Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

The Binturong Problem – Litopia

Litopia @litopia.bsky.social · Aug 15

Invented creatures need names that intrigue, not confuse. Should we risk “binturong”-level blank stares or play it safe with “bearcat”? Laura Rikono explores the art—and peril—of naming fictional species.
Read more: buff.ly/gLqg4zA
#writing #worldbuilding #fantasy #sciencefiction

Tired Old Characterizations – Litopia

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Litopia @litopia.bsky.social · Aug 14

Sick of lazy tropes? James Charles is too. From helpless victims to weepy “lady cops,” these tired clichés ruin tension and insult reality. Writers can—and should—do better.
Read more: buff.ly/TEPd0AN
#WritingTips #AmWriting #Fiction

Another Night in A&E (Part 1) – Litopia

Litopia @litopia.bsky.social · Aug 13

When your husband suddenly can’t find the word for “kitchen,” you know the clock is ticking. The Golden Hour for stroke is now… but the ambulance wait is hours. What happens next?
buff.ly/9yr1CRo
#Stroke #NHS #GoldenHour #AandE

Litopia @litopia.bsky.social · Jul 29

The Colony will be unavailable for about an hour or so while we do important software work and upgrades. Apologies… see you on the other side! buff.ly/cvuVwBh

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Litopia @litopia.bsky.social · Jul 14

Absolutely delighted to announce that Litopia’s Trey Montague has won this year’s I Am Writing SCI-FI / FANTASY Competition! Extremely well done Trey! So very proud of you!

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Litopia @litopia.bsky.social · Jul 11

While my first novel is tentatively making its way towards agents who already have too much to read, I’ve been wondering which other slush-piles might need feeding, and I’ve discovered the wonderful world of literary magazines. buff.ly/hXK7cwN

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Litopia @litopia.bsky.social · Jul 10

What a medieval Italian falcon can teach you about writing compelling novellas, with a little help from 19th-century German literature. buff.ly/vX6hYCM

Litopia @litopia.bsky.social · Jul 9

Confidence, self-belief, self-assurance. We like these words, yes. But imma go full-throttle and reclaim Arrogance as being the Diva word for them all. Think Tigger with brains. There you go. buff.ly/Fpik2ev

Litopia @litopia.bsky.social · Jun 29

If you’re looking for a replacement for #NaNoWriMo, try Litopia’s own LiMoWriMo… now in its second year (and don’t even think of using AI, please!). Colony signup is instant, free and will get you nicely started :)

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Litopia @litopia.bsky.social · Jun 18

What's it like to get an offer of representation from a literary agent? What can the author-agent relationship look like? buff.ly/Igqqs5Y

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Litopia @litopia.bsky.social · May 30

After conquering Shakespeare’s plays, I took on his poetry—and, boy, was I in for a ride. Venus & Adonis turned up the heat (uncomfortably so) and Lucrece? A hard read. Was his poetry truly great, or was I just forcing it? Let’s talk #ShakespeareChallenge buff.ly/40dmYcw

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Litopia @litopia.bsky.social · May 29

Character arcs and emotional journeys...does your MC change and develop throughout your novel? litopia.com/claire-g/cha...

Litopia @litopia.bsky.social · May 28

How can questions drive plot? Here’s a summary of what I’ve learned. litopia.com/claire-g/the...

Litopia @litopia.bsky.social · May 27

Beta readers, the unsung heroes of the writing world, and why they need celebrating. litopia.com/jake-e/be-my...

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Litopia @litopia.bsky.social · May 26

Self-esteem is not something you must strive for: it is something you're born with but have gradually masked. Learning how the mind works can help with that unmasking process, so you can begin to unlock your true sense of self-worth. litopia.com/vagabond-hea...

Litopia @litopia.bsky.social · May 25

Sad memories of a tragic little girl I met briefly many years ago. litopia.com/michael-jame...

Litopia @litopia.bsky.social · May 24

When you think of art and music in all its blueness, do you think of Joni Mitchell? Consider not her 1971 classic album, but 1994's Turbulent Indigo... litopia.com/rachel-mccar...

Litopia @litopia.bsky.social · May 23

We humans are almost blind when it comes to the spectrum of light. There is a very narrow band that our eyes can register so when a newborn's eyes follow something unseen and the cat hisses and spits at an invisible enemy-what is it they see? litopia.com/pamela-jo/wh...