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krholton.bsky.social
kae
@krholton.bsky.social
240 followers 450 following 510 posts
Agender, any pronouns. Driftless Region, WI. Fantasy & Sci-fi writer. I also design digital & printable planners and productivity worksheets. www.krholton.com
Would you like to buy me a coffee? https://krholton.com/about#tip-jar
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Reposted by kae
photosteve.bsky.social
For this Thanksgiving here are three turkeys looking like Roman centurions
#birds
Three male turkeys in full mating display
November 27, 2025 at 5:32 PM
krholton.bsky.social
Part of the rheumatologist's instructions to deal with my chronic pain was to get better sleep. As if I'm struggling to fall asleep on purpose. Like, sure, I'll just stop being such an idiot about sleeping. Got that on my to do list for tonight. Thanks.

#ChronicPain #Spoonie
November 26, 2025 at 6:55 PM
krholton.bsky.social
#novmemeber

Not saying who this represents for spoilers :p

#WritingCommunity
Close up photo of an Eyelash Pit Viper, a bright yellow snake with spines above its eyes and nose
November 24, 2025 at 9:18 PM
krholton.bsky.social
#WIPSnips - Nov 23 - Global

Prophet Levi leaves the Merx tower for the first time in his life in The Last Firstborn, my dystopian fantasy WIP.

#WritingCommunity #WriteSky
I’d always wondered what it would be like to be outside, in an abstract sort of way. What would it be like to be exposed to the sky, to breathe unfiltered air? The world sounded so hostile; that was why we needed the towers. I’d be lying if I claimed I weren’t a bit nervous to leave. But there were people who lived in the city their whole lives. It must have been safe enough. I hurried toward the doors. They opened as I neared, and I stepped through. For the first time in my life, I was outside. I wished I could have seen it. But there was no time. With as long of strides as I dared with the guide cane, I fled from my home. Where was I going? Did it matter?
November 23, 2025 at 4:09 PM
krholton.bsky.social
Levi spoilers, but no one knows who tf Levi is yet, so it's ok :p

#Novmemeber #WritingCommunity #WriteSky
November 23, 2025 at 4:00 PM
krholton.bsky.social
Welp, these links are going to live rent free in my open tabs for a while
November 23, 2025 at 3:45 PM
krholton.bsky.social
So, I just started a new job. Like, a real, actual job where you clock in and they pay you for the hours you were there. It's wild. I haven't clocked in anywhere in a decade.

Now for the desperate attempt to retain my writing time and focus. 😵‍💫
November 23, 2025 at 3:09 AM
krholton.bsky.social
#WIPSnips - Nov 22 - Crystal

This snip is from a different project than I usually share. I'm zero drafting it right now and I'm having a blast :D

#WritingCommunity #WriteSky
Shouting came from down the hall and soon, Revon emerged through the door, flanked on one side by a handsome police officer and on the other by the sheriff. Both officers were looking grim. Revon, for their part, was looking elated and was babbling. Perhaps they were still drunk. “Mal! Nadia!” they said, coming into the waiting room. The officer removed Revon’s handcuffs and the fae threw themself forward, dragging us all into a hug. “You freed me?” “Had to, didn’t I?” said Malachi. “Where’s old grumpy pants?” asked Revon, rubbing their wrists. “Scott took off with almost all of our equipment,” I said. “You promised to help me with some of my experiments—would you be willing to take a more hands-on role?” “And by ‘would you be willing,’ what she means is that your release is contingent on you helping out. My gun is currently being held as collateral for you, and if you screw this up, I will kill you to release the life debt. That gun is more important to me than you.” “Clear as crystal, friends. I really am sorry about all this. Big misunderstanding!” “Yeah, I bet,” said Malachi. “Let’s go.
November 22, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Reposted by kae
krholton.bsky.social
Anyone else in the #PlannerCommunity already thinking about their planning system for the new year? If you have a lot of projects and need to keep an eye on timelines, #Gantt charts may be for you! Analog gantt charts are a thing too, so you won't get distracted by a shiny new app #Blog #ProjectPlan
Gantt Chart Project Planning (on paper!)
The point of gantt charts is to get a visual representation of your workload across a period of time and plan your time in a more realistic
www.krholton.com
October 25, 2025 at 12:37 AM
krholton.bsky.social
#WIPSnips - Nov 21 - Direction

Levi in The Last Firstborn, not quite coming back properly from a prophecy he just had.

#WritingCommunity #WriteSky
Something was wrong. My body wasn’t where it should have been. No. I was standing. I was being held back—held up?—by arms much stronger than mine. A gravelly voice was swearing in my ear. It was a scary few seconds before my mind was back in place and in control of my body again. I stopped thrashing and gasped in a few breaths. “What in Polea’s wide world has gotten into you?” Marquez asked, holding me in a bear hug to keep me still. I didn’t say anything. I didn’t have an answer. “Do you have your feet?” he asked, and I nodded. He let go. I swayed, pulling away violently. I pushed Marquez away. Gravity wasn’t coming from the direction I expected, and I was falling again. Falling down into prophecy, except this time, Marquez’ wrought-iron arm caught me before I hit the floor. “You’re not all back yet, are you?” He swore through gritted teeth.
November 21, 2025 at 2:33 PM
krholton.bsky.social
#WIPSnips - Nov 20 - Special

Prophet Levi discovers he crossed a line by testing the Merx's patience and now it's his little brother who will pay the price.
“Tower, play message.” An unfamiliar voice called out from the speakers around the living room. “Hello Prophet Noethi, this is Natalia Merx from the admissions office at Merx University. Due to special circumstances, your brother’s application has been accepted en proviso. It’s, erm, quite unusual, but these conditions are that he immediately move into dormitory housing, and that his contact with you be limited. He’ll also have limited unsupervised access to citynet. These stipulations will be in place for the first year of his schooling so that he can fully focus on his studies. We’ll send you regular updates about his progress. I believe someone’s already been sent to collect him and his belongings. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. We look forward to watching Wes’ growth within the Merx community. All of his test scores were exceptional, so I’m sure he’ll excel here. Have a great day.” A chill had settled over me. “Tower, call Wes’ personal comms.” “I’m sorry,” said the computer. “Access to that unit has been restricted.”
November 20, 2025 at 4:46 PM
krholton.bsky.social
Not related to writing necessarily, but my biggest lesson this year was that continuing to seek treatment for chronic conditions is worth it, even though it's a monumental pain in the ass. Stagnating and letting chronic conditions go unmanaged is never a viable solution.
spoonieauthnet.bsky.social Spoonie Authors Network @spoonieauthnet.bsky.social · 8d
Spoonie Author Chat (for creatives who manage spoons), November 19, 2025:

What's the biggest lesson you've learned this year?

(Please quote-post and add
#SpoonieAuthChat to your replies!)
Banner image has the same text as the post. There’s also a small smaller image of three spoons that are connected at the base.
November 19, 2025 at 4:07 PM
krholton.bsky.social
Levi's flaw in the first book is that he routinely can't/refuses to see his own agency in most situations. He's very much a grin-and-bear-it kind of person, even when things are getting worse and worse. Even when he's the one who holds the power to make things change. #WritingCommunity #WriteSky
cometkins.bsky.social Ian Haramaki 🏳️‍⚧️✨ @cometkins.bsky.social · 10d
What's the biggest flaw in your main character? #WritingPrompt
November 17, 2025 at 5:11 PM
krholton.bsky.social
Yesss, at-home writing retreat was a success! Finally back above par! And, more importantly, having a ton of fun with this WIP and being able to write new characters.

#WriteRAWR #WriteSky
Screen shot of a line graph that shows word count progress across Oct and Nov. The line was below par for most of early Nov, but now is well ahead of the minimum again!
November 17, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Reposted by kae
dominolucky.bsky.social
the star 💫

#art #oc
An illustration of Yvaine as the Star tarot. He has long white hair half-up in a bun, and is wearing a light blue shirt with slashed poet sleeves. The cuffs are quilted and dotted with sapphires, with small ruffles at the ends. He wears a laced up neckpiece covering his collarbone area and throat with embroidered detailing, and a belt with a pattern of stars over high-waisted lighter blue pants. Pieces of ornamental fabric hang from his back. He holds a glowing white star which hovers just above his cupped hands. The background features 13 stars with the largest one at the top, and a lute and a lyre sit in the foreground.
November 16, 2025 at 5:25 AM
krholton.bsky.social
#WIPSnips - Nov 16 - Run

Levi is out of the frying pan and into the fire in The Last Firstborn. 🔥

#WritingCommunity #WriteSky
There was a huge crash on the other side of the street, and a multitude of metal objects clattered on the wet concrete. At the same time that the officer yelled, “What the hell?” a hand grabbed mine and pulled me down the street. My feet had no choice but to keep up, to run. The officer was shouting after me, but whatever had fallen onto the street evidently took precedence because he didn’t pursue us. The guiding hand was small. The person was short, three or four strides for every two of mine. We ran until I was out of breath and the noise of the commotion had faded into the general cacophony behind us. “What happened?” I gasped out. A small voice replied, “Saw you were in it deep with that cop, mister. Know a guy with no ID chip when I see ‘em, eh?” The child nudged me in the side as if we were sharing a scandalous joke. “We gotta help each other out, don’t we? Law of the city, ain’t it. Say, where’d you get that hoodie from?”
November 16, 2025 at 4:09 PM
krholton.bsky.social
Post your favorite Star Trek character. Wrong answers only.

neelix 😬
November 15, 2025 at 7:21 PM
krholton.bsky.social
Fox in a box

#caturday #OneOrangeBraincell
photo of a long haired orange cat in a small box
November 15, 2025 at 5:37 PM
krholton.bsky.social
#WIPSnips - Nov 15 - Progress

Why indeed, poor Levi?

From The Last Firstborn, coming some nebulous time in 2026!

#WritingCommunity #WriteSky
‟What happened after the killer left the alley?” Vivienne asked, pressing a cup into my hand. “There were lights and sirens. People saw him and called the police I think. He was arrested, just like last time.” Marquez swore. ‟Isn’t that a good thing?” I asked, sloshing water down my chin as I drank. “Not if she still dies,” Vivienne said. “They can just make her stay home though, right?” “The situation isn’t that cut and dry, Levi. Evidently, the Oida heiress is… incredibly disinclined to stay in her apartments.” “Even though her life is at risk?” “I can’t answer for the internal handling of the situation by the Lygus. What I can say is that we will again give them this information. They’ll keep her safe however they see fit.” Why didn’t I feel as if we’d made any progress toward unraveling the plot?
November 15, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Reposted by kae
unfortunatalie.bsky.social
trying to switch off the AI bloatware that has been pinned to the top of every single menu in every single app
A business woman in a grey skirt suit, pointing a rifle at a boxy 90s PC
April 26, 2025 at 9:30 PM
krholton.bsky.social
The @roguewriters.bsky.social writing Torch Relay is this weekend, which means an at-home writing retreat for me! <3

#WriteRAWR
November 14, 2025 at 10:16 PM
krholton.bsky.social
#WIPSnips - Nov 14 - Week

From The Last Firstborn, which is with an editor right now!

#WritingCommunity #WriteSky
Every morning Vivienne called me with my agenda—let me know how formal my clothes needed to be. She opened every call by asking how I was feeling. A normal enough question, but I couldn’t help but feel like she was gauging how hard she could work me that day. At the end of the week, she called me back into the cloister to see another prophecy. She needed information to expose that one of “their” legislators was also taking “donations” from the Lygus. Basically, blackmail. “Is this really worth my time?” I asked, a little bolder because Aumbrose wasn’t there. “We decide what’s worth your time, Prophet,” said Marquez. “Remember that.” “Just do what they say,” my father repeated in my head.
November 14, 2025 at 2:33 PM
krholton.bsky.social
#WIPSnips - Nov 13 - Build

Ohhh, yet another callout by WIPSnips of a section I may need to change on my next revision. I've done so much worldbuilding in book 2 that I'm going to need to update a bunch of stuff in The Last Firstborn.

#WritingCommunity #WriteSky
“The entire city relies on this damned machine. We need the Merx to work more diligently on trying to understand if we can replicate it. Build a second one for Polea’s sake! We shouldn’t be passing bullshit like this. If the maintenance is so pricey, we’d be better off putting that money into research.” They’re talking about the water purifier. The Merx have an elaborate system of pipes, valves, pumps, and storage tanks, all designed to funnel the poisoned rainwater into the purifier machine, which supplies the whole city with clean water. I don’t understand what they mean by research, though. We know exactly how the machine works—it runs on manna, a gift from the goddess. It runs on divine power. There’s no use researching it.
November 13, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Reposted by kae
sbworkersunited.org
As of this morning, Starbucks workers across the country are officially ON STRIKE. And we're prepared for this to become the biggest and longest ULP strike in Starbucks history.

Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX
Don't Buy Starbucks! At any location, today and beyond, while workers are on ULP strike!
November 13, 2025 at 11:33 AM
krholton.bsky.social
#WIPSnips - Nov 12 - Shirt

Levi is having a prophecy to prove Gastone's loyalty to the Merx. Hard to pull one over on the boss when he employs a guy who can see the future.

#WritingCommunity #WriteSky
Gastone looks cool now. His hair is pulled back in a ponytail at the nape of his neck and the top button of his black, collared shirt is undone. He’s in a dim hallway with cold, gray tiled floors and walls. At the end of the hallway is a window. I step forward to peer out the glass and am surprised to see other buildings blocking the view. So, we’re not in the tower, we’re down in the city. This is as close as I’ve ever been to it. Gastone is with three others, all dressed in similar dark colors. One of them kneels in front of a door, fiddles with the keycard reader. There’s a heavy click and the door opens. The power flashes me forward in time.
November 12, 2025 at 3:10 PM