Erika Chandler
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erikachandler.bsky.social
Erika Chandler
@erikachandler.bsky.social
170 followers 140 following 300 posts
Writer. Reader. Illustrator. Classical educator. Appalachian. Wife and mother of two. Goldendoodle mom. Anglican.

📖 Tolkien 🎌 Nihon 🥤Coke Zero

Current project:
Japan-based portal fantasy WIP
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erikachandler.bsky.social
Erika Chandler @erikachandler.bsky.social · Jul 18
Working on a literary leaning, Japan-based YA portal fantasy. This is from the prologue...the rest is first person modern POV with a healthy dose of Japanese folklore. #WIPsnips #amwriting #YA
erikachandler.bsky.social
Ryo has all the resolve, all the time.

#WIPSnips #amwriting #writesky #writingcommunity #NA #YA #fantasy
January 2, 2026 at 1:13 PM
erikachandler.bsky.social
Happy New Year! New Year’s is actually very important in my WIP. It’s the day the walls between the human world and spirit world are thinnest.

#WIPSnips #amwriting #writesky #writingcommunity #YA #NA #fantasy
“What do you mean by ‘holes in the world’?” I ask. Most humans in the Reikai are as unaware of the Ningenkai as the other way around, especially out in the country like this. It’s hard to judge where the spirits stop and the superstitions begin.
January 1, 2026 at 11:34 AM
erikachandler.bsky.social
I wanted to finish my draft this year, but new baby made that impossible. I’m on track to finish by March. I revise a lot as I go, but I’m hoping to make my big cuts in the spring and then be ready to query by the summer. #DecemberWorldbuilders #amwriting #writesky #writingcommunity #fantasy #YA #NA
kiraofthewind.com Kira of the Wind (Erika McCorkle) @kiraofthewind.com · 2d
#DecemberWorldbuilders. Here we are, at the end of the year... What are your plans for next year? Do you have any worldbuilding or writing goals? Any aspects of your world you'd like to expand on?

I plan to keep this prompt game going, so expect more q's all year long!
MonthlyWorldbuilders prompts daily feed card #DecemberWorldbuilders Hosted by Kira of the Wind Extra Days 31. What are your writing and/or worldbuilding goals for next year? The image shows a cozy town during winter with warm lights. Large mountains are in the background. It is blurred. Snowflakes are around the top words
December 31, 2025 at 8:46 PM
erikachandler.bsky.social
Ryo has a deep fear of his personal failures harming other people. #WIPSnips #amwriting #writesky #writingcommunity #YA #NA #fantasy
December 31, 2025 at 12:10 PM
erikachandler.bsky.social
This chapter lets Rin be truly on her own in some dangerous spots. #WIPSnips #amwriting #writesky #writingcommunity #YA #NA #fantasy
Suddenly alone, I remain frozen in place for a few shaky breaths. A thin beam of pale sun falls across my foot as the light reaches the high, narrow windows. I have to move.
December 30, 2025 at 10:14 AM
erikachandler.bsky.social
Rin’s elderly neighbor often comments about what her brother would have done in XYZ situation (here, he wouldn’t have allowed Rin to walk home by herself at night). But it’s too soon since his death, and it just makes her want to cry. #WIPSnips #writesky #amwriting #writingcommunity #YA #NA #fantasy
My heart skips painfully in my chest and my smile falters. I hear this speech almost daily, but it always hits me like a sack of bricks. Choking back the sound in my throat, I force a laugh instead.
December 29, 2025 at 9:34 AM
erikachandler.bsky.social
A late #WIPSnips post after the most harrowing night this child has given me since he was born 🫠

The most significant difference characters note between the human world and the spirit world is that everything in the Reikai is incredibly alive. #amwriting #writesky #writingcommunity #YA #fantasy #NA
December 28, 2025 at 1:36 PM
erikachandler.bsky.social
He never actually goes to that medic—he’s always got something more important to do than taking care of himself.

#WIPSnips #amwriting #writesky #writingcommunity #YA #NA #fantasy
“It’s not a big deal.” Ryo-kun clears his throat and awkwardly redirects me, taking a step back. “Taro and Ashe showed up in time to help me out, and Kin is a pretty good healer in a pinch. I’ll go see a medic at Kawa-jo on our day off if it makes you feel better.”
December 27, 2025 at 9:34 AM
erikachandler.bsky.social
Rokurokubi yokai. It’s the not harmless kind.

#WIPSnips #amwriting #writesky #writingcommunity
“Ryo-kun?” “Rin.” He says my name with quiet force, a subtle authority edged with warning. His hand drifts to his belt, where I know he has kunai knives tucked away against his skin. “Do not move until I say so.” The tense knot of fear tightens in my core. “Some of this type are harmless…some are not.”
December 26, 2025 at 12:00 PM
erikachandler.bsky.social
Merry Christmas, friends! We tackled too many events on Christmas Eve, so today I just woke up and I already need a nap. 😅 #WIPSnips #amwriting #writesjy #writingcommunity #YA #NA #fantasy
“She seemed serious.” Taro-kun’s eyes linger on the stairs where Shion-san disappeared, one eyebrow raised. “Well it’s not her house,” Tetsuya replies. He hands me a cup, deliciously warm under my stiff fingers. “She’ll have to get over it.”
December 25, 2025 at 11:18 AM
erikachandler.bsky.social
No goblets, so it was glasses or tea cups over here.

Many of the characters in this WIP have family problems. Aiko and Jiro are close as siblings, but Junichiro is much older and their relationship with him is more complicated.

#WIPSnips #amwriting #writesky #writingcommunity #YA #NA #fantasy
December 24, 2025 at 10:14 AM
erikachandler.bsky.social
Ice imagery is used a lot around Yoshimaru. He’s just got a dead cold personality. #WIPSnips #amwriting #writesky #writingcommunity #YA #NA #fantasy
“Ryo.” His voice cuts like a blade of ice. A shiver runs down my spine. “Yoshimaru-niisan.” I bow, swallowing my pride like a stone and lingering a hair longer than usual. Humility might buy me a little more favor than arrogance, but I have limits. “You sent for me?”
December 23, 2025 at 10:00 AM
erikachandler.bsky.social
I only had this word twice and I believe I used the other one as a different #WIPSnips …I kinda like when I only have a few choices lol

#amwriting #writesky #writingcommunity #YA #NA #fantasy
The narrow passage ends abruptly where another hall cuts it off at a perpendicular angle. This place is such a maze, I already think I couldn’t get back to the kitchens on my own, let alone the servant hall. Yoshimaru-san turns into the lefthand passage at a punishing clip, then stops so suddenly I nearly bump into him.
December 22, 2025 at 9:22 AM
erikachandler.bsky.social
Ryo is an exceptional shinobi, so to be at this kind of disadvantage is unheard of. This is no ordinary enemy.

#WIPSnips #amwriting #writesky #writingcommunity #YA #NA #fantasy
But he already knows that. And he’s toying with me. At that moment, a flash of silver enters my periphery, and the man leaps back, dropping my head with a thud onto the ground. I scramble unsteadily to my knees, but more knives fly through the air before I can gain my feet. “Ryosuke!”
December 21, 2025 at 11:27 AM
erikachandler.bsky.social
Everyone is romantically clueless. But as my college roommate used to say, I try to avoid having characters “lose track of the plot in each others’ eyes” haha

#WIPSnips #amwriting #writesky #writingcommunity #YA #NA #fantasy
I suck in my breath sharply and retreat around the corner, suddenly feeling like I’ve walked in on a private moment. My default image of Ai-chan and Ashe-san together is them squabbling. Did something change? Or was all the arguing…flirting?
December 20, 2025 at 9:10 AM
erikachandler.bsky.social
One of those words with so many uses I didn’t even attempt to read all of my options 😂

#WIPSnips #amwriting #writesky #writingcommunity #YA #NA #fantasy
“Ryo-san, Taro-san, look out!” Something soars up out of the tall grass with a hiss, towering over us in the turbulent sky. It’s massive, lifting its bulk high with powerful muscles, fangs dripping venom. An uwabami, the great snake yokai. We stagger to a halt, but the girl tumbles into the tall grass.
December 19, 2025 at 8:54 AM
erikachandler.bsky.social
I didn’t have many uses of this word, and several of them felt spoilery. #WIPSnips #amwriting #writesky #writingcommunity #YA #NA #fantasy
The earthy smell of rain-saturated ground permeates the little village. It can’t be composed of more than a few families, and it’s clear they aren’t accustomed to visitors from the samurai Clans. We rarely show ourselves as shinobi in the Reikai, preferring to keep to the shadows or hide in plain sight. I’m used to inspiring fear in this world. But even so, this is unusual. The people practically scurry out of our way in the streets. The innkeeper fumbles at our presence, scrambling at my request for dinner and a room. Something isn’t right here.
December 18, 2025 at 9:27 AM
erikachandler.bsky.social
Taro suspects Rin must have some connection to the Reikai if she’s able to pass through the portal at all.

#WIPSnips #amwriting #writesky #writingcommunity
“What’s your point, Taro?” “Don’t be obtuse, Ryosuke.” Taro’s voice, already quiet, pitches even lower. He opens the clay jar and slathers some of the thick brown contents over his wound, grimacing. “She’s one of us. She has to be, at least partly.”
December 17, 2025 at 9:43 AM
erikachandler.bsky.social
She’s delighted because if she’s in pain it must mean that she wasn’t dreaming all of this, but they just met and poor Ryo is just confused lol

#WIPSnips #amwriting #writesky #writingcommunity #YA #NA #fantasy
“Ryo-san…” She turns her head toward me, eyes wide and bright with moisture. “It hurts.” A cold sweat breaks over me, not because I’m worried about a tiny cut, but because I have no idea what to do if this girl starts crying. “Are you hurt anywhere else?” I ask hesitantly, hoping I don’t sound as confused as I feel. My bewilderment only compounds when, instead of crumpling in tears, the girl’s face breaks into a brilliant smile. “It hurts!” She’s laughing now. “Oh, Ryo-san, isn’t it wonderful?” I rock back on my heels, suddenly afraid I may be dealing with something more serious after all. “Um…just how hard did you hit your head?”
December 16, 2025 at 11:13 AM
erikachandler.bsky.social
Does anyone else feel like #NaNoWriMo happens at literally the worst time of year for #writing? Maybe it’s because I’m a teacher with small kids, but fall is when I most have to manage my writing expectations. I do my own version in the summer when I have more time. #writesky #writingcommunity
December 15, 2025 at 4:27 PM
erikachandler.bsky.social
Ryo passed out and Rin had to drag him inside. None of the boys have been in the house before because Rin has a nosy elderly neighbor who will get the wrong idea. #WIPSnips #amwriting #writesky #writingcommunity #fantasy
“Ryo-kun, you’re awake!” Squinting against the lamplight, I turn to see Rin kneeling beside me, fists anxiously clutching her skirt. Her skin is flushed, eyes wide. The fabric under my hands is a blanket. I’m sitting on a futon that’s been dragged into the middle of this…living room? Then I realize with a jolt that this place smells unmistakably like Rin. Is this…Am I inside Rin’s house?
December 15, 2025 at 10:43 AM
erikachandler.bsky.social
Y'all, act 3 got me killing my darlings cause we have no space left in here. This is why I will never be a short story author. #amwriting #writesky #writingcommunity #YA #NA #crossover #fantasy
December 15, 2025 at 2:51 AM
erikachandler.bsky.social
Brother, sometimes a friend just has to knock some sense into you.

I like this because it shows something about their friendship—if Taro hits him, his first instinct isn’t to hit back, it’s to ask why he did it, cause he probably has a good reason. #WIPSnips #amwriting #writesky #writingcommunity
“What’s this about, Taro?” I say to his back. When he turns around, his expression is taut, mouth pressed into a thin, straight line. Then he sucker punches me so hard in the jaw that I fall to my ass in the mud. “What the hell was that for?!” I demand, gripping my chin in my hand and working my jaw back and forth. I taste blood.
December 14, 2025 at 11:02 AM
erikachandler.bsky.social
#literaryagents out there, what are your thoughts on marketing #newadult / #crossover titles? I’ve leaned toward #YA #fantasy because of shelving categories and my characters are teenagers, but I think the complexity of themes and #writing style lean toward adult fantasy. #writesky #writingcommunity
December 13, 2025 at 6:32 PM
erikachandler.bsky.social
Rin’s lessons are not going well.

#WIPSnips #amwriting #writesky #writingcommunity #YA #fantasy
Taro’s shikigami flies back toward Rin and me. For a moment, it’s arrested in the air, and I sit up a little, pulse quickening. Did she finally do it? The paper trembles…then zips around uncontrollably before exploding in a shower of white.
December 13, 2025 at 10:38 AM