Valerie E. Vancollie
@vevancollie.bsky.social
Scientist. Writer. Belgian.
She/Her/Hers
Writing blog: vevancollie.wordpress.com
She/Her/Hers
Writing blog: vevancollie.wordpress.com
In case anyone was interested in *what* I worked on to hit 200k words in November.
#writesky #writingcommunity
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/12/05/t...
#writesky #writingcommunity
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/12/05/t...
This Year’s November Damage
So, you already know when I hit my November word goal, what my target word was, and how I did against my local writing group, but I figured people might want to know what was achieved. I’ve a…
vevancollie.wordpress.com
December 5, 2025 at 5:20 PM
In case anyone was interested in *what* I worked on to hit 200k words in November.
#writesky #writingcommunity
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/12/05/t...
#writesky #writingcommunity
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/12/05/t...
Ugh, I'm regretting ever wishing to be part of the subset of users #Instagram uses to test stuff on.
It seemed cool when it was extra photos.
It's awful now that it's a severe limitation of hashtags numbers.
I'm seriously debating not posting until I can use the normal number again.
It seemed cool when it was extra photos.
It's awful now that it's a severe limitation of hashtags numbers.
I'm seriously debating not posting until I can use the normal number again.
November 30, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Ugh, I'm regretting ever wishing to be part of the subset of users #Instagram uses to test stuff on.
It seemed cool when it was extra photos.
It's awful now that it's a severe limitation of hashtags numbers.
I'm seriously debating not posting until I can use the normal number again.
It seemed cool when it was extra photos.
It's awful now that it's a severe limitation of hashtags numbers.
I'm seriously debating not posting until I can use the normal number again.
Just reached my crazy high word target for November: 200,000 words!
Winning word was 'magic' - and, no, I didn't engineer that.
#writesky #writingcommunity
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/29/m...
Winning word was 'magic' - and, no, I didn't engineer that.
#writesky #writingcommunity
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/29/m...
Magical Win!
Earlier today, at the morning write-in, I hit my word goal for the month. That’s 200,000 words written since the first of November! I knew I was likely to win during the write-in, so I was ke…
vevancollie.wordpress.com
November 29, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Just reached my crazy high word target for November: 200,000 words!
Winning word was 'magic' - and, no, I didn't engineer that.
#writesky #writingcommunity
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/29/m...
Winning word was 'magic' - and, no, I didn't engineer that.
#writesky #writingcommunity
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/29/m...
For anyone doing the November writing challenge, good luck!
Take full advantage to it ending on a weekend this year.
#writesky #writingcommunity
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/28/r...
Take full advantage to it ending on a weekend this year.
#writesky #writingcommunity
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/28/r...
Race to the Finish
Every time I’ve done NaNoWriMo in the past, I noticed the marked differences in how the weeks of November could feel. It’s something that has continued on now, with our new way of doing…
vevancollie.wordpress.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:50 PM
For anyone doing the November writing challenge, good luck!
Take full advantage to it ending on a weekend this year.
#writesky #writingcommunity
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/28/r...
Take full advantage to it ending on a weekend this year.
#writesky #writingcommunity
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/28/r...
“If a story is in you, it has to come out.”
– William Faulkner
#writesky #writingcommunity
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/24/h...
– William Faulkner
#writesky #writingcommunity
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/24/h...
Has to Come Out
From when I was very young, I’ve been scribbling down all kinds of stories. Especially when I really should have been doing other things. This is why William Faulkner’s quote rang so tr…
vevancollie.wordpress.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:02 PM
“If a story is in you, it has to come out.”
– William Faulkner
#writesky #writingcommunity
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/24/h...
– William Faulkner
#writesky #writingcommunity
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/24/h...
Excerpt of "Pica Coloratura" (the standalone prequel to "Ásgarðrian Galdr"):
Not for the first time, Loki wondered how he always found himself in situations such as these. Most, he had long since decided, were entirely Thor's fault, but clearly not all.
#teaser #loki #writesky #fanfiction
Not for the first time, Loki wondered how he always found himself in situations such as these. Most, he had long since decided, were entirely Thor's fault, but clearly not all.
#teaser #loki #writesky #fanfiction
November 23, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Excerpt of "Pica Coloratura" (the standalone prequel to "Ásgarðrian Galdr"):
Not for the first time, Loki wondered how he always found himself in situations such as these. Most, he had long since decided, were entirely Thor's fault, but clearly not all.
#teaser #loki #writesky #fanfiction
Not for the first time, Loki wondered how he always found himself in situations such as these. Most, he had long since decided, were entirely Thor's fault, but clearly not all.
#teaser #loki #writesky #fanfiction
Apparently, my police do not have a patrol car 🚔 but a patrol cat 🐈⬛.
I'm not certain whether to fix this typo or not.
#writesky #writingcommunity #fanfiction
Image by Zyad Madkour
I'm not certain whether to fix this typo or not.
#writesky #writingcommunity #fanfiction
Image by Zyad Madkour
November 19, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Apparently, my police do not have a patrol car 🚔 but a patrol cat 🐈⬛.
I'm not certain whether to fix this typo or not.
#writesky #writingcommunity #fanfiction
Image by Zyad Madkour
I'm not certain whether to fix this typo or not.
#writesky #writingcommunity #fanfiction
Image by Zyad Madkour
One thing I love about posting a long fan fiction in chapters is seeing all the possibilities I didn't even consider until a reviewer brings them up.
I'm so focused on where the story is heading that I'm just blind to them.
#writesky #writingcommunity
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/17/a...
I'm so focused on where the story is heading that I'm just blind to them.
#writesky #writingcommunity
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/17/a...
Alternative Perspectives
A discussion in my writing group’s online chat the other day reminded me of a topic that I don’t think I’ve discussed much here, but which was is rather important if you’re …
vevancollie.wordpress.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:40 PM
One thing I love about posting a long fan fiction in chapters is seeing all the possibilities I didn't even consider until a reviewer brings them up.
I'm so focused on where the story is heading that I'm just blind to them.
#writesky #writingcommunity
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/17/a...
I'm so focused on where the story is heading that I'm just blind to them.
#writesky #writingcommunity
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/17/a...
Wow, and just when the presumption of parental involvement is being repealed to ensure child welfare is placed first, this happens.
It's like they never learn! How many more children need to be hurt or killed by a violent parent before they're put first?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
It's like they never learn! How many more children need to be hurt or killed by a violent parent before they're put first?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Domestic abuse victims who flee with children overseas to be criminalised under new law
Change to crime and policing bill backed by fathers’ rights groups seeking support in cross-border abduction cases
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Wow, and just when the presumption of parental involvement is being repealed to ensure child welfare is placed first, this happens.
It's like they never learn! How many more children need to be hurt or killed by a violent parent before they're put first?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
It's like they never learn! How many more children need to be hurt or killed by a violent parent before they're put first?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Writing quickly is great for a lot of things, but word choice isn't always one of them.
I tend to repeat words shortly after their first use, even when far better options are available.
Anyone else do that, #writingcommunity?
#writesky
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/15/w...
I tend to repeat words shortly after their first use, even when far better options are available.
Anyone else do that, #writingcommunity?
#writesky
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/15/w...
Word Repetition
Does anyone else find that, when they’re writing quickly, you end up repeating words? Not as in literally duplicating them, but using the same one in quick succession. For instance, yesterday…
vevancollie.wordpress.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Writing quickly is great for a lot of things, but word choice isn't always one of them.
I tend to repeat words shortly after their first use, even when far better options are available.
Anyone else do that, #writingcommunity?
#writesky
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/15/w...
I tend to repeat words shortly after their first use, even when far better options are available.
Anyone else do that, #writingcommunity?
#writesky
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/15/w...
“The idea of mandating volunteering as a condition for those seeking indefinite leave to remain fundamentally undermines the idea of volunteering.”
Yes, yes, and yes!
Personally, I think this whole idea borders dangerously on forced labour.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Yes, yes, and yes!
Personally, I think this whole idea borders dangerously on forced labour.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
UK charities condemn ‘immoral’ plans to force migrants to volunteer
Making volunteering compulsory for asylum-seekers slammed as exploitative, bureaucratic and un-British
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:53 PM
“The idea of mandating volunteering as a condition for those seeking indefinite leave to remain fundamentally undermines the idea of volunteering.”
Yes, yes, and yes!
Personally, I think this whole idea borders dangerously on forced labour.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Yes, yes, and yes!
Personally, I think this whole idea borders dangerously on forced labour.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
“Your intuition knows what to write, so get out of the way.”
– Ray Bradbury
#writingcommunity #writesky
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/11/g...
– Ray Bradbury
#writingcommunity #writesky
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/11/g...
Get Out of the Way
At the end of my post about celebrating in my mind, I spoke of a word war once more. It’s not something I talk about much here, but they really are amazing and extremely helpful during a writ…
vevancollie.wordpress.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:32 PM
“Your intuition knows what to write, so get out of the way.”
– Ray Bradbury
#writingcommunity #writesky
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/11/g...
– Ray Bradbury
#writingcommunity #writesky
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/11/g...
This November, I'm definitely racking up quite the interesting browser history for my writing!
So many things that need checking...
So, #writingcommunity, what's the strangest or funniest thing you've ever had to look up?
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/09/b...
#writesky
So many things that need checking...
So, #writingcommunity, what's the strangest or funniest thing you've ever had to look up?
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/09/b...
#writesky
Browser History…
The other day, while looking something up online for one of my stories, I had to think about the running joke of a writer’s interesting browsing history. Of how we end up looking up so many w…
vevancollie.wordpress.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:51 PM
This November, I'm definitely racking up quite the interesting browser history for my writing!
So many things that need checking...
So, #writingcommunity, what's the strangest or funniest thing you've ever had to look up?
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/09/b...
#writesky
So many things that need checking...
So, #writingcommunity, what's the strangest or funniest thing you've ever had to look up?
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/09/b...
#writesky
Hurrah, I just crossed the 50k line for my November writing!
One fan fic story done, and a totally new original story started. The plot bunnies are hard at work, the muse is inspired, and my fingers racing along.
#writesky #writingcommunity
One fan fic story done, and a totally new original story started. The plot bunnies are hard at work, the muse is inspired, and my fingers racing along.
#writesky #writingcommunity
November 7, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Hurrah, I just crossed the 50k line for my November writing!
One fan fic story done, and a totally new original story started. The plot bunnies are hard at work, the muse is inspired, and my fingers racing along.
#writesky #writingcommunity
One fan fic story done, and a totally new original story started. The plot bunnies are hard at work, the muse is inspired, and my fingers racing along.
#writesky #writingcommunity
What happens when you're in the middle of a writing challenge and you get sick?
You make your characters sick and have them suffer with you, of course!
Ugh.
#writingcommunity #writesky
You make your characters sick and have them suffer with you, of course!
Ugh.
#writingcommunity #writesky
November 4, 2025 at 10:42 PM
What happens when you're in the middle of a writing challenge and you get sick?
You make your characters sick and have them suffer with you, of course!
Ugh.
#writingcommunity #writesky
You make your characters sick and have them suffer with you, of course!
Ugh.
#writingcommunity #writesky
The biggest downside to working on a few different pieces during a writing challenge is that, occasionally, you need to stop and re-read what's in one story before being able to continue it.
#writingcommunity #writesky
#writingcommunity #writesky
November 3, 2025 at 8:47 PM
The biggest downside to working on a few different pieces during a writing challenge is that, occasionally, you need to stop and re-read what's in one story before being able to continue it.
#writingcommunity #writesky
#writingcommunity #writesky
“There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never quite know where they’ll take you.”
– Beatrix Potter
#writingcommunity #writesky
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/y...
– Beatrix Potter
#writingcommunity #writesky
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/y...
You Never Quite Know
With yesterday being the start of the writing challenge month, the quote by Beatrix Potter seemed quite apt. Even those who have their entire story plotted out ahead of time can be caught off-guard…
vevancollie.wordpress.com
November 2, 2025 at 4:52 PM
“There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never quite know where they’ll take you.”
– Beatrix Potter
#writingcommunity #writesky
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/y...
– Beatrix Potter
#writingcommunity #writesky
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/y...
It seems my muse is properly fired up for the November writing madness! Last night it started sparking off new ideas and expanding upon existing ones.
The writing begins soon!
#writingcommunity #writesky
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/10/31/l...
The writing begins soon!
#writingcommunity #writesky
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/10/31/l...
Liminal Spaces
Last night, as I was about to drift off to sleep, my mind latched onto something. For once, it wasn’t instant inspiration. No, instead it was a stray thought about my post here yesterday. Of …
vevancollie.wordpress.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:17 PM
It seems my muse is properly fired up for the November writing madness! Last night it started sparking off new ideas and expanding upon existing ones.
The writing begins soon!
#writingcommunity #writesky
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/10/31/l...
The writing begins soon!
#writingcommunity #writesky
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/10/31/l...
This close to a writing challenge month, I actually find it hard to *not* write all of my ideas down *now*!
The prep work has gotten my muse into hyperdrive!
#writingcommunity #writesky
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/10/30/r...
The prep work has gotten my muse into hyperdrive!
#writingcommunity #writesky
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/10/30/r...
Resisting Writing
This close to the start of the writing month challenge, when a lot of the prep work has been done, I always end up struggling with one issue. Not to write too much before the first! I love the iron…
vevancollie.wordpress.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:55 PM
This close to a writing challenge month, I actually find it hard to *not* write all of my ideas down *now*!
The prep work has gotten my muse into hyperdrive!
#writingcommunity #writesky
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/10/30/r...
The prep work has gotten my muse into hyperdrive!
#writingcommunity #writesky
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/10/30/r...
I've decided on my goal for this November: 200k words!
A lot, I know, but I've got quite a few different pieces I want to work on, so this should keep me going each day.
Anyone else setting themselves a goal #writingcommunity?
#writesky
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/10/29/g...
A lot, I know, but I've got quite a few different pieces I want to work on, so this should keep me going each day.
Anyone else setting themselves a goal #writingcommunity?
#writesky
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/10/29/g...
Goal Setting
Part of why NaNoWriMo worked so well for me when it existed is because of the goal it helped me set for the month. Whether I did a traditional NaNo or a multiple thereof. This is part of why I swit…
vevancollie.wordpress.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:42 PM
I've decided on my goal for this November: 200k words!
A lot, I know, but I've got quite a few different pieces I want to work on, so this should keep me going each day.
Anyone else setting themselves a goal #writingcommunity?
#writesky
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/10/29/g...
A lot, I know, but I've got quite a few different pieces I want to work on, so this should keep me going each day.
Anyone else setting themselves a goal #writingcommunity?
#writesky
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/10/29/g...
Anyone else so conditioned to November being a writing month that you're gearing up to do so even without the Home Office?
My local group is a go!
#writingcommunity #writesky
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/10/25/h...
My local group is a go!
#writingcommunity #writesky
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/10/25/h...
How Time Flies
It’s a bit scary how quickly we’re approaching both Halloween and November. Where does time go? Today, at the write-in, those of us who showed up were all talking about next month’…
vevancollie.wordpress.com
October 25, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Anyone else so conditioned to November being a writing month that you're gearing up to do so even without the Home Office?
My local group is a go!
#writingcommunity #writesky
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/10/25/h...
My local group is a go!
#writingcommunity #writesky
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/10/25/h...
Interesting article on swearing and the differences between languages and cultures.
Words and how we use them says so much about us. It's fascinating!
#writesky #writingcommunity
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Words and how we use them says so much about us. It's fascinating!
#writesky #writingcommunity
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Italian blasphemy and German ingenuity: how swear words differ around the world
Once dismissed as a sign of low intelligence, researchers now argue the ‘power’ of taboo words has been overlooked
www.theguardian.com
October 19, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Interesting article on swearing and the differences between languages and cultures.
Words and how we use them says so much about us. It's fascinating!
#writesky #writingcommunity
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Words and how we use them says so much about us. It's fascinating!
#writesky #writingcommunity
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Someone asked me just how many works in progress (stories/fics) I have...
Does anyone else have A LOT of them?
#writesky #writingcommunity
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/10/14/a...
Does anyone else have A LOT of them?
#writesky #writingcommunity
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/10/14/a...
A Numb3rs Game
In the comments of my post yesterday, I was asked how many stories I was cooking. Which I took to mean as works in progress, which may or may not have been what was intended. I honestly couldn̵…
vevancollie.wordpress.com
October 14, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Someone asked me just how many works in progress (stories/fics) I have...
Does anyone else have A LOT of them?
#writesky #writingcommunity
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/10/14/a...
Does anyone else have A LOT of them?
#writesky #writingcommunity
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/10/14/a...
It's October, autumn is well and truly here, and I need to start thinking about what I'll focus on for my big writing project in November.
My local group will still gather despite it now being without any bigger organization.
#writesky #writingcommunity
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/10/13/u...
My local group will still gather despite it now being without any bigger organization.
#writesky #writingcommunity
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/10/13/u...
Upcoming… Something
Due to the weather we had this summer, things are even more autumnal here in the UK than normal this year. The trees, in particular, are gorgeous and remind me of when I lived in New England. It…
vevancollie.wordpress.com
October 13, 2025 at 5:48 PM
It's October, autumn is well and truly here, and I need to start thinking about what I'll focus on for my big writing project in November.
My local group will still gather despite it now being without any bigger organization.
#writesky #writingcommunity
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/10/13/u...
My local group will still gather despite it now being without any bigger organization.
#writesky #writingcommunity
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/10/13/u...
“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”
– Louis L’Amour
#writesky #writingcommunity #grimm
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/10/08/g...
– Louis L’Amour
#writesky #writingcommunity #grimm
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/10/08/g...
Grimm Beginnings
While I’ve had Louis L’Amour’s quote on my list to use for a while now, it really felt relevant the other day. It explains, exactly, why I ended up writing fics for a new fandom. I trie…
vevancollie.wordpress.com
October 8, 2025 at 5:47 PM
“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”
– Louis L’Amour
#writesky #writingcommunity #grimm
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/10/08/g...
– Louis L’Amour
#writesky #writingcommunity #grimm
vevancollie.wordpress.com/2025/10/08/g...