Alana ✨ querying LF
@alanatko.bsky.social
🍉🍉🍉
✏️ Fiction, CNF, grocery lists
🍄 #AmQuerying a literary fiction MS about getting lit up all weekend at a music festival
👇🏻 Substack + AO3
https://linktr.ee/themonstergirl
✏️ Fiction, CNF, grocery lists
🍄 #AmQuerying a literary fiction MS about getting lit up all weekend at a music festival
👇🏻 Substack + AO3
https://linktr.ee/themonstergirl
"I don't dream of labour." But have we lost the magic of purpose-driven work as a whole? My take on why we think we'd rather do nothing, and why that actually wouldn't be good for us at all. #writersofbluesky #readmyblog #substackpost
The fantasy of free time
When did doing nothing become synonymous with happiness?
themonstergirl.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:19 PM
"I don't dream of labour." But have we lost the magic of purpose-driven work as a whole? My take on why we think we'd rather do nothing, and why that actually wouldn't be good for us at all. #writersofbluesky #readmyblog #substackpost
Before the spectacle of the new life arrives, we must walk through the forest of uncertainty. Is there a way to, I dunno, kick up our heels and enjoy that part of things too? Make some art, or at least read a few books? 🍋 #writersofbluesky #blogger #readme
The valley of big leaps
And the art of turning it into art
themonstergirl.substack.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Before the spectacle of the new life arrives, we must walk through the forest of uncertainty. Is there a way to, I dunno, kick up our heels and enjoy that part of things too? Make some art, or at least read a few books? 🍋 #writersofbluesky #blogger #readme
Reposted by Alana ✨ querying LF
Read in public. Read in private. Read e-books, genre books, comics, fanfiction. Read literature. Read nonfiction. Read books you’ve already read. Listen to audiobooks. Read what you want. There’s no such thing as “doing reading the wrong way.”
October 29, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Read in public. Read in private. Read e-books, genre books, comics, fanfiction. Read literature. Read nonfiction. Read books you’ve already read. Listen to audiobooks. Read what you want. There’s no such thing as “doing reading the wrong way.”
I guess NaNoWriMo isn't happening for the first time this year, but is anyone else going to just do it anyway? 50k in November - maybe a few of us a can just keep each other accountable. There's also ProWritingAid. What are ya'll doing? #writingcommunity #writingsprint #writinggoal
October 15, 2025 at 6:38 PM
I guess NaNoWriMo isn't happening for the first time this year, but is anyone else going to just do it anyway? 50k in November - maybe a few of us a can just keep each other accountable. There's also ProWritingAid. What are ya'll doing? #writingcommunity #writingsprint #writinggoal
Writers, don't forget to REST. I keep forgetting how important it is. Spend the weekend just looking at stuff, napping, eating. You'll come back to your desk so refreshed, so excited to put words together again. #writingcommunity #writersofbluesky
October 14, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Writers, don't forget to REST. I keep forgetting how important it is. Spend the weekend just looking at stuff, napping, eating. You'll come back to your desk so refreshed, so excited to put words together again. #writingcommunity #writersofbluesky
I recently finished 120 Days of Sodom, and as an extreme lit reader, I absolutely hated it. Check out my full take on Substack, and follow me there for more (free) stuff! #writingcommunity #writersofbluesky #blogger #substack #follow4follow #literaturereview
120 days of overhyped male fantasy
Why do we try so hard to make men relevant?
themonstergirl.substack.com
October 14, 2025 at 6:20 PM
I recently finished 120 Days of Sodom, and as an extreme lit reader, I absolutely hated it. Check out my full take on Substack, and follow me there for more (free) stuff! #writingcommunity #writersofbluesky #blogger #substack #follow4follow #literaturereview
#PlotTober I’m Alana! And I’m wrapping up on a manuscript about 3 friends who spend the weekend at a music festival getting into some very strange and surreal situations. Think Drew Magery’s The Hike, but with more drugs. 🍄
#PlotTober Day 1: Introduce yourself & your WIP
Answer the prompt on the card by quoting this post. Remember, answering a prompt is always optional. Even if you don't share it publicly, I hope the prompt encourages you to think about it privately.
#WritingCommunity #WritingPrompt #WriteSky
Answer the prompt on the card by quoting this post. Remember, answering a prompt is always optional. Even if you don't share it publicly, I hope the prompt encourages you to think about it privately.
#WritingCommunity #WritingPrompt #WriteSky
October 1, 2025 at 6:30 PM
#PlotTober I’m Alana! And I’m wrapping up on a manuscript about 3 friends who spend the weekend at a music festival getting into some very strange and surreal situations. Think Drew Magery’s The Hike, but with more drugs. 🍄
It’s almost time to id as #amquerying again! Can’t wait. Who’s in the trenches? Who should I follow for pitch events? Say hi if you’re in the #writingcommunity!
October 1, 2025 at 6:27 PM
It’s almost time to id as #amquerying again! Can’t wait. Who’s in the trenches? Who should I follow for pitch events? Say hi if you’re in the #writingcommunity!
My obsession with the Jean Talon Market, in photos: themonstergirl.substack.com/p/in-frame-a... #writingcommunity #photographycommunity #writersofbluesky #blog
IN FRAME: An ode to cabbage
Perfect stacks of produce: it never gets old
themonstergirl.substack.com
April 1, 2025 at 7:49 PM
My obsession with the Jean Talon Market, in photos: themonstergirl.substack.com/p/in-frame-a... #writingcommunity #photographycommunity #writersofbluesky #blog
Reposted by Alana ✨ querying LF
Creativity is like a houseplant, not an endless well. You need to seek out sunlight, water, and nutrients in art, shows, music, experiences, and more to tend to it. And just like plants it has its dormant and active periods and you may not seem improvement for some time.
January 23, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Creativity is like a houseplant, not an endless well. You need to seek out sunlight, water, and nutrients in art, shows, music, experiences, and more to tend to it. And just like plants it has its dormant and active periods and you may not seem improvement for some time.
Looking for writer, editor, reader, publisher friends in this wacky new place we call home. Say hi! 👋
January 23, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Looking for writer, editor, reader, publisher friends in this wacky new place we call home. Say hi! 👋
How to survive Montreal winter 101. Spoiler alert: a lot of eating, sleeping, and feeling grateful.
Positive Aspects II
How to survive Montreal winter
buff.ly
January 17, 2025 at 7:49 PM
How to survive Montreal winter 101. Spoiler alert: a lot of eating, sleeping, and feeling grateful.
Some days the writing pours out of me, and other days I'll scrub my bathroom grout before opening up a notebook. I guess I wouldn't love it if it was always easy.
January 17, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Some days the writing pours out of me, and other days I'll scrub my bathroom grout before opening up a notebook. I guess I wouldn't love it if it was always easy.
As a writer, I am neither writing nor thinking about writing, but a secret third thing (living a life I can turn into a story)
January 16, 2025 at 7:49 PM
As a writer, I am neither writing nor thinking about writing, but a secret third thing (living a life I can turn into a story)
I've had many places to call home, but only one place that has held me up and held me down from the beginning. This body holds it all, and I'm so thankful.
My body, after
In honour of my only real home
buff.ly
January 16, 2025 at 3:01 PM
I've had many places to call home, but only one place that has held me up and held me down from the beginning. This body holds it all, and I'm so thankful.
Hi Bluesky! I'm Alana and I write creative nonfiction about life in Montreal, traversing queerness, spirituality, and the joy and horror of being alive. It's free to read! 🩵
🍋 Monster Girl | Alana Trachenko | Substack
I write about real life in Montreal and make up stories the rest of the time. Click to read 🍋 Monster Girl, by Alana Trachenko, a Substack publication. Launched a year ago.
buff.ly
January 15, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Hi Bluesky! I'm Alana and I write creative nonfiction about life in Montreal, traversing queerness, spirituality, and the joy and horror of being alive. It's free to read! 🩵
Can anyone explain why writing feels so intimidating until the moment you sit down? Every time I think: hey, this isn't so hard. This is, in fact, the thing I love to do. But the next day I seem to forget all about that again.
January 15, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Can anyone explain why writing feels so intimidating until the moment you sit down? Every time I think: hey, this isn't so hard. This is, in fact, the thing I love to do. But the next day I seem to forget all about that again.
How do you summarize your year? For me, it's been addresses, blog posts, and falling in love. I write here for free (almost) every week:
2024 Wrapped
Yearly metrics on words and things
buff.ly
January 14, 2025 at 7:49 PM
How do you summarize your year? For me, it's been addresses, blog posts, and falling in love. I write here for free (almost) every week:
Hey #writersofbluesky, do you rely on outlines, or do you just wing it? Ie, are you a planner or a pantser? I feel like one type of writer can't be another - but maybe we should give the other strategy a try.
January 14, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Hey #writersofbluesky, do you rely on outlines, or do you just wing it? Ie, are you a planner or a pantser? I feel like one type of writer can't be another - but maybe we should give the other strategy a try.
Reposted by Alana ✨ querying LF
[willem dafoe unprompted] now, this cookie monster. [toothy smile] what a creature, what a lust. it consumes him. [crosses legs] he’s really a tragic figure.
January 13, 2025 at 1:15 AM
[willem dafoe unprompted] now, this cookie monster. [toothy smile] what a creature, what a lust. it consumes him. [crosses legs] he’s really a tragic figure.
Reposted by Alana ✨ querying LF
New year, same old me.
January 5, 2025 at 3:43 PM
New year, same old me.
January 6, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Montreal lately
January 5, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Montreal lately