#Inkfeather
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queensbookasylum.com
Blood isn't everything. And sometimes you have to choose your own family. As did Damien with Mikes.

#WIPSnips #Inkfeather
I duck back and a few seconds later Mikes follows, giving me a bone shattering hug. “Good to see you, kid! Glad to see you still know the way here.” I hug him back, feeling the tension leaving my body. “Sorry I’ve been neglecting you lately.” I mumble into his shoulder. I had no idea how much I needed his comfort, so I hold on to it a bit longer. He doesn't seem to mind. He kisses my temple before releasing me.
October 21, 2025 at 12:13 PM
queensbookasylum.com
Oh look, I'm still alive! I'm not sure if I shared this bit before or not, but whatever, you're getting it today.

#WIPSnips #Inkfeather
"But he also dragged me out of the hole I tend to push myself into when overstressed, closing out everything and everyone. I wince as I imagine how many unanswered messages are waiting for me from Xinthy, our manager, and Avery, wondering what the fuck is going on. I’m not sure how to explain that my father happened. Not to Xin, anyway. Ever since he popped up, well, not in my life, precisely, but in the public eye, I've been letting the ghosts of my childhood memories crowd my mind as well as questions about what’s going on."
October 13, 2025 at 12:29 PM
queensbookasylum.com
I haven't posted any snips in a week, so I'm totally allowed to cheat with this one (and yes, I just made that rule up #SorryNotSorry). I don't have mire, but I have admire, and honestly, I like this little snip. And yes, Damien is a little bit obsessed with his appearance.

#WIPSnips #Inkfeather
"I pull out the hair dryer from the bottom drawer below the basin and get to fixing my hair first. Once I’m satisfied with the tousled look I was going for, I pad into my bedroom. I opt for a simple black outfit of jeans, a ripped shirt, trainers and my favorite leather jacket. I’m not really in the mood for anything extravagant, so this should do. For a brief moment I imagine Ben’s appreciative eyes on me and I smile. Being admired does well for my ego, however imaginary."
September 26, 2025 at 9:27 AM
queensbookasylum.com
Damien never says no to a bit of glam 😁✨

#WIPSnips #Inkfeather
Looking into the mirror, I’m considering my options. I decide on a light makeup, black eyeliners, a little shimmering purple eyeshadow just at the corners. I turn my head this way and that, and I’m happy with the effect. I examine my nails, painted fiery red, some chipped at the edges, but that can’t be helped. It gives me character, I tell myself.
September 18, 2025 at 9:24 AM
queensbookasylum.com
I don't seem to be able to settle on a name for Damien's best friend and brother from another mother. Avery doesn't quite fit either, so I'll have to keep looking *sigh* Anyway. A chapter opening snip today.

#WIPSnips #Inkfeather
After my little outing at the temple, I headed to our practice place so Avery could fuss over me to his heart’s content. I didn't tell him where I was - the ruin held the same memories for him as that's where we met, and there was no need to drag him with me into the abyss. He was the only one I let know why I went into a hermit mode so I didn't have to explain again. He just wanted to know if I was okay. I stayed to jam for a while, the music lifting my mood instantly.
September 16, 2025 at 11:20 AM
queensbookasylum.com
Ben has some...interesting kinks...I mean...yeah, no, I can't even come up with an excuse for this. But to give him some slack, he's never been this attracted to a man before, so...

#WIPSnips #Inkfeather
I help the guys put away their gear as we are short of hands - as usual - and I don’t mind jumping in every once in a while. By this point, Broken Luck has become a permanent fixture in Pandamonium, whether they play or not. Sometimes he catches me watching him, but I can never tell what is going on behind those dark velvet eyes. Sometimes we bump into each other, and I can’t help wondering how it might taste like to lick the beads of perspiration off his skin. Focus on your damn job, Kingsley, for fuck’s sake.
September 15, 2025 at 10:56 AM
queensbookasylum.com
I was quite sure I shared this snip before, but I don't seem to find evidence of it, so I probably just considered it. Oh well, there is no better time than the present.

#WIPSnips #Inkfeather
He and Mikes both have seen me at my worst, we've been through a lot together and they're more of a family to me than my own. And thus, I think I take them for granted, as I know they have my back no matter what. Sometimes it's easy to forget how much someone cares about you when it's mostly shown in the quiet, insignificant moments of everyday life. We don't appreciate them until we really need them to care. And even then, the enormity of it may escape us.
September 12, 2025 at 9:23 AM
queensbookasylum.com
As Damien says, everyone has to start somewhere 🤷🏻‍♀️ And today we start at chapter 1 😁

#WIPSnips #Inkfeather
“Yeah. I'm fine.” I say, feeling anything but. Memories start trickling back as I sit up on the concrete. We are outside of a dorm building, beer cans lying around me. We just celebrated playing our first gig as Broken Luck with some drinks we got as payment. If you can call playing for a roomful of drunk college kids that. Still. Everyone has to start somewhere and from the looks on the faces around us, we did quite well. We were laughing about some stupid shit when it happened.
September 10, 2025 at 12:52 PM
queensbookasylum.com
I was debating between two bits of the WIP, but this was calling to me more, even though I'm fairly sure I shared at least part of this bit. Oh well. Take it as a reminder that I have the coolest bar name ever. Well, Ben, not me, but still.

#WIPSnips #Inkfeather
But as the days go by, I can’t help but worry. It’s Saturday afternoon, and the club has an air of anticipation about it, waiting for people to fill it with their energies, as it does on event nights. I always loved these quiet hours before opening, where I have the place only to myself, filled with so many memories from my younger days. Pandemonium always feels more like a home than my own flat, as this is where I feel Dad being around me the most.
September 5, 2025 at 12:52 PM
queensbookasylum.com
I'm pretty sure I shared at least part of today's snip before, but 1) I don't have a lot of mentions of coffee mostly because I personally don't care about it and 2) you know how much I love Gigi. Plus, we had a lot of Damien POVs recently, so had to go with Ben for a change.

#WIPSnips #Inkfeather
“Eww. Of course, it’s not Wendy! She is my best friend, yours too, might I remind you. And also my employee. I wouldn’t do that. Who do you think I am?” “A man who can’t keep it in his pants?” “Why, thank you for having such a high opinion of me.” I roll my eyes. “Let’s not talk about my sex life. Have you seen the newspaper yet?” I change the subject, partly so I don’t have to tell her about my night activities. Not least because I have no idea how she would take it if I told her what happened. She sips the coffee that the waiter just put before her a minute ago, shaking her head. Knowing I’m keeping something from her, but willing to let it go for now.
September 4, 2025 at 11:35 AM
queensbookasylum.com
Phew. I felt betrayed by myself for not having "sane" in my WIP and gave up posting for today, then I saw someone going with sanity, and yay, I'm saved! I'm not such a disappointment after all. At least I'm not questioning my sanity (yet) like Damien does, so there is that.

#WIPSnips #Inkfeather
“How should I know you are not lying to me?” I ask at last, because at this point I even question my own sanity. “Lying is not in my nature. That would be a sin. And besides, you know him. Remember the scrawny little boy who was always following you around? Gabriel, his name was. Your mother didn’t like him much, and tried to keep you apart. She was jealous, I think. Whatever that feeling might be.”
September 3, 2025 at 12:36 PM
queensbookasylum.com
This is a very new addition to my first chapter, which I was sure I wouldn't touch. As always, the universe and/or my characters had other ideas. Oh well. I absolutely kept the opening but it got some additions which I think will work out nicely in the long run. Hopefully.

#WIPSnips #Inkfeather
"Avery holds out a hand and helps me up. I feel dizzy but I ignore it. I try to puzzle out what the hell the voice wanted with me. I have a suspicion who it belonged to, but it is so far-fetched, I refuse to believe it without solid proof. I rub my finger where the line gives off a metallic glint under the street lights. There is also a prickling at the back of my mind, that nudges me to leave. And I decide to give in. “I think I better head home. I'm probably just tired, that's all” I say placatingly before Avery can object."
September 2, 2025 at 10:53 AM
queensbookasylum.com
I love the relationship between Damien and Xinthy 😆

#WIPSnips #Inkfeather
"I excuse myself and go into the bathroom, hoping a little quiet might do me some good. I glance at my phone. I have at least a few hundred messages from Xin asking how the shoot and the interview went and whether she needed to put out fires. I assure them we were all good boys and everything went relatively well until questions about my father but I handled that like an adult. I tell them that they can be proud of me and thank them for getting Blake on board. That message sent, I once again notice the unanswered messages from Benji and I have a sudden urge to see him. For the second time in about 10 minutes, I'm caught off guard."
September 1, 2025 at 1:26 PM
queensbookasylum.com
I don't have a lot of noses mentioned in my WIP (so far), and I think I shared most of those snippets already. Anyway, today I went for something cute from Ben's POV that's also very characteristic of Damien. I love this part of the WIP (the bigger scene, I mean)

#WIPSnips #Inkfeather
I draw one leg up and turn so I can see the side of his face. "Mhm. I gathered. Look, we don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. But I'm here if you need a friend." "I appreciate it, but that's a part of my life I left behind." He looks at me sideways, contemplating maybe how much he should tell me. Apparently he finds me wanting because he changes the subject. I'm hiding my disappointment. "Since you are here, we should do something fun." A glint appears in his eyes and I instantly know I'm in trouble. Before I can react, he is already on my lap, his long legs straddling me, our faces so close I can see every little freckle on his nose. I never noticed them before. "How much time do you have?"
August 30, 2025 at 1:04 PM
queensbookasylum.com
Look, if I had to learn this particular detail from Damien for whatever reason, so do you. Sorry, I'm not making the rules here.

#WIPSnips #Inkfeather
"I quickly discard my clothes and get in the shower, letting the hot water wash away days of sweat and grease I let fill my pores for so long. I give myself a good rubbing with my favorite brand of exfoliating scrub to make my skin smooth and shiny. As my body goes through the motions, my mind wanders back to my father."
August 29, 2025 at 10:37 AM
queensbookasylum.com
I like easy choices. Only one use of broad in my WIP (so far). In Damien's line of work, a good stylist is worth his weight in gold. Minimum.

#WIPSnips #Inkfeather
"When I arrive at the studio and walk into the tiny changing room, his broad smile is a relief to see amidst all the anxiety induced panic. We hug and shake hands then he walks me over to the rack of clothes he picked for me. Working with a stylist who had known you for a long time has the advantage of not needing to make any inputs. He gave me more clothes and tips than I can count, and I probably owe ninety percent of my wardrobe to his influence anyway."
August 28, 2025 at 3:37 PM
queensbookasylum.com
Look, I'm not saying Damien got all of his characteristics from me, but we might have a lot more in common than I probably realise, LOL. That said, his love for jewellry is totally mine. #SorryNotSorry

#WIPSnips #Inkfeather
“Yes. Here, take this as a token of my promise and your allegation to me.” I see a familiar metallic glint in the air and reach for it out of reflex. On my palm lies a small feather made of some kind of metal of iridescent colors, same as the line around my finger. The design is intricate, fine like a lattice, with twisted lines and geometric shapes crisscrossing over it. I’ve never seen anything like it. I pocket the feather and make a mental note to get a chain so I could wear it as a necklace. “Alright, “ I say, “tell me what I should do.”
August 24, 2025 at 12:11 PM
queensbookasylum.com
I probably already shared some of this snip, but that's the only career I have, so... plus I love Xinthy so I don't mind showing them off every once in a while.

#WIPSnips #Inkfeather
“Thanks, Xin, you are the best. I’m sure it’ll be fine.” As if. But it’s all part of the game. If I have to be paraded around for the band, then I’ll endure it. Xinthy kisses me on the cheek and leaves me to my own devices again, possibly so they can go and harass someone else. Or more likely to flirt with Wendy. Although they like to insist I’m their worst nightmare, and they also like to complain about the rest of the band, they always make sure they keep a close eye on all of us, especially before a big upcoming event that is important for our career. I smile. We couldn’t wish for a better manager who has our backs no matter what.
August 20, 2025 at 11:08 AM
queensbookasylum.com
Hm, not a lot of bows, and most of them in the same chapter (so far), lol. I already shared most of them, so today we have a bit of boring snip in comparison. Oh well. At least we are out of Damien's head😂. Oh, and I'm *this* close to finalising the Founders' names. Next time!

#WIPSnips #Inkfeather
"It was hard to say yet if [Founder Name] himself supported this plan or if it was just the fever dream of a madman. Maybe this new Delegate will have some answers. A knock sounded at the door. “Enter!” A short, skinny man with a black mop of hair opened the door. He nervously pushed up the glasses on his nose before speaking. “Delegate Humpfrey, everything is ready for the Ascension. The others are already on their way to the podium.” “Thank you, Peter. I’ll join them shortly. And don’t forget about the task I gave you.” “Yes, Delegate.” He bowed and withdrew from the door."
August 18, 2025 at 11:28 AM
queensbookasylum.com
I'm totally biased, but I *love* this paragraph.

#WIPSnips #Inkfeather
I can also recognise a dismissal so I do as he says and fuck the hell off, never intending to turn back. He is better off without me and my mess of a life. Even if my heart shatters, leaving razor sharp edges to pierce my insides at every step I take out of Pandamonium, and away from Benji.
August 15, 2025 at 9:30 AM
queensbookasylum.com
I have a playlist for my WIP but today I'll talk about All Good Things' cover of The Middle. I've been wanting to write a fight scene between my MCs inspired by this song since I started working on Inkfeather (the new version). It's a less violent fight than in the song, but the sentiment stands.
"Fine.” He spats, hurt clearly edged on his face.”Then explain it to me. I want to know what’s going on. Let me understand. You’ve kept me at arms’ length in the past two years since we first hooked up. I think I deserve as much as a reason.” “Believe me, you don’t want to know.” I say, quietly, not looking into his eyes. I know he is right, but I can’t give him the answers he wants. Not about my past and definitely not my present. He knows about my father already, and that’s more than most people who know me can say. “You wouldn’t understand. Not all of it, anyway.” “Try me.” He pleads.
August 13, 2025 at 9:53 PM
queensbookasylum.com
I don't know why we keep getting stuck in Damien's head, but whatever. This bit is from the opening chapter I recently finished (the second time, because I never planned to add to it, but hey, writing's fun).

#WIPSnip #Inkfeather
A cool hand on the nape of my neck makes me stir and try to sort through the pain coming from the iridescent line around my finger I had since that day. The last dregs of the memory vivid behind my eyelids. The echo of the Voice still ringing in my ears but the words are different now. “Awake and serve! Heed my voice, be the peace to those who ask for it.” I clutch my head, feeling like it might split at any moment. The voice is gone, leaving nothing but confusion at its wake.
August 12, 2025 at 9:57 AM
queensbookasylum.com
First things first, look who is being fancy! Watch me tweaking it until the end of times. Anyway.

Today I went for "realistic" as I used my only "real" not that long ago. Also, JFC, I need to rein in my use of "really" 😬

This is another Damien POV snip with Mikes.

#WIPSnips #Inkfeather
While we are eating, we sit and talk about nothing and everything. I mostly tell him about the band and how much good it does for us playing regularly in Pandamonium. I talk about Ben too, although I avoid mentioning our budding friends with benefits situation. I love the man as if he was my dad but he definitely doesn't need to know about my sex life. He tells me about the studio, the upcoming guest artists and some of his latest works he is proud of, showing me pictures. He was always the best at realistic tattoos and some of his work is truly incredible. I learned everything I know about tattooing from him, although I'm not sure he’d be nearly as proud of me as he is if he knew what I used my skills for.
August 11, 2025 at 3:00 PM
queensbookasylum.com
#MythAugust 8

Today I'm going to play catch-up, so bear with me.

I'll be talking about Founder 1 and 2 (F1 and F2 respectively as I still don't have names). As the name suggests, they are part of the 12 Founders of Calidron. I picked them because they are the ones who play a role in Inkfeather.
professoremily.bsky.social Prof Emily @professoremily.bsky.social · Aug 8
#MythAugust Day 8

For the next 7 days, choose one god/spirit in particular to yap about in detail. 😊

Give us a basic intro to this god. Who are they? Why did you pick them? Keep in mind we'll be going more in depth about them throughout the next week!

#WritingCommunity #Writers #Writesky
#MythAugust prompt for Aug 8: Choose one specific god or spirit to yap about & introduce them! If you want to do multiple gods, feel free to make multiple posts. Background image features a classic painting of Thor wielding his hammer with lightning, about to smote his enemies. Below the hashtag in small text it says "Presented by @professoremily.bsky.social." At the bottom of the image in small text it says "Feel free to yap about a fantasy mythology you already have, or use these prompts to create a new one! Don't forget to interact with others :-)"
August 11, 2025 at 6:53 AM
queensbookasylum.com
I'm still not 100% sold on Mikes' name, but anyway. He is the father Damien never had. He was the reason Damien became a tattoo artist before he choose music.

#WIPSnips #Inkfeather
Mikes’ studio was lit when I arrived, the sound of a whirring tattoo machine greeting me, accompanied by the ding of the doorbell. “I'm almost done, can you put the food in the restroom for me?” The man with his wide back to me called without looking up. He’s been working on a young woman's calf from what I could tell, some kind of flower motif.
August 10, 2025 at 9:05 AM