I unboxed the digital print sample of my new worldbuilding deck and got to do some improvised setting creation!

I created the HISSING GRASSLAND, a vast plain of carnivorous reeds that has started to glow after absorbing the phosphorescent qualities of the glow worms it feeds on. More details in the full video!

You can download a free demoorpreorder it and get early access to the print-at-home PDF!

Book Review: Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner

Happy Publication day to Bloomsbury Girls by @NatalieMJenner! @StMartinsPress

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 304 pages

Published:  May 17, 2022

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press (UK: Alison & Busby)

Genre: Historical Fiction

(more…)

View On WordPress

billypotts:

stories about time travel are about two things. number one is inevitable tragedy. number two is seeing that inevitable tragedy and saying oh god I will make this right please even if I can’t fix it I will try to make this right. also I lied they’re about three things and third is obviously love

flouryhedgehog:

flouryhedgehog:

Hey it’s been a minute since I put any writing on the internet but I’ve got a new poem up on Dreamwidth. Does tumblr still hate links? Should I put the link in a reblog?

Here is the link:

floweryhedgehog | (no subject)

While I’m posting stuff, here’s an old piece:

https://floweryhedgehog.dreamwidth.org/2022.html

Summary: You are a single woman named Natasha C. Olsen who lives in a small country in Europe. Natasha has a best friend called Erika, who she does everything with. The girls have gotten into ice hockey and during one game Natasha falls for a player who also happens to fall for her. His name? Daniel O. Jensen. Will they end up together or will a physical distance between them keep them apart?

Pairing: Natasha x Daniel (OC characters)

Word count: 2.4K

Warnings: talk/mentions of beer.

Auther’s note: Welcome to my first original story called It Was Meant To Be, that is loosely based on personal experience. All charaters is based on and inspired of real life people. Enjoy!

You have been single for some time now. Currently enjoying the single life, only having to care for yourself and your cat.

Last summer you started getting into ice hockey. Not playing the game but attending several games live and watching them from home. The team you were following and rooting for was at the bottom of the league.

Since you started watching ice hockey, you often thought about what it would be like if you were dating an athlete. You quite liked the thought about it. Wouldn’t mind if he traveled for national championships or got on the national team and traveled to the olympics or the world championships.

Today you went to watch them live for the third time this month together with a close friend of yours. Even though it was friday, both you and your friend had the weekend off, you had decided to get a beer to start the evening.

“Do you want to get a beer?” you asked your friend, Erika, while the security checks your tickets.

“Sure. Nothing better than a cold beer to start off the evening.” Erika chuckled and walked through the security.

“I hope our team wins tonight even though statistically I won’t make a difference. They’re pretty bad.” you said and walked over to the bar. 

“That is true but it will still be a lot of fun. The hardcore fans is always having a blast.” Erika said and followed behind you at the bar.

“Two beers please.” you ordered.

“It’ll be 10 dollars and 50 cents.” the bartender said as he poured the beer. You paid for the beers with your credit card.

Once he had poured them you grabbed them both and handed one over to Erika. You decided to go to your seats, just to chill a little before the game. Luckily for you and Erika, the teams were warming up as you entered the hall, so you had some time to look at the players.

“Wouldn’t it be crazingly awesome to date an athlete?” Erika asked as you and her sat down.

“It’s certainly more exciting than to date somebody with a desk job.” you joked and took a sip of your beer, as you watched the players warm up.

“It’s kind of hard to see who’s cute with all of their gear on.” Erika pointed out and looked at the players from your team.

“Fifty five looks kind of cute, doesn’t he?” You asked and looked at his direction as he did some warm up with a puck and his stick.

“He does. He’s also very tall. I would say, without his hockey skates, probably around 6’6 tall.” Erika said. She had a really good judgment when it came to the height of people.

“Just because he’s tall, doesn’t mean he’s handsome.” you joked and drank some more of your beer.

“Nine times out of ten they are.” Erika said with a playful smile.

As some of the players went out to the changing room you decided it would be awesome to get some high fives from some of the players. Luckily you and Erika were sitting right by the hall entrance to the changing room in the arena, so you didn’t have to go far away from your seats.

“You know you look ridiculous right now, right?” Erika jokes as you stood and received a few high fives from the few players who left the rink.

“You know I don’t care right?” you laughed back and looked between the players who walked out.

“All players, please leave the ice rink. Thank you.” it sounded from the speakers.

It felt kind of awesome receiving those high fives. You felt like a little kid who’s dream finally came true in those moments.

When the last player on the rink and from your team came, he looked up at you as his arms and hand reached up for the high five. But when he made eye contact with you, his eyes went wide open for a second and he then checked you out for a quick second before he went on and gave you the final high five.

Once he was out of sight you looked behind you at Erika, who was shocked and surprised at the situation that just had occurred.

“Did you see that?” you smiled widely and had big exciting eyes.

“I saw everything. He liked what he saw and I’m positive that it was a love at first sight type of moment you two had there.” Erika giggled with a large smile on her face. “Did you see what number he had?”

“Uhm 13.” you said and sat back down beside Erika.

“Then we better keep an eye on number 13 during the game.” she teased and grabbed her phone to pass the time until the game would start.

–

During the game you tried your best to keep an eye on the game, but it was hard for you due to the fact that you and number 13 had a moment before the game.

The game was quite eventful when it came to scoring goals. Overall there were six goals within the 60 minutes of playtime. Five goals for the guest team and a single scoring for the home team.

You were used to your team losing games. They had only won six games in ordinary game time since the beginning of the season, but you still had hope that they would win more games than this.

But during the game, number 13 and you made eye contact when the game was paused for a second and he gave you a soft smirk as he skated into position. You gave him a soft smile back showing that you were interested in him.

You really felt like you had a good chance with him, even though you didn’t know if he had a girlfriend or not.

“He’s only 21 years old and has been playing in the NAHL in America for only one season before returning back here.” Erika said as she looked at her phone with the information on number 13.

“What’s his name?” you asked curiously as you and Erika walked out of the arena into the fresh air.

“Daniel Jensen and he’s really hot.” she said and showed you a picture of him she found on google where he is in the NAHL shirt.

“Oh wow.” you smiled as you looked at the picture. “What a catch.”

“You are so lucky.” Erika said as the two of you stood outside by the entrance to the arena.

“How am I Lucky? I’m the one who likes sportsmen. Not you.” you said with a chuckle.

“You are lucky that without even saying a word, you almost got yourself a boyfriend, who’s both handsome and plays a hardcore sport.” Erika explained as a few of the home team players were now leaving the arena.

“Should I try to get his number?” you asked quietly as a few of the guest team players were heading towards the bus that would drive them home.

“Absolutely. You never know if you two will end up together.” Erika encouraged you as she saw Daniel come out of the arena. “There he comes. Go get him, tiger.”

As Daniel approached you and Erika, you kind of got cold feet. You weren’t the type of person who just walked up to people you felt a connection with and got their number, so you quickly turned around and faced Erika.

“I can’t do it…” you said with a worried expression on your face.

“Yes you can. Want me to help you?” Erika offered.

“If you don’t mind..”

“You know I’ll always help you in these types of situations.” Erika smiled and turned her attention towards Daniel, who was only a few feet away from you and her.

“Daniel?” Erika asked. “My friend, Natasha, would like to ask you something.” 

Daniel turned his attention to you. He had that soft smile on his face and had soft and welcoming eyes too.

“Hi. Uhm I was that girl you had that moment with, before the game.” You said nervously with a small smile.

“I remember you.” he chuckled and gave you a cute smile.

“Well all I wanted to ask is for your number, if not then could I just have a stick or,-.” you started but got interrupted by Daniel.

“How about I give you a stick and my number?” he offered and began to open his bag to get one of his sticks.

“Thank you.” you managed to say to him. “You played a good game tonight, even though the team lost.” you tried to encourage him.

“Yeah, but it won’t be enough for the end game in a few weeks.” he said and handed you one of his sticks. “This is my lucky stick. I’ve had it for a while and I’ve played a good game whenever I have played with it.” Daniel explained,

You giggled and took the stick. “Thank you again.” you smiled.

As you and Daniel exchanged numbers and chatted some more, Erika stood in the background and took some sneaky pictures of you two. Mostly for the memories that she knew you wanted to look back on for the next couple of days.

–

It was the day after the game. It was Saturday and the time had just passed 8.30 AM. You had a dream about a relationship with Daniel. 

Nothing too specific was in the dream, of what you can remember. But you did wake up feeling  happy and soft. Just like the feeling when you eat s'mores.

You grabbed your phone to check any notifications and messages. There was one message. From him. Daniel.

He had written to you at around 2 am, when you were fast asleep and he, apparently, had been up all night. You hoped it was because of you but you never knew. There could be so many things going through his life right now.

“Hey Natasha, sorry for writing this late…” you read, but before you could open it up, Erika called you.

“Wassup?” You asked and began to prepare some breakfast.

“Have you seen the latest hockey news?” Erika practically yelled through your phone’s speaker.

“Erika, I literally just woke up and I’m making breakfast.” You chuckled and began to make your usual cup of coffee.

“Daniel Jensen is changing hockey clubs.” She almost yelled through your speaker again.

“What?! No no no, that can’t be right.” you yelled. “Wait, I got a text from him around 2 am. Maybe that’s why he was up so late.”

“Go check the text then.”

You opened your messages and clicked the text from Daniel.

“Hey Natasha, sorry for writing this late but I just wanna let you know that I’m unfortunately transferring clubs to the other end of the country, but I’m hoping to see you in the arena again soon.” You read out loud to Erika.

“Do you think he would want a long distance relationship?” You asked after reading the text a few extra times.

“There’s only one way to find out. You can either text him or call him.” Erika said as you heard her take a large sip of her coffee.

“You know how I feel about calling people I don’t know.”

“Then text him. He’s not gonna hurt you.”

“What should I text him?” you asked and drank some of your coffee.

“Text him something like, you will come watch a game once your schedule allows it and that you’re looking forward to seeing him again.” Erika suggested.

“Hmm.” you hummed and wrote your text as you ate your breakfast.

After a while of more small talk with Erika, and a full coffee cup later, you had finally sent your text to Daniel. Luckily for you they were going to play a home game in two weeks where you were off as well.

Not long after you hung up. You had a few errands to do like grocery shopping and respond to a few emails from new clients. You got dressed in some denim jeans with a cream colored, long sleeved cardigan and some high black converse. Pretty basic and plain outfit but you loved it.

—

It has now been a few weeks since your encounter with Daniel. You and him have been writing a little bit back and forth. Daniels’ schedule had been busy with loads of games so you haven’t been writing a lot.

Today his team was playing against another team near you. You wanted to go with Erika but she insisted that you should go alone. She knew you had more confidence when you were alone.

You were currently driving to the arena. It was a good 30 minute drive so you were listening to some music to pump you up.

Lately you’ve found out that a lot of Ariana Grande’s songs make you feel like a bad bitch and that you can do anything in the world. It has helped you a lot lately.to feel more confident at work and in your day to day life.

When you arrived at the arena you felt really confident in the situation. However when you walked into the arena and saw him during their warm up, your body froze. You had forgotten how good looking he was in real life.

As you walked towards your seats, you could sense somebody trying to get your attention. To your surprise it was Daniel. He was skating over to you, looking rather happy to see you in the arena.

“Hey. Good to see you.” Daniel said with a comforting smile.

“Good to see you too. Excited for the game?” You asked with a big smile as he locked eye contact with you.

“Really excited. Where are you seated?” He asked with a smile.

“Actually right there on the first seat, so I have a perfect view for the game and for you.” You smiled shyly as you pointed to the seat.

Daniel just gave you a chuckle and a larger smile. “I better get back to the warm up. Good to see you again.”

“You too. Good luck with the game.” You said as you placed a fist bump on the glass.

“Thank you. See you after the game.” He said and gave a fist bump back to you from the other side of the glass.

Daniel locked eye contact with you once again. This time you really noticed the colour of his eyes. They were a deeper shade of chocolate brown with a very small hint of green.

So warm.

So soft.

So welcoming in a way.

“Hey, Daniel! Gotta get off the ice.” one of his team mates yelled at him from across the ice.

“Coming!” He yelled back.

“See you on the ice.” You smiled at him.

“See you.” He smiled back and skated back to his teammates that were getting off the ice.

One day I won’t be like this. One day I’ll forgive myself for these moments of weakness, these times I spend listening to my heart beat but not feeling my soul within the blood of my veins. One day I’ll recognise my reflection, I’ll feel connected to him and I’ll be proud to inhabit this vessel. One day I’ll take control of the demons that possess me, I’ll find the strength to drown them in perpetual silence. One day I’ll depart from the constraints of irrational attachments, I’ll be emancipated from the trauma that weighs heavily on my heart. One day the answers to the questions I’m too lost to format, will present themselves to me and lead me in the direction it is my vocation to take. One day I will reflect upon these harsh times and view my present-self as no more than a distant phantom, a shadow of the being I will become. One day, not today, but one day.

I’m particularly captivated by novels or insights written by authors of the period extending between the late 18th to the early 20th centuaries. However, a lot of the time I find myself stopping to look up words that I haven’t come across before reading them. Today, I decided rather than stopping I would simply jot words down I didn’t understand and wait until the end of each chapter to look up their meaning. Across two books today, I have learned 40 new words. If you’re ever looking to expand your vocabulary, I would recommend doing this.