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Mike Struan

@mikestruan.com

Author of Dam Breakers and Alchemical Green Husband of wonderful guy Owner of cheeky corgi Working on my next novel; check out my page on https://books.mikestruan.com Open to DMs and replies! Love to chat!

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Mike Struan@mikestruan.com · 5h ago

#WholesomeWednesday Good news for me: I got that commission slot from @autumnchildart.bsky.social today! I'm so hyped for the art! Also, mandatory corgi looking out to keep all negative vibes away! He's taking his job seriously! #Hopecore #Prompt #GoodVibes #Positivity #Wholesome #BeKind

Welsh corgi looking attentive
Sage T. Greene, Author@sagetgreene.bsky.social · 7h ago

#WholesomeWednesday We're resetting the vibes. Share a wholesome story, some good news, some motivation, and/or a pet photo (please add alt text). #Hopecore #Prompt #GoodVibes #Positivity #Wholesome #BeKind

"When I see my friends growing and becoming the best versions of themselves." Attached is a photo of a baby wearing a hat looking down at the camera and smiling in a way that looks satisfied and proud.
Mike Struan@mikestruan.com · 14h ago

There are two significant rivers in Wardenreach: Bronzerun River, which originates near the Bronzebreak Mountains, and the Courseway, which enters the country in the east and leaves to the west. Both are used for river ship travel and trade, and major cities kling to them. #CartAugust

Map of Wardenreach, showcasing two rivers: one in the north, originating near Bronzebreak, one in the south, crossing the country.
Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd@mcburnellauthor.bsky.social · 17h ago

#CartAugust Still talking about the features of the terrain. Today: water! Where is it, and can we use it to get around! Is it fresh and life-giving or poisonous? If you don't have water, talk to me about navigable ways

#CartAugust: a prompt game for map nerds! by mcburnellauthor.bsky.com Natural features: Day 5, Waterways Rivers, lakes, or oceans. What's the most noteworthy stretch of water here? Is it a navigable way or a death wish?
Mike Struan@mikestruan.com · 14h ago

The chances are very good Kragh, my main #AwesomeCharacters, just ran into something because his mind was wandering as his body was. Happens often enough. There is also the chance something big and/or unlikely has happened, like the ceiling collapsing. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

🌱🫜 Charlie (Chelizabeth) Delta 🦊🪻@charliedeltawrites.bsky.social · 24h ago

Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters You and all your characters are staying together somewhere! You hear a loud crash, then silence. Which one do you immediately suspect, and what do you think just happened? Are you worried or mad? #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

Mike Struan@mikestruan.com · 14h ago

Thunderwolves look much like normal wolves, although the fur is often pitch black. It gets interesting when they become agitated. In the same situations a normal wolf might only growl, a line of cold blue alchemical fire runs down their flank... 🧵 #Writing #WritingPrompts #Critterary

Serra Leta@serraleta.bsky.social · 18h ago

Today we're talking appearance! What exactly does your creature(s) look like? Any variations/regional differences? #Writing #WritingPrompts #Critterary

#Critterary 2: The New Batch (of prompts) - An August writing prompt game. Today's Theme: Appearance. Description time! What does your creature(s) look like? Size, shape, weight, colours, texture, special features... Bottom Tagline: Celebration of all things creatures! Hosted by Serra Leta. Art is a man bent on a knee, examining something with a magnifying glass. Background is a fern-filled jungle.
Mike Struan@mikestruan.com · 14h ago

#AugustWorldbuilders Pretty diverse! I'll pick out one of them. Lecturer Holen Merress teaches the history of alchemy and ethical use. The elderly elf has a turbulent past one shouldn't expect from his subjects, and is associated with conspiracy, war crimes and murder. He's pretty nice, though.

Kira of the Wind (Erika McCorkle)@kiraofthewind.com · 18h ago

Hello, #AugustWorldbuilders! What are the teachers like in your fictional school? Have you written one? What were they like, both as a person and as an educator?

MonthlyWorldbuilders prompts daily feed card #AugustWorldbuilders Hosted by Kira of the Wind Week 1: Education 5. What are the teachers like? Have you written one? The background shows space full of stars and nebulas. The colors are mostly blue and pinkish-purple. A bright star shines off to the side
Mike Struan@mikestruan.com · 14h ago

The One, of course, thrones over all. Which is easy, because there's noone else (aside from the mortals). The Ten had a fluctuating dynamic, but no clear hierarchy. It was a regional / cultural thing, too. The Luravin might hold the God of Instinct higher than others. for example. #MythAugust

🫜Prof Emily🫜@professoremily.bsky.social · 18h ago

#MythAugust 5 Today is about hierarchy! Who ranks highest or lowest among your gods/spirits/whatever? Is there a consensus about this ranking? As usual, interpret the question as loosely as you need to to fit your specific worldbuilding, and feel free to skip if it's not relevant to you! 😊❤️

#MythAugust prompt for Aug 5: Let's talk hierarchy! Which of your deities are more powerful/respected? Are there minor deities who serve the big ones? Background image features a classic painting of Thor wielding his hammer with lightning, about to smote his enemies. Below the hashtag in small text it says "Presented by @professoremily.bsky.social." At the bottom of the image in small text it says "Feel free to yap about a fantasy mythology you already have, or use these prompts to create a new one! Don't forget to interact with others :-)"
Mike Struan@mikestruan.com · 2d ago

In the center south of Wardenreach, there's a huge mountain range called the Sword. It's said to be insurmountable. However, there's one curiosity about that. The alchemical ward stones protecting the border continue through the mountains. How does that fit together? #CartAugust

Map fragment: The Sword
Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd@mcburnellauthor.bsky.social · 2d ago

You shall not pass! Hey #CartAugust crew, time to dive in and really start looking at your maps. Today, we're talking elevation: highs, lows, and if you have neither, barriers to movement. Tell me about the geology, the history, famous explorers who lost their lives there... What do I need to know?

#CartAugust: a prompt game for map nerds by @mcburnellauthor.bsky.com Natural features: Day 4, Barriers. Talk to me about elevation changes in your world. Mountains, canyons, caves. Which is most interesting and why?
Mike Struan@mikestruan.com · 2d ago

The One is, of course, without competition. The Ten are more interesting. They stand for principles, some directly opposing, so you'd think there's lot of conflict. There was, but the factions were changing near constantly. When the Ten were worshipped there were entire magical wars. #Mythaugust

🫜Prof Emily🫜@professoremily.bsky.social · 2d ago

#MythAugust 4 Today, tell me about the different factions among your gods/spirits. Think like the Æsir & Vanir in Norse mythology, or angels & demons in Christianity. What's their relationship? Are they sworn enemies? Sometimes allies? Interpret the question however makes sense for your story!

#MythAugust prompt for Aug 4: Are there different factions among your deities? If so, what is their relationship to each other? Background image features a classic painting of Thor wielding his hammer with lightning, about to smote his enemies. Below the hashtag in small text it says "Presented by @professoremily.bsky.social." At the bottom of the image in small text it says "Feel free to yap about a fantasy mythology you already have, or use these prompts to create a new one! Don't forget to interact with others :-)"
Mike Struan@mikestruan.com · 2d ago

#AugustWorldbuilders At least the alchemists' school is frequented by adults, so naturally... there's classicism. Lots of it. A huge gap between the nobles and rich people, and the ones barely able to afford the education.

Kira of the Wind (Erika McCorkle)@kiraofthewind.com · 2d ago

#AugustWorldbuilders, hey there friends! What is the general vibe like at your world's school? Are the students polite and mature? Are there bullying problems? Do they do a lot of group work or is it more focused on individual study?

MonthlyWorldbuilders prompts daily feed card #AugustWorldbuilders Hosted by Kira of the Wind Week 1: Education 4. What is the school culture like? Is there bullying? Group work? The background shows space full of stars and nebulas. The colors are mostly blue and pinkish-purple. A bright star shines off to the side
Mike Struan@mikestruan.com · 2d ago

Kragh, my main #AwesomeCharacters, would probably downplay his role in anything that ended up good. Valir would read it through and have none of that, demanding he'd rewrite those passages. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

🌱🫜 Charlie (Chelizabeth) Delta 🦊🪻@charliedeltawrites.bsky.social · 2d ago

Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters Your character is writing their memoirs! How honest are they being? Are they playing up their heroism and the drama? Are they leaving anything out? Why? What tone will it have? #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

Mike Struan@mikestruan.com · 2d ago

#CartAugust Oh, this is very much very spoiler territory. The map changes significantly! It even changes between the prequel and the first book, but by the end of the last book, it won't be easily recognizable.

Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd@mcburnellauthor.bsky.social · 3d ago

#G'day #CartAugust crew! Today, we're living dangerously, brushing up close against the demon Spoilers. The question: if you made two maps, a prologue and an epilogue, would they be the same? And if not, how have the events of the story changed this world?

#CartAugust: a prompt game for map nerds by @mcburnell.bsky.com Intro: Day 3, A world in flux. If you were to make two maps, one true to the first chapter of your story, one true to the last, would they be different? In what ways? (how to treat potential spoilers is entirely up to you) ** Don't forget alt text. I know it's hard to know what to inlcude in images that are really info-dense, but do your best.
Mike Struan@mikestruan.com · 2d ago

The guilds have their own ways of teaching, and only some some of them have actual schools. The Scribes' Guild for example, but also the alchemists and the Guild of Peace (for officers). Apprenticeship is more common in the more hands-on guilds like Healing and Bodycraft. #AugustWorldbuilders

Kira of the Wind (Erika McCorkle)@kiraofthewind.com · 3d ago

Good day, #AugustWorldbuilders! Today's Q: does your world have specialized schools for people seeking a specific job or trade? Or anything like a magic or military school?

MonthlyWorldbuilders prompts daily feed card #AugustWorldbuilders Hosted by Kira of the Wind Week 1: Education 3. Are there specialized schools, like magic, military, or for specific professions? The background shows space full of stars and nebulas. The colors are mostly blue and pinkish-purple. A bright star shines off to the side
Mike Struan@mikestruan.com · 2d ago

The term Thunderwolf has actually been coined by one of the main characters when they first encountered the beasties. Their original name is long lost, and only one person is alive who knows it: the one who created the species. #Writing #WritingPrompts #Critterary

Serra Leta@serraleta.bsky.social · 3d ago

Names, names, names... Starting off we're discussing if your creature(s) has any other names (in any language) they might go by in your story, categorization, and if there's any other family tree relations. #Writing #WritingPrompts #Critterary

#Critterary 2: The New Batch (of prompts) - An August writing prompt game. Today's Theme: Species Name/Relation to Other Creatures! Starting up with names! What other names does your creature(s) go by? Do they have an in-depth categorization (Kingdom, Phylum, Class, etc.?) Are they related to other creatures in your story? Bottom Tagline: Celebration of all things creatures! Hosted by Serra Leta. Art is a representation of a family tree, where a stick tree has the end of each branch represented by a cycle. Background is a fern-filled jungle.
Mike Struan@mikestruan.com · 2d ago

#MythAugust The One has a moral codex focused on justice, order and efficiency. And, of course, the hate for anything magical. Witchery is the root of all evil, after all!

🫜Prof Emily🫜@professoremily.bsky.social · 3d ago

#MythAugust 3 What kind of moral code do your fantasy gods or spirits follow, if any? Do they share similar moral values to the people, or is their sense of morality completely alien? Do they even do "morality" at all? As usual, interpret as you wish and don't forget to interact with others! ☺️

#MythAugust prompt for Aug 3: How does your deities' sense of morality align with that of people? I.e. are they moral, immoral, amoral, a mix...? Background image features a classic painting of Thor wielding his hammer with lightning, about to smote his enemies. Below the hashtag in small text it says "Presented by @professoremily.bsky.social." At the bottom of the image in small text it says "Feel free to yap about a fantasy mythology you already have, or use these prompts to create a new one! Don't forget to interact with others :-)"
Mike Struan@mikestruan.com · 4d ago

#CartAugust Everything outside the borders of Wardenreach is a mystery for most of its citizens, but even for the people outside, there are places nobody knows what to expect. The burning desert in the south comes to mind, where trolls are forbidden to go. Or the ocean to the west.

Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd@mcburnellauthor.bsky.social · 4d ago

Hey #CartAugust crew! Still just broad-brushing the basics today. Tell me about the mysterious, unknown, and unexplored. Where in your world is giving cartographers horror vacui? Don't forget to share your map! Check out one another's worlds!

#Cartaugust: a prompt game for map nerds by @mcburnellauthor.bsky.com Intro: Day 2, Terra incognita Does your world stretch beyond the margins of the map? Are parts of your world unexplored? ** Don't forget alt text. I know it's hard to know what to include with images that are really info-dense, but do your best.
Mike Struan@mikestruan.com · 4d ago

Focusing on the alchemy school in today's #AugustWorldbuilders. I'm gonna let you all in on a little secret. Ready? Come closer. They teach trollshit. The entire elemental model? That's just a lie. Because they don't want you to really understand. It works okayish, but that's it.

Kira of the Wind (Erika McCorkle)@kiraofthewind.com · 4d ago

Good morning, #AugustWorldbuilders! In your fictional settings, what subjects are taught in schools? Do they learn the usual history, math, language, science? Anything extra? Anything specifically removed because the powers-that-be don't want kids learning about it?👀

MonthlyWorldbuilders prompts daily feed card #AugustWorldbuilders Hosted by Kira of the Wind Week 1: Education 2. What subjects are the students taught in schools? The background shows space full of stars and nebulas. The colors are mostly blue and pinkish-purple. A bright star shines in the center
Mike Struan@mikestruan.com · 4d ago

#MythAugust The One is suspiciously fuzzy. A seemingly almighty deity working through their priests. The Ten, who came before the One, were much clearer in what they stood for. And, you know, they had heroes and magic.

🫜Prof Emily🫜@professoremily.bsky.social · 4d ago

#MythAugust Day 2 Tell us about the major god(s) or spirit(s) in your fantasy religion! This is meant to be a broad overview - we'll have focused questions for specific gods later! Feel free to interpret the question as loosely as you need to if you aren't working with a traditional pantheon 😁

#MythAugust prompt for Aug 2: Who are the major gods or spirits in your fantasy religion? List as many or as few as you want! Background image features a classic painting of Thor wielding his hammer with lightning, about to smote his enemies. Below the hashtag in small text it says "Presented by @professoremily.bsky.social." At the bottom of the image in small text it says "Feel free to yap about a fantasy mythology you already have, or use these prompts to create a new one! Don't forget to interact with others :-)"
Ame ✨Comms OPEN✨@autumnchildart.bsky.social · 4d ago

✨August commissions are OPEN!✨ Come claim your spot! 🥰 There's a limited amount of slots, and it's first come, first serve. Portfolio, prices and ToS on vgen.co/Autumnchild #CommissionsOpen #VGenComms #art

Ame ✨Comms OPEN✨@autumnchildart.bsky.social · last wk.

✨August commissions!✨ I'm opening up commissions in August. Get your beloved OCs, RP characters or your favorite anime/game character, for yourself or as a gift to someone you love! VGen: vgen.co/Autumnchild #CommissionsOpen #VGenComms #art

Black and white sketch bust of a dark skinned elf woman with white, shoulder length hair. Her eyes are golden. She wears armor with a black dragon on the chest piece
Mike Struan@mikestruan.com · 4d ago

Quite a few, actually. Very early in book 1, Kragh, my main #AwesomeCharacters, says goodbye to Merrick, his foster father. It's a quite heartwarming scene, actually, and Kragh certainly plans on seeing him again. Then, things happen. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

🌱🫜 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

Mike Struan@mikestruan.com · 5d ago

Hey, thanks so much for hosting! I'm gonna go with my thunderwolves from my ongoing series Alchemical Green again, because I just love the sparkly good boys! Feel free to tune out if you already know everything about them. #Writing #WritingPrompts #Critterary

Serra Leta@serraleta.bsky.social · 5d ago

Time say hi, and pick out your creature (or multiple if you so chose!) Every card will introduce a new feature of the chosen one(s) to chat about, & at the end of the month I thought it would be fun to fill in a creature index card :) #Writing #WritingPrompts #Critterary

#Critterary 2: The New Batch (of prompts) - An August writing prompt game. Today's Theme: Welcome Post & Creature Choice(s)! Welcome in, we’re kicking off with an extra day! Tell us about your work and what creature(s) you will be choosing for this month’s prompt! Bottom Tagline: Celebration of all things creatures! Hosted by Serra Leta. Art is of some reptile... thing waving. Background is a fern-filled jungle.
Mike Struan@mikestruan.com · 5d ago

Hey, I'm Mike, and I'll yap a bit about Wardenreach and the surrounding lands. Here's a map from book 1 (I don't have the book 2 map drawn yet), done by the amazingly talented Anna Fruhstorfer. #Cartaugust

Hand-illustrated fantasy map of Wardenreach, titled 'By the Guild of Commerce, year 369 after the unification.' The map shows the realm with the capital Ironwatch on a river, the walled city of Winterstone to the north near the Shifting Swamp. Other labeled settlements include Mistpine, Caemdir, Bronzebreak in the north-eastern mountains, Crossroads, and Greylune. Geographic features include the Wild Lands to the west, the Starlit Plains in the south-west, a large mountain range called The Sword in the center south, and dense forests to the east.
Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd@mcburnellauthor.bsky.social · 5d ago

Hey hey everyone, welcome to our awesome new map game! We're here to celebrate our love for fictional maps all month long! Before we start poring over details, let's start with the basics: tell us who you are and a little bit about your world. And don't forget to share your map! #Cartaugust 🪐 📚️

The background is an image of maps on a rack heavily colored by sepia. #Cartaugust a prompt game for map nerds! by @mcburnellauthor.bsky.com Intro: Da1, Say Hello Introduce us to yourself and your world. Don't be shy, share your map! What's it called? Who created the art? **Don't forget the alt text. I know it's hard to know what to inlcide with images that are really info-dense, but do your best.
Mike Struan@mikestruan.com · 5d ago

That's gonna be very Dam Breakers #AwesomeCharacters centric. 🥉 Merrick from Alchemical Green. Honorable mentions to his cakes. 🥈 Aleron, one main character of Dam Breakers 🥇 Nolana, the druid elder, also from Dam Breakers. She's just the sweetest. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

🌱🫜 Charlie (Chelizabeth) Delta 🦊🪻@charliedeltawrites.bsky.social · 5d ago

Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters Welcome to the Intermittent Character Award Ceremonies!👏 Amongst all your characters, who gets the superlative? Today's award goes to: The Sweetest! Who's your cinnamon roll? Please award them! 🥇 #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

Mike Struan@mikestruan.com · 5d ago

Hey, thank you for hosting! I'm going with my #TTRPG world, since Alchemical Green has very few religions, and they are all spoilers! The main religion of Kernheim is simply called the (world) religion of the One, which makes it the monotheistic successor of a polytheistic one before. #MythAugust

🫜Prof Emily🫜@professoremily.bsky.social · 5d ago

Hello #writingcommunity, welcome to Day 1 of #MythAugust! This is a worldbuilding game about ✨fantasy✨ gods, myths & religions! You can use the prompts to build up your gods, or yap about some you've already made! Today, give us a BRIEF intro (not too detailed!), & please interact with others ☺️❤️

#MythAugust prompt for Aug 1: Introduce your fantasy religion! Is it monotheistic (1 god), polytheistic (many gods), or something else? Background image features a classic painting of Thor wielding his hammer with lightning, about to smote his enemies. Below the hashtag in small text it says "Presented by @professoremily.bsky.social." At the bottom of the image in small text it says "Feel free to yap about a fantasy mythology you already have, or use these prompts to create a new one! Don't forget to interact with others :-)"
Mike Struan@mikestruan.com · 5d ago

Absolutely gorgeous card, Kira! In Wardenreach, every free person can attend schools, provided they a) are allowed by the governing guild and b) can pay for it. Literacy especially is tightly controlled. Not everyone needs to be able to read, that's nonsense! So yes. Restricted. #AugustWorldbuilders

Kira of the Wind (Erika McCorkle)@kiraofthewind.com · 5d ago

Welcome to a new month of worldbuilding! For the first month of #AugustWorldbuilders, we're talking about education in the context of a fictional world. Answer these questions for a fantasy/scifi story. 1. Can anyone attend schools in your setting or is it restricted to certain groups?

MonthlyWorldbuilders prompts daily feed card #AugustWorldbuilders Hosted by Kira of the Wind Week 1: Education 1. Can anyone attend schools in your setting or is it restricted? The background shows space full of stars and nebulas. The colors are mostly blue and pinkish-purple. A bright star shines off to the side