I've been really struggling to find the story of Shallow Trenches, Open Skies. It hasn't spoken to me the same way Gas Giant Gambit did, and everything has felt thin.
I realized today, that's because I tried to rush into outlining without getting to know my characters, their motivations, and the world they inhabit.
I need to remember to trust my process and to not rush.
The story will flow.

#sciencefiction #scifi #sff #writer #writingcommunity

After nearly two months away from the beginnings of my outline for Shallow Trenches, Open Skies, I think I need to start over. I've just had a thought about a couple of my main characters that changes everything!

#writers #writingcommunity #writer #amwriting #amoutlining #writerstodon #writersofmastodon #sciencefiction #scifi #sff

I lived in Ottawa for 5 years. In that time, I went to between 3 and 5 Senators' games (I dont remember for sure).
I've lived in and around Toronto for 15 years now. In THAT time, I've been to 0 Maple Leafs game.
By all that I mean to say ...
Go, Senators, go!

Between a failed foray into plumbing with no fewer than three trips to the hardware store, and finally getting around to doing my taxes right before the deadline, this day has fully and completely gotten away from me.

In an effort to re-motivate myself to reach this year's reading goals, here's what's up next on my TBR pile.

https://esraye.com/2025/04/29/the-next-5-books-on-my-tbr-pile/

#readersofmastodon #readerstodon #readingcommunity #read

Major announcement!
We have decided we will henceforth extend our reading period for an extra month!
We are now accepting submissions for our upcoming summer issue until May 30th!
Check out our submissions page at the link below to see what we're looking for!
perseidprophecies.ca/submissions/

#sciencefiction #scifi #sff #fantasy #horror #speculativefiction #cosmichorror #darkfantasy #weirdfiction

In honor of Rare and "The Stuff Legends are Made Of" being published, I got myself some noir-y ink. It's the first piece of a publishing sticker sleeve! Wait until you see what I've got planned for Gas Giant Gambit 😉
I can't wait to see it once the irritation fades!

After the absolute mad dash the last 6-ish weeks have been with editing Gas Giant Gambit, I'm going to take the rest of the week off to clear my workspace and my mind, both of which have become untenably cluttered.
Then, back to outlining Shallow Trenches, Open Skies!

#writers #amwriting #amoutlining #sciencefiction #scifi #sff #novel #bookcommunity

Time to update the ol' rejection counter. Onward and upward!

Updates on Gas Giant Gambit, Rare, short stories, and the web series I've been working on!

https://esraye.com/2025/04/23/general-writing-update/

#writersofmastodon #writerstodon #writer #writingcommunity #author #authors #readingcommunity #scifi #sciencefiction #sff

@Mayor_of_Smartarse Wow! Thanks!

As a Canadian author with my debut novel coming out in September, seeing my book on the Indigo website is surreal.

#writersky #skywriter #writingcommunity #scifi #sciencefiction #sff

@saposcat I am! Doing the classic "silhouette in the P.I.'s door window." It's going to be about the size of a credit card and completely greyscale/black and white.

Rare: A Dark Anthology of Unusual Secrets, featuring my sci-fi noir short story "The Stuff Legends are Made of" has officially been published!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/227175553-rare

#writingcommunity #writer #author #writersofmastodon #writerstodon #scifi #sciencefiction #sff #fantasy #horror #anthology

Tattoo consultation complete. Tattoo appointment on Friday!

@saposcat thanks!

It's Friday night, I've got a belly full of pizza, and Gas Giant Gambit's edits are done.
Think I'll settle in for some #SouthofMidnight.
I've been looking forward to this game for a long time.

@saposcat not totally sure yet, and I'm hoping a consultation will bring it in to focus. I'm getting it in honor of my scifi/noir short story getting published in an anthology, so I was thinking that classic image of a silhouette in the detective's door window.

Just booked a consultation for a new tattoo!

I think ... I think it's done.
Now it's just proofreading.

And on that note, a message to aspiring authors. Make sure you write something you like. You're going to read it A LOT.

#amWriting #amediting #writingcommunity #writer #scifi #sciencefiction