Ben Cass
@bencass.bsky.social
Fantasy author.
linktr.ee/bencass
linktr.ee/bencass
#wipsnips #writesky
“Oh! Bode, quick question: has Archie always been totally oblivious to, like, any kind of hints?”
“Yes,” Bode said immediately. “I’ve never seen anybody that spectacularly unable to understand subtlety. You have to be very direct, no matter how mundane the topic.”
“Oh! Bode, quick question: has Archie always been totally oblivious to, like, any kind of hints?”
“Yes,” Bode said immediately. “I’ve never seen anybody that spectacularly unable to understand subtlety. You have to be very direct, no matter how mundane the topic.”
January 25, 2026 at 6:00 PM
The Return of the King With Big Naturals.
Improve a movie title by adding "With Big Naturals"
January 22, 2026 at 1:50 PM
The Return of the King With Big Naturals.
#writingcommunity #writing #writesky
My brain deigned to allow me to write this weekend, so I'm nearing the 10K words over the past 24 hours. I can live with that.
Now, if I can just convince my brain to let me keep writing for the next week or two, I'll have the first draft finished.
My brain deigned to allow me to write this weekend, so I'm nearing the 10K words over the past 24 hours. I can live with that.
Now, if I can just convince my brain to let me keep writing for the next week or two, I'll have the first draft finished.
January 19, 2026 at 11:25 PM
#writingcommunity #writing #writesky
My brain deigned to allow me to write this weekend, so I'm nearing the 10K words over the past 24 hours. I can live with that.
Now, if I can just convince my brain to let me keep writing for the next week or two, I'll have the first draft finished.
My brain deigned to allow me to write this weekend, so I'm nearing the 10K words over the past 24 hours. I can live with that.
Now, if I can just convince my brain to let me keep writing for the next week or two, I'll have the first draft finished.
I actually wrote a post for my website about this a week or so ago. Many of the names in my trilogy were placeholders that just turned into the actual names. I don't put the same emphasis on names that many writers do. I really don't think the names are important at all to the story.
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters
Writing technical question!
Do you name your characters right away or do you use placeholder names?
Are the placeholders descriptive or just filler names you'll change?
Has a placeholder ever grown on you?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
Writing technical question!
Do you name your characters right away or do you use placeholder names?
Are the placeholders descriptive or just filler names you'll change?
Has a placeholder ever grown on you?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
January 19, 2026 at 11:23 PM
I actually wrote a post for my website about this a week or so ago. Many of the names in my trilogy were placeholders that just turned into the actual names. I don't put the same emphasis on names that many writers do. I really don't think the names are important at all to the story.
Nothing. I only create what I need for the story as I write the story. If it doesn’t appear on page, it doesn’t exist in my head.
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters
Technical question today! How much backstory/history for your character have you created that isn’t part of the actual story?
Do you write it down, or is it in your head? What sort of scenarios do you explore?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
Technical question today! How much backstory/history for your character have you created that isn’t part of the actual story?
Do you write it down, or is it in your head? What sort of scenarios do you explore?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
January 12, 2026 at 1:30 AM
Nothing. I only create what I need for the story as I write the story. If it doesn’t appear on page, it doesn’t exist in my head.
Archie is a human working in a magical library. His coworkers? An elf who always “knows a guy,” a dwarf who expects a good insult every chance you get, a lederhosen-loving Sasquatch, and a relentlessly cheerful pixie. Their boss? A tiny book dragon with an insatiable need to hoard books.
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters
What's your character's weird meter like?
Do they encounter strange (for their world) things? Is ordinary for them very different from ordinary for those around them?
What's the weirdest thing they've seen?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
What's your character's weird meter like?
Do they encounter strange (for their world) things? Is ordinary for them very different from ordinary for those around them?
What's the weirdest thing they've seen?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
January 9, 2026 at 2:15 AM
Archie is a human working in a magical library. His coworkers? An elf who always “knows a guy,” a dwarf who expects a good insult every chance you get, a lederhosen-loving Sasquatch, and a relentlessly cheerful pixie. Their boss? A tiny book dragon with an insatiable need to hoard books.
#wipsnips
"That was impressive, Detective," Sharian said. "How did you know to look there?"
"A benefit of being a comic book nerd. I loved Will Eisner's 'The Spirit' comics, from the 1940s. They taught me that the story is already present, and I just have to put the clues in order."
"That was impressive, Detective," Sharian said. "How did you know to look there?"
"A benefit of being a comic book nerd. I loved Will Eisner's 'The Spirit' comics, from the 1940s. They taught me that the story is already present, and I just have to put the clues in order."
January 6, 2026 at 4:00 AM
#wipsnips
"That was impressive, Detective," Sharian said. "How did you know to look there?"
"A benefit of being a comic book nerd. I loved Will Eisner's 'The Spirit' comics, from the 1940s. They taught me that the story is already present, and I just have to put the clues in order."
"That was impressive, Detective," Sharian said. "How did you know to look there?"
"A benefit of being a comic book nerd. I loved Will Eisner's 'The Spirit' comics, from the 1940s. They taught me that the story is already present, and I just have to put the clues in order."
I prefer to not have the antagonist on page that much. In my trilogy, you don't meet the main antagonist until a few chapters into the second book. He then appears here and there in the second and third books, but not too much.
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters
Antagonist day! How are we first introduced to your antagonist?
What are they doing when they appear on the page? Is it meant to be apparent that they are a villain?
What is being showcased about them?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
Antagonist day! How are we first introduced to your antagonist?
What are they doing when they appear on the page? Is it meant to be apparent that they are a villain?
What is being showcased about them?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
January 6, 2026 at 3:49 AM
I prefer to not have the antagonist on page that much. In my trilogy, you don't meet the main antagonist until a few chapters into the second book. He then appears here and there in the second and third books, but not too much.
Archie solves math problems to relax, but he has a Ph.D. in math and was a professor for almost two decades before switching careers. We haven't seen him doing it yet.
Rowan, on the other hand, collects comic books. She mentions it in the first book, but we'll actually get to see it in the second.
Rowan, on the other hand, collects comic books. She mentions it in the first book, but we'll actually get to see it in the second.
What sort of hobbies does your MC have? Do they get to do this in your book/wip, or is there just never time? #WritingPrompt
January 6, 2026 at 3:48 AM
Archie solves math problems to relax, but he has a Ph.D. in math and was a professor for almost two decades before switching careers. We haven't seen him doing it yet.
Rowan, on the other hand, collects comic books. She mentions it in the first book, but we'll actually get to see it in the second.
Rowan, on the other hand, collects comic books. She mentions it in the first book, but we'll actually get to see it in the second.
#wipsnips
"You're awfully calm about finally meeting your daughter's first real boyfriend," Rowan said.
I shrugged. "I...um...already met him. By accident."
She folded her arms and raised an eyebrow. "How?"
"At the grocery store. He introduced himself."
"And you didn't tell Ada?"
"Um...no?"
"You're awfully calm about finally meeting your daughter's first real boyfriend," Rowan said.
I shrugged. "I...um...already met him. By accident."
She folded her arms and raised an eyebrow. "How?"
"At the grocery store. He introduced himself."
"And you didn't tell Ada?"
"Um...no?"
January 3, 2026 at 6:03 PM
#wipsnips
"You're awfully calm about finally meeting your daughter's first real boyfriend," Rowan said.
I shrugged. "I...um...already met him. By accident."
She folded her arms and raised an eyebrow. "How?"
"At the grocery store. He introduced himself."
"And you didn't tell Ada?"
"Um...no?"
"You're awfully calm about finally meeting your daughter's first real boyfriend," Rowan said.
I shrugged. "I...um...already met him. By accident."
She folded her arms and raised an eyebrow. "How?"
"At the grocery store. He introduced himself."
"And you didn't tell Ada?"
"Um...no?"
"I was supposed to die yesterday. Unfortunately for those jerkwads, it didn't take."
Happy first Friday of the new year, friends!!
How about we kick off 2026 with another round of #notrealopeners? 😸
The rules are simple: let's share some practice opening lines to books that don't exist (...yet? 🤭)
I'll go first:
"A tattoo is only as good as the artist's ability to spell."
How about we kick off 2026 with another round of #notrealopeners? 😸
The rules are simple: let's share some practice opening lines to books that don't exist (...yet? 🤭)
I'll go first:
"A tattoo is only as good as the artist's ability to spell."
January 3, 2026 at 1:09 AM
"I was supposed to die yesterday. Unfortunately for those jerkwads, it didn't take."
#favlinefriday #writingcommunity #writesky
“And don’t you DARE look inside!” she said, wagging a finger at me, her cheeks slightly pink.
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, I’m SO bored this morning that I just want to go through my daughter’s purse and see what I can find.”
“And don’t you DARE look inside!” she said, wagging a finger at me, her cheeks slightly pink.
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, I’m SO bored this morning that I just want to go through my daughter’s purse and see what I can find.”
January 3, 2026 at 12:59 AM
#favlinefriday #writingcommunity #writesky
“And don’t you DARE look inside!” she said, wagging a finger at me, her cheeks slightly pink.
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, I’m SO bored this morning that I just want to go through my daughter’s purse and see what I can find.”
“And don’t you DARE look inside!” she said, wagging a finger at me, her cheeks slightly pink.
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, I’m SO bored this morning that I just want to go through my daughter’s purse and see what I can find.”
#wipsnips
"When I started dating, I made certain promises to myself. I told Aunt Helena about those promises, too. Why would she even ASK me that question?"
Before I could reply, Rowan tapped her own shoulder, the signal we used in the Curiousium to mean "Let me handle this".
"When I started dating, I made certain promises to myself. I told Aunt Helena about those promises, too. Why would she even ASK me that question?"
Before I could reply, Rowan tapped her own shoulder, the signal we used in the Curiousium to mean "Let me handle this".
January 2, 2026 at 2:23 PM
#wipsnips
"When I started dating, I made certain promises to myself. I told Aunt Helena about those promises, too. Why would she even ASK me that question?"
Before I could reply, Rowan tapped her own shoulder, the signal we used in the Curiousium to mean "Let me handle this".
"When I started dating, I made certain promises to myself. I told Aunt Helena about those promises, too. Why would she even ASK me that question?"
Before I could reply, Rowan tapped her own shoulder, the signal we used in the Curiousium to mean "Let me handle this".
#wipsnips
"So how long do you think before your daughter begins to bug you about proposing?" the Sasquatch asked.
"I figure less than three weeks," I said. "You?"
He laughed. "Bro...she'll bring it up by Friday."
"Today's Sunday," I said. "We've only been a couple since last night."
"Exactly."
"So how long do you think before your daughter begins to bug you about proposing?" the Sasquatch asked.
"I figure less than three weeks," I said. "You?"
He laughed. "Bro...she'll bring it up by Friday."
"Today's Sunday," I said. "We've only been a couple since last night."
"Exactly."
January 1, 2026 at 7:34 PM
#wipsnips
"So how long do you think before your daughter begins to bug you about proposing?" the Sasquatch asked.
"I figure less than three weeks," I said. "You?"
He laughed. "Bro...she'll bring it up by Friday."
"Today's Sunday," I said. "We've only been a couple since last night."
"Exactly."
"So how long do you think before your daughter begins to bug you about proposing?" the Sasquatch asked.
"I figure less than three weeks," I said. "You?"
He laughed. "Bro...she'll bring it up by Friday."
"Today's Sunday," I said. "We've only been a couple since last night."
"Exactly."
#wipsnips
"He looks like he got clobbered over the head with a soggy pancake. What happened?"
The Velociraptor was easily the most terrifying teacher in the school, but also--somewhat surprisingly, given his reputation--one of the funniest. He often came up with these sayings that made us laugh.
"He looks like he got clobbered over the head with a soggy pancake. What happened?"
The Velociraptor was easily the most terrifying teacher in the school, but also--somewhat surprisingly, given his reputation--one of the funniest. He often came up with these sayings that made us laugh.
December 29, 2025 at 5:53 PM
#wipsnips
"He looks like he got clobbered over the head with a soggy pancake. What happened?"
The Velociraptor was easily the most terrifying teacher in the school, but also--somewhat surprisingly, given his reputation--one of the funniest. He often came up with these sayings that made us laugh.
"He looks like he got clobbered over the head with a soggy pancake. What happened?"
The Velociraptor was easily the most terrifying teacher in the school, but also--somewhat surprisingly, given his reputation--one of the funniest. He often came up with these sayings that made us laugh.
Archie spent nearly 20 years as a math professor and just got sick of the whining and complaining and cheating. Since he loves books, he decided to work in a library.
He hadn't expected a magical library to be the answer, but he loves his job and his coworkers.
He hadn't expected a magical library to be the answer, but he loves his job and his coworkers.
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters
How did your character get started on their current line of work/quest? What started them down that path?
Was it a specific choice they made? Serendipity? Was their hand forced by someone? Was it a mistake?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #writingprompts
How did your character get started on their current line of work/quest? What started them down that path?
Was it a specific choice they made? Serendipity? Was their hand forced by someone? Was it a mistake?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #writingprompts
December 27, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Archie spent nearly 20 years as a math professor and just got sick of the whining and complaining and cheating. Since he loves books, he decided to work in a library.
He hadn't expected a magical library to be the answer, but he loves his job and his coworkers.
He hadn't expected a magical library to be the answer, but he loves his job and his coworkers.
#writesky #writingcommunity
#1 goal is to finish and publish the second book in my Curiousium series, and if I'm lucky, the third book as well.
I somehow doubt I'll be THAT lucky, but fingers crossed!
Secondary goal is to write a juvenile/middle grades novel. Haven't tried that before.
#1 goal is to finish and publish the second book in my Curiousium series, and if I'm lucky, the third book as well.
I somehow doubt I'll be THAT lucky, but fingers crossed!
Secondary goal is to write a juvenile/middle grades novel. Haven't tried that before.
Hey, #writingcommunity...
What's one big writing goal you want to accomplish in 2026??
I'd like to start cheering you on immediately, please and thanks 💜
What's one big writing goal you want to accomplish in 2026??
I'd like to start cheering you on immediately, please and thanks 💜
December 27, 2025 at 4:10 AM
#writesky #writingcommunity
#1 goal is to finish and publish the second book in my Curiousium series, and if I'm lucky, the third book as well.
I somehow doubt I'll be THAT lucky, but fingers crossed!
Secondary goal is to write a juvenile/middle grades novel. Haven't tried that before.
#1 goal is to finish and publish the second book in my Curiousium series, and if I'm lucky, the third book as well.
I somehow doubt I'll be THAT lucky, but fingers crossed!
Secondary goal is to write a juvenile/middle grades novel. Haven't tried that before.
And Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, but moved silently down through the centuries, living many secret lives, struggling to reach the time of the Gathering; when the few who remain will battle to the last.
December 25, 2025 at 5:33 PM
And Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, but moved silently down through the centuries, living many secret lives, struggling to reach the time of the Gathering; when the few who remain will battle to the last.
The Faekind revere the Exalted Phoenix as a god, even though he’s not. He just has the ability to temporarily wield the power of creation to make things happen. He gets annoyed with all the bowing and deference.
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters
Is your character religious or spiritual?
Is there a god/gods in their world? Is their existence a matter of faith, or are physically present? Does your character believe?
Do they pray or perform rituals?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
Is your character religious or spiritual?
Is there a god/gods in their world? Is their existence a matter of faith, or are physically present? Does your character believe?
Do they pray or perform rituals?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
December 7, 2025 at 11:48 PM
The Faekind revere the Exalted Phoenix as a god, even though he’s not. He just has the ability to temporarily wield the power of creation to make things happen. He gets annoyed with all the bowing and deference.
Well, that was fun. I was walking out to the van to get the last bag of groceries when my bad knee gave out—for no reason—and caused me to misjudge the 2-inch step down. Ended up crashing onto the concrete patio. My poor wife heard me crash and looked around the corner to see a single foot...
November 29, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Well, that was fun. I was walking out to the van to get the last bag of groceries when my bad knee gave out—for no reason—and caused me to misjudge the 2-inch step down. Ended up crashing onto the concrete patio. My poor wife heard me crash and looked around the corner to see a single foot...
Someone told me that my debut novel was the first book they’d enjoyed in years, and that they were going to start reading again because of it.
Three books later, they’re one of my biggest cheerleaders, always eagerly awaiting news of a new book.
Three books later, they’re one of my biggest cheerleaders, always eagerly awaiting news of a new book.
What is the best compliment you ever received? Putting aside whether or not you believed it.
November 27, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Someone told me that my debut novel was the first book they’d enjoyed in years, and that they were going to start reading again because of it.
Three books later, they’re one of my biggest cheerleaders, always eagerly awaiting news of a new book.
Three books later, they’re one of my biggest cheerleaders, always eagerly awaiting news of a new book.
Library run by book dragon.
📚 #WritingLifeMonthly November Day 23📚
Time for a little indie author promotion today. 5 words or fewer, tell us about your book.
#writingcommunity #BookSky #BookSky💙📚 #bookskyclub #bookish #books #tbrpile #indieauthor #amreading #indienovel
Time for a little indie author promotion today. 5 words or fewer, tell us about your book.
#writingcommunity #BookSky #BookSky💙📚 #bookskyclub #bookish #books #tbrpile #indieauthor #amreading #indienovel
![November #writinglifemonthly Day 23 Indie authors: plug your book in five words or less [hand with index finger pointing down]
Build Community - Share. Like.Comment in Group. @traceyleewrites](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cl2d2sct47dq4gawgixwxsxo/bafkreiafn4mpjtc55xaecjwgd5moxhyxzbbtbecad4jpdkukvpssusetyy@jpeg)
November 23, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Library run by book dragon.
Survived my first Bookfest/convention as an author. I've been writing and publishing for 7 years, but had never tried anything like this before. Ended up selling 9 or 10 books total, I think, which is way more than I'd expected!
My second one is only 6 days away.
#booksky #writesky
My second one is only 6 days away.
#booksky #writesky
November 16, 2025 at 8:21 PM