markbrandon.bsky.social - Profile | ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

Strange experience today. I belted out a new SF short story, not my usual style, no darkness, all light. And when I finished I got a bit emotional. Never happened to me before, but I thought I just might have created something beautiful.

submitted 4 hours ago • 0 comments

I’m starting my statins tmrw, so my cholesterol is low for the Apocalypse…

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

I don’t know whose this is but I love it. If I had to have a spirit animal…

submitted 4 days ago • 1 comment

Oh, Friday night’s alright for writing Gotta get a little action in Oh oh oh yeah Na na na na na na na na na #novelwriting #momentum #epicfantasy #embracethedarkness

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

ST DS9 s2e17: “Playing God” The station is overrun with Cardassian voles and the team is debating whether to destroy an invasive proto-universe. Kira: “it’s like stepping on ants, Odo!” Me: don’t you mean Bajoran ants, Major? #startrekdeepspacenine #emotionalsupportshow

submitted 6 days ago • 0 comments

Watching Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (my fave) again from the start. And every replimat order is: - Aldebaran torte - Liseppian pancakes - Ferengi Viennetta

submitted 7 days ago • 1 comment

Unsolicited writing advice, no. #103876: Never worry about whether what you write "matters." It matters because you do. And one day, someone else may read it and understand that they matter, too. This is how we build a world, one connection at a time.

submitted 9 days ago • 9 comments

Unsolicited writing advice, no. #230644: At the heart of plot is tension management: knowing where to introduce it, and also when to relax it before approaching the next moment of tension. 99% of structural problems are resolved by bearing this in mind.

submitted 13 days ago • 3 comments

If you’re a fiction writer “using AI as a tool” then there is one tool in that relationship, and it ain’t the LLM.

submitted 14 days ago • 0 comments

And this morning the Shed is a seashell, whispering tales of great journeys; shipwrecks; adventures on the One Sea; and mermaids in their coral caves, singing the songs of their people...

submitted 15 days ago • 2 comments

Word of the Day is ‘quockerwodger’ (19th century): a puppet individual whose strings are pulled entirely by someone else.

submitted 18 days ago • 223 comments

It's okay to promote your work. The world being a trash fire makes promotion more necessary, not less. You don't have to promote your work, but don't be a dick to those who choose to. It's almost like...a lot of interpersonal problems could be solved by recognising autonomy in others...

submitted 18 days ago • 5 comments

New arrival today… @starsandsabers.bsky.social

submitted 18 days ago • 1 comment

So my Valentine gave me this: (‘bout right really…)

submitted 18 days ago • 0 comments

On Tuesday I wrote 5,330 words of a new story. Today I took 2,340 words out of another. I think I need a lie down.

submitted 19 days ago • 0 comments

The joy of appraisal systems.

submitted 19 days ago • 0 comments

One of those occasional days where I get an idea for a story, start writing at 7am and finish 12 hours and 5,300 words later. Phew! Now for a wee drinkie and some telly!

submitted 21 days ago • 1 comment

Been rewatching Star Trek: The Next Generation. Fave episode types: - mystery - ⁠political/subterfuge - ⁠space battles - ⁠anything with Romulans or Cardassians Least favourite: - schmaltz/romance - ⁠anything with kids - ⁠stranded/down a hole - ⁠monster in space - ⁠most Klingon stuff

submitted 24 days ago • 0 comments

Very impressed with the sexy look and feel of Remains (this is Issue One, figured I’d start at the start). Can’t wait to get stuck in! #horrorfiction #horror

submitted 27 days ago • 0 comments

The unholy alliance of Autocorrect, Predictive Text, and Dyslexia: truly an axolotl of evil.

submitted 28 days ago • 2 comments

Unsolicited writing advice, no. #177: Be realistic in setting your goals. Small, achievable writing goals (eg 300 words a day, rather than 3000: ) are best for keeping you motivated - and remember, even 300 words a day adds up to a first draft within a year...

submitted 30 days ago • 7 comments

Weekend spent writing, delivering part of a Worldbuilding masterclass for @leicwritersclub.bsky.social and watching Star Trek: TNG. Very satisfying!!

submitted 30 days ago • 1 comment

A wonderful birthday present from my partner: a Lego me! And here I am visiting the finished Rivendell! #Lego #LegoRivendell

submitted 40 days ago • 2 comments

Rivendell Saga continues… Fitting the roof is tricky and initially I had a bit of a disaster… but all repairs done, central section coming along nicely 🙂

submitted 45 days ago • 0 comments

After a sell-out debut at GrimFestUK, 'The Séance' returns to haunt the stage for 4 terrifying nights, 22nd to 25th January As part of the play, witness a séance in a 'haunted' venue and meet Klaus the doll! Tickets £15 ⬇️ www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk/the-s-ance.h... Klaus is dying to play... 👻

submitted 45 days ago • 0 comments

Unsolicited writing advice, no #284785: Don't obsess over being original. We're all part of the same river. Originality just means that other people don't know which part of the river you drank from.

submitted 48 days ago • 14 comments

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again but if you swap ‘Smooth Criminal for ‘War Elephant’ you don’t need to change any other lyric in the song. It fits perfectly.

submitted 49 days ago • 2 comments

Lego Rivendell update End section, complete with tiny Arwen. Building this is great stress relief!

submitted 49 days ago • 0 comments

Today I realised that Vader Johan (pictured, on his raft of eels) has been living rent-free in my head since s5e8 of the deliriously wonderful #BigMouth I may have to have a glass of salted eel milk to calm down…

submitted 50 days ago • 1 comment