Alexander Thomas
@alextomauthor.bsky.social
Author, science geek, and part-time baker.
https://www.alexanderthomasauthor.com/
https://www.alexanderthomasauthor.com/
Heat wave here in the PNW!
At the moment I'm editing a novel about a protagonist who leaves the heat for a heist in snow and ice.
Writing about the cold does help ride out the heatwave!
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
At the moment I'm editing a novel about a protagonist who leaves the heat for a heist in snow and ice.
Writing about the cold does help ride out the heatwave!
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
June 10, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Heat wave here in the PNW!
At the moment I'm editing a novel about a protagonist who leaves the heat for a heist in snow and ice.
Writing about the cold does help ride out the heatwave!
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
At the moment I'm editing a novel about a protagonist who leaves the heat for a heist in snow and ice.
Writing about the cold does help ride out the heatwave!
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
#WordWeavers May 11: Share an inspiration for one of your settings.
The Oregon coast! Famous for pinnacles, waves, storms, goblins, hired assassins, lost civilizations, and at least one very pissed-off Sumerian demon.
Also several lovely bakeries and restaurants.
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
The Oregon coast! Famous for pinnacles, waves, storms, goblins, hired assassins, lost civilizations, and at least one very pissed-off Sumerian demon.
Also several lovely bakeries and restaurants.
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
May 11, 2025 at 3:31 PM
#WordWeavers May 11: Share an inspiration for one of your settings.
The Oregon coast! Famous for pinnacles, waves, storms, goblins, hired assassins, lost civilizations, and at least one very pissed-off Sumerian demon.
Also several lovely bakeries and restaurants.
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
The Oregon coast! Famous for pinnacles, waves, storms, goblins, hired assassins, lost civilizations, and at least one very pissed-off Sumerian demon.
Also several lovely bakeries and restaurants.
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 6: What does your usual workspace look like? Share a picture.
Coffee shops! This is one my my neighborhood favorites, great Turkish coffee.
I have a minimal kit I can take anywhere, and I pick clean, uncluttered spaces to focus.
#WritingCommunity #amwriting
Coffee shops! This is one my my neighborhood favorites, great Turkish coffee.
I have a minimal kit I can take anywhere, and I pick clean, uncluttered spaces to focus.
#WritingCommunity #amwriting
May 6, 2025 at 6:00 PM
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 6: What does your usual workspace look like? Share a picture.
Coffee shops! This is one my my neighborhood favorites, great Turkish coffee.
I have a minimal kit I can take anywhere, and I pick clean, uncluttered spaces to focus.
#WritingCommunity #amwriting
Coffee shops! This is one my my neighborhood favorites, great Turkish coffee.
I have a minimal kit I can take anywhere, and I pick clean, uncluttered spaces to focus.
#WritingCommunity #amwriting
Seeking advice!
If you're the first one awake in the family and find your better half has carefully baked + wrapped a fresh pie, should you:
1) Take a piece.
2) Not take a piece.
3) Take a piece, but later claim it was goblins.
Keep in mind, the "goblins" thing didn't work out so well last time.
If you're the first one awake in the family and find your better half has carefully baked + wrapped a fresh pie, should you:
1) Take a piece.
2) Not take a piece.
3) Take a piece, but later claim it was goblins.
Keep in mind, the "goblins" thing didn't work out so well last time.
March 2, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Seeking advice!
If you're the first one awake in the family and find your better half has carefully baked + wrapped a fresh pie, should you:
1) Take a piece.
2) Not take a piece.
3) Take a piece, but later claim it was goblins.
Keep in mind, the "goblins" thing didn't work out so well last time.
If you're the first one awake in the family and find your better half has carefully baked + wrapped a fresh pie, should you:
1) Take a piece.
2) Not take a piece.
3) Take a piece, but later claim it was goblins.
Keep in mind, the "goblins" thing didn't work out so well last time.
#WritersCoffeeClub Feb 27: Post an image that reflects the tone of your WIP.
Dark hydrogen clouds can hide a lot of things! Be careful if you go poking around in one...
#WritingCommunity #amwriting #sff
(Hubble image courtesy of NASA, public domain)
Dark hydrogen clouds can hide a lot of things! Be careful if you go poking around in one...
#WritingCommunity #amwriting #sff
(Hubble image courtesy of NASA, public domain)
February 28, 2025 at 3:50 AM
#WritersCoffeeClub Feb 27: Post an image that reflects the tone of your WIP.
Dark hydrogen clouds can hide a lot of things! Be careful if you go poking around in one...
#WritingCommunity #amwriting #sff
(Hubble image courtesy of NASA, public domain)
Dark hydrogen clouds can hide a lot of things! Be careful if you go poking around in one...
#WritingCommunity #amwriting #sff
(Hubble image courtesy of NASA, public domain)
For me, Valentine's Day is mostly about calories.
February 14, 2025 at 6:40 PM
For me, Valentine's Day is mostly about calories.
#pretendpanel Fun to see all the playlists! I've listened to quite a few new tracks today.
Current writing tracks: Odyssey by Rival Consoles, Places We Don't Know by Kasbo, Who We Want to Be by Tom Day. And Birdhouse in Your Soul by TMBG -- retro!
Current writing tracks: Odyssey by Rival Consoles, Places We Don't Know by Kasbo, Who We Want to Be by Tom Day. And Birdhouse in Your Soul by TMBG -- retro!
February 2, 2025 at 4:41 AM
#pretendpanel Fun to see all the playlists! I've listened to quite a few new tracks today.
Current writing tracks: Odyssey by Rival Consoles, Places We Don't Know by Kasbo, Who We Want to Be by Tom Day. And Birdhouse in Your Soul by TMBG -- retro!
Current writing tracks: Odyssey by Rival Consoles, Places We Don't Know by Kasbo, Who We Want to Be by Tom Day. And Birdhouse in Your Soul by TMBG -- retro!
Closing out #PretendPanel. Thanks @hiriadunning.bsky.social for organizing! Very fun event. End with a plug, of course!
My first book, Princess of Prophecy, is available:
www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJD8DRLP/
Recommended by Kirkus!
www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...
Happy writing-
#WritingCommunity
My first book, Princess of Prophecy, is available:
www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJD8DRLP/
Recommended by Kirkus!
www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...
Happy writing-
#WritingCommunity
January 31, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Closing out #PretendPanel. Thanks @hiriadunning.bsky.social for organizing! Very fun event. End with a plug, of course!
My first book, Princess of Prophecy, is available:
www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJD8DRLP/
Recommended by Kirkus!
www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...
Happy writing-
#WritingCommunity
My first book, Princess of Prophecy, is available:
www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJD8DRLP/
Recommended by Kirkus!
www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...
Happy writing-
#WritingCommunity
Lots and lots of rejection letters! I’m about to query this 3rd book. I haven’t queried my 2nd yet, but I’ll probably do so after that if needed, and then again for my 4th and 5th. I won’t stop until I get at least 1000 rejections, just so I know I really tried.
#pretendpanel #WritingCommunity
#pretendpanel #WritingCommunity
January 30, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Lots and lots of rejection letters! I’m about to query this 3rd book. I haven’t queried my 2nd yet, but I’ll probably do so after that if needed, and then again for my 4th and 5th. I won’t stop until I get at least 1000 rejections, just so I know I really tried.
#pretendpanel #WritingCommunity
#pretendpanel #WritingCommunity
I had to create a religious order that was relatable, but not based on anything real. I had to study how performing troupes worked in the middle ages. And most of all, I had to read a lot of romances!
Okay, reading all the romances was fun.
#pretendpanel #WritingCommunity
Okay, reading all the romances was fun.
#pretendpanel #WritingCommunity
January 27, 2025 at 5:19 PM
I had to create a religious order that was relatable, but not based on anything real. I had to study how performing troupes worked in the middle ages. And most of all, I had to read a lot of romances!
Okay, reading all the romances was fun.
#pretendpanel #WritingCommunity
Okay, reading all the romances was fun.
#pretendpanel #WritingCommunity
#pretendpanel 26 January.
I loved @hiriadunning.bsky.social ‘s updated website. Here’s my website, with a link to my mailing list. If you’ve got a mailing list, leave it in the comments so I can subscribe.
www.alexanderthomasauthor.com
Happy (relaxing?) Sunday!
#WritingCommunity
I loved @hiriadunning.bsky.social ‘s updated website. Here’s my website, with a link to my mailing list. If you’ve got a mailing list, leave it in the comments so I can subscribe.
www.alexanderthomasauthor.com
Happy (relaxing?) Sunday!
#WritingCommunity
January 26, 2025 at 4:14 PM
#pretendpanel 26 January.
I loved @hiriadunning.bsky.social ‘s updated website. Here’s my website, with a link to my mailing list. If you’ve got a mailing list, leave it in the comments so I can subscribe.
www.alexanderthomasauthor.com
Happy (relaxing?) Sunday!
#WritingCommunity
I loved @hiriadunning.bsky.social ‘s updated website. Here’s my website, with a link to my mailing list. If you’ve got a mailing list, leave it in the comments so I can subscribe.
www.alexanderthomasauthor.com
Happy (relaxing?) Sunday!
#WritingCommunity
#pretendpanel catchup!
The MC and her enemy/lover perform Shakespeare (ish) so I had to write a scene in iambic pentameter. A year ago I didn’t think I could do it! But after 6 months of hitting my head against the proverbial wall, it began to flow. Way outside my comfort zone!
#WritingCommunity
The MC and her enemy/lover perform Shakespeare (ish) so I had to write a scene in iambic pentameter. A year ago I didn’t think I could do it! But after 6 months of hitting my head against the proverbial wall, it began to flow. Way outside my comfort zone!
#WritingCommunity
January 25, 2025 at 9:58 PM
#pretendpanel catchup!
The MC and her enemy/lover perform Shakespeare (ish) so I had to write a scene in iambic pentameter. A year ago I didn’t think I could do it! But after 6 months of hitting my head against the proverbial wall, it began to flow. Way outside my comfort zone!
#WritingCommunity
The MC and her enemy/lover perform Shakespeare (ish) so I had to write a scene in iambic pentameter. A year ago I didn’t think I could do it! But after 6 months of hitting my head against the proverbial wall, it began to flow. Way outside my comfort zone!
#WritingCommunity
#pretendpanel catchup!
Romantic fantasy: people should take away the satisfaction of a successful romance and an epic fantasy ending.
And to be honest, when people put the book down, they should want to run out and see a Shakespeare comedy. That would be the ultimate validation.
#WritingCommunity
Romantic fantasy: people should take away the satisfaction of a successful romance and an epic fantasy ending.
And to be honest, when people put the book down, they should want to run out and see a Shakespeare comedy. That would be the ultimate validation.
#WritingCommunity
January 25, 2025 at 6:46 PM
#pretendpanel catchup!
Romantic fantasy: people should take away the satisfaction of a successful romance and an epic fantasy ending.
And to be honest, when people put the book down, they should want to run out and see a Shakespeare comedy. That would be the ultimate validation.
#WritingCommunity
Romantic fantasy: people should take away the satisfaction of a successful romance and an epic fantasy ending.
And to be honest, when people put the book down, they should want to run out and see a Shakespeare comedy. That would be the ultimate validation.
#WritingCommunity
#pretendpanel catchup!
Did you ever read a book (or see a movie) for kids, but catch deeper themes that only adults would likely pick up? I guess my ideal reader would appreciate books written at both levels.
#WritingCommunity
Did you ever read a book (or see a movie) for kids, but catch deeper themes that only adults would likely pick up? I guess my ideal reader would appreciate books written at both levels.
#WritingCommunity
January 25, 2025 at 3:22 PM
#pretendpanel catchup!
Did you ever read a book (or see a movie) for kids, but catch deeper themes that only adults would likely pick up? I guess my ideal reader would appreciate books written at both levels.
#WritingCommunity
Did you ever read a book (or see a movie) for kids, but catch deeper themes that only adults would likely pick up? I guess my ideal reader would appreciate books written at both levels.
#WritingCommunity
#pretendpanel catchup!
The driving force for me is (subtle!) satire. Writing both through and to escape the general trauma of the human condition.
Is that too dark? That’s probably too dark.
I write about magical dragons to make people laugh. Let’s put it like that.
#WritingCommunity
The driving force for me is (subtle!) satire. Writing both through and to escape the general trauma of the human condition.
Is that too dark? That’s probably too dark.
I write about magical dragons to make people laugh. Let’s put it like that.
#WritingCommunity
January 24, 2025 at 10:11 PM
#pretendpanel catchup!
The driving force for me is (subtle!) satire. Writing both through and to escape the general trauma of the human condition.
Is that too dark? That’s probably too dark.
I write about magical dragons to make people laugh. Let’s put it like that.
#WritingCommunity
The driving force for me is (subtle!) satire. Writing both through and to escape the general trauma of the human condition.
Is that too dark? That’s probably too dark.
I write about magical dragons to make people laugh. Let’s put it like that.
#WritingCommunity
#pretendpanel catchup!
I resonate most with the MC, of course! But her enemy/lover is a warlock, so how can I not empathize with him? (For me, warlocks in fantasy are the equivalent of scientists in the real world.)
But let’s face it, I most resemble the hapless comic foil.
#WritingCommunity
I resonate most with the MC, of course! But her enemy/lover is a warlock, so how can I not empathize with him? (For me, warlocks in fantasy are the equivalent of scientists in the real world.)
But let’s face it, I most resemble the hapless comic foil.
#WritingCommunity
January 24, 2025 at 8:03 PM
#pretendpanel catchup!
I resonate most with the MC, of course! But her enemy/lover is a warlock, so how can I not empathize with him? (For me, warlocks in fantasy are the equivalent of scientists in the real world.)
But let’s face it, I most resemble the hapless comic foil.
#WritingCommunity
I resonate most with the MC, of course! But her enemy/lover is a warlock, so how can I not empathize with him? (For me, warlocks in fantasy are the equivalent of scientists in the real world.)
But let’s face it, I most resemble the hapless comic foil.
#WritingCommunity
#pretendpanel catchup!
I’m staggeringly boring in person, so I rely on caricatures of other people to carry the story for me. Maybe the wackiest characters are all exaggerations of my own moods? It’s fun.
#WritingCommunity
I’m staggeringly boring in person, so I rely on caricatures of other people to carry the story for me. Maybe the wackiest characters are all exaggerations of my own moods? It’s fun.
#WritingCommunity
January 24, 2025 at 6:24 PM
#pretendpanel catchup!
I’m staggeringly boring in person, so I rely on caricatures of other people to carry the story for me. Maybe the wackiest characters are all exaggerations of my own moods? It’s fun.
#WritingCommunity
I’m staggeringly boring in person, so I rely on caricatures of other people to carry the story for me. Maybe the wackiest characters are all exaggerations of my own moods? It’s fun.
#WritingCommunity
#pretendpanel catchup!
There were a couple of scenes (not a lot, but some!) that ended up on paper exactly how they played out in my mind, and one pivotal scene that evolved on its own. Great when that happens! Beta Readers will tell me soon whether the scenes worked or not…
#WritingCommunity
There were a couple of scenes (not a lot, but some!) that ended up on paper exactly how they played out in my mind, and one pivotal scene that evolved on its own. Great when that happens! Beta Readers will tell me soon whether the scenes worked or not…
#WritingCommunity
January 23, 2025 at 8:26 PM
#pretendpanel catchup!
There were a couple of scenes (not a lot, but some!) that ended up on paper exactly how they played out in my mind, and one pivotal scene that evolved on its own. Great when that happens! Beta Readers will tell me soon whether the scenes worked or not…
#WritingCommunity
There were a couple of scenes (not a lot, but some!) that ended up on paper exactly how they played out in my mind, and one pivotal scene that evolved on its own. Great when that happens! Beta Readers will tell me soon whether the scenes worked or not…
#WritingCommunity
#pretendpanel catchup!
No sad parts in this book, but enemies-to-lovers has many scenes where one character has feelings for the other but due to self-doubt and/or the environment, they don’t reveal it, even if it hurts the other. I always tear up writing and reading those scenes.
#WritingCommunity
No sad parts in this book, but enemies-to-lovers has many scenes where one character has feelings for the other but due to self-doubt and/or the environment, they don’t reveal it, even if it hurts the other. I always tear up writing and reading those scenes.
#WritingCommunity
January 23, 2025 at 5:24 PM
#pretendpanel catchup!
No sad parts in this book, but enemies-to-lovers has many scenes where one character has feelings for the other but due to self-doubt and/or the environment, they don’t reveal it, even if it hurts the other. I always tear up writing and reading those scenes.
#WritingCommunity
No sad parts in this book, but enemies-to-lovers has many scenes where one character has feelings for the other but due to self-doubt and/or the environment, they don’t reveal it, even if it hurts the other. I always tear up writing and reading those scenes.
#WritingCommunity
#pretendpanel catchup!
Nothing is funnier (to me) than real people, and I try to have that come out in dialogue between larger-than-life characters. That part of writing energizes me, and I still chuckle at parts in re-reads.
#WritingCommunity
Nothing is funnier (to me) than real people, and I try to have that come out in dialogue between larger-than-life characters. That part of writing energizes me, and I still chuckle at parts in re-reads.
#WritingCommunity
January 23, 2025 at 12:25 AM
#pretendpanel catchup!
Nothing is funnier (to me) than real people, and I try to have that come out in dialogue between larger-than-life characters. That part of writing energizes me, and I still chuckle at parts in re-reads.
#WritingCommunity
Nothing is funnier (to me) than real people, and I try to have that come out in dialogue between larger-than-life characters. That part of writing energizes me, and I still chuckle at parts in re-reads.
#WritingCommunity
#pretendpanel catchup!
I’ve always had romance in my books (small to medium amounts), but this is my first time writing a proper romance. It was a ton of fun, but I’m also nervous if readers will enjoy it. The first round of Beta Reader feedback is coming in soon!
#WritingCommunity
I’ve always had romance in my books (small to medium amounts), but this is my first time writing a proper romance. It was a ton of fun, but I’m also nervous if readers will enjoy it. The first round of Beta Reader feedback is coming in soon!
#WritingCommunity
January 22, 2025 at 9:15 PM
#pretendpanel catchup!
I’ve always had romance in my books (small to medium amounts), but this is my first time writing a proper romance. It was a ton of fun, but I’m also nervous if readers will enjoy it. The first round of Beta Reader feedback is coming in soon!
#WritingCommunity
I’ve always had romance in my books (small to medium amounts), but this is my first time writing a proper romance. It was a ton of fun, but I’m also nervous if readers will enjoy it. The first round of Beta Reader feedback is coming in soon!
#WritingCommunity
#pretendpanel catchup!
The MC and her enemy-to-lover are very fun, of course. But several secondary characters really grew on me. These are usually the characters with the most latitude to grow in unexpected directions, and trust me, they did!
#WritingCommunity
The MC and her enemy-to-lover are very fun, of course. But several secondary characters really grew on me. These are usually the characters with the most latitude to grow in unexpected directions, and trust me, they did!
#WritingCommunity
January 22, 2025 at 5:49 PM
#pretendpanel catchup!
The MC and her enemy-to-lover are very fun, of course. But several secondary characters really grew on me. These are usually the characters with the most latitude to grow in unexpected directions, and trust me, they did!
#WritingCommunity
The MC and her enemy-to-lover are very fun, of course. But several secondary characters really grew on me. These are usually the characters with the most latitude to grow in unexpected directions, and trust me, they did!
#WritingCommunity
#pretendpanel catchup!
Comps! I always ask Beta Readers what they think for comps, but ultimately I have to come up with my own, and I suck at it.
Comps for my current book: “Jurassic Park meets A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” You can see my problem.
#WritingCommunity
Comps! I always ask Beta Readers what they think for comps, but ultimately I have to come up with my own, and I suck at it.
Comps for my current book: “Jurassic Park meets A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” You can see my problem.
#WritingCommunity
January 22, 2025 at 12:45 AM
#pretendpanel catchup!
Comps! I always ask Beta Readers what they think for comps, but ultimately I have to come up with my own, and I suck at it.
Comps for my current book: “Jurassic Park meets A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” You can see my problem.
#WritingCommunity
Comps! I always ask Beta Readers what they think for comps, but ultimately I have to come up with my own, and I suck at it.
Comps for my current book: “Jurassic Park meets A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” You can see my problem.
#WritingCommunity
#pretendpanel catchup!
Since my current book is inspired by Shakespeare’s romantic comedies, I have to ask:
What is your favorite (or least favorite!) Shakespeare play? Or sonnet?
I've always loved A Midsummer Night's Dream, and later came to really like Henry V.
#WritingCommunity
Since my current book is inspired by Shakespeare’s romantic comedies, I have to ask:
What is your favorite (or least favorite!) Shakespeare play? Or sonnet?
I've always loved A Midsummer Night's Dream, and later came to really like Henry V.
#WritingCommunity
January 21, 2025 at 9:29 PM
#pretendpanel catchup!
Since my current book is inspired by Shakespeare’s romantic comedies, I have to ask:
What is your favorite (or least favorite!) Shakespeare play? Or sonnet?
I've always loved A Midsummer Night's Dream, and later came to really like Henry V.
#WritingCommunity
Since my current book is inspired by Shakespeare’s romantic comedies, I have to ask:
What is your favorite (or least favorite!) Shakespeare play? Or sonnet?
I've always loved A Midsummer Night's Dream, and later came to really like Henry V.
#WritingCommunity
#pretendpanel catchup!
Shakespeare in the park! Saw a great production, then had to write an enemies-to-lovers romance, a prosecutor and an evil warlock hide their identities in an acting troupe. They reluctantly play in a romantic comedy on stage as they try to save the country.
#WritingCommunity
Shakespeare in the park! Saw a great production, then had to write an enemies-to-lovers romance, a prosecutor and an evil warlock hide their identities in an acting troupe. They reluctantly play in a romantic comedy on stage as they try to save the country.
#WritingCommunity
January 21, 2025 at 5:02 PM
#pretendpanel catchup!
Shakespeare in the park! Saw a great production, then had to write an enemies-to-lovers romance, a prosecutor and an evil warlock hide their identities in an acting troupe. They reluctantly play in a romantic comedy on stage as they try to save the country.
#WritingCommunity
Shakespeare in the park! Saw a great production, then had to write an enemies-to-lovers romance, a prosecutor and an evil warlock hide their identities in an acting troupe. They reluctantly play in a romantic comedy on stage as they try to save the country.
#WritingCommunity