The #WIPSnips word for July 17th is "acquire" Flashback. Hallucination. Nightmare. Or all three? My dystopian, grimdark tale. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

I'm reading The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz and blown away by how good it is! He's captured Watson's voice perfectly, the atmosphere of late Victorian London, the detection methods, it's all there. Whilst bringing such darkness to the plot. Wow!

Here are my novels. None have won any awards or competitions. But I live in hope. Deluded hope that keeps me writing, in my lonely little garret, nibbling on dried crusts. One day, I tell myself. One day. If I've provoked your pity, please buy my books. 😭😢 linktr.ee/phil_parker #amwriting

Thoughts for the #writingcommunity - as an #author, where can you find inspiration? 30 seconds to explore how your brain "percolates" ideas, if you let it! With examples from famous authors who've done just that. Let ideas develop and grow! #writingcommunity #amwriting #indiauthor

Thoughts for the #writingcommunity - as an #author, where can you find inspiration? 30 seconds to explore how your curiosity can inspire a whole story - with examples from famous authors who've done just that. Asking questions is a good start! #writingcommunity #amwriting #indieauthor #writerslife

Thoughts for the #writingcommunity - as an #author, where can you find inspiration? 30 seconds to explore how the right quote can inspire a whole story - with examples from famous authors who've done just that. Let me know how it's made you think! #writesky #authorsky #indieauthor #amwriting

Thoughts for the #writingcommunity - as an #author, where can you find inspiration? 30 seconds to explore how a change of perspective can help - with examples from famous authors who've done just that. Let me know how it's made you think! #amwriting #authorsky #writesky

Elsie Pipesplitter designed her clothes to attract young men to their doom. She's turned down work in Milan, Paris and London in favour of her vampiric urges, even though it didn't pay as well. The British Bureau for the Arcane spoiled her career. linktr.ee/phil_parker #noirfantasy #indieauthor

Examine his self-portrait very closely, look at the brush strokes, you'll see the truth about Vincent van Gogh. His written admission, expanded here to illustrate, proclaims that he was a werewolf and known to the British Bureau for the Arcane. linktr.ee/phil_parker #noirfantasy #urbanfantasy

Agnes and Kevin's escape was down to Tristan's expertise as a Bureau agent and his ballet training. Ogres had never seen such footwork and his chassé left them agog, allowing time for the pair to escape their appearance on the ogre menu that evening. linktr.ee/phil_parker #noirfantasy

Medical science of the 17th century might have advanced considerably if Dr Albert Crisp had survived. Sadly, experimenting on a vampire was risky. Pointing at certain parts and giggling tended to upset the patient and led to being eaten. linktr.ee/phil_parker #booktok #booksky #noirfantasy

After evading the brood of vampires, Cynthia and Malcolm upset a coven of witches with their insistence on the use of vegan spells. Bats, they pointed out, were an endangered species. Now it looks like Cynthia and Malcolm are too. linktr.ee/phil_parker #noirfantasy #urbanfantasy #booktok #booksky

My Noir Fantasy Collection: £1.99 each. "The fantasy version of Men In Black" 🕵️‍♀️Shadowy government agency investigators 🧌Creatures from #Britishfolklore 💣Twists & turns + pacy action 📚Series of #urbanfantasy linktr.ee/phil_parker #booktok #booksky #specialdeal #bargain

The opening to my new WIP. Dystopian, grimdark and with snarky humour for good measure. Title: Blood Will Have Blood More than a touch of Macbeth about this one! linktr.ee/phil_parker #writingcommunity #amwriting #fantasy #indieauthor #boosky #authorsky #booktok

Come on! 'Fess up! How many of you are old enough to remember reading these - when they were ORIGINALLY published (1962 >). Who were your favourite writers? For me: Clarke (obviously), Harry Harrison, JG Ballard, Robert Heinlein, Poul Anderson. #writingcommunity #sciencefiction #SciFi

#Britishfolklore fun fact Yesterday I posted how daisy chains protected against fairies. Another protection, the berry of the rowan tree (mountain ash). The berry contains a pentagram, sprigs around doors & windows warded off evil spirits. Red was a potent colour of protection. #fantasy #writing

A new 60 second #fantasy #writers #inspiration on portal fantasy: doorways, flights of fancy, folklore and science fantasy all have parts to play. Here are some ideas to stimulation your brain cells. #writingcommunity #amwriting #indieauthor #booksky #authorsky #booktok

British #folklore fun fact The daisy chain served a real and frightening purpose. Placed around a sleeping baby, it stopped fairies from abducting them (swapping them for a changeling). Mothers made daisy chains to keep infants safe. (The belief that fairies were sterile beings) #writer #author

Thoroughly enjoying How to Get to Heaven from Belfast by Lisa McGee (Derry Girls) on Netflix. Quirky, exciting, rich humour and wonderfully eccentric characters. Excellent cast. Highly recommended.

Yet another 60 second source of #writer #inspiration. Turning that tired old trope of The Magical Artefact. OK, a ring but with an Acme trademark. A broken crystal ball. A newly discovered grimoire. Challenge the trope. Find innovation in the challenge! #writingcommunity #amwriting #indieauthor

Here's another of my 60 second sources of #writer #inspiration. Invert the tired old #fantasy trope of the Chosen One - here are some ideas to challenge the traditional! Be original and daring yet retain the trope! #writingcommunity #amwriting #indieauthor #author #booksky #booktok

Congratulations to a certain @hollytinsl3y.bsky.social whose novel The Hallows has reached the #SPFBOX1 final - and deservedly so. Such a favourite of mine. BUT - this is her SECOND BOOK to reach a SPFBO final stage! Must mean she's good, eh? Go read it! #indieauthor #writingcommunity #authorsky

Another 60 second source of #writer #inspiration! Turning the classic #fantasy trope on its head - the reluctant hero. Why so reluctant? Inversions change dynamics, affect world building, make the plot unpredictable. Here are some #ideas #writingcommunity #author #amwriting #indieauthor

My next 60 second #writer #inspiration inverts that classic trope - The Quest. Ideas to turn that #fantasy trope on its head! Ways to create an unconventional story, including an example of mine. Originality starts by challenging traditions. #writingcommunity #booksky #authorsky #amwriting

If you think you're suffering with the heat, give a thought to those people with Type 1 Diabetes whose insulin levels go haywire in these temperatures. Danger to health is very real and not just a random warning. Currently doing everything to keep our daughter as cool as possible.

Another of my 60 second guides - #inspiration for #writers with dragons in their stories. This is a diverse species, featuring in lots of folklore of different cultures. Plus, some classic books where you can find these creatures! #writingcommunity #authorsky #booktok #amwriting #fantasy

Another of 60 second guides for #writers. Finding the best opening for your story is never easy. My guide offers some #writingtips with examples from famous authors. Some classics, some you may not know. All act as hooks. #writingcommunity #amwriting #indieauthor #author #booktok #booksky

For all my fellow #fantasy #writers, this one is for you! My 60 second guide to #magic - the different types, how it works and (vitally) examples to enhance your TBR pile and to inspire you! #writingcommunity #amwriting #booktok

Such a fan of The Jetsons as a 60s kid. We're just 36 years away from when the story was set! Here's what was predicted! True science fiction!!

Thanks goodness for streaming platforms while the #WorldCup is on. Especially this wonderful piece of storytelling. Loving it! Alfred Molina is brilliant (as always). Thanks Netflix.