Kali Benson
@authorkalibenson.bsky.social
I write to give the voices in my head something productive to do.
🧑🏻🤝🧑🏼MM Romance Author
🕵🏽♂️ Detective Thriller Author
🏳️🌈 Demi + Aro 🏳️🌈
🧠 Bipolar2 + Autism + ADHD
✊🏾 Completely Radicalized Democratic Socialist
https://authorkalibenson.com
🧑🏻🤝🧑🏼MM Romance Author
🕵🏽♂️ Detective Thriller Author
🏳️🌈 Demi + Aro 🏳️🌈
🧠 Bipolar2 + Autism + ADHD
✊🏾 Completely Radicalized Democratic Socialist
https://authorkalibenson.com
Today I start line editing my draft. Why so soon after finishing?
Because this bad boy comes out on February 1st as part of the Neurodivergence in Queer Romance BookFunnel Promotion event!
EEK!
#AmEditing #RevisionTime #WritingCommunity
Because this bad boy comes out on February 1st as part of the Neurodivergence in Queer Romance BookFunnel Promotion event!
EEK!
#AmEditing #RevisionTime #WritingCommunity
December 15, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Today I start line editing my draft. Why so soon after finishing?
Because this bad boy comes out on February 1st as part of the Neurodivergence in Queer Romance BookFunnel Promotion event!
EEK!
#AmEditing #RevisionTime #WritingCommunity
Because this bad boy comes out on February 1st as part of the Neurodivergence in Queer Romance BookFunnel Promotion event!
EEK!
#AmEditing #RevisionTime #WritingCommunity
Tonight's progress:
Draft: 2,231 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +3,279 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 49,981/estimated 50,000
Chapters to Go: 0
Total Writing Days: 74
MY FIRST DRAFT IS DONE! 🫢😯🥹😭😭😭😭😭
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall #WritingCommunity
Draft: 2,231 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +3,279 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 49,981/estimated 50,000
Chapters to Go: 0
Total Writing Days: 74
MY FIRST DRAFT IS DONE! 🫢😯🥹😭😭😭😭😭
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall #WritingCommunity
a woman is making a funny face while touching her nose .
Alt: A Black woman with braided hair making a funny face while touching her forehead in confusion.
media.tenor.com
December 14, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Tonight's progress:
Draft: 2,231 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +3,279 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 49,981/estimated 50,000
Chapters to Go: 0
Total Writing Days: 74
MY FIRST DRAFT IS DONE! 🫢😯🥹😭😭😭😭😭
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall #WritingCommunity
Draft: 2,231 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +3,279 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 49,981/estimated 50,000
Chapters to Go: 0
Total Writing Days: 74
MY FIRST DRAFT IS DONE! 🫢😯🥹😭😭😭😭😭
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall #WritingCommunity
There may come a day when Kansas's "Carry On (Wayward Son)" does NOT remind me of Supernatural.
Today is not that day.
#WritingPlaylist #AmWriting
Today is not that day.
#WritingPlaylist #AmWriting
a black and white photo of two men standing next to each other looking at each other .
Alt: A gif of Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles (Sam and Dean Winchester of Supernatural) dancing next to each other. Jensen looks at the camera at the end.
media.tenor.com
December 13, 2025 at 11:58 PM
There may come a day when Kansas's "Carry On (Wayward Son)" does NOT remind me of Supernatural.
Today is not that day.
#WritingPlaylist #AmWriting
Today is not that day.
#WritingPlaylist #AmWriting
Tonight's progress:
Draft: 1,708 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +1,767 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 46,591
Chapters to Go: 2.5
Chance of finishing by December 15th? ~90%
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall #AlmostDone #WTFIsEvenHappening #WritingCommunity #WeeknightWriters
Draft: 1,708 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +1,767 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 46,591
Chapters to Go: 2.5
Chance of finishing by December 15th? ~90%
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall #AlmostDone #WTFIsEvenHappening #WritingCommunity #WeeknightWriters
kermit the frog is covering his mouth with his hand and looking at the camera .
Alt: Kermit the Frog is covering his mouth with his hand and looking at the camera while shaking.
media.tenor.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:25 AM
Tonight's progress:
Draft: 1,708 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +1,767 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 46,591
Chapters to Go: 2.5
Chance of finishing by December 15th? ~90%
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall #AlmostDone #WTFIsEvenHappening #WritingCommunity #WeeknightWriters
Draft: 1,708 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +1,767 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 46,591
Chapters to Go: 2.5
Chance of finishing by December 15th? ~90%
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall #AlmostDone #WTFIsEvenHappening #WritingCommunity #WeeknightWriters
Tonight's progress:
Draft: 1,374 words
Difference between MMCs' word counts: +1,936 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 44,364
Chapters to Go: 3.33
Chance of finishing by December 15th? ~85%
ALMOST THERE 😱😭
#AmWriting #WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall #MMRomance
Draft: 1,374 words
Difference between MMCs' word counts: +1,936 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 44,364
Chapters to Go: 3.33
Chance of finishing by December 15th? ~85%
ALMOST THERE 😱😭
#AmWriting #WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall #MMRomance
December 9, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Tonight's progress:
Draft: 1,374 words
Difference between MMCs' word counts: +1,936 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 44,364
Chapters to Go: 3.33
Chance of finishing by December 15th? ~85%
ALMOST THERE 😱😭
#AmWriting #WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall #MMRomance
Draft: 1,374 words
Difference between MMCs' word counts: +1,936 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 44,364
Chapters to Go: 3.33
Chance of finishing by December 15th? ~85%
ALMOST THERE 😱😭
#AmWriting #WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall #MMRomance
Tonight's progress:
Draft: -39 words
Chapters to Go: 4
Chance of finishing by December 15th? ~80%
The whole premise almost fell apart. Cue 16-hour author panic. Finally threw out the last four chapters' outline and redid it. Back on track.
#AmWriting #WriterProblems #FirstDraftFall
Draft: -39 words
Chapters to Go: 4
Chance of finishing by December 15th? ~80%
The whole premise almost fell apart. Cue 16-hour author panic. Finally threw out the last four chapters' outline and redid it. Back on track.
#AmWriting #WriterProblems #FirstDraftFall
December 8, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Tonight's progress:
Draft: -39 words
Chapters to Go: 4
Chance of finishing by December 15th? ~80%
The whole premise almost fell apart. Cue 16-hour author panic. Finally threw out the last four chapters' outline and redid it. Back on track.
#AmWriting #WriterProblems #FirstDraftFall
Draft: -39 words
Chapters to Go: 4
Chance of finishing by December 15th? ~80%
The whole premise almost fell apart. Cue 16-hour author panic. Finally threw out the last four chapters' outline and redid it. Back on track.
#AmWriting #WriterProblems #FirstDraftFall
Tonight's progress:
Draft: 1,115 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +595 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 42,963
Chapters to Go: 4
This most recent chapter was so much harder to write than I ever expected. My heart hurts.
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall #MentalHealthMatters
Draft: 1,115 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +595 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 42,963
Chapters to Go: 4
This most recent chapter was so much harder to write than I ever expected. My heart hurts.
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall #MentalHealthMatters
December 7, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Tonight's progress:
Draft: 1,115 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +595 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 42,963
Chapters to Go: 4
This most recent chapter was so much harder to write than I ever expected. My heart hurts.
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall #MentalHealthMatters
Draft: 1,115 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +595 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 42,963
Chapters to Go: 4
This most recent chapter was so much harder to write than I ever expected. My heart hurts.
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall #MentalHealthMatters
Tonight's progress:
Draft: 947 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +1,634 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 41,848
Chapters to Go: 4.56
Chance of finishing by December 15th? ~70%
#AmWriting #AlmostThere #WeeknightWriters #MMRomance
Draft: 947 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +1,634 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 41,848
Chapters to Go: 4.56
Chance of finishing by December 15th? ~70%
#AmWriting #AlmostThere #WeeknightWriters #MMRomance
December 6, 2025 at 4:12 AM
Tonight's progress:
Draft: 947 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +1,634 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 41,848
Chapters to Go: 4.56
Chance of finishing by December 15th? ~70%
#AmWriting #AlmostThere #WeeknightWriters #MMRomance
Draft: 947 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +1,634 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 41,848
Chapters to Go: 4.56
Chance of finishing by December 15th? ~70%
#AmWriting #AlmostThere #WeeknightWriters #MMRomance
Reposted by Kali Benson
Dialogue-only drafts are truly one of the most effective ways to figure out who your characters are in relation to each other and the world around them. They're also a fun way to let your subconscious run free for a bit.
I write first drafts in chaotic bullet points with dialogue snippets tossed in like confetti. It makes no sense to anyone else, but it gets me past the blank page. Later, I sculpt. First comes mess, then meaning. #writinglife #process #amwriting
December 5, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Dialogue-only drafts are truly one of the most effective ways to figure out who your characters are in relation to each other and the world around them. They're also a fun way to let your subconscious run free for a bit.
Tonight's progress:
Draft: 1,509 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +2,419 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 40,901
Chapters to Go: 5
Chance of finishing by December 15th? ~60%
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall #MMRomance #WritingCommunity #WeeknightWriters
Draft: 1,509 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +2,419 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 40,901
Chapters to Go: 5
Chance of finishing by December 15th? ~60%
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall #MMRomance #WritingCommunity #WeeknightWriters
December 5, 2025 at 4:41 AM
Tonight's progress:
Draft: 1,509 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +2,419 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 40,901
Chapters to Go: 5
Chance of finishing by December 15th? ~60%
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall #MMRomance #WritingCommunity #WeeknightWriters
Draft: 1,509 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +2,419 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 40,901
Chapters to Go: 5
Chance of finishing by December 15th? ~60%
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall #MMRomance #WritingCommunity #WeeknightWriters
Tonight's progress:
Draft: 925 words
Elsewhere: 498
Difference between MMCs' word counts: +905 MMC
Total Draft Word Count: 39,387
Chapters to Go: 5.55
Chance of finishing by December 15th? 65-ish%
#AmWriting #WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall #MMRomance
Draft: 925 words
Elsewhere: 498
Difference between MMCs' word counts: +905 MMC
Total Draft Word Count: 39,387
Chapters to Go: 5.55
Chance of finishing by December 15th? 65-ish%
#AmWriting #WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall #MMRomance
December 4, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Tonight's progress:
Draft: 925 words
Elsewhere: 498
Difference between MMCs' word counts: +905 MMC
Total Draft Word Count: 39,387
Chapters to Go: 5.55
Chance of finishing by December 15th? 65-ish%
#AmWriting #WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall #MMRomance
Draft: 925 words
Elsewhere: 498
Difference between MMCs' word counts: +905 MMC
Total Draft Word Count: 39,387
Chapters to Go: 5.55
Chance of finishing by December 15th? 65-ish%
#AmWriting #WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall #MMRomance
If you need a callback to the good ol' days of Al Gore's interwebs, go to Google and search "Geocities".
This is what I get for slipping random references that show my age into my manuscript. 🪦👵🏾
#ComicSans #MyBackHurts #WriterProblems
This is what I get for slipping random references that show my age into my manuscript. 🪦👵🏾
#ComicSans #MyBackHurts #WriterProblems
December 4, 2025 at 1:11 AM
If you need a callback to the good ol' days of Al Gore's interwebs, go to Google and search "Geocities".
This is what I get for slipping random references that show my age into my manuscript. 🪦👵🏾
#ComicSans #MyBackHurts #WriterProblems
This is what I get for slipping random references that show my age into my manuscript. 🪦👵🏾
#ComicSans #MyBackHurts #WriterProblems
I just reached out to a super-famous queer romance cover photographer about licensing/buying one of their images for my novel.
The gasp I gasped! 😱😱😱
"The image you requested is available. Price is $1,250."
#WriterProblems
The gasp I gasped! 😱😱😱
"The image you requested is available. Price is $1,250."
#WriterProblems
sulley from monsters inc is making a face with his hands
Alt: Sulley from Monsters Inc. is making a face with his hands and fainting.
media.tenor.com
December 3, 2025 at 9:00 PM
I just reached out to a super-famous queer romance cover photographer about licensing/buying one of their images for my novel.
The gasp I gasped! 😱😱😱
"The image you requested is available. Price is $1,250."
#WriterProblems
The gasp I gasped! 😱😱😱
"The image you requested is available. Price is $1,250."
#WriterProblems
Tonight's progress:
Draft: 1,527 words
Elsewhere: 322
Difference between MMCs word counts: +96 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 38,462
Estimated Words Left: ~13,000
Chapters to Go: 6 😱
#AmWriting #WeeknightWriters #MMRomance #FirstDraftFall
Draft: 1,527 words
Elsewhere: 322
Difference between MMCs word counts: +96 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 38,462
Estimated Words Left: ~13,000
Chapters to Go: 6 😱
#AmWriting #WeeknightWriters #MMRomance #FirstDraftFall
December 3, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Tonight's progress:
Draft: 1,527 words
Elsewhere: 322
Difference between MMCs word counts: +96 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 38,462
Estimated Words Left: ~13,000
Chapters to Go: 6 😱
#AmWriting #WeeknightWriters #MMRomance #FirstDraftFall
Draft: 1,527 words
Elsewhere: 322
Difference between MMCs word counts: +96 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 38,462
Estimated Words Left: ~13,000
Chapters to Go: 6 😱
#AmWriting #WeeknightWriters #MMRomance #FirstDraftFall
Draft: 2,256 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +2,240 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 36,194
Chapters to Go: 7
If I write a chapter every other day, I'll finish in time to do a final line-edit readthrough before I send it to my sensitivity/beta reader(s)! 🫢😱🤯
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall
Difference between MMCs word counts: +2,240 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 36,194
Chapters to Go: 7
If I write a chapter every other day, I'll finish in time to do a final line-edit readthrough before I send it to my sensitivity/beta reader(s)! 🫢😱🤯
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall
I haven't written anything in two days. I'm going back to my drafting notebook. It always helps me get out my own way.
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall #WriterLife
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall #WriterLife
November 29, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Draft: 2,256 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +2,240 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 36,194
Chapters to Go: 7
If I write a chapter every other day, I'll finish in time to do a final line-edit readthrough before I send it to my sensitivity/beta reader(s)! 🫢😱🤯
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall
Difference between MMCs word counts: +2,240 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 36,194
Chapters to Go: 7
If I write a chapter every other day, I'll finish in time to do a final line-edit readthrough before I send it to my sensitivity/beta reader(s)! 🫢😱🤯
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall
I haven't written anything in two days. I'm going back to my drafting notebook. It always helps me get out my own way.
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall #WriterLife
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall #WriterLife
November 28, 2025 at 4:38 PM
I haven't written anything in two days. I'm going back to my drafting notebook. It always helps me get out my own way.
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall #WriterLife
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall #WriterLife
I don't think there is a character in all of English literature that I hate more than Wuthering Heights's Heathcliff Earnshaw. I thought Victor Frankenstein was a piece of shit, but GOOD. GOD.
Reason #1487 this remains one of my favorite books of all time.
Reason #1487 this remains one of my favorite books of all time.
November 26, 2025 at 9:41 PM
I don't think there is a character in all of English literature that I hate more than Wuthering Heights's Heathcliff Earnshaw. I thought Victor Frankenstein was a piece of shit, but GOOD. GOD.
Reason #1487 this remains one of my favorite books of all time.
Reason #1487 this remains one of my favorite books of all time.
Been a very long week, and it's only Tuesday. Tonight's writing is a win.
Draft: 266 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +254 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 34,208
Chapters to Go: 7.9
#WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall #AmWriting #MMRomance
Draft: 266 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +254 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 34,208
Chapters to Go: 7.9
#WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall #AmWriting #MMRomance
#WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall Check-In: How did your writing go today?
November 26, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Been a very long week, and it's only Tuesday. Tonight's writing is a win.
Draft: 266 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +254 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 34,208
Chapters to Go: 7.9
#WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall #AmWriting #MMRomance
Draft: 266 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +254 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 34,208
Chapters to Go: 7.9
#WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall #AmWriting #MMRomance
Draft: -467 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +64 MMC2
Total Draft Word Count: 33,986
Chapters to Go: 8
Chapter 14 reads MUCH better now and more in line with what the second scene originally needed to do.
#WeeknightWriters #AmWriting #WIPWork #FirstDraftFall
Difference between MMCs word counts: +64 MMC2
Total Draft Word Count: 33,986
Chapters to Go: 8
Chapter 14 reads MUCH better now and more in line with what the second scene originally needed to do.
#WeeknightWriters #AmWriting #WIPWork #FirstDraftFall
November 25, 2025 at 4:18 AM
Draft: -467 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +64 MMC2
Total Draft Word Count: 33,986
Chapters to Go: 8
Chapter 14 reads MUCH better now and more in line with what the second scene originally needed to do.
#WeeknightWriters #AmWriting #WIPWork #FirstDraftFall
Difference between MMCs word counts: +64 MMC2
Total Draft Word Count: 33,986
Chapters to Go: 8
Chapter 14 reads MUCH better now and more in line with what the second scene originally needed to do.
#WeeknightWriters #AmWriting #WIPWork #FirstDraftFall
SHIT, I FORGOT TO TAKE MY MORNING MEDS 😭
YOU MUST MAINTAIN YOUR STRENGTH AND POWER! TAKE YOUR MEDICATIONS.
November 24, 2025 at 8:28 PM
SHIT, I FORGOT TO TAKE MY MORNING MEDS 😭
Tonight's progress:
Draft: 867 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +485 MMC2
Total Draft Word Count: 34,459
Chapters to Go: 8
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall #MMRomance #WritingCommunity
Draft: 867 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +485 MMC2
Total Draft Word Count: 34,459
Chapters to Go: 8
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall #MMRomance #WritingCommunity
November 24, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Tonight's progress:
Draft: 867 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +485 MMC2
Total Draft Word Count: 34,459
Chapters to Go: 8
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall #MMRomance #WritingCommunity
Draft: 867 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +485 MMC2
Total Draft Word Count: 34,459
Chapters to Go: 8
#AmWriting #FirstDraftFall #MMRomance #WritingCommunity
Making steady progress:
Draft: 1,019 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +382 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 33,592
Chapters to Go: 8-ish
#AmWriting #MMRomance #FirstDraftFall
Draft: 1,019 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +382 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 33,592
Chapters to Go: 8-ish
#AmWriting #MMRomance #FirstDraftFall
November 23, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Making steady progress:
Draft: 1,019 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +382 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 33,592
Chapters to Go: 8-ish
#AmWriting #MMRomance #FirstDraftFall
Draft: 1,019 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +382 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 33,592
Chapters to Go: 8-ish
#AmWriting #MMRomance #FirstDraftFall
All of my longer works have come from prompts I thought would just be flash fiction 😭
prompts r my love language.
November 23, 2025 at 3:46 AM
All of my longer works have come from prompts I thought would just be flash fiction 😭
FINALLY added words for the first time since Tuesday
Draft: 1,091 words
Elsewhere: 48 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +1,401 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 32,573
Chapters to Go: 8.5
#AmWriting #WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall #WritingCommunity
Draft: 1,091 words
Elsewhere: 48 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +1,401 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 32,573
Chapters to Go: 8.5
#AmWriting #WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall #WritingCommunity
#WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall Check-In: How did your writing go today?
November 22, 2025 at 3:55 AM
FINALLY added words for the first time since Tuesday
Draft: 1,091 words
Elsewhere: 48 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +1,401 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 32,573
Chapters to Go: 8.5
#AmWriting #WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall #WritingCommunity
Draft: 1,091 words
Elsewhere: 48 words
Difference between MMCs word counts: +1,401 MMC1
Total Draft Word Count: 32,573
Chapters to Go: 8.5
#AmWriting #WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall #WritingCommunity