Dahlia Zhen

@dahliazhenwrites

Aspiring romance author + artist rambling about writing 💚💜 aroace | she/her No AI ❌ Debut WIP: Sad werewolf and estranged childhood friend escape cult with the power of yearning and arson Instagram: @dahliazhenwrites

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Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· 25d

acquire -> gain uh, warning for a joke about killing a child. A witch decides what to do with a werewolf lad who ate one of her rabbits. #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

Writing snippet:

Another flick of her wrist, and the man wheezed back to life. After a few deep breaths, he panted, “Please, have mercy. He’s just a boy.”

She put on a mocking tone. “Do you think I want to execute him? How creative. Why would I waste my time murdering a child? It’s not practical. I could fill a few vials of wolfish blood, then it’s gone in a cauldron in less than a minute.” With a sigh, she dismissed the spell lighting up Wesley. “I hoped to extract subject 25 for a postmortem, but it’s not worth trying to recover it from the muck. There must be something to gain from this distraction…”

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· 26d

A werewolf lad's gift (a bone 🦴) is found, and it goes to unexpected places #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

Writing snippet:

The wolf leaned closer, digging his paws into the earth. His gift was delivered. And now, inch by inch, advancing with the tip of her shoe, the girl...

Kicked it to the sky.

A primal urge soared. He sprung without thinking, camouflage cast aside. The world blurred as his legs shoved against dirt, launching up. All senses honed in on his mark. Wind rushed through his jaws, and—they trapped it with one great snap.

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· 29d

Raised in a cult and forced to wed a monster, Clara has but one chance to escape her fate—thanks to the help of her long-lost werewolf friend. But when all plans go up in smoke, can the remnants of a shattered puppy love survive what lies ahead? #BluePit #📖 #W #A #R #F

A colorful illustration of my book protagonists, Wesley and Clara. It is labeled with the title: SCARLET BRIDE LIAR WOLF.

Wesley and Clara face each other with slight smiles, clasping hands. Wesley has messy blond hair, and is wearing a formal black suit. Clara is dressed as a bride, with a silver wedding ring. She has red hair in a loose bun, a flowing wedding veil, and a fancy red dress with feathery sleeves. The dress stylistically melts into flames toward the bottom.

They are framed by a circular, moon and sun design. Behind Wesley, there is a crescent moon adorned with purple flowers and blue stars, and a grey pattern of rain. Behind Clara, the background is like the sun, with cloud patterns and sparkling gems over top.

Title: Quick Look. Text on a dark purple background, with simple flower and book graphics as a border.

A bullet point list of tropes and plot elements: Clever Mage x Shy Werewolf, Childhood friends to lovers, 10-year reunion, They Save Each Other, Trauma & Self-Acceptance, Slow Burn, Open Door.

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· Jul 2

CW: thought of self-harm Clara does not want to see her Mother. #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

Writing snippet:

A polite knock thumped from the door. The placid voice that followed only spiked her dread.

“Clara? Are you alright?” Mother called.

“Just a minute.” With her veil tossed back, the bride dabbed a cloth at her streaked makeup. She smeared it into something halfway-presentable. Then, her mirror’s dollish grin tempted her to mangle it instead, with pointless, pretty nails.

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· Jul 1

Gee I wonder where those came from #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

Text:

Crossing her arms, she squinted toward Clara and shot her pupils up and down.

“Wait. May I see that thing you’re wearing?”

“My scarf?”

“No, under it.”

*The—bite marks? Are they showing?*

Clara blushed and reached for her neck.

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· Jun 30

#AwesomeCharacters Clara is a firefly. A ray of light! Can be surprisingly poisonous though. Wesley is a moth. Usually active at night, has camouflage to blend in, and is drawn toward light.

A closeup of a cute firefly. A beetle with a light yellow glow beneath its dark wings, and a reddish head.

A cute moth with wide brown wings that have pretty patterns. It is on some bark, blending in somewhat.

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· Jun 27

A werewolf lad learns about soap. (yucca and some other kinds of plants can be used 🙂) #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

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“Do you have soap?”

“Soap? What’s that?”

Oh dear. Stealing more things from Home seemed like it would make a bad idea even worse. Leaving him to fend for himself was no better.

She scratched her chin and muttered, “I read that if you break certain plant roots and mix them with water, you can make soap. It helps with cleaning. If only I had a picture of one…”

Wesley’s mouth fell open. The gloom vanished from his voice. “Is that magic?”

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· Jun 19

A werewolf lad analyzes a mysterious house. #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

Image with writing:

Crouching in a nearby clump of bushes, he probed for his target through the air. The aroma he sought was like soap, sugar, and old fabric over tangy metal. This location brimmed with that particular fragrance. One concentrated odor of humans, all gathered like… a family?

He tilted his head, guessing what lied past the greenery. The families in towns smelled like motley bowls of soup, while this was a monotone blend. And, houses were supposed to be grouped like friends, not hiding alone in the woods.

After several minutes of concentration, trying to discern his girl from the flock of similar girls apparently packed together, his ears perked up.

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· Jun 17

#AwesomeCharacters Clara's a strawberry, because they're red, cute, sweet/tart, and the heart-y shape is fitting for a Maiden. Longan/dragon's eye for Wesley. A plain coat, a mildly sweet and squishy inside, and a dark seed to be careful with.

A bunch of bright red strawberries with little green leaves.

A few longan. They are rounded fruit with a thin layer of tan skin. One longan is cut open to show its light, translucent inside wrapped around a large black seed.

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· Jun 7

Clara today: 🏃🏃🏃 #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

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Clara raced down the river without looking back. Ghostly threats flashed in and out of the lantern’s light. It did not matter which sights were real and which were fake. She just needed to run.

*Maiden help Alder, Maiden help Wesley…*

She probably expended her whole life’s share of the First Maiden’s goodwill overnight, but she prayed nonetheless. Stumbling over rocky terrain, hardly knowing left from right, her only guide was the lapping of rushing water.

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· Jun 6

Clara reflects on her Mother's surveillance. #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

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*Do not leave. She will know.*

That quiet little voice locked her in place. Sent her back to the rooms of her childhood, where the walls hardly stretched past the ends of her fingertips. After the fire and moving to a different Home, Mother seemed to grow eyes in the back of her skull. Any deviation from their expected routine became a cause for alarm. Clara knew better than to tempt fate again, yet she still stumbled into her fair share of scoldings. Each time it happened—to her or another sister—their speculations kept them up at night, whispering *how did she know?*

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· Jun 5

Guess I had to post sex eventually, and that's not the only *first* here 😏 #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

Writing snippet on a dark purple background, with a moon pattern:

As he trailed tender kisses down her stomach, she put a palm on his hair. The meager band of cloth still hugging her hips was all that came between them. “Wesley…”

Bright eyes blinked up, clouded with hunger and utter devotion. He spoke, coarse and low, “Where do you want me to kiss?”

She sensed that the slightest tilt of her wrist would steer him any way she pleased. Pausing to calm her nerves, she dropped her hand to the heat between her legs. “Here… gently.”

He pecked her knuckles, first. Carefully swept them aside. With her head rosy and dazed, she looked away as he stripped her bare.

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· Jun 4

#AwesomeCharacters (1/2) I've only drawn my MCs in their fancy starting formalwear 😅 Clara's is for a certain 🐍's tastes, not her own. When she gets the chance, she likes experimenting with simple but stylish clothes. It's nice, after being stuck in her old Maidens' dress for a long time.

Art of my book main characters, Wesley and Clara. Wesley is a young man with unkempt blond hair, wearing a formal black suit. He has a serious expression and is adjusting his tie.

Clara is a young woman with freckles, and red hair in a loose bun. She is wearing a red wedding gown with ruby patterns, and a long veil that has red lace. She is smiling slightly toward the viewer.

Off to the side, there is a cute doodle of Clara tearfully saying "we're not getting married (yet)", while Wesley looks shy and is labelled with an arrow: "really wants to get married".

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· Jun 4

An unpleasant one today, about the role of a Maiden in Clara's cult. #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

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Mother assured her that painful fates only befell Maidens who were deficient in their duties. Those who failed to stop an Accursed’s madness were the ones at fault. As long as they were good and faithful instead, they had nothing to fear.

Clara doubted she had either of those qualities. And behind the closed doors of the decadent Accursed elite, the laws of men and the virtues of Maidens did not seem like they would matter. They were almost certainly meaningless to Vittore, currently more intrigued by the low cut of her gown.

“At least your looks elevate you,” he scoffed.

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· Jun 3

This one is cute! I don't post much of my characters being romantic, because they're busy with the horrors and whatnot 🫠 #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

Image of a writing snippet:

Whenever Clara awoke before him, she kept him wrapped in her arms until the clocks started ringing, and he was forced to sadly wiggle free. She was doing that now, with the addition of planting lazy kisses all over his face.

“Good morning,” she whispered, tickling his cheek.

“Good morning, love,” he answered. That word was like honey on his tongue.

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· May 31

Thank you @sagetgreene.bsky.social for hosting #Mememay! It's been really fun participating and seeing everyone's stories. My book/series is still an early WIP, but follow me if you're interested in it or my artwork! 😊

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· May 30

new art of my book MCs 📖🎨 I've wanted to redraw them for a while! Clara's dress finally has some of the details I've been avoiding 😅 #writesky #ocsky

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· May 30

Wesley being very cool and not disastrous during his introduction (featuring werewolf clothing problems) #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

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At the city’s outskirts, Wesley found a discreet cluster of trees to change back. Thankfully, nothing strapped to him had fallen off, but he had not considered how he would be getting his clothes back on. Even if he remembered the umbrella (he did not), the rain was relentless, and he could *not* take the risk of streaking to the nearest public bathroom.

So Bryn’s suit was ruined. It was barely worn, a tad too tight, and worth more than the rest of Wesley’s closet combined. However, Wesley had torn so many outfits in his past that this fact was less about the suit’s cost, and more about his self-imposed frugality.

To top it off, his hair had surely turned un-purty too. A lifetime with this body, yet its solutions always came with new problems. He huffed as he yanked his tie into place.

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· May 26

Another one from my MCs' childhood. When you're friends with a werewolf, the full moon topic has to come up eventually... #WIPSnips #WriteSky

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“Don’t worry. I only eat when I dream.”

“Dream?”

His eyes widened, and he looked down. Tangling weeds between his fingers, he murmured, “You don’t know?”

Clara gulped. Since meeting Wesley, she had devoured every book she could find about werewolves. It was like a little game, whenever she could point to a sentence and go, *yup that’s him alright*. But their most famous trait, the one leading every introduction to their curse—that had been shoved to the very back of her mind.

She rubbed her wounded hand. “Is it true?”

“What’s true?” He pulled a stem from the ground. “What do your books say?”

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· May 26

thank you! *pats roof of Wesley* this werewolf can fit so much anxiety

Meme of a car salesman showing a car, with the caption: *slaps roof of car* this bad boy can fit so much fuckin spaghetti in it

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· May 25

I've posted this one before, but still fond of it. This is the first time Wesley sees Clara with his "human eyes". #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

“You should go back to your home. It’s not safe here.” Her voice was faint, but firm.

Trembling, the boy plucked up the courage to peer at her. She frowned, but her feet were planted in the same spot as before. No screams, no tears. Just like when he bit her.

The weather back then had drenched her hair into streaks of dirt. Now, with his human sight, that dull color burst into a brilliant flame. Surely it would scorch him if he drew near. Fire could not live in rain, so how strong were those human candles that stayed lit through every storm?

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· May 25

#Mememay 25 Clara would love to raise a Ponyta and travel together. She’s used to fire from her own magic, so she wouldn’t fear the flames. Wesley would die instantly from seeing cute Eevees, so I think he’d like an Umbreon. It would help look out for him during full moons too.

A Ponyta, a cute Pokemon that resembles a white pony with a fiery mane and tail.

An Umbreon, a cute Pokemon that is a bit like a black cat, with ears and a tail that are long, round, and pointed at the ends. Umbreon has red eyes and several gold circles on its body.

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· May 21

#AwesomeCharacters I'll award Wesley. His smiles are rare but sweet. I usually draw him 😐, but here is him and Clara being smiley from something I was working on. Clara has a nice smile too! 😀 Lastly, I'll give a shout out Lisa's "toothy grin".

Lineart of my book main characters, Wesley and Clara, looking very happy. Wesley has messy hair to his shoulders and is wearing a suit. He is grinning with his eyes closed, while blushing. Clara has a similar expression, with her hair in a bun with long side-bangs. She's wearing a wedding veil and a dress with feathery cuffs near her shoulders.

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· May 21

Pretty formatting today ✨ This is Lisa's introduction, and it's appropriately silly. #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

Text on a dark purple background, with a red moon phase pattern:

The new Maiden sputtered, “For the last time, I wasn’t trying to steal your Vessel. I saw your belt was loose, and being the considerate lady I am, I thought I’d save you from your own demise. What would I even do with one of those magic gems? Turn you smaller than a hamster? That would only make your pants problem worse, so—”

The guard grunted, and her lips snapped shut. While being pushed into a nearby vanity table, she cursed in another language. Then, she swiveled her head. “Clara?”

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· May 19

This is a new scene from editing. I didn't think Wesley's brother would be an on-page character yet, but I'm glad he's here to be a... loving, supportive sibling. #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

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“Why don’t you just give up?”

Wesley was running late. Again. It was never on purpose, but fate had a bad habit of yanking his chain.

Inside a halted carriage being pelted by rain, he had the scratchy voice of his brother, Bryn, calling from the gem in his palm. The Vessel was already charged with magic for communication, though it turned spotty over long distances.

“Wesley, are you listening?”

“Yes, Bryn. Thank you,” he answered, staring at his watch.

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· May 19

#Mememay 19 Vibes of Wesley's (human) dad. He's a nice fellow.

A farmer in a field saying, "It ain't much, but it's honest work"

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· May 17

Wesley and his Pa are in a bind, but that won't stop Pa from starting a pep talk. #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

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As always, his words were lacking. “I’m sorry for bringing you into this. For everything. I’m really—”

“Say, Wesley. When was the last time we went on a camping trip?”

Letting out a shaky breath, he closed his eyes. Then answered, “About four years.”

“Tent’s seen better days. Supposed to fit three, but we’re a lot when we’re together, ain’t we?”

“Yes... You’re right.”

“Makin’ the most of it, though. You find great spots to see, Bryn whips up the best snacks, and I blabber enough for both of you and then some,” Pa laughed, slow and sleepy. “Wouldn’t be the same with anyone else.”

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· May 17

#Mememay 17 Clara: A berry crumble. Both sweet and tart. Wesley: A surprise/pinata cake that looks plain, but when you cut it open it's full of sweet candies. Clara would like hers, but chocolate's a bit dangerous for Wesley 🐺

A berry crumble with a crunchy golden crust over a red blackberry, blueberry and raspberry filling. There is a dollop of ice cream on the side.

A chocolate peanut butter surprise cake. The outside has a plain white coat, topped with a light chocolate crumble. It is partially cut open, revealing chocolate layers inside and colorful round M&M candies spilling out.

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· May 15

can't believe I drew Vittore yesterday and forgot his stupid scarf 😖 #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

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Just when her eyes and ears were starting to adjust to the sensory nightmare, she spotted *him* waiting ahead. A chill crawled down her spine. Her husband. What an absurd title, flimsy as the slip of paper signifying their union.

He waved at the onlookers, his other arm flexed on his hip. His chest was puffed out, draped by an obnoxiously large fur scarf. The elongated coattails of his suit trailed to the floor behind him. If he had broader shoulders, his stance might have evoked a king cobra’s hood. But with that scarf threatening to swallow him whole, Clara thought he better resembled the pigeons that used to nest around the Maiden’s Home. No, that wasn’t fair—at least the birds were cute.

Dahlia Zhen@dahliazhenwrites· May 14

#Mememay 14 I've never drawn vittore before. idk if he has a mustache. this is all he deserves