The Mundane Musings of T.J.Rivergrass

[tjrivergrass]

17th March 2026: Outlines, Outings and Other Things

Reader, I did it!

I knuckled down and battled through my lethargy to finalise my outline. Of course, I say 'finalise', I will almost certainly edit it and add to it as I go, but for now, it is done! This feels like an accomplishment. Celebrate with me.

There's a lot of discussion in my writing group over what method is better: Pantsing or Planning. I genuinely think you should always do what works for you, but I am definitely a Planner.

Don't get me wrong, I do like to leave wiggle room for myself so that my characters can spontaneously make out if they feel that way inclined, but for the most part, I know exactly what scene I am writing when I sit down at my desk. This is how I keep up my momentum. I am aiming to finish my first draft in a month or so, which will require me to hit a 1000+ word count a day. It's a tall order, but I find that my attention wanders to other projects if I take too long to finish that first draft. When I don't have an outline, my word output tends to drop significantly.

So how do I write an outline? (I hear nobody ask, and yet I am going to write about it anyhow!)

I generally start off with one scene. It might be the climax, or the moment my main characters meet. Hell, it might even be the opening line. But something catches my imagination, and those characters and their stories evolve from there. After much world-building, character development and figuring out motives, I start to see the shape of the story. I ask myself what my characters want, and why, and that helps me find the direction that they need to go in. This is when I really start outlining. First off, as a list of bullet points, just a list of scenes that will take me to and from the events that I imagined at the start.

Then I move on to a second stage, which I find it easier to do in a flow diagram. I use a piece of software called Obsidian, where I add each scene and create arrows to show how they interact with later scenes and add sidebars for questions and threads being created. These are often colour-coded and tie back into the chart when they are resolved. This is also helpful for visualising pacing, finding plot holes and keeping timelines in check.

The image below the flowchart is for Act 1.

Here, there is a stream for each MMC in teal and orange. When they are on the page together, the scene is purple. The red boxes are questions or story threads that will need to be picked up in a later scene. Now that the outline is complete, many of those red boxes are green and are connected to scenes downstream.

I find Obsidian extremely useful, and recommend it wholeheartedly. It is free to use, unless you wish to use their cloud services, which require a small annual fee. Anyway, I'm not on commission, I swear! I just love this software.

But reader, this is not all I have been up to. I have also been experimenting with Canva. It seems to be the app of choice for making Instagram content, and so I have been playing around with it. Check out my Insta to see the results.

And I have also had a lovely trip to Cardiff. I spent World Book Day perusing the gigantic Waterstones in the Hayes and visited some of the local indie stores.

LoveStories, which is an independent bookshop that stocks only romance novels, was my favourite find of the day! The bookshop keeper was utterly lovely and extremely knowledgeable. We chatted for a while about romantasy, and she made me some recommendations which I of course purchased on the spot. My poor backpack was practically bursting at the seams on my journey home! I can't wait to get stuck into my new purchases. If I find the time, I will write a little review for each one.

Sadly, I haven't had much time for reading lately, but recently I started a new job which will require me to commute to London once a week (3 hours each way!!), so I will have plenty of reading time!

If you have any good book recs for me, please drop me a DM. I am looking for sports romance and romantasy novels to devour.

[tjrivergrass]

18th Feb 2026: Meet The Author

Thinking about it, I probably should have led with this post. We live and learn.

My name is TJ Rivergrass, and I am auditioning for the role of Best Selling Author.

These are my writing assistants.

I am a long-time writer, but this is the first time I am seriously attempting to write and publish a novel. Before I started this adventure, my writing was reserved for my fandom friends and my tabletop roleplay game group. I'm known in my writing discord group for being able to summon a fresh plot out of nowhere. My adventuring party expects me to show up to a new campaign not just with an original character, but one with a complex backstory and a handful of relatives, each with their own complex backstories. Sometimes, I create whole new realms and races just so I can put the ruleset through its paces. (Don't worry, I have a DM who finds my antics amusing!)

This is just who I am. I'm a storyteller. I'm also an artist. It's a great combination to be.

It's this dual identity that led me to have a relatively successful career in media. I have spent the last decade working in film and television and enjoying myself immensely.

Unfortunately, the fates like to throw curveballs.

My life looks quite different now. I moved out of London two years ago and returned to the small rural town where I grew up. (For the Tolkien fans, yes, I do actually live in the Shire.) It's a slower kind of life, and I find myself with a lot of free time on my hands. My writing hobby has become something of a lifeline.

I've been plagued with a number of mental health issues, I experienced burnout and depression and have found myself on the end of a crisis line more than once. It's been a difficult road, one that writing and my writing group helped me amble along.

Recently, I was asked, "If you could do anything at all, what would you do?"

It was an easy answer.

I'd write and illustrate novels.

"So what's stopping you?"

This answer wasn't as easy to find, but once I figured it out, I started planning my novel.

Nothing is stopping me. Only myself.

So here I am, a massive nerd with an entirely new realm developed for a roleplay campaign that I'll never get to run; a big box of original characters, all of whom I'm in love with; and a great passion for the fantasy and romance genres. I think I'm going to have a great time writing this series, and I really hope my readers will enjoy the journey as much as I will.

If you want to know more about me or the journey I am on, feel free to DM me. You can find me on Tumblr, Bluesky and Instagram.

[tjrivergrass]

3rd Feb 2026: World Building

World-building! What fun.

Honestly, this is one of my favourite parts of writing, and having come from the fanfiction mines, it's not I have something I get to do a whole lot. This world, we'll call it "The Unnamed Realm" for now, has been slowly blossoming inside my mind for years. It originated as a bespoke country for a TTRPG, and then appeared very briefly in a Beauty and the Beast retelling that I started and have since scrapped.

My research is going deep. I'm covering everything from agriculture to zoology. It may seem overkill for a silly romantic tale about a fantasy sports team, but for my characters to come to life, they must be rooted in a living, breathing reality.

What is more, this is just the first story of many set in The Unnamed Realm, and one never knows what detail might be relevant! 

So what can I tell you?

I don't want to give everything away; a writer needs some secrets. But here are some thoughts.

I have been a great lover of the fantasy genre since I began to read. Something that stands out to me is that the lead character is almost always human or humanish. Though anthropomorphic characters exist, they often seem to be overlooked or relegated to the sidelines. I love anthro characters, I think they open up the option of completely alien cultures, whilst also being familiar. Hyena people, for example, might come from a matriarchal society. Cat folk might have a tight-knit community of women overseen by a single man. Or perhaps they would be solo wanderers, looking to make their fortunes. The options are endless. You’ll find anthro characters in abundance in all of my tales. Even the romantic lead might be a little furry around the edges.

The unnamed realm is a vast, open land, containing multiple biomes and microclimates. I love maps in fantasy novels, don't you? Spending time figuring out exactly what environment goes where, how they connect, and the history they have, makes the world seem so much more real to me. Variable land types and climates alter how people live, the technology they develop and how they interact with the world. My characters don't just have backstories; they have ancestors with backstories, and those stories shape the world they live in. Mine is a Kingdom entering into its second golden age; an era of peace and abundance. But not everything may be as it seems. More about that at a later date.

I'm developing a fantasy sport. The first novel in this series is more of a taster of the world and revolves around a touring sports team. There is magic, there is deep water with dangerous currents, and there are many complicated rules that I am still ironing out. I have played a few sports in my time, and have a good head for rulesets, but in truth, this sport is heavily based on a game we made up in high school! I'll perhaps write a post about the game in due course, but development has led me down a rather odd research rabbit hole. One must provide a location for this professional sport to be played, and my mind jumped straight to the amphitheatres of the Roman era. Who knew that they could flood out the lower level of the Colosseum for sea battle recreations? The Roman era's use of water technology is fascinating! I'm hoping to weave all that I have learned into a new arcanepunk aesthetic. I hope you like it!

So, for now, I am going to leave you here, with a rough draft of a map of The Unnamed Realm. Not much is named just yet; I'm trying to figure out an interesting naming convention. I may once again seek inspiration from the Romans.

I hope you are enjoying the sneak peek into my process and are looking forward to more story-based content. I know I am gagging to get writing properly!

[tjrivergrass]

26th Jan 2026: Genres, Tropes and Naming Conventions

For the last few weeks, I have been up to my elbows in world-building and planning. The stories I want to share are soft and romantic, but I want them set in a vibrant fantasy world bursting with lore. It is of great importance to me that this world is a living, breathing realm, with characters that feel entrenched in its history and culture. Over the next few weeks, I will write a bit about my lore. I might even share the maps I am drafting out and introduce you to some of my characters, but right now I want to give you a sneak peek at one of the three novels I am planning.

The first book is simply a taster of what is to come. It is a lightweight, romantic novel set in a high-fantasy realm. The story revolves around the captain of a fictional sports team battling to win a royal boon and the infuriating rookie who throws a spanner into his plans. It might sound like a fast-paced sports drama, but at its core, there is a queer love story that will —literally and figuratively— make waves. If you enjoy a slow burn, forbidden romance with a touch of forced proximity and strangers-to-lovers tropes, you might just enjoy this story.

If you think this might be up your alley, you can subscribe to this blog on Tumblr or find me on Instagram and Bluesky!

In other news, I am spending rather a lot of time trying to name things! If you happen to be good at naming things, drop me a DM and tell me your secrets!

[tjrivergrass]

19th Jan 2026: An Artist Date

A writer friend of mine once told me that it is important for a writer to take themselves on artist dates from time to time. It’s an idea she came across in the book The Artists Way by Julia Cameron.

I stress I have not read this book, but I do find the notion sound. When one is feeling creatively empty, taking yourself somewhere to rejuvenate yourself can help refill your creative well.

This is how I find myself in Swansea.

I love Wales. It’s a beautiful country full of immensely friendly people, ancients ruins and gorgeous landscapes. Though I was born and raised in the West Midlands, I spent a good few years living in Cardiff and often hear the roar of the Welsh dragon calling me home.

Perhaps this is why I ended up walking along the beach in the rain, watching the dark clouds gather overhead and the mist roll up the sand as the wind picked up. It’s bitter cold, almost icy against my cheeks and yet I have not breathed so easily in a long time.

I feel one with the elements.

I feel myself becoming inspired.

I begin to understand the call of the ocean. Why Dylan Meredith (a character I have yet to post about, but his time will come; watch this space) can hear its siren call on the crash of the waves.

For the moment I feel like I could write and write and write. But first I require a cup of tea.

So next time you’re feeling mentally and creatively blocked and that the walls are closing in, take yourself somewhere new. The novelty alone can kick start your imagination.

[tjrivergrass]

13th Jan 2026: Meet Koya

Like many of my characters, Koya started out life on a TTRPG character sheet. I play a lot of rpgs and I love how the character sheets can give you a concise but detailed overview of who a character is. We can detail his strengths and weaknesses, his motivations and fears. Most importantly every character is balanced that makes them feel more human.

Koya is an Ursa Nomad from the Great Redwood Groves. He was raised surrounded by nature and understands currents of the wind and the taste of the soil. He can fish and farm but it’s unlikely he can read a book. Koya has the strength to rip limb from limb and yet he chooses to be a gentle giant in a world hidden dangers.

Koya has spent much of his life fleeing from his destiny, and yet somehow he has walked right into the jaws of fate.

Follow me if you’d like to learn about Koya and my other original characters.

[tjrivergrass]

5th Jan 2026: Self Care

Writing is hard.

It's supposed to be hard.

I don't mean that the words should feel like teeth being pulled, quite the contrary —I am a firm believer in getting the words down fast and polishing them later— but the things that are important to us should demand thought, and toil.

The daily use of our creative energy is work, and so we should treat it like work. We must set boundaries for ourselves and allow ourselves recovery time. Rest is important. My good friend and beta reader quite often says, "Rest is part of the creative process."

I do not listen to him nearly enough.

This is a particularly important topic for me, as I have had struggles with my mental health over the last few years. There have been times when I have needed therapy. There have been times when I have reached out to crisis counselling. Writing has helped me process trauma and find equilibrium. It has also brought me to my knees when I have lost faith in myself.

So to retain some semblance of sanity during this arduous task I am committing to, I make myself three promises.

I will take care of my mind by taking regular breaks, downtime, and days out to refill my creative well. I will reach out for help when I need it. I will check in with myself and not push myself past what I can manage just to hit a self-imposed deadline.

I will take care of my body through proper hydration, nutrition and exercise. That means taking regular breaks and not punishing myself with late nights and early mornings when I do not hit my targets.

I will take care of my dream by surrounding myself with positive energy and people who support me. I have an amazing group of writing friends, and their constant encouragement has kept me going through the darkest of times. (You know who you are, and I love you all dearly.)

To end on a high note, I have faith in myself and in my ability to hit my targets.

Last November, I wrote the first draft of a 50k-word, standalone, romantasy novel. My hope is that I can polish this draft to perfection (no, not to perfection, there is no such thing as perfection) and publish it by the end of the year. It's a steep hill to climb, but I am ready for the challenge.

In addition to this, I also have plans for three other romantasy novels all set in the same connected universe (though the stories stand alone). I doubt I will be able to complete a first draft of any of these novels this year, as I have a lot of world-building to do before I can get properly started, but I certainly will get started, and I'll be sure to feed you tasty morsels as I go along.

Wish me luck, folks!

If you are worried about your mental health or feel you might need help, please reach out to your local crisis line for support.

[tjrivergrass]

1st Jan 2026: New Year, New Me

Hello World!

Some of you may already know me (though if you don’t, I shall never tell). I have been toiling in the fanfiction mines for as long as I can remember. I like romance, fantasy and adventure. I love fandoms that roll all that into one. Fandom is a wonderful, free-flowing, creative space full of skilled people who’ve nurtured me into a great writer. 

But I want my own sandbox to play in. 

In 2025, I logged 253,373 on Trackbear (my preferred progress tracker), and 54,626 of those words were good enough to publish on Archive of Our Own.

But I can do better.

It’s a new year right? New year, new me. 

So I am starting 2026 with the best of intentions. For Christmas, I treated myself to a new book. It’s called The Storytellers Weekly Journal, and it’s written by the good folks at The Writers Sanctuary. I’ve been following their Instagram for a while now, and have found it very insightful and full of good advice. I hope this book will help pave the path ahead.

So my goal for 2026 is to bring you an exciting and romantic story from a whole new fantasy setting of my design. 

Original fiction is a different world to fanfiction. There is so much more in the way of world building and character development, and boy do I have some original characters for you! 

So stay tuned, and I will introduce some of them to you! 

[tjrivergrass]

And finally it is over. It’s been a tough slog but the first draft is complete. Time for a little break and then I begin work on the second draft!