Flustered Duck
flusteredduck.bsky.social
Flustered Duck
@flusteredduck.bsky.social
Poetry fan, avid reader, provides editing and self-publishing services as well as transcription, based in Albany, Western Australia.
This painting by Helen Allingham (1848-1926) is our writing prompt this week. Why has this man paused to look back? Why he is carrying a scythe? #writingprompts #writinglife #writingtips #helenallingham #artworks
December 7, 2025 at 2:00 AM
"The Curse of the Cole Women" by Marielle Thompson is a gothic fantasy featuring a family of three women struggling against a generational curse. #bookrecommendations #tbrlist #mariellethompson #thecurseofthecolewomen #gothic #fantasy
December 6, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Jumble Publishing and Editing (jumblepublishing.com) can manage your self-publishing and editing so you can stop and glory in the sunset.
Image: Louis Rémy Mignot (1831–1870) #jumblepublishing #publishing #selfpublishing #editing #louisrémymignot #artworks
December 5, 2025 at 2:00 AM
One of the many odd facts related to lions in medieval thought were that they slept with their eyes open so this lion from the Lutterell Psalter (c1325-1340) may not be as awake as it seems. #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #lions #lion
December 4, 2025 at 2:00 AM
According to medieval thought, lion cubs were born dead and were brought to life on the third day by either the lioness breathing in their faces or the lion roaring over them. This image is from the end of the 13th century. #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #lions #lion
December 3, 2025 at 2:00 AM
This lion from a c1350 French "De proprietatibus rerum" has a long sweeping tail suitable for clearing a trail in line with the medieval myth that lions erased their own trails. #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #lions #lion
December 2, 2025 at 2:00 AM
This week's medieval beast is the lion. The lion was considered the king of beasts in medieval thought and as such was usually the first beast described in bestiaries. This image is from a 1460 version of "Liber Floridus". #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #lions #lion
December 1, 2025 at 2:00 AM
A portrait by Georges de La Tour (1593-1652) for today's writing prompt. The title says the instrument is a hurdy-gurdy so why is this gentleman playing it? And how does it work? What sort of sound is it making? #writingprompts #writinglife #writingtips #artworks #georgesdelatour
November 30, 2025 at 2:00 AM
"A Different Type of Poison" by Liz Alterman is a slow-burn thriller featuring an author invited to her home town to discuss her latest book who finds herself living a different thriller… #bookrecommendations #tbrlist #lizalterman #adifferenttypeofpoison #thriller #mystery
November 29, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Let Jumble Publishing and Editing (jumblepublishing.com) help you with your editing and self-publishing.
Image: Antonio Ermolao Paoletti (1834–1912) #jumblepublishing #publishing #selfpublishing #editing #antonioermolaopaoletti #artworks
November 28, 2025 at 2:00 AM
If a reminder is ever needed that not all medieval illustrators were masters of their art, a glance at this 13th century pard will be highly salutary. At least it is definitely spotted! #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #pard #pards
November 27, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Medieval pards were said to be extremely swift and able to kill their prey with a single pounce. This c1170 pard from an English bestiary appears to be pouncing while sticking out its tongue. #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #pard #pards
November 26, 2025 at 2:00 AM
The medieval pard was described as being spotted so this illustration from an English bestiary (c1225-1250) showing a distinctly unspotted pard should be rare.
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November 25, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Our medieval beast this week is the pard which is one of the parents of leopards. This oddly-coloured pard is a French c1350 version of "De proprietatibus rerum". #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #pard #pards
November 24, 2025 at 2:00 AM
A painting by Edward Mitchell Bannister (1828-1901) is our writing prompt this week. What is this bearded chap up to? #writingprompts #writinglife #writingtips #edwardmitchellbannister #artworks
November 23, 2025 at 2:00 AM
"Turns of Fate" by Anne Bishop is the first in a new fantasy series. It features a young detective investigating crimes on the Isle of Wyrd where words have power and intentions matter. #bookrecommendations #tbrlist #annebishop #turnsoffate #fantasy
November 22, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Let Jumble Publishing and Editing (jumblepublishing.com) give you a hand up with your editing and self-publishing.
Image: Arthur John Elsley (1860-1952) #jumblepublishing #publishing #selfpublishing #editing #arthurjohnelsley #artworks
November 21, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Medieval bats were said to hang in groups like grapes in high places and if one bat fell, all the bats fell. This pair of bats is from the Worksop Beastiary (c1185). #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #bat #bats
November 20, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Medieval bats were thought to have medicinal uses. Their blood was supposed to be able to regrow hair, except when applied to eyelids when it was said to guarantee that hair would never grow there.
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November 19, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Medieval bats were described as similar to mice, including having the same sort of squeak. Some illustrators seemed to take that very literally as in this image from a 15th century Italian herbal. #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #bat #bats
November 18, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Our medieval beast this week is the bat. Medieval bats were considered to be birds with teeth that gave birth to live young which they fed with milk. This particular bat is from the Aberdeen Bestiary (c1200). #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #bat #bats
November 17, 2025 at 2:00 AM
A painting by Joaquin Sorolla (1863-1923) is the writing prompt for today. Where is this woman and does it mean anything that she is dabbling in the pool? #writingprompts #writinglife #writingtips #joaquinsorolla #artworks
November 16, 2025 at 2:00 AM
"To Kill a Queen" by Amie McNee is a historical fiction/fantasy featuring the heir of a criminal syndicate trying to catch a would-be assassin of Elizabeth I and secure their own future. #bookrecommendations #tbrlist #tokillaqueen #amiemcnee #mystery #historicalfiction #fantasy
November 15, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Let Jumble Publishing and Editing (jumblepublishing.com) give you a helping hand with your editing and self-publishing.
Image: Théodore Ralli (1852–1909) #jumblepublishing #publishing #selfpublishing #editing #théodoreralli #artworks
November 14, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Our final medieval cicada is remarkable for actually looking like a cicada even to the fine hairs on the legs. It is from an early manuscript of 'L'Acerba etas' by Cecco d'Ascoli (1257-1327). #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #beasts #cicada #cicadas
November 13, 2025 at 2:00 AM