Laki - Narrative Designer | Author | Artist
@lakilarian.bsky.social
✒️📖 Writer, artist, and occasional animator
Bi, Fluid, and 100% Human
☆Currently playing - Metaphor: ReFantazio☆
WHALESONG 🐋 (in Empire of Beasts anthology) -> https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202135189-empire-of-beasts
SPIRIT.I. 🔍✨️ (is evolving... 👀)
Bi, Fluid, and 100% Human
☆Currently playing - Metaphor: ReFantazio☆
WHALESONG 🐋 (in Empire of Beasts anthology) -> https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202135189-empire-of-beasts
SPIRIT.I. 🔍✨️ (is evolving... 👀)
So we've set our sights on making a mysterious social roguelike of sorts, where the relationship with the party and what they remember is key. It fits my excitement for experimental character writing perfectly!
We're going for an 8~ hour play time, so I need to show restraint 😆
#GameDev
We're going for an 8~ hour play time, so I need to show restraint 😆
#GameDev
August 10, 2025 at 4:09 PM
So we've set our sights on making a mysterious social roguelike of sorts, where the relationship with the party and what they remember is key. It fits my excitement for experimental character writing perfectly!
We're going for an 8~ hour play time, so I need to show restraint 😆
#GameDev
We're going for an 8~ hour play time, so I need to show restraint 😆
#GameDev
Reposted by Laki - Narrative Designer | Author | Artist
Let’s change gears. Do some good
Sign this. Make it go viral. Protect sex workers. End payment processor discrimination
action.aclu.org/petition/mas...
Sign this. Make it go viral. Protect sex workers. End payment processor discrimination
action.aclu.org/petition/mas...
Mastercard: Sex Work is Work. End Your Unjust Policy.
Mastercard's new policy unfairly targets the adult content industry, making sex workers more vulnerable, especially Black trans women. It must be stopped.
action.aclu.org
July 23, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Let’s change gears. Do some good
Sign this. Make it go viral. Protect sex workers. End payment processor discrimination
action.aclu.org/petition/mas...
Sign this. Make it go viral. Protect sex workers. End payment processor discrimination
action.aclu.org/petition/mas...
Blue Prince is probably the most layered, extensive puzzle game I've ever played, and that includes all of the Myst series. I don't think I've ever used quite so much paper! 📃✍️
I want to write them a glowimg review on Steam, just usually want to beat a game first - but this one just keeps going!
I want to write them a glowimg review on Steam, just usually want to beat a game first - but this one just keeps going!
July 24, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Blue Prince is probably the most layered, extensive puzzle game I've ever played, and that includes all of the Myst series. I don't think I've ever used quite so much paper! 📃✍️
I want to write them a glowimg review on Steam, just usually want to beat a game first - but this one just keeps going!
I want to write them a glowimg review on Steam, just usually want to beat a game first - but this one just keeps going!
So! I've been a little quiet lately, as my creative direction has taken a spin...
It turns out, in the attempt to write an engaging paranormal mystery with a witchy fantasy twist, I ended up drafter the outline for an extremely cool game instead of a book 🥲
🎮✍️
It turns out, in the attempt to write an engaging paranormal mystery with a witchy fantasy twist, I ended up drafter the outline for an extremely cool game instead of a book 🥲
🎮✍️
July 21, 2025 at 5:51 AM
So! I've been a little quiet lately, as my creative direction has taken a spin...
It turns out, in the attempt to write an engaging paranormal mystery with a witchy fantasy twist, I ended up drafter the outline for an extremely cool game instead of a book 🥲
🎮✍️
It turns out, in the attempt to write an engaging paranormal mystery with a witchy fantasy twist, I ended up drafter the outline for an extremely cool game instead of a book 🥲
🎮✍️
Reposted by Laki - Narrative Designer | Author | Artist
June 1, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Current obsession:
Absorbing every psychological and philosophical angle of Slay the Princess 🗡💗
This game is BRILLIANT
Absorbing every psychological and philosophical angle of Slay the Princess 🗡💗
This game is BRILLIANT
April 13, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Current obsession:
Absorbing every psychological and philosophical angle of Slay the Princess 🗡💗
This game is BRILLIANT
Absorbing every psychological and philosophical angle of Slay the Princess 🗡💗
This game is BRILLIANT
Reposted by Laki - Narrative Designer | Author | Artist
Me: I don't know brain, between all the medical appointments, you think we could do some, ya know... writing? That favorite thing we like to do in life? There's a decent number of days between these things-
Brain: But one of them is a blood draw... 👀 ONE OF THEM is a BLOOD DRAW.
Brain: But one of them is a blood draw... 👀 ONE OF THEM is a BLOOD DRAW.
March 19, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Me: I don't know brain, between all the medical appointments, you think we could do some, ya know... writing? That favorite thing we like to do in life? There's a decent number of days between these things-
Brain: But one of them is a blood draw... 👀 ONE OF THEM is a BLOOD DRAW.
Brain: But one of them is a blood draw... 👀 ONE OF THEM is a BLOOD DRAW.
Reposted by Laki - Narrative Designer | Author | Artist
Your opening line is your first chance (and sometimes your only chance) to hook a reader, publisher, or agent. Let's look at some ways to make it unforgettable.
A thread 🧵🪓
#writingcommunity
A thread 🧵🪓
#writingcommunity
a man in a pirate costume with a feathered hat and mustache
Alt: a man in a pirate costume with a feathered hat and mustache
media.tenor.com
February 22, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Your opening line is your first chance (and sometimes your only chance) to hook a reader, publisher, or agent. Let's look at some ways to make it unforgettable.
A thread 🧵🪓
#writingcommunity
A thread 🧵🪓
#writingcommunity
Reposted by Laki - Narrative Designer | Author | Artist
Coolest nonhuman character in my book is Shadow Friend, Sage's silent sidekick.
The little shadow spirit peers over Sage's shoulder during investigations, and helps out by slipping into tiny gaps or moving light objects.
When not on detective duty, it likes to play and nibble on things!
The little shadow spirit peers over Sage's shoulder during investigations, and helps out by slipping into tiny gaps or moving light objects.
When not on detective duty, it likes to play and nibble on things!
February 24, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Coolest nonhuman character in my book is Shadow Friend, Sage's silent sidekick.
The little shadow spirit peers over Sage's shoulder during investigations, and helps out by slipping into tiny gaps or moving light objects.
When not on detective duty, it likes to play and nibble on things!
The little shadow spirit peers over Sage's shoulder during investigations, and helps out by slipping into tiny gaps or moving light objects.
When not on detective duty, it likes to play and nibble on things!
I dunno guys, all this time learning how to write complex, nuanced, mastermind villains, and all we get irl is this Saturday Morning Cartoon slop?
I now believe we're having a "good guys writing bad guys" problem 🫠
I now believe we're having a "good guys writing bad guys" problem 🫠
February 16, 2025 at 1:53 AM
I dunno guys, all this time learning how to write complex, nuanced, mastermind villains, and all we get irl is this Saturday Morning Cartoon slop?
I now believe we're having a "good guys writing bad guys" problem 🫠
I now believe we're having a "good guys writing bad guys" problem 🫠
Had a little binge of major edits on @musedoes.bsky.social and I's shared story for the last few days while waiting out some irl headache issues.
The romantasy epic was escalating too far into tragic drama and needed room wedged back in for actual romance ☠️💘
The romantasy epic was escalating too far into tragic drama and needed room wedged back in for actual romance ☠️💘
February 12, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Had a little binge of major edits on @musedoes.bsky.social and I's shared story for the last few days while waiting out some irl headache issues.
The romantasy epic was escalating too far into tragic drama and needed room wedged back in for actual romance ☠️💘
The romantasy epic was escalating too far into tragic drama and needed room wedged back in for actual romance ☠️💘
Reposted by Laki - Narrative Designer | Author | Artist
#febredit
hahahaha.....
The critique that changed my life was @calarion.bsky.social ripping a first draft of a play to shreds.
I spent 24 hours thinking divorce was on the cards 😅
When the rage cleared, I realized not only how every point he'd made was right, but that 1/2
hahahaha.....
The critique that changed my life was @calarion.bsky.social ripping a first draft of a play to shreds.
I spent 24 hours thinking divorce was on the cards 😅
When the rage cleared, I realized not only how every point he'd made was right, but that 1/2
#Febredit day 6!
What's the best critique you ever received?
This could mean most useful, most insightful, or just the nicest
For me I think it actually came quite recently, when a beta reader pointed out that the character I thought had the most agency actually had the least
#writingcommunity
What's the best critique you ever received?
This could mean most useful, most insightful, or just the nicest
For me I think it actually came quite recently, when a beta reader pointed out that the character I thought had the most agency actually had the least
#writingcommunity
February 6, 2025 at 11:29 PM
#febredit
hahahaha.....
The critique that changed my life was @calarion.bsky.social ripping a first draft of a play to shreds.
I spent 24 hours thinking divorce was on the cards 😅
When the rage cleared, I realized not only how every point he'd made was right, but that 1/2
hahahaha.....
The critique that changed my life was @calarion.bsky.social ripping a first draft of a play to shreds.
I spent 24 hours thinking divorce was on the cards 😅
When the rage cleared, I realized not only how every point he'd made was right, but that 1/2
#QueerPrompts
Oh no, they sensed my whole plot!! Run! 👀💦
So, yes, there's a worldbuilding reason that Spirit Eyes are not typically found anywhere near each other. While the scattering of hermits are beyond issues of basic discrimination, the motives behind reinforcing that hermitage run deep 🤫
Oh no, they sensed my whole plot!! Run! 👀💦
So, yes, there's a worldbuilding reason that Spirit Eyes are not typically found anywhere near each other. While the scattering of hermits are beyond issues of basic discrimination, the motives behind reinforcing that hermitage run deep 🤫
#QueerPrompts February 6: Do your characters get in trouble when they get together?
February 6, 2025 at 7:07 PM
#QueerPrompts
Oh no, they sensed my whole plot!! Run! 👀💦
So, yes, there's a worldbuilding reason that Spirit Eyes are not typically found anywhere near each other. While the scattering of hermits are beyond issues of basic discrimination, the motives behind reinforcing that hermitage run deep 🤫
Oh no, they sensed my whole plot!! Run! 👀💦
So, yes, there's a worldbuilding reason that Spirit Eyes are not typically found anywhere near each other. While the scattering of hermits are beyond issues of basic discrimination, the motives behind reinforcing that hermitage run deep 🤫
Reposted by Laki - Narrative Designer | Author | Artist
books while doing structural edits: Saves the Cat, Take Off Your Pants.
For the following revision/edit rounds, I've made up a table of approaches for mini-revision runs, getting a bit granular here but they are included below if you are interested
2/2
For the following revision/edit rounds, I've made up a table of approaches for mini-revision runs, getting a bit granular here but they are included below if you are interested
2/2
February 5, 2025 at 4:35 AM
books while doing structural edits: Saves the Cat, Take Off Your Pants.
For the following revision/edit rounds, I've made up a table of approaches for mini-revision runs, getting a bit granular here but they are included below if you are interested
2/2
For the following revision/edit rounds, I've made up a table of approaches for mini-revision runs, getting a bit granular here but they are included below if you are interested
2/2
Reposted by Laki - Narrative Designer | Author | Artist
#febredit For me, and I'm only just starting to understand this myself, but it's that the first (arbitrary number, but) 1 million words are just practice, and then after that you'll find your voice.
It's been true for me, both with first drafts and with revising too. I actually enjoy revising now 😅
It's been true for me, both with first drafts and with revising too. I actually enjoy revising now 😅
#Febredit day 5! What's the best editing advice you've ever heard?
For me it's not quite advice but how Stephen King thought about his drafts helps me a lot: it's like paleontology. The draft is a bunch of bones, and now you've got to put them all in the right order and shape. Makes it sound fun 😅
For me it's not quite advice but how Stephen King thought about his drafts helps me a lot: it's like paleontology. The draft is a bunch of bones, and now you've got to put them all in the right order and shape. Makes it sound fun 😅
February 5, 2025 at 9:52 PM
#febredit For me, and I'm only just starting to understand this myself, but it's that the first (arbitrary number, but) 1 million words are just practice, and then after that you'll find your voice.
It's been true for me, both with first drafts and with revising too. I actually enjoy revising now 😅
It's been true for me, both with first drafts and with revising too. I actually enjoy revising now 😅
February 6, 2025 at 4:26 AM
Taking the mandatory two weeks off before beginning edits on my first book in my paranormal mystery series... so of course I've started immediately writing the second!
#authorlife #writingobsessed 📚💙
#authorlife #writingobsessed 📚💙
February 5, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Taking the mandatory two weeks off before beginning edits on my first book in my paranormal mystery series... so of course I've started immediately writing the second!
#authorlife #writingobsessed 📚💙
#authorlife #writingobsessed 📚💙
Reposted by Laki - Narrative Designer | Author | Artist
OPPORTUNITY: No Wasted Words Writing #Contest
✏️ Submit a short work of fiction, non-fiction, or poetry with a zero waste or #conservation theme by March 24th at https://buff.ly/4hgBfus. Hosted by Raven Centre & #Yukon Conservation Society
✏️ Submit a short work of fiction, non-fiction, or poetry with a zero waste or #conservation theme by March 24th at https://buff.ly/4hgBfus. Hosted by Raven Centre & #Yukon Conservation Society
January 30, 2025 at 7:27 PM
OPPORTUNITY: No Wasted Words Writing #Contest
✏️ Submit a short work of fiction, non-fiction, or poetry with a zero waste or #conservation theme by March 24th at https://buff.ly/4hgBfus. Hosted by Raven Centre & #Yukon Conservation Society
✏️ Submit a short work of fiction, non-fiction, or poetry with a zero waste or #conservation theme by March 24th at https://buff.ly/4hgBfus. Hosted by Raven Centre & #Yukon Conservation Society
SOOO much language research! I have an international cast to juggle, and I enjoy letting them sprinkle their own native words into the "magically translated" english. But I'm me, so they have to be Correct words 🫠
Then there's historical facts, architecture, physics, plants... 🤯😂
#PretendPanel
Then there's historical facts, architecture, physics, plants... 🤯😂
#PretendPanel
It's not over, #pretendpanel! Just FYI, I'm going to keep going after this month, just on a weekend-only basis. You all have been so wonderful, I don't want it to end 😊
January 27th: What sort of research did you do for this book/story/WIP?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 27th: What sort of research did you do for this book/story/WIP?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 28, 2025 at 5:02 AM
SOOO much language research! I have an international cast to juggle, and I enjoy letting them sprinkle their own native words into the "magically translated" english. But I'm me, so they have to be Correct words 🫠
Then there's historical facts, architecture, physics, plants... 🤯😂
#PretendPanel
Then there's historical facts, architecture, physics, plants... 🤯😂
#PretendPanel
Reposted by Laki - Narrative Designer | Author | Artist
MONDAY — It’s #2025Pit
Are you an unagented writer who has completed a manuscript?
Are you in search of a literary agent?
Great, on Monday I’m hosting a pitch event here on BlueSky I hope will connect authors & agents who may like to work together.
How does this work? Glad you asked!
Are you an unagented writer who has completed a manuscript?
Are you in search of a literary agent?
Great, on Monday I’m hosting a pitch event here on BlueSky I hope will connect authors & agents who may like to work together.
How does this work? Glad you asked!
January 24, 2025 at 11:01 PM
MONDAY — It’s #2025Pit
Are you an unagented writer who has completed a manuscript?
Are you in search of a literary agent?
Great, on Monday I’m hosting a pitch event here on BlueSky I hope will connect authors & agents who may like to work together.
How does this work? Glad you asked!
Are you an unagented writer who has completed a manuscript?
Are you in search of a literary agent?
Great, on Monday I’m hosting a pitch event here on BlueSky I hope will connect authors & agents who may like to work together.
How does this work? Glad you asked!
Reposted by Laki - Narrative Designer | Author | Artist
So I have two books I’ve been working really hard on coming out soon- 1 poetry and a cosmic horror novel. What have y’all found successful in getting the word out? We’re going to bury a manuscript in a haunted cemetery during a full moon so I think we’re basically set right?
#horrorwriterschat
#horrorwriterschat
January 19, 2025 at 7:00 AM
So I have two books I’ve been working really hard on coming out soon- 1 poetry and a cosmic horror novel. What have y’all found successful in getting the word out? We’re going to bury a manuscript in a haunted cemetery during a full moon so I think we’re basically set right?
#horrorwriterschat
#horrorwriterschat
Reposted by Laki - Narrative Designer | Author | Artist
Reposted by Laki - Narrative Designer | Author | Artist
It is a strange sort of pride to make a character and find out that someone treasures them as they would a friend.
#pretendpanel #writers #writingcommunity
#pretendpanel #writers #writingcommunity
Howdy #pretendpanel! Wow, I should have guessed you'd have some great answers to the last question ❤️🩹
Looking forward to knowing:
January 18th: Which part of your book/story/WIP makes you proudest?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
Looking forward to knowing:
January 18th: Which part of your book/story/WIP makes you proudest?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 19, 2025 at 12:41 AM
It is a strange sort of pride to make a character and find out that someone treasures them as they would a friend.
#pretendpanel #writers #writingcommunity
#pretendpanel #writers #writingcommunity