Prof Emily
@professoremily.bsky.social
English teacher, writer, lover of cats & dogs. Recovering conservative, now Agnostic Christian Democratic Socialist. Unfortunately stuck in Texas. 🥲
A feed of my writing samples: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:br2rslmo7elrd3hp5dfsx3ye/feed/aaaksewrcngo4
A feed of my writing samples: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:br2rslmo7elrd3hp5dfsx3ye/feed/aaaksewrcngo4
Pinned
Prof Emily
@professoremily.bsky.social
· Aug 22
Showing off this excellent piece I commissioned from @sarkastiklover.bsky.social! Tysm you rock! ❤️
Noah & his mom Cassie from #Tenement, my dystopian mystery about people living in an infinite building.
"Things don't have to be like this. There could be other ways. There could be other worlds."
Noah & his mom Cassie from #Tenement, my dystopian mystery about people living in an infinite building.
"Things don't have to be like this. There could be other ways. There could be other worlds."
Reposted by Prof Emily
Long story short: due to a Series of Events, I have a coat pocket full of loose cat teeth.
November 25, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Long story short: due to a Series of Events, I have a coat pocket full of loose cat teeth.
Reposted by Prof Emily
Daisuke likes the convenience of being in a city, but he also enjoys spending time outside. Obito likes city life, too, but he's not as much of a fan of the outdoors as Daisuke is 😅
They travel a lot between books 2 and 4, though, so neither complains much unless it's too hot (above 65F)
They travel a lot between books 2 and 4, though, so neither complains much unless it's too hot (above 65F)
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters
How does your character feel about nature?
Do they like the outdoors? Have good survival skills?
Or do they prefer the comforts and amenities of a city?
Some combination of both?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
How does your character feel about nature?
Do they like the outdoors? Have good survival skills?
Or do they prefer the comforts and amenities of a city?
Some combination of both?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
November 26, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Daisuke likes the convenience of being in a city, but he also enjoys spending time outside. Obito likes city life, too, but he's not as much of a fan of the outdoors as Daisuke is 😅
They travel a lot between books 2 and 4, though, so neither complains much unless it's too hot (above 65F)
They travel a lot between books 2 and 4, though, so neither complains much unless it's too hot (above 65F)
Reposted by Prof Emily
Brand new sketch! 😁 My friends and I were joking about what animals we'd be if we had the choice, and it resulted in this. Presenting...
Almost Home.
Almost Home.
November 25, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Brand new sketch! 😁 My friends and I were joking about what animals we'd be if we had the choice, and it resulted in this. Presenting...
Almost Home.
Almost Home.
Reposted by Prof Emily
The thing I love most about writing is when you don't know what's going to come out of your fingertips next, or exactly where you're going, and you write a line that's *close,* but not quite there.
And then the inspiration hits, and you make a small adjustment, and it's just 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵.
And then the inspiration hits, and you make a small adjustment, and it's just 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵.
November 25, 2025 at 6:30 PM
The thing I love most about writing is when you don't know what's going to come out of your fingertips next, or exactly where you're going, and you write a line that's *close,* but not quite there.
And then the inspiration hits, and you make a small adjustment, and it's just 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵.
And then the inspiration hits, and you make a small adjustment, and it's just 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵.
Reposted by Prof Emily
#NovemberWorldbuilders
Not sure if this counts as spoilers but Abelha and Gale’s falling out ripple effects into ruining Anni and Ashe’s child and young adulthoods
That’s right, these sapphics had such a messy break up it cascaded into millennium-long consequences
Not sure if this counts as spoilers but Abelha and Gale’s falling out ripple effects into ruining Anni and Ashe’s child and young adulthoods
That’s right, these sapphics had such a messy break up it cascaded into millennium-long consequences
#NovemberWorldbuilders Let's talk about how the world's history directly impacts your main character (or some other important character in the world you're developing). Do they have an important ancestor? Was there a specific event, say a war or diaspora, that impacted their current life?
November 25, 2025 at 6:32 PM
#NovemberWorldbuilders
Not sure if this counts as spoilers but Abelha and Gale’s falling out ripple effects into ruining Anni and Ashe’s child and young adulthoods
That’s right, these sapphics had such a messy break up it cascaded into millennium-long consequences
Not sure if this counts as spoilers but Abelha and Gale’s falling out ripple effects into ruining Anni and Ashe’s child and young adulthoods
That’s right, these sapphics had such a messy break up it cascaded into millennium-long consequences
Oh look at this handsome little cephalopod!
I don't know how he got to New Zealand so fast, but I sure would love to chill with him on this beach. Especially if there's a book adventure going on!
#writesky #writingcommunity #writing
I don't know how he got to New Zealand so fast, but I sure would love to chill with him on this beach. Especially if there's a book adventure going on!
#writesky #writingcommunity #writing
What the - Quillbert was just in Pennsylvania, USA. How did he end up on this gorgeous New Zealand beach?!
When we asked, he said he's heard there's some hints about his book-adventure here. Or maybe someone who's making books?
#writesky #writingcommunity #writing
When we asked, he said he's heard there's some hints about his book-adventure here. Or maybe someone who's making books?
#writesky #writingcommunity #writing
November 25, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Oh look at this handsome little cephalopod!
I don't know how he got to New Zealand so fast, but I sure would love to chill with him on this beach. Especially if there's a book adventure going on!
#writesky #writingcommunity #writing
I don't know how he got to New Zealand so fast, but I sure would love to chill with him on this beach. Especially if there's a book adventure going on!
#writesky #writingcommunity #writing
#NovemberWorldbuilders 23
The Eastern Queen Udhet lived about 250 years before my main #Atlantis story. King Utepec is her great-nephew.
She famously broke Atalantis's long streak of isolationism & started colonizing lands in Africa & Europe. Some remember her as a villain & some as a hero.
The Eastern Queen Udhet lived about 250 years before my main #Atlantis story. King Utepec is her great-nephew.
She famously broke Atalantis's long streak of isolationism & started colonizing lands in Africa & Europe. Some remember her as a villain & some as a hero.
We're talking about our fictional world's history this week, #NovemberWorldbuilders. Tell me about a ruler or leader who made an impact in your world. How are they remembered by those living in the future?
November 25, 2025 at 6:43 PM
#NovemberWorldbuilders 23
The Eastern Queen Udhet lived about 250 years before my main #Atlantis story. King Utepec is her great-nephew.
She famously broke Atalantis's long streak of isolationism & started colonizing lands in Africa & Europe. Some remember her as a villain & some as a hero.
The Eastern Queen Udhet lived about 250 years before my main #Atlantis story. King Utepec is her great-nephew.
She famously broke Atalantis's long streak of isolationism & started colonizing lands in Africa & Europe. Some remember her as a villain & some as a hero.
#NovemberWorldbuilders 24
Small spoiler for #Atlantis Book 1, but my Shadow Mommy Icozoue, Mireia & Kena's grouchy mentor, is the granddaughter of the previous Sun Father & Sea Mother.
Yes, this IS weird for her at first. Also yes, Mimi & Kena DO joke about technically being her grandparents 😂
Small spoiler for #Atlantis Book 1, but my Shadow Mommy Icozoue, Mireia & Kena's grouchy mentor, is the granddaughter of the previous Sun Father & Sea Mother.
Yes, this IS weird for her at first. Also yes, Mimi & Kena DO joke about technically being her grandparents 😂
#NovemberWorldbuilders Let's talk about how the world's history directly impacts your main character (or some other important character in the world you're developing). Do they have an important ancestor? Was there a specific event, say a war or diaspora, that impacted their current life?
November 25, 2025 at 6:26 PM
#NovemberWorldbuilders 24
Small spoiler for #Atlantis Book 1, but my Shadow Mommy Icozoue, Mireia & Kena's grouchy mentor, is the granddaughter of the previous Sun Father & Sea Mother.
Yes, this IS weird for her at first. Also yes, Mimi & Kena DO joke about technically being her grandparents 😂
Small spoiler for #Atlantis Book 1, but my Shadow Mommy Icozoue, Mireia & Kena's grouchy mentor, is the granddaughter of the previous Sun Father & Sea Mother.
Yes, this IS weird for her at first. Also yes, Mimi & Kena DO joke about technically being her grandparents 😂
#NovemberWorldbuilders 25
About 1200 years before my main story, The War of the Dragons took place in which a Northern King, Anahkten, murdered his co-monarch Eraaksis & set off a conflict between the northern clans that eventually escalated to other regions of Atalantis. To boost his legitimacy,🧵
About 1200 years before my main story, The War of the Dragons took place in which a Northern King, Anahkten, murdered his co-monarch Eraaksis & set off a conflict between the northern clans that eventually escalated to other regions of Atalantis. To boost his legitimacy,🧵
#NovemberWorldbuilders Does your fictional world have any wars in its history that are now over? What was the conflict about? What were the repercussions of it?
November 25, 2025 at 6:22 PM
#NovemberWorldbuilders 25
About 1200 years before my main story, The War of the Dragons took place in which a Northern King, Anahkten, murdered his co-monarch Eraaksis & set off a conflict between the northern clans that eventually escalated to other regions of Atalantis. To boost his legitimacy,🧵
About 1200 years before my main story, The War of the Dragons took place in which a Northern King, Anahkten, murdered his co-monarch Eraaksis & set off a conflict between the northern clans that eventually escalated to other regions of Atalantis. To boost his legitimacy,🧵
Reposted by Prof Emily
Emile is almost constitutionally incapable of showing up in response to an invitation without a gift in hand. That's more normal in this culture, and also, he can afford it! But also he... struggles to believe that his own presence might ever be gift enough.
(GREAT question)
(GREAT question)
What's a seemingly inconsequential detail about your MC that actually informs a lot about their character? #WritingPrompt
November 25, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Emile is almost constitutionally incapable of showing up in response to an invitation without a gift in hand. That's more normal in this culture, and also, he can afford it! But also he... struggles to believe that his own presence might ever be gift enough.
(GREAT question)
(GREAT question)
#Bookvember 25
Gotta shout out my guy Haymitch from THE HUNGER GAMES ❤️
Yes, he is a pretty shitty mentor for Katniss & Peeta. But he's also quite a good mentor in a lot of ways too, especially considering his massive trauma & alcoholism. He definitely had some influence on my grouchy Icozoue 🖤🖤🖤
Gotta shout out my guy Haymitch from THE HUNGER GAMES ❤️
Yes, he is a pretty shitty mentor for Katniss & Peeta. But he's also quite a good mentor in a lot of ways too, especially considering his massive trauma & alcoholism. He definitely had some influence on my grouchy Icozoue 🖤🖤🖤
Welcome to #Bookvember Day 25!
Follow the directions on the prompt card and discuss the tropes we love and hate.
#BookSky #WriteSky #Books #Authors #WritingCommunity
Follow the directions on the prompt card and discuss the tropes we love and hate.
#BookSky #WriteSky #Books #Authors #WritingCommunity
November 25, 2025 at 5:37 PM
#Bookvember 25
Gotta shout out my guy Haymitch from THE HUNGER GAMES ❤️
Yes, he is a pretty shitty mentor for Katniss & Peeta. But he's also quite a good mentor in a lot of ways too, especially considering his massive trauma & alcoholism. He definitely had some influence on my grouchy Icozoue 🖤🖤🖤
Gotta shout out my guy Haymitch from THE HUNGER GAMES ❤️
Yes, he is a pretty shitty mentor for Katniss & Peeta. But he's also quite a good mentor in a lot of ways too, especially considering his massive trauma & alcoholism. He definitely had some influence on my grouchy Icozoue 🖤🖤🖤
#Bookvember 24
Late but I can't pass up a chance to finally mention one of my faves of all time, FRANKENSTEIN!
The Creature's development from an innocent childlike being who just wants to be loved, to a bitter vengeful *deliberate* murderer of innocent bystanders, is so horribly gripping & sad 😭❤️
Late but I can't pass up a chance to finally mention one of my faves of all time, FRANKENSTEIN!
The Creature's development from an innocent childlike being who just wants to be loved, to a bitter vengeful *deliberate* murderer of innocent bystanders, is so horribly gripping & sad 😭❤️
November 25, 2025 at 5:20 PM
#Bookvember 24
Late but I can't pass up a chance to finally mention one of my faves of all time, FRANKENSTEIN!
The Creature's development from an innocent childlike being who just wants to be loved, to a bitter vengeful *deliberate* murderer of innocent bystanders, is so horribly gripping & sad 😭❤️
Late but I can't pass up a chance to finally mention one of my faves of all time, FRANKENSTEIN!
The Creature's development from an innocent childlike being who just wants to be loved, to a bitter vengeful *deliberate* murderer of innocent bystanders, is so horribly gripping & sad 😭❤️
Reposted by Prof Emily
I’ve used it as an answer before but once again hyping IRON WIDOW for an example of characters turning villainous.
It’s every bit as glorious as Zetian deserves.
#Bookvember
It’s every bit as glorious as Zetian deserves.
#Bookvember
Welcome to #Bookvember Day 24!
Follow the directions on the prompt card and discuss the tropes we love and hate.
#BookSky #WriteSky #Books #Authors #WritingCommunity
Follow the directions on the prompt card and discuss the tropes we love and hate.
#BookSky #WriteSky #Books #Authors #WritingCommunity
November 24, 2025 at 1:54 PM
I’ve used it as an answer before but once again hyping IRON WIDOW for an example of characters turning villainous.
It’s every bit as glorious as Zetian deserves.
#Bookvember
It’s every bit as glorious as Zetian deserves.
#Bookvember
Reposted by Prof Emily
Reposted by Prof Emily
24. Another answer brought to you by my basic-ocity, but I have to choose either Macbeth or Othello. I love a fallen hero when I get to see it performed live in front of me, and Shakespeare writes these falls so damn well! I adore Willie Shakes so much. #Bookvember #writingcommunity #writesky
Welcome to #Bookvember Day 24!
Follow the directions on the prompt card and discuss the tropes we love and hate.
#BookSky #WriteSky #Books #Authors #WritingCommunity
Follow the directions on the prompt card and discuss the tropes we love and hate.
#BookSky #WriteSky #Books #Authors #WritingCommunity
November 24, 2025 at 9:55 PM
24. Another answer brought to you by my basic-ocity, but I have to choose either Macbeth or Othello. I love a fallen hero when I get to see it performed live in front of me, and Shakespeare writes these falls so damn well! I adore Willie Shakes so much. #Bookvember #writingcommunity #writesky
Reposted by Prof Emily
#Bookvember 25
Look. I'm not saying Allanon is the best mentor character or that the Sword of Shannara wasn't a rummage sale of fantasy archetypes, BUT when I was 12, reading it for the first time, I thought it was the best thing I'd ever read. And it was a gut punch when Allanon died in book 2.
Look. I'm not saying Allanon is the best mentor character or that the Sword of Shannara wasn't a rummage sale of fantasy archetypes, BUT when I was 12, reading it for the first time, I thought it was the best thing I'd ever read. And it was a gut punch when Allanon died in book 2.
November 25, 2025 at 1:06 PM
#Bookvember 25
Look. I'm not saying Allanon is the best mentor character or that the Sword of Shannara wasn't a rummage sale of fantasy archetypes, BUT when I was 12, reading it for the first time, I thought it was the best thing I'd ever read. And it was a gut punch when Allanon died in book 2.
Look. I'm not saying Allanon is the best mentor character or that the Sword of Shannara wasn't a rummage sale of fantasy archetypes, BUT when I was 12, reading it for the first time, I thought it was the best thing I'd ever read. And it was a gut punch when Allanon died in book 2.
Reposted by Prof Emily
This is the first that comes to mind.
#Bookvember
#Bookvember
November 25, 2025 at 3:03 PM
This is the first that comes to mind.
#Bookvember
#Bookvember
Reposted by Prof Emily
#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky
This is from very early in the book, when I'm introducing my readers to the actual building of the Good Thyme Inn. It's got mysteries galore in its walls... literally. Plus a lot of steampunk-esque clockwork mechanisms
This is from very early in the book, when I'm introducing my readers to the actual building of the Good Thyme Inn. It's got mysteries galore in its walls... literally. Plus a lot of steampunk-esque clockwork mechanisms
November 25, 2025 at 4:12 PM
#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky
This is from very early in the book, when I'm introducing my readers to the actual building of the Good Thyme Inn. It's got mysteries galore in its walls... literally. Plus a lot of steampunk-esque clockwork mechanisms
This is from very early in the book, when I'm introducing my readers to the actual building of the Good Thyme Inn. It's got mysteries galore in its walls... literally. Plus a lot of steampunk-esque clockwork mechanisms
Reposted by Prof Emily
November 25, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Reposted by Prof Emily
I have my characters NOT be great at things. They hardly ever grasp things on the first or second attempt.
My male MCs are emotionally vulnerable and self reflective.
Men don't just listen to women's opinions, but seek them out for advice (and not his for romance).
My male MCs are emotionally vulnerable and self reflective.
Men don't just listen to women's opinions, but seek them out for advice (and not his for romance).
#Novmemeber 25
Anti-tropes: what are some tropes that you've purposefully avoided in your WIP? OR, are there any tropes that you've put a twist on?
Anti-tropes: what are some tropes that you've purposefully avoided in your WIP? OR, are there any tropes that you've put a twist on?
November 25, 2025 at 4:32 PM
I have my characters NOT be great at things. They hardly ever grasp things on the first or second attempt.
My male MCs are emotionally vulnerable and self reflective.
Men don't just listen to women's opinions, but seek them out for advice (and not his for romance).
My male MCs are emotionally vulnerable and self reflective.
Men don't just listen to women's opinions, but seek them out for advice (and not his for romance).
#Novmemeber 25
In #Tenement, Noah doesn't get a LI. He has some little infatuations but he's ace, so no romance, nbd.
I wanted to avoid some bad YA dystopia tropes, e.g. the villains being super cruel & incompetent. Mortimer is the main villain & he uses kindness & manipulation as his weapons...
In #Tenement, Noah doesn't get a LI. He has some little infatuations but he's ace, so no romance, nbd.
I wanted to avoid some bad YA dystopia tropes, e.g. the villains being super cruel & incompetent. Mortimer is the main villain & he uses kindness & manipulation as his weapons...
#Novmemeber 25
Anti-tropes: what are some tropes that you've purposefully avoided in your WIP? OR, are there any tropes that you've put a twist on?
Anti-tropes: what are some tropes that you've purposefully avoided in your WIP? OR, are there any tropes that you've put a twist on?
November 25, 2025 at 4:17 PM
#Novmemeber 25
In #Tenement, Noah doesn't get a LI. He has some little infatuations but he's ace, so no romance, nbd.
I wanted to avoid some bad YA dystopia tropes, e.g. the villains being super cruel & incompetent. Mortimer is the main villain & he uses kindness & manipulation as his weapons...
In #Tenement, Noah doesn't get a LI. He has some little infatuations but he's ace, so no romance, nbd.
I wanted to avoid some bad YA dystopia tropes, e.g. the villains being super cruel & incompetent. Mortimer is the main villain & he uses kindness & manipulation as his weapons...
Reposted by Prof Emily
#Novmemeber 25
Tried to avoid the miscommunication trope. There are times the characters purposefully keep secrets or interpret things differently, but they have solid communication skills. The men are also gentle, affirming, clear communicators. They check in, apologize, and make each other better
Tried to avoid the miscommunication trope. There are times the characters purposefully keep secrets or interpret things differently, but they have solid communication skills. The men are also gentle, affirming, clear communicators. They check in, apologize, and make each other better
#Novmemeber 25
Anti-tropes: what are some tropes that you've purposefully avoided in your WIP? OR, are there any tropes that you've put a twist on?
Anti-tropes: what are some tropes that you've purposefully avoided in your WIP? OR, are there any tropes that you've put a twist on?
November 25, 2025 at 3:36 PM
#Novmemeber 25
Tried to avoid the miscommunication trope. There are times the characters purposefully keep secrets or interpret things differently, but they have solid communication skills. The men are also gentle, affirming, clear communicators. They check in, apologize, and make each other better
Tried to avoid the miscommunication trope. There are times the characters purposefully keep secrets or interpret things differently, but they have solid communication skills. The men are also gentle, affirming, clear communicators. They check in, apologize, and make each other better
Reposted by Prof Emily
#NovemberWorldbuilders
There have been many wars that ended in / around Fenholt, but I will go with the one that has the greatest lasting impact. The Merchant's War ended 328 years ago, when Fenholt won it's freedom from the Portisian Regent and became an independant city state. #Wrencer #WriteSky
There have been many wars that ended in / around Fenholt, but I will go with the one that has the greatest lasting impact. The Merchant's War ended 328 years ago, when Fenholt won it's freedom from the Portisian Regent and became an independant city state. #Wrencer #WriteSky
#NovemberWorldbuilders Does your fictional world have any wars in its history that are now over? What was the conflict about? What were the repercussions of it?
November 25, 2025 at 1:19 PM
#NovemberWorldbuilders
There have been many wars that ended in / around Fenholt, but I will go with the one that has the greatest lasting impact. The Merchant's War ended 328 years ago, when Fenholt won it's freedom from the Portisian Regent and became an independant city state. #Wrencer #WriteSky
There have been many wars that ended in / around Fenholt, but I will go with the one that has the greatest lasting impact. The Merchant's War ended 328 years ago, when Fenholt won it's freedom from the Portisian Regent and became an independant city state. #Wrencer #WriteSky
Reposted by Prof Emily
The Zhrivask War ended 100 years ago in my space opera romantasy, THE CRUCIBLE OF THE BROKEN MOON. The zhrivask, an alien species, invaded and attempted to conquer the galaxy. The war lasted 20 years until the Federation finally secured victory. #NovemberWorldbuilders
#NovemberWorldbuilders Does your fictional world have any wars in its history that are now over? What was the conflict about? What were the repercussions of it?
November 25, 2025 at 1:45 PM
The Zhrivask War ended 100 years ago in my space opera romantasy, THE CRUCIBLE OF THE BROKEN MOON. The zhrivask, an alien species, invaded and attempted to conquer the galaxy. The war lasted 20 years until the Federation finally secured victory. #NovemberWorldbuilders
Reposted by Prof Emily
#WIPSnips #WriteSky #writingprompt
Dance of Demons (organization instead of system. This one was so tricky I had to go back to book 1 💀)
Dance of Demons (organization instead of system. This one was so tricky I had to go back to book 1 💀)
November 25, 2025 at 12:26 PM
#WIPSnips #WriteSky #writingprompt
Dance of Demons (organization instead of system. This one was so tricky I had to go back to book 1 💀)
Dance of Demons (organization instead of system. This one was so tricky I had to go back to book 1 💀)