Harper L. Carnes ❄️
@harperlcarnes.bsky.social
Gray-ace & aegosexual lesbian. Coffee addict. Dog, lizard, tarantula, & bunny mom. #Actuallyautistic. Writer of monsters. Survivor of worse. Creating a space to heal via fiction.
Author of dark romance, fantasy, & horror. 🔞
www.harperlcarnes.com
She/They
Author of dark romance, fantasy, & horror. 🔞
www.harperlcarnes.com
She/They
Today's #Smutcember prompt:
How do you handle perspectives in sexy scenes? Do you focus on one POV at a time or switch around?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
How do you handle perspectives in sexy scenes? Do you focus on one POV at a time or switch around?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
December 17, 2025 at 12:19 AM
#Smutcember 15
It really depends on story tone and characterization for how far things go and even what the characters get up to specifically.
It really depends on story tone and characterization for how far things go and even what the characters get up to specifically.
Today's #Smutcember prompt:
How do you decide how “far” to take a scene in a written work? Do you have varying levels based on certain factors?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
How do you decide how “far” to take a scene in a written work? Do you have varying levels based on certain factors?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
December 16, 2025 at 3:30 AM
#Smutcember 15
It really depends on story tone and characterization for how far things go and even what the characters get up to specifically.
It really depends on story tone and characterization for how far things go and even what the characters get up to specifically.
#Smutcember 14
Sebastian is drawn to Elias because he understands his grief and doesn’t belittle or abandon him for it.
Elias is drawn to Sebastian’s humanity. The way he cares for those around him.
Sebastian is drawn to Elias because he understands his grief and doesn’t belittle or abandon him for it.
Elias is drawn to Sebastian’s humanity. The way he cares for those around him.
I said we'd get to it, and here we are, #Smutcember:
What do your characters find *emotionally* attractive about each other?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
What do your characters find *emotionally* attractive about each other?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
December 16, 2025 at 3:24 AM
#Smutcember 14
Sebastian is drawn to Elias because he understands his grief and doesn’t belittle or abandon him for it.
Elias is drawn to Sebastian’s humanity. The way he cares for those around him.
Sebastian is drawn to Elias because he understands his grief and doesn’t belittle or abandon him for it.
Elias is drawn to Sebastian’s humanity. The way he cares for those around him.
#Smutcember 13
This one is very drafty and from a future book in my series. There’s a certain kind of magic link between omegas and alphas for wolf famirian packs that makes the alpha stronger but Ettore puts that in jeopardy if he forms a romantic attachment.
This one is very drafty and from a future book in my series. There’s a certain kind of magic link between omegas and alphas for wolf famirian packs that makes the alpha stronger but Ettore puts that in jeopardy if he forms a romantic attachment.
December 16, 2025 at 3:00 AM
#Smutcember 13
This one is very drafty and from a future book in my series. There’s a certain kind of magic link between omegas and alphas for wolf famirian packs that makes the alpha stronger but Ettore puts that in jeopardy if he forms a romantic attachment.
This one is very drafty and from a future book in my series. There’s a certain kind of magic link between omegas and alphas for wolf famirian packs that makes the alpha stronger but Ettore puts that in jeopardy if he forms a romantic attachment.
#Smutcember 12
So far I only have one established relationship in a WIP while all the others are new, so I guess new relationship.
I guess the appeal is the fact it’s new so the characters learn each other.
So far I only have one established relationship in a WIP while all the others are new, so I guess new relationship.
I guess the appeal is the fact it’s new so the characters learn each other.
Happy Friday, #Smutcember folks!
Do you prefer to write sex scenes for a new relationship, or in an established one? What appeals to you the most about your preference?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
Do you prefer to write sex scenes for a new relationship, or in an established one? What appeals to you the most about your preference?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
December 14, 2025 at 4:19 AM
#Smutcember 12
So far I only have one established relationship in a WIP while all the others are new, so I guess new relationship.
I guess the appeal is the fact it’s new so the characters learn each other.
So far I only have one established relationship in a WIP while all the others are new, so I guess new relationship.
I guess the appeal is the fact it’s new so the characters learn each other.
#Smutcember 11
Enemies to lovers. Stoic/serious character x hyper/humorous character. Forbidden relationship/love. A dynamic where two people survive the same or similar trauma, and end up understanding each other in a way no one else could.
Enemies to lovers. Stoic/serious character x hyper/humorous character. Forbidden relationship/love. A dynamic where two people survive the same or similar trauma, and end up understanding each other in a way no one else could.
#Smutcember prompt for today:
Share your favorite self-indulgent pairing or dynamic! Grumpy/sunshine? Battle couple? Something more niche and specific? If you like, tell us about how you've employed it in your work!
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
Share your favorite self-indulgent pairing or dynamic! Grumpy/sunshine? Battle couple? Something more niche and specific? If you like, tell us about how you've employed it in your work!
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
December 14, 2025 at 4:16 AM
#Smutcember 11
Enemies to lovers. Stoic/serious character x hyper/humorous character. Forbidden relationship/love. A dynamic where two people survive the same or similar trauma, and end up understanding each other in a way no one else could.
Enemies to lovers. Stoic/serious character x hyper/humorous character. Forbidden relationship/love. A dynamic where two people survive the same or similar trauma, and end up understanding each other in a way no one else could.
#Smutcember 10
It depends on who I’m sharing it with. If it’s just friends, then no, but if it’s fully published I’ll have moments when I’ll literally want to hide, cause I’ll remember at random times people are reading the spice I wrote. I think I’m slowly going from mortified to amused though.
It depends on who I’m sharing it with. If it’s just friends, then no, but if it’s fully published I’ll have moments when I’ll literally want to hide, cause I’ll remember at random times people are reading the spice I wrote. I think I’m slowly going from mortified to amused though.
#Smutcember for Hump Day asks:
Do you struggle with sharing your smutty writing? If so, what internal or external obstacles have been the most challenging? If not, what advice would you give someone who's struggling but wants to share their work?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
Do you struggle with sharing your smutty writing? If so, what internal or external obstacles have been the most challenging? If not, what advice would you give someone who's struggling but wants to share their work?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
December 11, 2025 at 2:30 AM
#Smutcember 10
It depends on who I’m sharing it with. If it’s just friends, then no, but if it’s fully published I’ll have moments when I’ll literally want to hide, cause I’ll remember at random times people are reading the spice I wrote. I think I’m slowly going from mortified to amused though.
It depends on who I’m sharing it with. If it’s just friends, then no, but if it’s fully published I’ll have moments when I’ll literally want to hide, cause I’ll remember at random times people are reading the spice I wrote. I think I’m slowly going from mortified to amused though.
#Smutcember 9
All of the above. And I feel like each aspect is a chance to explore who a character is on a deeper level.
All of the above. And I feel like each aspect is a chance to explore who a character is on a deeper level.
Our #Smutcember prompt for today asks:
When writing sex in your stories, do you prefer to write the build up, the act itself, the aftercare, or all of the above?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
When writing sex in your stories, do you prefer to write the build up, the act itself, the aftercare, or all of the above?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
December 11, 2025 at 2:09 AM
#Smutcember 9
All of the above. And I feel like each aspect is a chance to explore who a character is on a deeper level.
All of the above. And I feel like each aspect is a chance to explore who a character is on a deeper level.
#Smutcember 8
For me it depends on the story. I’ve written fast feelings, fast physicality and slower feelings, and also completely slow burn.
For me it depends on the story. I’ve written fast feelings, fast physicality and slower feelings, and also completely slow burn.
Merry Monday, #Smutcember!
In your stories, do you prefer a slow burn or fast feelings? What appeals to you the most about writing your preferred pacing?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
In your stories, do you prefer a slow burn or fast feelings? What appeals to you the most about writing your preferred pacing?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
December 11, 2025 at 1:52 AM
#Smutcember 8
For me it depends on the story. I’ve written fast feelings, fast physicality and slower feelings, and also completely slow burn.
For me it depends on the story. I’ve written fast feelings, fast physicality and slower feelings, and also completely slow burn.
December 11, 2025 at 1:49 AM
December 9, 2025 at 5:34 AM
#Smutcember 5
I like to mix longing with complications, or even fear or trauma. It’s what exists underneath all the damage that I find fun to play with. The fact that love can ruin as much as save. And banter. Gotta love the banter.
I like to mix longing with complications, or even fear or trauma. It’s what exists underneath all the damage that I find fun to play with. The fact that love can ruin as much as save. And banter. Gotta love the banter.
#Smutcember, it's time to talk about our work! To start off:
How do you build chemistry between your characters? You can speak in general terms or give specific examples, whichever you prefer.
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
How do you build chemistry between your characters? You can speak in general terms or give specific examples, whichever you prefer.
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
December 9, 2025 at 4:19 AM
#Smutcember 5
I like to mix longing with complications, or even fear or trauma. It’s what exists underneath all the damage that I find fun to play with. The fact that love can ruin as much as save. And banter. Gotta love the banter.
I like to mix longing with complications, or even fear or trauma. It’s what exists underneath all the damage that I find fun to play with. The fact that love can ruin as much as save. And banter. Gotta love the banter.
#Smutcember 4
I read all kinds. So they’ll definitely be stuff that I read and don’t write and vice verse.
I read all kinds. So they’ll definitely be stuff that I read and don’t write and vice verse.
Last establishing question, #Smutcember:
Do you read different kinds of smut than you write, or is that Venn diagram a circle?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
Do you read different kinds of smut than you write, or is that Venn diagram a circle?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
December 9, 2025 at 2:20 AM
#Smutcember 4
I read all kinds. So they’ll definitely be stuff that I read and don’t write and vice verse.
I read all kinds. So they’ll definitely be stuff that I read and don’t write and vice verse.
#Smutcember 3
I think I enjoy writing it a bit more than reading it since it gives me more control over what happens and space to work through emotions if needed.
I think I enjoy writing it a bit more than reading it since it gives me more control over what happens and space to work through emotions if needed.
Continuing our #Smutcember setup:
Do you have a preference between reading smut or writing it, or perhaps engaging with it in a different form of media entirely? If so, what about that form of engagement appeals to you the most?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
Do you have a preference between reading smut or writing it, or perhaps engaging with it in a different form of media entirely? If so, what about that form of engagement appeals to you the most?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
December 9, 2025 at 2:18 AM
#Smutcember 3
I think I enjoy writing it a bit more than reading it since it gives me more control over what happens and space to work through emotions if needed.
I think I enjoy writing it a bit more than reading it since it gives me more control over what happens and space to work through emotions if needed.
#Smutcember 2
I’ll read pretty much any level of spicy fiction. Write too. I’m not sure it really varies too much between what I like in private and public, though not everything is necessarily a sexual liking. Sometimes I just like watching characters be messily human.
I’ll read pretty much any level of spicy fiction. Write too. I’m not sure it really varies too much between what I like in private and public, though not everything is necessarily a sexual liking. Sometimes I just like watching characters be messily human.
As we continue into #Smutcember, it's important to know:
What is your spice comfort level? Does it vary between what you enjoy privately and what you're willing to share? Do you have hard boundaries for what you engage with?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
What is your spice comfort level? Does it vary between what you enjoy privately and what you're willing to share? Do you have hard boundaries for what you engage with?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
December 9, 2025 at 2:03 AM
#Smutcember 2
I’ll read pretty much any level of spicy fiction. Write too. I’m not sure it really varies too much between what I like in private and public, though not everything is necessarily a sexual liking. Sometimes I just like watching characters be messily human.
I’ll read pretty much any level of spicy fiction. Write too. I’m not sure it really varies too much between what I like in private and public, though not everything is necessarily a sexual liking. Sometimes I just like watching characters be messily human.
#Smutcember 1
Hi, I’m Harper. I’ll be doing characters from two of my WIPs. Mikołaj and Chris from a horror romance, and Elias and Sebastian from a dark romance. And possibly others depending on the questions.
Hi, I’m Harper. I’ll be doing characters from two of my WIPs. Mikołaj and Chris from a horror romance, and Elias and Sebastian from a dark romance. And possibly others depending on the questions.
Welcome to #Smutcember, folks!
To start things off, introduce yourself and the work(s) or characters you plan on discussing this month. You can focus on one relationship or several, it's up to you!
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
To start things off, introduce yourself and the work(s) or characters you plan on discussing this month. You can focus on one relationship or several, it's up to you!
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
December 9, 2025 at 1:37 AM
#Smutcember 1
Hi, I’m Harper. I’ll be doing characters from two of my WIPs. Mikołaj and Chris from a horror romance, and Elias and Sebastian from a dark romance. And possibly others depending on the questions.
Hi, I’m Harper. I’ll be doing characters from two of my WIPs. Mikołaj and Chris from a horror romance, and Elias and Sebastian from a dark romance. And possibly others depending on the questions.
Reposted by Harper L. Carnes ❄️
Reposted by Harper L. Carnes ❄️
I don't think Netflix should get to eat anything else until it finishes all the prematurely cancelled shows on its plate
December 6, 2025 at 1:31 AM
I don't think Netflix should get to eat anything else until it finishes all the prematurely cancelled shows on its plate
Reposted by Harper L. Carnes ❄️
I think there’s something about drawing a weird deer in the woods every so often that feels paramount to being a fantasy/speculative fiction artist
December 4, 2025 at 10:17 PM
I think there’s something about drawing a weird deer in the woods every so often that feels paramount to being a fantasy/speculative fiction artist
I’m sore tonight. Maizie has volunteered herself as a heating pad.
I am also thirsty, but I do not want to disturb the furbaby.
I am also thirsty, but I do not want to disturb the furbaby.
December 6, 2025 at 1:52 AM
I’m sore tonight. Maizie has volunteered herself as a heating pad.
I am also thirsty, but I do not want to disturb the furbaby.
I am also thirsty, but I do not want to disturb the furbaby.
I saw this on a Pinterest ad. I needs it but I don’t want to go on temu to get it.
December 4, 2025 at 11:17 PM
I saw this on a Pinterest ad. I needs it but I don’t want to go on temu to get it.
Rapists are responsible for 100% of rapes. Not what a victim wore, fantasized, drank, if they flirted, how late they were out, what they posted online, what media they watched, their mental health, their relationship status, their past consent, or the fact they froze or fawned instead of fought.
December 4, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Rapists are responsible for 100% of rapes. Not what a victim wore, fantasized, drank, if they flirted, how late they were out, what they posted online, what media they watched, their mental health, their relationship status, their past consent, or the fact they froze or fawned instead of fought.
More than one song is on playlists for several WIPs.
December 4, 2025 at 3:35 AM
More than one song is on playlists for several WIPs.
#HorrorWritersChat Q4
In the past, some people spent a long time trying to control what I was allowed to do, think, feel, like, or create, and writing the stories I do is my way of rebelling against all that. No one gets to decide who I get to be anymore, and that brings me joy.
In the past, some people spent a long time trying to control what I was allowed to do, think, feel, like, or create, and writing the stories I do is my way of rebelling against all that. No one gets to decide who I get to be anymore, and that brings me joy.
#HorrorWritersChat Q4
Now to The Horrors.
In his blog post
CREATING PERSONAL MEANING IN A DARK WORLD IS HOW WE TAKE A STAND,
Matt said “finding joy in being a creative person is an act of rebellion.”
Share a creative outlet that brings you joy and/or feels like an act of rebellion.
Now to The Horrors.
In his blog post
CREATING PERSONAL MEANING IN A DARK WORLD IS HOW WE TAKE A STAND,
Matt said “finding joy in being a creative person is an act of rebellion.”
Share a creative outlet that brings you joy and/or feels like an act of rebellion.
December 4, 2025 at 2:15 AM
#HorrorWritersChat Q4
In the past, some people spent a long time trying to control what I was allowed to do, think, feel, like, or create, and writing the stories I do is my way of rebelling against all that. No one gets to decide who I get to be anymore, and that brings me joy.
In the past, some people spent a long time trying to control what I was allowed to do, think, feel, like, or create, and writing the stories I do is my way of rebelling against all that. No one gets to decide who I get to be anymore, and that brings me joy.
#HorrorWriterChat Q3
A dream that made it into a WIP was one where I saw something sticking out from under my nail. I ended up pulling my finger open to find I was infested with moths. The thing sticking out from under my nail had been an antenna.
I woke calmly and said, “that’s going in a book.”
A dream that made it into a WIP was one where I saw something sticking out from under my nail. I ended up pulling my finger open to find I was infested with moths. The thing sticking out from under my nail had been an antenna.
I woke calmly and said, “that’s going in a book.”
December 4, 2025 at 1:12 AM
#HorrorWriterChat Q3
A dream that made it into a WIP was one where I saw something sticking out from under my nail. I ended up pulling my finger open to find I was infested with moths. The thing sticking out from under my nail had been an antenna.
I woke calmly and said, “that’s going in a book.”
A dream that made it into a WIP was one where I saw something sticking out from under my nail. I ended up pulling my finger open to find I was infested with moths. The thing sticking out from under my nail had been an antenna.
I woke calmly and said, “that’s going in a book.”