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storiesmelissalee.bsky.social
Melissa Lee
@storiesmelissalee.bsky.social
66 followers 100 following 58 posts
The writing team behind Melissa Lee invites you to join them on their literary journey.
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storiesmelissalee.bsky.social
Ms. Lee’s most recent travel bookshelf with a couple of titles from In Bloom Bookery in Temecula, CA. Romance readers in particular will love this store and its staff.

What’s your favorite indie bookshop?

#romancebooks #romancereader #indiebookstore #independentbookstore #bookish #booksky
Two books: Jaymin Eve’s Spell Caster and Lana Ferguson’s The Fake Mate. Books are displayed among dark wooden snowflakes and pink and green flowering plants. Store sign with logo. Reads In Bloom Bookery Romance Bookstore and features an open book with a flower emerging from its pages. Table display filled with books. Some featured titles include: Lauren Palphreyman’s The Wolf King, Jessica Thorne’s Crown of Darkness, and Emily Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation.
January 14, 2026 at 4:48 PM
storiesmelissalee.bsky.social
#todayilearned it’s the first full moon of 2026, also known as the Wolf Moon. In honor of the wolf pack in our novel, thought it would be fun to share a bit of Wolf Moon history.

Illustration credit: Imstudio1989 on pixabay.com

#wolfmoon #wolves #wildlife #til #didyouknow #booksky
Illustration of a wolf howling. The wolf is in silhouette on a rock outcropping with a large full moon in the background. Image is done in varying shades of blue and black. Text reads: What is a Wolf Moon? Text on a blue background reads: The first full moon of the year, occurring in January, is known as the Wolf Moon by some European and North American cultures. It was named after the evocative howling of wolves during this wintry season. These cries allow wolves to locate pack members, reinforce social bonds, define territory, and coordinate hunting. While wolves are nocturnal and howl to communicate, they do not actually howl at the moon itself, but will often point their heads upward to make the sound travel farther.
January 3, 2026 at 4:43 PM
storiesmelissalee.bsky.social
What’s your fave novel or series with a cool magic system? Ms. Melissa liked Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson. It’s an ode to art and creativity and a race to save two worlds from ruin.

#fantasybooks #fantasyreader #dualworlds #magicsystem #bookish #booksky #readersofbluesky
December 20, 2025 at 6:16 PM
storiesmelissalee.bsky.social
Great writing note. Definitely appreciate a story with varying levels of tone and intensity.
janefriedman.com Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · Dec 16
Writing advice often consists of principles like: keep up the forward momentum, make your point efficiently, get in and get out of a scene.

Yes, and...don't forget your characters experience happiness, too, which helps with story richness and believability. Insight from @lesleykrueger.bsky.social.
Please Allow Your Characters Moments of Happiness | Jane Friedman
When a story barrels from one conflict to the next, hitting pause for a well-placed glimmer of light can benefit both characters and readers.
janefriedman.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:48 PM
storiesmelissalee.bsky.social
Happy birthday to the marvelous Jane Austen. In her honor, wanted to share this lovely quote from Pride and Prejudice.

What's your fave Austen quote?

Photo credit: Albertfotofilms on pixabay.com

#janeausten #prideandprejudice #quotes #quoteoftheday #booksky #readerscommunity #bookish
Snowy forest landscape seen through a large wood-framed window. Filmy curtains are pulled back on each side while a fluffy pillow and lanterns with candles line the bottom of the window. Overlaid on the image is a text box that reads: “Give a loose rein to your fancy, indulge your imagination in every possible flight which the subject will afford." —Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
December 16, 2025 at 8:08 PM
storiesmelissalee.bsky.social
Happy St. Nicholas Day to all who celebrate. Ms. Lee’s family traditions include St. Nicholas leaving oranges, small gifts, and, of course, books in and around family members’ shoes.

Do you have any St. Nicholas Day traditions?

#stnicholasday #bookishgifts #holidayspirit #sinterklaas #booksky
Black ankle boots, an orange, and a St. Nicholas figurine sit atop eight books. In the boots are small, festively wrapped gifts.
December 6, 2025 at 3:52 PM
storiesmelissalee.bsky.social
Working on a scene where our shifters in animal form need to communicate, so #todayilearned a lot about the sounds foxes make. Relying on body language and animal noises has really brought home how integral dialogue can be to a narrative.

#foxes #redfox #wildlife #til #didyouknow #booksky
Red fox with a black-furred face and paws walking down a dirt and gravel path. The path is lined with tall grasses. The image reads: What sounds does a fox make? Image reads: Studies have identified 12 distinct sounds produced by adult foxes and 8 by their kits, including: Barks and yips - high-pitched "ow-wow-wow" sounds used for communication and identification. Text is bordered by the edges of the previous photo so portions of tall grass and a dirt and gravel path are visible. Image reads: Gekkering - chattering, clucking, and rasping sounds used when playing. Screams - shrieks, often human-sounding, used for territorial warnings and mating. Text is bordered by the edges of the first photo so portions of tall grass and a dirt and gravel path are visible.
December 4, 2025 at 6:28 PM
storiesmelissalee.bsky.social
Today is #nationalillustrationday, so shout out to illustrators everywhere.

Like these whimsical sketches from Arthur Rackham, known for how he envisioned many of our folktales.

Comment below with your favorite illustrator or folktale.

#folklore #folktales #illustration #artcommunity #booksky
Illustration by Arthur Rackham for Aesop’s The Tortoise and the Hare. Features a group of animals in waistcoats and other formal attire. Animals include a tortoise, hare, mouse, fox, mole, and two birds. Illustration by Arthur Rackham for Aesop’s The Bear and the Fox. A large bear stands on two legs, towering over a tiny fox who is looking up at him. To their left is a tree with a carrion bird. Illustration by Arthur Rackham for Aesop’s The Fox and the Crow. The crow is perched on a tree branch with a piece of cheese in its beak. The fox is sitting at the base of the tree beneath the crow. Sketch by Arthur Rackham entitled The Parrot and the Cat. Created for “Good-Night (Buenas Noches)” by Eleanor Gates.
November 28, 2025 at 5:38 PM
storiesmelissalee.bsky.social
What’s your favorite cozy fantasy romance? Ms. Lee just read and enjoyed The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna.

Music credit: Oscar Merlo

#fantasyromance #cozyromance #fantasyreader #fantasybooklover #booksky #readersofbluesky #bookish #bookcommunity
November 26, 2025 at 4:48 PM
storiesmelissalee.bsky.social
Ms. Lee explores using facts to enhance our fantasy worldbuilding: www.storiesbymelissalee.com/post/using-f.... What worldbuilding elements help you create or feel fully immersed in a story?

Photo: BrandeePember, pixabay.com

#amwriting #writingprocess #writingcommunity #fantasy #booksky
A glass ball on wet ground reflects sunset, clouds, and trees. In the background is a blurred orange and blue sky. A text box overlaid on the photo reads: Using Facts to Ground Our Fantasy. How do we keep the supernatural elements of our paranormal fantasy from feeling too vague or far-fetched?
November 21, 2025 at 8:37 PM
storiesmelissalee.bsky.social
It's I Love to Write Day. Celebrate by writing something–whether it’s the next chapter in your manuscript or the first sentence of the story you’ve always wanted to compose.

Photo by Pexels at pixabay.com

#amwriting #writerslife #writingprocess #creativewriting #writingcommunity #booksky
Below a close-up photo of a typewriter is the quote: “If something inside of you is real, we will probably find it interesting, and it will probably be universal. So you must risk placing real emotion at the center of your work.” —Anne Lamott
November 15, 2025 at 7:25 PM
storiesmelissalee.bsky.social
Love being able to use our #wordoftheday in our manuscript: Crepuscular

“As a fox, her vision was best in the crepuscular hours of dawn and dusk. In bright light, it was easy to overlook things.”

Photo credit: Dan-Reyes on pixabay.com

#animals #nature #words #amwriting #writingcommunity #booksky
A dog or wolf is shown sitting on the side of a road beneath a large overhanging tree. The photo is backlit and looks like it was taken at dusk. Written on the right in a lightly transparent vertical band are the words: Crepuscular (krepuh-sky-ulur) adj. 1. resembling twilight (just after the sun sets or before it rises), 2. occurring or active during twilight.
November 5, 2025 at 7:57 PM
storiesmelissalee.bsky.social
Ms. Lee enjoyed reading Holly Black's The Coldest Girl in Coldtown, a creepy "what if" about cultish fandoms, reality TV, and vampire infection.

Music: Oscar Merlo
Photo: Pixxel_Worx, pixabay.com

#bookish #booklife #bookcommunity #readerlife #readingcommunity #reading #readersofbluesky #booksky
October 31, 2025 at 7:17 PM
storiesmelissalee.bsky.social
Love exploring local independent bookstores when visiting new places. Here’s Ms. Lee’s most recent travel bookshelf with a couple of titles from Turtle Town Books & Gifts in Nisswa, MN: www.turtletownnisswa.com.

#bookish #booklife #bookcommunity #readerlife #reading #readersofbluesky #booksky
Four books: Kate DiCamillo's "The Puppets of Spelhorst", Benedict and Nancy Freedman's "Mrs. Mike", Cary J. Griffith’s “Cougar Claw”, and Yuval Noah Harari’s "21 Lessons for the 21st Century”. Books are displayed on an outdoor porch railing. They are visible against the backdrop of a shadowy pine tree and the sun setting behind a glistening lake.
October 26, 2025 at 7:46 PM
storiesmelissalee.bsky.social
Enjoyed the originally posted NYPL article on gothic horror and then went down the rabbit hole of gothic romance: www.nypl.org/blog/2018/10.... Faves on this list were Jane Eyre, Rebecca, and Nine Coaches Waiting. Will have to try some of the newer titles recommended. --M
October 23, 2025 at 5:15 PM
storiesmelissalee.bsky.social
Ms. Melissa shares her thoughts on developing both a likeable team and a believable cast of suspects in our romance/mystery mash-up: www.storiesbymelissalee.com/post/likeabl...

Photo by: karosieben at pixabay.com

#amwriting #writerslife #writingprocess #creativewriting #writingcommunity #booksky
Four friends chatting while sitting atop a rough rock wall. They are positioned in the bottom right of the photo with the rest of the image being a cloudless blue sky. The text box overlaid on the photo reads: Creating a Likeable Team vs. a Cast of Suspects. How do we develop enduring characters our readers want to root for while also offering a believable list of crime suspects?
October 16, 2025 at 10:14 PM
storiesmelissalee.bsky.social
Been writing scenes featuring wild spaces and wanted to share that Saturday, September 27, is National Public Lands Day. Entrance fees to national parks are being waived-- www.nps.gov/findapark

#deathvalley #nationalparks #nationalparkphotography #landscapephotography #naturephotography #booksky
Photo of Death Valley National Park. Landscape with a cloud-shrouded mountain range in the background and Badwater Basin, a floating, saltwater lake, in the foreground. A faint reflection of the mountain range can be seen in the water. Photo of Death Valley National Park. Featured are scraggly trees with interestingly contorted branches set against the backdrop of a hazy mountain skyline. Photo credit: ArtTower on pixabay.com.
September 26, 2025 at 4:13 PM
storiesmelissalee.bsky.social
Our novel features magical shifters, so we’ve spent time researching forest animals. Here’s a shout out for National Fox Day. These creatures play an key role in our environment, folklore, and manuscript.

Photo by: ambquinn at pixabay.com

#naturephotography #wildlifephotography #fox #booksky
Close-up of the face and torso of a red fox. Only the right half of the fox is visible behind two lichen-covered tree trunks, which form the frame of the photo.
September 17, 2025 at 3:12 PM
storiesmelissalee.bsky.social
Love our #wordoftheday : Diaphanous

The butterfly's diaphanous wings seemed to catch the sunlight as it balanced on a cluster of flowers.

Photo credit: nvd9612 on pixabay.com

#botanical #nature #booksky
Photo depicts a butterfly with blue and orange wings balancing on a cluster of yellow flowers. In the upper left corner of the image are the words: Diaphanous (dī-a-fe-nes) adj. sheer and light, delicate, translucent.
August 21, 2025 at 9:32 PM
storiesmelissalee.bsky.social
For those who find literary inspiration in wild spaces, just a reminder that entrance fees to national parks are being waived on August 4th in celebration of Great American Outdoors Day.

#nationalparks #nationalparkphotography #shenandoah #landscapephotography #travel #naturephotography #booksky
Photo of the Shenandoah National Park. In the foreground are treetops, a large sculpted boulder, and the side of a polished cliff face. On the horizon are green-covered mountains and above them is a light blue sky with scattered clouds. Photo credit: Josh Huber. Photo of the Shenandoah National Park. In the foreground are treetops and bushes, large sculpted boulders, and the side of a polished cliff. In the distance, atop one of the boulders, is a hiker. On the horizon are green-covered mountains and valleys, and above them is a cloudy sky. Photo credit: Josh Huber.
August 3, 2025 at 3:55 PM
storiesmelissalee.bsky.social
What do we do with sentences we don’t need now but might want to use later? Ms. Lee shares some thoughts on using a "dump list": www.storiesbymelissalee.com/post/benefit...

Photo by: StockSnap at pixabay.com

#amwriting #writerslife #writingprocess #creativewriting #writingcommunity #booksky
Photo of three stacked suitcases. The suitcases are old fashioned and one has a variety of travel-related stickers displayed along its sides. The text box overlaid on the photo reads: Benefits of a Dump List. What do we do with sentences we don’t need now but might want to use in the future?
August 1, 2025 at 12:17 AM
storiesmelissalee.bsky.social
Just had a conversation about newsletter sign-up ideas, so loved seeing this article in the feed.
July 26, 2025 at 2:51 AM
storiesmelissalee.bsky.social
Always wonderful to encounter a quote from a favorite writer out in the wild.

Thanks @fig_ojai.

#readingcommunity #readerscommunity #readers #poetrylovers #poetry #poetrycommunity
#booksky #readersofbluesky #poetryonbluesky
Quote reads: “That it will never come again is what makes life so sweet.” –Emily Dickinson. Beneath the quote placard are three potted succulents.
July 24, 2025 at 11:35 PM
storiesmelissalee.bsky.social
Delighted by this random happiness of reading decal. It was on a window overlooking the tarmac at the Guadalajara International Airport. 📚💚

#readingcommunity #readerscommunity #readers #readerlife #readmorebooks #readersofbluesky #booksky
La alegría de leer, or happiness of reading, decal on a window overlooking the Guadalajara International Airport tarmac.
July 15, 2025 at 5:22 PM
storiesmelissalee.bsky.social
Are the events and characters in our manuscript evolving realistically? Ms. Melissa shares some thoughts on using timelines to help with continuity:
www.storiesbymelissalee.com/post/timelin....

#amwriting #writerslife #writingprocess #creativewriting #writingcommunity #booksky
Photo of a monthly calendar, an old-fashioned alarm clock, and several push pins scattered around. The text box overlaid on the photo reads: Timelines and Continuity. How do we ensure the events and characters in our manuscript evolve realistically?
July 10, 2025 at 9:03 PM