Eliwood S. Gheist
LightNews LightNews
banner
eliwoodsgheist.com
Eliwood S. Gheist
@eliwoodsgheist.com
1.2K followers 610 following 6.3K posts
https://eliwoodsgheist.com/

Writer, 30-something, queer, nerd. We write alone, but we're writing together.

🚫genAI🚫

Current projects:
Bludeye Beach, paranormal fantasy
Eyes Shine Silver in Moonlight, werewolf romantasy
Posts Replies Media Videos
eliwoodsgheist.com
Happy #WIPSnips 29 - Dedicate!

From the freshly written (please forgive first draft messiness) BELOW BLUDEYE BEACH, in which Edie has to confront the scariest thing of all: Milo's hot ex boyfriend 😔
It was too weird. Way, way too weird, even for Edie’s life. But even only seeing him in a single photograph, Edie could pick out Cillian’s beautiful face in moments. Milo’s ex boyfriend. The serious/not serious one. The one that looked like someone dedicated their lives to carving the concept of ice-cold beauty from perfect marble, and made Milo smile into the camera when they took a picture together.
November 29, 2025 at 1:02 PM
eliwoodsgheist.com
Happy #WIPSnips 27 - Disorganize > Mess!

Here's a lil snip from the freshly written third book, BELOW BLUDEYE BEACH. Alexandra (and nurses in general) simply deserve more than they get 🙏
The doors past the Nurse’s station opened, and Alexandra strode through, looking irritated. Her long hair was swept back into a severe bun, and her purple scrubs looked surprisingly spotless. On her lanyard with ID card dangled a pin that read “Rate my smile!” “Are you serious?” she hissed at her twin, stalking towards them. “You can’t mess around like this at my job!” “It could be a matter of life and death, if that helps,” Edie said.
November 27, 2025 at 12:56 PM
eliwoodsgheist.com
Happy #WIPSnips 26 - Impede > Block!

From BLUDEYE BEACH. It's really very safe, so long as you're not doing anything dangerous 😉
Kathleen was left standing on what was barely a path. Christopher had completely bypassed a trailhead marker, following what seemed no better than the favored route of local wildlife. He was nowhere in sight. The thick foliage blocked her view from seeing another living soul. She distinctly did not feel alone. “Christopher?” Her voice was unrecognizable, high and shrill. There was no answer. She took a cautious step forward. The hairs on the back of her neck rose in prickling waves. The sweat on her body cooled rapidly, sending a shiver through her flesh.   A low growl from somewhere in the trees. It was guttural. Wet. Far, far too close.
November 26, 2025 at 3:59 PM
eliwoodsgheist.com
Happy #WIPSnips 25 - System

From BLUDEYE BEACH. Edie understands the age-old ritual of getting razzed 😔
The air was still warm as Edie pulled up to Milo’s apartment. She ran into Cat and Viola just outside. Viola couldn’t stop grinning at Edie. “Okay,” Edie said with a sigh. “Get it out of your system now.” “You kissed my brother,” Viola said immediately. “You’re a brother-kisser. Can I start calling you my sister-in-law? Can I be your maid of honor? Cuz you're gonna marry my brother. Cuz you kissed him.”
November 25, 2025 at 11:34 AM
eliwoodsgheist.com
That's a wrap on the first draft of the third book in the Bludeye series, BELOW BLUDEYE BEACH ❤️❤️
Now to focus on a new, very exciting project, coming out just around the corner...👀👀
screenshot of a Word Count window that reads Pages: 190 Words: 100080
November 24, 2025 at 5:27 PM
eliwoodsgheist.com
Happy #WIPSnips 22 - Crystal!

From RETURN TO BLUDEYE BEACH. I'm sure it's just a scratch ☺️
“You came,” Edie said to Milo, the only thought that could crystallize in that moment. “I think it mostly got your jacket,” Milo said. She could feel his hands gently touching her. “You’re bleeding, but it only just got the skin. Of course I came. How badly does it hurt?”
November 22, 2025 at 1:07 PM
eliwoodsgheist.com
As a writer, there is no review that will ever mean quite as much or hit quite as hard as this 🙏❤️
A comment on a google doc from a user named Kelsey that reads "fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuckity fuck!!!"
November 21, 2025 at 8:37 PM
eliwoodsgheist.com
For those unfamiliar with birch tree eyes:
A sign that reads BLUDEYE BEACH est 1818 on a birch tree
November 21, 2025 at 11:41 AM
eliwoodsgheist.com
Happy #WIPSnips 21 - Direction!

From RETURN TO BLUDEYE BEACH. Edie is deep in the woods 👁
Edie's eyes flicked over the woods, and then paused. She thought for a moment that she saw another of the ubiquitous carved eyes that covered the pine trees by the road. After a moment, she understood; it was the same shape, but the birch trees’ eyes were just their natural scars, where the bark remembered the limb it once held. Now, the birch trees revealed an eternal stare. Every single one was covered in those marks, staring in every direction.
November 21, 2025 at 11:41 AM
eliwoodsgheist.com
Hello, #writingcommunity ! What are some of your favorite things to write? I'm a sucker for a bunch of romance tropes (knight/princess, grumpy/sunshine) but when I look at this old posterpit graphic I made for Bludeye Beach...I think I might just be predictable 😂 how about ya'll?
#writesky
November 19, 2025 at 2:04 PM
eliwoodsgheist.com
After finishing your book, that completely tracks - breaks are critical ❤️❤️
My book is going really well, but traveling is putting writing in a back seat for a bit unfortunately 😭
The cryptid definitely got some scritches and kissies - here he is "helping" more ❤️😂
A tabby cat lying across the photographer's arms
November 16, 2025 at 2:45 AM
eliwoodsgheist.com
Trying to do some writing while local cryptid Lap Desk Paw is interfering...
How's everyone doing with their #writing today? (Are you all as covered in cat hair as me? 😂)
We're halfway through November (already?!), everyone with a monthly writing challenge, stay strong!!
#writesky #writingcommunity
A laptop on a lapdesk, with a cat paw sticking out from underneath and touching the stomach of the person taking the photo.
November 15, 2025 at 1:01 PM
eliwoodsgheist.com
Oops, my finger slipped. I'm having so much fun working on the third Bludeye Beach book; it's not even finished, and I was compelled (by ~something~) to make a cute lil moodboard for it ❤️
#writesky #writersofbluesky #writevember
A collage of seven pictures; from left to right, a ghostly figure in a corner, a woman's silhouette holding a lantern, a fuzzy outline of a woman, close up of a person crying. Bottom row, left to right; someone on a beach holding a flashlight, close up of a skull next to a burned book, a blindfolded woman holding a candle.
November 13, 2025 at 2:04 PM
eliwoodsgheist.com
Happy #WIPSnips 13 - Build!

For the first time, Edie arrives in Bludeye Beach ❤️
As if on cue, the road ahead of them opened up like a movie montage. All of Bludeye Beach laid spread out in front of her. The forest ended at the top of a ridge, the road following a sharp decline. The town was all cute cottages and old-fashioned buildings, lying bathed in golden light. Best of all, Edie could see the ocean unfurling beyond the town. The glittering blue looked like a painting, too picturesque to even seem real.
November 13, 2025 at 11:44 AM
eliwoodsgheist.com
Happy #WIPSnips 12 - Shirt!

Ten years after the summer when they met, Edie is having a hard time seeing Milo again 🙏🙏
“Angus works for the Bludeye Adventure Club,” Manny offered. “You know, the folks that give guided nature hikes and rock climbing tours.” “That sounds better than my last job.” Edie forced a smile. “Well, I haven’t been fired, so that’s already a one up,” Angus remarked. Edie wasn’t sure if Angus was making fun of her or not, and fortunately, she was saved from having to decide because unfortunately, Milo walked into the room. Immediately the air was sucked from her lungs. He wore a red button-down shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and tight black jeans. With his dark hair pulled up into a half ponytail and his piercings fully on display, he looked much better than was easy for Edie to handle.
November 12, 2025 at 1:11 PM
eliwoodsgheist.com
I've held off on this too long.
In honor of the third Bludeye book being drafted:
1 like = 1 fact about Milo Vance.
A dark haired man in a red shirt holding a brown haired woman in two braids; she's holding a cell phone up as if taking a selfie of the two of them. They're very clearly stupidly in love. Art by @nushdeco.bsky.social
November 11, 2025 at 2:03 PM
eliwoodsgheist.com
When prepping to draft this month, I made a point to do some planning via freewriting. I get frustrated writing a draft by hand, but for brainstorming, it's really helpful to slow myself down! (Plus, more visits to my beloved local coffee shop ❤️ )
How do ya'll like to brainstorm?
#writing #writesky
Photo of a journal, an iced coffee, a pen holder, and a cookie on a coffee shop table
November 10, 2025 at 3:03 PM
eliwoodsgheist.com
Happy #WIPSnips 10 - Local!

Local just so happens to be one of the key words in Bludeye Beach 😇
“That poor man,” Edie said, her heart thudding painfully. “Yeah, that happens a lot,” Viola said. “People from out of town die here all the time.” “Vi,” Milo said in a soft warning.  “Wait, seriously?” Edie asked. “Do people really die here a lot?” “People who aren’t local don’t know how to be safe around here,” Milo said slowly. “We try to help them,” Viola added. “But no one ever listens.” “The Sheriff seems invested,” Edie said. “Sheriff Siegel never does anything,” Milo muttered.
November 10, 2025 at 1:01 PM
eliwoodsgheist.com
Happy #WIPSnips 9 - Picture!

From BLUDEYE BEACH. Teen Edie is learning more about her new friends 💔
“Does Manny have an older sister?” Edie asked, pointing at a shot of the two standing waist-deep in the ocean. Manny couldn’t have been more than ten years old, but he had the same uneven smile as he proudly held out a starfish. The girl standing next to him was 14 or 15, but she had the exact same crooked smile as she displayed an even bigger starfish.  Milo didn’t answer right away. When Edie glanced over at him, he was staring at the picture as well, a strained look on his face. “...Yeah. He did.”
November 9, 2025 at 9:10 PM
eliwoodsgheist.com
Happy #Lovember!

There are a lot of little moments that show the development of romantic & platonic love, but this is one of the Big Ones from Bludeye Beach; not a triumph of good over evil, not even really a major solution. Just the willingness to go through it together. #writingcommunity
Edie shook her head. “No, I’m just being really silly.” Her voice was a little louder than she intended. Briefly, she worried that Janie Booker might hear her. “Besides, if you’re scared, you just need to do it scared.” “If you’re scared, I’ll do it with you,” Milo said. He said it as though it were the most natural thing in the world. When Edie looked at him, he was holding out his hand, and watching her with a sincerity she didn’t think she’d ever seen on anyone’s face. If it had been anyone else, at any other time, she would have thought they were making fun of her; but not Milo. Not when she took his hand, and he carefully walked with her across the bridge. He didn’t let go until Edie was breathing more calmly, and she was able to let go of him first.
November 9, 2025 at 3:38 AM
eliwoodsgheist.com
Happy #WIPSnips 8 - Little!
From RETURN TO BLUDEYE BEACH. Edie's voice teacher Will Zangari is trying to help her with stage fright ❤️
“The karaoke night got canceled. I promise, I’m belting in the shower. To my shampoo bottle. And the conditioner, even.” “I’m sure you’re curdling your facial scrub. It does not matter how well you do in the bathroom, sweetie. Reschedule karaoke night or carol in the town square, I don’t care.” He lifted his sunglasses to gently dab his head with his scarf. “All right. From the top. Breath control. Actually,” he paused, his fingers hovering above the keyboard. “What if we make a little game out of this?” “They yelled at us the last time we played the volume game,” Edie warned. “So?” Will quirked an eyebrow. “How about it? Maybe this time you’ll have a chance. Ready?” “No.” “Perfect. Let’s go.”
November 8, 2025 at 7:11 PM
eliwoodsgheist.com
"If you reveal a photo of an ex boyfriend in the first act, the ex boyfriend must appear in a later act of the book." -the lesser known writing principle, Chekhov's Ex

Hard at the November writing challenge today 😄 how's everyone doing on their WIPs??
A laptop on a coffee table with a water bottle open to a note document for Below Bludeye Beach
November 8, 2025 at 6:10 PM
eliwoodsgheist.com
Happy #WIPSnips 7 - Movement!

Teenagers being teenagers, amiright?
Milo only seemed to shift his weight, but then Grant was flying over Milo’s hip, away from Edie. Milo shepherded her back with his arm, keeping her behind him. Grant had landed hard on his knees and now scrambled up again, his face turning a purplish red. “What the hell, Vance?” Grant demanded, and took another swing. Edie was reminded of wrestling in the water on Beach Day as Milo shifted again. With a blur of movement that Edie couldn’t track, Milo had shunted Grant’s arm to the side, then hit him hard enough in the ribs for Grant to exhale in a sharp groan. He hit the ground once more, Milo only moving to keep Edie behind him.
November 7, 2025 at 5:57 PM
eliwoodsgheist.com
The signs were all there
A small black and white dog is lying upside down and looking at the camera with his teefies exposed
November 7, 2025 at 2:57 PM
eliwoodsgheist.com
Happy #Bookvember 6!

I was a fiend for picture books, surprising no one, but I'll give a special shout out to Jan Brett. Her artwork was absolutely gorgeous, but she also used to do these very intricate page borders that often told a story within the story. Honestly, she's a treasure
Cover for the book The Mitten by Jan Brett
November 6, 2025 at 11:39 AM