Dayan Skipper-Martinez
@dskippermartinez.bsky.social
Cuban-American living in Asturias. Writing queer fantasy and sci-fi. Silly bear and serious seeker. Husband and son. Animist, queer, and strange.
Likely one of my mom's romance novels, though she preferred whodunnits. But the first novel with a memorable (now) plot was this gay fantasy romance I read that even included a sex scene... and was in my high school's library! Can't find it again now. Totally forgot the title! 😅 #SumLuv
📚 Ellie Rhymer! Spaceships and Scoundrels 📚@ellieyellu.bsky.social · 20h agoDo you remember the first romance novel you read? Where did you get it from? 🧡 #SumLuv 🧡
From today's edits. First time these two idiots actually talk and check each other out after a string of friction and tension... And it's Chapter 15. #AmWriting #QueerSciFi #ScienceFiction #Romance #SFR #Booksky #WritingCommunity #QueerAuthors #SacredBand
Faren and Evander are a very slow burn. The first few chapters are somewhat hostile (but not enemies) forced proximity that then cools into strategic proximity and slooooowly becomes mutual understanding and care. I couldn't just erase Faren's grief for the sake of romance. #SumLuv is earned, bro.
📚 Ellie Rhymer! Spaceships and Scoundrels 📚@ellieyellu.bsky.social · 2d agoMeet cutes don't have to be "cute"! They are a plot device 🧡 But! Let's talk about how they DO feel about each other early on! Is it fairytale love? Is it *lust* at first sight? Hate at first sight? All?? Snips here are welcome (always welcome if you want to answer anything with a snip) 🧡 #SumLuv
Does this qualify as a meet cute? Doesn't feel like it... Context: Faren (the POV) just lost his husband and love of his life and Command has sent a replacement because superior military tech needs two mind-melded pilots and there's a war brewing. They don't get cute until Chapter 20. #SumLuv
📚 Ellie Rhymer! Spaceships and Scoundrels 📚@ellieyellu.bsky.social · 3d ago"In which somebody runs into somebody else, and then something falls, and they begin to talk, and their eyes meet and they realize they are attracted to one another" —Rodger Ebert Do you have a classic one? Or one that passes 😆 Did you avoid altogether? Snips welcome! #SumLuv
My boys are Faren, who just lost his "Vessel dyad" and husband during a routine recon mission, and Evander, a young cadet who has been assigned to replace Faren's husband as the next "Vessel dyad" -- not a great start, but a healing journey about allowing love after loss. #SumLuv
📚 Ellie Rhymer! Spaceships and Scoundrels 📚@ellieyellu.bsky.social · 4d agoWho are you writing about? What makes a romantic story about them interesting? Note there will not be a character art or face cast prompt, so feel free to do that here if you'd like! Don't forget alt text for images if you post them. #SumLuv
I'm writing a queer science fiction romance that takes the culture of the Sacred Band of Thebes from around 339-338 BCE... but in space and with neurally-entangled mechas. And what happens when your "other half" dies and the state asks you to replace them, or we lose the war. #SumLuv babbyyyyyy.
📚 Ellie Rhymer! Spaceships and Scoundrels 📚@ellieyellu.bsky.social · 5d agoWelcome to 🧡 Summer of Love 🧡 a daily prompt game for everyone writing in the romance genre! What's up? What are you working on? How long have you been writing? Tell us everything! Well, tell us enough 😅 I'm excited to chat with you this month. Don't forget to tag #SumLuv
Leave it to Hank Green to do the sequel to Carl Sagan's great speech. #Inspiration #Space #EarthLove #WeAreOneBeing
This Planet is...Up to Something
YouTube video by Hank Green
youtu.be
Given companionship when alone, taught me to respect the inner lives of others, showed me viscerally that there's hope in the world, awakened parts of my soul that may have otherwise laid dormant, and inspired me to seek solutions to life's problems. Sappy but true! Thanks #SummerOfStories
Kayleigh Diaz @kayleighdiaz.com · 6d ago31 | #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
That's easy: He tried on Theron’s most wicked grin and said to Fionn: “Ready to help a heretic bring down the Inquisition?” --- From one of my first manuscripts, still WIP --- This is how I chose to end the first book (in a series), Illusion's Bane. #SummerOfStories
Kayleigh Diaz @kayleighdiaz.com · 7d ago30 | Share your favorite line/scene you've ever written. What do you love about it? #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingPrompt
Creatives have always dreamed the possibilities of the future, critiques of the present, and reflections of the past. AI is the fever dream code of technofuedal minds and worldviews. We need diverse HUMAN creatives to reflect, critique, AND imagine the way forward. #SummerOfStories
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
Oh wow, so many! Immediately after watching LotRs: a huge sprawling fantasy epic of magic and dragons and war. Needs better characters. My current WIP is a trilogy that might enable a billions year long epic. Imagine a universe so crowded, even "empty" space is inhabited! #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'm bad, so bad... Online brain rot and tv. Some blessed days: video games (mostly Crusader Kings 3, Dragon Age and other RPGs). It's all research? #SummerOfStories
Kayleigh Diaz @kayleighdiaz.com · 2w ago25 | 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
The only advice I'd give my younger writer self would be to write more and to write fearlessly. But, honestly, I think my younger self did pretty alright. No real regrets. All lessons learned. #SummerOfStories
Kayleigh Diaz @kayleighdiaz.com · 2w ago24 | 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
USED TO break all the advice given and always do a "first pass" of the previous chapter written before writing new stuff. Not doing that right noooooow, so I guess there will be some heavy-duty editing in my future. I do give it a breather. #SummerOfStories
Kayleigh Diaz @kayleighdiaz.com · 2w ago23 | 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 do as much world building and planning as I need to feel confident I've got a story to tell. Usually begins with world-building a cool idea, then I try to find a strong character or cast. I usually write chronologically, yes. I prefer writing at home on my Chrombook. #SummerOfStories
Kayleigh Diaz @kayleighdiaz.com · 2w ago22 | 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
Been struggling to write this week. Worried I'm not cut out to write commercially. Can't focus on just writing my best work now and worrying about the business side later. Like the "the Fates" sing in Hadestown: Doubt comes innnnnn... #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #QueerWriter #SelfDoubt
Continue writing, but maybe fix the sequence I landed last week. Reconciliation and bonding needs more time on the page. #QueerWriters Monday Promp
AmaraJLynn 🦹 drafting Fire & Feathers@amaralynn.bsky.social · 2w ago#queerwriters Monday: Goals Day! What do you hope to accomplish this week? Can be anything, big or small! Let us know so we can cheer you on! #WritingCommunity #lgbtqwriters
Honestly yes! I've found the best community here so far. And it's not just about sharing my work. It's about seeing everyone else in the middle of theirs and the struggles (and joys!) we share along the way. #SummerOfStories
Kayleigh Diaz @kayleighdiaz.com · 2w ago20 | Do you find having community important in the creative process? Where have you found it? Online, IRL? #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingPrompt
Can't query yet (visa restrictions for living in Spain) but I do plan to... Which makes me wanna run away. The whole process seems too damn scary. I'll probably try both trad and self publishing. Play the field. #SummerOfStories
Kayleigh Diaz @kayleighdiaz.com · 3w ago19 | 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
I've always been drawn to fantasy for malleability but am in a strong sci-fi bend now. Probably because I want to speak about specific current thingssssss. Somehow writing romance, which was always a subplot before, but is very key to the current WIP. Feels nice. #SummerOfStories
Kayleigh Diaz @kayleighdiaz.com · 3w ago18 | 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
Hubby and I, taking a break from #Celsius232 at a cute lil bar at the corner. Kitchen isn't open till 8, so we're having a cookie and ice cream.
Didn't use much before (a few images here and there) but I've recently gotten into making small, but very tightly curated mood boards... And wondering: to what degree are the images I am able to find online influencing what I end up writing?
Lizzie Blackwood@lizzieblackwood.bsky.social · 3w agoIt's Friday and I have a fresh haircut - let's dive back into #PretendPanel! Pulling back the curtain, what visual aids (if any) do you use when planning your story? Do you try to pin down specifics, or just cultivate the vibe?
First time writing romance as the main plot. I've tried to keep the scifi intrinsic to the MCs evolving feelings... And the decaying military situation of Thebes (Thessa here) from 339-338 BC... But in space 1000 years in the future. #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #Queer #SciFi #GayLoveWins
Faren is bitter about military service before losing Jaye, one of the few folks who could make the choice I need him to at the end. Evander is exactly the right kind of emotionally mature babe Faren needs. Perfect soul mate replacement material. #SummerOfStories
Kayleigh Diaz @kayleighdiaz.com · 3w ago17 | 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
Today I have a doctor's appointment to figure out why my foot is swollen. Honestly, I'm worried and cast think of anything else. TOMORROW I'm going to #Avilés for #Celsius232 and I hope to restock my bookshelf, meet some authors, and have some goddamn #FUN.
Thursday Me Waiting For Friday
ALT: Thursday Me Waiting For Friday
static.klipy.com
Thank you for this... Hadn't even thought about it before... Lemme see: a bit of assigned romance from Docile maybe and a bit of War Child for the intense feelings and military setting in space..? A dash of Song of Achilles because it's Greek? Just stuff that I've read, dunno. #SummerOfStories
Kayleigh Diaz @kayleighdiaz.com · 3w ago16 | 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
