Ann Darlington

@gradientcat

I am a Canadian engineer who writes sci-fi & fantasy novels. I enjoy photography, hiking, gardening and cats. 🇨🇦

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Ann Darlington@gradientcat· Jun 26

A snippet from my fantasy novel. #FridaySpark #amwriting #fantasy

Writing snippet: Odelle let out a sigh. “Kylie, whatever Gavin may have suggested, it's conjecture. I understand you're distressed about the fate of the Westriver route and this fantasy would save it, but nothing is simple. Traders have to work to be successful. Prince Julian and Farthington need you. Don't abandon him to go on a foolish fancy.”

Ann Darlington@gradientcat· Jun 3

My crochet blanket must have at least 80 hexagons and I still need at least 20 more to finish. #crochet

Close-up of a crochet blanket. Hexagon motifs, assorted colours in the middle of the motifs with a cream coloured background.

Ann Darlington@gradientcat· Apr 27

Apparently it's time for a cabin raid? Kylie and Julian met at a ball. They had a short conversation and then didn't talk to each other for about a year. #CRPnessie #CampRevpit #CRPSirens

“It’s fine, I’ve been desperate to tell someone about how I’m going to pack my wagon with goods.” Kylie swirled around her drink. It had a heavy flavour and she realized that it was full-strength rum, not the non-alcoholic box rum that she’d ordered.
“Go ahead, I like puzzles.”
Kylie laughed. She’d expected a look of dismay from Julian, not for him to play along. “If I said that I wanted to discuss the number of buttons on your jacket would you be amenable to that too?”
“Hmm.” He glanced down. “Four and they’re a little tight to fasten. Next year, I’m going to break them in a little before the ball.”

Ann Darlington@gradientcat· Apr 22

I've been learning how to draw using photoshop. This tree didn't turn out how I envisioned it, but I like it.

Digital drawing of a tree in the grass on a starry moonlit night.

Ann Darlington@gradientcat· Mar 10

Here's an aesthetic for mine. #RevPit

Photo collage with a medium blue background.
Top Photos:
1. Landscape view of a volcano surrounded by greenery with a cloudy blue sky above.
2. Inside a cave with a sandy floor, looking outwards to the blue sky.
Middle Photos:
3. A wall of blue ice.
4. A red heart made of flames.
5. Landscape of a large iceberg, with water in front of it and blue sky
Bottom Photos.
6. Landscape of a waterfall flowing into a pool, with trees next to the falls.
7. Close up of blue & teal dragon scales.
8. Close up of a woman and a man lying in the grass, looking lovingly at each other. Woman in a red dress. Man in a black t-shirt.

Ann Darlington@gradientcat· Dec 25

A clipped a bit longer snippet for "goblet". #WipSnips #amwriting #fantasy

Writing snippet: “I hope you aren’t leaving already,” Julian said from behind her.
“Yes… maybe… I don’t know...” Staying at the ball wasn’t appealing and there wasn’t much point in persuading Julian to go on the quest anymore. “You were right when we talked at the market, it’s uncomfortably hot in the ballroom. I was hoping for some fresh air. Were you looking for me?”
Julian took a sip from a goblet and wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. “It’s a pleasant surprise, but after dancing, I needed some air myself. Since the weather isn’t cooperating, I can show you somewhere else that might suit you.”

Ann Darlington@gradientcat· Nov 29

I might not be making progress on finishing writing my book. But, my crochet projects are going really well! This is my first try at crocheting with seed beads. After I restarted a few times, I got the hang of how to do it. #crochet #crochetbeads #beading

Photo of a string of beads in shades of blue, with gold. At the end of the string is a small crochet hook and the start of a crocheted rope tube.

Ann Darlington@gradientcat· Oct 9

Sketch of a starfish. #inktober2025 #inktober

Ann Darlington@gradientcat· Oct 8

I've been practicing to draw this month. Here's a sketch I did a few days ago of a whale. #amdrawing

Pen sketch of a whale's tale sticking out of the water, with islands in the distance.

Ann Darlington@gradientcat· Sep 26

I'll just pretend that I planned it this way. #hobbies

Pale pink tote bag with outline of pink tie-dye heart and dots.

Ann Darlington@gradientcat· Sep 20

I'm experimenting with different crafts this weekend. #hobbies

Tie dye craft. Fabric is twisted and held with elastics. Purple, pink and red dyes.

Ann Darlington@gradientcat· Aug 14

The border is done. I can't help it, I always do the edge pieces first.

Jigsaw puzzle of colourful umbrellas. The outer border has been completed. The puzzle box is sitting in the middle of the frame.

Ann Darlington@gradientcat· Jul 9

PACIFIC RIM x EXPANSE This doodle may be related to the story... #A #SF #CS #UnhingedPit

Stick drawing. A mech with a person inside. There is a ladder leaning against the mech with a person climbing up. Next to the mech is a giant door that says 'Airlock do not open'.

Ann Darlington@gradientcat· May 17

One of my favourite scenes from my current WIP. #WIPSnips

Writting snippet: The door opened with a creak and someone made a slight coughing noise to get her attention. Definitely not her grandmother. Kylie let out a gasp at the sight of Winthrop standing in the doorway. He was wearing a black leather jacket monogramed with a scripted “B” and it was unbuttoned, revealing a black vest underneath. The lack of boots almost made her smile as he stood there in his socks.

Ann Darlington@gradientcat· May 10

Today was a gardening day! I weeded about 90% of my big flower bed. Tomorrow I might go buy some more perennials.

Patch of blue forget-me-not flowers, on a bed of beige mulch.

Ann Darlington@gradientcat· Apr 12

My crochet project is progressing nicely. #crochet 🧶

Crochet scrap blanket. Three strips in a chevron pattern - multi-coloured with blue, orange, yellow, white, pink, red, purple.

Ann Darlington@gradientcat· Mar 21

Here's a snippet from my story. #RevPitWaiting

Snippet:“New rule. No tracking me with tech. Eyes only. Unless I give you permission.” Paige glared at Remi. “You haven’t told me what else you put a tracker on.”
“Your bike, of course. Your tool bag, your luggage bag… The hair elastic was a lark, the main one was in your shoe.” Remi didn’t look remorseful at all. It was his job to protect the team and their assets. She wasn’t entirely convinced he considered her the former.

Ann Darlington@gradientcat· Mar 16

I've been making some progress on my crocheted blanket.

Crochet, corner-to-corner style, with multi-coloured diagonal stripes.

Ann Darlington@gradientcat· Mar 8

Here's the aesthetic that I made for my story. It's an adult sci-fi. #RevPit

Aesthetic collage in cool blue tones. Central photo is the back view of a woman with blue hair. Surrounding photos include: closeup of a robotic hand, closeup of gears, view of glass buildings, closeup of cockpit controls, a glowing blue door, a view of a planet in space with a ship flying nearby, a tool box and a keyboard.

Ann Darlington@gradientcat· Mar 6

I started a new crochet project this week! It's the first piece of a scrap blanket. #crochet #hobbies

Crochet swatch, corner-to-corner style. The first part of the piece is medium blue, then the colour changes to white.

Ann Darlington@gradientcat· Nov 26

A snippet from one of my fantasy novels. The MC is about to ride a dragon. #WIPSnips #amwriting #writingcommunity

Snippet on a light blue background: He shifted lower to allow her to climb onto his back. “Elladora used a harness whenever she rode with me. It chaffed, so if it becomes a problem for you, figure out another way to stay on.”

The scales behind his neck suited Adalyn, but there was always the chance she could lose her grip and slip off. She wrinkled her nose. Fire magic would hardly solve this problem. “I'll be fine. Just warn me if you plan on doing any loops.”

Ann Darlington@gradientcat· Nov 22

Here's a snippet from my sci-fi WIP. #FridayKiss - never

#FridayKiss snippet on a background of a starscape: “I’m glad you decided to sleep in. I thought after everything that’s happened, you might want to talk.” Kestrel’s fingers stopped drumming. “Why is your shower still on? Did you hook up with someone from the party?”
Brina drew in a measured breath. “You could say that.”
“I've also never known you to bring a stranger onto the ship for a fling,” he persisted.
“What can I say? It's been quite the week. I've pretty much tossed out the rule book since I got to Pulsar Station.”

Ann Darlington@gradientcat· Nov 21

Progress has been slow, but I'm almost ready to start the second cat. #hobbies #needlepoint #crafts