#WritersCoffeeClub 26 Jul. Do you have other works waiting in the wings? I have other ideas waiting to be picked up, but hardly things that could be described as “works” yet. I do have another unrevealed work in progress though, but that’s not really waiting, since I’m actively working on it.

#WritersCoffeeClub 24 Jul: Should a reader be forewarned about any and all erotic content, no matter how small? I’m a rather strict non-believer when it comes to trigger warnings, so I’ll answer no. If you’re old enough to read horror, you’re old enough to think creatively about body parts anyway.

#WritersCoffeeClub 23 Jul: How much erotic content can a work have without being considered erotica? That’s a very relevant question for my #WIP, Elise. It’s intended to be a psychological horror but with some pretty gruesome sex scenes *and* an actual (albeit twisted) romance… 1/2

#WritersCoffeeClub 22 Jul: Are the limits of what is considered 'erotic' more or less universal? Of course not. Consider that erotic basically means “whatever makes your body feel funny” and you’ll quickly see how wildly subjective it is.

#WritersCoffeeClub 21 Jul: Do your works contain erotic elements? How far do you go? Child of the Moon features a short sex scene that was quite central to the plot. It describes the conception of the Child of the Moon itself, so it went pretty far, but the descriptions were not too explicit. 1/3

#WritersCoffeeClub 14 Jul: How do you escape your comfort zone, writing-wise? My current WIP is written in first person, which is definitely a new thing for me. Not too long ago I recall saying third person is part of my style… 1/2

#WritersCoffeeClub 13 Jul: In what ways do you play with the limits of the genre in which you work? In general I don't like being put into any boxes, and the same could be said for my work, so I make no secret of bending the rules of genre. 1/2

#WritersCoffeeClub 8 Jul: What's the last thing you read which motivated you to write? The notes from the meeting with my editor.

#WritersCoffeeClub 7 Jul: How actively do you seek out criticism or critique for a WIP or a finished work? I work with a few editors that critique my work and my wife gives her feedback too, so I’d say that’s somewhat active. 1/2

#WritersCoffeeClub 6 Jul: Do you offer critique to your fellow writers? Why (or why not)? I do, yes. I write reviews on BookRoar.com and I also do beta readings occasionally. 1/2

#WritersCoffeeClub 3 Jul: What's the sign of a good critique? It explains not just how it made the reader feel, but also why they felt that way. This allows the author to understand where the feedback comes from, and whether they would want to change anything based on that or not.

"Was Duncan a mistake? I knew it was an escalation, but a mistake is something you regret, and I still wasn’t sure yet if I ought to regret what I had become." -- Excerpt from Elise, #WIP #Psychological #Horror

Booked myself another research trip. Late October I'll be digging around Edinburgh for my upcoming novel, Elise 👩‍🦰🩸🗡️ 🌑 #WritingCommunity

#WritersCoffeeClub 2 Jul: What are the limits of critique? They should focus on the work rather than the artist.

I write horror in historical Scottish settings. If you like horror mystery, psychological horror, and/or Lovecraftian/cosmic horror, give me a follow! I have two books published, and working on the third. #WritingCommunity #BookSky #Psychological #Horror #Thriller

#WritersCoffeeClub 1 Jul: Recently, how excited have you been to sit down to write? Tough question. I've been excited about the _idea_ of writing, but there's been plenty of distractions, and the actual execution has been hit and miss.

#WritersCoffeeClub C&R: Describe your opening scene. Everyone: What mood does it set? After Mrs. Cleyton subdues a giant Mastiff at the shelter where she volunteers, she dreams her dogs are playing in the fields, joined by the Mastiff. They carry the names of her deceased family members.

#WritersCoffeeClub 26 Jun: Have you ever included subtle (or unsubtle!) homage? Mainly little nods to other books and poets, yeah. For instance, in Child of the Moon, the antagonist had books from H.P. Lovecraft in his attic. 1/2

#WritersCoffeeClub 25 Jun: Share a passage you’ve written containing onomatopoeia. "The heavily rusted axe was raised into the air and came down on the first piece of wood with a mushy chop." Please see my full answer for an excerpt of Child of the Moon: indieauthors.social/@aronsilver/...

Got to say, this is one of the best interviews related to #AI I’ve read this year. It’s with the author of the book on #enshittification. arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026...

How to burst the AI bubble: Strike at its roots

Sci-fi author/tech journalist Cory Doctorow on his new book, The Reverse Centaur's Guide to Life After AI.

arstechnica.com

#WritersCoffeeClub 24 Jun: Must you know the ending before you write the first line? Nah. I do try to determine _some_ ending before I get too far in, but that’s more for a sense of direction than a definite ending.

#WritersCoffeeClub 23 Jun: How effectively do you convey tone in your writing? When I write, I try to erase my personal attitudes towards the work, so on a scale of mood vs. tone, I try to go all-in on mood. How effective am I at this? I’d love to hear a reader’s take on that :)

This one amazing trick will speed up your writing process forever: give your main characters birthdays that are early in the year, so that for most scenes, which take place later in the year, you don’t need to worry about whether they already had their birthday when you want to refer to their age.

#WritersCoffeeClub 22 Jun: Walk us through how you build a story. I start with a disturbing/terrifying act or idea, preferably vivid and dark. Then I wonder why it is disturbing or terrifying, which tells me a large part of how I can use the idea for a story. 1/3

My first signing session in an actual book store yesterday was a lovely success 😊 Thanks to @devriesvanstockum.bsky.social for hosting me ❤️ #WritingCommunity #booksky

#WritersCoffeeClub 21 Jun: What do you listen to while you write? (Music, silence, a crowded café?) Depends on the mood, and where I am. I sometimes write in the train, in which case I just block out the noise of other people around me (no headphones required). 1/2

#WritersCoffeeClub 20 Jun: What of your immediate surroundings enter your work? The seasons, music, dreams? As artists, we are effectively filters: our surroundings go in, creative work comes out. We use intention to shape the process, but the blunt answer is simply: all of it.

#WritersCoffeeClub 19 Jun: What’s your opinion on writing which seeks to imitate a cinematic style? I guess a cinematic style means vivid descriptions of scenary and possibly heavy emphasis on action? Both can work well, of course… 1/2

Elise is a rich girl turned assassin, posing as a prostitute to get to her targets. If you love sex and violence you’ll love her. Her alter-ego may make you pause though… #WritingCommunity #WIP #Psychological #Horror

#WritersCoffeeClub 18 Jun: Talk about a time fiction shocked you. Best I can think of is 1984. It always seemed an abstract question: would I give in under torture? That novel answered it in painfully clear terms: of course I would.