Lester D. Crawford
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lesterdcrawford.com
Lester D. Crawford
@lesterdcrawford.com
68 followers 98 following 270 posts
Writer of stories involving dragons, mostly, that use themes of love, loyalty, friendship, kindness, acceptance, family of origin, and family of choice.

www.LesterDCrawford.com

Related Bluesky accounts:
@thedragonuniverse.com
@dracotation.com
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Lester D. Crawford @lesterdcrawford.com · Nov 20
"The Dragon Universe Utopia Origins" is available on bookseller websites. I recommend purchasing it through your local independent bookstore, or use Bookshop.org to credit your local independent bookstore.
Book cover for The Dragon Universe Utopia Origins showing a child having a picnic with a dragon in a forest
lesterdcrawford.com
#WIPSnips January 29 - formation
Militiamen marched past.
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky
A squad of seven militiamen came into view. One man led while the others followed in pairs. Unlike a normal patrol that searched as they went, these militiamen marched past in formation as if they were intent on getting somewhere. — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
January 29, 2026 at 6:27 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
Today was a good writing day. I added 16 new words, but deleted four old words. That is a net gain of 12 words. So, I deserve a treat. #AmWriting
January 27, 2026 at 9:19 PM
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#WIPSnips January 27 - commit
Hope and Baby face Monsoon, not Highstorms.
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky #Dragons
Text that says: Hope and the baby dragon sat in the cave's entrance watching Monsoon. After a while, Baby said, "Why is there Monsoon?" "The science books say Monsoon is caused by an atmospheric circulation that pushes rivers of moisture into the valley and up against the mountains causing the atmosphere to drop the moisture. The circulation oscillates back and forth bringing Monsoon and then dry. Most of the time, it's dry. "What is science?" "Science is a way to understand the world using observations, conclusions, and testable explanations, and testing those explanations through experiments and analysis. It's also the knowledge gained by that process." "How does the water get into the sky?" Hope described the water cycle of evaporation and condensation that caused water to fall from the sky. Baby kept asking questions. She did her best to answer them. — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
January 27, 2026 at 6:12 PM
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#WIPSnips January 26 - commit
Think before you act.
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky
Text that says: Hope reminded herself to stop and think before she acted to ensure what she was about to do was the right thing to do before committing to doing it. — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
January 26, 2026 at 6:06 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
Few things are more rewarding than making an edit to a sentence in your story, and then sitting back, reading it aloud, and saying, "I like that."
#AmWriting
January 22, 2026 at 2:04 AM
lesterdcrawford.com
#WIPSnips January 8 - canvas
My thesaurus says tarp is a synonym for canvas.
Monsoons swiftly strike causing everyone to panic.
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky
Text that says: Miss Livia and Mister Finn rushed from their shanty and looked skyward, and then Mister Finn went back inside. As Miss Livia pulled tarps out of storage bins, she said, "Quickly, Child. Load your carrysack with as many fruits and vegetables as you can." Hope began filling her carrysack. Mister Finn returned with a couple of books he stuffed into a small carrysack for her to take. "Here's a textbook for you to study, and storybook for you to read." Donning her carrysack and picking up the books' carrysack, Hope made a little bow of her head and said, "Thank you, Miss Livia, Mister Finn." As she climbed the wall, she added, "I'll return after Monsoon." — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
January 8, 2026 at 6:40 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
#WIPSnips January 7 - lock
Locking the door.
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky
Text that says: The tamper warning twine was still on the edge showing no one had opened the hatch. After checking to ensure no one watched, Hope pushed on the upper-right edge to pop out the hatch, slipped in, lifted the hatch back into place, set the security bar across it to lock it, placed the tamper warning twine on it, and connected the alarm trigger that was attached to a chain of useless pots, pans, and other noisy metallic objects. — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
January 7, 2026 at 6:35 PM
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#WIPSnips January 6 - low
Learning to fight with a staff.
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky
Text that says: "I'll repeat the lesson I've already taught you: Do not surrender to anger. Unrestrained anger is dangerous and destructive. It brings hate, which impairs judgment, which causes mistakes. Repeat, 'I will NOT surrender to anger.'" Hope stood, brought her staff into fighting position, and said, "I will NOT surrender to anger." He poked her again. This time, she didn't fall. "Anger is a normal emotion; we all experience it. Do not hide from your anger -- stay angry, Child; you will need it." She ducked as he swung high then stepped back as he swung low. He twirled his staff. "Anger is not a weapon; it's a tool. Wielding that tool with skill and wisdom enhances your performance, but if you surrender to it, it owns you, corrupts you, and makes you fail." Another swing. Hope blocked. "Used as a tool, anger is energy. When you control it, it becomes power. The best fighters never surrender to anger, but they do use the strength anger brings them." He swung from the left. She blocked. From the right. She blocked. "Keep your mind calm and on task. Remaining calm gives you an advantage over your opponent. Remaining calm allows you to be rational, not emotional; proactive, not reactive. And, being calm in the midst of battle conveys a sense that you are sure you can best your opponent. That can disquiet your opponent causing them to make mistakes." Another series of strikes. Hope blocked all of them. — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
January 6, 2026 at 6:19 PM
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#WIPSnips January 5 - benefit
Change brings opportunities.
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky #Dragons
Text that says: "We have a decent life here, and we're safe. I don't want to move. I don't want to change." Comforting emotions filled their connection. Hope liked the feeling. The baby dragon's concern for her was always present, but sometimes it was extra strong. She was never more at peace than when she was sheltered in his arms and wings with his neck and tail wrapped around her. The next day, Hope visited Miss Nella to ask for her wise advice about facing such a fundamental change. Miss Nella said, "Have you considered the opportunities the change brings and how the change will benefit you?" She had not. All Hope had thought about was what she would lose. — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
January 5, 2026 at 6:20 PM
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#WIPSnips January 4 - home
What makes a home?
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky
Text that says: Hope had never thought of any place as being home. She just had places where she hid. — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
January 4, 2026 at 6:25 PM
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#WIPSnips January 3 - calm
Be calm. Be quiet. Be patient.
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky
Text that says: Be calm. Be quiet. Be patient. Miss Nella had used the phrase Be calm. Be patient. Hope liked it, but added be quiet to the middle because the quieter she was the safer she was. She stopped crying but continued her calming exercise by silently humming to further steady her breathing, to relax her mind and body, and to clear her thoughts so she could plan. She said to Foxy, "I don't like change, but Miss Nella told me life is change. I'm not afraid. I can do this. I'm good at surviving. This is simply a new situation to survive. I'll find a way to cope. I always do. Mommy and Daddy would be proud of me." — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
January 3, 2026 at 7:08 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
#WIPSnips January 2 - resolution
Washing the dragon.
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky #Dragons
Text that says: Washing the baby dragon was slow. Hope cleaned a hand-sized patch until her sense of perfection was satisfied then moved to the next patch. Her resolution had been to make him squeaky clean, even though she thought few things were worse than a squeaky dragon. — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
January 2, 2026 at 6:14 PM
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#WIPSnips January 1 - begin
Begin is began because I'm writing in past tense.
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky
Text that says: Hope sighed, "Okay," and began her evening routine. Miss Nella had taught her the predictable pattern of routine provides structure that makes one feel in control. Everything simply falls into place, which reduces stress and improves mood. Hope had embraced the idea. Existing was full of unpredictable difficulties, but her routine gave her reliable comfort. — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
January 1, 2026 at 5:46 PM
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#WIPSnips December 31 - end
Catharsis moment.
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky #Dragons
Text that says: "We're going to be alright, you and me." The End
December 31, 2025 at 6:33 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
#WIPSnips December 30 - sun
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky
Text that says: Mister Emery's appointment window required Hope to pay attention to the time. She used two methods: the position of the bright spot in the overhead orange-haze -- that the science books said was caused by the sun -- and occasional clock towers distributed about the city. — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
December 30, 2025 at 7:07 PM
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#WIPSnips December 29 - clobber
A bop is as good as a clobber.
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky
Text that says: Hope encountered a militiamen patrol terrorizing a riffraff family, pushing them around and threatening them. Circumnavigating that conflict, she encountered four riffraff men in an alley. She scolded herself for failing to notice them lurking in the shadows as they conversed. When they saw her, one picked up a rock. One of the others bopped him on the head, eliciting a yelp, a second one knocked the rock out of his hand, and then the third said, "You fool. That's Marie." He made gestures toward Hope. "Well, not literally." Hope retreated the way she had come and adjusted her route. She had no idea what the man meant by what he had said. — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
December 29, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Reposted by Lester D. Crawford
dhowl37.bsky.social
I gotta shout out @stephanieburgis.bsky.social's Tales from the Chocolate Heart series that I shotgun back to back to back last week. I was a big Ella Enchanted and Dealing with Dragons fan back in the day and this series reminded me of those books in the best way. (cont)
The covers of the following books: The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart, The Girl with the Dragon Heart, and The Princess who Flew with Dragons.
December 28, 2025 at 5:21 PM
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#WIPSnips December 28 - thread
Fear was all Hope had ever known.
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky #Dragons
Text that says: No one had ever tried to enter the space between the warehouse walls. Of all the places she had been, Hope felt safest in the warehouse lair. Yet, the baby dragon was afraid. She focused on the feeling flowing into her through their connection following its thread-like tendril as it twined to the source. It was her. Baby was echoing her emotions back to her. Kaiden had told her to be fearless, and she was. She insisted she was NOT afraid, NOT now, NOT ever. But, Baby felt her fear. It was there even if she denied it. She resisted, but the echo forced her to admit it: she was always afraid. Fear was all she had ever known. — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
December 28, 2025 at 7:33 PM
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#WIPSnips December 27 - doctor
Hope didn't want to spar. But now she knows she needs to spar to become a better fighter.
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky #Dragons
Text that says: Hope couldn't sleep. Flashes of the assault dominated her thoughts as they repeatedly ran through her mind, which affected the baby dragon through their connection causing him to whimper in his sleep. She couldn't get the images to stop. The horrible thoughts continued deep into the night. But, when she decided to accept what needed to be done and to accept the change that that meant, her mind settled and she slept. The next morning, she hid in Mister Emery's garden and watched as he conducted a group of riffraff practicing music. This was not a scheduled time for her to visit, but she felt compelled to see him. When the music session finished and the riffraff left leaving the garden empty, still, and quit, Mister Emery turned toward her hiding place but said nothing; he simply waited. Hope stepped out. Mister Emery looked shocked. "Child, what happened to you?" Hope said, "I will spar. Teach. Me. Everything." "Should I summon a doctor?" "No, thank you, Mister Emery. I'm fine. Teach me, please." — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
December 27, 2025 at 6:08 PM
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#WIPSnips December 26 - type
Preparing to plant a garden.
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky #Dragons
Text that says: Hope and the baby dragon settled in the meadow outside the cave lair to read Gardening and Farming in Tossal Valley. While she intended to read the entire book, for now, Hope used the table of contents to jump to the chapter with the type of information they needed. At the top of the page, in bold print, was a warning: There is no guarantee a garden will be a success. That didn't sound promising. — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
December 26, 2025 at 6:33 PM
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#WIPSnips December 24 - goblet
Having fun drinking and singing shanties.
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky
Text that says: "Look out, he's got a goblet." I chuckled and said, "That's not a goblet. That's a cup. This is a goblet." I lifted my drink and sloshed it around.
December 24, 2025 at 6:40 PM
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#WIPSnips December 23 - stone
Tantalizing stones.
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky
In excerpting this piece, I discovered another typo: wondering instead of wandering. I also discovered Hope wonders A LOT. Someday, I need to address that. I wonder if wonder is one of my tells.
Text that says: Hope found the mountain foothill's forest enchanting, mysterious, and full of secrets and surprises. Time wandering there, communing with nature, and observing the plants and animals reduced her stress and anxiety helping her feel calmer and happier. She returned for many visits. On one visit, in the gravel of a stream tickling from a cave, Hope found several tantalizing stones. She dug through the gravel to find more of the pretty stones to take to her lair. She later learned they were gemstones and used them to trade for things she needed, and even received coin for some of them. — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
December 23, 2025 at 7:07 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
This is an example of a post that makes me stop and pause a long time as I ponder and explore the implications. It's a fun thrill ride.
animatronikki.bsky.social Animatronikki @animatronikki.bsky.social · Dec 22
Amidst the storm of change, Lindsey Lynxley is no longer certain which is the mask she wears and which is the face beneath it.

#ZootopiaOC
Color drawing of a well-dressed Lindsey snarling menacingly at the viewer holding a mask of her own brightly smiling face in one paw Color drawing of a comfortably-dressed Lindsey staring wide-eyed and tearful in fear at the viewer holding a mask of her own darkly snarling face in one paw
December 22, 2025 at 7:48 PM
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#WIPSnips December 22 - angle
The jaws of the beast.
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky #Dragons
Text that says: The baby dragon faced Hope, stretched out his neck, opened his jaws in a gape, hung out his tongue, partially opened his wings, fluttered them, and said, "Squawk." "Oh my!" Hope stepped back. Burrs with pointed, angled-back edges covered his tongue. Lining his jaws top and bottom were white, angled-back, spiky teeth the length of Hope's little finger. On the roof of his mouth were two more rows of angled-back teeth. Everything pointed toward the dark abyss of his throat. His teeth matched how the biology book had described a carnivore. "Oh, you're saying feed me. Mommy will get some food." — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
December 22, 2025 at 6:47 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
#WIPSnips December 21 - silver
Every Santa is real.
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky #Dragons
Text that says: The Santa-Verse by Lester D. Crawford Every Santa is real. I know. I've met them. I invented a transdimensional door. I opened it. A red and green and silver and gold Christmas dragon wearing a Santa hat fell through. He was angry because taking him from his Earth was ruining Christmas. His Santa Ring's distress signal summoned more Santas from the Santa-Verse, Santas of every type and species. Chaos ensued. I was sure I would be crushed. Our Santa brought order by returning the others to their Earths. He told me to stop making transdimensional doors. I think, instead of a door, I'll make a window.
December 21, 2025 at 7:51 PM