Mara Lynn Johnstone
@marlynnofmany.bsky.social
Author of science fiction and fantasy. Exploring the multiverse, with pens, pencils and enthusiasm! She/her. Further shenanigans all over the internet and at MaraLynnJohnstone.com
Pinned
I don't know about you, but I've been making up stories since I could talk, & writing them down since shortly after.
In 5th grade, I decided that since I probably (probably) wouldn't get to ride a dragon / turn into a dragon etc, I'd write about it all instead.
Here's a thread of my books so far!🧵
In 5th grade, I decided that since I probably (probably) wouldn't get to ride a dragon / turn into a dragon etc, I'd write about it all instead.
Here's a thread of my books so far!🧵
Typo of the day: "buying things at the grocery story."
I'm not sure what that would be, but it sounds like it belongs in fairyland.
I'm not sure what that would be, but it sounds like it belongs in fairyland.
December 8, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Typo of the day: "buying things at the grocery story."
I'm not sure what that would be, but it sounds like it belongs in fairyland.
I'm not sure what that would be, but it sounds like it belongs in fairyland.
Reposted by Mara Lynn Johnstone
In gonna get real and emotional on main for a minute: I’ve had several people tell me they’ve been reading my comic since high school or that Skin Deep got them through a hard time in their life and honestly oh my god. The last 20 years of my life are worth it just for that.
December 6, 2025 at 10:11 PM
In gonna get real and emotional on main for a minute: I’ve had several people tell me they’ve been reading my comic since high school or that Skin Deep got them through a hard time in their life and honestly oh my god. The last 20 years of my life are worth it just for that.
Reposted by Mara Lynn Johnstone
Had a dream last night that was the usual mess, but at the end, I was watching a giant polar bear walk toward me, carrying a volcano like a snailshell on its back.
“Welp,” I said to the person next to me, “that’s either a god or a Pokemon.”
“Welp,” I said to the person next to me, “that’s either a god or a Pokemon.”
December 7, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Had a dream last night that was the usual mess, but at the end, I was watching a giant polar bear walk toward me, carrying a volcano like a snailshell on its back.
“Welp,” I said to the person next to me, “that’s either a god or a Pokemon.”
“Welp,” I said to the person next to me, “that’s either a god or a Pokemon.”
Reposted by Mara Lynn Johnstone
When people pay in cash at shows that money literally buys my groceries. I don’t put it in the bank I just pay cash for all my food, it’s great. Direct action. That 20 bucks you gave me is going straight to winco in a few days and ima turn it into bananas and bagels.
Shopping small is meaningful!
December 8, 2025 at 3:48 AM
When people pay in cash at shows that money literally buys my groceries. I don’t put it in the bank I just pay cash for all my food, it’s great. Direct action. That 20 bucks you gave me is going straight to winco in a few days and ima turn it into bananas and bagels.
I maintain that the worst placement of letters on the standard keyboard is the "i" and the "o" next to each other.
I was just describing a photograph as "a candid shot," and I'm sure you can guess which word I almost typed instead.
(No, it wasn't "candod.")
I was just describing a photograph as "a candid shot," and I'm sure you can guess which word I almost typed instead.
(No, it wasn't "candod.")
December 8, 2025 at 5:15 AM
I maintain that the worst placement of letters on the standard keyboard is the "i" and the "o" next to each other.
I was just describing a photograph as "a candid shot," and I'm sure you can guess which word I almost typed instead.
(No, it wasn't "candod.")
I was just describing a photograph as "a candid shot," and I'm sure you can guess which word I almost typed instead.
(No, it wasn't "candod.")
Fun and games with two conversations happening in the same room:
Adult: "...he read lots of trashy romance novels--"
Kid: "...well so did Pikachu!"
Adult: *pauses, takes a drink with Quite An Expression on his face*
Adult: "...he read lots of trashy romance novels--"
Kid: "...well so did Pikachu!"
Adult: *pauses, takes a drink with Quite An Expression on his face*
December 7, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Fun and games with two conversations happening in the same room:
Adult: "...he read lots of trashy romance novels--"
Kid: "...well so did Pikachu!"
Adult: *pauses, takes a drink with Quite An Expression on his face*
Adult: "...he read lots of trashy romance novels--"
Kid: "...well so did Pikachu!"
Adult: *pauses, takes a drink with Quite An Expression on his face*
We're resuming #DnD with terrible jokes, as is only appropriate.
"Why is he targeting us again?"
"He hates people from Cyre."
"I'm from Cyre. I'm a Cyran. I sing and everything."
"Is siren-style singing like a fire truck?"
*makes an unholy screech*
"Yes, exactly like that!"
"Why is he targeting us again?"
"He hates people from Cyre."
"I'm from Cyre. I'm a Cyran. I sing and everything."
"Is siren-style singing like a fire truck?"
*makes an unholy screech*
"Yes, exactly like that!"
#DnD
We'll have the vampire cleric interrogate the dead robot next time. Right now, we have a real-world dinner that's All Of The Garlic Bread (ironic) And Also The Ham. It smells amazing, and the cleric isn't invited.
We'll have the vampire cleric interrogate the dead robot next time. Right now, we have a real-world dinner that's All Of The Garlic Bread (ironic) And Also The Ham. It smells amazing, and the cleric isn't invited.
December 7, 2025 at 12:10 AM
We're resuming #DnD with terrible jokes, as is only appropriate.
"Why is he targeting us again?"
"He hates people from Cyre."
"I'm from Cyre. I'm a Cyran. I sing and everything."
"Is siren-style singing like a fire truck?"
*makes an unholy screech*
"Yes, exactly like that!"
"Why is he targeting us again?"
"He hates people from Cyre."
"I'm from Cyre. I'm a Cyran. I sing and everything."
"Is siren-style singing like a fire truck?"
*makes an unholy screech*
"Yes, exactly like that!"
Typo of the day: "underwoot" instead of "underfoot." Sounds like someone trying to down play their excitement.
December 5, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Typo of the day: "underwoot" instead of "underfoot." Sounds like someone trying to down play their excitement.
Ah, that classic dilemma: "I am cold and should turn on the heater" versus "If I get up from this blanket, I will be MORE cold."
December 5, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Ah, that classic dilemma: "I am cold and should turn on the heater" versus "If I get up from this blanket, I will be MORE cold."
Reposted by Mara Lynn Johnstone
Is it true that lemons are a hybrid of bitter oranges and citrons and therefore life did not give us lemons, we did that to ourselves
December 4, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Is it true that lemons are a hybrid of bitter oranges and citrons and therefore life did not give us lemons, we did that to ourselves
Reposted by Mara Lynn Johnstone
as an illustrator, "i have a great idea for a kid's book" is nails on a chalkboard to me
What’s the worst question someone can ask after you tell them your profession? For linguists, it’s definitely “how many languages do you speak?”, but I’m curious what else is happening to the rest of y’all out there?!
December 2, 2025 at 12:31 PM
as an illustrator, "i have a great idea for a kid's book" is nails on a chalkboard to me
Fun facts for fiction-writing purposes
Hogs don’t digest human hair or teeth, alas! A hog waste lagoon, however, is so unspeakably nasty that I’ve always felt if an FBI diver goes in, they earned the collar and I’ll go quietly.
Hyenas, as it happens, can digest teeth but not hair, so your best bet is to shave your victim first.
Hyenas, as it happens, can digest teeth but not hair, so your best bet is to shave your victim first.
December 3, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Fun facts for fiction-writing purposes
Reposted by Mara Lynn Johnstone
I’m tired™ buy my books.
December 1, 2025 at 9:32 PM
I’m tired™ buy my books.
Reposted by Mara Lynn Johnstone
if you need me i’ll be in the coat bath
December 1, 2025 at 9:55 PM
if you need me i’ll be in the coat bath
Reposted by Mara Lynn Johnstone
The architect tried to keep doubt from her face. "These are very interesting ideas, your majesty."
The emperor smiled. "Thank you, I think there's a good variety of traps."
"And the sign?"
"Yes, 'Grave robbers welcome'. Definitely."
"And you will be buried-"
"In the garden, outside the tomb."
The emperor smiled. "Thank you, I think there's a good variety of traps."
"And the sign?"
"Yes, 'Grave robbers welcome'. Definitely."
"And you will be buried-"
"In the garden, outside the tomb."
December 1, 2025 at 6:38 PM
The architect tried to keep doubt from her face. "These are very interesting ideas, your majesty."
The emperor smiled. "Thank you, I think there's a good variety of traps."
"And the sign?"
"Yes, 'Grave robbers welcome'. Definitely."
"And you will be buried-"
"In the garden, outside the tomb."
The emperor smiled. "Thank you, I think there's a good variety of traps."
"And the sign?"
"Yes, 'Grave robbers welcome'. Definitely."
"And you will be buried-"
"In the garden, outside the tomb."
Creating fanfic in gif format is a delightful talent.
I think this one is forever one of my favorite when I need a good laugh 🤭
#goodomens
#goodomens
December 1, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Creating fanfic in gif format is a delightful talent.
Reposted by Mara Lynn Johnstone
Some of you can even get a very special “touched by the primordial ooze (fell in the mud)” edition. Very rare!
November 30, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Some of you can even get a very special “touched by the primordial ooze (fell in the mud)” edition. Very rare!
Reposted by Mara Lynn Johnstone
my most useless pet peeve is I really hate it when birds are called dinosaurs, thats like calling a dog an amoeba because if you go back far enough it was one
November 30, 2025 at 3:20 PM
my most useless pet peeve is I really hate it when birds are called dinosaurs, thats like calling a dog an amoeba because if you go back far enough it was one
Reposted by Mara Lynn Johnstone
I’m a latecomer to the Iron Druid chronicles by @kevinhearne.bsky.social, & the first book was so much fun (a hot druid partnering with werewolves & a vampire? Be still, my heart). Plus I love seeing ancient gods & goddesses portrayed as the petty, vindictive assholes that they truly are #booksky
November 24, 2025 at 7:29 PM
I’m a latecomer to the Iron Druid chronicles by @kevinhearne.bsky.social, & the first book was so much fun (a hot druid partnering with werewolves & a vampire? Be still, my heart). Plus I love seeing ancient gods & goddesses portrayed as the petty, vindictive assholes that they truly are #booksky
Reposted by Mara Lynn Johnstone
Freelancing is great because I can take a day off whenever I want AND feel so guilty about doing it that instead of resting, I get to wander around the house all day thinking "I should be working"
November 25, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Freelancing is great because I can take a day off whenever I want AND feel so guilty about doing it that instead of resting, I get to wander around the house all day thinking "I should be working"
Reposted by Mara Lynn Johnstone
I’ve been drawing since I was a toddler (it kept me busy and contained so my parents could work in peace) and my childhood sketchbooks could be easily divided between “before Gargoyles” and “after Gargoyles”
November 26, 2025 at 4:39 AM
I’ve been drawing since I was a toddler (it kept me busy and contained so my parents could work in peace) and my childhood sketchbooks could be easily divided between “before Gargoyles” and “after Gargoyles”
Reposted by Mara Lynn Johnstone
Anybody who is like “Piracy is activism!”—trust me, supporting your local library is about 1000% more effective activism, and it’s still free for you and authors still get paid!
November 26, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Anybody who is like “Piracy is activism!”—trust me, supporting your local library is about 1000% more effective activism, and it’s still free for you and authors still get paid!
Reposted by Mara Lynn Johnstone
Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade will never top the time in 2006 when the Foster’s Home float rickrolled the parade
November 27, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade will never top the time in 2006 when the Foster’s Home float rickrolled the parade
Ironic typo to make in an email about a writing project:
"Thanks for all your hard word!"
Yes, I meant hard work.
Yes, words are hard.
Yes, I did actually catch that before I sent it.
"Thanks for all your hard word!"
Yes, I meant hard work.
Yes, words are hard.
Yes, I did actually catch that before I sent it.
November 24, 2025 at 4:12 AM
Ironic typo to make in an email about a writing project:
"Thanks for all your hard word!"
Yes, I meant hard work.
Yes, words are hard.
Yes, I did actually catch that before I sent it.
"Thanks for all your hard word!"
Yes, I meant hard work.
Yes, words are hard.
Yes, I did actually catch that before I sent it.
Writing while falling asleep:
Pro: you can look at this writing with fresh eyes tomorrow, because you'll have no memory of ever writing it.
Con: watch out.
Pro: you can look at this writing with fresh eyes tomorrow, because you'll have no memory of ever writing it.
Con: watch out.
November 22, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Writing while falling asleep:
Pro: you can look at this writing with fresh eyes tomorrow, because you'll have no memory of ever writing it.
Con: watch out.
Pro: you can look at this writing with fresh eyes tomorrow, because you'll have no memory of ever writing it.
Con: watch out.