Anne Winchell
@awinchell.bsky.social
Author of Hopeful Speculative Fiction. English Adjunct Professor. MFA. SFWA. Cat Mom. Gamer. Ace. She/Her. BLM. Trans rights are human rights. Living in Texas but refusing to be Texan. Active on Twitter at @lilaeris_9
https://annewinchell.com
https://annewinchell.com
Well well well… if it isn’t the shipment of Lion brand yarn I ordered in 2023! I received a full refund… in 2023… I mean, do I tell them I finally got it? 😂
January 10, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Well well well… if it isn’t the shipment of Lion brand yarn I ordered in 2023! I received a full refund… in 2023… I mean, do I tell them I finally got it? 😂
Nothing like a student email at 8am that starts “I know grades are due at noon but” 🤨
Asked me to grade a rewrite they turned in late (8 days after course grades were released) so they could possibly pass the class. So… do I teach a lesson about responsibility, or let them pass & stay in college?
Asked me to grade a rewrite they turned in late (8 days after course grades were released) so they could possibly pass the class. So… do I teach a lesson about responsibility, or let them pass & stay in college?
December 18, 2024 at 12:34 AM
Nothing like a student email at 8am that starts “I know grades are due at noon but” 🤨
Asked me to grade a rewrite they turned in late (8 days after course grades were released) so they could possibly pass the class. So… do I teach a lesson about responsibility, or let them pass & stay in college?
Asked me to grade a rewrite they turned in late (8 days after course grades were released) so they could possibly pass the class. So… do I teach a lesson about responsibility, or let them pass & stay in college?
The semester is almost over!
December 8, 2024 at 9:57 PM
The semester is almost over!
I just realized I haven’t written anything other than comments on student papers in nearly three weeks. That’s pretty bad for someone who needs to finish her book asap so it can be published in a reasonable timeframe. But it’s the end of the semester, so I’m stuck for another week.
December 3, 2024 at 9:29 AM
I just realized I haven’t written anything other than comments on student papers in nearly three weeks. That’s pretty bad for someone who needs to finish her book asap so it can be published in a reasonable timeframe. But it’s the end of the semester, so I’m stuck for another week.
I know I’ve been mostly quiet on here, but boy have I been buried in grading! The world isn’t making it easier with everything that’s happened. I’m just trying to get through the semester, then I can start looking for better ways to speak up and make my voice heard.
November 13, 2024 at 3:30 PM
I know I’ve been mostly quiet on here, but boy have I been buried in grading! The world isn’t making it easier with everything that’s happened. I’m just trying to get through the semester, then I can start looking for better ways to speak up and make my voice heard.
It’s that spooky time of year! Are you dressing up as a monster? I probably can’t help with your costume, but if you wanted to write about monsters, my friend @vivissiah.bsky.social and I have some tips for adding a spooky, monstrous appeal to your worlds!
Writing & Worldbuilding 202: Monsters — Author Vivian Sayan
In today's blogpost, Anne Winchell and I finalize our Spooky October marathon by talking about monsters! Whether real or imagined, we've got you covered!
www.viviansayan.com
October 31, 2024 at 1:49 AM
It’s that spooky time of year! Are you dressing up as a monster? I probably can’t help with your costume, but if you wanted to write about monsters, my friend @vivissiah.bsky.social and I have some tips for adding a spooky, monstrous appeal to your worlds!
I was Rebecca's TA for a film studies class my first semester at Texas State University. She's intelligent, passionate, & extremely kind, & she's running for State Board of Education in Texas. Whether you're Texan or just want to promote education, consider giving!
Support Rebecca Bell-Metereau
Come to Rebecca's campaign fundraiser Wednesday, October 2, from 5:30 to 8 PM at KMFA-FM's Draylen Mason Music Studio. Net proceeds will be shared with Texas Parent PAC to help elect legislators who ...
contribute.givingfuel.com
October 2, 2024 at 2:47 PM
I was Rebecca's TA for a film studies class my first semester at Texas State University. She's intelligent, passionate, & extremely kind, & she's running for State Board of Education in Texas. Whether you're Texan or just want to promote education, consider giving!
I have an international student who asks endless questions. I teach on zoom & I’ll get questions privately in the chat for everything. I love it so much. She’s literally never learned this stuff so she has no embarrassment asking, while my other students think they “should” know it so they don’t.
September 23, 2024 at 8:24 PM
I have an international student who asks endless questions. I teach on zoom & I’ll get questions privately in the chat for everything. I love it so much. She’s literally never learned this stuff so she has no embarrassment asking, while my other students think they “should” know it so they don’t.
Guess what? I have a new blogpost out! This one is about understanding critiques. I talk about the general groups who might critique your work (like beta readers & editors), what they do, & how to find them, plus how to develop positive relationships with them!
Writing 201: Understanding Critiques — Author Vivian Sayan
In today's blogpost, the great Anne Winchell defines the types of critique
and gives tips on how to form positive relationships with your critiquers.
www.viviansayan.com
September 22, 2024 at 5:51 PM
Guess what? I have a new blogpost out! This one is about understanding critiques. I talk about the general groups who might critique your work (like beta readers & editors), what they do, & how to find them, plus how to develop positive relationships with them!
I survived a bridal shower for my cousin (who I love) surrounded by 30 very wealthy Southern women talking about fashion & football & redecorating. While I stand there in my $30 dress from Amazon having never attended a college football game & whose redecorating budget might be $100, not $10,000.
September 21, 2024 at 10:19 PM
I survived a bridal shower for my cousin (who I love) surrounded by 30 very wealthy Southern women talking about fashion & football & redecorating. While I stand there in my $30 dress from Amazon having never attended a college football game & whose redecorating budget might be $100, not $10,000.
Pro tip, apparently: want your students to find out trump’s dark side? Ask them for examples of historical political scandals. Not a single one said Watergate, it was all just trump’s scandals, which many were learning about for the first time. Bc that is historical to them 😂 (I did redirect them)
September 20, 2024 at 7:16 AM
Pro tip, apparently: want your students to find out trump’s dark side? Ask them for examples of historical political scandals. Not a single one said Watergate, it was all just trump’s scandals, which many were learning about for the first time. Bc that is historical to them 😂 (I did redirect them)
So far, my classes are way better than last semester, but their latest assignment worries me...
Me: Choose a focused topic you have a close, immediate, personal connection to that wouldn't be shared by anyone else.
Student: My topic is climate change because it'll impact everyone in the world.
😭
Me: Choose a focused topic you have a close, immediate, personal connection to that wouldn't be shared by anyone else.
Student: My topic is climate change because it'll impact everyone in the world.
😭
September 8, 2024 at 2:12 PM
So far, my classes are way better than last semester, but their latest assignment worries me...
Me: Choose a focused topic you have a close, immediate, personal connection to that wouldn't be shared by anyone else.
Student: My topic is climate change because it'll impact everyone in the world.
😭
Me: Choose a focused topic you have a close, immediate, personal connection to that wouldn't be shared by anyone else.
Student: My topic is climate change because it'll impact everyone in the world.
😭
In my honors college class today, we were discussing yellow journalism & social media, & after a while, one student said that she didn’t have social media & hadn’t for six years after she decided it was ruining her life. The entire class gave her a round of applause 😂
September 5, 2024 at 11:10 PM
In my honors college class today, we were discussing yellow journalism & social media, & after a while, one student said that she didn’t have social media & hadn’t for six years after she decided it was ruining her life. The entire class gave her a round of applause 😂
Oof. Geography didn’t approve my honors course substitution not because my course doesn’t work as a human geography course (it does), but because their major only requires 32 credits & the students have to take certain classes & don’t get electives. That doesn’t sound like a fun major, honestly.
September 4, 2024 at 10:11 PM
Oof. Geography didn’t approve my honors course substitution not because my course doesn’t work as a human geography course (it does), but because their major only requires 32 credits & the students have to take certain classes & don’t get electives. That doesn’t sound like a fun major, honestly.
Well, we're officially back to school & this week's worldbuilding blogpost is about education! @vivissiah.bsky.social breaks down what education is, why we have it, what the purpose is, & why a liberal arts education is the best education! Oh wait, not the last part? Well, I'm sure it's implied!
Worldbuilding 201: Education Basics — Author Vivian Sayan
In today's blogpost, I discuss the basics of education as well as how to
start building your own education system for your worlds.
www.viviansayan.com
September 4, 2024 at 5:04 PM
Well, we're officially back to school & this week's worldbuilding blogpost is about education! @vivissiah.bsky.social breaks down what education is, why we have it, what the purpose is, & why a liberal arts education is the best education! Oh wait, not the last part? Well, I'm sure it's implied!
How odd (but nice?) While walking to my car, a first year student randomly started talking to me (complimented my umbrella). We actually had a conversation until we went different ways. She thought I was a student at first lol. Really nice though, and a writer! I hope to run into her again.
September 3, 2024 at 10:20 PM
How odd (but nice?) While walking to my car, a first year student randomly started talking to me (complimented my umbrella). We actually had a conversation until we went different ways. She thought I was a student at first lol. Really nice though, and a writer! I hope to run into her again.
I’m proposing a worldbuilding course in the honors college & I’m trying to get as many substitutions as possible so it counts towards student’s majors. Just heard back that sociology didn’t approve it, which is sad. Fingers crossed it’ll count as geography & anthropology!
September 3, 2024 at 8:12 PM
I’m proposing a worldbuilding course in the honors college & I’m trying to get as many substitutions as possible so it counts towards student’s majors. Just heard back that sociology didn’t approve it, which is sad. Fingers crossed it’ll count as geography & anthropology!
The dealer flips over a triangle.
You subtly eye the circles & square in your hand & stifle a smirk. Calmly, you raise the bet.
Now, we don't know what any of this means, but if you have it in a story, it reveals character & relationships & adds tension. I wrote about adding games to stories here!
You subtly eye the circles & square in your hand & stifle a smirk. Calmly, you raise the bet.
Now, we don't know what any of this means, but if you have it in a story, it reveals character & relationships & adds tension. I wrote about adding games to stories here!
Worldbuilding & Writing 201: Games — Author Vivian Sayan
In today's blogpost, Anne and I discuss games: what they are and how to
incorporate them into your world and your writing!
www.viviansayan.com
August 25, 2024 at 6:18 PM
The dealer flips over a triangle.
You subtly eye the circles & square in your hand & stifle a smirk. Calmly, you raise the bet.
Now, we don't know what any of this means, but if you have it in a story, it reveals character & relationships & adds tension. I wrote about adding games to stories here!
You subtly eye the circles & square in your hand & stifle a smirk. Calmly, you raise the bet.
Now, we don't know what any of this means, but if you have it in a story, it reveals character & relationships & adds tension. I wrote about adding games to stories here!
It’s Birthday time! Today, Lily turns 15, and I turn 40! Quite the big day!
August 23, 2024 at 4:10 PM
It’s Birthday time! Today, Lily turns 15, and I turn 40! Quite the big day!
News writing is so unique & I'm always interested in pulling it into novels, so I put together advice for what the news is, what types & mediums there are, how to write news with the inverted pyramid, &, of course, how you can incorporate all of this into your stories! Can you handle the truth?
Writing 301: News Writing — Author Vivian Sayan
Extra! Extra! In today's blogpost, Anne Winchell breaks down the news: how
to write it and how to include it in your stories. Read all about it!
www.viviansayan.com
August 18, 2024 at 5:55 PM
News writing is so unique & I'm always interested in pulling it into novels, so I put together advice for what the news is, what types & mediums there are, how to write news with the inverted pyramid, &, of course, how you can incorporate all of this into your stories! Can you handle the truth?
Most writers aren't math people. You know the cliche, good at writing, bad at math. However, I've needed to calculate a variety of things in my stories & I turn to my friend Vivian for help. Vivian put together some easy, intuitive ways to get realistic numbers in your stories. Hate math? Read this!
Worldbuilding 103: Mathing — Author Vivian Sayan
In today's blogpost, I math it up with some methods to do quick and easy
calculations to help making your worlds more believable.
www.viviansayan.com
August 11, 2024 at 5:59 PM
Most writers aren't math people. You know the cliche, good at writing, bad at math. However, I've needed to calculate a variety of things in my stories & I turn to my friend Vivian for help. Vivian put together some easy, intuitive ways to get realistic numbers in your stories. Hate math? Read this!
Hi y'all! My friend & I are writing a worldbuilding book that includes math & how to use it, except we're struggling for examples because there's... too many 😅 Is there anything in your writing where you did or wished you could calculate something? If you need help, we'll answer if we can, too!
August 7, 2024 at 12:33 PM
Hi y'all! My friend & I are writing a worldbuilding book that includes math & how to use it, except we're struggling for examples because there's... too many 😅 Is there anything in your writing where you did or wished you could calculate something? If you need help, we'll answer if we can, too!
In my gaming classes, I always ask whether it's more fun to play as a hero or a villain, & almost inevitably, the majority say villain. Why? Not because most people like being evil, but because most villains have lines that they won't cross, which adds interest to the story. I write about this here!
Character 201: Villainy and Honour — Author Vivian Sayan
In today's blogpost, Anne and I discuss villainy, and more specifically,
the honourable kind of villain who has a line that they will not cross.
www.viviansayan.com
July 29, 2024 at 8:32 PM
In my gaming classes, I always ask whether it's more fun to play as a hero or a villain, & almost inevitably, the majority say villain. Why? Not because most people like being evil, but because most villains have lines that they won't cross, which adds interest to the story. I write about this here!
I’ve been having such fun w my website. I’m making a page for each of my 7 continents w all sorts of info, & I’m getting way more in depth than I have before. Each continent is isolated & unique, so I made maps w them in little bubbles. Making maps is really fun! Not everything is up yet, but soon!
The Imperial Saga
Home of the Empire of the Seven Continents
empire.annewinchell.com
July 23, 2024 at 11:39 PM
I’ve been having such fun w my website. I’m making a page for each of my 7 continents w all sorts of info, & I’m getting way more in depth than I have before. Each continent is isolated & unique, so I made maps w them in little bubbles. Making maps is really fun! Not everything is up yet, but soon!
We haven’t gotten a Lily update in a while! She’s enjoying her desk, but isn’t so pleased when I attempt to type. My hand is there for her to rest her paw on, not for me to use!
July 17, 2024 at 11:52 PM
We haven’t gotten a Lily update in a while! She’s enjoying her desk, but isn’t so pleased when I attempt to type. My hand is there for her to rest her paw on, not for me to use!