Drew McDowell
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drewwmcdowell.bsky.social
Drew McDowell
@drewwmcdowell.bsky.social
950 followers 870 following 420 posts
Proud father and husband - gamer - goober - reader - lover of cheese and taters - MA Sociology - Loaded to the brim with Anxiety and ADHD
He/Him/His
https://t.co/xNBtkvFvPC - LinkTree
Adult SF/F writer - querying a sci-fi novel
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drewwmcdowell.bsky.social
The Shattered Divide
Adult #scifi #writingcommunity #wipsnips
“Didn’t you say you mentored him, sir?” I couldn’t control the laughter anymore. The captain stood with his mouth agape as he shook his head rapidly. I skipped over to the warden with a showboating giddiness you’d see from a kid who just got the keys to a candy shop and put my arm around him. “Let me tell you this. The captain is one of the best people you could ever learn from. He cares about each one of you like you were one of his children. But my stubborn, bombastic, and often stupid ass learned too little from him,” I said, ending my laughter. “I would have been a better warden if I took the time to learn from him. Count yourself lucky to serve under him, you have it better than most.” The captain took a breath and figured he got out of that easy – you all know I couldn’t let that sit. I returned to my chuckling. “Let’s be clear though, nobody mentored the hero from the galaxy’s edge.” Even the captain laughed at that.
February 17, 2025 at 5:12 PM
drewwmcdowell.bsky.social
A Fracture Within - adult scifi
#Wipsnips #amediting #amwriting #writingcommunity
The controls looked to be set on some automation to collide with the mirror. All personnel files were stripped, and not even a license of ownership was found anywhere. "Bill, we have a bit of an issue. Start towing us back, I am going to strap into the chair here." "An issue?" Bill chuckled over the comms. "Afraid to pilot?" He began to tow us back while giving me shit about my less-than-stellar piloting skills. "There's no one here." "Well, that isn't exactly unheard of, Jimmy." He wasn't wrong. "You'll have to see when we dock." I leaned my head back against the chair and stared out of the helm into infinity.
December 24, 2024 at 2:57 AM
drewwmcdowell.bsky.social
A Fracture Within - adult sci-fi
#wipsnips #amediting #amwriting #writingcommunity
Bill was all for it. “An even better place to start. Especially if we have to go talk to Verstein.” News traveled fast. It was hardly an hour and everyone in town knew what happened out at the edge of the galaxy. There wasn’t exactly a frenzy of crowds, but people made it clear they were happy none of the wardens were hurt. The first bar we encountered was the bar for us. It was a little hole-in-the-wall style joint that had seen decades. The Plaunor Pub was a stand-alone building on the corner leading out of town to Verstein’s estate. The buildings on the street had worked-stone facades that blended brown and green paint schemes throughout. If it was night, I would be staring at a gorgeous sea of neon lights reflecting off windows and bathing everything in the colorful soul that represented the mining town.
December 22, 2024 at 4:35 PM
drewwmcdowell.bsky.social
Haven't written poetry in a while. I used to write poems and lyrics when I was in high school.
today I just let myself write one without being hypercritical of myself.

#writingcommunity #writer #poetry
Downfall, a time to look up Where do I go, with what foot first Forward I move, yet down I sink Regret controls panic My breath turns into a gasp Step back you fool and see The very dirt you sank in Now mud by your own garden hose All my troubles made with ease
December 16, 2024 at 4:13 PM
drewwmcdowell.bsky.social
A Fracture Within - Adult Scifi
#wipsnips #amwriting #amediting #writingcommunity
“Deflection doesn’t work well in most suspects’ favor,” I continued to enter notes in my display as I spoke. I didn’t give him eye contact until I finished. He looked outright furious. “Just in case you were wondering. Neither does combativeness.” “Is that what they teach you in warden training?” Verstein drew a breath in and held it for a second or two. “Or did you learn that in your social law courses? Wasn’t it your grandfather, Thomas Denra, who molded how we view interplanetary social laws today? Surely you did not learn it from your parents. Where are they now?” “They are dead for all intents and purposes.” The heat coming off my face could have fried an egg.
December 16, 2024 at 2:33 PM
drewwmcdowell.bsky.social
Seepy puppy
December 6, 2024 at 4:00 AM
drewwmcdowell.bsky.social
An Opus of Torment
Adult horror/supernatural
#wipsnips #amwriting #writer #writingcommunity
The detective heard him but did not acknowledge it. Instead, she turned and went into the living room of the ranch house. Unlike the first house of the case, there was no buffer – no long trail of police, no warning to get boot covers on, and no bracing for the sight of three women lying on the floor with their ribcages torn open. “Was the first one like this?” asked Teena, bewildered with a turning stomach. “Not exactly, there was more blood on the floor and their chests were intact,” answered the detective. Barrett walked in between the body as he spoke. He noted how they were laid out in a triangular formation, their heads were in the center of the center, while their feet rested at the corners. The only blood on the hardwood floor came from the gaping chest wounds – it wasn’t wall-to-wall like the first place. “At least your name isn’t carved into them this time.” The detective knelt by the body nearest to her as she spoke. Barrett didn’t respond. “I hate how that’s some small semblance of sanity.” “Like any of this is sanity!” Teena raised her voice in a panic. “I need to step outside, I cannot bear to see their faces.”
December 4, 2024 at 5:47 PM
drewwmcdowell.bsky.social
Four years flew by so fast. I remember getting this message and I burst into tears.
December 4, 2024 at 3:00 PM
drewwmcdowell.bsky.social
Add 205 hours, and I'm a top 10% Sabaton listener.

Very different from last year when I was finishing up A Fracture Within. Definitely a big shift in music while I've been writing An Opus of Torment.

#spotifywrapped #music
December 4, 2024 at 1:49 PM
drewwmcdowell.bsky.social
An Opus of Tormet
Adult horror/supernatural thriller
#wipsnips #amwriting #writingcommunity #horror #supernatural
Teena smiled as she looked upon her former protégé and took an innocent step forward. Doc hissed and screeched. “WHAT’LL IT BEEEEEEE?” “Oh, you dirty…I will never forgive you for making me say this, Barrett.” Teena cleared her throat and grumbled, “Scotch on the rocks and a redhead in my bed.” She scowled as she spoke and waved Doc off as he flew away satisfied with the answer. “I feel like he knows how much that pisses you off,” Barrett said. “I think you know it and relish it,” she answered. The scowl remained on Teena’s face as she stared silently at Barrett. Her curly gray hair rested on her folded arms as her pale blue eyes pierced right into him. She stood with the light behind her, causing a shadow to darken her caramel-colored skin. She broke the silence by clearing her throat. Her bushy eyebrows rose sharply. “It's been a while – I know. I’m sorry.” His posture slumped and he took on a sheepish look from his chin to his eyes. “Six months!” Teena threw her folded arms open. She looked like a bull ready to charge.
December 3, 2024 at 7:53 PM
drewwmcdowell.bsky.social
An Opus of Tormet
Adult horror/supernatural
#amquerying #writingcommunity #wipsnips #amwriting
December 2, 2024 at 9:12 PM
drewwmcdowell.bsky.social
Oh hai!

#parrot #pet #bird #birb
December 1, 2024 at 6:53 PM
drewwmcdowell.bsky.social
An Opus of Torment
Adult supernatural/horror

#Wipsnips #amwriting #writingcommunity
“Fuck, so let me get this straight – we have a triple homicide on our hands that now includes a possible hostage as the suspect?” The detective rubbed her forehead in frustration. “Not to mention this one storing trauma in his mirror like a child collects baseball cards!” Teena added, pointing a finger at Barrett. Barrett and Detective Hillier both looked at the old woman in unison with the same exhausted expression. Her cold steel eyes fixed on Barrett and would not release their relentless grasp. “Look, whatever he is doing is well above my pay grade. You two can sort it out.” The detective broke the terse silence with an upward inflection.
December 1, 2024 at 4:53 PM
drewwmcdowell.bsky.social
So, in my current supernatural/horror WIP, I am having to look up and reference a lot of 1880s slang (for reasons).

Today, my new favorite saying was learned. "Got the morbs" is a delightful way to say someone looks sad or is acting melancholy.

This pleases me.
December 1, 2024 at 1:42 AM
drewwmcdowell.bsky.social
Why I love getting older and finding peace in things I love...this arrived today and the thought of meals that this beauty is going to help me make genuinely excited me!
November 25, 2024 at 7:06 PM
drewwmcdowell.bsky.social
Lawdy he building
November 24, 2024 at 5:34 PM
drewwmcdowell.bsky.social
Those numbers are messing with my mind a tad...
November 24, 2024 at 2:48 PM
drewwmcdowell.bsky.social
Post you from a different era.

It was for a girl, I was 17...
November 22, 2024 at 2:36 AM
drewwmcdowell.bsky.social
Something I collect:

I collect Lord of the Rings duckies - I have 5 now!
November 19, 2024 at 4:25 PM
drewwmcdowell.bsky.social
#Wipsnips #amwriting #horror #supernatural
A Song of the Scarred - adult horror/supernatural.

Fitting to have today's word be singer, as there is somewhat of a theme of spell magic through song in this wip.
“I used to play when I was a kid, let's see if I remember how this is done.” Barrett rushed a few steps toward the hoop in front of the house with the children and took a shot from what would be the free-throw line. “Nothing but net!” He yelled, startling the children. “Now I’ve seen it all, a man dressed like he is going to a funeral and shooting like a pro. Don’t let him scare you, children, he's harmless.” Hillier laughed as she walked up. “You’re cops, aren’t you?” asked the girl. “She is,” Barrett assured as he turned to face the group. “I’m just someone who helps them.” “Is the singer okay?” The girl’s question was aimed at Hillier. “The singer? Who’s that?” Hillier picked up the ball left on the pavement and returned it to the girl. “That’s her house,” the girl pointed to the house with caution tape all around. “We hear her sing at night when we walk our dog.” “We are doing our best to help her.” Barret rushed his answer to avoid the awkward preprogrammed response Detective Hillier would normally give. “Be safe, kids, and try to stay out of the road!” Barrett nodded to the group with a smile before glancing at the detective with wide eyes. He tilted his head back to the car.
November 19, 2024 at 2:47 PM
drewwmcdowell.bsky.social
Let's do it! Make me answer some stuff!
November 18, 2024 at 7:56 PM
drewwmcdowell.bsky.social
The total ...nice
November 18, 2024 at 1:07 AM
drewwmcdowell.bsky.social
Man, this place has been here since before I moved to this side or the valley. Pullano's is always top notch.

Best place to catch a game, best slice around. I hope they're here another 30!
November 18, 2024 at 12:39 AM
drewwmcdowell.bsky.social
People that know hair and hair color.

I'm thinking about dyeing my beard. It's a natural reddish brown. What would look good?
November 17, 2024 at 7:30 PM
drewwmcdowell.bsky.social
Oh its that time!
November 15, 2024 at 5:01 PM