Shanna Swendson
@shannaswendson.bsky.social
Novelist and nerd. Author of the Enchanted, Inc. series and a lot of other stuff. http://shannaswendson.com/
Pinned
Since I've been gaining new followers and we can now pin posts, I think an introduction is in order. Hi, I'm Shanna, and I write various flavors of fantasy: contemporary humorous, portal, steampunk, paranormal mystery, and currently doing cottagecore cozy.
I've put a wreath on the front door (using a suction cup hook on the glass door), so my outdoor holiday decorating is done. One benefit of having a house near the end of a dead-end street is that there's no pressure to decorate, since no one will see it.
December 4, 2025 at 8:58 PM
I've put a wreath on the front door (using a suction cup hook on the glass door), so my outdoor holiday decorating is done. One benefit of having a house near the end of a dead-end street is that there's no pressure to decorate, since no one will see it.
I talked myself out of going to the library event, mostly because I was running late getting ready after getting sidetracked looking for winter gear that I wasn't even planning to wear, but it's not where it should be and I don't know where it ended up during the move, which bothered me.
December 4, 2025 at 4:44 PM
I talked myself out of going to the library event, mostly because I was running late getting ready after getting sidetracked looking for winter gear that I wasn't even planning to wear, but it's not where it should be and I don't know where it ended up during the move, which bothered me.
It's a busy day today. There's a library program I want to go to that I'll need to walk to because last time I tried to go to one of these, the parking lot was totally full. Then a webinar in the afternoon and choir rehearsal tonight. But what am I doing? Sitting on the sofa and web surfing.
December 4, 2025 at 3:17 PM
It's a busy day today. There's a library program I want to go to that I'll need to walk to because last time I tried to go to one of these, the parking lot was totally full. Then a webinar in the afternoon and choir rehearsal tonight. But what am I doing? Sitting on the sofa and web surfing.
I find keeping the house clean more challenging at this time of year because I can't seem to make myself do housework after dark. Most of the year, I try to clean up the kitchen after dinner, but now when it's dark I just can't make myself do it until the next morning.
December 4, 2025 at 2:33 PM
I find keeping the house clean more challenging at this time of year because I can't seem to make myself do housework after dark. Most of the year, I try to clean up the kitchen after dinner, but now when it's dark I just can't make myself do it until the next morning.
I ran across one of those "dual POV gets in the way of yearning" takes on YT, and I don't know if it's the same one others have been reacting to, but in context she was talking about the tendency to spoon-food readers and spell everything out instead of using subtext, so she kind of had a point.
December 4, 2025 at 2:13 AM
I ran across one of those "dual POV gets in the way of yearning" takes on YT, and I don't know if it's the same one others have been reacting to, but in context she was talking about the tendency to spoon-food readers and spell everything out instead of using subtext, so she kind of had a point.
The dehumidifier is removing so much moisture from the basement. I've now ordered a HEPA air purifier to supplement it. It's supposed to be rated to remove mold from the air. It should also help with cooking odors in the kitchen. During bad allergy times, I can put it in the bedroom.
December 3, 2025 at 8:15 PM
The dehumidifier is removing so much moisture from the basement. I've now ordered a HEPA air purifier to supplement it. It's supposed to be rated to remove mold from the air. It should also help with cooking odors in the kitchen. During bad allergy times, I can put it in the bedroom.
Well, I'd planned to do my grocery shopping and run errands this morning, but by the time I got around to getting dressed, making a list, checking store sales, planning a menu, adding to the list, emptying the grocery bags I used for travel, and then a lot of sidetracking, it was nearly lunchtime.
December 3, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Well, I'd planned to do my grocery shopping and run errands this morning, but by the time I got around to getting dressed, making a list, checking store sales, planning a menu, adding to the list, emptying the grocery bags I used for travel, and then a lot of sidetracking, it was nearly lunchtime.
Last night's lie awake and think at 3 a.m. topic somehow circled around to what makes a movie a Christmas movie. I generally think that it's whatever works for you to make you feel Christmassy, but I came up with a possible test: Could you set it at any other time and have the same story?
December 3, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Last night's lie awake and think at 3 a.m. topic somehow circled around to what makes a movie a Christmas movie. I generally think that it's whatever works for you to make you feel Christmassy, but I came up with a possible test: Could you set it at any other time and have the same story?
The white cat is back and sitting staring at the opening of the groundhog's den. I'm glued to the window to see if I get a repeat of the last time the cat "caught" the groundhog (the cat teleported across the yard, then strolled away casually while the groundhog gloated).
December 3, 2025 at 2:35 PM
The white cat is back and sitting staring at the opening of the groundhog's den. I'm glued to the window to see if I get a repeat of the last time the cat "caught" the groundhog (the cat teleported across the yard, then strolled away casually while the groundhog gloated).
Something I found myself pondering during my long drive across parts of 4 states is that maybe the reason many rural people distrust cities is because most midwest cities and southern cities aren't really urban. They're just overgrown suburbs, the worst part of cities.
December 2, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Something I found myself pondering during my long drive across parts of 4 states is that maybe the reason many rural people distrust cities is because most midwest cities and southern cities aren't really urban. They're just overgrown suburbs, the worst part of cities.
While I'm going through e-mail, I have another plea: if you're linking something from your newsletter, don't make me subscribe to your newsletter again to get it. I got there from your newsletter, so I'm obviously already subscribed.
December 2, 2025 at 5:15 PM
While I'm going through e-mail, I have another plea: if you're linking something from your newsletter, don't make me subscribe to your newsletter again to get it. I got there from your newsletter, so I'm obviously already subscribed.
When I was a kid, I loved the carol "Do You Hear What I Hear?" and now it grates on my last nerve. I guess some of it depends on the version, but high-pitched children's choir is a big no. I'm not ready for Christmas music, anyway.
December 2, 2025 at 3:40 PM
When I was a kid, I loved the carol "Do You Hear What I Hear?" and now it grates on my last nerve. I guess some of it depends on the version, but high-pitched children's choir is a big no. I'm not ready for Christmas music, anyway.
One bad thing about traveling all day on Cyber Monday is opening e-mail the next day and getting slammed with the avalanche. I may go through a round of unsubscribing from people who overdid it. More than one e-mail a day is too much.
December 2, 2025 at 3:24 PM
One bad thing about traveling all day on Cyber Monday is opening e-mail the next day and getting slammed with the avalanche. I may go through a round of unsubscribing from people who overdid it. More than one e-mail a day is too much.
We had a dusting of snow and now have freezing rain. Schools are closed, so I'm calling it a snow day. Yes, I just had a whole week off, but then I drove for two days and am tired. Unpacking and housework can wait. Today is sofa and heated throw time.
December 2, 2025 at 2:37 PM
We had a dusting of snow and now have freezing rain. Schools are closed, so I'm calling it a snow day. Yes, I just had a whole week off, but then I drove for two days and am tired. Unpacking and housework can wait. Today is sofa and heated throw time.
Watching the stream of the town Christmas parade. The anchors aren't present. They're watching online from the studio. There is no camera light, so all that shows up is the lights, but if a parade entry has no lights, it's just a shadow.
December 2, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Watching the stream of the town Christmas parade. The anchors aren't present. They're watching online from the studio. There is no camera light, so all that shows up is the lights, but if a parade entry has no lights, it's just a shadow.
Home at last after two loooong days of driving, just in time for winter precip to come overnight (and it hit in places where I was driving yesterday). All the stuff I brought that I was storing with my parents is in a pile in the front room to deal with later.
December 1, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Home at last after two loooong days of driving, just in time for winter precip to come overnight (and it hit in places where I was driving yesterday). All the stuff I brought that I was storing with my parents is in a pile in the front room to deal with later.
Boy, they weren't kidding about today being a big travel day. It took nearly an hour and a half to travel the last 50 miles to my stop for the night. Two of the traffic jams apparently involved wrecks (there were highway signs warning of crash ahead, but it was cleared by the time I got past).
December 1, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Boy, they weren't kidding about today being a big travel day. It took nearly an hour and a half to travel the last 50 miles to my stop for the night. Two of the traffic jams apparently involved wrecks (there were highway signs warning of crash ahead, but it was cleared by the time I got past).
One of my parents' habits is that everyone goes to separate corners after lunch for about 2 hours of reading/resting/napping. Maybe I should implement that, but designate it as reading time. It's my last day before I take off early tomorrow, trying to fit my trip between storms.
November 29, 2025 at 6:46 PM
One of my parents' habits is that everyone goes to separate corners after lunch for about 2 hours of reading/resting/napping. Maybe I should implement that, but designate it as reading time. It's my last day before I take off early tomorrow, trying to fit my trip between storms.
At my current level of income, it would give me breathing room. I could deal with unexpected expenses without worry, just get things fixed when they showed up rather than trying to hold out. I might start hiring people, like housekeeping and yard help.
Honest question: If everyone got Universal Basic Income, no strings attached, what would YOU do with it?
Re-post with your quote or drop your take below.
Re-post with your quote or drop your take below.
November 29, 2025 at 6:28 PM
At my current level of income, it would give me breathing room. I could deal with unexpected expenses without worry, just get things fixed when they showed up rather than trying to hold out. I might start hiring people, like housekeeping and yard help.
I've been loading stuff stored with my parents into my car, and I may not be able to fit everything into my house. Some stuff will have to stay until I get the office and basement organized and know how much other stuff I can fit. But I have my flute again, so I can get back to playing.
November 28, 2025 at 10:24 PM
I've been loading stuff stored with my parents into my car, and I may not be able to fit everything into my house. Some stuff will have to stay until I get the office and basement organized and know how much other stuff I can fit. But I have my flute again, so I can get back to playing.
I've made my hotel reservation for the return trip. Now I need to go through all the stuff I stashed with my parents to see what goes back with me on this trip. I left a lot more books than I thought, but a lot of them are author copies. And a lot are the To Be Read pile.
November 28, 2025 at 6:29 PM
I've made my hotel reservation for the return trip. Now I need to go through all the stuff I stashed with my parents to see what goes back with me on this trip. I left a lot more books than I thought, but a lot of them are author copies. And a lot are the To Be Read pile.
I survived making my first dressing and gravy, and I've washed most of the dishes that require hand washing, so while the rest of the family is watching football, I'm resting and checking weather forecasts to plan my return trip. I think I have a window between widespread storms and freezing rain.
November 27, 2025 at 9:58 PM
I survived making my first dressing and gravy, and I've washed most of the dishes that require hand washing, so while the rest of the family is watching football, I'm resting and checking weather forecasts to plan my return trip. I think I have a window between widespread storms and freezing rain.
My mom's back went out, so I've been drafted into making the Thanksgiving dinner. Fortunately, we have a smoked turkey, so I don't have to do anything but heat it, and my brother brought some side dishes. I make corn bread all the time, so I did that but have been talked through making the dressing.
November 27, 2025 at 5:49 PM
My mom's back went out, so I've been drafted into making the Thanksgiving dinner. Fortunately, we have a smoked turkey, so I don't have to do anything but heat it, and my brother brought some side dishes. I make corn bread all the time, so I did that but have been talked through making the dressing.
I resorted to picking up some allergy meds. I really do seem to be allergic to Texas. I'm hoping this clears up when I'm back home. I hadn't realized that I pretty much felt like this all the time (in varying degrees, by season) until I moved and it stopped.
November 27, 2025 at 4:16 AM
I resorted to picking up some allergy meds. I really do seem to be allergic to Texas. I'm hoping this clears up when I'm back home. I hadn't realized that I pretty much felt like this all the time (in varying degrees, by season) until I moved and it stopped.
One of our traditional Thanksgiving dishes is a frozen cranberry fruit salad that involves whole berry cranberry sauce mixed in with Cool Whip, with pineapple, bananas and pecans. My brother is the one who loves it and insists on it. One year, he brought his girlfriend for Thanksgiving.
yes, hello, I would like to place an order for everyone’s funniest stories of holiday food-related family grudges / drama / chaotic incidents / lore
I feel like we need this
I feel like we need this
November 25, 2025 at 3:45 AM
One of our traditional Thanksgiving dishes is a frozen cranberry fruit salad that involves whole berry cranberry sauce mixed in with Cool Whip, with pineapple, bananas and pecans. My brother is the one who loves it and insists on it. One year, he brought his girlfriend for Thanksgiving.