Rachel Reddick / RZ Nicolet
@rr4idic.bsky.social
Sci-fi/fantasy writer by night, data scientist by day, astrophysicist by training, Star Trek fan all the time. See the ol' blog at rznicolet.com
Report post: I'm in this picture and I don't like it.
Me: (working on novel)
Brain: Hey, got a great idea for a novel. Not this novel.
Me: (typing) Not now, brain.
Brain: Don't you wanna know what it is?
Me: NOT NOW, BRAIN
Brain: I'm not gonna lie, it's SUPER cool
Me: LET ME FINISH THE NOVEL IN FRONT OF ME, BRAIN
Brain: Okay, I'm gonna tell you
Brain: Hey, got a great idea for a novel. Not this novel.
Me: (typing) Not now, brain.
Brain: Don't you wanna know what it is?
Me: NOT NOW, BRAIN
Brain: I'm not gonna lie, it's SUPER cool
Me: LET ME FINISH THE NOVEL IN FRONT OF ME, BRAIN
Brain: Okay, I'm gonna tell you
December 19, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Report post: I'm in this picture and I don't like it.
In other news, I've got a #blog post in which I discuss getting people to read my book. (And also, an opportunity to sign yourself up to read my #book IN ADVANCE, especially if you like the concept of urban fantasy magic cloak shenanigans.)
rznicolet.com/2025/12/19/t...
rznicolet.com/2025/12/19/t...
The Song and Dance
In case you hadn’t heard, I have a pub date for my (debut) novel. (February 23rd! It’s gonna be a Real Book!) If you’re sneaky, you can go search the title on Amazon and pre-order the e-book…
rznicolet.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:58 PM
In other news, I've got a #blog post in which I discuss getting people to read my book. (And also, an opportunity to sign yourself up to read my #book IN ADVANCE, especially if you like the concept of urban fantasy magic cloak shenanigans.)
rznicolet.com/2025/12/19/t...
rznicolet.com/2025/12/19/t...
#WordWeavers Dec 19. What's the first thing readers learn about your MC?
Gery: He's being pushed to resign from his government post, and isn't too upset about it.
Serte: She has an orrery for her corundum and would rather read her romance novel than attend a government function.
#amwriting
Gery: He's being pushed to resign from his government post, and isn't too upset about it.
Serte: She has an orrery for her corundum and would rather read her romance novel than attend a government function.
#amwriting
December 19, 2025 at 1:55 PM
#WordWeavers Dec 19. What's the first thing readers learn about your MC?
Gery: He's being pushed to resign from his government post, and isn't too upset about it.
Serte: She has an orrery for her corundum and would rather read her romance novel than attend a government function.
#amwriting
Gery: He's being pushed to resign from his government post, and isn't too upset about it.
Serte: She has an orrery for her corundum and would rather read her romance novel than attend a government function.
#amwriting
#WordWeavers Dec 18: Does your antagonist save money or spend it?
Both. Money is only valuable in as much as it can be used for (what she thinks are) beneficial purposes.
#amwriting
Both. Money is only valuable in as much as it can be used for (what she thinks are) beneficial purposes.
#amwriting
December 18, 2025 at 2:06 PM
#WordWeavers Dec 18: Does your antagonist save money or spend it?
Both. Money is only valuable in as much as it can be used for (what she thinks are) beneficial purposes.
#amwriting
Both. Money is only valuable in as much as it can be used for (what she thinks are) beneficial purposes.
#amwriting
Reposted by Rachel Reddick / RZ Nicolet
God, sometimes you need to put key things in BLOCK CAPS in your planning notes because otherwise you will absolutely forget to include the vital setup bit for the next chapter.
December 18, 2025 at 1:07 PM
God, sometimes you need to put key things in BLOCK CAPS in your planning notes because otherwise you will absolutely forget to include the vital setup bit for the next chapter.
#WordWeavers Dec 17: How many hours of sleep a night does your MC average?
Not enough, for either of them, though Gery (after the initial crisis) does better than Serte.
There's actually a running gag with Serte's friends nagging her about getting more sleep...
#amwriting
Not enough, for either of them, though Gery (after the initial crisis) does better than Serte.
There's actually a running gag with Serte's friends nagging her about getting more sleep...
#amwriting
December 17, 2025 at 2:20 PM
#WordWeavers Dec 17: How many hours of sleep a night does your MC average?
Not enough, for either of them, though Gery (after the initial crisis) does better than Serte.
There's actually a running gag with Serte's friends nagging her about getting more sleep...
#amwriting
Not enough, for either of them, though Gery (after the initial crisis) does better than Serte.
There's actually a running gag with Serte's friends nagging her about getting more sleep...
#amwriting
#WordWeavers Dec 16: Is your MC more philosophical or action-oriented?
In the current WIP, I've got one of each. It makes for some fun contrast.
#amwriting
In the current WIP, I've got one of each. It makes for some fun contrast.
#amwriting
December 16, 2025 at 2:06 PM
#WordWeavers Dec 16: Is your MC more philosophical or action-oriented?
In the current WIP, I've got one of each. It makes for some fun contrast.
#amwriting
In the current WIP, I've got one of each. It makes for some fun contrast.
#amwriting
Reposted by Rachel Reddick / RZ Nicolet
We all wanna be comfy in our down time, man.
Worf in dad jeans and a shark shirt directing DS9 is the timeline cleanse you didn’t know you needed 🖖
December 16, 2025 at 2:00 PM
We all wanna be comfy in our down time, man.
#WordWeavers Dec 15: How much profanity do you include in your story, and why?
Nothing that we'd call profanity -- I generally prefer to avoid it. However, they've got their own set of swears, which get used whenever appropriate.
#amwriting
Nothing that we'd call profanity -- I generally prefer to avoid it. However, they've got their own set of swears, which get used whenever appropriate.
#amwriting
December 15, 2025 at 1:54 PM
#WordWeavers Dec 15: How much profanity do you include in your story, and why?
Nothing that we'd call profanity -- I generally prefer to avoid it. However, they've got their own set of swears, which get used whenever appropriate.
#amwriting
Nothing that we'd call profanity -- I generally prefer to avoid it. However, they've got their own set of swears, which get used whenever appropriate.
#amwriting
#WordWeavers Dec 14: Are your characters incapacitated by injuries, or do they brush them off as flesh wounds?
Mostly, depends on whether it's actually a flesh wound and whether the character has superpowers or whatnot.
Current WIP? [REDACTED] is incapacitated when [SPOILERS].
#amwriting
Mostly, depends on whether it's actually a flesh wound and whether the character has superpowers or whatnot.
Current WIP? [REDACTED] is incapacitated when [SPOILERS].
#amwriting
December 14, 2025 at 3:48 PM
#WordWeavers Dec 14: Are your characters incapacitated by injuries, or do they brush them off as flesh wounds?
Mostly, depends on whether it's actually a flesh wound and whether the character has superpowers or whatnot.
Current WIP? [REDACTED] is incapacitated when [SPOILERS].
#amwriting
Mostly, depends on whether it's actually a flesh wound and whether the character has superpowers or whatnot.
Current WIP? [REDACTED] is incapacitated when [SPOILERS].
#amwriting
#WordWeavers Dec 13: How do your characters relate to nature? Is it threatening, idyllic, indifferent, or something else?
Oh, this is all over the map, depending on the story and characters.
In the current WIP... the closest anybody gets to nature is the park by the river.
#amwriting
Oh, this is all over the map, depending on the story and characters.
In the current WIP... the closest anybody gets to nature is the park by the river.
#amwriting
December 13, 2025 at 1:22 PM
#WordWeavers Dec 13: How do your characters relate to nature? Is it threatening, idyllic, indifferent, or something else?
Oh, this is all over the map, depending on the story and characters.
In the current WIP... the closest anybody gets to nature is the park by the river.
#amwriting
Oh, this is all over the map, depending on the story and characters.
In the current WIP... the closest anybody gets to nature is the park by the river.
#amwriting
Welp, this is horrifying.
Among so many issues: how does this thing even know what counts as a spoiler? Is the midpoint disaster that changes everything a spoiler? The gradually-unspooling backstory?
Also, just, why? Why? Who asked for this?
And why can't I turn it off?
Among so many issues: how does this thing even know what counts as a spoiler? Is the midpoint disaster that changes everything a spoiler? The gradually-unspooling backstory?
Also, just, why? Why? Who asked for this?
And why can't I turn it off?
Amazon announces Ask This Book AI bot. Authors and publishers were not asked to be included and cannot opt-out.
New Kindle Feature Uses AI to Answer Questions About Books—And Authors Can't Opt Out - Reactor
The new feature, called Ask this Book, is already drawing controversy and unanswered questions.
reactormag.com
December 12, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Welp, this is horrifying.
Among so many issues: how does this thing even know what counts as a spoiler? Is the midpoint disaster that changes everything a spoiler? The gradually-unspooling backstory?
Also, just, why? Why? Who asked for this?
And why can't I turn it off?
Among so many issues: how does this thing even know what counts as a spoiler? Is the midpoint disaster that changes everything a spoiler? The gradually-unspooling backstory?
Also, just, why? Why? Who asked for this?
And why can't I turn it off?
#WordWeavers Dec 12: Are bodily functions omitted or discussed in your stories?
Depends. They're often omitted if they're not relevant to the story. If they are, I generally avoid graphic detail. It's more about how the character is feeling.
I almost never write horror, so.
#amwriting
Depends. They're often omitted if they're not relevant to the story. If they are, I generally avoid graphic detail. It's more about how the character is feeling.
I almost never write horror, so.
#amwriting
December 12, 2025 at 2:05 PM
#WordWeavers Dec 12: Are bodily functions omitted or discussed in your stories?
Depends. They're often omitted if they're not relevant to the story. If they are, I generally avoid graphic detail. It's more about how the character is feeling.
I almost never write horror, so.
#amwriting
Depends. They're often omitted if they're not relevant to the story. If they are, I generally avoid graphic detail. It's more about how the character is feeling.
I almost never write horror, so.
#amwriting
Reposted by Rachel Reddick / RZ Nicolet
#WordWeavers Dec 11: What does your MC think of love?
Assuming the romantic flavor:
Gery: Uninterested for a long time after the death of his wife; trying again, but afraid of another loss.
Serte: She's for it, but cautious in real life. She also enjoys historical romance novels.
#amwriting
Assuming the romantic flavor:
Gery: Uninterested for a long time after the death of his wife; trying again, but afraid of another loss.
Serte: She's for it, but cautious in real life. She also enjoys historical romance novels.
#amwriting
December 11, 2025 at 2:42 PM
#WordWeavers Dec 11: What does your MC think of love?
Assuming the romantic flavor:
Gery: Uninterested for a long time after the death of his wife; trying again, but afraid of another loss.
Serte: She's for it, but cautious in real life. She also enjoys historical romance novels.
#amwriting
Assuming the romantic flavor:
Gery: Uninterested for a long time after the death of his wife; trying again, but afraid of another loss.
Serte: She's for it, but cautious in real life. She also enjoys historical romance novels.
#amwriting
#WordWeavers Dec 10: Who is your most chaotic character?
Definitely Cheru. She took the Oath of Knowledge, which confers good memory and magic engineering... but...
Her house is just littered with books. Book stacks everywhere. Don't ask what her filing system is.
#amwriting
Definitely Cheru. She took the Oath of Knowledge, which confers good memory and magic engineering... but...
Her house is just littered with books. Book stacks everywhere. Don't ask what her filing system is.
#amwriting
December 10, 2025 at 10:30 PM
#WordWeavers Dec 10: Who is your most chaotic character?
Definitely Cheru. She took the Oath of Knowledge, which confers good memory and magic engineering... but...
Her house is just littered with books. Book stacks everywhere. Don't ask what her filing system is.
#amwriting
Definitely Cheru. She took the Oath of Knowledge, which confers good memory and magic engineering... but...
Her house is just littered with books. Book stacks everywhere. Don't ask what her filing system is.
#amwriting
#WordWeavers Dec 9: Tell us about a romantic relationship a character has.
The two MCs (Gery and Serte) have been dating for a while at the start of the book. Gery's about to step back from his government position, which Serte fully supports. (She dislikes politics.)
And then...
#amwriting
The two MCs (Gery and Serte) have been dating for a while at the start of the book. Gery's about to step back from his government position, which Serte fully supports. (She dislikes politics.)
And then...
#amwriting
December 9, 2025 at 2:13 PM
#WordWeavers Dec 9: Tell us about a romantic relationship a character has.
The two MCs (Gery and Serte) have been dating for a while at the start of the book. Gery's about to step back from his government position, which Serte fully supports. (She dislikes politics.)
And then...
#amwriting
The two MCs (Gery and Serte) have been dating for a while at the start of the book. Gery's about to step back from his government position, which Serte fully supports. (She dislikes politics.)
And then...
#amwriting
Reposted by Rachel Reddick / RZ Nicolet
I said it before, will say it again -- generative AI fetishizes "ideas" while sneering at effort, execution, and education. That, despite Gen-AI being built on and out of other people's effort, execution and education.
A.I. and the Fetishization Of Ideas
In writing and in dispensing my (very dubious, probably shady) writing advice, I am often keen to note that ideas are bullshit. Most writers treat them like precious gems when really, ideas are lik…
terribleminds.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:01 PM
I said it before, will say it again -- generative AI fetishizes "ideas" while sneering at effort, execution, and education. That, despite Gen-AI being built on and out of other people's effort, execution and education.
Siphonophores are so cool.
In my big setting with the all the weird aliens I can dream up, I have a sentient species based on them. They're deep-sea dwellers under the ice of an Enceladus analog. (I've written a short version of the story; hopefully I can do the full novel someday.)
In my big setting with the all the weird aliens I can dream up, I have a sentient species based on them. They're deep-sea dwellers under the ice of an Enceladus analog. (I've written a short version of the story; hopefully I can do the full novel someday.)
Ocean nonsense is weirder than space nonsense:
Marine Life Weirder Than Space Aliens - Reactor
Colonial animals like the Portuguese Man o' War push the boundaries on life as we know it...
reactormag.com
December 8, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Siphonophores are so cool.
In my big setting with the all the weird aliens I can dream up, I have a sentient species based on them. They're deep-sea dwellers under the ice of an Enceladus analog. (I've written a short version of the story; hopefully I can do the full novel someday.)
In my big setting with the all the weird aliens I can dream up, I have a sentient species based on them. They're deep-sea dwellers under the ice of an Enceladus analog. (I've written a short version of the story; hopefully I can do the full novel someday.)
#WordWeavers Dec 8: Does your world have any weird laws, practices or beliefs?
One of the minority religions has a small faction that thinks that a Lost Concept might be personified and have agency of its own.
Everyone else considers that weird...
#amwriting
One of the minority religions has a small faction that thinks that a Lost Concept might be personified and have agency of its own.
Everyone else considers that weird...
#amwriting
December 8, 2025 at 2:02 PM
#WordWeavers Dec 8: Does your world have any weird laws, practices or beliefs?
One of the minority religions has a small faction that thinks that a Lost Concept might be personified and have agency of its own.
Everyone else considers that weird...
#amwriting
One of the minority religions has a small faction that thinks that a Lost Concept might be personified and have agency of its own.
Everyone else considers that weird...
#amwriting
I haven't been asked to do IP work; if I were, the only flavor I'd accept would be Star Trek (my one true fandom), and even there, I might not go for it.
I'll probably end up writing the buddies-solving-mysteries-on-a-space-station concept myself sometime, with my own weird aliens.
I'll probably end up writing the buddies-solving-mysteries-on-a-space-station concept myself sometime, with my own weird aliens.
I've been asked to do work for hire for some IP and turned it down in large part because my day job is essentially the same thing: I'm writing content and creative concepts for large corporations that are then owned by those corporations. IP work is sexier, but often pays less.
People are always surprised to learn how little creators actually own in comics, games, etc. Big corporate brands are usually built on a work-for-hire model, meaning creators get paid once and then the *company* owns their ideas forever. This is why independent/creator-owned work is so important.
December 8, 2025 at 12:33 AM
I haven't been asked to do IP work; if I were, the only flavor I'd accept would be Star Trek (my one true fandom), and even there, I might not go for it.
I'll probably end up writing the buddies-solving-mysteries-on-a-space-station concept myself sometime, with my own weird aliens.
I'll probably end up writing the buddies-solving-mysteries-on-a-space-station concept myself sometime, with my own weird aliens.
#WordWeavers Dec 7: What bad habits does your MC have?
Gery rattles his fingers on things (usually the nearest desk or table) when nervous or worried.
... he does it a lot.
#amwriting
Gery rattles his fingers on things (usually the nearest desk or table) when nervous or worried.
... he does it a lot.
#amwriting
December 7, 2025 at 2:11 PM
#WordWeavers Dec 7: What bad habits does your MC have?
Gery rattles his fingers on things (usually the nearest desk or table) when nervous or worried.
... he does it a lot.
#amwriting
Gery rattles his fingers on things (usually the nearest desk or table) when nervous or worried.
... he does it a lot.
#amwriting
#WordWeavers Dec 6: What kind of food does your antagonist prefer?
Traditional fare -- savory pastries, sausages, bean soup, that sort of thing.
#amwriting
Traditional fare -- savory pastries, sausages, bean soup, that sort of thing.
#amwriting
December 6, 2025 at 2:23 PM
#WordWeavers Dec 6: What kind of food does your antagonist prefer?
Traditional fare -- savory pastries, sausages, bean soup, that sort of thing.
#amwriting
Traditional fare -- savory pastries, sausages, bean soup, that sort of thing.
#amwriting
Reposted by Rachel Reddick / RZ Nicolet
If the writer’s eyes light up when asked, “why did the character do that?” then it’s real.
December 5, 2025 at 9:51 PM
If the writer’s eyes light up when asked, “why did the character do that?” then it’s real.
I've got a post up on ye old #blog: in which I slightly qualify someone else's writing advice. rznicolet.com/2025/12/05/w...
What If It’s Not A Trap?
I encountered this blog post a little while ago. The basic premise is simple: once you’re committed to a project, don’t get distracted by the shiny new idea. (At least if you want to fi…
rznicolet.com
December 5, 2025 at 5:28 PM
I've got a post up on ye old #blog: in which I slightly qualify someone else's writing advice. rznicolet.com/2025/12/05/w...