#ScribesAndMakers 1.28 — What's the most stressful thing about your creativity?

This ties in perfectly with the #WritersCoffeeClub answer that I just wrote, but the answer genuinely is the same thing: patience. Having patience, or rather, *finding* it can be the most stressful thing in the world when it comes to the creative process, but it's integral. You can't rush yourself.

#WritingCommunity

#ScribesAndMakers 1.29 — What's the most rewarding thing about your creativity?

It's seeing and rereading the finished product. Not only that, but let's add in the comments from my readers. Just knowing that your writing can bring others joy and comfort makes the entire process and the chaos of it all so worth it.

#WritingCommunity

#ScribesAndMakers 1.31 — Share something about your creative work this month.

I can definitely do that. This is a bit of a funny scene in the midst of the chaos.

#WingsOfQuietLonging #ParanormalRomance #Romantasy #Fantasy #Vampires #Werewolves #Ghosts #Romance #Victorian #Worldbuilding #AmWriting #WritingCommunity

#ScribesAndMakers 2.1 — What's one creative thing you'd like to get done this month?

More editing for "Wings of Quiet Longing" and to get some new chapters uploaded. I know and understand myself well enough to know that I should never ask for more. Now, if I get more done, that'd be great too, but I won't put any pressure on myself. It never ends well.

#WritingCommunity

#ScribesAndMakers 2.2 — Do you have any annual traditions not tied to holidays?

Let's talk about my story... Vampiric holidays, of course, and ones for the werewolves. Pagan holidays. Things of that sort. My current WIP is a gothic and paranormal romance. It calls for the scarier things when it comes to traditions and holidays.

#WritingCommunity

#ScribesAndMakers 2.3 — What's a creative project you would give someone for their birthday?

I have a small circle of friends from Discord and we're all authors and artists. For birthdays, we might write or create things for each other. We also do a Secret Santa project as well every year! These are friends I've had for a decade or so.

Usually, for the friends I've done things for, my gifts have been stories related to Doctor Who, just because I *know* what makes my friends smile and what they really love. Giving is fun. Creating something to give someone is even more fun. It comes from the heart.

#WritingCommunity

#ScribesAndMakers 2.4 — Our next featured creator is a comic artist. Tell us about a comic strip or web comic you enjoy.

If you asked me about an artist for comics I love, I would have said Rachael Stott. But for comic strips and the like, my heart says Calvin and Hobbes or The Peanuts. Always. Reading the funnies/funny pages in the newspaper gives me an insurmountable joy.

#ScribesAndMakers 2.5 — You now have the same occupation as the main character of your current WIP (or book you are reading/last read) What job are you doing?

I'm an author! How ironic is that?! Also, I'm suddenly amazing at painting. That one's a surprise.

#WritersOfMastodon #WritingCommunity #WingsOfQuietLonging

#ScribesAndMakers 2.6 — Our featured creator makes graphic novels. As a reader, which do you think is more important in a graphic novel, art or words?

Every single part of a graphic novel is important. But here's the thing... It would only be a novel if the art wasn't there or wasn't even worth looking at. Just food for thought.

#WritersOfMastodon #WritingCommunity

#ScribesAndMakers 2.8 — How do you define a book? Do audiobooks and graphic novels fit your definition?

First off, I hate when people say that audiobooks don't count as reading. I roll my eyes so far back that I can see my brain. In my eyes, even comics count as reading as well. Why shouldn't they? It's ALL reading. They all count. They're all a part of the creative writing process and enjoying the work that others have labored over. It's all literature.

#WritingCommunity #WritersOfMastodon

#ScribesAndMakers 2.10 — What is the most out-of-character creative thing you enjoy? That thing that never matches the assumptions about you.

Ooooh, what a fantastic question. My friends and family know me so well, and that makes this one really hard to answer for me. I might have to say (in reference to new friends) that it might be my affinity for #LEGO. I was featured in the magazines as a kid, had a fully built LEGO city (which was all original), even made a few sets that they sold, and still go to conventions and stuff these days. I'm a big ol' nerd.

#ScribesAndMakers 2.11 — Aside from the official birthday song and the ubiquitous Beatles song, is there a song about birthdays you like?

Does 50's In Da Club count? Because, hell yes. I'm a big fan, always have been.

https://youtu.be/5qm8PH4xAss?si=nJomq2aA6ytOU1EE

#50Cent #Music

#ScribesAndMakers 2.13 — How well do you sing? If you don't consider yourself a good singer, do you sing anyway?

I was in choir when I was younger and then even select choir as well. I still sing, but not *nearly* as well. I'm probably yucky now. Also, random fact, my girlfriend is actually a classically (opera) trained singer.

#ScribesAndMakers 2.14 — How are things going for you this month, creatively or otherwise?

I wrote a bit yesterday and today for the first time this month. It was absolutely therapeutic. I also read the other day for the first time this month as well. That was nice. And I've read some more since then, too. I had to say goodbye to my sweet girl earlier in the month, so it's been a tough one. I'm missing my pretty black kitty, Esmeralda. I've also had a lot of medical procedures. All in all, it's been a hard month for me.

#WritingCommunity #WritersOfMastodon

#ScribesAndMakers 2.16 — Do you have a favourite decade of music? Which one(s)?

Of course. 50s-60s music will always have my *entire* heart. It's my favorite time period. Some of my favorite groups: the Drifters, the Platters, Solomon Burke, the Four Seasons, Elvis, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, etc.

#ScribesAndMakers 2.17 — Share a fun memory from a past SAM prompt.

I could never ever choose just one! That's so totally not fair. This entire project has given me so much joy. It's such a fun hashtag to take part in, and I've made some great buddies from it.

#WritingCommunity #WritersOfMastodon

#ScribesAndMakers 2.18 — Our next featured creator has done her own book covers. Have you ever or would you ever do your own cover?

I do! I make all of my own covers. Ironically, mine are also done similarly to hers. But I'll say this a million times, @Firlefanz has the best book covers in the world. And not only that, her *books* are the best as well.

Anyway, here's a few of mine that I'm particularly fond of. I've made so many over the years, but there's a handful that I love dearly.

#WritingCommunity #WritersOfMastodon

#ScribesAndMakers 2.19 — Our featured creator is an avid gamer. Does gaming affect your creativity?

Always. I'm a heavy, heavy gamer, anything sci-fi, fantasy, horror, etc. I also love Animal Crossing. I'm a huge fan of the The Witcher in general, books and games, for example. We have Baldur's Gate 3, The Witcher 3, Diablo 3 or 4, Stardew Valley, Mortal Kombat 11, Skyrim, LotRO, Call of Duty Zombies, and many others.

Gaming only further grows my creativity; it never smothers it. There's nothing better for writers, I swear. A lot of my author friends are also gamers as well.

#WritingCommunity #WritersOfMastodon #Gamer #Gaming #GamingCommunity

#ScribesAndMakers 2.20 — The alpha male is a misconception perpetuated in popular media that our featured creator works against in her wolf books. What's a misconception that bothers you in popular media?

Oooh, I could say so much about this one. *cracks knuckles* Let me gather my thoughts first. I write both spicy and sweet romance. Paranormal romance, romantic fantasy, romantasy, dark romance, etc. The whole shebang. Let's talk about somethings that bother me about the genre, or common misconceptions you'll find. I'll list them.

• Romantasy is only about dark themes... While some romantasy stories may have darker themes, there are also lighter and more lighthearted stories within the genre.
• Romantasy is only about love... *rolls eyes* This is a misconception, as romantasy can explore various aspects of love, including relationships, love triangles, and even love for magical creatures. Basically, understanding these misconceptions can help our readers appreciate the depth and variety of romantasy stories available in the market.
• Romance novels are all the same... This is a common belief that romance novels follow a formulaic structure, but in reality (as we as writers obviously know), they can vary widely in plot and character development.
• Romance is only about love at first sight... Ugh. Romance novels explore a wide range of love stories, including misunderstandings, personal growth, and the complexities of relationships.

#WritingCommunity #WritersOfMastodon

#ScribesAndMakers 2.21 — Talk To Me Day. Featured Creator: @Firlefanz

From one author with "wolf shifters" to another, something along the same vein, I have two questions for new readers to see...

• How does the full moon affect your wolf's behavior, or do you give them control over their transformations?

• What's the most challenging part of living with a wolf identity in your world?

I thought they might be interesting for others to read.

#WritingCommunity #WritersOfMastodon