Hyba Is Writing

October 2021 Writing Prompts There are a lot of prompt lists out there, but I've noticed that October prompt lists, whether for artists or writers, are often Halloween-themed. Since Halloween isn't the only thing happening in October, and since there are many people around the world who do not celebrate it, I've created a list of prompts of October that feature elements from a range of international days, celebrations, and meanings attributed to the month of October. Here is the result: They aren't in any particular order, so pick and choose whatever you're inspired to write about - or mix a few of the prompts together. If you really like only a handful of prompts, why not try approaching them from different angles, like different genres? For example, for the prompt "Warm Porridge", I could write about: a man far from home stumbling into a restaurant and eating porridge that reminds him of his mother - and better days  a young woman decides to poison her t...

Update for Marie/Elise Murder Mystery Novel It's been a while since I wrote about Marie/Elise . The reason for this is that there hasn't really been all that much to say that wouldn't relate to plot-critical decisions I have made as I wrap up the manuscript and edit it myself and based on beta readers' suggestions, questions, and feedback.  Ah, yes. Graphics from writing days of old...   So far, the feedback has been quite positive overall, and I'm doing my best to polish up the manuscript in time for a self-imposed deadline (around 28th of September at the latest). I'm looking forward to more feedback from my readers and am excited to get this manuscript looking the best it possibly can by the end of the month! After that, I'll be moving on to The Pirates of Sissa (which will hopefully translate into the podcast also being updated weekly starting first week of October - more to come about the podcast in another post).  The manuscript is finally in its most...

The Beast of Ildenwood: 9. Nobles & Guardians “I don’t understand,” the Wanderer huffs as the two of them make their way through the winding streets of Miraya. They finally come upon the main road running through the middle of the city. A large wooden board stands at the corner of the street they are exiting, and features a map of the City of Miraya in all of its symmetrical beauty. “What exactly are Guardians?” “Have you still not regained your memory of such matters?” Lahab asks him, leading the way with her sack slung over her shoulder. “These are not trivial things to forget.” He frowns in irritation, adjusting the leather straps of the heavy pack he wears on his back. Lahab made sure to purchase supplies before they finally headed out, and he had offered to carry them in an effort to be useful while accompanying her. He studies the map of Miraya for a moment, trying to commit it to memory. After all, it is the only place he knows – and even then he knows very little of it. It ...

Writing Productivity Hacks I'm Trying Out for the Rest of 2021 As the end of 2021 grows ever nearer, so does one of my completely arbitrary deadlines (chosen only because I like the idea of having something done by the close of the year). I've successfully managed to put away Marie/Elise and I'm excited to be moving back to The Pirates of Sissa , though with less than a few months left to go, I have been wondering how in the world I'm going to be able to complete the plotting and rewrite of this book, given that it's one of the larger projects on my table. It's not that I don't know what to write. I think productivity might be the issue here. So, naturally, I turned to trusty ol' Youtube to find some productivity tips (because who doesn't get motivated to be productive when watching productivity videos?) and was able to find these helfpul videos: The Best Productivity Hacks of All Time by Ali Abdaal 10 Top Tips for *Healthy* Productivity by Lavenda...

 The Beast of Ildenwood 8. A Particularly Nasty Drain Lahab watches the Wanderer’s eyelids flutter as Deletrear searches his mind, the weight of her head on her open palm, her elbow settled on the only empty space available on one of Deletrear’s tables. She has been sitting here, in Deletrear’s workshop, for almost two hours. The Wanderer awoke perhaps half an hour after the mercenaries were sent away, and seemed almost disappointed that he had missed all the action. The mercenaries are now well on their way to the palace, where they will meet with the King of Samat himself. Not only are they trespassing on his kingdom, they have also attacked two Noble Guardians as well. This would not be easily overlooked, and the King was not an easy man when it came to the protection of his lands and people. The mercenary’s threat against her forest is not easily overlooked, either. Every time she recalls his words, a fury runs through her veins. Lahab would rather die than se...

The Beast of Ildenwood 7. Unconscious Flashes of Memory An ocean. A beach. The sound of waves lapping against the black sandy shore. A hollow yearning; a deep grief. A hand, flicking a small yet dangerous blade into the air. Golden eyes – not human. Anger – fury – guilt – and a terrible powerlessness. A cavern. Blue, luminous pools. A young woman. Her smile. Her laugh. Her fear. A flash of silver-white hair. A severed head, held high above a crowd. Windows of blinding light. And a monster – climbing, coming for him, coming for them, clawing through rock and--   * * * * * Mental Drains A Mental Drain is a peculiar type of magic that attacks a person's mental facilities and commonly saps away either energy or, in some cases, one's skill level in a specific ability. Most wear away on their own, and those that are more stubborn may require a special potion to be brewed (the potion, of course, should aim to undo the specific drain - not all drains c...

 The Beast of Ildenwood 6. Unfortunate Intruders For a moment, nothing happens. But it is only a moment. Then the Wanderer’s eyes roll up in his head, and he begins to convulse. Deletrear expects this, so he is not entirely concerned, but Lahab is less composed. With a sharp gasp, she is off her chair in time to support the Wanderer’s weight as his legs crumple beneath him. “Deletrear?” she asks, trying to keep her voice calm. With a hearty chuckle, he nods, stroking his long beard. “Oh, yes, my dear,” he tells her, turning around to put his ingredients back in their places among the rubble-like mess littering his tables. If experience was anything to go by, the Wanderer would be in quite the state for a while yet. He’d had quite the nasty experience, and his was a simple memory block prank his friends had put on him as a child. This… This is something advanced. He consults his Book Intrusion skill for a moment, checking the boy’s condition in his Guide . “Removing...