NyxMaren
@nyxmaren.bsky.social
Neither man nor woman, but a force of nature. Great Value Baba Yaga. (Avatar and banner both by Dakota Curry)
Jamil is already into them, and loves both hero shooters and Bioware RPGs (he's a sucker for team dynamics).
Ayo...genuinely I think I'd try like *classic* Mario Kart 64 or a similar low-fidelity racing game. I think the sheer lack of realism is something they need.
Ayo...genuinely I think I'd try like *classic* Mario Kart 64 or a similar low-fidelity racing game. I think the sheer lack of realism is something they need.
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters
Hypothetical today! If you were trying to get your characters into videogames, what genre/game would you start them out on?
Would it be similar to the genre you write them in, or completely different?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
Hypothetical today! If you were trying to get your characters into videogames, what genre/game would you start them out on?
Would it be similar to the genre you write them in, or completely different?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
January 15, 2026 at 12:53 AM
Jamil is already into them, and loves both hero shooters and Bioware RPGs (he's a sucker for team dynamics).
Ayo...genuinely I think I'd try like *classic* Mario Kart 64 or a similar low-fidelity racing game. I think the sheer lack of realism is something they need.
Ayo...genuinely I think I'd try like *classic* Mario Kart 64 or a similar low-fidelity racing game. I think the sheer lack of realism is something they need.
"Those bags are for after I recover." Ayo to their doctor, less than a day before they skipped town to try and stop an eldritch entity from breaking into our reality.
To be fair to them, if they'd told the truth, their doctor probably woulda tried to stop them.
To be fair to them, if they'd told the truth, their doctor probably woulda tried to stop them.
What’s the biggest lie your MC has ever told? Who did they lie to and why? #WritingPrompt
January 14, 2026 at 7:50 PM
"Those bags are for after I recover." Ayo to their doctor, less than a day before they skipped town to try and stop an eldritch entity from breaking into our reality.
To be fair to them, if they'd told the truth, their doctor probably woulda tried to stop them.
To be fair to them, if they'd told the truth, their doctor probably woulda tried to stop them.
Reposted by NyxMaren
Most white people don't understand the problem with federales stopping people in the street and demanding to see their walking papers because it never happens to us and never did.
"Just carry your ID" makes sense to someone who walks outside with presumed impunity.
"Just carry your ID" makes sense to someone who walks outside with presumed impunity.
January 13, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Most white people don't understand the problem with federales stopping people in the street and demanding to see their walking papers because it never happens to us and never did.
"Just carry your ID" makes sense to someone who walks outside with presumed impunity.
"Just carry your ID" makes sense to someone who walks outside with presumed impunity.
Reposted by NyxMaren
I can hear this meme.
January 13, 2026 at 6:40 PM
I can hear this meme.
Gonna pretend there's a clear antagonist in HOMEBOUND so we can talk about Clyde Tanner and how he absolutely ADORES his wife and his daughter.
This is a man with a heart five times bigger than his brain, and there's still barely any room left for friends and extended family after those two.
This is a man with a heart five times bigger than his brain, and there's still barely any room left for friends and extended family after those two.
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters
Antagonist day!
What is your antagonist's most important relationship?
Are they close to anyone? How does that person feel about their choices? Does it matter to the antagonist what they think?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
Antagonist day!
What is your antagonist's most important relationship?
Are they close to anyone? How does that person feel about their choices? Does it matter to the antagonist what they think?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
January 13, 2026 at 12:14 AM
Gonna pretend there's a clear antagonist in HOMEBOUND so we can talk about Clyde Tanner and how he absolutely ADORES his wife and his daughter.
This is a man with a heart five times bigger than his brain, and there's still barely any room left for friends and extended family after those two.
This is a man with a heart five times bigger than his brain, and there's still barely any room left for friends and extended family after those two.
First 2 drafts of HOMEBOUND had Ayo's whole childhood as Act I. Now those ten-ish chapters have been consolidated into the various interludes dotted throughout the current draft, but the events relayed in the Ancient TextsTM are still very much true, just not currently for public viewing so to speak
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters
Technical question today! How much backstory/history for your character have you created that isn’t part of the actual story?
Do you write it down, or is it in your head? What sort of scenarios do you explore?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
Technical question today! How much backstory/history for your character have you created that isn’t part of the actual story?
Do you write it down, or is it in your head? What sort of scenarios do you explore?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
January 12, 2026 at 2:50 AM
First 2 drafts of HOMEBOUND had Ayo's whole childhood as Act I. Now those ten-ish chapters have been consolidated into the various interludes dotted throughout the current draft, but the events relayed in the Ancient TextsTM are still very much true, just not currently for public viewing so to speak
Jamil's only goal, story-wise, is to be there for Ayo. Now that may look VERY different to him than it does to Ayo, but it is TRUE.
Cassandra has so many irons in the fire it's practically a forge but overriding all of them is "get my family back," which is technically the same goal as Ayo, but...
Cassandra has so many irons in the fire it's practically a forge but overriding all of them is "get my family back," which is technically the same goal as Ayo, but...
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters
Deuteragonist Day 2! Now that we have met your second most important character, let's talk about their goals!
Do they have the same goal as the MC? One that is different but compatible? Or do they clash here?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
Deuteragonist Day 2! Now that we have met your second most important character, let's talk about their goals!
Do they have the same goal as the MC? One that is different but compatible? Or do they clash here?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
January 10, 2026 at 2:09 AM
Jamil's only goal, story-wise, is to be there for Ayo. Now that may look VERY different to him than it does to Ayo, but it is TRUE.
Cassandra has so many irons in the fire it's practically a forge but overriding all of them is "get my family back," which is technically the same goal as Ayo, but...
Cassandra has so many irons in the fire it's practically a forge but overriding all of them is "get my family back," which is technically the same goal as Ayo, but...
Reposted by NyxMaren
Holy fuck they actually did it
January 8, 2026 at 11:44 PM
Holy fuck they actually did it
#SFFChat Q4: an opening line of mine
This one comes from Chapter 10, the last chapter of Act 1. Ayo's about to do something--to quote their friend Jamil--"very brave and very stupid."
This one comes from Chapter 10, the last chapter of Act 1. Ayo's about to do something--to quote their friend Jamil--"very brave and very stupid."
January 9, 2026 at 12:08 AM
#SFFChat Q4: an opening line of mine
This one comes from Chapter 10, the last chapter of Act 1. Ayo's about to do something--to quote their friend Jamil--"very brave and very stupid."
This one comes from Chapter 10, the last chapter of Act 1. Ayo's about to do something--to quote their friend Jamil--"very brave and very stupid."
#SFFChat: name someone who nails the opening
It's probably in the thread a million times, but ALL SYSTEMS RED by Martha Wells.
But also, gotta give it my current read, THE STARS TOO FONDLY by Emily Hamilton, which hits us with a text thread out the gate between friends planning a space heist.
It's probably in the thread a million times, but ALL SYSTEMS RED by Martha Wells.
But also, gotta give it my current read, THE STARS TOO FONDLY by Emily Hamilton, which hits us with a text thread out the gate between friends planning a space heist.
January 8, 2026 at 11:55 PM
#SFFChat: name someone who nails the opening
It's probably in the thread a million times, but ALL SYSTEMS RED by Martha Wells.
But also, gotta give it my current read, THE STARS TOO FONDLY by Emily Hamilton, which hits us with a text thread out the gate between friends planning a space heist.
It's probably in the thread a million times, but ALL SYSTEMS RED by Martha Wells.
But also, gotta give it my current read, THE STARS TOO FONDLY by Emily Hamilton, which hits us with a text thread out the gate between friends planning a space heist.
#SFFChat Q2: how long do you give a book?
Usually, I'll give it at least through the first chapter unless it's REALLY clear that the book isn't for me on grounds beyond the quality of the opening (usually stylistic choices or specific events that turn me off).
Usually, I'll give it at least through the first chapter unless it's REALLY clear that the book isn't for me on grounds beyond the quality of the opening (usually stylistic choices or specific events that turn me off).
#SFFChat Q2: If an opening doesn't immediately hook you, do you read on just in case? How long do you give a book?
Discuss!
Discuss!
January 8, 2026 at 11:44 PM
#SFFChat Q2: how long do you give a book?
Usually, I'll give it at least through the first chapter unless it's REALLY clear that the book isn't for me on grounds beyond the quality of the opening (usually stylistic choices or specific events that turn me off).
Usually, I'll give it at least through the first chapter unless it's REALLY clear that the book isn't for me on grounds beyond the quality of the opening (usually stylistic choices or specific events that turn me off).
#SFFChat Q1: fav/hated openers
I love getting dropped in the middle of something happening and needing to piece things together a little bit. I think it shows an author's faith in their own abilities AND trust in their audience.
I hate nothing more than a long-winded dump of exposition to start.
I love getting dropped in the middle of something happening and needing to piece things together a little bit. I think it shows an author's faith in their own abilities AND trust in their audience.
I hate nothing more than a long-winded dump of exposition to start.
#SFFChat Q1: What are your favourite & least favourite types of openings/beginnings?
Do you detest books that open with weather, travel, or someone staring into a mirror? What about books that open with introspection or with action?
Discuss!
Do you detest books that open with weather, travel, or someone staring into a mirror? What about books that open with introspection or with action?
Discuss!
January 8, 2026 at 11:22 PM
#SFFChat Q1: fav/hated openers
I love getting dropped in the middle of something happening and needing to piece things together a little bit. I think it shows an author's faith in their own abilities AND trust in their audience.
I hate nothing more than a long-winded dump of exposition to start.
I love getting dropped in the middle of something happening and needing to piece things together a little bit. I think it shows an author's faith in their own abilities AND trust in their audience.
I hate nothing more than a long-winded dump of exposition to start.
January 8, 2026 at 11:20 PM
Ayo is kind of the expert on "weird shit," to the point at which even the already pretty weird on its own Commission reaches out to them when things get REALLY weird.
Hard to say the weirdest thing Ayo's seen, since so much of it does kind of loop back into "shit from the Other Side."
UNTIL NOW.
Hard to say the weirdest thing Ayo's seen, since so much of it does kind of loop back into "shit from the Other Side."
UNTIL NOW.
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters
What's your character's weird meter like?
Do they encounter strange (for their world) things? Is ordinary for them very different from ordinary for those around them?
What's the weirdest thing they've seen?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
What's your character's weird meter like?
Do they encounter strange (for their world) things? Is ordinary for them very different from ordinary for those around them?
What's the weirdest thing they've seen?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
January 8, 2026 at 11:18 PM
Ayo is kind of the expert on "weird shit," to the point at which even the already pretty weird on its own Commission reaches out to them when things get REALLY weird.
Hard to say the weirdest thing Ayo's seen, since so much of it does kind of loop back into "shit from the Other Side."
UNTIL NOW.
Hard to say the weirdest thing Ayo's seen, since so much of it does kind of loop back into "shit from the Other Side."
UNTIL NOW.
Ayo *adores* kids. They've always been really good at teaching younger kids, and their gentle, patient demeanor goes a long way with them, too.
As for wanting kids, the thought is so far from Ayo's mind that if you asked them they'd probably pull a mental blue screen.
As for wanting kids, the thought is so far from Ayo's mind that if you asked them they'd probably pull a mental blue screen.
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters
How does your character feel about children?
Do they like children? Are they children? Do they plan to have them someday? Have them already? Adopt? Not interested at all?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
How does your character feel about children?
Do they like children? Are they children? Do they plan to have them someday? Have them already? Adopt? Not interested at all?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
January 8, 2026 at 12:27 AM
Ayo *adores* kids. They've always been really good at teaching younger kids, and their gentle, patient demeanor goes a long way with them, too.
As for wanting kids, the thought is so far from Ayo's mind that if you asked them they'd probably pull a mental blue screen.
As for wanting kids, the thought is so far from Ayo's mind that if you asked them they'd probably pull a mental blue screen.
Two, actually: Jamil and Cassandra, both of whom really only enter the story in Act 2.
Jamil is Ayo (MC)'s primary narrative foil: the loud, physically inclined charmer to their understated, thoughtful investigator.
Cassandra is personally involved where the others aren't: it's her House after all
Jamil is Ayo (MC)'s primary narrative foil: the loud, physically inclined charmer to their understated, thoughtful investigator.
Cassandra is personally involved where the others aren't: it's her House after all
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters
Does your story have a deuteragonist? A person of significant importance, but less than your MC?
Perhaps a love interest, confidant, or sidekick?
What are they like and how do they relate to your MC?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
Does your story have a deuteragonist? A person of significant importance, but less than your MC?
Perhaps a love interest, confidant, or sidekick?
What are they like and how do they relate to your MC?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
January 6, 2026 at 11:51 PM
Two, actually: Jamil and Cassandra, both of whom really only enter the story in Act 2.
Jamil is Ayo (MC)'s primary narrative foil: the loud, physically inclined charmer to their understated, thoughtful investigator.
Cassandra is personally involved where the others aren't: it's her House after all
Jamil is Ayo (MC)'s primary narrative foil: the loud, physically inclined charmer to their understated, thoughtful investigator.
Cassandra is personally involved where the others aren't: it's her House after all
Depends on who you think the antagonist even is.
Is it Clyde, the man whose hubris creates the Haunted House in the first place? Then we first meet him delivering groceries for Ayo. He's loud, boisterous, and generous, even insisting on putting their groceries away so they can rest.
Is it Clyde, the man whose hubris creates the Haunted House in the first place? Then we first meet him delivering groceries for Ayo. He's loud, boisterous, and generous, even insisting on putting their groceries away so they can rest.
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters
Antagonist day! How are we first introduced to your antagonist?
What are they doing when they appear on the page? Is it meant to be apparent that they are a villain?
What is being showcased about them?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
Antagonist day! How are we first introduced to your antagonist?
What are they doing when they appear on the page? Is it meant to be apparent that they are a villain?
What is being showcased about them?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
January 5, 2026 at 11:55 PM
Depends on who you think the antagonist even is.
Is it Clyde, the man whose hubris creates the Haunted House in the first place? Then we first meet him delivering groceries for Ayo. He's loud, boisterous, and generous, even insisting on putting their groceries away so they can rest.
Is it Clyde, the man whose hubris creates the Haunted House in the first place? Then we first meet him delivering groceries for Ayo. He's loud, boisterous, and generous, even insisting on putting their groceries away so they can rest.
Reposted by NyxMaren
Just watched UNDERWATER for probably the fifth time. I feel like this film is criminally underappreciated. I know you all loved it, but I don’t feel like people talk about it nearly enough.
January 3, 2026 at 8:36 PM
Just watched UNDERWATER for probably the fifth time. I feel like this film is criminally underappreciated. I know you all loved it, but I don’t feel like people talk about it nearly enough.
HOMEBOUND features a number of "factions," most of whom have minimal direct impact on the story. There's the unnamed right-wing/populist political faction in (formerly) Syria that violently purged out-groups, leading to the creation of the refugee camp Ayo and Jamil grew up in.
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters
What important groups/factions are there in your story?
Are your characters part of any or do they want to be? Or are they enemies with any groups?
Do they gain allies or enemies over the story?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
What important groups/factions are there in your story?
Are your characters part of any or do they want to be? Or are they enemies with any groups?
Do they gain allies or enemies over the story?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
January 2, 2026 at 11:16 PM
HOMEBOUND features a number of "factions," most of whom have minimal direct impact on the story. There's the unnamed right-wing/populist political faction in (formerly) Syria that violently purged out-groups, leading to the creation of the refugee camp Ayo and Jamil grew up in.
Jamil and Jamil. He's got taunting people down to a science, and he's also got the scrappiness to back it up.
Which of your characters is most likely to start a fight? Who finishes it? #WritingPrompt
January 2, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Jamil and Jamil. He's got taunting people down to a science, and he's also got the scrappiness to back it up.
sometimes i forget that not all my friends have the same window into my creative process. for instance, a guy i've known since 2020 has really only seen me making things for games, where i'm deliberately silly. Thus he was taken very off-guard today when i told him 3 pathos-filled character pitches.
January 2, 2026 at 3:04 AM
sometimes i forget that not all my friends have the same window into my creative process. for instance, a guy i've known since 2020 has really only seen me making things for games, where i'm deliberately silly. Thus he was taken very off-guard today when i told him 3 pathos-filled character pitches.
We're gonna take a brief break from Ayo here because tbh they don't anticipate much but more of the same from their future. Let's focus instead on their primary foil, Jamil.
Jamil is the jock to Ayo's nerd, the brawn to their brains, and the straight-shooter to their frankly Socratic speaking style
Jamil is the jock to Ayo's nerd, the brawn to their brains, and the straight-shooter to their frankly Socratic speaking style
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters
*Tomorrow, I will ask you about what questions you wish to see in 2026. Don’t answer yet, this is to give time to consider!*
Today, what is your character anticipating in the future? Will it work out for them?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
*Tomorrow, I will ask you about what questions you wish to see in 2026. Don’t answer yet, this is to give time to consider!*
Today, what is your character anticipating in the future? Will it work out for them?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
December 31, 2025 at 2:37 AM
We're gonna take a brief break from Ayo here because tbh they don't anticipate much but more of the same from their future. Let's focus instead on their primary foil, Jamil.
Jamil is the jock to Ayo's nerd, the brawn to their brains, and the straight-shooter to their frankly Socratic speaking style
Jamil is the jock to Ayo's nerd, the brawn to their brains, and the straight-shooter to their frankly Socratic speaking style
I wrote not one but two songs (this is relevant I promise). They're songs by a fictional, in-universe band and they kick enough ass I had a brief moment (before scheduling ruined the fun) where some friends were going to help record the first.
What's something you did with your writing in 2025 that you're genuinely proud of? (If you disparage yourself on this post I will beat you with hammers) #WritingPrompt
December 30, 2025 at 6:06 PM
I wrote not one but two songs (this is relevant I promise). They're songs by a fictional, in-universe band and they kick enough ass I had a brief moment (before scheduling ruined the fun) where some friends were going to help record the first.
Reposted by NyxMaren
This is true and I was the only one on set excited about it (and playing the song on my phone to blank stares)
Just watched the new Knives Out and I think it's really important you know that the scene in the Seminary's Gym is filmed in the same place Rick Astley filmed the music video for Never Gonna Give You Up.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
December 30, 2025 at 4:21 AM
This is true and I was the only one on set excited about it (and playing the song on my phone to blank stares)
I'm in the process of doing this *right now* in HOMEBOUND. In the current chapter, Ayo gets drunk-dialed by Dromak, a character who has so far only appeared in Interludes showing Ayo's childhood and as the internal voice Ayo gives their most bitter and vindictive thoughts.
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters
Side character day!
Do you have any side characters that you plan to/have brought back in a much bigger role?
Did you set it up in advance or did it just happen? Could the reader have predicted it?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #writingprompts
Side character day!
Do you have any side characters that you plan to/have brought back in a much bigger role?
Did you set it up in advance or did it just happen? Could the reader have predicted it?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #writingprompts
December 30, 2025 at 1:27 AM
I'm in the process of doing this *right now* in HOMEBOUND. In the current chapter, Ayo gets drunk-dialed by Dromak, a character who has so far only appeared in Interludes showing Ayo's childhood and as the internal voice Ayo gives their most bitter and vindictive thoughts.