Rauni Reivonen - swords and mages and gays, oh my!
@takatalvi.bsky.social
Writer of queer fantasy romance with all the angst, no fade to black 😈
🏳️⚧️ 🏳️🌈 they/them. Autistic & other ND/MH stuff. Translator (Zh,Fi,Sv,Fr>En), library minion. Metalhead, trail runner.
https://linktr.ee/raunireivonen
🏳️⚧️ 🏳️🌈 they/them. Autistic & other ND/MH stuff. Translator (Zh,Fi,Sv,Fr>En), library minion. Metalhead, trail runner.
https://linktr.ee/raunireivonen
Pinned
In Thy Name - Rauni Reivonen - WattpadWpReadWpRead
An mxm dark fantasy romance. Two men separated by magic and caste--can they cross the line? (And save the world while they're at it?) The slowest of slow burns...
www.wattpad.com
Links to things! 🧵
1) IN THY NAME - m/m dark fantasy romance - read for free on Wattpad!
Two men from opposite ends of a brutal caste system powered by dark magic - to be together, they will have to change the world.
#amwriting #LGBTQ 🏳️🌈
www.wattpad.com/story/371417...
1) IN THY NAME - m/m dark fantasy romance - read for free on Wattpad!
Two men from opposite ends of a brutal caste system powered by dark magic - to be together, they will have to change the world.
#amwriting #LGBTQ 🏳️🌈
www.wattpad.com/story/371417...
So.. Kiran is the asshole? Snapping at and pushing away the person who cares about him & is trying to help.
It fits with his issues, but must be so wearing on Anders..
#amwriting #DarkDreams
It fits with his issues, but must be so wearing on Anders..
#amwriting #DarkDreams
I guess I can explain it as he noticed, but Kiran brushed it off saying he’s fine, and if Anders pushed, he snapped at him.. so eventually Anders stopped pushing and then stopped asking altogether 😕
#amwriting #DarkDreams
#amwriting #DarkDreams
December 25, 2025 at 10:46 PM
So.. Kiran is the asshole? Snapping at and pushing away the person who cares about him & is trying to help.
It fits with his issues, but must be so wearing on Anders..
#amwriting #DarkDreams
It fits with his issues, but must be so wearing on Anders..
#amwriting #DarkDreams
I don’t want Anders to be an asshole- you would think in 10 years together* he would have noticed Kiran’s flashbacks, hallucinations and nightmares, and been concerned..
#amwriting #DarkDreams #queerbooksky
#amwriting #DarkDreams #queerbooksky
December 22, 2025 at 6:03 AM
I don’t want Anders to be an asshole- you would think in 10 years together* he would have noticed Kiran’s flashbacks, hallucinations and nightmares, and been concerned..
#amwriting #DarkDreams #queerbooksky
#amwriting #DarkDreams #queerbooksky
Umm.. whether they will have a future. None of them really sees a way forward at this point. Anders is sure he's done for sooner or later. Kiran has bad mh issues, each day a struggle. Ari/Astra are not sure what they're doing here- tho Astra knows it involves revenge.
#QueerWritersChat #DarkDreams
#QueerWritersChat #DarkDreams
#QueerWritersChat
Question Four:
Ghost of Christmas Future
What worries your characters about the future?
Last question at :25!
@theodoresnapdragon.bsky.social #QueerWriters #writesky #writers
Question Four:
Ghost of Christmas Future
What worries your characters about the future?
Last question at :25!
@theodoresnapdragon.bsky.social #QueerWriters #writesky #writers
December 20, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Umm.. whether they will have a future. None of them really sees a way forward at this point. Anders is sure he's done for sooner or later. Kiran has bad mh issues, each day a struggle. Ari/Astra are not sure what they're doing here- tho Astra knows it involves revenge.
#QueerWritersChat #DarkDreams
#QueerWritersChat #DarkDreams
Let's see. I'll answer for Anders, since he's the protagonist/POV character. How to be happy, how to live his own life, when being himself is dangerous, and he's trapped in a political game that he wants no part of.
Huh. I'm starting to see a possible way out for him.
#QueerWritersChat #DarkDreams
Huh. I'm starting to see a possible way out for him.
#QueerWritersChat #DarkDreams
#QueerWritersChat
Question Three:
Ghost of Christmas Present
What's your characters' current conundrum?
Next question at :20!
@theodoresnapdragon.bsky.social #QueerWriters #writesky #writers
Question Three:
Ghost of Christmas Present
What's your characters' current conundrum?
Next question at :20!
@theodoresnapdragon.bsky.social #QueerWriters #writesky #writers
December 20, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Let's see. I'll answer for Anders, since he's the protagonist/POV character. How to be happy, how to live his own life, when being himself is dangerous, and he's trapped in a political game that he wants no part of.
Huh. I'm starting to see a possible way out for him.
#QueerWritersChat #DarkDreams
Huh. I'm starting to see a possible way out for him.
#QueerWritersChat #DarkDreams
Oh man. I can't say for Kiran. I'm never telling anyone what happened to him. For Ari/Astra, it's when they were executed 👿 and for Hans, it's what happened the night before that. For Anders, I'm not sure. His past is still fairly vague to me, & he's pretty passive.
#QueerWritersChat #DarkDreams
#QueerWritersChat #DarkDreams
#QueerWritersChat
Question Two:
Ghost of Christmas Past
What past event haunts your character?
Next question at :15!
@theodoresnapdragon.bsky.social #QueerWriters #writesky #writers
Question Two:
Ghost of Christmas Past
What past event haunts your character?
Next question at :15!
@theodoresnapdragon.bsky.social #QueerWriters #writesky #writers
December 20, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Oh man. I can't say for Kiran. I'm never telling anyone what happened to him. For Ari/Astra, it's when they were executed 👿 and for Hans, it's what happened the night before that. For Anders, I'm not sure. His past is still fairly vague to me, & he's pretty passive.
#QueerWritersChat #DarkDreams
#QueerWritersChat #DarkDreams
Hi, I'm Rauni (they/them). Very slowly working on the 2nd rewrite of my gay Little Mermaid retelling, #DarkDreams. Altho today I actually rewrote the first scene for the THIRD time, sigh. I think I've got it now tho. And learned my lesson about checking things BEFORE I write.
#QueerWritersChat
#QueerWritersChat
Welcome to #QueerWritersChat!
To start things off, introduce yourself and tell us what you're working on! No links, please!
Next question at :10!
@theodoresnapdragon.bsky.social #QueerWriters #writesky #writers
To start things off, introduce yourself and tell us what you're working on! No links, please!
Next question at :10!
@theodoresnapdragon.bsky.social #QueerWriters #writesky #writers
December 20, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Hi, I'm Rauni (they/them). Very slowly working on the 2nd rewrite of my gay Little Mermaid retelling, #DarkDreams. Altho today I actually rewrote the first scene for the THIRD time, sigh. I think I've got it now tho. And learned my lesson about checking things BEFORE I write.
#QueerWritersChat
#QueerWritersChat
Starting to wonder whether writing Kiran is too much for me. His world is extremely dark. Thank goodness I don’t have to write from his POV. But thinking about his experiences so I can write him properly from Anders’s POV is very hard. I don’t know if I can do it 😣
#amwriting #DarkDreams
#amwriting #DarkDreams
December 19, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Starting to wonder whether writing Kiran is too much for me. His world is extremely dark. Thank goodness I don’t have to write from his POV. But thinking about his experiences so I can write him properly from Anders’s POV is very hard. I don’t know if I can do it 😣
#amwriting #DarkDreams
#amwriting #DarkDreams
Rewriting is so frustrating. I want to think about my story while walking, driving etc., but I need to dictate & edit before I can figure out what happens next. My writing is so character-driven, I can’t predict what will happen. So I just have to think ab vibes.
#amwriting #amediting #amfrustrated
#amwriting #amediting #amfrustrated
December 18, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Rewriting is so frustrating. I want to think about my story while walking, driving etc., but I need to dictate & edit before I can figure out what happens next. My writing is so character-driven, I can’t predict what will happen. So I just have to think ab vibes.
#amwriting #amediting #amfrustrated
#amwriting #amediting #amfrustrated
No, Kiran, we are not adding "Beneath the Dark Waters" by Horizon Ignited to the #DarkDreams soundtrack. It's a good song (tho I have to avoid thinking about the lyrics) but that is NOT the direction the story is taking, ok?
#amwriting #writesky #queerbooksky
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fpr3...
#amwriting #writesky #queerbooksky
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fpr3...
HORIZON IGNITED - Beneath The Dark Waters (Official Music Video)
YouTube video by Reaper Entertainment
www.youtube.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:58 PM
No, Kiran, we are not adding "Beneath the Dark Waters" by Horizon Ignited to the #DarkDreams soundtrack. It's a good song (tho I have to avoid thinking about the lyrics) but that is NOT the direction the story is taking, ok?
#amwriting #writesky #queerbooksky
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fpr3...
#amwriting #writesky #queerbooksky
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fpr3...
I decided to play “are they or aren’t they” in #DarkDreams 😁😈 I had a lot of fun with that in #ITN.
I may have given too much away on here tho.. Oh well. If you know, don’t tell anyone 😁🤫
#amwriting #amwritingromance #writesky #queerbooksky
I may have given too much away on here tho.. Oh well. If you know, don’t tell anyone 😁🤫
#amwriting #amwritingromance #writesky #queerbooksky
December 17, 2025 at 10:27 PM
I decided to play “are they or aren’t they” in #DarkDreams 😁😈 I had a lot of fun with that in #ITN.
I may have given too much away on here tho.. Oh well. If you know, don’t tell anyone 😁🤫
#amwriting #amwritingromance #writesky #queerbooksky
I may have given too much away on here tho.. Oh well. If you know, don’t tell anyone 😁🤫
#amwriting #amwritingromance #writesky #queerbooksky
I figured out what it was when I started hearing the song again and realized the harsh vocals were saying “towards the morning sun”
It’s “The Dead End“ by Dark the Suns 😁🤘
#melodicdeathdoom
youtu.be/wOXX1EKwCVA?...
It’s “The Dead End“ by Dark the Suns 😁🤘
#melodicdeathdoom
youtu.be/wOXX1EKwCVA?...
December 17, 2025 at 10:21 PM
I figured out what it was when I started hearing the song again and realized the harsh vocals were saying “towards the morning sun”
It’s “The Dead End“ by Dark the Suns 😁🤘
#melodicdeathdoom
youtu.be/wOXX1EKwCVA?...
It’s “The Dead End“ by Dark the Suns 😁🤘
#melodicdeathdoom
youtu.be/wOXX1EKwCVA?...
I have a song stuck in my head but don't know what it is 😄 It's the pretty part of a melodic death metal song, with keyboard and female vocals... Maybe Dark the Suns? Time to listen to a bunch of random #melodeath songs and playlists and try to find out 😄
December 17, 2025 at 1:31 PM
I have a song stuck in my head but don't know what it is 😄 It's the pretty part of a melodic death metal song, with keyboard and female vocals... Maybe Dark the Suns? Time to listen to a bunch of random #melodeath songs and playlists and try to find out 😄
Bloodred Hourglass was made for my book. I added almost every song from the album How's The Heart? to the #DarkDreams soundtrack (too much? 😅)
Most of them are about Kiran, and not in a happy way. I'm starting to worry about the ending again.. 😣
#amwriting #queerbooksky
youtu.be/HgXQ2E_Rz8I?...
Most of them are about Kiran, and not in a happy way. I'm starting to worry about the ending again.. 😣
#amwriting #queerbooksky
youtu.be/HgXQ2E_Rz8I?...
Fragile
YouTube video by Bloodred Hourglass - Topic
youtu.be
December 17, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Bloodred Hourglass was made for my book. I added almost every song from the album How's The Heart? to the #DarkDreams soundtrack (too much? 😅)
Most of them are about Kiran, and not in a happy way. I'm starting to worry about the ending again.. 😣
#amwriting #queerbooksky
youtu.be/HgXQ2E_Rz8I?...
Most of them are about Kiran, and not in a happy way. I'm starting to worry about the ending again.. 😣
#amwriting #queerbooksky
youtu.be/HgXQ2E_Rz8I?...
At what point does the need for coffee override the trouble of making coffee... hm... 🤔
December 16, 2025 at 9:55 PM
At what point does the need for coffee override the trouble of making coffee... hm... 🤔
I wish I could like this song over again every time I hear it. It’s my favorite combination of heavy and angsty 🤘🖤
#melodicdeathmetal
youtu.be/C04-LmJuDRg?...
#melodicdeathmetal
youtu.be/C04-LmJuDRg?...
Aching Wings
YouTube video by Horizon Ignited - Topic
youtu.be
December 16, 2025 at 5:00 AM
I wish I could like this song over again every time I hear it. It’s my favorite combination of heavy and angsty 🤘🖤
#melodicdeathmetal
youtu.be/C04-LmJuDRg?...
#melodicdeathmetal
youtu.be/C04-LmJuDRg?...
This song has #DarkDreams written all over it (Bloodred Hourglass- In Lieu of Flowers)
youtu.be/tkj9IV-Foyw?...
#amwriting #writesky #queerbooksky #melodicdeathmetal
youtu.be/tkj9IV-Foyw?...
#amwriting #writesky #queerbooksky #melodicdeathmetal
Bloodred Hourglass - In Lieu of Flowers (Official Music Video)
YouTube video by Out Of Line Music
youtu.be
December 16, 2025 at 2:52 AM
This song has #DarkDreams written all over it (Bloodred Hourglass- In Lieu of Flowers)
youtu.be/tkj9IV-Foyw?...
#amwriting #writesky #queerbooksky #melodicdeathmetal
youtu.be/tkj9IV-Foyw?...
#amwriting #writesky #queerbooksky #melodicdeathmetal
I haven't posted anything new in a while, but hey, I mentioned #ITN, so here's where you can read it for free! www.wattpad.com/story/371417...
m/m dark fantasy romance. Sareb is too bitter for ❤️, & Kuya puts his family first, but they do have to work together to save the world..
#QueerWritersChat
m/m dark fantasy romance. Sareb is too bitter for ❤️, & Kuya puts his family first, but they do have to work together to save the world..
#QueerWritersChat
December 13, 2025 at 2:35 AM
I haven't posted anything new in a while, but hey, I mentioned #ITN, so here's where you can read it for free! www.wattpad.com/story/371417...
m/m dark fantasy romance. Sareb is too bitter for ❤️, & Kuya puts his family first, but they do have to work together to save the world..
#QueerWritersChat
m/m dark fantasy romance. Sareb is too bitter for ❤️, & Kuya puts his family first, but they do have to work together to save the world..
#QueerWritersChat
Ooh! 😈
Answering for Anders, from #DarkDreams:
Kiran, his very troubled but utterly devoted valet, even though he doesn't realize it till about halfway through the book. (I'm worried ppl will hate how dense Anders is about that, heh)
#QueerWritersChat
Answering for Anders, from #DarkDreams:
Kiran, his very troubled but utterly devoted valet, even though he doesn't realize it till about halfway through the book. (I'm worried ppl will hate how dense Anders is about that, heh)
#QueerWritersChat
#QueerWritersChat
Question Three: Who does your main character feel the closest and most intimate with?
Next question at :20!
@amaralynn.bsky.social #QueerWriters #writesky #writers
Question Three: Who does your main character feel the closest and most intimate with?
Next question at :20!
@amaralynn.bsky.social #QueerWriters #writesky #writers
December 13, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Ooh! 😈
Answering for Anders, from #DarkDreams:
Kiran, his very troubled but utterly devoted valet, even though he doesn't realize it till about halfway through the book. (I'm worried ppl will hate how dense Anders is about that, heh)
#QueerWritersChat
Answering for Anders, from #DarkDreams:
Kiran, his very troubled but utterly devoted valet, even though he doesn't realize it till about halfway through the book. (I'm worried ppl will hate how dense Anders is about that, heh)
#QueerWritersChat
Def physical (there are always a lot of FEELINGS in my spicy scenes) & prob romantic as well - I'm trying to decide whether it's as much as physical, or less.
But I sometimes throw in other kinds - ex. in #ITN there's a very close brother/sister relationship w/ some tender moments.
#QueerWritersChat
But I sometimes throw in other kinds - ex. in #ITN there's a very close brother/sister relationship w/ some tender moments.
#QueerWritersChat
#QueerWritersChat
Question Four: What kind of intimacy do you write the must about (physical, romantic, platonic, etc)?
Last question at :25!
@amaralynn.bsky.social #QueerWriters #writesky #writers
Question Four: What kind of intimacy do you write the must about (physical, romantic, platonic, etc)?
Last question at :25!
@amaralynn.bsky.social #QueerWriters #writesky #writers
December 13, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Def physical (there are always a lot of FEELINGS in my spicy scenes) & prob romantic as well - I'm trying to decide whether it's as much as physical, or less.
But I sometimes throw in other kinds - ex. in #ITN there's a very close brother/sister relationship w/ some tender moments.
#QueerWritersChat
But I sometimes throw in other kinds - ex. in #ITN there's a very close brother/sister relationship w/ some tender moments.
#QueerWritersChat
Gaaah I don't think I can answer this in 1 post, might be a whole 🧵
Warning: trauma & mental health issues
Anders: Intimacy = terror, the penalty for getting caught being gay is harsh
Kiran: Intimacy = stress, flashbacks, dissociating, freaking out, running away
(1/3)
#QueerWritersChat #DarkDreams
Warning: trauma & mental health issues
Anders: Intimacy = terror, the penalty for getting caught being gay is harsh
Kiran: Intimacy = stress, flashbacks, dissociating, freaking out, running away
(1/3)
#QueerWritersChat #DarkDreams
#QueerWritersChat
Question Two: What does intimacy mean to your characters?
Next question at :15!
@amaralynn.bsky.social #QueerWriters #writesky #writers
Question Two: What does intimacy mean to your characters?
Next question at :15!
@amaralynn.bsky.social #QueerWriters #writesky #writers
December 13, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Gaaah I don't think I can answer this in 1 post, might be a whole 🧵
Warning: trauma & mental health issues
Anders: Intimacy = terror, the penalty for getting caught being gay is harsh
Kiran: Intimacy = stress, flashbacks, dissociating, freaking out, running away
(1/3)
#QueerWritersChat #DarkDreams
Warning: trauma & mental health issues
Anders: Intimacy = terror, the penalty for getting caught being gay is harsh
Kiran: Intimacy = stress, flashbacks, dissociating, freaking out, running away
(1/3)
#QueerWritersChat #DarkDreams
Hi, I'm Rauni (they/them). I write queer fantasy romance, usually rather dark. My current project, #DarkDreams, a gay Little Mermaid retelling, took a turn for the darker in November, so it might be the darkest thing I've ever written. Now on my 2nd rewrite- wish me luck!
#QueerWritersChat
#QueerWritersChat
Welcome to #QueerWritersChat! Sorry for the delay this week, life has been a bit rough.
To start things off, introduce yourself and tell us what you're working on! No links, please!
Next question at :10!
@amaralynn.bsky.social #QueerWriters #writesky #writers #writingq
To start things off, introduce yourself and tell us what you're working on! No links, please!
Next question at :10!
@amaralynn.bsky.social #QueerWriters #writesky #writers #writingq
December 13, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Hi, I'm Rauni (they/them). I write queer fantasy romance, usually rather dark. My current project, #DarkDreams, a gay Little Mermaid retelling, took a turn for the darker in November, so it might be the darkest thing I've ever written. Now on my 2nd rewrite- wish me luck!
#QueerWritersChat
#QueerWritersChat
Maybe I'll actually check my notifications today....
December 13, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Maybe I'll actually check my notifications today....
I should just stick to enemies to lovers. Apparently all other romance tropes annoy or bore me.
I think all the romance books I’ve enjoyed (or finished) were enemies to lovers.
The deeper & more violent the enmity, & the longer they hate each other, the better 😈
Recs? 😁
#amreading #amreadingromance
I think all the romance books I’ve enjoyed (or finished) were enemies to lovers.
The deeper & more violent the enmity, & the longer they hate each other, the better 😈
Recs? 😁
#amreading #amreadingromance
Should I keep reading a book even if I kind of hate it? (It could get better)
Tho what I really hate is the trope. “I’m in love with my best friend but he couldn’t possibly love me back so I’m going to avoid letting on until oops oh we do both like each other” 😖
#amreading #amreadingromance
Tho what I really hate is the trope. “I’m in love with my best friend but he couldn’t possibly love me back so I’m going to avoid letting on until oops oh we do both like each other” 😖
#amreading #amreadingromance
December 12, 2025 at 3:59 AM
I should just stick to enemies to lovers. Apparently all other romance tropes annoy or bore me.
I think all the romance books I’ve enjoyed (or finished) were enemies to lovers.
The deeper & more violent the enmity, & the longer they hate each other, the better 😈
Recs? 😁
#amreading #amreadingromance
I think all the romance books I’ve enjoyed (or finished) were enemies to lovers.
The deeper & more violent the enmity, & the longer they hate each other, the better 😈
Recs? 😁
#amreading #amreadingromance
Well folks, after spending much of November rewriting #DarkDreams.. I’m going to rewrite the whole thing over again 🙃🤪😖😫
#amwriting #writesky #queerbooksky
#amwriting #writesky #queerbooksky
December 12, 2025 at 3:25 AM
Well folks, after spending much of November rewriting #DarkDreams.. I’m going to rewrite the whole thing over again 🙃🤪😖😫
#amwriting #writesky #queerbooksky
#amwriting #writesky #queerbooksky
Should I keep reading a book even if I kind of hate it? (It could get better)
Tho what I really hate is the trope. “I’m in love with my best friend but he couldn’t possibly love me back so I’m going to avoid letting on until oops oh we do both like each other” 😖
#amreading #amreadingromance
Tho what I really hate is the trope. “I’m in love with my best friend but he couldn’t possibly love me back so I’m going to avoid letting on until oops oh we do both like each other” 😖
#amreading #amreadingromance
December 6, 2025 at 4:28 AM
Should I keep reading a book even if I kind of hate it? (It could get better)
Tho what I really hate is the trope. “I’m in love with my best friend but he couldn’t possibly love me back so I’m going to avoid letting on until oops oh we do both like each other” 😖
#amreading #amreadingromance
Tho what I really hate is the trope. “I’m in love with my best friend but he couldn’t possibly love me back so I’m going to avoid letting on until oops oh we do both like each other” 😖
#amreading #amreadingromance