Authors: show me the book covers you made yourself, without AI. I’m revamping a lot of my covers with illustrations by Real Human Faye Carter at the moment, but here are a couple I love too much to change and also a couple I made for friends!

Josie Jaffrey (she/her) 🏳️‍🌈@josiejaffrey.bsky.social · 5d ago

Authors: show me the book covers you made yourself, without AI. Here’s one of mine. It’s not perfect, but when I look at it, it feels like it belongs to me, and I like that.

Authors: show me the book covers you made yourself, without AI. Here’s one of mine. It’s not perfect, but when I look at it, it feels like it belongs to me, and I like that.

oh, I think my whole WIP is about this lol. Everyone seems to leave someone behind

🌱🫜 Charlie (Chelizabeth) Delta 🦊🪻@charliedeltawrites.bsky.social · 4d ago

Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters We talked about reunions the other day, so today let's talk about the opposite: partings! Have your characters left someone significant behind? Do they hope to see them again, or know they never will? #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

people in my family aren’t really readers, so books educated me and taught me a life outside of my own. i hope to introduce a different perspective on life through my own stories Also, thanks to @kayleighdiaz.com for hosting this!!

Kayleigh Diaz 🫜@kayleighdiaz.com · 6d ago

31 | #SummerOfStories has come to an end! Thank you to all who participated! 💜 Final share: What have stories done for you in your life, and/or what would you like your stories to do for others? #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingPrompt

The imperfection of Art will always Touch the soul, which AI Never can achieve. Art Connects people with their feelings (good or bad) and have a Safe Space to go deeper. All what AI can do is copy and paste. It can Never Tell it’s own story, bc it doesnt know what suffering, relief and more means

Kayleigh Diaz 🫜@kayleighdiaz.com · last wk.

29 | In an industry that is increasingly becoming saturated with AI-generated content, how do you feel about the importance of art & human creativity? (If this reads like an essay prompt, yes. Sorry. Teacher. 😅) Also, how do you fight against it? #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompt

full anti ai for many reasons, but art gives us the ability to reflect our own experiences back to others. i think AI destroys our purpose for being human, whatever that is. if everything can be created by a computer, and we just live to consume it, what’s the point if everything is artificial? +

Kayleigh Diaz 🫜@kayleighdiaz.com · last wk.

29 | In an industry that is increasingly becoming saturated with AI-generated content, how do you feel about the importance of art & human creativity? (If this reads like an essay prompt, yes. Sorry. Teacher. 😅) Also, how do you fight against it? #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompt

charisma is the highest and strength is the lowest #AwesomeCharacters

🌱🫜 Charlie (Chelizabeth) Delta 🦊🪻@charliedeltawrites.bsky.social · last wk.

Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters Of the six DnD-style abilities (see below), which one does your character score highest in? Which one is lowest? Strength Dexterity Constitution Wisdom Intelligence Charisma #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

Some of these are on my TBR. #SummerOfStories

Kayleigh Diaz 🫜@kayleighdiaz.com · last wk.

28 | What are your most recent reading recs, what are you currently reading, and/or what's on your TBR? #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingPrompt

I always write it down. It may never go anywhere, but I always write it down. --I have 100+ series/story note files/folders that represent my 'back burner.' --I wrote my epic fantasy series with 54 main characters and dozens of different races as the third story I ever started. 🧵 #SummerOfStories

Kayleigh Diaz 🫜@kayleighdiaz.com · last wk.

27 | What are some ideas for stories you've had that never quite made it onto paper? Any monumentally daunting epics you'd like to tackle one day? Be as specific or vague as you'd like, vibes/crossovers and genre(s)-only welcome! 😊 #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingPrompt

I have a lot of pilot script ideas just hanging out in a doc collecting dust. As far as novel ideas, I’ve shelved a bunch of manuscripts over the years. But I’ve had an idea to do a sci-fi for two decades. Maybe I’ll finally write that one? lol

Kayleigh Diaz 🫜@kayleighdiaz.com · last wk.

27 | What are some ideas for stories you've had that never quite made it onto paper? Any monumentally daunting epics you'd like to tackle one day? Be as specific or vague as you'd like, vibes/crossovers and genre(s)-only welcome! 😊 #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingPrompt

walking. I usually end up working through some issues I’m stuck on

Kayleigh Diaz 🫜@kayleighdiaz.com · 2w ago

25 | When you juuust can't find the inspiration or motivation to write, what other creative endeavors do you turn to? Drawing, painting, knitting, photography, music? Other hobbies? #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingPrompt

#SummerOfStories Not when I first began writing, but for my HS/college self, 2 pieces of advice: - Be willing to let go of ideas that aren't working, even if you've held onto them for a really long time. - Write what you want and don't feel pressure to only write stuff that's "literary"

Kayleigh Diaz 🫜@kayleighdiaz.com · 2w ago

24 | If you could go back in time to when you first began writing, how would you counsel your younger self? What advice or tips would you offer that you think would have made a difference? #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingPrompt

Let people read it. That’s it. Let people take a look at it and don’t be so shy 🙈

Kayleigh Diaz 🫜@kayleighdiaz.com · 2w ago

24 | If you could go back in time to when you first began writing, how would you counsel your younger self? What advice or tips would you offer that you think would have made a difference? #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingPrompt

definitely edit as I go. I write a chapter and when I return to it, I edit it. And then after the first draft, I go back and edit as a whole

Kayleigh Diaz 🫜@kayleighdiaz.com · 2w ago

23 | Describe your editing process. Do you edit as you go? Churn out that first draft and set it aside for a couple weeks/months before reviewing? #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingPrompt

I usually just “pitch myself” a Logline then I come up with everything else. If it doesn’t work at the Logline level, I don’t want to waste my time with coming up with characters and such. So, loglines then beat sheet then character and world building. And a doc just for random dialogue lol.

Kayleigh Diaz 🫜@kayleighdiaz.com · 2w ago

22 | Writing process: do you start with an outline, character background/bio(s), world-building, first lines? Do you tend to write chronologically or jump around as needed? Bonus: what environment do you need/like to write in? #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingPrompt

ive been to only one. for honesty sake, i wont mention it by name but im not sure if it was worth going. i think it could have been a day conference instead of a weekend one. i dont remember getting a lot out of it. im sure theres good ones out there. id prefer a writing retreat.

Kayleigh Diaz 🫜@kayleighdiaz.com · 2w ago

21 | Have you been to any writing conferences, either in person or virtually? If so, have you found them to be helpful? What are some takeaways you can share? #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingPrompt

looking for an in-person writing group has been harder than I thought. a lot of my area has specific genres. but I’m always looking for a writing discord if anyone has suggestions!!

Kayleigh Diaz 🫜@kayleighdiaz.com · 2w ago

20 | Do you find having community important in the creative process? Where have you found it? Online, IRL? #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingPrompt

#SummerOfStories 18 I love fantasy because it opens up so many possibilities! The potential to create an entire world, or more than one, that operates just how you wish it would. I find that worldbuilding rewarding, and the addition of magic allows exploring new things with characters!🧵

Kayleigh Diaz 🫜@kayleighdiaz.com · 3w ago

18 | Fantasy, sci-fi, romance, romantasy, horror, contemp, LitFic… What drew you to the genre(s) you write in? Bonus: are there any overused and/or problematic tropes in your genre(s) that you intentionally try to subvert? #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingPrompt

not yet. I’ve researched agents for years, but never got to the point of submitting anything. hopefully, this next WIP is it

Kayleigh Diaz 🫜@kayleighdiaz.com · 3w ago

19 | Publishing Q! Have you queried any of your work? Thoughts on trad publishing vs. self-publishing? (Y'all will be real chill with this question, riiiight 😅) #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingPrompt

#SummerofStories I've always been a fan of horror and dark fantasy. There's something alluring about looking at the Uncomfortable Thing, or an allegory for it, and breaking it down in a safe way so that it's no longer scary. Horror and dark fantasy do this. Writing it is just as fun as reading it!

Kayleigh Diaz 🫜@kayleighdiaz.com · 3w ago

18 | Fantasy, sci-fi, romance, romantasy, horror, contemp, LitFic… What drew you to the genre(s) you write in? Bonus: are there any overused and/or problematic tropes in your genre(s) that you intentionally try to subvert? #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingPrompt

ive written in all genres, but currently writing in fantasy now. I think I enjoy writing softer love interests similar to 90’s romcom mmcs. That seems to be a bit more subversive these days

Kayleigh Diaz 🫜@kayleighdiaz.com · 3w ago

18 | Fantasy, sci-fi, romance, romantasy, horror, contemp, LitFic… What drew you to the genre(s) you write in? Bonus: are there any overused and/or problematic tropes in your genre(s) that you intentionally try to subvert? #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingPrompt

I think my mc compliments the other characters, so they all share a lot of similarities. she’s just as insecure and manipulative as them. but I think what sets her apart is her “can-do-ness” and stick-to-itiveness. pulling through no matter what, even when her body and mind wants to give up.

Kayleigh Diaz 🫜@kayleighdiaz.com · 3w ago

17 | We all have our favorite characters we write, but what drew you to your MC? What makes them unique compared to your other characters? #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingPrompt

Seasons greetings! Our gift to you is #questpit dates for 2026! We can’t wait to reconvene next year. Happy Holidays!

PSA 🚨 Hyper-specific compliment. It's not X, it's Y. Disarming question. Follows up with offers to beta read and might even give you a recipe if you ask. Know the signs, don't get scammed! (Also fake pfp and first name/last name/numbers account handle)

Beverly Johnson@beverlyjohnson87.bsky.social · 3w ago

That ‘Shut up!’ lands perfectly; she’s not interested in the apology; she’s got something bigger on her mind. Do you usually write dialogue first, or does the setting come first?

without my WIP being completed, it’s hard to say. But for tone, something that feels akin to Portlandia meets Rocky Horror meets The Good Place .

Kayleigh Diaz 🫜@kayleighdiaz.com · 3w ago

16 | Ah, comps… the bane of every #querying writer’s existence 😆 Buuut if you had to compare the plot of your #WIP to a movie/show (game, ancient text, or um…idk, dealer's choice), what would you choose and why? #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingPrompt

Is it a truth universally acknowledged that authors hate comps? 😆 That query-specific thing of having to comp titles that aren't too old and also aren't too big is a killer I do have tips, as someone who successfully queried a title for which there arent a lot of other examples #SummerOfStories 1/

Kayleigh Diaz 🫜@kayleighdiaz.com · 3w ago

16 | Ah, comps… the bane of every #querying writer’s existence 😆 Buuut if you had to compare the plot of your #WIP to a movie/show (game, ancient text, or um…idk, dealer's choice), what would you choose and why? #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingPrompt

My most important tip is: if you are experiencing something that you think is writer's block, evaluate whether or not it is actually burnout. If you feel drained of ideas, or you actively avoid writing, or you feel like anything you did write wouldn't matter? It's likely burnout. +

Kayleigh Diaz 🫜@kayleighdiaz.com · 3w ago

15 | Midpoint(ish)! Yesterday we talked about inspiration, so let's flip it. Best tips for writer’s block? #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingPrompt

I've heard: “Just write! Write a few sentences, write 400 words a day, get out in nature/change the scenery, skip the difficult scene, lower your expectations/allow yourself a garbage zero draft…” Idk, has any of that helped those of you who've struggled with a *lack* of inspiration? 🤔 (1/2)

for writer’s block, I watch author’s interviews. just listening to other writers talk about their experiences helps a lot!! #SummerOfStories

Kayleigh Diaz 🫜@kayleighdiaz.com · 3w ago

15 | Midpoint(ish)! Yesterday we talked about inspiration, so let's flip it. Best tips for writer’s block? #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingPrompt

Much of my inspiration for plotting & characters comes from music. Fewer story ideas than I used to have, but the interior of the novel & changes the characters go through often come from me hearing the right song at the right time #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingPrompt 1/6

Kayleigh Diaz 🫜@kayleighdiaz.com · 3w ago

14 | Where do you find inspiration? Dreams, those random ideas that creep in at 2am, classic lit, other forms of media? #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingPrompt