Mayken Brünings
@maykenalanna.bsky.social
I write fantasy & speculative fiction for kids. 📚 My blog about Paris & published short stories 👉 https://www.maykenbruenings.com/
Trilingual swimmer 🏊🏻♀️ and SCBWI member. I love cows and Brittany.
Trilingual swimmer 🏊🏻♀️ and SCBWI member. I love cows and Brittany.
Someone in the neighbourhood is getting a motorhome for Christmas.
December 22, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Someone in the neighbourhood is getting a motorhome for Christmas.
DH saw the historic tram was making rounds today, and after filming it go past the Christmas market, we hopped on for a ride, only to be spoiled by Santa riding with us and distributing sweets. (15yo had to sing a carol. 🙂)
December 21, 2025 at 5:18 PM
DH saw the historic tram was making rounds today, and after filming it go past the Christmas market, we hopped on for a ride, only to be spoiled by Santa riding with us and distributing sweets. (15yo had to sing a carol. 🙂)
German bookstore rocking the recommendation of English-language books. (There was a lot of YA fantasy on that shelf.) #AmReading
December 20, 2025 at 3:02 PM
German bookstore rocking the recommendation of English-language books. (There was a lot of YA fantasy on that shelf.) #AmReading
We've been to Provins more times than I can count, usually for their medievals days in June, but the last few years also for their medieval Christmas market. But we've never stayed past nightfall before today.
#TourCésar
#TourCésar
December 13, 2025 at 7:46 PM
We've been to Provins more times than I can count, usually for their medievals days in June, but the last few years also for their medieval Christmas market. But we've never stayed past nightfall before today.
#TourCésar
#TourCésar
I have the best Christmas card stamps this year! They are supposed to smell like a croissant, too.
December 12, 2025 at 1:41 PM
I have the best Christmas card stamps this year! They are supposed to smell like a croissant, too.
I bake waffles for the school's German Christmas market. Last year I noted that the recipe x 4 makes 33 waffles. Made the recipe x 4 today. Got exactly 33 waffles again. Then DH dropped by during a break from WFH.
32 waffles now.
32 waffles now.
December 12, 2025 at 10:36 AM
I bake waffles for the school's German Christmas market. Last year I noted that the recipe x 4 makes 33 waffles. Made the recipe x 4 today. Got exactly 33 waffles again. Then DH dropped by during a break from WFH.
32 waffles now.
32 waffles now.
At a #SwimMeet all day. The live program/results website is down and we're writing race/heat/lanes on our forearms like in the old days. (Or like the kids in my #SwimWrite story.)
December 7, 2025 at 1:28 PM
At a #SwimMeet all day. The live program/results website is down and we're writing race/heat/lanes on our forearms like in the old days. (Or like the kids in my #SwimWrite story.)
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 29
Charlotte's story is a WIP (though quite far along) but if you're intrigued, read my spin-off short story in which she makes a cameo. It features her older friend Maelle and the twins Guy and Raoul, all time travel agents in training. Link below ⬇️
Charlotte's story is a WIP (though quite far along) but if you're intrigued, read my spin-off short story in which she makes a cameo. It features her older friend Maelle and the twins Guy and Raoul, all time travel agents in training. Link below ⬇️
November 29, 2025 at 5:13 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 29
Charlotte's story is a WIP (though quite far along) but if you're intrigued, read my spin-off short story in which she makes a cameo. It features her older friend Maelle and the twins Guy and Raoul, all time travel agents in training. Link below ⬇️
Charlotte's story is a WIP (though quite far along) but if you're intrigued, read my spin-off short story in which she makes a cameo. It features her older friend Maelle and the twins Guy and Raoul, all time travel agents in training. Link below ⬇️
Im Asterixpark wird die Schriftart aus en französischen Alben auch genutzt. Nicht überall, aber teilweise. Freut mich jedes Mal wieder.
November 29, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Im Asterixpark wird die Schriftart aus en französischen Alben auch genutzt. Nicht überall, aber teilweise. Freut mich jedes Mal wieder.
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 27
From a Time Protection Agency school essay written by Charlotte:
"And they can’t go back for do-overs either if things go wrong because that would destabilize the timeline."
From a Time Protection Agency school essay written by Charlotte:
"And they can’t go back for do-overs either if things go wrong because that would destabilize the timeline."
November 28, 2025 at 7:13 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 27
From a Time Protection Agency school essay written by Charlotte:
"And they can’t go back for do-overs either if things go wrong because that would destabilize the timeline."
From a Time Protection Agency school essay written by Charlotte:
"And they can’t go back for do-overs either if things go wrong because that would destabilize the timeline."
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 25
When Charlotte's last quill snaps and her dad is out of town, she wishes she could just go buy a new quill. But that's not how the 16th century works, at least not in small places like Saint-Germain-en-Laye. A good thing the Princess's school master has a few he can spare.
When Charlotte's last quill snaps and her dad is out of town, she wishes she could just go buy a new quill. But that's not how the 16th century works, at least not in small places like Saint-Germain-en-Laye. A good thing the Princess's school master has a few he can spare.
November 25, 2025 at 7:09 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 25
When Charlotte's last quill snaps and her dad is out of town, she wishes she could just go buy a new quill. But that's not how the 16th century works, at least not in small places like Saint-Germain-en-Laye. A good thing the Princess's school master has a few he can spare.
When Charlotte's last quill snaps and her dad is out of town, she wishes she could just go buy a new quill. But that's not how the 16th century works, at least not in small places like Saint-Germain-en-Laye. A good thing the Princess's school master has a few he can spare.
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 23
I'll sit this one out, since I'm not sure what Turkeys act like.
In "Asterix and the Great Crossing", they say gobblegobblegobble in English and glouglouglou in French and then get eaten by Obelix. Doesn't apply to any of my characters.
I'll sit this one out, since I'm not sure what Turkeys act like.
In "Asterix and the Great Crossing", they say gobblegobblegobble in English and glouglouglou in French and then get eaten by Obelix. Doesn't apply to any of my characters.
November 23, 2025 at 4:43 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 23
I'll sit this one out, since I'm not sure what Turkeys act like.
In "Asterix and the Great Crossing", they say gobblegobblegobble in English and glouglouglou in French and then get eaten by Obelix. Doesn't apply to any of my characters.
I'll sit this one out, since I'm not sure what Turkeys act like.
In "Asterix and the Great Crossing", they say gobblegobblegobble in English and glouglouglou in French and then get eaten by Obelix. Doesn't apply to any of my characters.
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 21
I'm thankful for my little GalaxyBook that I write on during my lunch breaks, for which I'm also thankful. It's my only regular writing time, so without either of those, there'd be no stories from me.
I'm thankful for my little GalaxyBook that I write on during my lunch breaks, for which I'm also thankful. It's my only regular writing time, so without either of those, there'd be no stories from me.
November 23, 2025 at 4:39 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 21
I'm thankful for my little GalaxyBook that I write on during my lunch breaks, for which I'm also thankful. It's my only regular writing time, so without either of those, there'd be no stories from me.
I'm thankful for my little GalaxyBook that I write on during my lunch breaks, for which I'm also thankful. It's my only regular writing time, so without either of those, there'd be no stories from me.
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 19
“Fare you well, young Charles,” the Duke of Bourbon said, already in the saddle. “And thank your master, whoever he is.”
“Fare you well, Your Grace,” I said. “You understand of course that we will find you should you not honor your part of our agreement.”
“Fare you well, young Charles,” the Duke of Bourbon said, already in the saddle. “And thank your master, whoever he is.”
“Fare you well, Your Grace,” I said. “You understand of course that we will find you should you not honor your part of our agreement.”
November 20, 2025 at 4:36 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 19
“Fare you well, young Charles,” the Duke of Bourbon said, already in the saddle. “And thank your master, whoever he is.”
“Fare you well, Your Grace,” I said. “You understand of course that we will find you should you not honor your part of our agreement.”
“Fare you well, young Charles,” the Duke of Bourbon said, already in the saddle. “And thank your master, whoever he is.”
“Fare you well, Your Grace,” I said. “You understand of course that we will find you should you not honor your part of our agreement.”
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 17
Not a lot of reading for Charlotte, but she does mention studying the barricades scene of Les Misérables (the book, not the musical) in French class. 🇫🇷
Not a lot of reading for Charlotte, but she does mention studying the barricades scene of Les Misérables (the book, not the musical) in French class. 🇫🇷
November 20, 2025 at 4:33 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 17
Not a lot of reading for Charlotte, but she does mention studying the barricades scene of Les Misérables (the book, not the musical) in French class. 🇫🇷
Not a lot of reading for Charlotte, but she does mention studying the barricades scene of Les Misérables (the book, not the musical) in French class. 🇫🇷
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 15
[...]
“And what if he hadn’t sent Jacques Cartier off to explore the Gulf of St Lawrence?” I said.
“Then there would be no French-speaking Canada today,” Mom replied.
It was a traditional family game we played whenever one of us asked a “what if” history question.
[...]
“And what if he hadn’t sent Jacques Cartier off to explore the Gulf of St Lawrence?” I said.
“Then there would be no French-speaking Canada today,” Mom replied.
It was a traditional family game we played whenever one of us asked a “what if” history question.
November 15, 2025 at 6:53 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 15
[...]
“And what if he hadn’t sent Jacques Cartier off to explore the Gulf of St Lawrence?” I said.
“Then there would be no French-speaking Canada today,” Mom replied.
It was a traditional family game we played whenever one of us asked a “what if” history question.
[...]
“And what if he hadn’t sent Jacques Cartier off to explore the Gulf of St Lawrence?” I said.
“Then there would be no French-speaking Canada today,” Mom replied.
It was a traditional family game we played whenever one of us asked a “what if” history question.
#TimeTravelAhuthors Day 13
Desserts!
They didn't have chocolate at the French royal court yet in the early 16th century (no more than tomatoes), but there was a dessert that King Francis was very fond of: cotignac, a specific kind of quince jelly. Charlotte likes it too.
I have yet to taste it.
Desserts!
They didn't have chocolate at the French royal court yet in the early 16th century (no more than tomatoes), but there was a dessert that King Francis was very fond of: cotignac, a specific kind of quince jelly. Charlotte likes it too.
I have yet to taste it.
November 14, 2025 at 7:51 PM
#TimeTravelAhuthors Day 13
Desserts!
They didn't have chocolate at the French royal court yet in the early 16th century (no more than tomatoes), but there was a dessert that King Francis was very fond of: cotignac, a specific kind of quince jelly. Charlotte likes it too.
I have yet to taste it.
Desserts!
They didn't have chocolate at the French royal court yet in the early 16th century (no more than tomatoes), but there was a dessert that King Francis was very fond of: cotignac, a specific kind of quince jelly. Charlotte likes it too.
I have yet to taste it.
November 13, 2025 at 6:17 AM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 11
Time slows down when Charlotte travels with a 16th-century royal train (NOT a 🚂 train, but a procession of horses, litters, and pack animals) 220km between two royal palaces.
But time flies when she tries to find a way to save the princess before her recorded death date.
Time slows down when Charlotte travels with a 16th-century royal train (NOT a 🚂 train, but a procession of horses, litters, and pack animals) 220km between two royal palaces.
But time flies when she tries to find a way to save the princess before her recorded death date.
November 12, 2025 at 6:58 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 11
Time slows down when Charlotte travels with a 16th-century royal train (NOT a 🚂 train, but a procession of horses, litters, and pack animals) 220km between two royal palaces.
But time flies when she tries to find a way to save the princess before her recorded death date.
Time slows down when Charlotte travels with a 16th-century royal train (NOT a 🚂 train, but a procession of horses, litters, and pack animals) 220km between two royal palaces.
But time flies when she tries to find a way to save the princess before her recorded death date.
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 9
Maybe not strangest, but most original: Once Fontainebleau palace had a jeu de paume master on site who explained the game, down to the fabrication of the balls. And we could try it out!
Charlotte watches King Francis play in one scene. Another sport he excelled at.
Maybe not strangest, but most original: Once Fontainebleau palace had a jeu de paume master on site who explained the game, down to the fabrication of the balls. And we could try it out!
Charlotte watches King Francis play in one scene. Another sport he excelled at.
November 9, 2025 at 4:43 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 9
Maybe not strangest, but most original: Once Fontainebleau palace had a jeu de paume master on site who explained the game, down to the fabrication of the balls. And we could try it out!
Charlotte watches King Francis play in one scene. Another sport he excelled at.
Maybe not strangest, but most original: Once Fontainebleau palace had a jeu de paume master on site who explained the game, down to the fabrication of the balls. And we could try it out!
Charlotte watches King Francis play in one scene. Another sport he excelled at.
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 7
King Francis was very athletic. One of favorite pastimes was hunting. In order to better keep up, his daughter-in-law Catherine de Medicis introduced a new type of side saddle for female riders.
That's after Charlotte's time, so she's stuck with the old side saddle.
King Francis was very athletic. One of favorite pastimes was hunting. In order to better keep up, his daughter-in-law Catherine de Medicis introduced a new type of side saddle for female riders.
That's after Charlotte's time, so she's stuck with the old side saddle.
November 9, 2025 at 4:43 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 7
King Francis was very athletic. One of favorite pastimes was hunting. In order to better keep up, his daughter-in-law Catherine de Medicis introduced a new type of side saddle for female riders.
That's after Charlotte's time, so she's stuck with the old side saddle.
King Francis was very athletic. One of favorite pastimes was hunting. In order to better keep up, his daughter-in-law Catherine de Medicis introduced a new type of side saddle for female riders.
That's after Charlotte's time, so she's stuck with the old side saddle.
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 5
The princess, her brothers, and I were seated at the trestle table covered with a white tablecloth, the servants loading our trenchers with food. Her eyes widened as a servant poured orange juice for her and her brothers.
The princess, her brothers, and I were seated at the trestle table covered with a white tablecloth, the servants loading our trenchers with food. Her eyes widened as a servant poured orange juice for her and her brothers.
November 9, 2025 at 4:43 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 5
The princess, her brothers, and I were seated at the trestle table covered with a white tablecloth, the servants loading our trenchers with food. Her eyes widened as a servant poured orange juice for her and her brothers.
The princess, her brothers, and I were seated at the trestle table covered with a white tablecloth, the servants loading our trenchers with food. Her eyes widened as a servant poured orange juice for her and her brothers.
#TimeTravelAuthors
What day is it? I had kinda a busy week, let me catch up.
Day 3
If Charlotte could travel forward in time, she'd check if it was true what the time protection agency teaches them about consequences of changing the established timeline. [Spoiler: It might not be.]
What day is it? I had kinda a busy week, let me catch up.
Day 3
If Charlotte could travel forward in time, she'd check if it was true what the time protection agency teaches them about consequences of changing the established timeline. [Spoiler: It might not be.]
November 9, 2025 at 4:43 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors
What day is it? I had kinda a busy week, let me catch up.
Day 3
If Charlotte could travel forward in time, she'd check if it was true what the time protection agency teaches them about consequences of changing the established timeline. [Spoiler: It might not be.]
What day is it? I had kinda a busy week, let me catch up.
Day 3
If Charlotte could travel forward in time, she'd check if it was true what the time protection agency teaches them about consequences of changing the established timeline. [Spoiler: It might not be.]
Here's mine from my last visit in September 2024. I think my daughter snapped a picture for me when she returned earlier this year but it probably stayed on her phone.
November 9, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Here's mine from my last visit in September 2024. I think my daughter snapped a picture for me when she returned earlier this year but it probably stayed on her phone.
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 1
12yo Charlotte is thankful that she gets to spend time with each of her parents even though they live 500 years apart. The same can't be said for the 15th-century royal princess she befriends - her mother is dead, and her father is off to war - or at least he should be.
12yo Charlotte is thankful that she gets to spend time with each of her parents even though they live 500 years apart. The same can't be said for the 15th-century royal princess she befriends - her mother is dead, and her father is off to war - or at least he should be.
November 1, 2025 at 4:38 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Day 1
12yo Charlotte is thankful that she gets to spend time with each of her parents even though they live 500 years apart. The same can't be said for the 15th-century royal princess she befriends - her mother is dead, and her father is off to war - or at least he should be.
12yo Charlotte is thankful that she gets to spend time with each of her parents even though they live 500 years apart. The same can't be said for the 15th-century royal princess she befriends - her mother is dead, and her father is off to war - or at least he should be.