For Paco, Who Fights Without Knowing What For 

Exploring rural forests

- Bring a flashlight. Bring an extra battery. Bring another battery. Bring your headphones. Do not bring a camera.

- Set out after rain. It cleans the air.

- If a tree falls in your peripheral, it's a warning. Be careful, you only get one.

- If a tree falls right in front of you, something is out to kill you, and something wants to protect you.

- Those hooves you hear? Don't go looking, it's not a deer.

- You might get the urge to take your shoes off. Allow yourself to give in, if you are feeling reckless. However, no matter how familiar the ground seems, don't let it touch your ankles. Make sure you remember your name. Not all trees are born from seeds.

- The man with the dog does have eyes. He just shares them.

- If you come across a field with cows, check the height of the grass. Does it grow above your knees? Make haste. Do not dwell on the question what the cows have eaten instead.

- You might hear your own steps echoed in the bushes. Looking will not help you. There is nothing there to see.

- It's not thunder, it's moaning. You are lucky their pain is keeping them occupied.

- If you visit the abandoned house, don't close the door behind you.

- You can rest on a fallen trunk, but do not eat. You can lay your bag on a picknick bench, but remain standing.

- The carved signs are not meant for you.

- Horses do not step in puddles for they fear they will break a leg. Horses do not step in puddles for they fear they will be dragged under.

- The shadow is not that big, it's just closer than you think.

- The rolling fields look wonderful. Don't stay for the sunset.

I write historical fantasy, with a cast containing gay, bi and nonbinary characters.

Smash heteronormativity and cisnormativity in fiction blog masterlist!

Sci-fi

@albatris Sci-fi short fiction with a variety of lgbtqai+ characters, equal part humor and serious themes.

@kioskwrites Science Fiction and Fantasy without straight characters at all.

@perringcentral both Science Fiction and Fantasy with LGBT characters.

@knightedwriter Sci-fi (Contact), Fantasy (The Moon’s song) and WIP (Death’s name) featuring queer characters as leads (including a non binary and a trans characters) and lgbt+ relationship.

@morrigans-ink-0124 Sci-fi book (Aerium) that features two pansexual, polyamorous characters, a genderfluid, aroace and a bisexual characters.

Fantasy and Paranormal

@justaprettylittlesoulwriter Vampires, werewolves and paranormal WIP in general with racially diverse lgbtqai+ characters.

@ziggy-writes-stuff Alchemy steamfantasy WIP with an almost all lgbtqai+ cast, with racially anc culturally diverse characters.

@elliot-orion Fantasy and Urban fantasy with lgbt and polyamorous characters.

@authorisada stories with ace (Council of Thieves) as well as other lgbt (Curse of the Crimson Throne: Courtesan) main characters.

@cog-writes High fantasy steampunk (MotU) with bi and ace protagonists, as a cast of lgbt+, POC and disabled characters.

@jmlascar Fantasy (Letters from the Underside) with an ace woman and a bi man as main characters, as well as with a lgbt+ diverse cast and romance.

@elle-ecrit-lamour LGBT Urban Fantasy and High Fantasy involving Angels and Demons.

@dancingdarklingwrites Fantasy that features primarily LGBTQ+ characters, polyamorous relationships and non-vanilla romances. Also own voices works as a non binary, genderfluid person.

@ejsmagazine Fantasy and Sci-fi full of LGBT+ characters, also on Wattpad and Fictionpress.

@nanaschreibt German writer of a book about a genderfluid magician.

Horror

@merlebaes-writing-resources Fantasy(The Demon apprentice), sci-fi, and horror writer (short stories), both of short stories and novel wips. A diverse LGBT+ and non-white cast is present in their work.

Action and Thriller

@lynnafred Superhero action story with a predominantly LGBT cast.

@panticwritten Supernatural thriller, but also variations of Fantasy and Fluffy, with a recurring agender, bisexual, greysexual and poly protagonist and a demisexual love interest.

General (or non specified by the author)

@writing-under-stars Fiction with Ace and lgbt character.

@pheita Stories and WIPs with mainly queer and heteronormativity defying character.

@scribble-dee-vee Fantasy and YA projects with sexuality, gender and race diverse character, plus resources on her blog.

@theguildedtypewriter a writembrl that focus both on LGBTQ+ and straight characters, trying to “use every color of our awesome fu****g Rainbow” 

@theocaddictscorner Not a single one of their characters is both Cisgender and heterosexual.

@gettingitwrite Various works that all feature LGBTQIA+ characters and a WIP (Rabid) with an ace persone and a lesbian woman as main characters, as well as queer background characters.

@ruejuge Most of their characters are on the LGBTQ+ spectrum, feature a bisexual main character and a mlm romance.

@jade-island-lives Most of their work involves LGBTQIA+ characters and relationships.

@brynprocrastinates Writes almost exclusively LGBT+ characters, including ownvoice nonbinary protagonists and love interests. Part of a collab of nonbinary Writers to create a guide to help binary people in including non binary characters in their stories.

@mossywritings Writer with a lesbian main character.

Correlated (promotion, resources etcetc)

@jessicameats Promotion of LGBT+ Sci-Fi and Fantasy, giveaways and recommendation lists.

This list is gonna be updated!

@ocdevelopmentstuff asked for a moodboard for their soldier Aksel. Hope you like this one! Requests for OC aesthetics are open

My blog is open for requests

The real horror of The Magnus Archives is having to listen to your favorite characters breaking down live on tape and sobbing their eyes out. You can’t reach them. You can’t hug them. You can’t even make them tea. 

Good morning! If I were to request an oc and have a picture/art reference, would that and a short description suffice for a aesthetic request?

Hello, friend! That would be fine. Most useful for me are answers on question such as: ‘what do they enjoy?‘, ‘what are they fighting for?‘, ’what kind of personality do they have? Are they timid, brave?‘A general sense of the story (is it a science-fiction, horror, fantasy?), also helps. If I have any more questions, I’ll simply ask them!

Thanks to @ladyliliana for tagging me! (And sorry for not getting back to you, I want to and I will! I am just a mess). 

Writing tag game

1. If you could go to one of your OC’s bachelor/bachelorette party, which would you choose? (also: who would have the wildest one?)

I would probably want to go to Soufre’s. She’s happy and fun and would make sure everyone had a great time without getting too crazy.  The wildest one would definitely be Copper, simply because he does not know the word ‘moderation’, nor can he handle his drink half as well as he thinks he does. 

2. What’s your favourite time of day to write?

I usually write whenever, in between other tasks. But if I have time, I prefer early afternoon, when I am well-rested and have a long day in front of me. 

3. What’s your favourite relationship in your WIP? (platonic or romantic)

In Elementary, I’d say either Soufre and Zinc or Bismuth and Fer. Soufre and Zinc are the most lovely and healthy couple I’ve ever written and I make it a point to have them stay that way the entire course of the story (their relationship is not the main focus anyway, they just love and support each other in the background). Bismuth and Fer are best friends and the ultimate raincloud-and-sunshine relationship. The will sit by the fire endless hours in the evenings and just talk. All the other Elements have grown used to falling asleep with their voices in the background. 

In Waterwegen, I love Paco and Mikel, who are two rowdy eleven year old boys that will literally follow each other to the end of the world (and steal each other’s ice-cream cones). I also love Josepe and Alba, father and daughter, because there is a lot wrong and complicated between them, but they try their best and they are fascinating to write. 

4. How far are you into your WIP?

About 1/4 for Elementary, and at the start of Waterwegen. I am trying! 

5. If you were stuck in a broken elevator for twelve hours, which OC would you choose to be stuck in there with you? (note: you have to be in there for the twelve hours. no Houdini escape)

Mercury! Clever, funny, passionate, into philosophy and art and with no qualms to talk hours on end. 

6. What’s your favourite colour?

All shades of blue. 

7. Where would one of your OCs propose to the other? (if this question isn’t up your alley, replace “propose to” with “surprise attack hug”)

Since I’ve already talked about their relationship: if Zinc was to propose to Soufre, he would do it in a clearing in the woods that he knows. He has collected wildflowers there before, to give it to her. 

Also, Soufre might surprise him and propose instead! She would do it on a normal evening, by the fire, surrounded by all of their friends. She’d love to see his surprise turn into excitement, and she would want to make him blush. 

(Zinc will definitely cry in either scenario).  

8. Which OC is most like you?

Probably my main character, Tungsten, because he is always conflicted between his fear of new people and the big world, and his longing to explore. He is scared of opening up but he craves his own found family. He is timid, but he still wants to be on stage. He is always fighting himself.  

9. Do you prefer writing with ambient noise, music (if so, with or without lyrics), or in silence?

Depends on my mood. I usually write with either soundtracks in the background (preferably fantasy ones), classical music or one song on repeat. Because I tend to read my work out loud, I also often work in silence. 

10. If you suddenly got the power of teleportation, where in the world would you go first?

I’d love to explore Sumatra and Java, or visit my friend in New Zealand! 

Titania Sleeps by Frank Cadogan Cowper (1928)

I don’t know either of these cities, but let’s help out a fellow writer!

Heyooo!

If anyone here lives in Bangkok or Budapest, I’ve got short stories set in those cities but have never been to either and would love some outside wisdom! I’ve done lots of research, but assume I’m still making mistakes and want to get them shiny and factually correct before I start trying to publish.

I was unable to consult outside resources while the stories were still being handed in for workshop, but as they are both done their trips through academia, I’d love to make sure I’m getting all the details right.

1. Barefoot

Set in Bangkok

Protagonist is from Bangkok

Logline: A plan to steal a bag goes horribly wrong for two young brothers.

5763 words // 21 double spaced pages

POV: 1st person, present tense

Content warning: Violence/death (somewhat graphic), suicidal ideation (mild)

2. Dramatis Personae

Set in Budapest

Protagonist is a Canadian tourist

If you have travelled to Budapest but not lived there, that would still be helpful

Logline: An actress ends up stranded in a foreign country after she’s dumped and pick-pocketed while backpacking with her boyfriend.

6429 words // 25 double spaced pages

POV: 2nd person, present tense

Content warning: violence (mild), sexual assault (non-graphic, mentioned only briefly, happened before the story), strong language

Message me (or DM me on twitter @shaelinbishop if you prefer) if you have intimate knowledge of one of these cities and are willing to help a gal out! Both stories have been heavily revised and critiqued already, so I am not looking for proofreading, line editing, or content editing–only a fact check on setting. I’ll specifically mark places in the documents where I have questions or details I’m unsure of, but am open to corrections on any aspect. This should only require one read through and no longer than an hour (if that) so please don’t feel like you need to spend a lot of time on this or anything.

Also, please let me know if you have anymore questions about content warnings in the stories. I can block out sections for you if you like. 

I would be happy to offer a line edit + critique on a chapter or short story in exchange! 

Thank you guys so much!

Why do you study history