Hannah Steenbock

German Author, Dreamer and Dragonlover.

Writing Fantasy (in English) about underdogs with happy endings. Looking for fellow writers and interested readers.

Cares about people, the world and the climate. Hugs trees. Talks too much.

Pronouns: she/her

Avatar: Stick figure horse I drew myself.
Background image: Four book covers on a star field - my series starters. Dorelle's Journey, Decoy, A Wolf's Quest, South Breaks.

#actuallyautistic #horses #EFTTapping #Mandalorian

Public Key

npub1f3dw8vv65tcwtlun7ycaqllul92cp6s2y702vd26hxxznfazpr6qd24dm9

NIP-05 Address

[email protected]

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsyckhrkxd29u89l7flzvws0l70j4vqag9z084xx4dtnrpf573q3aqpz4mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumt0wd68ytnsw43q60r9z6

Publishing to

relay.mostr.pub

Author Public Key

npub1f3dw8vv65tcwtlun7ycaqllul92cp6s2y702vd26hxxznfazpr6qd24dm9

Show more details

Last Notes

2024-06-20 10:26:40

#PhantastikPrompts 20.06.:
Kommen Fremdsprachen in deinem Werk vor?
Manchmal, wobei man wissen muss, dass ich in der Regel auf Englisch schreibe.
In meinem Buch "A Wolf's Christmas" fahren zwei meiner Wölfe über Weihnachten nach Deutschland - und so kommt Deutsch als "Fremdsprache" in meinem Buch vor. (Mit Übersetzungen in Fußnoten.)
Ja, ich finde das lustig.
A Wolf's Christmas, Wolves of the South 7
#WritingCommunity
#WolfShifter

2024-06-18 12:18:58

#WordWeavers 6/18 - If your book came with a small toy, what would it be?
A toy wolf, of course!
A Wolf's Fury, Wolves of the South 4
If you are interested in my Wolf series, start with A Wolf's Quest. It should be free in all stores. Amazon likes to play games, though, so grab it somewhere else if it isn't, and then send it to your Kindle via email.
https://books2read.com/WolvesSouthQuest
#WritingCommunity
#WolfShifters

2024-06-17 15:34:54

#WritersCoffeeClub 6/17. Do you lose track of time while writing or editing?
It happens, even though I generally have a good sense of time. That's why I have timers set for some important stuff - and I needed it this morning to log into work on time (home office).
I'm Autistic, and when I slip into hyperfocus, time loses all meaning. It's rare that it does so completely, but it's part of who I am. (Yes, I am embracing it.)
I actually love it when it happens with writing.
#WritingCommunity

2024-06-15 16:33:52

- reply

@npub1k24…26zw
It does.
And I know it makes me human and relatable, and nobody really minds a little mistake like that.
Fortunately, I don't really feel uncomfortable in front of a camera.

2024-06-09 11:26:59

Back from casting my vote in the EU elections. It was good to see quite a few people on the same errand.
Also passed a neighborhood flea market on the way home and bought a Schleich horse and a Playmobil dragon. That was fun.
Mostly evaded the rain.
#AuthorLife

2024-06-06 20:50:33

Gute Nacht, Freunde.
600 words for Sun this morning - a random conversation with some foreshadowing. Fun to write.
Survived the office, grabbed groceries, felt quite shaky on my way home but made it. All good now.
Played a LOT of Valheim. Twink is expanding an old tower into a base for Mountain exploring. She also grabbed her first dragon egg. Annoying things can't be 'ported.
Sold quite a few Wolf books. Yay!
#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife
#Valheim

2024-06-05 09:36:13

- reply

@npub19m5…28dy
Yay! Glad you're looking at your writing again - and sharing it with us.

2024-06-05 08:59:42

#WritersCoffeeClub 5.5 — Have you ever dreamed about characters in your work?
Not in the narrow sense of the word, no. I don't often remember my dreams, but they are usually about my family or friends.
However, I daydream a lot about my characters, I talk to them, I listen, I watch what they do.
And then I write it down.
#WritingCommunity

2024-06-04 11:12:11

#WordWeavers 5.4 — Antagonist POV: is it easy for you to apologize? Can you apologize to someone right now?
Sam Beechcroft: "Apologize? Whatever for? If anyone needs to apologize, it's my daughter and her despicable lover.
"They ran away, they set up a kidnapping with a ransom demand, they tried to undermine all my plans. They got everything coming to them - and it will be my pleasure to make their lives miserable."
A Wolf's Fury, Wolves of the South 4
#WritingCommunity
#WolfShifter

2024-06-03 13:38:34

- reply

@npub1k24…26zw
I love what you did there.
This is something I can totally get behind. ❤️

2024-06-03 09:53:12

- reply

@npub1ll9…55q2
Yeah. I've seen "tags" used in a humorous way in romantasy, and that would be one way to do them well.
But then, I stay away from horror and grimdark anyway...

2024-06-03 09:41:24

#WritersCoffeeClub 6/3: Should books include a content warning?
I'm divided about this.
I do not think that trigger warnings actually help much.
On the other hand, readers should know about certain tropes that happen in a book, so they can avoid it if they do not like those.
I suppose it's up to each author, and I would certainly not want to impose them.
There's already too much book banning going on. (And lets not even talk about erotica and how they are handled.)
#WritingCommunity

2024-06-03 09:01:01

#WordWeavers 6/3: Who is your most creative character?
Sky Falcon, hands down.
No, he's not a writer, painter or any of the other arts. (I really should write a writer, right?)
But he is the one who plays with his powers most, who comes up with new ideas and uses constantly. I like to call him a scientist because he's so curious, but he does have that creative element that the best scientists possess.
Sky Falls, Pillars of the Empire 2
#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy

2024-06-02 22:46:44

Gute Nacht, Freunde.
No writing. It happens.
Today was Sunday and I basically lazed around, read some romance and played Valheim.
Still in clean-up mode after the boss fight. Scraping more iron ore out of the Swamp, because we need gear for the Mountains.
And yes, an iron pickaxe is so much better than a bronze one.
Back into the fray tomorrow. (I wish I could retire with the income I have now, that would be bliss.)
#WritingCommunity

2024-06-02 17:46:31

#WordWeavers 2/6: If your MC listened to your favourite music, what would their reaction be?
Connor would laugh and recognize all the series and game music I love to listen to. (Some of it is my power music, from Boba Fett or Valheim.)
Ashley would ask where it came from.
Both would also be surprised by my love of classical music.
A Wolf's Fury, Wolves of the South 4
#WritingCommunity
#WolfShifter

2024-06-02 13:10:35

- reply

@npub1p52…6plk
I knew about them. So cool. *hugs*

2024-06-02 10:35:40

- reply

@npub1c2c…p0k3
Definitely a win!

2024-06-01 23:34:32

Gute Nacht, Freunde.
Wrote a little for Sun. He's learning yet another way to use his power - in dire circumstances.
Also read a fantasy romance with vampires and a dragon (YAY!), and played Valheim with my friend.
In really good news, we killed the Swamp boss! Hah!
And now I'm off to bed.
#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife

2024-06-01 18:41:42

- reply

@npub1xn6…lyx3
I went and grabbed it.
(To be completely honest, I don't know when I'll read it, but I wanted to support your release - and who knows when the fancy grabs me.)

2024-06-01 18:28:18

#WritersCoffeeClub 5.1 — Intro and update: Introduce yourself and / or update us on your writing journey since your last intro.
Hi everyone, I'm Hannah (not my official name).
I'm a German writer of fantasy (sometimes SF), writing mostly in English. I prefer feel-good stories with a good ending, although my heroes do get mangled quite a bit until they get there.
I also often write about underdogs and people fighting for what is right. I write mostly series.
#WritingCommunity

2024-05-31 10:25:49

I have to do something difficult today:
Announce to everyone that I'll start raising the prices on my books this weekend, i.e. tomorrow.
I'm telling you anyway because I want to give you the opportunity grab any of my books you've waited to read before the price goes up.
(At least that's what I'm telling myself. And you now.)
Here's a Books2Read link to everything I've written in every store where they are sold (except my own).
https://books2read.com/hannahsteenbock
#WritingCommunity
@[email protected]

2024-05-30 22:31:21

Gute Nacht, Freunde.
Slow day. Wrote 450 words for Sun in the morning, survived the office, grabbed groceries on my way home.
Played a LOT of Valheim. Starting to feel comfortable in the Swamp. Time to tackle the boss, methinks.
Didn't take screenshots - the Swamp is a dreary, dark place.
#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife

2024-05-30 18:02:41

- reply

@npub1cj9…s25q
Oh, sweeeeeeeeet! ❤️

2024-05-30 18:01:31

- reply

@npub1u7j…9taq
Agreed, that's bad.
Here, some court ruled that the German Weather Service may not have a monopoly on weather data, so other services sprung up and make money with it.

2024-05-30 14:54:20

- reply

@npub1u7j…9taq
Well, apologies. Might depend on the app you're using.
I will admit that I like to look at the sky and make my own deductions from it, though. 😉

2024-05-30 08:59:13

#PennedPossibilities 330 — How does your MC go about expressing or not expressing their sexuality?
Connor enjoys the occasional tryst, certainly. He's also confident about his looks, but so far has not considered a relationship.
Ashley would love to get some. She's impressed by her cousin's adventures, but doesn't quite dare to go there yet. Connor fascinates her and she wants to conquer him, but... he won't give in to her advances.
A Wolf's Fury, Wolves of the South 4
#WritingCommunity

2024-05-29 17:36:28

#PhantastikPrompts 29.5.:
"Welche sind deine 3 allerliebsten Protagonisten? Was gefällt dir an ihnen?"
1) West (West Flows). Er ist einfach so genial und seine magische Fähigkeit so großartig. Und er ist schwul.
2) Nick Karagiannidis. Wolf Shifter, anständig, edel, ein guter Freund, kann über sich selbst lachen. (A Wolf's Honor)
3) Sidren (Dragon Prey). Eine Heilerin, von Verlust gebeutelt und doch in der Lage, genau hinzuschauen und nicht alle über einen Kamm zu scheren.
#WritingCommunity

2024-05-29 08:55:38

#WordWeavers 29/5: How would your MC handle finding a spider in their home?
Connor wouldn't mind. He's used to wildlife, but he might just take it outside if it were in a problematic spot.
Ashley would... cringe a little inside. And then ask someone else to remove it. She's not the kind of person to squish one.
A Wolf's Fury, Wolves of the South 4
#WritingCommunity
#WolfShifter

2024-05-29 08:05:45

I just wrote a little gem that those of you who read East Roars will recognize. I'm also sitting here, quietly giggling to myself.
“No, wait, Zameesa. That makes sense. That’s how they name their mages. It’s for their power.”
How did she even know?
“It’s what those traders said when I was a guard at the Station. There was a woman among them who could heat water.”
East Roars, Winds of Destiny 3
Sun Burns, Pillars of the Empire 3
#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy

2024-05-28 21:32:30

Gute Nacht, Freunde.
No writing today. (*sigh*)
On Tuesdays, I meet a friend on Zoom at 6am. That's because timezones are just difficult to coordinate.
It killed my writing time. I'll be back at it tomorrow.
I did join BookFunnel promos for June, which is always a bit stressful for me. I hope I found good matches. In exciting news, I plan to set up one of my own tomorrow! (Shifters without Alphas).
Some Valheim, a nap and decent food. Not a bad day.
#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife

2024-05-28 08:38:37

#PhantastikPrompts 28.5.
Kommt in deiner Geschichte eine Szene vor, in der eine Figur ganz anders ist, als sie zunächst eingeschätzt wird?
Connor hält Ashley zunächst für eine typische, verzogene Göre aus reichem Haus, gerade auch, weil sie versucht, ihn ins Bett zu kriegen. Das ist gar nicht sein Ding.
Aber dann lernt er andere Seiten von ihr kennen, findet heraus, wie mies ihr Vater ist und... naja...
A Wolf's Fury, Wolves of the South 4
#WritingCommunity
#WolfShifter

2024-05-28 08:13:19

#WordWeavers 5.26 — What childhood similarities do your MC and antagonist share?
Both grew up in the South, both didn't come from a rich background.
Connor learned to enjoy the little things in life, like freedom, hunting, riding his bike, and the brothers of his pack.
Sam Beechcroft, however, uses everyone and everything he can lay his hands on to enrich himself, including his daughter Ashley. He is a mobster at heart.
A Wolf's Fury, Wolves of the South 4
#WritingCommunity
#WolfShifters

2024-05-28 07:50:16

#WordWeavers 5.28 — Did your MCs have comfort objects they carried as a child? Now?
Connor hasn't told me much about his childhood so I don't know.
Wolves do not collect a lot of stuff. It's impractical when they have to move den in a hurry. Most of them live with few material possessions.
Some of my Wolves carry family heirlooms. Connor has none, though. He does find comfort on long, rambling motorcycle rides, so his bike may come close.
A Wolf's Fury
#WritingCommunity
#WolfShifters

2024-05-27 21:56:03

Gute Nacht, Freunde.
Wrote 600 words for Sun this morning. Third day of writing in the morning, and so far, it's been easy.
I expect it to be harder on some day, but we'll see. And eventually, I hope to reach 1k words regularly, but even that is secondary to establishing the habit.
Also played Valheim. Twink had a troll attack which showed some weaknesses in her fortifications. They are now - hopefully - fixed.
Not much else. I'm still in hyperfocus.
#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife

2024-05-27 09:44:12

#PhantastikPrompts 27.5.
Was schreibst du nach deinem aktuellen Projekt? Ist bereits das nächste in Planung?
Allerdings (ich habe massenhaft angefangene Projekte...)!
Wenn ich Sun Burns fertig habe, dann schreibe ich ein Wolf-Buch, A Wolf's Hacker. Das wird Band 8 in meiner Wolves of the South Serie.
Die Geschichte steht schon grob im Kopf und ein paar Kapitel sind auch schon geschrieben, die Figuren wollen endlich.
Die Wölfe sind meine Bestseller.
#WritingCommunity
#WolfShifter

2024-05-27 07:13:22

- reply

@npub1k9l…mwzy
Definitely do. When you attach an image, it offers you to "edit" it. That's where you can put in alt-text, and most servers give you a LOT of space for that.

2024-05-26 23:22:42

Gute Nacht, Freunde.
300 words for Sun in the morning. That feels so good, even if it's slow progress. But habit first, more writing later.
Played Valheim, and whatever happened, we no longer get those constant Events. It's a relief. Had another adventure with my friend - mined stuff from Leviathans. Sea Serpents, beware!
Had a lovely nap (necessary, bad night because of a loud party), had yummy food and really enjoyed this Sunday.
#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife

2024-05-25 23:24:42

Gute Nacht, Freunde.
A good day! I wrote first thing in the morning - want to re-create this habit. 300 words for Sun.
Ran my Mastermind a day late.
Played Valheim - even with my friend tonight! - we had quite an adventure with a nasty Sea Serpent. But in the end, we won!
I took care of errands, cooked a meal (with room for improvement, but that's okay), and read a comfort book.
I'm very happy and feel restored.
#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife

2024-05-25 12:57:16

Can Galahad overcome his trauma? Can he find solutions where there are none? And worst of all, can he unravel all the strange mysteries surrounding the ship, its crew and the system they all work for?
If you enjoy a complex tale that brings a human element to all species that travel space, combined with a multi-layered mystery, and starring a broken hero, Herald Petrel by Strange Seawolf (insert your author name here) will deliver.

2024-05-25 06:20:13

- reply

@npub1k24…26zw
Share it with us. Or me in DM or something. But really, it saves so much time.

2024-05-25 05:36:48

- reply

@npub12vk…ald8
Thank you. ❤️

2024-05-24 21:47:12

Gute Nacht, Freunde.
No writing.
I'm seriously upset about the level of arrogance the big tech companies are displaying. Do they think we are complete fools?
So glad I'm on Mastodon.
And I hope that while things probably have to get even worse before the tech comps collapse and things can get better, we'll reach the end of "worse" really soon.
Add in the level of climate catastrophe deniers and the state of the world, and I am not doing well.
#WritingCommunity

2024-05-24 20:40:45

#WordWeavers May 24: While drafting, do you avoid or binge watch similar material?
Avoid.
I don't want ideas to slip into my writing that are clearly from another book.
I still read, just not in that direct genre.
#WritingCommunity

2024-05-23 10:21:17

#WordWeavers 5/23: Are your MCs picky about where they sleep?
Sun is not, not really. The location or circumstances don't matter at all.
But he has trouble sleeping alone. All his life, he slept basically in a pile with all of his other House members.
After his escape, there is nobody he trusts to be close to. So he sleeps alone and hates it.
(This will eventually change again. 🙂 )
Sun Burns, Pillars of the Empire 3
#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy

2024-05-23 09:10:28

#PhantastikPrompts 23.5.:
Was würdest du im Zweifel eher ändern, das Ende, auf das deine Geschichte hinläuft, oder den Weg, den die Figuren nehmen? Warum?
Ich bin zwar Pantser, aber das Ende ist für mich meistens gesetzt (feel-good stories).
Daher ändert sich manchmal der Weg, den meine Figuren nehmen. Ab und zu überraschen sie mich nämlich mit seltsamen Entscheidungen - aber die stellen sich meistens als richtig heraus.
Ich brauche diese Überraschungen.
#WritingCommunity

2024-05-23 08:49:42

#PennedPossibilities 323 — What's a piece of advice for writers that you listened to and are glad for?
Write what you enjoy.
I've followed that for all my writing life. The few times I tried to write for the market, it didn't work - I either didn't finish the book or it twisted away from the idea.
I do try to hit both - and the (relative) success of my Wolf Shifter series shows that I can make it happen, to a degree. (My Shifters are not spicy and don't have Alphas...)
#WritingCommunity

2024-05-23 08:37:47

- reply

@npub185n…luq0
Nur wo soll man als Mieter die Akkus sonst aufladen?
Nur so als Frage...

2024-05-22 17:52:50

- reply

@npub19m5…28dy
Very glad you're back. *hugs*
And it's all good. We'll be here when you feel up to posting and interacting again.

2024-05-22 08:34:05

#PennedPossibilities 322 — What piece of advice, as an author, did you once receive but hadn’t followed? Looking back on it now, you might wish that you had.
I probably should have learned about writing blurbs a lot earlier. Also should have started building a good newsletter list years ago...
But I cannot change the past.
I can only change what I do now, and I'm working to make those parts of my author business better.
#WritingCommunity

2024-05-21 21:28:12

Gute Nacht, Freunde.
Didn't even try to write - yes, I opened the file, changed a few words... fizzled out. *sigh*
Proofread 15 pages.
Played some Valheim. Scared by troll events (they killed our pigs!). Twink peeked at the Mountain, hoping to find obsidian (no luck), killed two wolves. Still has to fight Bonemass.
Feeling quite fragile emotionally. The world has become so unsafe lately, at least that's what it feels like.
#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife

2024-05-21 11:12:11

#WritersCoffeeClub 5/21. Do you format as you write or do that at the end?
I write in Libre Office, using old manuscript style (Courier New etc). The one thing I format while I write are the chapter headers (style: Heading 1).
That will help me massively once I upload my file into Atticus where I do the actual ebook and print formatting. The Headings serve to determine chapter breaks and the table of contents.
This is by far the easiest process I have found for my books.
#WritingCommunity

2024-05-20 22:15:48

Gute Nacht, Freunde.
Another day where I opened the file, fiddled a bit with what I have written - and stalled out.
This is painful.
I used to be so much better about "just sitting down and write". I miss it.
Valheim was unpleasant today, with constant Events. I killed more trolls today than I usually do in a week. Something with the update, I fear.
Today was the last of the spring holidays, so it's back to the day job tomorrow.
#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife

2024-05-20 17:39:17

- reply

@npub1cj9…s25q
Glad you got to enjoy the visit! Those moments are so precious and important.
*hugs*
And it will get better! I firmly believe that.

2024-05-20 12:55:35

- reply

@npub1a6r…fmlv
One of my favorite side characters in the show. Wish we'd see him again.
I just love, love, love his gentle, Southern accent.

2024-05-20 09:22:20

- reply

@npub15ry…ek8e
Thank you! I wanted something cute and funny. (And possibly a vantage point to shoot nasties!)
Have you decided to build in the Swamp yet?
(I wouldn't, to be honest. The weather is dreadful. 😉 )

2024-05-19 10:58:17

- reply

@npub1c2f…qpwu
Hach... schön wär's.

2024-05-19 10:56:18

#SilentSunday #Germany
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/112/466/909/952/982/447/original/ffd4218c64a145af.jpeg

2024-05-18 22:06:37

Gute Nacht, Freunde.
Lonely day. Much Valheim, no writing.
I did go outside - got groceries. My fitness thing no longer counts my steps, the silly, ungrateful thing. I just got new, beautiful armbands for it, too.
Feeling like I have to level up in Valheim, which means fighting the Swamp boss, and I do not think I'm ready. Still, hauling ever more iron does not appeal, either.
Tomorrow is a new day.
#WritingCommunity

2024-05-18 09:02:21

#WordWeavers 5/18 — What kind of dragon (behavior or looks) would your MC be?
Sun is a fire mage, so he'd probably be a red dragon in the D&D sense.
Except he's not evil at all and will always try other means of persuasion and fighting before blasting anyone with fire.
As far as I know, however, there are no dragons in his world and he isn't aware of the concept.
Sun Burns, Pillars of the Empire 3
#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy

2024-05-18 08:49:49

#PennedPossibilities 318 — What do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused?
Quiet. Sometimes music, but that's rare.
Any loud noise will pull me out of my story, especially doors being slammed, kids screaming, sirens below my window.
Now that sounds like I live in a horrible place, which I don't. The Main Fire Station is just own the road, however. And I have hyper-awareness.
It's why I love writing early in the morning when the rest is still asleep.
#WritingCommunity

2024-05-17 19:01:54

#PhantastikPrompts 17.5.
Wie bist du auf den Titel deiner Geschichte gekommen und was findest du wichtig bei der Wahl eines guten Titels?
Als sich die Winds und Pillars Serie eines Nachts in meinem Kopf bildete, waren die Titel auch alle schon gleich klar.
Ich muss aber sagen, dass mir bei Sun Burns ein Lied im Kopf herumspukte: "Alarmsignal. Die Sonne brennt. Heißer als man sie kennt." (Na, wer kennt das noch?)
Sun Burns, Pillars of the Empire 3
#WritingCommunity
#EpiFantasy
1/2

2024-05-17 09:05:08

#WritersCoffeeClub 17/5: Other than writing, what's your go-to creative outlet?
I used to do photography, but my DLR is no longer working very well. And somehow, phone cameras degraded. And I no longer walk in the park as much.
I want to do more drawing, but I'm only slowly coming out of hyperfocus on Valheim, so it'll be a while.
So basically, writing is it.
#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife

2024-05-17 08:26:13

There is a story here.
(Created on Mastodon by bots in a list I set up.)
#FunStuff
#Coincidence
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/112/454/993/888/847/768/original/5a23bb0f1a3a78d0.png

2024-05-17 07:14:35

- reply

@npub1cj9…s25q
Enjoyed your newsletter and realized that I haven't read Springtime Pleasures yet. Grabbed it, and am almost halfway through.
I can so relate to Charlie, it's not funny.
(Perpetual wallflower here.)

2024-05-16 21:58:45

Gute Nacht, Freunde.
Wrote 1k words for Sun this morning. He finally talked to me, and the words just poured out.
Next is his first battle - which he'll lose badly. It'll be a hard time for him, but it'll also lead him directly to his future happy place. (Yes. He deserves that!)
Survived the office. Left ten minutes early because I could NOT STAND it any longer. (It's fine. We're allowed.) Grabbed groceries, was completely wiped when I got home. Nap and Valheim.
#WritingCommunity

2024-05-16 09:43:26

- reply

@npub12y2…03n6
Very cool. I wish Book View Cafe were more prominent.
I used to buy from them, but it seems some of my favorite authors have left them. What's going on?

2024-05-16 09:38:04

#WritersCoffeeClub 5/16: What's your target audience? Why?
I write for people who want to find hope in my stories. Who cheer for the good guys winning. Who delight in justice.
Basically, they are people like me. (Of course.)
I firmly believe that we need to support hope and a belief that the good will win even if we have to fight for it. The world is depressing enough.
#WritingCommunity
#Noblebright

2024-05-15 21:39:50

- reply

@npub1cj9…s25q
*sending lots of hugs*
Totally shitty. As if you want to be ill.
The thing they should do is give you at least half a year to recover - paying your salary.

2024-05-14 22:11:38

Gute Nacht, Freunde.
No writing, but I did accomplish quite a lot today.
Finally fixed the sign-up forms on my website and threw together a quick and dirty automation so new subscribers actually get their reader magnet and a couple of welcome emails. Very necessary admin stuff.
Also rebuilt a base in Valheim (yay, stone buildings!), cooked food and cleaned - and took a nap!
And I proofread 30 pages. The story is starting to grow on me.
#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife

2024-05-13 21:33:29

Gute Nacht, Freunde.
Today, I sent out my newsletter (struggled with it, too), and then I realized that I messed up the link to my update blog post.
Of course, I realized it five seconds after I hit SEND. Of course.
So yeah, I'll put it at the end of this post.
Also played Valheim, got a really nasty idea to harvest some material - have to try that out in game. Survived a troll attack on my Twink's base, thanks to a back door. Not much damage.
#WritingCommunity
https://www.hannah-steenbock.de/may-2024-progress-report/

2024-05-13 16:05:39

- reply

@npub15k2…jknp
You did win the internet!
(Thanks for a much-needed laugh.)

2024-05-12 16:38:24

- reply

@npub1eeu…4aku
It's all automated, which is the only way I can do it.
And while February has been an awesome month (wish I knew why), the rest of this year has been fairly dismal.

2024-05-12 12:47:40

#WritersCoffeeClub 5/12: How do you market your work?
Mostly through posting here on Mastodon in the writing games. It's really the most fun.
But I also run some Amazon Ads (to my free first in series) and I have a subscription with Fussy Librarian that happens every second month.
Oh, and I have a newsletter that goes out on every 13th of the month. (Yes, tomorrow.) And I'm building my own store.
I know it's not enough. But it's what I can afford and do.
#WritingCommunity

2024-05-10 14:37:40

- reply

@npub1e6x…esz3
You're right. That would have been the very correct way to put it.
I just copied what Mark Lawrence put onto his website, however.

2024-05-10 12:01:34

- reply

@npub1arr…uugh
No, no. It only opens at 1pm today, and will be open for 24h.
So I haven't submitted yet.

2024-05-10 11:05:46

Today is SPFBO day.
Doesn't mean a thing to you?
It's the biggest indie fantasy award, and you can submit your book today. Only today. It's open for 24h, starting at 1pm GMT.
And yes, maybe it is foolish to up the competition and invite even more authors, but I believe in sharing. I believe we're all in it together.
So check it out here:
https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-official-self-published-fantasy.html
#WritingCommunity
#SPFBO10

2024-05-09 22:24:48

- reply

@npub15ax…lqq5
Tell Ted congrats from me. 🙂

2024-05-09 22:21:53

Gute Nacht, Freunde.
Today is a public holiday in Germany, so I enjoyed a quiet morning while everyone else was sleeping in.
Played Valheim. (Of course.)
Attended a webinar about writing blurbs and reworked the one for Sun (really must order the cover now).
Ran quite a headache today, so I'm turning in now without any other writing. Still, a pretty good day.
#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife

2024-05-09 07:53:29

Guten Morgen!
Fun thing happened this morning.
It's quiet outside. City is still asleep, clearly. I'm up early, sitting on the balcony, enjoying birdsong and the scream of seagulls.
It's very peaceful, except for a ship tooting its horn every few minutes out in the fjord. I don't mind, it's kind of cool.
Very sleepy, very grumpy noise from next door: "Hey. It's a public holiday, could you quit that?!"
#Kiel
#AscensionDay

2024-05-08 21:30:32

Gute Nacht, Freunde.
Today, I proofread 20 pages, took good care of myself, even cooked a meal.
No writing, alas. No brain space for it. But I have a long weekend now, and I hope I can finally dig into Sun and finish his story.
Of course, there's Valheim. Need to get back into the Swamp, after avoiding that for a while. (It's so dark and icky there.) Saw my first sea serpent and got it killed by a troll. Hah!
Life is good.
#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife

2024-05-07 22:52:21

Gute Nacht, Freunde.
A really good day.
Survived a dental appointment (wasn't bad), ran errands, edited 20 pages for a friend - and played a lot of Valheim.
I was rather frustrated with Twink when she couldn't find another crypt for iron ore. Hopped onto another continent, and voilá, two new crypts. Am still scraping iron out of the first one, it's HUGE. This feels like great progress.
Nothing for Sun. I will get there!
#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife
Feel-good stories in any Universe.

2024-05-07 16:07:15

#WritersCoffeeClub 5/7: Do you add a copyright statement to your work? How comprehensive is it?
Of course, I do when I publish a book. Indicating copyright is part of the German law for publication, and it affects me as a German citizen.
For my English-language books, I use US terminology - that's what people are familiar and comfortable with.
For all the good it does, I just want to follow the law. Copyright has never stopped any pirates...
#WritingCommunity

2024-05-06 22:15:29

Gute Nacht, Freunde.
I spent a good deal of today practicing project management in a game environment.
That's my take on it, and I'm sticking to that.
(Yes, it was Valheim.)
I found a solution to a big problem, and killed the nasty monster after a few tries. Well worth all the effort.
No writing. But Writer Brain is nibbling around Sun and the Prequel to the series. Still letting go of stress over the state of the world.
#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife
Feel-good stories in any Universe

2024-05-06 12:34:29

#WordWeavers 5/6. Who is your most fun character?
Sky Falcon instantly raised his hand. It's not that he's a jokster. But he has a quirky mind and is full of curiosity. Nothing gets him down much, he always comes back swinging - and laughing.
Nick Karagianidis comes a close second, he's one of my Wolves. He can easily laugh at himself. I love that in a person.
Sky Falls, Pillars of the Empire 2
A Wolf's Honor, Wolves of the South 3
#WritingCommunity
Feel-good stories in any Universe.

2024-05-06 06:59:12

#PennedPossibilities 306 — Are there any characters that you WISH you killed off in a series or standalone story?
No.
I try to make even my bad characters personal, with understandable motivations and decisions. Even if they go insane, basically.
That in turn means I don't hate them. I often feel pity or compassion for them. I give them chances to change. But often enough, they dig their own grave - and that matters for their story. I don't waste those moments.
#WritingCommunity

2024-05-05 22:50:32

- reply

@npub1k24…26zw
*hugs*

2024-05-05 13:52:53

- reply

@npub16te…w2lm
Falls du magst, schau mal Mack's Marvelous Manifastations an, eine Serie von AJ Sherwood.
Allerdings lohnt es sich, vorher Jon's Mystery Case zu lesen.
(Ich liebe gay romances von AJ.)

2024-05-05 13:49:49

#PhantastikPrompts 05.05.
Worin unterscheidet sich deine Geschichte besonders von anderen Werken desselben Genres?
Meine Wolf Shifter sind weder spicy, noch haben sie irgendwelche Alphas.
Meine Drachen sind Personen, und so gibt es gute und schlechte und einfach... alles dazwischen.
Meine SF-Serie hat praktische keine Raumfahrt (aus Gründen).
Meine Magier haben wenig echte Macht, jedenfalls bis sie entkommen.
Feel-good stories in any Universe.
#WritingCommunity

2024-05-05 12:26:26

- reply

@npub1k24…26zw
Exactly. Instead, he was pushed beyond his limits by the Dragon Master. (And she was really a nasty piece of compost.)

2024-05-05 07:43:07

#WritersCoffeeClub 5/5. Is there a certain kind of story or arc that is easier for you to write as a short story than others?
Not really.
I sometimes write short stories - usually, they turn into novellas, though.
To me, a short story is about one moment in time, one specific event, something "unheard of" in that person's life. (Yes, that harks back to Goethe's "unerhörte Begebenheit".)
That helps me write short(er) stories. And sometimes, I'm in the mood for that.
#WritingCommunity

2024-05-04 21:59:37

Gute Nacht, Freunde.
Spent the day gaming. The world is so getting me down. Feels like greed and ego are winning, and those who could wield some power for good refuse to do so.
So I did some good in Valheim. And survived the first troll attack on our home with little damage. Still as scary moment.
I hope I'll feel better tomorrow. I know what I want to write.
#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife

2024-05-04 12:49:53

- reply

@npub1ex0…24fq
Schade eigentlich. Der Rücktritt von Merz wäre eine echte Verbesserung.

2024-05-04 12:46:12

#WritersCoffeeClub 5/4: What's the worst thing about being a writer?
Getting all the story ideas all the time.
Turning experiences into stories. Creating worlds I want to live in. Longing for the happiness my characters find.
And finally... sharing and marketing all those books.
#WritingCommunity

2024-05-02 18:58:34

#WordWeavers 5/2: What are your MC's living conditions like? Are they better or worse than average?
Sun wouldn't really know. He has spent all his life in his House, everything he needs being provided by the Priests. Good quality, but nothing fancy.
Only when he finds out how "normal" people live, does he realize how little they had in the House. But he has no time to learn more, since he has to run for his life...
Sun Burns, Pillars of the Empire 3
(WiP)
#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy

2024-05-02 10:44:11

#PennedPossibilities 302 — What is the one thing your SC desires most in the world?
Laisal wants the best for everyone. She's a healer, someone who wants to alleviate pain.
When she discovers the truth about the Winds and Pillars, she's shocked to the core. Her world shifted completely when she rolled off the Pyramid with Sun.
Now, she craves justice. She wants to protect all Winds and Pillars, starting with Sun.
Sun Burns, Pillars of the Empire 3
#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy

2024-05-01 20:39:34

#WordWeavers May 1 - Introduce your setting as if it's a character in your story.
That's a neat one.
The Holy Empire is cranky. It thirsts for blood, for power, and it never gets enough. The times are changing, and it doesn't like it, at all.
Its servants, the Priests, are losing their focus, their purpose, and instead they care only about themselves. So the Empire clings to what it has, while power slips through its fingers.
The Winds and Pillars Series
#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy

2024-05-01 11:57:04

#WritersCoffeeClub 1: OMG! What happened to your MC's parents?
Sun has no idea. He never got to know his parents.
It is possible they were other Winds and Pillars, and that would mean they are long dead by now.
Life is not good for people with magical powers in the Holy Empire...
Sun Burns, Pillars of the Empire 3
(WiP - I really need to finish this!)
#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy

2024-05-01 07:17:24

#WordWeavers 30: Does your MC have any pets? If so, what are they?
No, Sun doesn't have any pets. They were not allowed, not deemed useful or necessary for his House in any way.
And after he gets out, he doesn't have the time or energy to care for a pet, he's just trying to stay alive, which is hard enough.
I will admit to giving him a pet at the very end of the story. Not spoiling this, though.
Sun Burns, Pillars of the Empire 3
(WiP)
#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy

2024-04-30 21:38:52

Gute Nacht, Freunde.
Highly successful day: I finished a difficult admin task that involved API keys, automations and integrations. And I really hope it all works.
Didn't manage to write, but that's okay. The business end is also very important.
Yes, of course, I played Valheim. Steered my boat through the most harrowing, long, narrow passage yet. Froze for part of it. But now I have a ship on the southern end of my continent and that's great.
#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife

2024-04-30 21:34:02

- reply

@npub1k24…26zw
I'm sorry I'm so slow these days. *hugs*