on if their trying to damage the ship, or just looking for a body count." He mentioned, studying the access area to the ship first, then the exam tents. "But this is the smallest amount of people we've had all day. Except..." She glanced at the protesters once more.
October 9, 2025 at 10:37 PM
tricialyngreene.bsky.social
Time to introduce you all to what will likely be my third set of Novelettes: Concordat.

A sci-fi, or I should say Retrofuturism, honestly.

Set in a universe where a concordat keeping the peace between worlds/states is breaking down. Centered on the group assigned to stop its collapse.

#WIPSnips
"I hate this obsession with getting what's new and supposedly better. If something works, why replace it year after year? If you can't repair it, then replace it. Anything else is just spoiled entitlement." "Spoken by someone who's never lived on a two-hundred year old space station." Riley sounded irritated now, and Xin realized they'd both just discovered each other's sore points. "Y'know, just because beings in other societies, or other positions in life, are obsessed with having newly titled recycled junk, doesn't mean that everyone is. It's amazing how we claim to be self-aware beings, yet are so rarely aware of anything outside our own shallow little worlds. That very title becomes an oxymoron." Scooting her creeper out from under the console, Xin looked up at Riley. He was sitting on the floor, but wasn't looking at her, but rather off in the distance - as if the ship's walls could explain to him why the universe was so messed up. "I thought the Aurora Spacestation Alliance said all their satellites were in excellent condition, and that they'd updated them as much as needed for the safety of their residents." Riley glanced down at her, and his lips quirked in a smile that managed to be as melancholic as it was sardonic. "Here's a newsflash for you, Xin City6-MMDL, Governments lie." Xin looked away, feeling a slight pang of guilt, and reached down to rub her arm, despite the large plastic cuffs that covered them from wrist to elbow. "That's not news, Riley Dawn II."
October 8, 2025 at 12:32 AM
tricialyngreene.bsky.social
Born in Blood snippet.

The opposite to the Gerard are the Wynstelle. The children of the two families are basically the catalyst to the end of the war. Especially Kali Wynstelle (aka Kaleigh Gerard).

Mazarine later learns of Deodar's deception, but loves Kali all the same.

#WIPSnips #writesky
With a snarl, Deodar stormed from the room - slamming the door being him. Hazen stared at it for a moment, before glancing up at Mazarine. "Mother, is conquering New Valley a bad thing?" Mazarine sighed over her son's question. "In a war like this, who can say? But Deodar's sight is narrow. He does not see what goes on around him, he sees only the battle - and the win. Victory." "He said Kali's name meant victory." "You must remember to keep your sight broad, Hazen. And to never care more about victory than our people." "Yes, Mother." "And take good care of Kali as well." "Yes, Mother." Mazarine gazed down at the baby girl with pride and hope. "My beautiful daughter. I have so much to teach you."
August 28, 2025 at 10:59 PM
tricialyngreene.bsky.social
Back to Born in Blood. Leila's grief hit me the most of the WIPs with "stand."

The story begins with the fall of the city and the split of the Gerard Family. Leila managed to escape with her son Gad, but thinks her husband and daughters Nilda & Kaleigh (/Kali) are dead.

#WIPSnips #writesky
"You don't even know what's happened!" Leila lost her temper, forcing herself to her feet. "I've lost Yohan! I've lost my girls! I've even lost my homeland! Don't stand there and tell me you understand that!" The other was silent, and it took Leila a moment to feel the tears streaming down her cheeks. "I have to ... I have to think of Gad ... He's all..." Her legs felt weak, and with surprisingly strong arms, the old woman pulled her into an embrace. Sobs wracked her body. The words that escaped her lips between them were a jumbled mix of pleads and shouts. The whole time the other woman only listened, not saying anything.
August 28, 2025 at 4:14 AM
tricialyngreene.bsky.social
I try to tow the line when it comes to Arlyne's thoughts and words so you know what books she is referencing without directly referencing it. If you know the books in question. This one probably is one of the most direct.

#WIPSnips #writesky #booksky #comicfantasy
Columbus only shook his head resignedly. "I told you before, Arlyne Pennig. You have the gift. That's why it affected you like that. You know as well as I do that what happened in there was wrong." Arlyne wanted to argue the point. To say she did not now have, nor ever had, magic. But the memory of the Matchmaker's smile and the young girl's wide-eyed expression seemed to take away her ability to speak. A crocodile, something in her whispered. The man's smile was like a crocodile's. And Enya's wide eyed look was the fish that knew it was doomed. "With gently smiling jaws." She found herself quoting instead. She suddenly was certain she'd have much more empathy for Alice. The next time she read her adventures.
August 26, 2025 at 9:59 PM
tricialyngreene.bsky.social
Okay, "same" was easy to find.
I'm with my MC on this one. I would definitely be creeped out by my reflection talking to me.
#WIPSnips #comicfantasy #writesky #booksky
"Please state your business in a clear, precise manner." The reflection intoned. It was, Arlyne decided, distinctly creepy to have one's reflection talk to you. She wondered if the creators of the Orator had done that on purpose. Or if the people in the Kingdoms didn't have the same feelings towards talking reflections that she did. Her inner turmoil over talking reflections and creepiness apparently took too long because the Orator spoke again. "Please state your business in a clear, precise manner."
August 24, 2025 at 1:00 PM
tricialyngreene.bsky.social
I could only find two potential uses of horn. This one was more fun. It's a flash fiction I wrote for a prompt years ago. I never got around to figuring out a proper plot for it, but now I think I should. It has potential as another comic fantasy.
#WIPSnips #writesky #indieauthor
"Right, so, there may be a demon in your living room, and I know what you're thinking, but I swear this time it was not my fault!" "That's what you said last time." Carla frowned at the winged form of her best friend. She could see the wings, anyhow, due to having inherited third sight from her great grandfather. Nobody else apparently saw anything unusual when looking at the other girl. Of course, nobody ever seemed to see her third eye either. Apparently you had to have third sight to see third eyes. "No, last time I said I didn't invite him." "So, who is in my living room exactly?" "Promise you won't be mad?" Her horns were doing that twist-untwist thing they did when she was nervous. It was not a good sign. "Marvina..." "It's Crocell." "So, you're telling me there's not just a demon but a Demon Lord in my living room?" "Could I possible answer that with a loose yes?" "Marvina, this is all your fault!"
August 23, 2025 at 4:02 PM
tricialyngreene.bsky.social
Vibes again today. Cuz apparently I haven't used the word recent at all. Lol. Slight spoiler for the first novelette, as this WIP is the second. Frank and Indigo only recently found each other again. Frank reserves his roses for Indigo now.
#WIPSnips #writesky #booksky #indieauthor #comicfantasy
Frank the Skeleton entered with a box of glassware. Floating along behind him was the Tekatite Swamp Wraith Indigo, Frank's long lost love that Arlyne had aided him in finding again. Albeit, by accident more than design. "Frank!" She smiled at the Skeleton. As was his custom, Frank took her hand and pressed it to his lipless mouth. She noted, though, that he had no rose to offer, and guessed that they were now reserved for Indigo alone.
August 22, 2025 at 9:06 PM
tricialyngreene.bsky.social
Back to Born in Blood. So the whole thing actually starts 20 years in the past. With the fall of one of the cities. You'll note this babe is named Kali and the piece I previously shared had a Princess Kali who believed Deodar was her father...

#WIPSnips #writesky #booksky #indieauthor
Deodar studied the baby some more before reaching out to scoop her up. Her screams quieted slightly as he held her to him. Around her neck a broken wooden charm held part of a name. "Kali..." Familiar with Sard writing, Deodar had little trouble interpretting the part of the word that remained. A seed of an idea was planting itself in his mind. "I want to know the minute you find General Gerard." "Of course." "I'll be returning to High Vista." "Your Highness?" Tern interrupted his thoughts. "What do you plan to do with the Sard girl?" "What Sard girl?" Deodar almost felt amused by the confused look that crossed the other's face. "Isn't the babe-" "Spoils of war, Tern. The victor claims all things. This babe belongs to Rhodol now." "Yes, Your Highness." The babe was more than spoils of war, though. She was the answer to a problem that had been graciously provided to him. Deodar longed to shout his victory to the heavens themselves. Instead he moved forward to climb onto his horse. "Be sure to understand me, Tern. There is no Sard girl. You never saw one here." "I understand, Your Highness." Tern struggled to wrap his head around this turn of events. "After you've assigned men to clean and guard the city, be sure to return to High Vista. We have much to celebrate. The fall of New Valley. The death of Gerard. And the birth of my daughter." With that, Deodar turned his horse away from the south gate and headed eastward - towards Rhodol.
August 21, 2025 at 11:19 PM
tricialyngreene.bsky.social
Going with vibe today. This scene is technically towards what will be the end of the second Novelette of the series. It's Deshawn's introduction, and his secret is shown in the same scene, so no real spoiler.

#WIPSnips #indieauthor #writesky
#fantasy #comicfantasy #matchmakermatchmakerseries
"It's... I guess I just wanted to know why you were here. I wanted a chance to talk to you. I..." He seemed to hesitate over what to say next. "I need your help." Something in his eyes seemed relieved, even slightly triumphant, once the words were said. It was a confusing emotion to follow a request for help. Arlyne watched him, trying to puzzle it out. "Why do you need my help?" Deshawn opened his mouth, but uttered no words. A look of complete frustration crossed his features. Arlyne was struck by a horrible feeling that made her feel as ill - if not worse - than when she'd heard Jonus Hutch announce Enya Gavel's engagement to Allert Johnson. Something was horribly wrong. Deshawn tried to speak again, but - once again - no words were uttered. He groaned, whirling away. "I can't say it. I want to, but I can't." The wrongness was nearly overpowering. Arlyne took a step back away from him, trying to breath; trying to think. Whatever was wrong, it wasn't because of Deshawn Sivillis. Rather, something wrong had been... done to him? She needed help. "Would you come with me? There's someone I need you to meet." Deshawn turned back - startled, but relieved. That odd look of hope was back in his eyes, and Arlyne wasn't sure what to make of it. She didn't know what Deshawn needed help with, or if she really could help him at all. Under the circumstances, the hope in his eyes seemed a heavy burden to bear.
August 20, 2025 at 3:07 AM
tricialyngreene.bsky.social
#crockpot #dinner #chili

Could I live without my crockpot? Sure.

Do I want to? Nope!
August 20, 2025 at 2:35 AM
tricialyngreene.bsky.social
So, after Matchmaker, Matchmaker, the most likely failed novel attempt I will chop to pieces and edit into a Novelette series is Born in Blood. An epic fantasy about two kingdoms in an extended war. It was the obvious WIP to find the word enemy in.
#WIPSnips #writing #booksky #writesky #indieauthor
Forcing a smile, Kali held out her hand pointedly. "I forget sometimes that, coming from such an unadvanced kingdom, you might struggle to understand my jests. I assure you they're all intended with good humor." Ceris's smile faltered, but held. Taking her hand, he bowed his head over it briefly before straightening. Instead of releasing her hand, though, he held onto it. "Our favorite princess has such an unflattering view of my homelands, Hazen." He kept his gaze on her her, even as he addressed her brother. "You should both visit sometimes. Once you've seen White Isles beauty for yourselves, you'll never think of it the same again." "An offer I would not recommend making to my father, if you wish to keep your little islands." They all knew Kali was only half jesting about such consequences. Deodar's thirst for conquest knew no bounds. "Princess Kali will have noted I have never extended such an offer to our brave King Deodar." Ceris returned. "By the Great." Hazen exhaled in frustration. Reaching out to pull Kali's hand from Ceris's, he settled it on his own arm, and swung his free arm around the other Prince's shoulder in a friendly gesture. "With two main supporters like these - what prince needs sworn enemies?"
August 14, 2025 at 7:47 PM
tricialyngreene.bsky.social
All the prompts keep taking me back to Merriweather. Arlyne is the main character. Promise. 😂

#WIPSnips #writing #writesky #booksky #comicfantasy #indieauthor
The quarterstaff was no simple wood branch. It was carved with scrollwork, and boasted a metal tip on its end. Its color was a deep mahogany wood that was nearly purple. "Oh, I can't take this." Arlyne told Merriweather the moment she saw it. "Of course you can. You just wrap your fingers around it, then I let go." Merriweather replied cheekily. "It must cost a fortune." "Well, that's true. It is quite a piece and-" "And she gets it for free." Columbus put in. "It's a trade. It isn't free." Merriweather put in, irritated. "Free means something for nothing. My supplier gets goods for goods." "And you make a hefty profit." "You people really make it hard for a trader to make a living." She muttered under her breath, before offering the staff to Arlyne again. "You’ll need it on the road." Her tone was subdued, and Arlyne remembered her father had been killed on the very route she now traveled. She reached out to take the quarterstaff, slightly surprised it wasn't heavier. "It's light."
August 13, 2025 at 4:03 PM
tricialyngreene.bsky.social
Apparently I don't frequently use the word frequent. So I went with habit. This is part of a scene from the second novelette in my Matchmaker Matchmaker series, which I'm currently working on.
#WIPSnips #writesky #booksky #writing #indieauthor #comicfantasy #fantasy
"You're killing my profits here." Guillermo snorted. "You got it for a quarter and we both know it." "A third actually. Alright, I'll take your half. Poor honest trader can't even make a decent living around here." "An 'Honest Trader' is a contradiction." Guillermo retorted. Merriweather puffed up. "Hmph. Well, see if I share my spoils with you again. Do a fellow a good turn, and see how he treats you?" Guillermo chuckled. "You do realize that the present company can see right through your act?" "Yeah, but I have to stay in the habit." Merriweather flashed another grin.
August 7, 2025 at 3:11 PM
tricialyngreene.bsky.social
Cuz if I'm gonna have apartment keys, then Jack Skellington is a must.
February 17, 2024 at 3:51 PM
tricialyngreene.bsky.social
#homemade #bread is a favorite of mine to make. Usually around the holidays. But it's good any time of the year!
February 1, 2024 at 3:30 PM
tricialyngreene.bsky.social
Had a craving for Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Been a long time since I had one, and this was my first time baking one. I am happy with how it turned out!
January 27, 2024 at 8:14 PM