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Prof Emily but Spoopier Now

@professoremily.bsky.social

5.3K followers 2.6K following 8.5K posts

English teacher, writer, lover of cats & dogs. Recovering conservative, now Agnostic Christian Democratic Socialist. Unfortunately stuck in Texas. 🥲 A feed of my writing samples: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:br2rslmo7elrd3hp5dfsx3ye/feed/aaaksewrcngo4

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Prof Emily but Spoopier Now @professoremily.bsky.social · Aug 22

Showing off this excellent piece I commissioned from @sarkastiklover.bsky.social! Tysm you rock! ❤️

Noah & his mom Cassie from #Tenement, my dystopian mystery about people living in an infinite building.

"Things don't have to be like this. There could be other ways. There could be other worlds."

Digital illustration by @sarkastiklover.bsky.social of Noah Walker, a young man with medium-dark skin, very short brown hair, and a loose-fitting beige shirt standing in a long narrow corridor with yellow/brown wallpaper with a rose pattern near the base, wooden floors, & a naked lightbulb hanging from a slightly cracked ceiling. He is standing back-to-back with his mom Cassie, a woman with large curly brown hair, who is looking back over her shoulder fearfully toward him. Diagonal cross-sections separate the two, with Noah in the present & colored, while Cassie is in the past & black and white. In Noah's left hand he holds the Nwissy (a compass).

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Prof Emily but Spoopier Now @professoremily.bsky.social · 1h

Helped pull her out of a bad funk, basically.

Prof Emily but Spoopier Now @professoremily.bsky.social · 1h

5/5 redemption arc and join her sister on the good side, but only after a dramatic rollercoaster of wild plot events & internal struggle.

Prof Emily but Spoopier Now @professoremily.bsky.social · 1h

4/5 Long term, because this is gonna be at least 2 books if not more: Clara is going to eventually grow into an almost mythical leader & teacher, capable of wielding exceptional power, who reaches full enlightenment about the true state of the world, humanity, and El. Mem is gonna eventually have a

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Prof Emily but Spoopier Now @professoremily.bsky.social · 1h

3/5 her sister & make her father proud, to an ambitious girlboss obsessed with purging Reprobates from the city & rising through the ranks of power to get the secret of immortality enjoyed by the super-elites. Her goal is just to save Clara and/or herself, but the quest pushes her to the dark side.

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Prof Emily but Spoopier Now @professoremily.bsky.social · 1h

2/5 to letting herself care deeply about couple of people she meets outside of Arx Lucis, particularly Cassius who helps open her mind & Serena whom she first clashes with but eventually falls in love.

Mem in book 1 is gonna change for the worse, going from a well-meaning girl who wants to protect

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Prof Emily but Spoopier Now @professoremily.bsky.social · 1h

#PlotTober 11

For the first book, Clara is going to grow from unmotivated & narrow-minded, to realizing she has completely misunderstood the nature of her whole world & now has a cause she genuinely cares about to fight for. She's also going to go from being afraid to care about anything too much 🧵

Ange @gunsmile.bsky.social · 8h

#PlotTober Day 11: MC growth & change

Answer the prompt on the card by quoting this post. Remember, answering a prompt is always optional. Even if you don't share it publicly, I hope the prompt encourages you to think about it privately.

#WritingCommunity #WritingPrompt #WriteSky

#PlotTober - a WIP plotting game by @gunsmile.bsky.social

11. What are some possible ways your main character(s) could grow and change over the course of the story? On the other hand, what are some ways their growth could be hindered?

Remember: Use the #PlotTober hashtag, engage with others, and have fun!

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Prof Emily but Spoopier Now @professoremily.bsky.social · 2h

Ooh the addition of Cassie is really interesting! 👀 I love how on the one hand he's trying to steal the life of an alternate version of him, and on the other hand he's invented a completely fake identity for her. But his own real identity is just a vacuum.

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Reposted by Prof Emily but Spoopier Now

Charlie Delta (has been a ghost this whole time! 👻) @charliedeltawrites.bsky.social · 7h

#PlotTober Day 11: MC growth & change

Josh is definitely going to change throughout the story. It will not be especially positive.

Having seen a glimpse of the life that could have been his, had his choices been different, Josh is consumed with the need to claim this life. No matter the cost. 🧵

Ange @gunsmile.bsky.social · 8h

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Prof Emily but Spoopier Now @professoremily.bsky.social · 2h

These are both authors I would also put at the top of my own list, for sure ❤️

Reposted by Prof Emily but Spoopier Now

Hiria Dunning @hiriadunning.bsky.social · 5h

There's two, #pretendpanel.

I didn't find Ursula K. Le Guin until just before she died, and that's a huge shame, but like my other author I'm going to mention, it feels like a bit of an honour to have existed on Earth at the same time, however briefly.

🧵

Hiria Dunning @hiriadunning.bsky.social · 5h

#pretendpanel I can't wait to catch up with your responses! Life is super busy here - I'm at a fundraising dinner right now - but let me know...

October 11th: Is there a deceased author, writer, or poet that you've really connected with?

#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts

#pretendpanel
A prompt tag hosted by @hiriadunning.bsky.social
October 11th: Is there a deceased author, writer, or poet that you've really connected with?
~ please support your fellow #pretendpanelists with replies, likes and reposts ~
New #pretendpanel questions every Friday and Saturday. Hop in any time!

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Reposted by Prof Emily but Spoopier Now

Finn McLellan @saranadosfiction.com · 4h

#WIPSnips | welcome

Fire in the Sky, and very heavily into spoiler territory here, so mind how you go.

(Also a reminder that Archer's a vampire, which means most ways of killing him don't stick and he and Sabbat are both very well aware of that)

( saranadosfiction.com/2025/09/27/f... )

*[...] gods, Sabbat, just say something, will you? Please.*

But the silence stretched out between them, thick and impenetrable as the fog, until it seemed like the whole world was holding its breath, and Archer’s own heartbeat sounded like the loudest thing in the universe.

And then Sabbat moved.

He didn’t say anything, and there was no shift in his stance to warn Archer that he was about to act – one moment he was standing still, brows furrowed as though he was trying to puzzle his way through something, and the next he was in motion, lunging forward in a single fluid motion that carried him up inside Archer’s guard before he could even consider moving to defend himself.

Archer froze, halfway anticipating the blade against his throat and finding that, oddly, he almost welcomed the idea. *It’s honest, at least. And, I have to admit, very much him.*

*You never were one for doing things by half-measures, were you?* he thought, and closed his eye in acceptance as the assassin’s fingers tightened against the back of his skull. *Get it over with, then.*

And then Sabbat’s lips were pressed hard against his, and the assassin’s other hand was cupping his jaw, and somewhere deep in the back of his mind, under all the mingled confusion and relief and joy and something a good deal more physical besides, *all he could think was of course you’d* have *to be the one to make the first move, if it was ever going to happen. You’d never allow for anything else.*

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Reposted by Prof Emily but Spoopier Now

Jan Karlsson @jangoeswriting.bsky.social · 4h

No synonyms today!🎉

From ‘The Big Feat’.

#WiPSnips

Murple sat back in her chair, which made the kind of sound bears made when trying to hibernate and getting the bones of their last meal stuck in a sensitive area. Murple was protective of Eedith, before she was Eedith, when trying to find the culprit of a series of cruel pranks that had landed her in the hands of a surgeon barber. Once a dockworker, Eedith had never fit in anywhere, but she did here and Murple made damned sure she stayed fitted and welcome. She watched as her ladyship left through the outer door, only making a cursory, wide-eyed glance back at Eedith, and sat forward again.

“I’ll as see the next client, Eedith, if thy pleases.” She began her usual pretence of reading any of the various pieces of paper on her desk, while making sure she could see most of the person who entered her office.

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Reposted by Prof Emily but Spoopier Now

Brambonius @brambonius.bsky.social · 4h

For the #WIPsnips
Ronan and Pyra in the Forest Project, once the first male colony of the female outlaw system in The Nation, and the return of a very minor character from ANOD III as a mature leader now. And something with naming conventions...

‘Who’re you bringing in there, Ed?’
A woman with short hair came up to the trio. She wore the same clothes as the men, in brown and olive green, but her hair was almost red as wine, which seemed to work for some reason. Something about her gave the feel of a Ghost Town elder.
‘These little travellers are going to Seventh City Ghost Town, Amber. The Camion broke down and they didn’t like waiting for the repair team, and just took the way to the wilderness here.’
Amber looked from Pyra to Ronan. ‘Seventh City you say?’
‘They’re actually returning from Héva, and are going back to Seventh City.’
‘Ah? There must be an interesting story there. Welcome at the old Forest Project. So you two are pupils of Eliza? She always was reckless too. But Héva is a new one…’
‘I’m just an Epsilon city boy, lady Amber.’ Ronan said, and bowed in a way that would have fitted more a millenium earlier.
‘He’s a honorary Ghost Town member too. He’s just shy.’ Pyra say.
‘So what’s your names, youngsters?’
‘Ronan Hunter, lady, and She’s Pyra Yannas.’
‘Right. So a City Fathername and an outlaw Mothername. Interesting combination. In my time we only had selfnames and partnernames…’ Amber seemed to think a bit.
‘Ronan Ronans would be an insult to his family if he still lives with them, isn’t it?’
Amber grumbled. It was clear that she didn’t like Nationers much. ‘We’ve never had anyone here who had a reason to keep their Nation fathername I’m afraid, neither the men nor the women.’

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Reposted by Prof Emily but Spoopier Now

L.M. du Plessis 🇳🇦 🇺🇦📚💙 ‪✨Drafting New Project✨ @smoking-gnu.bsky.social · 3h

Morning #WIPSnips. Didn't get any writing done yesterday and i think I’m going to take the weekend off from this WIP (gonna work on some Cavern Clipper stuff), buuuuut i do have today and tomorrow's snips ready, so no interruption in services.
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

“Can I ask you a favour?” she asks me.
“Do I have a choice?” I respond with genuine confusion. The last hour has not been kind to my mental state
“Yes, you do, but I have an idea and I think I can get you home, wherever that is, but I’d like to take you to someone to talk about what we just talked about. I think there may be some sort of business idea here.” She quickly stands up onto their three legs and walk over to me, and I shrink back onto the cargo containers I’m still slumped against.
She holds out a hand towards me, probably wanting to pull me upright. I stare at it.
“My name is Driona, by the way. Welcome to Trinaru.”

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Prof Emily but Spoopier Now @professoremily.bsky.social · 2h

These kiddos are so endearing ❤️ Poor Lennie though, I want to give her some really good food. She'd lose her mind 🥲

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Reposted by Prof Emily but Spoopier Now

Kayleigh Diaz @kleighdiaz.bsky.social · 3h

#WIPSnips | (un)welcome ✨vibes

Lennie likes to talk. 😅 Posted part of this in a prompt game, but not WIPSnips, I think…

Origin of Shrimp. 🦐

From my post-apocalyptic #WIP w/ a misfit trio of kids.

#WritingCommunity #WriteSky #amwriting

Writing snippet: “Mama won't let you in. She won't even let in a stray kitten, let alone a full-grown kid.” He tilted his head in question, and she added, “Well, not full grown, but y'know.”

She watched as he carefully set the cricket back in the jar, then offered him a piece of the burnt meat. He wrinkled his nose, and she shrugged, taking his share.

“Alright, well, I know you don't talk, but I gotta call you something other than ‘kid.’” She took a bite and gestured to the jar. “Hey, how about cricket? Or crick? Nah, nevermind, that sounds like you got a crick in the neck.” She narrowed her eyes, scanning him up and down. “But you're small. Say, what about shrimp? You ever had shrimp and grits?” Her stomach roiled. “Mama made it, once. Well, it wasn't real shrimp—come to think of it, I don't know what it was—and the grits were…gritty, I guess. But it sure as hell beats this.” She tugged at the leathery meat, grimacing as she worked it between her teeth. She swallowed with effort and grinned. “What d’ya say, Shrimp?”

He stared at her.

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Reposted by Prof Emily but Spoopier Now

Paul Dixon @pauldixon.bsky.social · 3h

From Carpathians. Seventeen days until launch!

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

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Reposted by Prof Emily but Spoopier Now

Ellie Lieberman @ellielieberman.bsky.social · 3h

“Curiosity, as you’re well aware of, is not a very welcomed nor admired trait in the world I grew up in. You learn quickly not to ask questions.” Again, there was that same weight to Art’s words. “But curiosity does not always simply leave."
- A Dance of Bow & Blade
#WIPSnips

✨#WIPSnips✨ A Daily Writing Share Tag @wipsnips.bsky.social · 4h

The #WIPSnips word for October 11th is "welcome"

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

#WIPSnips a bluesky writing community tag
October 11 - welcome
Share a line from your WIP with the daily word for inspiration
Use #WIPSnips. Don't forget Alt Text for graphics
Synonyms, variation and vibes are fine.
Support others on the #WIPSnips tag!
Hosted by rosie-j-potter.bsky.social

The image behind the text is a border that is black with stars with a light blue rectangle highlighted by a fuchsia line. An illustrated caticorn holding a pencil and writing in a book with a rose behind one ear is in the lower right corner

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Reposted by Prof Emily but Spoopier Now

Kira of the Wind (Erika McCorkle) @kiraofthewind.com · 2h

#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky

Shallot greets a new customer, who first stops at the bulletin board and looks at the wanted posters...

“Welcome to the Good Thyme Inn,” she said, opening her ledger to the day’s business accounts. “Room for one?”
The man paused in front of the wanted posters. The Plecopteran and the Homopteran with an unpronounceable name stared into their viewer with hard, criminal eyes.
“Dear me, these scoundrels sound dangerous! Have you had any encounters with them?”
Shallot subdued her irritation at the man not getting straight to business. If she claimed to have seen the people on the wanted poster, would he leave?
“I have not,” she replied. “Our town is quite safe, and this is the only inn in either direction of the road for about five hours of riding by horse…”
She hoped he got the hint.

Art of Shallot, innkeeper of the Good Thyme Inn, sitting in her seat in her parlor room. It's dark and the room is lit with green candles and pink glowing lotuses in a vase. Bookshelves are behind her. There are also signs of machinery in the walls

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Reposted by Prof Emily but Spoopier Now

Tara S Ghoul @tarasgeir.bsky.social · 2h

From an untitled sequel to 'First to Fall' about unlikely companions searching for a cure for the plague. Cailo and Oula take a moment to reminisce about Dragaul and enjoy a drink. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

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Prof Emily but Spoopier Now @professoremily.bsky.social · 2h

Ooh what a tease 😂❤️

Reposted by Prof Emily but Spoopier Now

Sage like the Pumpkin Spice @sagecollins.bsky.social · 4h

A short one to make up for yesterday’s long one.

But I won’t tell you whose POV we’re in.

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity
From Summer’s Cruel Warmth, Winter’s Gentle Chill 🌞❄️

Black text, green background, “welcome” highlighted blue:

"Welcome home, Mother Nature," I say,
then kiss him again.

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Prof Emily but Spoopier Now @professoremily.bsky.social · 2h

#WIPSnips #amwriting #writingcommunity #writers #writesky

Big Feelings ❤️❤️❤️

From Book 2 of my #Atlantis trilogy.

Kena was blushing, unsure what to say. He opened his mouth, but before he could get anything out, he was captured from behind by a pair of slender brown arms. Mireia squeezed him tightly, pressing her body against his back, and he felt the pressure of her head against his shoulder.
“Thank you,” she whispered in a husky voice.
His blush deepened, not helped by the fact that Calu’u was looking at them the way one might look at a couple of newborn baby bunnies. She quickly turned away and found something to do elsewhere, leaving them to each other.
Mireia’s arms wrapped tighter around his chest, and from the vibrations of her body he could tell she was either crying softly or had just been a moment ago. He wasn’t sure how to respond, but his heart was pierced with a sudden lance of affection.
“You’re—you’re welcome,” he murmured, placing his hand over one of hers and caressing her fingers.

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Prof Emily but Spoopier Now @professoremily.bsky.social · 12h

2/2 always amazing, but they're always given with heart so they are appreciated.

Kena rarely got gifts for most of his life so he's a little awkward about accepting them. But he loves getting them. He also loves giving them, like Mireia. He particularly loves giving away things from his garden.

Ignoring his statement, she surprised him by abruptly shoving something into his hands. He looked down and saw it was some kind of lumpy clay blob-monster, with two massive horns and a long snakelike nose.
“What…?”
“Do you like it?” she grinned. “I stumbled across the Arts Guild while I was wandering around town, and decided to try my hand at some sculpting. The guildmaster said I have a natural talent.”
“What is it?”
Her face fell. “You can’t tell?”
Seeing her dismay, he hastily tried to backtrack. “Oh—ah, well—um?” He turned the sculpture over a few times. “Is it a… a mammoth’s head?”
“No! It’s Aiaxi.”
“Oh!” Holding it up, he looked at it again. He realized the two “horns” were meant to be wings, and the long “nose” was meant to be the bird’s neck and head. He laughed. “Of course, now I see it.”
“It’s awful, isn’t it?” She scowled. “I knew that guildmaster was just trying to flatter me.”
“No, no. I think it’s—it’s nice.”
“Shut up.” She sighed. “You don’t have to lie, Kena. You’re terrible at it, anyway.”
“I’m sorry.”
She shook her head. “No, don’t be sorry. It isn’t your fault I’m apparently not suited for sculpting. Next time I’ll just buy you a real gift instead.”
“Buy me a gift?” He stared at her, baffled. “But—what for?”
“There needs to be a reason?” She shrugged, becoming cheerful again. “Anyway, come—I’ve got our paaset game all set up, and I’m sure I’m going to beat you this time!”

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Prof Emily but Spoopier Now @professoremily.bsky.social · 12h

#AwesomeCharacters

I'm sure there are gift giving occasions related to some of the gods of Atalantis, but I haven't invented them 😅

Mireia would rather spend time with someone than get a gift from them, but she loves giving gifts herself! It's one of the ways she shows affection. Her gifts aren't

Charlie Delta (has been a ghost this whole time! 👻) @charliedeltawrites.bsky.social · 14h

Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters

Let's talk about gifts!🎁

Are there gift giving occasions in your world? If so, is your character easy to buy for?

What do they like to get? (Items, experiences, other?)

Do they give good gifts to others?

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

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