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@pjccahill.bsky.socialOct 11, 2026, 2:34 PM

#WIPSnips -NICEF-
Subbed 'family' - This is early in the book, and Taegen has already deduced that Selene has a crush on her, AND Selene genuinely impressed her during the big duel, so she's trying to offer a kind of reward during their victory party. Loud music is playing.
Buy: pjccahill.carrd.co

Selene swallowed a lump, fidgeting her hands at her stomach as her eyes darted around. Such focused attention was enough to throw her for a loop, but serious praise was making her insides flutter nauseously. "I-I just disconnected the overload from the interface. I'm no medic." Taegen leaned close enough that her nose brushed some of the strands of hair at Selene's ear. "You knew what to stop, and you knew it needed to be done immediately. You had no hesitation. Please don't dismiss something so impressive." Selene caught the gasp in her throat, her eyes staring through everything straight ahead as her blush spread over most of her body. "...Have I offended?" followed in a gentler tone. Selene jerked herself out of her haze, leaning enough to look into Taegen's eyes... which she found tenderly concerned, perhaps a touch worried for any offense she might've given. Selene had to huff a breath to get her system moving again. "N-no, no! I'm sorry. I... don't know how to receive praise! I... Tough childhood. Family situation. Not much slack. Stuff like that." She resisted a groan, her eyes shutting at how little sense she was making. Taegen relaxed, smiling in that gentler manner again. "Ah, of course. Well, I don't mean to cause discomfort, but I assure you, I meant my words." She eased out from the wall with her smile. "Perhaps, if praise is uncomfortable, I could offer a dance?" Selene desperately tried to act calm, her head shivering a little tilt to one side as she squeaked something in her throat, then finally got out, "A d-dance?" Taegen offered her hand with just the barest touch of seduction to her smile and gaze again.
@ambooneauthor.bsky.socialOct 11, 2026, 2:30 PM

It turned out that Detective Choi was possessed by the essence of an Imirionian magician, who was *not* happy about having to share a body with a human. RIP.

From 40-something trans dude phantom thief WIP.

#WIPSnips

The next morning, Void woke me up around sunrise by poking me in the cheek. Lysander was sitting on the edge of the bed, his legs crossed. “We need to talk,” they said, then sighed. “I know I fucked up,” I said quietly, rolling onto my back. “I got distracted.” Lysander matched Void’s sigh, but didn’t say anything. “It wasn’t your fault,” they finally said. “Things are starting to escalate, and you need to be on high alert.” “Right.” “The real elephant in the room is that detective,” Lysander said. “Only Royles should be able to hear Void, and only Royles and Madeiras should be able to see the dark magicks that haunt the Imirionian artwork and jewelry.” I nodded. “Maybe he’s not human and came here from Imirion?” Void shook their head. “He’d have to be a very powerful magic user to do that. Going from Imirion to Earth is difficult. It’s not something you can do accidentally.” “Oh. Uh… Maybe he’s related to the Royles or Madeiras?” The words felt stupid just coming out of my mouth. He was Asian. The Royles were Black and the Madeiras—from what Lysander had said—were Latino. Also, ew. If he was like… a cousin three times removed or something… I didn’t want to think about it.
@lousytshirt.bsky.socialOct 11, 2026, 2:23 PM

#WIPSnips from Monah Bk. 1 -- from Evlin's first visit to Monah's home. Wasn't sure I had this word, and I think I'll need to edit. They have cousins in Piatra, but she was looking for the English equivalent of the Romanian word. 😆🫠
#writesky #writingcommunity #queerwriters #writingprompts

“We? Are you a witch?” Now, I moved closer to her, reaching for her arms much as she’d taken mine earlier, though she was now awkwardly turned away from me to keep her attention on Joni. “I am; my mother’s lineage also comes from the Grey, and I gather my power from them. My father is of a different lineage; one that aligns with your father. In a way, as among the peoples here, you might call them ‘cousins.’” “What is this different lineage, Evlin? Why are you being so secretive about this?”
@poeticsofthemask.bsky.socialOct 11, 2026, 1:57 PM

Isabelle and Jason got too good at playing Ping-Pong by the normal rules, so they invented a slightly more chaotique version. #WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #cousin

Screenshot of the following novel excerpt: Jason stops at the ping-pong table and picks up a paddle, memorizing the way it feels in his hand, reenacting past swings. It’s the one with burn marks from when their cousin Virginia once put it down on a hot grill. He picks up a yellow ball. “Wanna play one more game before the world-ending storm hits?” Isabelle picks up an orange ball and a paddle of her own. “Our way?” Jason nods. They serve at the same time. Isabelle sends the orange ball towards the opposite side of the room; Jason sends the yellow ball towards the ceiling. Isabelle leaps to intercept the yellow ball before it hits the floor; Jason runs to hit the orange ball once it rolls down all the rungs of a ladder. Isabelle then bounces the orange ball off the backhoe while Jason returns the yellow one. The orange one rolls off Jason’s head and behind a crate of Halloween decorations. The yellow one brushes Nasrin’s cheek as she walks through the door. She catches it. “That doesn’t count as a drop!” Isabelle says. “It totally does!” Jason yells while trying to maneuver behind the crate. Isabelle can already hear the bouncing stop. “That does! Un punto para mí.” She takes the yellow ball from Nasrin and serves it again. In so doing she knocks the chainsaw off the wall. The sudden thump causes Jason to knock over the Halloween decorations and break a glass pumpkin. Jason cringes. “On the bright side, no one’ll see the mess if a hurricane blows it all way.” Isabelle lowers her paddle and looks at him with disappointment. “I still think we better play normal for a while.”
@tyrantofnothing.bsky.socialOct 11, 2026, 1:46 PM

Crossworld Nodus - The Afterstory, Chapter 2

Julian Young, a necromancer from the Guiltless Gang. He thinks he's second-in-command of the group because his cousin, Grayson, is the leader, but he's really just some punk who's semi-useful.

#WIPSnips

“Ophir!” someone yelled from the other side of the warehouse. “Stop drooling over Mal! You don’t want Gray to catch you, do ya?” Ophir jumped back like he was caught stealing some candy from the convenience store. He even grinned innocently as the speaker stepped forward. Julian Young, Grayson’s cousin and (self-proclaimed) right-hand man, sauntered over to Ophir and me. He dressed like the stereotypical college-aged slacker with one exception. A dark robe that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight was draped over his shoulders. The one souvenir Julian kept from his days in Tolkien. “W-we were just talking!” the round man defended, shrinking into himself as Julian came closer. “I wasn’t bothering her! J-Johnny was-... I-I’ll just go now…” Immediately, Ophir scurried away, following Johnny’s path and leaving me alone with the mage himself. “What a weasel,” Julian said smugly as he came to stand next to me. “If you want, I can have one of my familiars keep an eye on you to make sure the fatty doesn’t try anything.” He gave me a wide smile that made Ophir’s look like the picture of gentlemanly poise.
@swilkinsonwrites.bsky.socialOct 11, 2026, 1:33 PM

I used 'cousin' 41 times, so I went with a snip that nicely sums up the external plot. For context, the snip takes place just after Viv has downed 2 whiskeys in quick succession.

#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity

“Not a wedding person?” Caden asked, trying for lightness while encouraging her to stay a few moments longer. For her mental stability, yes, but selfishness too. He liked the hint of attraction even if he ultimately screwed it up by comparing her to Celia. “Not when it involves my cousin marrying my ex, no.” Caden grimaced. And he thought his love life reeked. So much for lightening the mood. Glancing at the full table, he ruled out the possible suspects. Clearly not the man hovering at the edge of his seat, staring at the bar. What future groom acted like that? Assuming the ex was a man and not the woman in this scenario. “And not when I have to confess I lied about having a plus one.” Caden’s head snapped toward her voice, distracting him from his Where’s the Bride and Groom game. This poor woman. What had she done to piss off the relationship gods? What had he done? Oh, right. He obsessed over one woman whenever she deigned to drop him a few breadcrumbs. Like this rendezvous?
@gaycrimes92.bsky.socialOct 11, 2026, 1:21 PM

Here's a conversation between Roberto and his human boyfriend's cousin, Vince, who happens to be a cop. They are forced to work together, and Vince is (rightfully) suspicious of this vampire criminal dating his cousin.
#WIPSnips

His knuckles whiten around the steering wheel. “You need to leave Aiden alone,” he says. “I’m his cousin; I’ve looked out for him our whole lives, and I don’t care if you’re offended when I say you’re a dangerous person.” “He’s an adult, Detective.” “He hasn’t seen you like I have.” “And he never will. He’s not involved in this mess, and he will stay out of it.” Vince says nothing else until we park at the station. But instead of shutting off the car, he twists to face me. “You didn’t tell Aiden that I shot you,” he says. “Getting shot is hardly noteworthy,” I reply coldly. Vince makes a sharp exhale and shakes his head, then exits the car.
@beyondtheonions.bsky.socialOct 11, 2026, 1:13 PM

#WIPSnips #cousin (vibe) #writing #western #horror #fiction
Excerpt from the #novel Sunsetter, sequel to the #novel Weathervane -- a tale of ancient evil in the wilds of the west.
🤠 vs 🧛

*Bloodlines: Maddie reveals a secret - a common ancestry.

“Only whispers ever spoke of what became of Taamatik and the Mammoth Clan,” she continued. “Some said they fell, aged and small in number, they had become easy prey for the wolf. Others spoke of the world swallowing them whole; angered gods and a descent into madness – but truth of legend is just that, only legend to be whispered at the fires, to keep the little ones close. “It was Noah and his tragic tale that showed me what my people had never truly known. “The blood that flowed through Taamatik, that now flows through my veins and once through the heart of No ha is one and the same. And it was a son of the clan itself, that laid the people to waste.” She caught my motion to protest before I actually could. The fact she had communed with the fiend caused my inners to stir, both with concern and, yes, the pinch of a jealous twinge. I admonished those thoughts and settled myself, allowing her to continue. No ha, she said, was that son and in many ways still is. from the novel Sunsetter by Ross McDermott
@scarletvmitchell.bsky.socialOct 11, 2026, 1:05 PM

#WIPSnips

The start of one of the later chapters in the mystery, where we take a moment to observe the rich history of our surroundings.

Talia has arrived at Woodhenge in southern Illinois…

(Note the tense change from past to present, briefly, as I nod to ongoing reality.)

Over a thousand years ago, just half a mile west of the dramatic Monks Mound, the people of Cahokia erected a ring of wooden posts. Other rings appeared in that same space over the course of hundreds of years, as the earlier versions rotted and were replaced with rings of increasing complexity. It is unknown if anything was attached to the posts, if they were carved or otherwise decorated, but it didn't appear to be a dwelling. There were no signs of domestic use. The only things that survived into the modern era were the distinct stains in the soil where the posts had rotted away. These were discovered when the state constructed the highway through the area. Most experts agree that, like its sandstone cousin on Salisbury Plain, it was likely some kind of clock or calendar by which the citizens of the bustling ancient metropolis ordered their days. It seems fairly clear that the posts aligned with solar events such as solstices and equinoxes. A reconstruction of one of the later variations of this ring was erected in the eighties, and public events marking those same solar movements have been celebrated each year since. Talia parked in the little lot next to the posts, eerie sentinels of a lost city, and watched as the sun dipped, blazing, behind the trees
@pythonmelon.bsky.socialOct 11, 2026, 12:58 PM

#WIPSnips from Ethel Was Alone- why exactly she's alone here.

“I’m used to it.” She glanced at the door, imagining the face of the person she was speaking to. Strong chin, short hair. Reddish maybe. She could picture soft brown eyes and rugged red cheeks- they didn’t match his hands at all. The image turned grotesque, cheesy pale and sallow with death and she turned her eyes back to the wall. “It ain’t so bad. My uncle owns the place, manages the finances. If I need something big I have to send him a letter, but he’s never tried to run me off or demand I find myself a husband. Suppose he wants to retire here himself with his wife and my cousins, when it comes time. Me havin’ a family could make that hard. I ain’t exactly bankrupting him here if I keep up the work and he’s the sort who can afford to stop and rest eventually.”
@isaacxisaac.bsky.socialOct 11, 2026, 12:55 PM

Alexander's much-older step-cousin Lord Ingrave is a major character and antagonist in 1660. In 1661 he shows up at the beginning to glower at "bad influence" friend Thomas Hunt (tho of course Alexander is the actual bad influence in that relationship) as in this scene:
#WIPSnips

“They’re in the window,” Klein warned. Alexander tugged Hunt’s hat-brim down. “You’d best fly ‘fore Cousin Ingrave comes down to shout.” “I might bear that easier than the parting,” Hunt hiccuped. Alexander put his hand gently to his friend’s pitted cheek. “But you needn’t. I am not gone forever. We will meet again—as lord and his lawman, perhaps.” “Let it be sooner than that,” cried Hunt, rueful, though he smiled; “and always as friends.” “Always, always as friends.”
@amber-hathaway.bsky.socialOct 11, 2026, 12:47 PM

"... And you'll meet your cousin, Noah. He was about your age when he joined the Lord. I'm sure the two of you will get on swimmingly.”

#WIPSnips

@sabrinamars.bsky.socialOct 11, 2026, 12:45 PM

#WIPSnipS C O U S I N ✨

Duo post also featuring the Handspeak we've been discussing in #conlangity 🤟🏻

(Sorry for the weird text formatting, Bsky is struggling with me this AM)

#writesky #writingcommunity #wip

Bright and colorful star shaped gummy candy with the following text over it: Kira’s frown was still prominent, but it lifted at the corners enough to appease him. She nodded her head a few times and made one quick hand motion of yes, meaning she accepted the deal. She then made a gesture he wasn’t as familiar with, having only seen it once…some type of food? “Cherry?” he asked. No. Kira then tapped her fingers to her forehead twice. You know, you know. He repeated her hand motion exactly, but added a shake of his head. I don’t know. Kira’s eyes rounded, and then she wiggled her fingers like she always did when she was thinking through how to be more clear. She touched her fingertips together and made a face where her cheeks hollowed and her mouth contorted as if she tasted something— “Oh, sour. Sour candy?” Kira voraciously gestured yes, yes, yes and finally that big smile was back on her face. “Fine, I’ll bring some back for you.” Riodin shifted her in his arms, and she gave a gentle pat to his face. “We good now?”
@zadafalcon.bsky.socialOct 11, 2026, 12:40 PM

Cousin

I thought I didn't have this word, but it turns out I do! Crystal (cave dragon) talks to another of Zada's dragons—the polar dragons.

I have 10 dragon species in total, btw.

#WIPSnips

The dragons circled lower and lower over the iceberg. Squinting through the wind, Jeri thought she could make out shapes moving around on the ice. As they went lower, Jeri could make out details. Torpedo-shaped body type, white scales, some bluish fur along the back. And big. Very big. As they drew closer and closer, Jeri realized just how big. The polar dragons were enormous! Easily the size of humpback whales, if humpback whales could waddle along on land with their fins, like sea lions. The three cave dragons alighted on the iceberg. The polar dragons towered above them. Jeri didn't move to dismount. She noticed no one else did either. She tightened her grip on Crystal's spikes. Crystal paced up to the watching polar dragons. "Greetings, cousins. I am Crystal, Head Mage of Great Mountain Dragon Community. I come here, with some friends and colleagues, with an announcement and a request." The polar dragons looked at each other for a moment. "Er, you should probably speak to the queen," one of them suggested. Crystal nodded, and the polar dragons shuffled aside. Trylok and Oryn followed her deeper into the iceberg. The blue walls spread out on either side. Polar dragons peeked around corners as they passed. Eventually, the ice walls opened up into a vast cavern. Icicles hung from the ceiling and stalagmites of ice dotted the floor. A polar dragon sat on a raised platform at the rear of the room. The queen, presumably. Crystal bowed before the queen. The polar dragon peered down at her. "So, Crystal: former leader of the resistance, Head Mage of Great Mountain. What is it you need from my people?"
@markjohnston905.bsky.socialOct 11, 2026, 12:34 PM

Definitely pushing it here with relatives, but I was on too long of a streak!

Catrin is moments from the crown when her father returns from war. He is, unfortunately, like many men in power.

#WIPsnips #writingcommunity #writesky #writingprompts

The room broke into an awkward applause. “Thank you all for the warm greetings. My family—the rest of them—will be joining us here shortly. I rushed home when I heard the news of what was happening here.” His voice seemed to change as he spoke. What had been jovial and friendly was shifting to serious. His entire demeanor changed as well, darkening. “I want to begin by forgiving my daughter for what she has done these past few weeks.” The entire room seemed to deflate at once. People looked to their friends and relatives mouthing the word forgive with their eyes narrowed in a questioning way. “I understand there was some confusion once my dear father passed from this realm to the next. It will haunt me forever that I was not here to see him off or to lead in his absence. As much as I love my daughter, she was never meant to rule our lands.” More confused looks from all in attendance. Catrin simply sat, unmoving, seeming to stare through the wall into the lands beyond. “No, I’m afraid her heart is too pure and her sensibilities too feminine for leadership,” he continued. Bert seethed at the comment and he opened his mouth to shout at the king, but Eldritch froze him with a look. “Luckily I have returned just in time to battle the threat pushing our border and attacking our city,” Leoric said next. “No more will we allow these wild people to storm our lands bringing their filthy monsters in with them to eat our children and burn our buildings.” The confusion in the room was palpable. These people had lived through Garrick Crowe’s rule, and had celebrated the rescue of Wyrmgate with the help of the Wyrm People and the dragons. This was absurd! “Father, I think you will find…” Cat began. “Silence, young Catrin. The King speaks now,” he replied, cutting her off sharply.
@geniuslemur.bsky.socialOct 11, 2026, 12:22 PM

#WIPSnips #BookSky #FlyingStarAdventure

@peterrobin.bsky.socialOct 11, 2026, 12:18 PM

#WIPSnips October 11 "cousin"

From Australian of the Year

Callum is late for Liberty's campaign launch.

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

Callum and Michael snuck in, using the cover of the audience's laughter, and started looking around for seats. Liberty spotted them. “Glad you could join us, Callum,” she said in a mock reprimand. “May I introduce my dear cousin, Callum and his husband.” There was a smattering of applause and Liberty said, “Someone find them a seat, for goodness sake.” A number of hands went up and the miscreants quickly settled themselves. “Fun fact,” said Liberty, her face now a briad wicked smile. “Callum was born two weeks premature. Aunt Lydia says its the only time he was early for anything in his life.”
@rammwriter.bsky.socialOct 11, 2026, 12:09 PM

No cousins, but there are sisters.

#wipsnips #amquerying #sffwriters #writingcommunity #writersky #timetravelauthors #speclit #amwriting #authors #thrillerwriters #writers

@sptroweresq.bsky.socialOct 11, 2026, 12:01 PM

No cousins, but a cousin's dad makes a cameo appearance in The Dragon Download.

#WIPSnips #WritingPrompts #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #TheAmbivalenceChronicles

'Dexy?' he said cautiously, as if talking to an early 80s micro in the name of the scientific method might irrevocably damage physics. 'He's buzzing,' Charlotte whispered, placing an ear as close as she dare to the fragile set up. 'Out of tune?' Nectarine suggested, already reaching for the TV's fine tuning controls. Phil nodded silently. As Nectarine tweaked the TV, it made a sound like an uncle who overdid the sprouts on Christmas Day, then went silent. 'Anything?' Phil didn't dare look. 'I think you better see for yourself,' Nectarine said. His heart thrumming like that uncle in the middle of a whiskey-fuelled game of Star Wars Monopoly, Phil leaned closer. 'Dexy?'