Tell Me Another Story

jamie. she/her. 27. this is my writing blog that I'm reviving. hoping to make some new friends and talk about books.

[jamieanovels]

well........lol........updates? i guess?

So. I know I've pretty much dropped off the face of the planet on this account and then attempted to come back a couple of times and then absolutely failed to be active. No guarantees this time either LOL. But I figured I'd at least put up a post to explain what the hell I've been doing for the past.....I don't know actually....year maybe? Year and a half? Time is fake.

Anyway here's the update overview:

I finished Tea Cow

I queried Tea Cow and it kicked my ass

I'm working on a new thing lol

More detail under the cut if you're curious, haha! But the moral of the story here is, I'm incredibly grateful to anyone who's still around here, and hope I can stay active enough that I can reconnect with y'all and/or make new friends~

Tea Cow is done! Yeah. I actually finished it LOL. Multiple times. It's had three drafts now. I had it beta read multiple times (thank you to the lovely people I found on here who volunteered to read it—I owe y'all my life!) and edited it a bunch of times. It's basically unrecognizable from the original draft, but much stronger, and I'm very proud of it.

I queried Tea Cow! It's been about ~3 months since I started querying at the end of May. I received a couple requests which was very exciting, but ultimately most agents passed. I'm waiting for some responses to still come in, but ultimately I think I'm going to have to shelve this project for now—if just for my sanity. But I'm still very proud of it!

I'm working on a new WIP, with the tentative moniker AppleJuice. I have no idea if I'm going to stick to it, but it's helping me through this tail end of the querying process and making it a little bit more bearable to get through all these rejections. Partly why I'm trying to revive this account is I'm hoping to post more of this project once I'm farther along!

I have no idea if any of my mutuals are still around on here, and I've unfortunately completely lost track of my tag list, so I'm sort of considering this a fresh start (think that time that I restarted 3ish years ago with Tea Cow, lmao). I hope if anyone is still here, or if anyone is interested, y'all can swing by and say hi :)

--Jamie <3

[toribookworm22]

Final Thoughts On 2024

❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

This year seems a bit like a dream. I wrote my first feature film starring two aromantic lesbians. I drafted the trauma play about my high school theatre experience. I found new ways to dress like myself. I got angry about things I've needed to be angry about. I served as a department ambassador at TVFest. I made some of the best little new friends. I hung out with my friends more. I got my first sports bra that actually fits me. I started a new musical. I met one of the best professors and people I've ever loved. I secretaried so many writing club meetings. I got back on pointe. I finally finished The Trials of Apollo. I wrote a dance history paper on dance as recordkeeping across different times of trial. I learned how to make scones-- and they're so good! I binged my way through animated Batman shows. I finally watched Harley Quinn! I stage managed a show! I said goodbye for now to all my graduating friends. I flew first class (so strange!). I finally visited where I was born and where my parents lived in Germany. I went back to Neuschwanstein castle! I ate so much Gelato. I spent the summer abroad in France. I lived in a silly little basement with my silly little friend. I pretty much grew attached at the hip to both some old friends and new ones alike. I traveled to Marseille, Paris (twice!), Avignon, Apt, Geneva, Colmar, Nice, and Monacco. I tried champagne at the Moulin Rouge. I fell in love with two of my friends in particular. I flew by myself. One of my scripts was chosen for a reading. I survived my first (and last) 8pm class. I ran so much! I saw The Wild Robot in theaters with my friend. I looked super cute all October. I met up with so many of my friends. My friend and I dressed up together for Halloween. (I was Bingo.) I was selected to introduce a speaker. My two best friends took me out for my birthday. My favorite professor invited me out to eat. I edited my trauma play!! My professor started reading my books! I did so much at film fest. I did one last hang out with my friends. I moved out of my apartment. I graduated college. I moved back home. I visited my friend and we went to parks in Orlando and we swapped dance cultures. I released my third novel. I had the coziest Christmas and soft season after it. I wrote a lot. I loved a lot.

And for all its ups and downs, written out like this, it really does seem like the most wonderful little dream. Thank you, 2024. Your edges were soft to me. And I felt loved.

[toribookworm22]

Love List I

@saltysupercomputer @midnight-and-his-melodiverse @pluttskutt @primroseprime2019 @aestatismors

@thatndginger @winterandwords @risingshards @eli-writes-sometimes @akiwitch

@sergeantnarwhalwrites @doublegoblin @apocalypsewriters @clairelsonao3 @ashen-crest

@rhikasa @acertainmoshke @flock-from-the-void @theimperiumchronicles @jlilycorbie

@axl-ul @olivescales3 @the-orangeauthor @elizaellwrites @fringeexistence

@unmellowyellowfellow @sam-glade @some-weird-queer-writer @foxys-fantasy-tales @the-stray-storyteller

@tailoroffates @the-down-upside-finch @hyuccubus @sunset-a-story @digital-chance

@briannaswords @bluejay-in-write @bikaribechic @dahlialeef @somethingclevermahogony

@creatrackers @frankensteinshimbo @saintreinettewrites @bubbles-the-banshee @oh-no-another-idea

@kayedium-writes @minutiaewriter @lady-of-himring @druidx @daisywords

[toribookworm22]

Love List II

@brianamorganbooks @elijahrichardwrites @marlenadutch @bookmarks-reviews @pure-solomon

@rsdan @regalserpent @writingforevren @likegemstone @ellierenae

@gracebriarwoodwrites @kyofsonder @blackrosesandwhump @milkybirdseed @dragonthusiast

@kirsten-is-writing @hghrules @midnight-clover @mirrorball-writes @lockejhaven

@unstablewifiaccess @aquil-writes @artcoffeecats @ashley-woods @words-after-midnight

@shanniiine @aalinaaaaaa @ishipgenfics @vaultofqueenorion @jaimistoryteller

@jamieanovels @late-to-the-fandom @ehlaaaaaaaa @notalazysod @itzmikay

@ashirisu @larrysballetslippers @tlbodine @firstofficerrose @ddbirb

@the-forgotten-sunfish @melanieanton @ryns-ramblings @laplumedemaureen @rinatthemin

@sappyscarab @awordchemist @inkspellangel @oliviasbookshelf @hxad-ovxr-hxart

[mjjune]

AVOF IS COMING TO PATREON & SUBSTACK

That's right, everyone's favorite ancient vampire is coming straight (well, not that straight) to your inbox.

AVOF will start releasing weekly in August 2025!

Until then, both Substack and Patreon are essentially newsletters! It'll be updates, behind-the-scenes info & stories, polls, Q&A and a private discord server while I do a final round of edits and prepare it for release. Tag along with me while I read AVOF for the first time in over a year, polish and expand the character arcs, and fall in love with Danny again or for the first time 💕

For major updates, avof now has its own side blog!!

SUBSCRIBE TO SUBSTACK NEWSLETTER (FREE)

BECOME A PATRON HERE ($1)

And in case you're new here, the blurb (and AVOF's taglist) is under the cut!

Do you love vampires but wish it was filled with more diversity and explored classic vampire and werewolf tropes in queer ways? Do you want a free, weekly novel sent in real time right to your inbox? Then you’ve come to the right place!

A Vision of Fire is a paranormal romance fantasy novel, following two unlikely heroes as they fight against fate. When vampire Danny sleeps with a werewolf to spite the ancient vampire order and homophobes everywhere, they accidentally reveal paranormals to the human public and trigger a prophet’s vision of the future. Unless they can stop it, humans and supernaturals will start a war that will end in apocalypse. Only the rarest creature in the world, the phoenix, may be the key to preventing violence. Which will Danny choose: his new forbidden werewolf lover, or the fate of the world?

A Vision of Fire contains themes that may not be suitable for all audiences. While common sense rating is 16+, reader discretion is advised.

Banner Image by @neapaulatan (instagram here). Image description in alt text.

AVOF TAGLIST: (message or comment below to be +/-) @aritany @artbyeloquent @ashirisu @bebewrites @ceph-the-ghost-writer

@cljordan-imperium @elijahrichardwrites @eventideintrigue @faithfire-writes @flowerprose

@garthcelyn @ghafasinej @jezifster2 @knosium @isabellebissonrouthier

@lexiklecksi @little-mouse-gardens @malimaywrite @marrowwife

@sarahlizziewrites @sm-writes-chaos @the-inkwell-variable @thyroidhormones

@tracle0 @vacantgodling @void-botanist @vollzz @wildswrites

[of-sinners-and-seas]

A Song of Spirits

OF SINNERS AND SEAS - BOOK ONE

A WIP INTRO

From the minds of @isabellebissonrouthier and @lady-grace-pens !

GENRE: adult. high fantasy. dark fantasy. dark romance.

POV: third person limited. past tense.

STATUS: writing.

CW: gore. strong language. explicit sexual content.

VIBES: ruby hearts and obsidian eyes. crashing waves and thundering skies. the bile of regret. the seduction of sin. tired eyes. heavy sighs. old photographs. tarot cards whose edges are worn by love. a broken body in a black room. clashing swords. a dusty throne. secrets exchanged in a back alley where the only judges are the street lamps that blind the stars above. pearls. jazz. rusted bars of a once-gilded cage. self-proclaimed godhood. bruises from lips that used to berate you. fresh ink from a letter scrawled in the dead of night. hidden longings. confessions. voices in the wind uttering words of destiny.

clotted emotions. a journal in tatters. flashes of light in the corner of your gaze. a pair of stilettos echoing down a rain-slick street. the stench of death. creaking wood. weapons that belong in your hands. the ache of nostalgia. the weight of the present. the sharp cracking of autumn leaves. milking blood from a wound that won’t heal.

THEMES: fate vs dreams. loyalty vs betrayal. history. secrets. self-worth. loneliness. mysticism and fortune telling. power and control. what do you want and how far will you go to get it? where will chasing it land you? In a better or worse position? Could you even handle it? How can you be sure?

SYNOPSIS:

Seven pirates. Seven thrones. Seven deadly sins.

All vie for dominance over their fantastical world, thinking themselves to be as close to immortal as could be. But the question of what, exactly, they are remains elusive, as is the reason why they crave a seat atop the world’s throne, battling to be the most dangerous sin of them all.

Some long for power. Some lust for a sense of identity. Others simply chase the thrill of the war they’ve locked themselves into.

Is not the root of all clashing swords a wretched cry for one’s own purpose?

It is for Katty, mistress of Envy. Her interest in the eternal war has been waning, and the figures roaming the streets of Eiffel have captured her attention more and more.

Families. Friends. Couples unscathed by the tests of time.

Her presence on her own pirate ship has become a rarity. Her lover, Delvan of Greed, has waxed on about his disapproval of her flippant desires, stressing the importance of what truly matters in their lives.

Fortune. Power. Status.

Katty knows this. And yet, she aches for more.

When the cards of fate unfold for her a passionate affair with the prince of Pride, Braven, behind the backs of their allies, Katty remembers the spark that being Envy once carried for her.

It’s only natural she chose him to accompany her on a secret mission to infiltrate the ship of Gluttony, also known as Flint. While Braven seeks information regarding Flint’s relentless search for who they are, Katty seeks a chest of personal valuables he’d stolen from her. More than either of them bargained for, Braven is captured and Katty is filled with regret. Sooner than she could even think to fall back on her own allies for aid, Flint captures them, too.

Katty must rescue them. And she must rely on Braven’s twin sister, wretched Morannah of Lust, in order to stand a chance against that giant, hulking man.

When the girls invade, cruel revelations are sparked: one calls into question the sins’ immortality, and the other permanently alters the nature of their war.

After all, what is an ally worth when all ends in betrayal?

•••

Pinterest Board | YouTube Playlist

INTRO TO THE SERIES

MEET THE SINS:

Envy | Pride | Lust | Greed | Wrath | Gluttony | Sloth

EXPLORE THE WORLDS:

Eiffel | Polarys & Lorallyn | Geldour | Valoma | Guisse | The Desolate

MEET THE FIRST MATES:

Gigi | Mikael | Désirée | Alusia | Marigold

•••

TAGLIST: @the-inkwell-variable @fifis-corner

[nondelphic]

i sit down to write and suddenly i am the most distracted human alive. the chair is uncomfortable. my coffee is too hot. my playlist isn't quite the vibe. i need to research what victorian houses smelled like in 1872 for exactly 45 minutes even though my story takes place in space. and yet the moment i'm trying to fall asleep? every single sentence i've ever needed just lines up perfectly in my brain like some kind of creative parade i'll never get back.

[mjjune]

Hi mj

How well do your characters interact with children? Rank them please.

Oh boy lol I'll do twtr because they actually do interact with children a bit on the page!!

I'll just do the main recurring cast and good guys <3

Red is super good with kids and loves them. Very wholesome, very affectionate and playful and A+ mom material in the future tbh.

Riya Maya is very Grandma™ energy for a reason and she also is a good teacher. A blend of parental sternness and good at setting age-appropriate boundaries but also being warm and showing compassion

Avery is by no means bad with kids he just has a bit of the tism awkwardness around them and doesn't know quite what to do. Once he warms up though he is actually quite good with them and kids find him refreshing and trust him quickly because he doesn't do that child talk/fakeness that a lot of adults do (also he's a knight and kids think he's Cool™)

Magnus is like one of those strict sports coaches in high school lol he has softened a bit with age by the time the book starts and he does show a bit more affection, but especially when he was younger he was very stern and unrelenting, definitely impatient

Thanks for the ask!!

[creativepromptsforwriting]

How to show emotions

Part VII

How to show pride

standing tall

expanded posture, opening of the torso

lifted chin, head held high

big and confident smile

looking around to see if people recognize and admire what they are proud of

How to show enthusiasm

big smile and laughter

wide radiant eyes

raised eyebrows

jumping up and down or bouncing

clapping hands

big hand gestures

loud and high pitched voice

speaking quickly

How to show anxiety

not holding/breaking eye contact

fidgeting

heavy breathing

twitching in their face

often a blank stare or looking away

rigid posture

sweaty palms

bouncing their knees

rubbing palms against each other or clothing

How to show playfulness

laughing

giggling

grinning

using a playful tone

making a silly face

touching the other person teasingly

e.g. tickling, nudging, bumping into them

How to show being offended

stiffening up

hard line around the lips

frozen stare

narrowing of the eyes

Part I + Part II + Part III + Part IV + Part V + Part VI

If you like my blog and want to support me, you can buy me a coffee or become a member! And check out my Instagram! 🥰

[hayatheauthor]

10 Non-Lethal Injuries to Add Pain to Your Writing

While lethal injuries often take center stage, non-lethal injuries can create lasting effects on characters, shaping their journeys in unique ways. If you need a simple way to make your characters feel pain during a scene, here are some ideas: 

Sprained Ankle

A common injury that can severely limit mobility, forcing characters to adapt their plans and experience frustration as they navigate their environment.

Rib Contusion

A painful bruise on the ribs can make breathing difficult and create tension, especially during action scenes, where every breath becomes a reminder of vulnerability.

Concussion

This brain injury can lead to confusion, dizziness, and mood swings, affecting a character’s judgment and creating a sense of unpredictability in their actions.

Fractured Finger

A broken finger can complicate tasks that require fine motor skills, causing frustration and emphasizing a character’s dependence on their hands.

Road Rash

The raw, painful skin resulting from a fall can symbolize struggle and endurance, highlighting a character's resilience in the face of physical hardship.

Shoulder Dislocation

This injury can be excruciating and often leads to an inability to use one arm, forcing characters to confront their limitations while adding urgency to their situation.

Deep Laceration

A cut that requires stitches can evoke visceral imagery and tension, especially if the character has to navigate their surroundings while in pain.

Burns

Whether from fire, chemicals, or hot surfaces, burns can cause intense suffering and lingering trauma, serving as a physical reminder of a character’s past mistakes or battles.

Pulled Muscle

This can create ongoing pain and restrict movement, providing an opportunity for characters to experience frustration or the need to lean on others for support.

Tendonitis

Inflammation of a tendon can cause chronic pain and limit a character's ability to perform tasks they usually take for granted, highlighting their struggle to adapt and overcome.

Looking For More Writing Tips And Tricks? 

Check out the rest of Quillology with Haya; a blog dedicated to writing and publishing tips for authors! Instagram Tiktok

[bebewrites]

woop there it is

[kaylinalexanderbooks]

For Writeblr Shop Talk Ask Game:

🎓 -How do you like to receive your critique?

📝- Have you beta'd for someone before? Did you like the experience and would you do it again?

🤯-Tell us about a comment you've received about your work that you still think about sometimes

Hello! Thanks for the ask! (From this writing shop ask game)

🎓 -How do you like to receive your critique?

I like comments directly on the document. It's much easier to navigate what people are talking about and lends easier interaction.

📝- Have you beta'd for someone before? Did you like the experience and would you do it again?

Yep! I've done it three times: The Composition of Us by @jamieanovels, Whispers by @magic-is-something-we-create, and Mystery of the Mortal God by @illarian-rambling. Go check them out!

I did like the experience because critiquing work helps me get a grasp on my writing technique as well. Also, I enjoy supporting other writers!

Unfortunately I don't think I'll beta read any time soon. It's a big commitment and although I would love to do it again, I've been very busy and taking time for myself is something I've had to learn. Reading is one thing, giving genuine feedback that's helpful is another, and it just takes out a lot of energy. Don't regret ever doing it, and I do hope there will be a time where I can do it again!

🤯-Tell us about a comment you've received about your work that you still think about sometimes

This is a hard one, actually. I've received a lot of comments! I think someone telling me very bluntly "your dialogue is good but your prose is very weak" stands out. It hurt, a little, to call my prose weak, but it made me realize that I did need more character, movement, descriptions in those moments. It is a comment that has made me self-reflect on my writing. I still think calling it weak was a little too blunt for my sensitive self, but it was a learning experience to take valuable feedback from a relatively rude critique. Maybe it was weak, maybe it wasn't, but I know it's better now, maybe even good! And I'm really satisfied at how much I've grown and continued to grow since then.

Thanks!

[of-sinners-and-seas]

HEY

Soooooo basically we just hit 50 followers

And to celebrate were doing an… ASK GAME

Send us a question you’d like to have one (or more) of our characters from OSAS answer, and specify who it is! We’ll respond in that character’s pov, answering your question :p

((For those who don't know, basically OSAS is about the seven deadly sins being vicious pirates, battling over a giant fantasy world that ranges from medieval Russia, to steampunk, to 1940s-inspired. We think it’s pretty cool ;))

We have:

Katty/Envy

Delvan/Greed

Amory/Wrath

Braven/Pride

Morannah/Lust

Osienna/Sloth

Flint/Gluttony

—

♥️ Taglist: @the-inkwell-variable

[millenari]

do you ever re-read your own wips like 'damn the bitch that wrote this oughta finish it'

[funkyratfan]

Anatomy of a writing session

[daisywords]

heads up seven up

thanks @megarywrites for the tag!

and guess what? new Fear Me content out of left field!!! bet nobody saw that coming

Kirsta is standing beside me on the deck when I look around, even though I never saw her come up. She leans against the railing, watching our fate approach with an unreadable expression, the wind playing at the fine pieces of hair that don’t stay in her braid. The sun brings out the green in her eyes, not at all the green of the sea but something warm and alive, like new leaves in spring.   I sidestep closer, rest my elbows on the rail beside hers. It’s not as if I’m never going to see her again, but I know somehow that after today it will never be the same between us. And for a terrible moment I am glad for it, I must confess—not that you were stolen from me, but that we were apart so I could have this time, so that I could have them for myself, all to myself. That I have been a me and not an us.  But that’s a secret I’ll try to keep from you. 

(no pressure) tagging @thesunwrites @goldfinchwrites @klywrites @jamieanovels @idontwantrobyntodie

@jules-m-scribbles and @fayeiswriting

[eccaiia]

Last Line Tag

Thanks for tagging me @melpomene-grey, @sableglass, @willtheweaver, and @oh-no-another-idea!

Inside the maintenance hatch in [the dragon's] belly, its workings were a labyrinth of wires and hydraulics that Edwin could scarce make sense of. The sensors seemed to be all connected to one another, and the central circuit that controlled the responses to their inputs was hardly more than a convoluted tangle of wires that largely resembled a multi-coloured ball of yarn. It was absurd that this one hadn't malfunctioned like the other. Whoever had made them was clearly out of their depth.

I'll tag @talesofsorrowandofruin, @jamieanovels, @aohendo, and open tag as always!

[catchymemes]

[lexiandliterature]

i have enough ideas to write 100 books and enough indecision to write none.