Paul Briggs
@paulgbriggs.bsky.social
Author of the Locksmith Trilogy, Altered Seasons: Monsoonrise, and The Dead Skunk (don't ask).
#TimeTravelAuthors I do occasionally gloss over a few stretches of time in Books 1 and 2. Not so much in the action-packed Book 3.
November 11, 2025 at 10:14 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors I do occasionally gloss over a few stretches of time in Books 1 and 2. Not so much in the action-packed Book 3.
#WIPSnips “The locals were glad to have anything to break the monotony. Even if we came right on the solstice, we were welcome. Of course, there was always some boy of about my age who’d come up to me right when we were setting up camp and say ‘I can lick you,’ and then I’d have to fight him.”
Welcome to a new week of #WIPSnips
The word for November 10th is "local"
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
The word for November 10th is "local"
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
November 11, 2025 at 12:47 AM
#WIPSnips “The locals were glad to have anything to break the monotony. Even if we came right on the solstice, we were welcome. Of course, there was always some boy of about my age who’d come up to me right when we were setting up camp and say ‘I can lick you,’ and then I’d have to fight him.”
#TimeTravelAuthors Probably the research into what "tachyon emissions" (I should write for Star Trek) would actually look like. Turns out they really would be glowing blue.
November 10, 2025 at 5:31 AM
#TimeTravelAuthors Probably the research into what "tachyon emissions" (I should write for Star Trek) would actually look like. Turns out they really would be glowing blue.
#TimeTravelAuthors Lock has a track meet in Book 1.
November 9, 2025 at 1:02 AM
#TimeTravelAuthors Lock has a track meet in Book 1.
#WIPSnips “And… how exactly would I do this? ‘Hey, Mister Criminal, want to do some crime? Take this very expensive little rock, catch a boat to Gramphborough, go find my father, and poison him with it.’ Suppose he just takes it and sells it to the nearest jeweler instead?”
November 8, 2025 at 7:19 PM
#WIPSnips “And… how exactly would I do this? ‘Hey, Mister Criminal, want to do some crime? Take this very expensive little rock, catch a boat to Gramphborough, go find my father, and poison him with it.’ Suppose he just takes it and sells it to the nearest jeweler instead?”
#WIPSnips “I was young and dumb and madly in love with the power the stone had given me. Walking through a minefield without a scratch on me! I’d forgotten whose minefield it was, and why we’d laid it in the first place. That clever little trail I’d made through the snow? It worked both ways…”
November 6, 2025 at 4:50 AM
#WIPSnips “I was young and dumb and madly in love with the power the stone had given me. Walking through a minefield without a scratch on me! I’d forgotten whose minefield it was, and why we’d laid it in the first place. That clever little trail I’d made through the snow? It worked both ways…”
#TimeTravelAuthors
How much of somebody do you have to eat before you’re officially a cannibal? Lock wondered. There’s gotta be some kind of legal weight limit — it can’t just be because you inhaled somebody’s dead skin cells or the waiter’s eyelash fell in your food.
How much of somebody do you have to eat before you’re officially a cannibal? Lock wondered. There’s gotta be some kind of legal weight limit — it can’t just be because you inhaled somebody’s dead skin cells or the waiter’s eyelash fell in your food.
November 6, 2025 at 2:19 AM
#TimeTravelAuthors
How much of somebody do you have to eat before you’re officially a cannibal? Lock wondered. There’s gotta be some kind of legal weight limit — it can’t just be because you inhaled somebody’s dead skin cells or the waiter’s eyelash fell in your food.
How much of somebody do you have to eat before you’re officially a cannibal? Lock wondered. There’s gotta be some kind of legal weight limit — it can’t just be because you inhaled somebody’s dead skin cells or the waiter’s eyelash fell in your food.
#WIPSnips Halbrex had been telling the truth about it being a nice day—blue skies, friendly white cumulus clouds, the arch a curved wall on the northern horizon with every groove visible. Gramph Island didn’t get weather like this every week.
Welcome to a new week of #WIPSnips
The word for November 3rd is "nice"
Regular reminder to put Alt Text on your graphics!
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
The word for November 3rd is "nice"
Regular reminder to put Alt Text on your graphics!
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
November 4, 2025 at 3:15 AM
#WIPSnips Halbrex had been telling the truth about it being a nice day—blue skies, friendly white cumulus clouds, the arch a curved wall on the northern horizon with every groove visible. Gramph Island didn’t get weather like this every week.
#TimeTravelAuthors
If they had some control over the process, rather than just a portal that went 100 years both ways, Gary would suggest aiming for a time just after the end of the world, so they'd have a better chance of finding out how it happened without getting caught up in it.
If they had some control over the process, rather than just a portal that went 100 years both ways, Gary would suggest aiming for a time just after the end of the world, so they'd have a better chance of finding out how it happened without getting caught up in it.
November 4, 2025 at 3:10 AM
#TimeTravelAuthors
If they had some control over the process, rather than just a portal that went 100 years both ways, Gary would suggest aiming for a time just after the end of the world, so they'd have a better chance of finding out how it happened without getting caught up in it.
If they had some control over the process, rather than just a portal that went 100 years both ways, Gary would suggest aiming for a time just after the end of the world, so they'd have a better chance of finding out how it happened without getting caught up in it.
Admiral Zhao has just endorsed Andrew Cuomo.
November 4, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Admiral Zhao has just endorsed Andrew Cuomo.
#WIPSnips “Necromancy? Where did you come by this power, lad? It normally runs in families, but I don’t have it. Nor did any of my ancestors, as far as I know.”
“Your daughter Yada took up with a rebel named ‘Green-Jacket’ Rayajan. I think it must come from his side of the family.”
“Your daughter Yada took up with a rebel named ‘Green-Jacket’ Rayajan. I think it must come from his side of the family.”
The #WIPSnips word for November 1st is "ancestor"
Not really "spooky" but it's Día de los Muertos!
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
Not really "spooky" but it's Día de los Muertos!
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
November 2, 2025 at 3:29 AM
#WIPSnips “Necromancy? Where did you come by this power, lad? It normally runs in families, but I don’t have it. Nor did any of my ancestors, as far as I know.”
“Your daughter Yada took up with a rebel named ‘Green-Jacket’ Rayajan. I think it must come from his side of the family.”
“Your daughter Yada took up with a rebel named ‘Green-Jacket’ Rayajan. I think it must come from his side of the family.”
#TimeTravelAuthors
The world is DOOMED!
Thank heaven the new assistant DA's sometimes-verbal son is here to save us.
The world is DOOMED!
Thank heaven the new assistant DA's sometimes-verbal son is here to save us.
November 2, 2025 at 3:12 AM
#TimeTravelAuthors
The world is DOOMED!
Thank heaven the new assistant DA's sometimes-verbal son is here to save us.
The world is DOOMED!
Thank heaven the new assistant DA's sometimes-verbal son is here to save us.
November 1, 2025 at 2:21 AM
#WIPSnips Not part of my WIP, but something I wrote for a Halloween reading event this week. It was well-received:
Of the few true monsters the Eastern Shore has produced in its history, by far the worst is Patty Cannon. Tall and strong as a good-sized man and mean as the devil with a toothache...
Of the few true monsters the Eastern Shore has produced in its history, by far the worst is Patty Cannon. Tall and strong as a good-sized man and mean as the devil with a toothache...
Happy Halloween! Anyone doing fun party stuff? (I have no IRL friends where I live so let me live vicariously through you. 😂)
The #WIPSnips word for October 31st is "monster"
#WriteSky #WritingPrompts #WritingCommunity
The #WIPSnips word for October 31st is "monster"
#WriteSky #WritingPrompts #WritingCommunity
October 31, 2025 at 8:49 AM
#WIPSnips Not part of my WIP, but something I wrote for a Halloween reading event this week. It was well-received:
Of the few true monsters the Eastern Shore has produced in its history, by far the worst is Patty Cannon. Tall and strong as a good-sized man and mean as the devil with a toothache...
Of the few true monsters the Eastern Shore has produced in its history, by far the worst is Patty Cannon. Tall and strong as a good-sized man and mean as the devil with a toothache...
#TimeTravelAuthors
“This meeting of the… Save-the-World Committee… will now come to order.”
“Oh crap, we’re a committee now?” said Rikki.
“This meeting of the… Save-the-World Committee… will now come to order.”
“Oh crap, we’re a committee now?” said Rikki.
October 29, 2025 at 9:16 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors
“This meeting of the… Save-the-World Committee… will now come to order.”
“Oh crap, we’re a committee now?” said Rikki.
“This meeting of the… Save-the-World Committee… will now come to order.”
“Oh crap, we’re a committee now?” said Rikki.
#TimeTravelAuthors
The first time, it was like "WTF."
The next few times, it was like, "Cool."
Then I'd drive around in the present, spot some place that I'd seen as a pile of ruins in the future, and it was like, "I need a beer right now."
The first time, it was like "WTF."
The next few times, it was like, "Cool."
Then I'd drive around in the present, spot some place that I'd seen as a pile of ruins in the future, and it was like, "I need a beer right now."
October 27, 2025 at 11:03 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors
The first time, it was like "WTF."
The next few times, it was like, "Cool."
Then I'd drive around in the present, spot some place that I'd seen as a pile of ruins in the future, and it was like, "I need a beer right now."
The first time, it was like "WTF."
The next few times, it was like, "Cool."
Then I'd drive around in the present, spot some place that I'd seen as a pile of ruins in the future, and it was like, "I need a beer right now."
#TimeTravelAuthors Rikki shot forward at the silhouette, elbowing the door open the rest of the way, squinting against the light, landing a blow with her forehead right where the nose ought to be, giving herself an eyeful of… mustache?
Oh. I’m fighting a man. Well, too late to back out.
Oh. I’m fighting a man. Well, too late to back out.
October 25, 2025 at 7:40 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors Rikki shot forward at the silhouette, elbowing the door open the rest of the way, squinting against the light, landing a blow with her forehead right where the nose ought to be, giving herself an eyeful of… mustache?
Oh. I’m fighting a man. Well, too late to back out.
Oh. I’m fighting a man. Well, too late to back out.
Reposted by Paul Briggs
Been too long since I did a big silly ancient history 🧵so let's bring an old one back over from the Bad Place:
It's time for ::air horn:: Publius Ventidius Bassus, the coolest Roman you have never heard of and the only person to walk in a triumph first as captive, then as triumphing general. 1/
It's time for ::air horn:: Publius Ventidius Bassus, the coolest Roman you have never heard of and the only person to walk in a triumph first as captive, then as triumphing general. 1/
October 23, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Been too long since I did a big silly ancient history 🧵so let's bring an old one back over from the Bad Place:
It's time for ::air horn:: Publius Ventidius Bassus, the coolest Roman you have never heard of and the only person to walk in a triumph first as captive, then as triumphing general. 1/
It's time for ::air horn:: Publius Ventidius Bassus, the coolest Roman you have never heard of and the only person to walk in a triumph first as captive, then as triumphing general. 1/
#TimeTravelAuthors Got some catching up to do, don't I?
21. If I wrote the story, it wouldn't be MG/YA, that's for sure. There would be a lot more sex.
23. As far as I knew, I didn't have any enemies—at least not around here. Then one day… but that would be telling.
21. If I wrote the story, it wouldn't be MG/YA, that's for sure. There would be a lot more sex.
23. As far as I knew, I didn't have any enemies—at least not around here. Then one day… but that would be telling.
October 23, 2025 at 5:40 AM
#TimeTravelAuthors Got some catching up to do, don't I?
21. If I wrote the story, it wouldn't be MG/YA, that's for sure. There would be a lot more sex.
23. As far as I knew, I didn't have any enemies—at least not around here. Then one day… but that would be telling.
21. If I wrote the story, it wouldn't be MG/YA, that's for sure. There would be a lot more sex.
23. As far as I knew, I didn't have any enemies—at least not around here. Then one day… but that would be telling.
#TimeTravelAuthors The day my Greek Fire beef barbecue sauce won first prize. This was a couple years ago and has nothing to do with the story.
October 20, 2025 at 4:30 AM
#TimeTravelAuthors The day my Greek Fire beef barbecue sauce won first prize. This was a couple years ago and has nothing to do with the story.
#TimeTravelAuthors
1. Don't worry too much about what other people think of you.
2. Pat the meat dry before trying to brown it.
3. Don't get hooked on anything bigger than your paycheck.
4. The ribs go off the grill before the sauce goes on.
5. Never let anybody get between you and the door.
1. Don't worry too much about what other people think of you.
2. Pat the meat dry before trying to brown it.
3. Don't get hooked on anything bigger than your paycheck.
4. The ribs go off the grill before the sauce goes on.
5. Never let anybody get between you and the door.
October 18, 2025 at 2:44 AM
#TimeTravelAuthors
1. Don't worry too much about what other people think of you.
2. Pat the meat dry before trying to brown it.
3. Don't get hooked on anything bigger than your paycheck.
4. The ribs go off the grill before the sauce goes on.
5. Never let anybody get between you and the door.
1. Don't worry too much about what other people think of you.
2. Pat the meat dry before trying to brown it.
3. Don't get hooked on anything bigger than your paycheck.
4. The ribs go off the grill before the sauce goes on.
5. Never let anybody get between you and the door.
#WIPSnips “With foot and eye we feel and see that earth and sky are things that be,” he said. “But earth is dirt, and sky is air, and when we hurt, they do not care.”
Here are the #WIPSnips words for October 13th - 19th
Please remember Alt Text on graphics & Trigger/Content warnings when necessary.
Synonyms, variations and ✨vibes✨ are fine.
As always, no unsolicited line editing on posts. This is a place for supportive convo (which y'all are awesome at)!
Please remember Alt Text on graphics & Trigger/Content warnings when necessary.
Synonyms, variations and ✨vibes✨ are fine.
As always, no unsolicited line editing on posts. This is a place for supportive convo (which y'all are awesome at)!
October 16, 2025 at 3:07 AM
#WIPSnips “With foot and eye we feel and see that earth and sky are things that be,” he said. “But earth is dirt, and sky is air, and when we hurt, they do not care.”
#TimeTravelAuthors “From her perspective,” said the doctor, “fighting is the appropriate response.” Rikki wanted to give him a good swift kick by way of agreement, but with so much weight pressing down on her that was impossible.
October 16, 2025 at 3:04 AM
#TimeTravelAuthors “From her perspective,” said the doctor, “fighting is the appropriate response.” Rikki wanted to give him a good swift kick by way of agreement, but with so much weight pressing down on her that was impossible.
#TimeTravelAuthors
Lock's mom thinks I'm useful to have around, but also a security risk because of my big mouth.
I had to admit to Lock that I think she's way too overbearing. Just to make him feel better, I admitted I also think she's hot.
Lock's mom thinks I'm useful to have around, but also a security risk because of my big mouth.
I had to admit to Lock that I think she's way too overbearing. Just to make him feel better, I admitted I also think she's hot.
October 13, 2025 at 11:51 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors
Lock's mom thinks I'm useful to have around, but also a security risk because of my big mouth.
I had to admit to Lock that I think she's way too overbearing. Just to make him feel better, I admitted I also think she's hot.
Lock's mom thinks I'm useful to have around, but also a security risk because of my big mouth.
I had to admit to Lock that I think she's way too overbearing. Just to make him feel better, I admitted I also think she's hot.
#TimeTravelAuthors
“See anything you like?” said a voice in his ear.
Gary’s face began to burn. People like Rikki always popped up at the most embarrassing possible moment.
“I… um…” Gary turned and looked up to meet her eyes. That smile of hers really wasn’t helping.
“See anything you like?” said a voice in his ear.
Gary’s face began to burn. People like Rikki always popped up at the most embarrassing possible moment.
“I… um…” Gary turned and looked up to meet her eyes. That smile of hers really wasn’t helping.
October 11, 2025 at 5:56 PM
#TimeTravelAuthors
“See anything you like?” said a voice in his ear.
Gary’s face began to burn. People like Rikki always popped up at the most embarrassing possible moment.
“I… um…” Gary turned and looked up to meet her eyes. That smile of hers really wasn’t helping.
“See anything you like?” said a voice in his ear.
Gary’s face began to burn. People like Rikki always popped up at the most embarrassing possible moment.
“I… um…” Gary turned and looked up to meet her eyes. That smile of hers really wasn’t helping.