Crystal Bayless ✍🏻is writing & editing✍🏻
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crystalbauthor.bsky.social
Crystal Bayless ✍🏻is writing & editing✍🏻
@crystalbauthor.bsky.social
2.4K followers 1.4K following 500 posts
I'm just a girl who likes animals, music, reading, writing, & soon a published author who has a bookshop named Dragonfly Night Books. Currently preparing for self-publish a few books. Host of #WIPPIT and #Cupit
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crystalbauthor.bsky.social
I've been really bad really bad about keeping things updated, but here's my total for the month. Im proud of myself for getting these done even with everything blowing up this month at every turn.

##Writevember ##FirstDraftFall #NoNotWriMo #Nanowrimo
December 1, 2025 at 10:08 PM
crystalbauthor.bsky.social
These two were by and far the most liked on both platforms yesterday. I'm so excited to bring them both to you. The Unicorn one was inspired by @ameliagthorn.bsky.social and the Kelpie one was inspired by a post saying we needed more kelpies in literature (sorry I don't remember who it was, but TY!)
Black background. The top 2 corners are pictures of Moon Falls in Oregon and between them is the title The Secret of Moon Falls. In the middle are two quotes and between them is The Forest Maiden by Anne Stokes (A unicorn in a forest being held by a girl in a green dress with a butterfly over the back and a rainbow beside it.) The quotes are: “We may never know precisely when or where or how the legend of the unicorn began. It pervades recorded time and may be dimly visible even in the clouds that hover just above history's sunrise. The mystery of its origin... is one of the legend's most evident charms.” Odell Shepard, "The Gorgeous East," The Lore of the Unicorn, 1930 “I have been mortal, and some part of me is mortal yet. I am full of tears and hunger and the fear of death, although I cannot weep, and I want nothing, and I cannot die. I am not like the others now, for no unicorn was ever born who could regret, but I do. I regret.” Peter S. Beagle, The Last Unicorn The bottom is another picture of Moon Falls in Oregon, The Captured Unicorn tapestry, and 2 hunters in the forest. Top 2 pictures: The 2 Kelpie heads at Falkirk, Scotland, and a little girl in a white dress on a dock putting little paper sailboats in water. The kelpie picture has a quote: “When thowes dissolve the snawy hoord, An' float the jinglin' icy boord, Then water-kelpies haunt the foord, By your direction, And 'nighted trav'llers are allur'd To their destruction.” by Robert Burns Middle 2 pictures: A Fjord with an old castle looking building and a yellow flowering meadow in the Scottish Highlands. The fjord picture has a quote: “In the depths they await to hear the children's whispered calls.” - The Children who Whispered to Water. Bottom Picture: An art picture of a kelpie with glowing white eyes coming out of the water to a shore of a forest. At the bottom of the pic is the title in green in a watery font The Children who Whispered to Water. There is a quote: “No mortal ear could have heard the kelpie passing through the night, for the great black hooves of it were as soundless as feathers falling.” From Molly Hunter’s, The Kelpie's Pearls
November 24, 2025 at 9:10 PM
crystalbauthor.bsky.social
The Bailey School Kids x Dragon Girls x Animorphs

When Isla's school visits a history museum she is enchanted by The Unicorn Tapestries, but she never imagines they will change her. She must save herself from the hunt while also protecting the secret that she holds within her.

#W #MG #F #WIPPIT
Black background. The top 2 corners are pictures of Moon Falls in Oregon and between them is the title The Secret of Moon Falls. In the middle are two quotes and between them is The Forest Maiden by Anne Stokes (A unicorn in a forest being held by a girl in a green dress with a butterfly over the back and a rainbow beside it.) The quotes are: “We may never know precisely when or where or how the legend of the unicorn began. It pervades recorded time and may be dimly visible even in the clouds that hover just above history's sunrise. The mystery of its origin... is one of the legend's most evident charms.” Odell Shepard, "The Gorgeous East," The Lore of the Unicorn, 1930 “I have been mortal, and some part of me is mortal yet. I am full of tears and hunger and the fear of death, although I cannot weep, and I want nothing, and I cannot die. I am not like the others now, for no unicorn was ever born who could regret, but I do. I regret.” Peter S. Beagle, The Last Unicorn The bottom is another picture of Moon Falls in Oregon, The Captured Unicorn tapestry, and 2 hunters in the forest.
November 23, 2025 at 6:41 AM
crystalbauthor.bsky.social
The Bailey School Kids x Dragon Girls x Animorphs

When Bonnie hears whispers from the Loch she learns to whisper back and may just discover the secrets held within its depths.

#W #MG #F #WIPPIT
Top 2 pictures: The 2 Kelpie heads at Falkirk, Scotland, and a little girl in a white dress on a dock putting little paper sailboats in water. The kelpie picture has a quote: “When thowes dissolve the snawy hoord, An' float the jinglin' icy boord, Then water-kelpies haunt the foord, By your direction, And 'nighted trav'llers are allur'd To their destruction.” by Robert Burns Middle 2 pictures: A Fjord with an old castle looking building and a yellow flowering meadow in the Scottish Highlands. The fjord picture has a quote: “In the depths they await to hear the children's whispered calls.” - The Children who Whispered to Water. Bottom Picture: An art picture of a kelpie with glowing white eyes coming out of the water to a shore of a forest. At the bottom of the pic is the title in green in a watery font The Children who Whispered to Water. There is a quote: “No mortal ear could have heard the kelpie passing through the night, for the great black hooves of it were as soundless as feathers falling.” From Molly Hunter’s, The Kelpie's Pearls
November 23, 2025 at 6:41 AM
crystalbauthor.bsky.social
The Bailey School Kids x Dragon Girls x Animorphs

When a mysterious voice is heard coming from the lake, Eva's parents forbid her from going back, but how can Eva stay away from what's calling to her soul even if it's the very thing that threatens to drown her?

#W #MG #F #WIPPIT
A blue background. Left side topis a lake with fog and a foggy black shore, below that in a purple square is a quote there is a reason we are drawn to gazing at the ocean it is said the ocean provides a closer reflection of who we are than any mirror. Below that is ice with cracks in it. Below that is a purple and blue box with a quote sometimes it takes only one song to bring back a thousand memories. Bottom left is a woman sitting on rock in a river in a tan dress holding her right arm up on her head behind her and all the way down to her are waterfalls big and very small and they continue past her where the river has cut into the stone. Top right is a word in curly font part of the title Singing the other part is at the bottom Lake, so Singing Lake put together. Below singing is a stormy lake with a storm on the outskirts and a boat caught in the choppy waves. Below that is a small stormy lake scene with the words sometimes I feel if I stop and think I'll drown in a sea of grief. Below that is a girl sitting on a dock by a lake crying. Below that by lake is a small box with words she had the sea within her soul continuously.
November 23, 2025 at 6:41 AM
crystalbauthor.bsky.social
The Bailey School Kids x Dragon Girls x Animorphs

When Melody faces a trauma that leaves her mute she must find her song within her once more to be able to sing with her choir again. Through her journey she will learn more about herself than she ever imagined.

#W #MG #F #WIPPIT
A red background. Top left pic is a choir singing and being Directed. Top right is sheet music with a red rose on it. Below that in neon white is the title in curly font A Lullaby of Silence. Middle left pic is a child in a red shirt with a grey striped blanket holding a reddish monkey. Middle middle is a cardinal on a tree branch in front of wild grassesand snow and fog with red words that say use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang the best. Middle right is a little girl looking down and away sadly and dragging a large white bear on stones with a moon and clouds in the background. Bottom left is a building of white stone with cut outs where white stone statues of gods and goddesses stand. Bottom right pic is a mute symbol of a sideways white bell with a red line through it.
November 23, 2025 at 6:41 AM
crystalbauthor.bsky.social
The Bailey School Kids x Dragon Girls x Animorphs

Devin is obsessed with Sasquatch. So when one shows up in his hometown he must find it if he wants to prove they're real & protect everyone.

#W #MG #F #WIPPIT
Black background with grey Bigfoot prints from bottom left to top right. Top left pic is sasquatch in the forest. Below that is a black and white Bigfoot in the forest sticker with the words When nobody believes in you believe in yourself. On the right is a half a white boy face and one blue eye. Next to that is a Bigfoot and tree in A yellow moon with Not all who wander are lost around it. Below that is the title in green Tracking Sasquatch. Below that on the right is bigfoot in the forest with the words leave no trace when camping, if bigfoot can do it, so can you. On the left and down a little is searchers in orange vests in the forest. Below the Bigfoot on the right is a boy scout camping and looking around with binoculars.
November 23, 2025 at 6:41 AM
crystalbauthor.bsky.social
The Bailey School Kids x Dragon Girls x Animorphs

Brie loves flowers & now she's old enough to compete in floriculture, but when plants start reacting to her in strange ways she will have to try to keep her new power secret while also vying for what she wants most.

#W #F #MG #WIPPIT
Black background. Top left pic is pink flowers. Top middle is a grey background with tan flowers to the side that reads that dream was planted in your heart for a reason. Top right is kids putting flowers in glass vases. Below those the left pic is a table with an FFA table cloth and a big horseshoe and flower arrangements in a classroom. The right pic is the words in pink shades of Dream it, Believe it, Achieve it. Below those is the title in pink Of Mushrooms and Flowers. Below that on the left is red cap mushrooms in a field and on the right is a partial of the FFA logo. Below those at the bottom left is a hedge with white wood letter reading dream and the right is a bunch of different pink and purple flowers growing together.
November 23, 2025 at 6:41 AM
crystalbauthor.bsky.social
The Bailey School Kids x Dragon Girls x Animorphs

Mason has always enjoyed collecting shiny things & he couldn't be more thrilled with the chance to go work with the top geologists over the summer, but he may find that those rocks will reveal more than just shiny things.

#W #F #MG #WIPPIT
The background is a purple geode. The top left pic is a stack of bars of gold. Below that is hills with a rainbow and rain in front of it. Below that is a castle. Below that is a grassy pic with the quote people who love collecting rocks they find are my kind of people. Below that is a pic of river rocks. Beside that are two people in front of a hill with large uare rocks. Beside that is a lake with rocks on the shore during a sunset. Above that is a geology camp and a boy looking for stuff in the dirt. Above that is a field of grasses and flowers of different colors with rocks set out as a path up the hill to another hill beyond. Above that is a light pinkish purple background with the words not all who wander are lost, some are looking for cool rocks. Above that is a bed of shamrock. Connecting that to the gold pic is a black background that reads rocks are records of events that took place at the time they formed. They are books. They have a different vocabulary, a different alphabet, but you learn how to read them - John Mcphee.
November 23, 2025 at 6:41 AM
crystalbauthor.bsky.social
The Bailey School KidsxDragon GirlsxAnimorphs

Bruce wants to be a Hurricane Hunter Pilot, but when he learns that he is a thunderbird & created a massive storm, he must figure out how to use his new powers to stop it before it takes out his hometown & state.

#W #F #MG #WIPPIT
Black background. Top picture is the eye of a Hurricane from above in space under that is yellow words reading: Chasing the wind with teal swirls that look like wind. Middle left picture is lightning behind a big city. The quote next to it in yellow is: In the eye of a Hurricane there is quiet for just a moment. Middle right picture is a storm coming in over a turquoise ocean and white sand. Below the lightning the words read: Find power in being quiet in chaos. Below the ocean one the words read: NOAA’s Hurricane Hunters, famous for flying into the world’s most ferocious weather, have a job which is not for the faint of heart, often being tossed in severe turbulence while flying at a mere 10,000 feet. The picture between them is an older child in a yellow raincoat standing at a chain link fence. Bottom left picture is an ocean surge onto a beach and winds blowing palm trees. Bottom right is a wing of a plane as seen out a window looking over clouds. The quote between them reads: It's in the darkest hours that the kindness of others brings the most light.
November 23, 2025 at 6:41 AM
crystalbauthor.bsky.social
The Bailey School Kids x Dragon Girls x Animorphs

When Ri has a dream about falling she learns that it means she is a FALLEN ANGEL?! WHAT?! Now she must learn how to fall up before it's too late for her and those she loves.

#W #F #MG #WIPPIT
Black background. Top left is an angel statue with her head bowed. Top right is a blonde woman in a white dress walking on a cloud. Below those are quotes to each side and a white shadow man figure falling with squiggly lines in the middle of them. The left quote read: Sometimes our lives have to be completely shaken up, changed, & rearranged to relocate us to the place we're meant to be. The right reads: sometime when things are falling apart they may actually be falling into place. The title under the man reads: Falling Up. Middle left picture is a woman sitting on red rocks watching the stars and milky way. Middle left is School desks in a classroom with papers and pencils on them and green seats. Bottom left is a hooded robed man by fire. Bottom right is a bunch of hands reaching up.
November 23, 2025 at 6:41 AM
crystalbauthor.bsky.social
Here is my list for #WIPPIT, the current full Our Mystical Youth series.

1. Falling Up
2. Chase the Wind
3. All the Shiny Things
4. Of Mushrooms & Flowers
5. Tracking Sasquatch
6. Lullaby of Silence
7.Singing Lake
8.The Children who Whispered to Water
9.The Secret of Moon Falls

#W #MG #F
Black background. The top 2 corners are pictures of Moon Falls in Oregon and between them is the title The Secret of Moon Falls. In the middle are two quotes and between them is The Forest Maiden by Anne Stokes (A unicorn in a forest being held by a girl in a green dress with a butterfly over the back and a rainbow beside it.) The quotes are: “We may never know precisely when or where or how the legend of the unicorn began. It pervades recorded time and may be dimly visible even in the clouds that hover just above history's sunrise. The mystery of its origin... is one of the legend's most evident charms.” Odell Shepard, "The Gorgeous East," The Lore of the Unicorn, 1930 “I have been mortal, and some part of me is mortal yet. I am full of tears and hunger and the fear of death, although I cannot weep, and I want nothing, and I cannot die. I am not like the others now, for no unicorn was ever born who could regret, but I do. I regret.” Peter S. Beagle, The Last Unicorn The bottom is another picture of Moon Falls in Oregon, The Captured Unicorn tapestry, and 2 hunters in the forest. Top 2 pictures: The 2 Kelpie heads at Falkirk, Scotland, and a little girl in a white dress on a dock putting little paper sailboats in water. The kelpie picture has a quote: “When thowes dissolve the snawy hoord, An' float the jinglin' icy boord, Then water-kelpies haunt the foord, By your direction, And 'nighted trav'llers are allur'd To their destruction.” by Robert Burns Middle 2 pictures: A Fjord with an old castle looking building and a yellow flowering meadow in the Scottish Highlands. The fjord picture has a quote: “In the depths they await to hear the children's whispered calls.” - The Children who Whispered to Water. Bottom Picture: An art picture of a kelpie with glowing white eyes coming out of the water to a shore of a forest. At the bottom of the pic is the title in green in a watery font The Children who Whispered to Water. There is a quote: “No mortal ear could have heard the kelpie passing through the night, for the great black hooves of it were as soundless as feathers falling.” From Molly Hunter’s, The Kelpie's Pearls The background is a purple geode. The top left pic is a stack of bars of gold. Below that is hills with a rainbow and rain in front of it. Below that is a castle. Below that is a grassy pic with the quote people who love collecting rocks they find are my kind of people. Below that is a pic of river rocks. Beside that are two people in front of a hill with large uare rocks. Beside that is a lake with rocks on the shore during a sunset. Above that is a geology camp and a boy looking for stuff in the dirt. Above that is a field of grasses and flowers of different colors with rocks set out as a path up the hill to another hill beyond. Above that is a light pinkish purple background with the words not all who wander are lost, some are looking for cool rocks. Above that is a bed of shamrock. Connecting that to the gold pic is a black background that reads rocks are records of events that took place at the time they formed. They are books. They have a different vocabulary, a different alphabet, but you learn how to read them - John Mcphee. Black background. Top left pic is pink flowers. Top middle is a grey background with tan flowers to the side that reads that dream was planted in your heart for a reason. Top right is kids putting flowers in glass vases. Below those the left pic is a table with an FFA table cloth and a big horseshoe and flower arrangements in a classroom. The right pic is the words in pink shades of Dream it, Believe it, Achieve it. Below those is the title in pink Of Mushrooms and Flowers. Below that on the left is red cap mushrooms in a field and on the right is a partial of the FFA logo. Below those at the bottom left is a hedge with white wood letter reading dream and the right is a bunch of different pink and purple flowers growing together.
November 23, 2025 at 6:41 AM
crystalbauthor.bsky.social
Death Game x Out of the Wild x Alone

In a US where jails are over populated, states must send 8 to compete in the games. Contestants are pitted against each other in demanding climates to reach a safe button first, gain their freedom, & save their lives.

#W #A #DR #Dys #T #QuestPit
Top pics: a cabin in snowy mountains & a woman walking in a jungle forest. Over those 2 pics is the title in orange Wilderness Lockup. On the snowy pic is a quote: “the instinct to survive is human nature itself, and every aspect of our personalities derive from it.” - Robert Heinlein 2nd row pics: A blonde girl in an orange coat with a tan backpack in a forest holding a map, & a man in an orange jacket sailing a boat on an ocean. 3rd row pics: a man walking in a sandy desert, & a girl walking in a red rock area. The desert pic has a quote: “Survivors aren't always the strongest; sometimes they're the smartest, but more often simply the luckiest.” - Carrie Ryan, The Dark & Hollow Places Bottom pics: A man kayaking in a Swamp, a man hiking a Hawaiian trail by the ocean, & a man crying on the sign at the Katahdin trailhead. The Hawaiian picture has a quote "I don't think I outfitted you. I don't think I outfitted you. The only thing I did was outcast you." Bob Crowley, Gabon
November 5, 2025 at 5:06 AM
crystalbauthor.bsky.social
The Bailey School Kids x Dragon Girls x Animorphs

When Bonnie hears whispers from the Loch she learns to whisper back and may just discover the secrets held within its depths.

#W #MG #F #QuestPit
Top 2 pics: The 2 Kelpie heads at Falkirk & a little girl in a white dress on a dock putting little paper boats in water. The kelpie pic has a quote “When thowes dissolve the snawy hoord, An' float the jinglin' icy boord, Then water-kelpies haunt the foord, By your direction, And 'nighted trav'llers are allur'd To their destruction.” Robert Burns Middle 2 pics: A Fjord with an old castle looking building & a yellow flowering meadow in the Scottish Highlands. The fjord pic has a quote: “In the depths they await to hear the children's whispered calls.” - The Children who Whispered to Water. Bottom Pic: An art pic of a kelpie with glowing white eyes coming out of the water to a shore of a forest. At the bottom of the pic is the title in green in a watery font The Children who Whispered to Water. There is a quote “No mortal ear could have heard the kelpie passing through the night, for the great black hooves of it were as soundless as feathers falling" from Molly Hunter's, The Kelpie's Pearls
November 5, 2025 at 5:06 AM
crystalbauthor.bsky.social
The Captive x Shattered Dreams x A Farewell to Arms

Laurel never dreamed she would end up as a nurse in a magical war or that she would fall for an enemy soldier, but not all is fair in love and war.

#W #A #R #QuestPit
Top pics: A WW2 nurse in a grey dress, medical arm band, white apron & headscarf looking away at a building with the title in curly grey font Healing Silver, & a woman & soldier in the middle of war hiding each other with a quote “Behind every strong soldier, there is an even stronger woman who stands behind him, supports him, & loves him with all her heart. Middle pics: A pic of the hospital tent from MASH & a quote: “Love is like war; easy to begin but very hard to stop.” H.L. Mencken, & A pic of Nurse Margaret & Radar when he was sick in MASH, & a quote “Love &war always go together. They are the peaks of human emotion! Evil & good, beauty & ugliness.” Rick Riordan Bottom pics: A pic of Diagon Alley in HP when it was attacked with a quote “His kiss was a poison that my body craved. I was an addict, diving headfirst into the drug I knew would destroy me.” J.M. Leigh, & a pic from a TV show A Discovery of Witches & a quote "all is fair in love & war" Francis Edward Smedley
November 5, 2025 at 5:06 AM
crystalbauthor.bsky.social
Here is my list for #QuestPit

1. Healing Silver #W #A #R
2. The Children who Whispered to Water #W #MG #F
3. Wilderness Lockup #W #A #DR #Dys #T

Feedback/critiques are welcome.
Top pics: A WW2 nurse in a grey dress, medical arm band, white apron & headscarf looking away at a building with the title in curly grey font Healing Silver, & a woman & soldier in the middle of war hiding each other with a quote “Behind every strong soldier, there is an even stronger woman who stands behind him, supports him, & loves him with all her heart. Middle pics: A pic of the hospital tent from MASH & a quote: “Love is like war; easy to begin but very hard to stop.” H.L. Mencken, & A pic of Nurse Margaret & Radar when he was sick in MASH, & a quote “Love &war always go together. They are the peaks of human emotion! Evil & good, beauty & ugliness.” Rick Riordan Bottom pics: A pic of Diagon Alley in HP when it was attacked with a quote “His kiss was a poison that my body craved. I was an addict, diving headfirst into the drug I knew would destroy me.” J.M. Leigh, & a pic from a TV show A Discovery of Witches & a quote "all is fair in love & war" Francis Edward Smedley Top 2 pics: The 2 Kelpie heads at Falkirk & a little girl in a white dress on a dock putting little paper boats in water. The kelpie pic has a quote “When thowes dissolve the snawy hoord, An' float the jinglin' icy boord, Then water-kelpies haunt the foord, By your direction, And 'nighted trav'llers are allur'd To their destruction.” Robert Burns Middle 2 pics: A Fjord with an old castle looking building & a yellow flowering meadow in the Scottish Highlands. The fjord pic has a quote: “In the depths they await to hear the children's whispered calls.” - The Children who Whispered to Water. Bottom Pic: An art pic of a kelpie with glowing white eyes coming out of the water to a shore of a forest. At the bottom of the pic is the title in green in a watery font The Children who Whispered to Water. There is a quote “No mortal ear could have heard the kelpie passing through the night, for the great black hooves of it were as soundless as feathers falling" The Kelpie's Pearls, Molly Hunter Top pics: a cabin in snowy mountains & a woman walking in a jungle forest. Over those 2 pics is the title in orange Wilderness Lockup. On the snowy pic is a quote: “the instinct to survive is human nature itself, and every aspect of our personalities derive from it.” - Robert Heinlein 2nd row pics: A blonde girl in an orange coat with a tan backpack in a forest holding a map, & a man in an orange jacket sailing a boat on an ocean. 3rd row pics: a man walking in a sandy desert, & a girl walking in a red rock area. The desert pic has a quote: “Survivors aren't always the strongest; sometimes they're the smartest, but more often simply the luckiest.” - Carrie Ryan, The Dark & Hollow Places Bottom pics: A man kayaking in a Swamp, a man hiking a Hawaiian trail by the ocean, & a man crying on the sign at the Katahdin trailhead. The Hawaiian picture has a quote "I don't think I outfitted you. I don't think I outfitted you. The only thing I did was outcast you." Bob Crowley, Gabon
November 5, 2025 at 5:06 AM
crystalbauthor.bsky.social
Rutello: The Dark Veil
November 3, 2025 at 7:12 AM
crystalbauthor.bsky.social
Kingdom of Treasures
November 3, 2025 at 7:12 AM
crystalbauthor.bsky.social
Rutello: Dark Ages
November 3, 2025 at 7:12 AM
crystalbauthor.bsky.social
Rutello: King of Kings
November 3, 2025 at 7:12 AM
crystalbauthor.bsky.social
Rutello: New World
November 3, 2025 at 7:12 AM
crystalbauthor.bsky.social
Burning Blooms
November 3, 2025 at 7:12 AM
crystalbauthor.bsky.social
Find Me
November 3, 2025 at 7:12 AM
crystalbauthor.bsky.social
Moonstone
November 3, 2025 at 7:12 AM
crystalbauthor.bsky.social
Alaria's Curse
November 3, 2025 at 7:12 AM