Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Philosophika @philosophika.bsky.social · 12h

Indeed!! Now to see if I can pull it off 😅

Philosophika @philosophika.bsky.social · 12h

They made each other worse, they made each other better. And now it's her turn. Basically, that's how I want the book to end.

1 6

Philosophika @philosophika.bsky.social · 12h

despite the fact that she probably should. They do genuinely love each other. They just love each other like the monsters that they are. She'll stay with him until he passes and mourn him once he's gone. But she won't regret what she did. And she won't forgive him.

1 6

Philosophika @philosophika.bsky.social · 12h

Hopefully the reader will know that even though the antagonist couldn't stop himself from wanting immortality (and trying to kill her for it), in the end, he's still proud he's been thwarted. Perhaps almost grateful? And even though the protagonist kills him, it's not because she hates him...

1 6

Philosophika @philosophika.bsky.social · 12h

The last image of the book is the reverse of the 1st: here it is the antagonist who is in awe of the protagonist and the alchemy she's wrought; here it is the protagonist who casts him out (by denying him a dying man the stone). The arc is complete. They've switched. She's surpassed him. #PlotTober

1 14

Philosophika @philosophika.bsky.social · 1d

Wise words! 💜👏

2

Philosophika @philosophika.bsky.social · 1d

Thank you! I'm just worried the protagonist isn't active enough (things are happening to her, rather than her happening to things!). I'm still brainstorming the scene in general! 😅 But it's a start.

1 3

Philosophika @philosophika.bsky.social · 1d

protagonist and the antagonist will be pursuing throughout the novel (the philosopher's stone), and the novel's main conflict, namely the tension between the protagonist and the antagonist's conflicting loyalties (the antagonist is loyal to himself, the protagonist to her family). (5/5)

11

Philosophika @philosophika.bsky.social · 1d

and the protagonist's father (the antagonist's nephew), which results in them (the protagonist and her father) being thrown out (possibly after the frazzled antagonist has shoved some money into her father's hands). The aim here is to have the opening both introduce the main goal the → (4/5)

1 10

Philosophika @philosophika.bsky.social · 1d

in love with alchemy on the spot (🔔 vocation found 🔔). She's then introduced to the antagonist in a scene that's meant to contrast with the next time they meet, some 20 years later. Here, he is dismissive, barely paying her any attention. A tense conversation ensues between the antagonist → (3/5)

1 10

Philosophika @philosophika.bsky.social · 1d

known to be lecturing on the philosopher's stone. While her father tries to figure out where the antagonist will be once the event is over, the protagonist sits in on the lecture. Although she doesn't understand half of it, she's swept up by the mystery and the magic of it all, and falls → (2/5)

1 10

Philosophika @philosophika.bsky.social · 1d

I've set this up multiple ways in the past. In this version, I'm opening the story with the first time the antagonist and the protagonist meet. He's sixty-something, at the height of his powers, and she's probably 7-ish. Her father takes her with him to an event where the antagonist is → (1/5)

Ange @gunsmile.bsky.social · 2d

#PlotTober Day 13: Story beginnings

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

#PlotTober - a WIP plotting game by @gunsmile.bsky.social

13. Let's begin brainstorming the main plot points of our WIPs. Knowing what you know of your main character(s), what are a few potential ways you could begin their story?

Remember: Use the #PlotTober hashtag, engage with others, and have fun!

2 13

Philosophika @philosophika.bsky.social · 1d

The main antagonist is the protagonist's Great Uncle, her mentor, the sadistic and vengeful old man responsible for her family's downfall (she doesn't know this yet). Almost every other character she meets on the apprenticeship is a minor antagonist (for different reasons). #PlotTober

Ange @gunsmile.bsky.social · 3d

#PlotTober Day 12: Antagonists

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

#PlotTober - a WIP plotting game by @gunsmile.bsky.social

12. What could you use to represent obstacles that try to stop the main character(s) from achieving their goals and from growing into the person they could potentially be? Consider other characters, forces of nature, difficult circumstances, etc.

Remember: Use the #PlotTober hashtag, engage with others, and have fun!

14

Philosophika @philosophika.bsky.social · 2d

THIS! Moving the narrative to first person also helped me establish the character voice/my authorial voice as distinct. Before I switched to first person, I always ended up writing in the style of whatever I was reading at the time.

1 2

Philosophika @philosophika.bsky.social · 3d

Uy no 😬🤣

1

Reposted by Philosophika

Ed Armstrong @armst-ed.bsky.social · 3d

Hungarian #writer László Krasznahorkai has won the 2025 #NobelPrize in #Literature.

I confess, haven't read him but I'd like to. Here are some recs from the Academy. Herscht 07769 has my eye.

#writingcommunity #readingcommunity #BookSky
www.nobelprize.org/what-to-read...

What to read: László Krasznahorkai

Curious about 2025 literature laureate László Krasznahorkai but unsure which of his books to pick up first? Here members of the Swedish Academy give their recommendations. Satantango (1985) Steve Sem-...

www.nobelprize.org

1 4

Philosophika @philosophika.bsky.social · 3d

EXTRA: Inversely, the antagonist is going to become more like the protagonist. While he brings out the worst in her, she brings out the best in him. The idea is that they'll start as "enemies," become "true friends," and end up as "enemies" that love each other.

6

Philosophika @philosophika.bsky.social · 3d

As the protagonist adapts to the antagonist's world, she's going to become more capable, astute, outspoken, and charming, but also less principled (or idealistic), more ruthless, & more likely to take risks. In short, she's going to become more like the antagonist. #PlotTober

Ange @gunsmile.bsky.social · 4d

#PlotTober Day 11: MC growth & change

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

#PlotTober - a WIP plotting game by @gunsmile.bsky.social

11. What are some possible ways your main character(s) could grow and change over the course of the story? On the other hand, what are some ways their growth could be hindered?

Remember: Use the #PlotTober hashtag, engage with others, and have fun!

2 2 21

Philosophika @philosophika.bsky.social · 3d

She gets her virtues (compassion and loyalty) from her immediate family, her cunning from scrambling around to make ends meet (poverty), her unworldliness/inexperience/shyness from her lack of travel & opportunities (poverty), and her cleverness from the luck of the draw (born that way). #PlotTober

Ange @gunsmile.bsky.social · 5d

#PlotTober Day 10: MC backstory & traumas

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

#PlotTober - a WIP plotting game by @gunsmile.bsky.social

10. What are some potential backstory or contextual reasons for your main character(s) having this kind of personality or behaving this way? In other words, what could have caused them to be the person they are at the start of your WIP?

Remember: Use the #PlotTober hashtag, engage with others, and have fun!

12

Philosophika @philosophika.bsky.social · 3d

The protagonist is cunning and clever, which will serve her well around and against the wily antagonist. However, she's also unworldly, untested, and shy, traits she'll need to grow out of fast if she wants to survive the apprenticeship. Her principles and loyalty may also cause trouble. #PlotTober

Ange @gunsmile.bsky.social · 6d

#PlotTober Day 9: MC personality & behaviors

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

#PlotTober - a WIP plotting game by @gunsmile.bsky.social

9. What are some personality traits and behaviors, both positive and negative, that you think would suit your main character(s)? How do these traits affect your main character's goals and motivations?

Remember: Use the #PlotTober hashtag, engage with others, and have fun!

11

Philosophika @philosophika.bsky.social · 4d

Thank you for reading all that 😅 I'm happy to have been able to provide another perspective 💜

Philosophika @philosophika.bsky.social · 4d

Thanks 💜 I'm happy it resonated with you!

1

Philosophika @philosophika.bsky.social · 4d

Oh! I will definitely check them out. Thanks for the recs!

1

Philosophika @philosophika.bsky.social · 4d

It's the focus for me, too. I was diagnosed with ADHD (twice!) in the US, but doctors here have told me I'm "too accomplished" (whatever that means; I can't have a degree?) to receive treatment, so I really am white-knuckling it most of the time and praying for dopamine 😅 #WritingLifeMonthly

Tracey Lee @traceyleewrites.bsky.social · 4d

📚 #WritingLifeMonthly October Day 10 📚

As a #neurospicy author, I find sticking to one project is really challenging, especially if I'm in a hard slog phase that doesn't give me any dopamine.

#writingcommunity #BookSky #BookSky💙📚 #authorchat #findtheglimmers #adhd #dyslexia

October #writinglifemonthly Day 10 What's the hardest part about writing for you?
Build Community - Share. Like.Comment in Group. @traceyleewrites

1 1 11

Reposted by Philosophika

Hel ✨ || Untwining... 🌀🪷 @helynalc.bsky.social · 4d

I have recently read an ARC of this book and enjoyed it immensely! #BookSky #fantasy

If you love expansive fantasy worlds that feel like classic fantasy but are unique and fresh, and loveable characters fighting with loyalty and love against the gathering darkness, you will love this! 💜

Lilly Lockwood 🔥Pre-Order Broken Bells!🔔 @voicesofvalhoon.bsky.social · 4d

In just 1 week my debut novel will be officially out in the world 🫨 It’s so hard to believe I wrote a book that people can actually read.

The paperback for Songs of Broken bells with a backdrop of a brick wall. There are bells on ribbons hanging next to the book.
Glowing text says Releases in 1 week!
To the right of the book there it’s text that says

"This is an easy recommend for folks looking for rich, queer-normative worlds with lots of diversity and world building, cozy-but-not-cozy fantasy, and lighter romance/friendship subplots that aren't the central focus."
-ARC reader

3 6