Crystal Bayless ✍🏻is writing &amp; editing✍🏻

24 July

Here is my list for #QuestPit 1. Pearl's Road #W #A #Cozy #F 2. Paging Dr. Paige #W #A #RF 3. Moonbeam's Rainbow Valley #W #PB #F

The Bardenya was a spirit monster of the deep like a siren that would lure people and prey alike to the watery depths. It lived in the Bardenya Spirit Pond. It is where the word bard in Rutello comes from. They could look beautiful or monstrous. Some say they were... #Preptober

WIPPIT@wippit.bsky.social

I know we are little behind but here are some challenges for #Preptober to help you build and prep the book you will write in November. We will not be running our own November writing challenge, but we will be boosting others that you can join. Wishing everyone a Happy Halloween Month. 🎃👻🍂🍁🧟‍♀️🧹🧙‍♀️⚰️🧛‍♀️

@weeknightwriters.bsky.social

...never actually there, but appeared in the mind like a ghost so it had no figure only appeared to have the figure & made the person hallucinate & drown themselves. Others say they were once humans who drowned & returned as the beings to draw others to the same fate. #Preptober

Crystal Bayless ✍🏻is writing & editing✍🏻 reposted

Weeknight Writers

15h

#FirstDraftFall is for you if you're looking for a writing challenge that: - Comes with robust community support - Will never collaborate with AI companies or support AI "writing" - Lets you choose a goal that works for YOU rather than forcing you to chase an arbitrary word count goal

Weeknight Writers@weeknightwriters.bsky.social

Missing NaNoWriMo? Want a fun writing challenge that will help you get a book written this fall? You're in luck: #FirstDraftFall kicks off today, with October devoted to planning your stories! Check out the full details below

weeknightwriters.com#FirstDraftFall - Weeknight WritersThe Weeknight Writers answer to NaNoWriMo, #FirstDraftFall is a challenge to write a first draft in October - December.

15h

#Nano2 ##FirstDraftFall ##Nanowrimo2026

15h

#Nano2 #FirstDraftFall #Nanowrimo2026

Ok I wanted to point something out before everything blows up too much. Nano2 (nano2.org) and NovelNovember (NovNov) by Prowritingaid are two completely seperate organizations and challenges. Absolutely warn everyone away from the AI bs that is NovNov and PWAI, but please don't mix it with Nano2...

nano2.orgNaNo 2.0

C.H. Schwartz@chschwartz.bsky.social

Stay away from these sell-outs with a 10 foot pole, do #FirstDraftFall by the much better @weeknightwriters.bsky.social

Nano2 is run by the original Nanowrimo creator and some of the old MLs we all loved and a few others. I has neither a connection to AI nor a connection to the old team that ran it into the ground. They are starting from scratch and just updated the new site this year to include author profiles...

And I have heard that meetups/writeins may be coming back. I know they have information up for libraries. So keep an eye out for that. The new Nano2 seems to be on the up and up guys. I have some inside information because my old MLs are part of the team and I trust them. Not AI just nanowrimo again

It will be a bittersweet but happy ending. I mean they all end up happy in the end but it wasn't the ending they had planned for. ##FirstDraftFall ##WeeknightWriters

Weeknight Writers@weeknightwriters.bsky.social

#WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall How will your WIP end? These questions are from our First Draft Fall worksheets! For the full worksheets, join our membership program at ko-fi.com/weeknightw...

Crystal Bayless ✍🏻is writing & editing✍🏻 reposted

GhostPit

@ghostpit.bsky.social

We are just a few days out! Who's ready to get your ghost on?! Here's a reminder of the hashtags and rules: bsky.app/profile/ghos...

GhostPit@ghostpit.bsky.social

It's time to haunt! Here's a reminder of the hashtags and the rules. Have fun and good luck! 👻🎃 bsky.app/profile/ghos...

Day 27: Here's a rough map of Rutello and a more in depth but still rough map of Sorlem. (Alt gives some extra info) #Preptober

WIPPIT@wippit.bsky.social

This week I need to finish getting everything set up like the docs for writing so all I have to do is grab the chapter for that day, write, and then copy to the main doc.

Weeknight Writers@weeknightwriters.bsky.social

Monday #FirstDraftFall Check-In: What aspects of story planning are you going to work on this week? Do you have a specific goal?

The stakes are a world new into a fragile peace still dealing with the aftereffects of a great tragedy that leaves them fearing loss and thus holding their younger generation to a cage of trying not to lose them, but creating a false safety that threatens to drown them and leave their heirs...

Weeknight Writers@weeknightwriters.bsky.social

#WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall What are the stakes of your WIP? What does your character have to gain or lose? These questions are from our First Draft Fall worksheets! For the full worksheets, join our membership program at ko-fi.com/weeknightw...

...miserable and carrying a burden not their own instead of allowing them to bloom to create something better & build true safety. This is personal for Cordelia as she feels trapped in a marriage that would keep her safe but hide her in the shadows when she is a plant wanting to reach for the light.

It is not until a new tragedy befalls them that they truly begin to understand the gilded cage they have trapped their children in and how they need to let them free to spread their wings and fly. Duty vs Devotion. Safety vs Freedom. #FirstDraftFall

Day 26: A holiday in Rutello is the gathering which is a time to remember the movement toward peace and prosperity for everyone in Rutello. It is marked by dances and dinners and festivals. #Preptober

Day 25: A business in Sorlem in Rutello is the local Tea House. It's a little stone house run by the Campbell Family with a large variety of teas and treats. #Preptober

Not a ton, just a little bit. I started my subbing job this week and then ended up sick. #WeeknightWriters

Weeknight Writers@weeknightwriters.bsky.social

Friday #FirstDraftFall Check-In: How much story planning did you accomplish this week? Are there any story planning tasks you're hoping to accomplish over the weekend?

Yes! It's good. #WeeknightWriters

Weeknight Writers@weeknightwriters.bsky.social

#WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall What's the inciting incident in your WIP? These questions are from our First Draft Fall worksheets! For the full worksheets, join our membership program at ko-fi.com/weeknightw...

Finishing up what little research remains and then pitching it during #ghostpit on the 30th. #WeeknightWriters

Weeknight Writers@weeknightwriters.bsky.social

Q5: What steps can you take in the next week to prepare for #FirstDraftFall? #WeeknightWriters

I think I have it mostly figured out, but Im sure I'll come across something. #WeeknightWriters

Weeknight Writers@weeknightwriters.bsky.social

Q4: Are there any story aspects or plot points you're still trying to figure out before #FirstDraftFall? #WeeknightWriters

Never lol. I write stuff down but that is about it. #WeeknightWriters

Weeknight Writers@weeknightwriters.bsky.social

Q3: Are you using a structured outline method for your #FirstDraftFall story? If your pantsing, do you have a general sense of direction of where your story will be going? #WeeknightWriters

It's about a princess who feels stuck in the shadows of those around her like her hero parents & even her betrothed who is a shining star himself & her coming of age, finding herself, her self confidence, becoming who she is meant to be, & being accepted for who she is. #WeeknightWriters

Weeknight Writers@weeknightwriters.bsky.social

Q2: What is your #FirstDraftFall story about? Share a little or as much as you feel like! #WeeknightWriters

Between Lawful and True Plantser. #WeeknightWriters

Weeknight Writers@weeknightwriters.bsky.social

Q1: Since we're talking about plot, we figured it would be fun to see how you plot! Based on this nifty chart, what is your plotting/writing style alignment? #WeeknightWriters

So knew trope is the love triangle but Im trying to do it in a more healthy way. #FirstDraftFall

Weeknight Writers@weeknightwriters.bsky.social

#WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall How are you using or subverting common tropes relating to the genre of your WIP? These questions are from our First Draft Fall worksheets! For the full worksheets, join our membership program at ko-fi.com/weeknightw...

It has both but probably more internal? Im not quite sure yet until I get writing. #FirstDraftFall

Weeknight Writers@weeknightwriters.bsky.social

#WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall Is the focus of this story more external or internal? A bit of both? These questions are from our First Draft Fall worksheets! For the full worksheets, join our membership program at ko-fi.com/weeknightw...

Stew and Bread are a staple in Rutello, but they also eat lots of other stuff including meat, veggie, cheese, and fruit layouts which they call an everything board. #FirstDraftFall

Weeknight Writers@weeknightwriters.bsky.social

#WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall How does food play a role in your WIP? Does your character have any favorite dishes? Comfort food? These questions are from our First Draft Fall worksheets! For the full worksheets, join our membership program at ko-fi.com/weeknightw...

I actually just posted this with pics but Ill do it here too. It's a mix of 1700s and 1800s fashion. #FirstDraftFall

Weeknight Writers@weeknightwriters.bsky.social

#WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall What kind of clothes do your characters wear? Talk about your character's fashion/style! These questions are from our First Draft Fall worksheets! For the full worksheets, join our membership program at ko-fi.com/weeknightw...

Day 24: Dress at this time in Rutello is a mix of 1700s and 1800s fashion. #Preptober

WIPPIT@wippit.bsky.social

Day 23: This is how I imagine night in Rutello. With glowing plants, stars, 2 moons, until Moon Fall when it goes black with the glowing plants and stars. I made this quickly with canva with some exaggerated editing to make it look glowy and adding the moons. #Preptober

WIPPIT@wippit.bsky.social

Day 22: School in Rutello looks both much the same but also different depending on where someone is and status. There is a royalty school to teach Royals but also many are tutored at home. Most students go to the town schools, but parents can also elect to send their... #Preptober

WIPPIT@wippit.bsky.social

...children to private or finishing schools or they can homeschool them. Many mining families teach in small groups in the mining areas or homeschool but some will travel to the town schools. #Preptober

Day 21: Canerie is a game played in the mine areas of Rutello to teach children the dangers of the mines. It is played by one child being the Canerie (canary) and making a call that sends all the miners (children) running to the safe zone. Another child plays the "gas"... #Preptober

WIPPIT@wippit.bsky.social

...and chases the others and tries to tag them. If they're tagged they have to drop where they are at. The Canerie can choose to save 1 each round. At the beginning the Mine Boss (Narrator) chooses a Canerie and a Gas. It's a mix of Freeze Tag and Mafia. #Preptober

Day 20: Carnations which are my favorite flower are the inspiration fkr the Ashter flower a rainbow colored flower in Rutello. #Preptober

WIPPIT@wippit.bsky.social

Day 19: The inspiration for the little stuffed Dabot #Preptober

WIPPIT@wippit.bsky.social

Day 18: "Her blood runs through your veins, passed down to the person when they would be most needed. They chose you. You are the first to weird them since her." #Preptober

WIPPIT@wippit.bsky.social

Day 17: For the first time since he came to be with her their day together was filled with happiness. He bounded up the steps to her seat. "Did you see?" "I did. Your movements were very fluid. I like watching you work." He leaned down giving her time to pull away before his lips met hers.

WIPPIT@wippit.bsky.social

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When they broke apart his smile stretched across his face the brightest she had seen for a while. It made him look younger like the boy she knew growing up. "Thank you for coming. I've missed having you here." A small blush brushed his cheek as his boot scrapped the ground. She felt terrible...

...for pushing him away. "I'm glad I came. I'm sorry I have been absent. I will do better." When he looked up at her Butterflies raced around her stomach. Yes she was glad she came. #Preptober

WIPPIT@wippit.bsky.social

She wasn't expecting her body to so easily melt into him, but the next thing she knew her arms had wrapped around his neck, his pulling her close as their lips danced together. How could she not remember her love for this man. She had his ring on her finger.

Day 16: She watched the little Prairie Larket hop around the gilded cage. It's brown and black stripped wing held in a makeshift sling. No song came from its yellow belly through its long bill. Like her she was sure it felt trapped in a world it did not belong. #Preptober

WIPPIT@wippit.bsky.social

She remembered the little dabot they had played with and promised to throw at their wedding when they were over. That he thought to bring it to her touched her heart in ways she couldn't explain. "Thank you." Her voice quivered with tears she held back. "You're welcome." His arms pulled her in.

WIPPIT@wippit.bsky.social

I got some done. I'm hoping to get a little more done this weekend. I think I'm mainly reaching where I want to be with planning. #FirstDraftFall #WeeknightWriters

Weeknight Writers@weeknightwriters.bsky.social

Friday #FirstDraftFall Check-In: How much story planning did you accomplish this week? Are there any story planning tasks you're hoping to accomplish over the weekend?

Yes magic exists. There are different kinds. Magic has its own story within the series with a history and everything. #FirstDraftFall #WeeknightWriters

Weeknight Writers@weeknightwriters.bsky.social

#WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall Does magic exist in your story's setting? What kind of magic? These questions are from our First Draft Fall worksheets! For the full worksheets, join our membership program at ko-fi.com/weeknightw...