Andrew McPherson
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theandrewmcp.bsky.social
Andrew McPherson
@theandrewmcp.bsky.social
250 followers 210 following 580 posts
A dad balancing family, work, and writing his first high fantasy novel.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theandrewmcp
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Andrew McPherson @theandrewmcp.bsky.social · Jan 11
Dear void,

That high fantasy book that's been taking space in my head for the last 15 years? It will finally be on the page by the end of 2025. What could go wrong?
theandrewmcp.bsky.social
Two weeks of not working on the novel and, now that I'm sitting down to write, my brain thinks it's funny to be like, "What is writing?" 😐

Anyone else jumping back in after a break?

#WritingCommunity #AmWriting #DadWriter #FantasyWriter
August 26, 2025 at 12:08 AM
theandrewmcp.bsky.social
Any other writers out there who are dads? We seem to be a mighty few. 💪

If you’re pioneering a book while deep in the jungles of dad-hood, would love to say hi! 👋

#WritingCommunity #AmWriting #DadWriter #FantasyWriter
August 7, 2025 at 1:10 AM
theandrewmcp.bsky.social
Up against a scene where the easy way out is an exposition dump.

But we are writers. Easy is for everyone else. 🫠

#WritingCommunity #AmWriting #FantasyWriter
August 5, 2025 at 10:20 AM
theandrewmcp.bsky.social
59°F (15°C) in August. A grey, misting rain falls. Petrichor drifts through the open windows on a damp wind.

I'll find the time to write for a bit. 🥰

#WritingCommunity #AmWriting #FantasyWriter
August 4, 2025 at 1:38 PM
theandrewmcp.bsky.social
Scrolling through trying to find a show to watch with my wife, aaaaaand I think HBO Max may wanna revisit this one… 😱
Sesame Street on HBO Max is categorized as Horror
August 3, 2025 at 11:29 PM
theandrewmcp.bsky.social
The writing assistant continues his tireless efforts towards the book, examining it from all angles.

Happy #caturday!

#AmWriting #FantasyWriter
An American shorthair cat is curled up sleeping in a chair, white tummy up, head tucked in upside down.
August 2, 2025 at 1:01 PM
theandrewmcp.bsky.social
Dear future Editing Me,

I deeply apologize for my overuse of the word “only.” I am aware that I’m the problem. However, I will not stop.

Please send snacks,
First Draft Me 🖕

#WritingCommunity #AmWriting #FantasyWriter
July 31, 2025 at 9:43 PM
theandrewmcp.bsky.social
Celebrating. The halfway point in this manuscript has been written. 🎉

Chapter complete. Just shy of 50K words of 100K word count target.
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛

It's actually coming together.

#WritingCommunity #AmWriting #FantasyWriter #DadWriter
July 31, 2025 at 12:37 AM
theandrewmcp.bsky.social
I’m sitting on a scene I’m dying to finish writing while a beloved, out-of-town family member stays at the house for a few days.

#WritingCommunity #AmWriting #FantasyWriter #DadWriter
a man with a mustache is standing in front of a sign that says " it 's fine "
Alt: Ron Swanson from Parks and Rec says “It’s fine,” but clearly does not mean it.
media.tenor.com
July 28, 2025 at 1:42 PM
theandrewmcp.bsky.social
A midpoint reveal is tantalizingly close. So rewarding to see this sequence fleshed out after 15 years of dreaming. ✨

Anyone else writing, or have recently written, something that excites you?

#WritingCommunity #AmWriting #FantasyAuthor #DadWriter
July 27, 2025 at 2:16 AM
theandrewmcp.bsky.social
If you see a massive bruise on my forehead, that's because it took days to wear down the brick wall blocking this scene. Lots of good things were behind it, though. ❤️

Anyone else powering through a sequence in their book?

#WritingCommunity #AmWriting #FantasyWriter #DadWriter
a brick with the number 3 on it sits on a table
Alt: A simple machine repeatedly slams a wooden figurine's head against a brick.
media.tenor.com
July 25, 2025 at 2:17 AM
theandrewmcp.bsky.social
6YO: (in bed, from room) Hey Dad! Come here! I want to tell you something.
ME: What is it, buddy?
6YO: There’s a voice in the wall. It says, “[his name].”
ME: …
6YO: …
ME: Uhh…just don’t listen to it. Go to sleep.
6YO: Okaaaayy.

#MightBeMoving

#Parenting #ParentLife #DadLife
July 23, 2025 at 11:23 AM
theandrewmcp.bsky.social
Alright, #booksky, my TBR list has a distinct hole for recent fantasy books with a lot of political intrigue. I need more Dune’s and GoT’s in my life.

What’s a book I might have missed where the world runs deep and the daggers run deeper? 💔🗡️

#WritingCommunity
a cartoon of a man with a laurel wreath on his head and the words " et tu brute " above him
ALT: a cartoon of a man with a laurel wreath on his head and the words " et tu brute " above him
media.tenor.com
July 21, 2025 at 11:06 PM
theandrewmcp.bsky.social
I did it.

Son of a gun, the gift-wrapping dream has happened. 🎁
Dinosaur gift wrapping paper that is perfectly, and I mean perfectly, aligned.
July 20, 2025 at 7:09 PM
theandrewmcp.bsky.social
The writing assistant continues his valuable contribution to the book. Happy #caturday!
#amwriting
An American shorthair cat lies on a couch, white tummy up.
July 19, 2025 at 11:02 AM
theandrewmcp.bsky.social
Writers: What is that one word that you just cannot spell, even if your life depended on it? I’ll go first…

“Privilege.” My brain apparently will not. Ever. 🧠🚫

#WritingCommunity
July 18, 2025 at 1:28 AM
theandrewmcp.bsky.social
Another chapter completed! 46K of 100K word count target.
🟩🟩🟩🟩⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️

Slow and steady!

#WritingCommunity #AmWriting #FantasyWriter #DadWriter
July 17, 2025 at 2:45 AM
theandrewmcp.bsky.social
Baby 3 is on the way later this year — and it's a boy! 💙
July 14, 2025 at 6:33 PM
theandrewmcp.bsky.social
Bonus #caturday! The writing assistant continues to earn his paycheck while I get a moment to read.
#AmWriting #Booksky
An American shorthair cat sleeps on its owner’s lap, head tucked under. The owner is reading a Kindle tablet as well.
July 13, 2025 at 11:54 PM
theandrewmcp.bsky.social
Moral support from the writing assistant yesterday. Happy #caturday! #amwriting
An American shorthair cat laying on its side, head tucked in upside down, with one paw sticking out.
July 12, 2025 at 7:10 PM
theandrewmcp.bsky.social
Question for those writing novels: What's a piece of advice or lesson that had the greatest impact on your prose? ✍️✅

#WritingCommunity #AmWriting #DadWriter #FantasyWriter
July 12, 2025 at 12:54 AM
theandrewmcp.bsky.social
Keep your mushrooms. Still riding that high from finding the perfect metaphor. 🍄🌌

#WritingCommunity #AmWriting #FantasyWriter
a man with curly hair is looking at a laptop
Alt: a man with curly hair leans back in his chair, super satisfied with something he's seen
media.tenor.com
July 11, 2025 at 1:57 AM
theandrewmcp.bsky.social
This chronic outliner just pantsed a section of the novel. It's better because of it; however, I now have a narrative hole that I don't immediately know how to fill.

To my fellow outliners: I have failed you.

#WritingCommunity #AmWriter #FantasyWriter
a red and white shrimp is laying on a green surface
Alt: Jacques, a red and white shrimp from Finding Nemo, compulsively cleans the filthy, green fish tank wall when he's not supposed to. He removes himself, his head falling as he says, "I am ashamed."
media.tenor.com
July 8, 2025 at 1:47 AM
theandrewmcp.bsky.social
Tomorrow's plans demand that I stop writing my current scene tantalizingly close to its end. Hate having to be pulled away before I could finish it. 🫠

Darn job...

#WritingCommunity #AmWriting #FantasyWriter
an orange cat is laying under a blanket on a couch
Alt: A gif of an orange cat laying under a blanket on a couch, its head resting on a pillow. The blanket is suddenly ripped off, and someone offscreen pulls the cat out of frame — and the cat is not happy about it.
media.tenor.com
July 7, 2025 at 1:35 AM
theandrewmcp.bsky.social
4YO: Can we talk about Bruno?
ME:
a young man with red hair is sitting at a desk in a classroom with a girl .
Alt: a picture of a teen boy straining hard, vein bulging in his forehead
media.tenor.com
July 5, 2025 at 7:14 PM