Nioiclín Hidalgo

Creative Writer📜 | Game Developer 🎮 | Books, films, games 💜 | Tá mé ag foghlaim #Gaeilge 🧚‍♀️ | 🌈 she/her/sí/í

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Ink_Soul_at_writing.exchange@mostr.pub

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Last Notes

2024-08-19 11:49:51

#WritersCoffeeClub 19. What are the top five things you've learned on your writing journey?
1. There's always more to learn and improve, and that's amazing!
2. Discussing ideas with friends can be far more fun working on them alone all the time.
3. I need an outline, biographies, the whole plotter toolkit, to feel immersed in the story.
4. The first draft isn't supposed to be pretty, it's supposed to give me a story from beginning to end.
5. Characters. Without them, the story is nothing.

2024-08-18 16:27:25

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@npub1k24…26zw It was! It was a very twisted world, the way I like it, so I felt at home xD

2024-08-18 12:12:12

#WordWeavers 18. Have you ever been the basis for a character in someone else's story?
I have, actually! My high school friend, who was also a writer, had an urban fantasy story where the characters were his real-life friends. They became warriors empowered with weapons and skills to fight gods, and while I was a terrible warrior and ended up dying, I came back as a god! (An arsehole but powerful god, which is even better!)
A shame he never finished the series, it was fun.

2024-08-10 11:59:55

#WordWeavers 10. Who is the most difficult character to write? Why?
Qinyang from Book 3 was an exciting challenge when I started with her. If I were to compare her to a romantic trope, she put an iceberg in the "ice queen" archetype lol
It's tricky to write someone who avoids emotions to the level she does because her chapters need to still be interesting (modesty aside, I think they are), and as a character, she needs to evoke at least some level of connection with the readers (we'll see 👀).

2024-08-08 11:17:12

#WritersCoffeeClub 8. Authors love to show off a book stack. Post an image of your stack or a collage of your digital work
Well, my "stack" only has one book for now, so here it is! x)
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/112/926/112/684/099/849/original/6d87fd6d596c3a49.jpg

2024-08-06 12:01:19

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@npub10d5…vvxa Gorgeous pics!

2024-08-05 11:44:48

#WordWeavers 5. Share a book by an indie author that you love
Just one?! :( Then I'll have to name the Fallen Gods series by S.D. Simper. (Sapphic) dark fantasy at its best!
Her website: https://sdsimper.com/

2024-08-01 11:39:56

#WritersCoffeeClub 1. Can you foresee any circumstance where you might use AI to compose part of a story?
No.
(Looking at the list for this month, it seems like this short and direct answer will appear on more than one day 😅)

2024-07-26 11:47:17

#WritersCoffeeClub 26: A snippet of a favourite scene
A short one because spoilers:
More bulls broke through the fences. Sceptre and sword repelled vicious blades. Manual labour made Gethin strong, but he lacked the graceful fighting skills his sister had in abundance.
And then two more heads rolled when Heledd marched into the farm-turned-battlefield wielding one longsword in each hand and wearing an enamelled golden cuirass—now there was a Goddess of War I could worship!

2024-07-26 02:12:37

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@npub10d5…vvxa Damn! I can't imagine how scary that was :O Glad to hear you're safe.

2024-07-18 11:53:32

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@npub10d5…vvxa "Well, the novel isn’t about her sitting in a room playing solitaire." lol I laughed

2024-07-10 13:43:59

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@npub10d5…vvxa Oh, man, I forgot to mention Ffynnon, Arianell's horse and BFF, on my post :( Horses are such amazing creatures!

2024-07-07 12:01:15

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@npub1k24…26zw This is so cool!
Maybe I'll get one for Ashrah 🥰

2024-07-05 19:40:34

#TimeTravelAuthors 5: Freedom in your story
Ah, this is a delicious debate that spans the entire series.
Are people truly free? If they are, why do they keep doing the same things, over and over, condemning themselves and everyone around to spin in this endless cycle?
People aren't free because they are slaves to their desires. If they break free of those... but is that even possible?
You know the saying, "Man can do what he wills, but he cannot will what he wills."

2024-06-28 15:20:26

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@npub10d5…vvxa Love the "Gothic anything" haha Definitely a style I like as well.

2024-06-28 15:19:12

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@npub1py0…64pt I have three of his films on my to-watch list (including Wolfwalkers), really need to watch them 😭

2024-06-28 11:38:29

#WritersCoffeeClub 28: What audio/visual artistic work has been the biggest influence on your writing?
There are a few, but not one 'biggest'. Beyond the references I already mentioned before (Sense8, Dark, Ingmar Bergman, Bloodborne, BG3), one artistic work that has recently influenced me quite a bit is X-Men 97.
That show is absolutely fantastic, and it inspired me both on how to handle 'magical' powers and emotional conflict. It will definitely stay with me in my collection of references.

2024-06-20 12:10:49

#WordWeavers 20: Under what circumstances would your MC side with the antagonist?
Briaca was allied with one of her biggest antagonists - her dear mother - her whole life, so... 🤷🏻‍♀️
I imagine there will be some MC/antagonist pairings in Book 4 as well since one group of MCs doesn't agree with the other, and the antagonist is kind of in the middle. You know, sometimes things are messy...

2024-06-18 01:42:07

#PennedPossibilities 349 — MC’s relationship with their gender
I'll answer this one for Ashrah because it fits perfectly. Her demonic species is genderless. When she visited Indonesia and was enchanted by the women dancing jaipong, she did so because they looked free and joyful, two things she never felt. That's why she based her second skin on them, but she had no notion of gender.
In Book 2, she learns more about gender, but she never quite considers herself one or the other.

2024-06-13 21:00:35

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@npub10d5…vvxa The shower really is a great friend. Funny how many ideas come up when I'm there - and yes, while I don't have the habit of singing in its presence, it never complained when I rehearsed dialogues!

2024-06-13 16:51:58

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@npub10d5…vvxa If I learned anything, it is that there's no such thing as "no talent." Some people will obviously have an easier time with one thing or another, but if we set our mind to it, we can do it!

2024-06-05 16:49:22

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@npub15wt…7rek Glad to see I'm not the only one who dreams of seeing fanart of my stories 😂

2024-05-23 11:46:45

#WordWeavers 23: Are your MCs picky about where they sleep?
Neither Arianell nor Ellis are.
Arianell because she travels a lot as a Guardian of Hera, and while she's often offered accommodation, they aren't always super comfortable, and other times she has to do with the forest floor.
And Ellis because she's been poor and a nomad since forever. Not enjoying the same privilege of Pantheonic Devotees, she rarely finds people willing to lend a roof for free, and so she learned to sleep wherever.

2024-05-20 23:30:22

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@npub10d5…vvxa They look great with red, though I also adore those pure black eyes haha 🖤 Purple eyes too 😈

2024-05-20 15:39:39

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@npub10d5…vvxa Black eyes, tho 😍🖤

2024-05-20 11:24:42

#WordWeavers 20: How did you settle on your antagonist’s appearance?
For Aengus, I picked some things the Irish myths said about him—eternally young, blue eyes, golden hair to match his armour, a red cape on his shoulders—, and added a few twists based on the personality and the context we find him in Two Worlds One Heart.
Book 2 of World Without Love doesn't have a single main antagonist. If we go to Book 4, we have Despina, whose appearance can be described with two words: Keira Knightley x)

2024-05-18 23:21:39

EPIC INDEED!!! 😭😍🖤
Gods, now I want to re-read the book... or, better yet, listen to the Gideon the Ninth audiobook I bought and never touched 😅
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i1-N2_vZmg
#Animation #Bookstodon #SapphicBooks

2024-05-18 14:37:06

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@npub16uc…k62q "Violet would probably be a dragon of any color except violet" That's a plot twist right there lol

2024-05-17 19:58:51

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@npub16uc…k62q It is!... when you find a good team 😅

2024-05-17 14:40:00

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@npub10d5…vvxa "Adventures" indeed 😅

2024-05-17 11:16:33

#WordWeavers 17: Have you ever written for other age groups?
Nope. Even when I was starting out, my characters were mostly adults, and a tad of blood and/or horror was always involved x)
I mean, I had to write an educational game for teens and a merger for general audiences (and even the other merger that was supposed to be set in a zombie apocalypse wasn't allowed to have blood and stuff...), so I *did* write for different age groups, even if the initiative didn't exactly come from me 😅

2024-05-12 11:50:05

#WordWeavers 12: Who is the best friend in your story?
Book 2 is (best)friends-to-lovers, so Arianell becomes Ellis' best friend and vice versa. (Though if Ffynnon is near, Arianell will say he's her best friend. Yes, Ffynnon is her horse).
In Book 3, Damario (he's appeared here in a few previous prompts) is Briaca's BFF. Qinyang doesn't have friends, best or otherwise.

2024-05-10 11:56:53

#WritersCoffeeClub 10: Do you know any good sources for publishing information?
Absolute Write (again). There are many published authors there (either self-pub or trad), people from inside the publishing industry too, and there are whole sections dedicated to editing, marketing, publishing. They also compile a list of publishers to avoid, which is quite useful! If you have a question, ask there and I'm sure you'll have plenty of people coming to help.

2024-05-01 12:26:14

#WordWeavers 1: Introduce your setting as if it’s a character in your story
Once hailed as the Cradle of Democracy and Western Civilisation, Ellada now also boasts the epithet of Harbinger of the Apocalypse after the Goddess of Love unleashed her ire upon the world.
Black and pink beaches, large arenas, winding streets crowded with temples and brothels: Ellada is beautiful and gentle with mortals and beasts alike...
As long as you are on the good side of its pantheon of bitter Gods.

2024-04-29 11:47:43

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@npub10d5…vvxa Hahaha nice!

2024-04-29 11:38:21

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@npub10d5…vvxa I googled and it's true - it's all you! x)

2024-04-22 17:24:36

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@npub1k74…dmux I was referring to my fighting scenes, of course!...
... whether the fighting is happening on the battlefield or in someone's bed x)

2024-04-22 12:02:42

#WordWeavers 22: What two senses are the most natural for you to include in your description?
Generally speaking, sight and sound. I'm getting better at including smells too, though I need to put more of an effort into coming up with creative descriptions.
Touch isn't a sense I use as often - unless it's a very... touchy scene :D

2024-04-21 12:40:15

#WritersCoffeeClub 21: Do you agree with Rose Tremain, who says you shouldn't plan a book's ending; it must be earned?
Considering only this fragment, it sounds like a snobbish and stupid thing to say. But the full quote goes:
"In the planning stage of a book, don’t plan the ending. It has to be earned by all that will go before it."
From my interpretation, she means that the ending must be a natural consequence of the journey the characters go through. If that's the case, then I agree.

2024-04-15 15:14:50

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@npub10d5…vvxa I feel like my creativity juices flow better on colder days. So, not so strange! xD

2024-04-13 14:28:27

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@npub15wt…7rek I never even used that on my stories. And the one time I started reading a book only to later realise it featured a love triangle... oh, was I pissed!

2024-04-13 11:49:01

#WordWeavers 13: Tropes
Romance has so many! Two that I adore are enemies-to-lovers (This Is How Immortals Die put a bit of a spin on it, while Book 3 is a more classic example) and friends-to-lovers (Book 2) - combining both can be amazing too (my #Ashrah fics).
If slow-burn is a trope, then I use that 99% of the time. I avoid love triangle like the plague; Book 4 will feature a polyamory, but none of the triangle bullshit.
The whole series is kind of a take on the forbidden love trope, too!

2024-04-02 14:57:03

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@npub16uc…k62q Ooooh, when you're bored, I recommend searching for a film you know on CinemaSins. I think it's especially cathartic when it's a film I don't like, but it works either way haha

2024-04-02 14:21:11

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@npub16uc…k62q On this subject, I have a lot of fun with CinemaSins and Dartigan (basically CinemaSins for games). Definitely not a learning resource, though 😂

2024-04-02 11:32:15

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@npub16uc…k62q I read the Anatomy of Story too! Not... all of it, though haha It was interesting, but by then, I already had kind of "my method," so I found it hard to focus on what the author was saying.

2024-04-02 11:31:12

#WordWeavers 2: What books/resources have you used to improve your writing?
One (classic) book that helped me a lot when I was starting was Story by Robert McKee. YouTube channels like Lessons from the Screenplay and Writing on Games were very useful too.
Funny enough, none of those are exactly for books. I don't remember any specific resource I use(d) for novel writing, not because I didn't use them, but because I picked up crumbs of information from many different places.

2024-04-01 15:35:41

Oh my Aphrodite, Reedsy made a dating app for writers 🤣🤣
I'll create an account to see if I can find beta readers for my next book 😂😇
https://blog.reedsy.com/reedsy-match/?utm_source=mailparrot_newsletter&utm_campaign=marketplace_blog_reedsymatch&utm_medium=email
#WritingCommunity

2024-03-30 12:37:38

#WritersCoffeeClub 30: How do you keep track of your work? Do you have a system?
I used to have a Word document for the story, and then a separate Docs or Word document for the world-building, outline, and general notes.
Since I bought Scrivener, I've taken to keep everything on the same project, using the app's folders and files to separate the manuscript from everything else. Revisions are also divided by the app's colour system.
And I guess that's pretty much it x)

2024-03-30 12:33:43

#WordWeavers 30: What dessert would go best with your book?
Red velvet cake would be a great option!
Alternatively, you could make some loukoumades (Greek doughnuts) and smear them with honey and pomegranate seeds - or anything with pomegranate (bonus points for the honey) since it will likely receive Aphrodite's approval :D

2024-03-26 01:35:33

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@npub1aum…5jx0 Damn. I liked Alf but never knew about his tragic ending 🥲

2024-03-17 22:03:00

#IrishCoffeeClub - How would your characters attempt to catch a leprechaun?
The funny thing is that I have a romantasy involving Irish mythology, and this gave me the idea to include one such scene in it lol
How Saoirse would catch a leprechaun? Well, first of all, she would ask Samhradh for help. Being a faerie herself, Samhradh would know how to turn a leprechaun's mischief against them. Together, she and Saoirse would concoct a plan to lure one into an invisible, magical net :D

2024-03-16 12:00:26

#WritersCoffeeClub 16: How much do you edit as you write, and how much do you leave until the 2nd draft?
Editing while writing has proven to be boring and inefficient, so I've trained myself to follow the mindset that the most important thing is to put the story down on paper.
It doesn't matter if the words are clumsy or the scene isn't working as I expected: I have draft 2 (and beyond) to polish the story and how I tell it.
And I like noting down Ideas for improvements on a separate file.

2024-03-14 11:47:37

#WritersCoffeeClub 14: Should you avoid sentence fragments?
Fragments are a matter of style, and I use them sometimes, so I won't say they're bad or should be avoided as a rule. If anything else, they're a writing tool like any other.
For it to work, I think there should be a balance between style and readability, though. If the sentence feels too choppy, it may bother readers instead of creating the desired effect.

2024-03-13 14:29:44

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@npub10d5…vvxa It's funny how much a UI change can also boost creativity! 😄
Considering how customisable Scrivener is, maybe the secret password is customisable too? 😮

2024-03-13 11:45:35

#WritersCoffeeClub 13: Do the writing hashtags inspire you?
They do! For once, some prompts make me consider things about my characters and world I hadn't considered before, inspiring me to dive deeper into the subject, and thus enrich my narrative.
Other writers on these tags also inspire me with their answers about how they do things or how they created their characters/magic. And well, I gave Scrivever a chance after reading great things about it here :D

2024-03-13 11:40:09

#WordWeavers 13: What would the MC hate the most about our world?
Arianell and Ellis would be shocked by the destruction of the planet: the dark clouds of pollution, the highly damaged forests, the melting of the North Poles... A very different scenario to the one they see daily on their farm.
Arianell would try (and fail) to find a solution, while Ellis would give in to anger and punch people.

2024-03-09 12:29:10

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@npub15ax…lqq5 I've downloaded Obisidian but use it mostly as a note-taker or to sketch simple ideas. I used it to work on the base of my fictional language, too.
I like it, but I don't really use it for what you want 😅

2024-03-04 19:27:26

"The setting is lush, the description even lusher. I was completely immersed in whatever scene we were in; the gruesome, brutality of war, the quiet, cozy moments between these potential Lovers, the all-out calamity of the climax."
Amazing review for This Is How Immortals Die by Bill Adams on Silverstones Books 🥰🙏
https://silverstonesbooks.com/this-is-how-immortals-die-by-nicole-hidalgo/
#WritingCommunity #BookReview #Fantasy #Mythology #SelfPublishing

2024-03-03 13:30:07

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@npub10d5…vvxa I'm already trying out the different colours for revisions, and it's such a nice little feature x) But yeah, I'll be testing out other things in time :D

2024-03-03 12:59:15

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@npub10d5…vvxa Thank you!
I transferred my MK1 fic there to try out the compile system - the one thing that scared me about Scrivener xD - and have been writing and revising my short story with it, and yeah, as a writing app, it's already working wonderfully!
I don't plan on tweaking it too much, but learning things like the ones you mentioned to make the process more efficient is definitely on my wishlist :D

2024-03-03 12:36:51

Well, that's it, I'm officially on Scrivener's team!
I know there are still a lot of little things for me to learn and really take advantage of the software, but goddess, it's *such* an improvement over Word 😂
Here's to many more stories! 🙌
#WritingCommunity

2024-02-25 16:22:06

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@npub1k24…26zw I think it depends. In my MK1 fanfic, Master Kai starts out as a mentor figure to Ashrah, but even as she begins to follow her own path (sometimes doing things Kai doesn't agree with), he becomes a father figure to her rather than an antagonistic.
In Book 3, Merle is someone Qinyang meets and who happens to share similar ideas. He's older, and so he imparts some of his knowledge. But he was never the "typical" mentor figure either, and their goals eventually clash.

2024-02-23 14:15:27

With the conversation today on #WritersCoffeeClub, I wanted to tell y'all about a new program: ButterDocs, by the same creators of ArcStudio.
I've been playing around with it, and I'm enjoying it! It has a clean UI, lets you create notes (for world-building, bios, etc), outline the story, different drafts for the same doc, collaborate... It has an option to export to ePub as well, though so far, it unfortunately doesn't have formatting options. It has paid and free options.
#WritingCommunity

2024-02-23 13:29:07

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@npub15wt…7rek Hmm... I'll have to try it again sometime because the spacing was extremely chaotic. It glued everything together and totally ignored page breakers, which made the whole thing very hard to read 🤔

2024-02-23 12:19:27

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@npub15wt…7rek Does it really work? I've tried Calibre but damn... the epub was such a mess 😬

2024-02-23 12:04:48

#WordWeavers 23: What was the first story you ever wrote?
I have no idea 🤔 I'm sure I wrote something as a kid, though I preferred to act out stories with my toys.
So, the first story I *can* remember was a high-fantasy world with jackal-like monsters that infected other people as if they were zombies. I wrote that for an English write-up, then later decided to write a whole book out of that.
"A whole book" meaning a 60-page mess of shallow characters and nearly inexistent world-building lol

2024-02-22 16:31:43

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@npub16uc…k62q "when I read my older work I see a lot of things I'd do differently." I've been experiencing this lately because a fic I wrote back in 2020 is getting some new kudos on Ao3. I read a bit of the first chapters and was like "eeeeh, I wish I had done so many things differently" 😅 I still enjoy the overall story, but the structure and descriptions aren't the best...

2024-02-22 16:25:21

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@npub16uc…k62q I agree. And recognising our unpolished text is also satisfying, I think. It means we're constantly getting better and better!

2024-02-22 12:44:59

#WordWeavers 22 - Does reading your own words bring you joy?
Generally speaking, yes! Sometimes they make me cringe and want to cry, but then I tweak one word here, another sentence there, until they make me happy too :)

2024-02-15 12:25:13

Today in the Sapphic Romance Week we have the best trope: enemies-to-lovers!
Aaand you have a chance to win a copy of my wee book, This Is How Immortals Die :D
#LesbianBooks #LesbianRomance #Lesfic #QueerBooks #QueerRomance #LGBTQbooks #Bookstodon
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/111/935/468/930/093/438/original/285ae33ac51c3933.png

2024-02-14 16:39:14

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@npub15wt…7rek Those were some intense days, for sure, but gladly it all turned out okay 🙌

2024-02-14 11:51:14

#WordWeavers 14: If you had to date one of your characters, who would it be?
I'm sorry, Ellis, but I'm stealing Arianell for me. She acts very formally, making her a tad stand-offish, but if you manage to crack her shell, she becomes a sweetheart!
She'd defend me until her last breath, always seek to make me happy, teach me to ride a horse and to fight. Oh, and because of her protective nature, her cuddles are the best! She can't cook to save her life, but I'd learn it for our sake! x)
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/111/929/674/503/282/056/original/16cd3d29bbc20e21.jpg

2024-02-14 11:45:16

#WritersCoffeeClub 14: Does your work feature on Goodreads? How do you feel about the platform?
It does, and I have an author page too. I had a scare shortly after my book came out as my book (as well as of other self-published authors) was bombarded with fake 1-star reviews. Fortunately, Goodreads removed the "reviews," but this event exposed how weak and outdated the website's system is.
Overall, I like the groups, the friends I met... but it's far from perfect.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199270645-this-is-how-immortals-die

2024-02-14 01:56:48

#PennedPossibilities 224: Do you have a specific playlist or mix for your current WIP?
Oh, yes! I make a playlist for each of my WIPs as I enjoy selecting songs that relate to the characters, the world, or the story.
For Book 2 of World Without Love, the playlist includes mostly peaceful or melodic songs, including a few songs from Welsh artists. I still want to add more songs, but I'm happy with what I have so far: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7Avpytzll95iT8m8O4RKNd?si=f239906fe4bb47f6

2024-02-11 14:01:11

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@npub10d5…vvxa Today's prompt is giving us some heartwarming moments 🥰

2024-02-11 13:55:46

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@npub10d5…vvxa Thank you! Those two are definitely the sweetest MCs in the entire tetralogy x)

2024-02-11 13:54:37

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@npub1k74…dmux Diolch (thank you) x)

2024-02-11 12:28:01

#WordWeavers 11: Share a scene that gave you lots of joy to write
One such scene from This Is How Immortals Die would be a spoiler, so I chose one from Book 2. More specifically, the first really friendly interaction between Ariannel and Ellis.
So, here's an excerpt x)
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/111/912/840/657/121/065/original/76491e5c494c270f.png

2024-02-10 11:43:30

#WordWeavers 10: Does your MC have comfort food?
Arianell doesn't. Ellis was never attached to food, but she gains an appreciation for the homebrewed apple cider she starts making with Arianell and Gethin. More than comfort food, it becomes a symbol of the home and the family she earned.
For Ishana, it's honey. She can eat a whole pot of it by herself in one meal. Lucky for her, immortals don't suffer from diabetes!

2024-02-01 12:45:43

#WritersCoffeeClub 1: Intro/Shameless Self Promotion
Hi, everyone, my name is Nicole, I live in Brazil but dream of moving to Ireland to live with the faeries, and mostly write (dark) fantasy/sapphic romance. It's nice to (again) meet y'all!
I released my first book, This Is How Immortals Die, last November, and it's the first in a tetralogy set in a post-apocalypse world created by a vengeful Aphrodite (aka the Aphrocalypse)!
Link if you're interested 😇 https://www.amazon.com/This-Immortals-World-Without-Love-ebook/dp/B0CMND791J/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3BS3T419JN8PD&keywords=this+is+how+immortals+die&qid=1700479983&sprefix=%2Caps%2C819&sr=8-1
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/111/856/288/493/444/654/original/26e62be7797c68b6.jpg

2024-01-31 14:18:13

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@npub10d5…vvxa Classy! 🤩

2024-01-30 20:25:25

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@npub10d5…vvxa The mark of a good book is when you make it into some banned books lists 😂

2024-01-30 17:03:25

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@npub10d5…vvxa Oh, I know, don't worry, I just found it funny how you pretty much described my book in your "no-go list" 🤣 And absolutely, we're lucky to live in a reality where there are stories for everyone :D

2024-01-30 15:39:48

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@npub10d5…vvxa "graphic violence, lengthy/numerous fight scenes, explicit sex scenes" *eyes my little book 👀😅*
(At least it's not poorly written... I hope... 😂)

2024-01-28 15:36:23

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@npub10d5…vvxa "Demons are always ultra attractive." *sighs* Tell me about it!

2024-01-27 12:24:34

#WritersCoffeeClub 27: Hollywood is filming one of your works. Which actors are playing the main roles?
As I said before, I like having actors (not always Hollywoodian) to use as references for my characters, so I have a list!
From Books 1-3:
Carys - Kaitlyn Dever
Ishana - Thomasin McKenzie
Arianell - Alys Letton-Jones (but a little bit older)
Ellis - Annes Elwy
Briaca - Senait Gidey (model, not actress; I couldn't find an actress that fit Briaca as well as Senait)
Qinyang - Dilraba Dilmurat
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/111/827/885/130/518/785/original/6beb70b92c0fdb0b.png
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/111/827/887/004/873/467/original/5d8cd75853a66a7b.png
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/111/827/888/146/550/422/original/84d524887454d7b0.png

2024-01-23 02:32:08

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Forgot the link! https://qiawards.wordpress.com/voting-22/

2024-01-23 02:27:26

The voting for the Queer Indie Awards 2023 is open from Jan 22-26th! I'm delighted to see This Is How Immortals Die among so many great titles! 🙌😍
If you read my little book and think it deserves your vote, you'll find it in the following categories:
Best Overall Dark Fantasy
Best Genre Romance
Best Cover
Best Lead Character (Ishana)
Best Supporting Character (Rosenwyn)
Best Romantic Relationship (Carys & Ishana)
Best Worldbuilding
Best Debut
#WritingCommunity #SapphicBooks #Fantasy #Romance
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/111/802/886/522/940/449/original/39bf5c1e1d073fb9.png

2024-01-20 12:41:58

#WritersCoffeeClub Do you have a blog? Tell us about it and share a link.
I do! It's on my author's website. I talk about my stories, games I've played, review books I read (mostly sapphic and indie, but there are exceptions), and share things and events going on in the sapphic book community.
No, I'm not as dedicated to it as I'd like. I've been meaning to write a new review for a couple of days now, and still haven't done it. Maybe this question will inspire me!
https://nicolehidalgoauthor.com/blog-2/

2024-01-18 11:41:22

#WritersCoffeeClub 18: Does your work feature on BookTok? How do you feel about the platform?
Would you believe me if I told you I haven't used TikTok once in my life? Okay, that's not entirely true. Some friends sent me a clip or two, so I watched them. But I never made an account or set out to watch videos there myself.
I have no patience with this kind of media consumption, though I have considered BookTok as an opportunity to maybe get more readers. For now, I stopped at "considered."

2024-01-12 12:45:57

#WordWeavers 12: Do you support other writers? How?
I try to, especially other self-published authors. I offer encouragement, comment and share posts about their books on social media, buy their books, leave reviews here and there, recommend the books to friends, and talk about them on my website.
I still wish to read more though, including some of the books I found in our community here!

2024-01-11 15:28:32

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@npub10d5…vvxa Aye, the land of purple prose - a seemingly beautiful but dangerous place to go! 😅

2024-01-11 14:35:28

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@npub10d5…vvxa That's exactly my problem with dream sequences - and worse, many often prioritise style over substance, so it's info-dumpy *and* pretentious! 😅

2024-01-11 11:40:30

#WordWeavers 11: Did you realise what writing was going to be like when you started?
Oh, dear me, no. It all started as a hobby, no different than playing with toys or games, without putting much thought into the whole thing.
It wasn't until I finished my first "book" (that 60-something mess lol) that I started viewing writing more "seriously," but even then, I still knew nothing about the craft or the dreaded publishing and marketing aspects that I would eventually put myself through 😅

2024-01-09 18:43:26

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@npub16uc…k62q It's fun... though not always fun for the characters 😈😂

2024-01-09 12:08:07

#WordWeavers 9: Is there a decision your MC has to make where all the choices are bad?
But of course! Aren't those the best kind of dilemmas? 😃
It's rare for anyone in World Without Love or Alexandria to have good choices. Their world isn't great; they aren't great people. So, they're constantly going for the lesser of two evils.

2024-01-09 12:03:27

#WritersCoffeeClub 9: Do you avoid or embrace adverbs?
I embrace them passionately!
... but moderately.

2024-01-07 19:59:47

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@npub15wt…7rek I have to police my uses of "watch" too. Such a useful wee word!

2024-01-06 16:04:18

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@npub15wt…7rek I watched Heroes maaany years ago and remember loving the first season. Not sure when I stopped watching, but I remember it wasn't... as cool anymore.

2024-01-06 13:02:23

#WritersCoffeeClub 6: Have you ever entered any writing competitions? How did you do?
I joined the Script+ Festival back in 2020 with the pilot of a series called "Extra-Humans". The script was short-listed, so I didn't do bad at all.
I also got feedback from one of the critics. They compared my story to Heroes ("back when it was good", as they put it) and gave some valuable ideas on how to improve the script. I implemented the feedback but haven't tried again yet. Maybe this year!