Opal
opalinkwell.bsky.social
Opal
@opalinkwell.bsky.social
Writer of Many Things (mostly horror at the moment) • Aspiring Novelist • Trans Woman (she/her only) • Lesbian • Rabidly into TTRPGs and the Paranormal • Anti AI • Commissions open
Pinned
I am available for short fiction (in most genres), proofreading, editing, screenwriting, and tabletop RPG commissions.

Happy to share pricing and discuss your project! 💜
#HorrorWritersChat

Evelyn would not be caught dead (well, undead) in sweatpants. Twelfth century French Baronesses do NOT wear sweatpants, she will not have her dignity stolen.

...she'd love to see Josie in a pair though. There's often nothing cuter than a girl who is totally relaxed.
I LOVE these days being subverted. You're all in sweatpant heaven. What about your WIP characters? your main characters? And what would they say?

#HorrorWritersChat
January 22, 2026 at 3:03 AM
#HorrorWritersChat

"Touch me again, and you'll regret it," Josie growled.

"Participation is mandatory," he said. He reached for her again, and she fired her Colt.

She stared in horror as the bloody hole in his chest began to rapidly heal.

"Participation is mandatory," he said, smiling too wide.
#Horrorwriterschat

Promo coming in ten. First, let's stretch our brains.
January 22, 2026 at 2:55 AM
#HorrorWritersChat

It was International Playdate Day, and my daughter was upstairs with my sister's kids.

My phone rang. "Sorry we're running late, we'll be there soon!" my sister's voice said over the line.

"What? You dropped them off twenty minutes ago."

Then I heard my daughter scream.
So we have four days today...or was it five? SUCH a busy day...

International Squirrel Appreciation Day
National Hugging Day
International Playdate Day
International Sweatpants Day
National Granola Bar Day

So which one will you choose to make horror? I know you can....

#Horrrorwriterschat
January 22, 2026 at 2:46 AM
#HorrorWritersChat

Opal here. I write a lot of horror that centers around grief, loneliness, and LGBT+ themes.

My favorite international day is Shark Awareness Day. I have a lot of fond memories of my late father and me watching Shark Week and bonding over a mutual love of the sea.
#HorrorWritersChat

Q1.
For me this is the most important. Who are we, really?
Let's spill the beans. Or the squirrels. Or even the granola.
We're all listening.
January 22, 2026 at 2:39 AM
Reposted by Opal
A completely FREE resource for
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The ultimate list of self-publishing resources for indie authors — Mary Wyrd
The ultimate list of self-publishing resources for indie authors and writers planning to self-publish.
www.marywyrd.com
January 18, 2026 at 4:52 PM
#HorrorWritersChat

In my vampire story, the antagonists are human. They're bounty hunters.

In my ghost story, the antagonist is a human serial killer.

In my teen horror, the antagonists are more supernatural. Still very human, but imbued with supernatural power by a cosmic horror.
Horror is known for having both natural and supernatural antagonists, like the landscape or a ghostly presence.

Q4 #HorrorWritersChat

In your current WIP or latest published horror work, who or what antagonises your protagonist?

---
The outro with promo opportunity will be posted in 10 mins.
January 15, 2026 at 1:11 AM
#HorrorWritersChat

I try to ensure I'm invoking all five senses when I get into my darker scenes, to help bring my readers there. What's a worse smell, old and moldy or TOO sterile? What does the protagonist see? Hear? Is their throat too dry? Is the rotting stench so thick they can taste it?
Q3 #HorrorWritersChat

How does your writing style seek to instill fear, disgust, or otherwise unsettle your readers?

[See an example from Cynthia Pelayo in the graphic]
January 15, 2026 at 1:08 AM
#HorrorWritersChat

My current WIPs have a lot of perceived realities that get violated.

"People who are nice on the outside are probably nice on the inside."

"Giving someone power simply makes them more of the person they already are."

"Someone who truly loves you would never hurt you."
“Horror comes from a violation of what characters perceive to be reality.” - Writing in the Dark by Tim Waggoner

Example: a haunted house violates the assumption that we are alone in our homes.

Q2 #HorrorWritersChat
Which perceived realities do you utilise in your horror writing?
January 15, 2026 at 1:05 AM
#HorrorWritersChat

I'm Opal! I mostly write horror, with some other genres tossed in. I'm not sure how to define the horror I write, as I tend to write a bit of every subgenre.

My current WIP is influenced at least somewhat by "Attack the Block", Stephen King's "IT", and "The Craft".
Welcome to #HorrorWritersChat

Q1
Introduce yourself and the horror subgenres you write.

Then, share three works of horror that influenced your latest work OR current WIP.
January 15, 2026 at 1:03 AM
Reposted by Opal
Add more #horror authors and horror writers to your feed. Add

Horror Writers Chat Members

A starter pack filled with the attendees of the weekly #HorrorWritersChat

🩸📚 📚💙 #HorrorSky
January 11, 2026 at 2:16 PM
#HorrorWritersChat

In my vampire novel, the protagonist steals the identity of a U.S. Marshal, dressing herself and acting more masculine to fit the part better. She transforms herself from a scared young woman chasing after the cousin she idolizes to a hard-bitten outlaw masquerading as a marshal.
You spring out of your den, gliding between trees. You follow the winged figures. Your kin. Your home.

Your past has left its icy trails behind.

Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?

#HorrorWritersChat
January 8, 2026 at 1:05 AM
#HorrorWritersChat

In one of my WIPs, the protagonist has to sacrifice/set aside her own grief to help others. It's devastating for her, but is a big part of her growth.

In another WIP, the protagonist has to sacrifice her freedom (become a wanted outlaw) to do what's right.
The susurrus sharpens into a voice. Your voice. A human rumble deepened by the forest’s savagery bursts from your maw.

A question blazes in your mind.

Becoming a new self is laden with sacrifices. What do your characters sacrifice? How painful/significant is it?

#HorrorWritersChat
January 8, 2026 at 1:03 AM
#HorrorWritersChat

In my ghostly novel, the protagonist is forced to go from being broken, grief-stricken, and thinking she's going insane, to a force possessed by righteous vengeance.
The figures bury you in frozen earth, in chains of pine needle and bone. Golden eyes fuse into a singular pair.

The soil trembles with a question.

For characters to survive the horrors, they must often become new selves. What kind of new selves do YOUR characters become?

#HorrorWritersChat
January 8, 2026 at 12:45 AM
#HorrorWritersChat

I am Opal, I write mostly horror, with some fantasy, scifi, and gothic romance, all with LGBT+ characters.

I would be most scared to give up my spouse. If you want something specific about me, then my gender. I fought hard for it, and I won't let it go.
The figures encircle you in ursine and lupine furs. Jagged symbols mark their foreheads under antlered hoods.

The susurrus coalesces into a question.

Tell us who you are, what you write, and what part of your current self would you be scared to give up the most?

#HorrorWritersChat
January 8, 2026 at 12:40 AM
#QueerWritersChat

Don't give up. They want us to give up. You've survived this long, gotten this far. Do not stop now.
#QueerWritersChat

Question Four:
Give an encouraging message to your future self!

Last question at :25!

@theodoresnapdragon.bsky.social #QueerWriters #writesky #writers
January 3, 2026 at 5:33 AM
#QueerWritersChat

One word to represent my 2026 outlook/vision: hope.
#QueerWritersChat

Question Three:
Pick a word to represent your 2026 outlook/vision!

Next question at :20!

@theodoresnapdragon.bsky.social #QueerWriters #writesky #writers
January 3, 2026 at 5:33 AM
#QueerWritersChat

I plan on working on my WIPs this year, I swear. >.>

I have three horror WIPs atm:

A novel about lesbian vampires in the Old West.
A novel about a queer punk band with superpowers.
A novel about a woman who can talk to ghosts, who try to get her to stop a serial killer.
January 3, 2026 at 5:32 AM
#QueerWritersChat

First time posting! I'm Opal, I write mostly horror, as well as gothic romance, fantasy, and science fiction.

I'm currently working on KPDH fanfic while ignoring my actual WIPs: a horror novel about lesbian vampires, and another about a queer punk band with superpowers.
Welcome to #QueerWritersChat!

To start things off, introduce yourself and tell us what you're working on! No links, please!

Next question at :10!

@theodoresnapdragon.bsky.social #QueerWriters #writesky #writers
January 3, 2026 at 5:30 AM
#HorrorWritersChat

She looked back at the parts of her that had to remain behind.

A body that never quite fit, a life lived in the shadow of others, a family that rarely remembered to love her.

She watched as those chains fell away, and then leapt forward.

Finally free.
Q4. Hang around for the outro.

I probably won't forget.

#HorrorWritersChat
January 1, 2026 at 9:44 PM
#HorrorWritersChat

Crossing at midnight, if I wasn't able to bring my spouse with me, then I'd bring my grandfather's knife, my father's silver ring, my spouse's golden moon pendant... you know, all the accoutrements a good witch needs for the other side.
Q3, #HorrorWritersChat.

We're inundated with fireworks and a cat who is remarkably unbothered for a change. She's powered by spite today.

Anyway. Questions questions.
January 1, 2026 at 9:36 PM
#HorrorWritersChat

Absolutely it would be the past. I made a lot of mistakes, and was too cowardly to stand up for myself many times, when I should've. My life would be completely different, if I had only said no, been honest, etc.
Q2 #HorrorWritersChat.

Who's going to judge YOU?
January 1, 2026 at 9:35 PM
#HorrorWritersChat

Almost missed it! I'm Opal, I write mostly horror, as well as gothic romance, sci-fi and fantasy. If I were bound and forced to haunt, it would be my spouse. I've already told them they can keep my skull if I die first, so I plan on haunting them til they're ready to pass.
Here we go, #HorrorWritersChat!

Q1.

New Year’s Eve is a threshold.
Horror understands thresholds better than hope does - because something always comes through.
January 1, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Reposted by Opal
I've signed, I'm not from Alberta or Saskatchewan but we shouldn't leave the people there behind

if you're canadian: get on this

thanks 💖
Canadians, sign this petition to stop the use of the Notwithstanding clause against trans Canadians.

This is about provinces denying human rights, because trans rights are human rights.

SIGN.
Petition e-7027 - Petitions
www.ourcommons.ca
December 21, 2025 at 5:11 AM
"What do you desire...?" The sibilant hiss came from the shadow in the corner, her glowing red eyes lingering on me.

Her teeth, razor sharp and glistening, parted again. "What do you crave...?"

"Nuggets."

"We had McDonald's last night," she snarled. "We can't have McDonald's for EVERY meal."
December 11, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Reposted by Opal
Matt wasn't well enough to promote the release day of his new short story ebook All Quiet On The Terraces. It's a spooky tale but the kind that tugs on your heartstrings; especially apt since he passed away. You can get the kindle edition here:
amzn.eu/d/ewl1JWr
Amazon.co.uk
amzn.eu
December 11, 2025 at 10:44 AM