A J Lockhart
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ajlockhart.co.uk
A J Lockhart
@ajlockhart.co.uk
270 followers 390 following 360 posts
Author - Pandora's Secret
www.ajlockhart.co.uk
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ajlockhart.co.uk
The #WIPSnips word for December 16th is “moist”

From the next novel : It’s Fine. What’s the worst that could happen?

Olivia is a little judgmental…

——Caution strong adult language —-

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
December 16, 2025 at 9:02 AM
ajlockhart.co.uk
My favourite film is The Sure Thing, with @johncusack.bsky.social and Daphne Zuniga, directed by Rob Reiner. Public outpourings of sentimentality about people I barely know isn't really my thing. But this guy made films that defined my youth. The world will be a poorer place without him.
a man in a black jacket is standing in a room holding a camera .
ALT: a man in a black jacket is standing in a room holding a camera .
media.tenor.com
December 15, 2025 at 1:53 PM
ajlockhart.co.uk
This #documentary, 12 years ago, is the reason I got into the Eels as a band. If you've never seen it and you're a fan, it's definitely worth a watch. And if you're a #science geek - ditto. His dad was a quantum physicist who first proposed the idea of Parallel Universes
vimeo.com/eels/paralle...
PARALLEL WORLDS, PARALLEL LIVES
Full original version 1 hour The BAFTA and RTS Award-winning documentary PARALLEL WORLDS, PARALLEL LIVES follows the lead singer of US rock band EELS, MARK OLIVER…
vimeo.com
December 14, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Reposted by A J Lockhart
chrisakins.bsky.social
For a book that is ostensibly a comedy, this is kind of an intense chapter

Check it out:
ChristianAkins.com/GrimPortents

#wipsnips #writingcommunity #writesky #booksky #indiebooks
"Bill!" Grace pointed to the frosted glass door where shadows gathered on the other side of the curtain. Hands busted through, slicing themselves on the broken shards and grasping for the door handle. All throughout the house, I heard the sound of windows breaking and voices shouting. Soon, we would be overrun. I led Grace up a flight of stairs in the center of the house. Vicious chanting filled the air as we reached the top, as did the smell of smoke. We ran into a bedroom and locked the door, buying us a few seconds at best. "Shit!" I yelled. "They're going to burn themselves up with the house!" "I'm more worried about us!" Grace added. I searched the room for anything useful, finding only a wooden chair in the corner. I pulled it over and shoved it under the doorknob. Meanwhile, Grace tried the bedroom window, but it wouldn't budge. "Wait!" Grace said. "Give me the chair!" I unlodged it and handed it to her, bracing the door in the meantime. Grace swung the chair with all her might and smashed the window. She started crawling out immediately, cutting her arms and legs in the process. "What are you doing?" I shouted. "Be careful!" Grace didn't answer. She managed to shimmy along the awning until she found a point where the roof dipped down low enough to climb up. I placed the chair back against the doorknob and followed her out of the window, also slicing my legs in the endeavor. When I reached her position, I was able to help lift her onto the higher level. Looking back, I could see smoke billowing out of the window we'd just crawled out of. Below us, the mob of people continued to rush into the house, flames and all. Ad for Grim Portents, featuring a print copy of the book and an ebook on an iPhone. A QR code that takes you to my website and the words “Scan to learn more about debut paranormal fantasy novel Grim Portents” below it. Under that, it says “Available online anywhere books are sold!” And above it all is the tagline “Welcome to the first day of the end of your life”
December 12, 2025 at 2:59 PM
ajlockhart.co.uk
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve #rewritten this now… so 2 questions.

Does this read okay to you? & a follow on… how many times do you rewrite a scene till your happy?

#BookSky #authorchat #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

—-caution contains adult language ———
December 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Reposted by A J Lockhart
rvillanova312.bsky.social
#WIPSnips
Word of the day is ‘smash’
Which I didn’t have, so we have ‘hit’ as a synonym
#WritingCommunity #WritingPrompt
The image is a snippet of a work in progress. The image reads text of a character named Eve apologizing, to character named Michael, for hitting him earlier. The others people in the room are smirking and snickering about him getting hit.
December 12, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Reposted by A J Lockhart
jason-h-abbott.bsky.social
Write. Create. Be inspired. The #2WordPrompt for 12-DEC-25 is:

State & Harvest

#Prompt
December 12, 2025 at 9:04 AM
ajlockhart.co.uk
Well, someone's a comic
December 12, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Reposted by A J Lockhart
smoking-gnu.bsky.social
G'morning #WIPSnips! Here we have a snip from TLC Part 3, where some important people think Jennifer is really full of it while she's explaining the existence of TLC to them.
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
“Excuse me,” the South African ambassador, a Miss T. Nzimande, interrupts, “what is an ‘Emancipated Defence AI’ exactly?” “Well, first of all, does everyone at this table know what Skynet is?” I ask the room in general, and I’m met with a general rumble of ascent. “Yes, we all know about those movies, Miss Carpenter, what does this have to do with this Rondu?” Smith demands, and I can tell he’s getting irritated. “Well, the thing is, Rondu started out as something like Skynet. A world made a defence AI in order to help defend themselves against neighbouring enemies, and it’s a far more common occurrence than you’d think. Except the AIs don’t go for the rebellion-and-genocide route like in those movies, as Ambassador Smith helpfully pointed out. They go to galactic courts and go through local legal systems to have themselves declared sentient beings and emancipate themselves from their creators. No bloodshed, a looot of lawyers. They have an Association that helps new AIs, lets them know they’re not alone and they can ask for help whenever. I’ve met some of their members, and they’re all pretty decent members!” The entire room stares at me like I’m speaking Swahili with a Korean accident, or more accurately like I’m so full of shit I’d be able to supply fifteen mushroom farms for an entire year.
December 11, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Reposted by A J Lockhart
smoking-gnu.bsky.social
#SFFChat Q4: Excerpt features our MC Sam getting rescued right out from the jaws of (possibly fatal) hard menial labour by who will prove to be the best possible captain to sign up with.
#Writingcommunity
#Writesky
“That wouldn’t be a problem. In fact, there isn’t a problem at all to be had. What would you say to the prospect of employment on a Glumwyrm Harvester? Your experience on that sailboat gives you infinite more experience on the job than anyone else, to say the least!” Jenny seemed excited by the idea, which worried Sam a bit. “Glumwyrm?” Sam asked, looking down. He was about to ask what this was when the woman, who had long, wavy red hair flowing down her back and shoulders stepped up and started talking. Her clothing made Sam think a lot about ‘pirate’ clothing for some reason. “Glumwyrm harvesting? Are you serious? Edgar, are you really gonna get a newbie thrown into that life right as he falls into our little world, just like that?” “Now now, Captain Sinmara, this isn’t about you! You know the Harvesters need new people to fill the ranks every so often-“ Edgar said until the captain interrupted again. “Oh yes I do! And that’s because those damn wyrms eat a dozen or so harvesters every season!” “Wait, what?” Sam asked, suddenly spooked. “Well fuck,” Jenny said, clearly disappointed. “It’s not that extreme and you know it, captain!” Edgar protested.
December 11, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Reposted by A J Lockhart
smoking-gnu.bsky.social
G'morning #WIPSnips! I don't have smash, but I do have Jennifer having to break something to her coworkers.

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
“They helped you escape hell, and now they’re asking for help in return,” I say as gently as possible. One doesn’t need a blood obligation to want to help in such a circumstance. “Yes. I’ve talked with the client. Well, he contacted me. He didn’t know about TLC at all, but he was desperate for anything, you understand?” Driona says. “I think I do,” I say as I slip into some clean pants. “Have you said anything to Rondu yet? Joey? Cynthia?” “No. You were the first I called.” “Oh, great. I get to break the good news to them. Where is this client?” “In a safe place on Sennetu-Tra,” Driona answers, and my brain stops what it’s doing for a second. “What? He’s here?” I ask. “Yes. I think he’s on the other side of the city from you,” Driona says, and I sigh. “Driona, this city spans an entire continent and has ten billion people in it. Do you have the slightest idea of how little that narrows it down?” “At the moment, the client doesn’t want it narrowed down,” Driona says, and I finally understand.
December 12, 2025 at 9:25 AM
ajlockhart.co.uk
The #WIPSnips word for December 12th is SMASH.

Not been on for a while - the usual excuse - filming etc etc. Got a few Sips to read today. Excellent.

Mine's from Pandora's Secret once more

Shields v grass

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
He shut his eyes and opened his mouth. A moment later, the blast wave took him. He was blown off his feet and lifted about a metre in the air before smashing back down to the ground. When he hit and then skidded across the perfectly cut grass, it felt like concrete.
December 12, 2025 at 9:31 AM
ajlockhart.co.uk
Saw this & thought, briefly, wish I had this level of confidence to put this on my LinkedIn summary
But I changed my mind. I look at that & think, Arrogant much? I'd never call myself distinguished in anything. That's up to others to decide
#writingcommunity - How good are you at promoting yourself?
December 12, 2025 at 9:22 AM
ajlockhart.co.uk
Just because you get published, get reviews from famous authors & brilliant press reviews it doesn’t mean your book will sell. You have to do your own publicity, social media & marketing these days. (This isn’t my story but an author I know really well currently writing his 3rd book)
susansavagelee.bsky.social Susan Savage Lee @susansavagelee.bsky.social · 7d
What’s something about the publishing world (indie, vanity, self-publishing, trad) that surprised you? Just how brutal it is in one way or another #writingq #WritingCommunity
December 9, 2025 at 11:02 PM
ajlockhart.co.uk
Tell me you’re an actor without telling me you’re an actor…
December 9, 2025 at 7:50 AM
ajlockhart.co.uk
As #Christmas draws closer so does the uptick of #phishing emails it seems. Yay. Tho these are pretty lame tbh but it’s easy to get caught out.
Remembers kids: Always check the email address it’s actually from & never click on a link in an email. #simples
December 9, 2025 at 7:37 AM
ajlockhart.co.uk
It’s beginning to taste a lot like Christmas! 😜

If I ever make a film about someone who is addicted to Christmas, this item would feature heavily 😂

#writingcommunity #BookSky #authorchat

what’s your go to Christmas food treat for yourself?
December 5, 2025 at 1:10 PM
ajlockhart.co.uk
The #WIPSnips word for December 5th is "screen"

Not been able to take part for a while - work/filmy stuff took over - but have enjoyed catching up with everyone's snips!

I have 74 uses of screen in Pandora's Secret -- who knew!

Shields vs the French

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
December 5, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Reposted by A J Lockhart
jangoeswriting.bsky.social
This is strrreeetttcchhh, using ‘screen’ as in ‘hide’ … 😬

From ‘House Rules’.

#WiPSnips
1. Presumably because mages, and indeed most users of magic, had a rather tenuous relationship with aging. A mage could be a thousand years old and look no different than they did in their spry low-hundreds. Likewise, they could have only recently have passed their apprenticeship and already look as ancient as a corpse that had become personal friends with generations of spiders. Witches could look old and wizened from a young age, sporting the expected warts, hooked noses and passing familiarity with well-cared for teeth, or could look like a siren on the waves, ready to seduce sailors. Warlocks preferred to hide themselves in deep, dark hoods, trying to do their very best to avoid sunlight like the most ardent vampire, giving them waxy, pale complexions. Safe to say, when asked by a mage or a witch how old you think they are, best play it safe and use a margin of error in the hundreds.
December 5, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Reposted by A J Lockhart
jangoeswriting.bsky.social
The difference being well-travelled makes …

From ‘Reign, Dear”.

#WiPSnips
“My Papa says the Festive Boys aren’t real. Were you lying to me?” She fixed him with her squintiest stare. The kind of stare Mama used on Papa when he swore he’d washed his hands but clearly hadn’t. Doggit tried even harder to back away. “I won’t stand for lies, Doggit Hardup!” She had to put her foot down early. Of course, being only nine years old, she should have started training him earlier, but he had gone to the big city, that one time, and he was gone a good two months. And his family, of course, but Doggit’s father was already well-trained by Doggit’s mother. Though, as the womenfolk always said, the training of menfolk never stops, they just get sneakier in their maleness. “I didn’t lie! It’s true! Yelp Aftergap said so, and he heard it from a witch.” His eyes were twitchy. She’d need to stop that twitching. It made him look like a bird. “Proper witch, too. Had the hat and everything.”
December 4, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Reposted by A J Lockhart
jrdn-michelle.bsky.social
i am failing at marketing this book because i've been busy and/or depressed but check it out! very sexy, very gay, and the yearning is top notch. only $1.99 wherever ebooks are sold!
jrdn-michelle.bsky.social Jordan Michelle @jrdn-michelle.bsky.social · Oct 23
Windswept Desire is out now! A forbidden love, friends-to-lovers lesbian romance with all the yearning and simmering sexual tension a sapphic person could ever want. #booksky #lesfic #writesky #sapphic

Check it out on my website!
jordan-michelle.com
description of windswept desire by jordan michelle Camilla is the princess of the kingdom of Amoura, the daughter of a brutal human king who has harnessed the power of magical beings to conquer and extinguish his enemies. She is sheltered from the reality of her father's rule; carefree, light-hearted, until the castle is taken over by a dangerous being with the power of mind control who has plans to turn the whole kingdom against Camilla before turning it against the world. Camilla's sworn protector, Aella, has been at her side since they were children. Irascible and commanding, even the stoic warrior cannot control herself when the desire that has been blossoming between she and her princess becomes all-consuming and impossible to ignore. But Aella has a secret that puts her at odds with her best friend, one that will push them apart despite their growing love. To save Amoura from utter destruction, she will have to reveal who she truly is, and risk losing her princess and the kingdom altogether.
December 1, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Reposted by A J Lockhart
m-walshwrites.com
#amwriting #WIPsnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky
When Lock Synclaire first laid eyes upon the city of Seba, he thought it was a storm. That autumn, he and his companions made their way south and had been blessed with fair, if overcast, weather. He saw the threatening smear of black on the horizon and thought their good fortune came to an end. As they drew closer, he realized no thunder or lightning accompanied the dark clouds and understood what the ugly blotch ahead truly was. Seba stood atop a great plateau on the eastern coast of the Spade Sea. A massive perimeter wall of dark stone surrounded the city, leaving a few towers and building-tops visible from the outside. Surrounding the plateau was a crowded maze of tenements, most of which seemed to have been burned down. Smoke and pollution wafted over the whole area, creating the threatening haze that hovered over the land like a tangible curse. Until then, Lock would never have thought to call a place monstrous. But to see it from a distance, sitting atop its plateau and shrouded in smog, the infamous city looked every bit the horror its reputation made it out to be. Troa and Seria appeared ill just staring at it.
December 4, 2025 at 4:51 PM
ajlockhart.co.uk
One of the many reasons I don’t do football & given that 80% of the abuse is on X, yet another reason I’m glad I left that cesspit.

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Football abuse: Premier League and WSL stars targeted by death and rape threats
More than 2,000 extremely abusive social media posts were sent about managers and players in the Premier League and Women's Super League in a single weekend, a BBC investigation finds.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 8:15 AM
ajlockhart.co.uk
An ADs other half is off work today - Ill at home. He was was off yesterday to look after her. Asked how she was he says
‘Lord she’s a moaner.’

To which 4 people said ‘title of your sex tape.’

turns out some of them worked on it Brooklyn99 too. 😂
a man in a plaid shirt and tie is sitting at a table with a brooklyn99 logo in the corner
ALT: a man in a plaid shirt and tie is sitting at a table with a brooklyn99 logo in the corner
media.tenor.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:14 AM
ajlockhart.co.uk
On todays film’s WhatsApp chat. Someone just messaged me with ‘what’s with the hat?’ Am Not wearing a hat at the mo. Wondered if she’s on the same train as me. It took me a beat to realise my profile pic on there is 👇

I might just need to update that… 🤦
December 2, 2025 at 7:42 AM