Ink-stained Reveries ~ Volume 1
I believe all good dreams have to start somewhere. These are some of the places I’ve visited over the past month, and I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. I explored a wide variety of pieces, and this is my way of giving a little something back to the community I adore.
These aren’t necessarily newly published articles—sometimes I go digging and uncover older gems that still speak to me. It’s not about the date, but the spark, the inspiration, the craft that lingers.
I had a blast diving into these incredible pieces—so many talented creators out there! From cursed relics to infernal cats, each story left a unique impression. Thank you to everyone who keeps building such imaginative worlds.
Dreamers are going to dream—and writers who dream should write those dreams. Because truly, there’s no better way to share the stories that live in your heart and soul.
I figured I would share some of the art I've created this year for my articles over at the Veil of Tears.
This was a bit of an undertaking when I started—but so worth it. I’ve read a lot of articles so far this year and had the pleasure of connecting with some truly amazing creators. Reflecting back, I’ve also written some pieces I’m really proud of, and even created a bit of art that means a lot to me.
I’m hoping to keep this going—maybe once a month or more, depending on the time I have available. Sharing what inspires me feels like a small way to give back to a community that’s given me so much.
Current Projects Update
Right now, I’m deep into a detailed book outline — 33 chapters in and around 8,000 words so far. It’s the most structured I’ve ever been, I restructured ideas from my manuscripts I started last year. I’ve worked hard to take those original ideas and reshape them into something that flows with intention and purpose.
What started as a bit of cathartic writing has turned into a brand-new idea that’s now worth planning out fully. So that’s another developing project on my plate.
On the worldbuilding side, I’m prepping for Summer Camp this year — and unlike past years, I’ve actually got some solid ideas going in. I’m also doing some work for my players who actively explore The Veil of Tears setting. One article I’ve been focusing on is about a disease that plays a key role in the book, I decided to add it to the world as well.
That’s where I’m at so far this month!
I will leave you with this piece from the Dip A Toe Challenge.
Ana’s been good for a century — mostly. But when the Plates crack open, she slips back into a world full of tea, trouble, and a bartender who’s impossible to forget.
The Dreams
The Plumebearer is fascinating—how death is there to collect memories, and how the author created the Cloak, the Mantle of Memories, with each feather holding a mortal's memory. I had the special privilege of having the author of this article share it with me and speak about in depth. World Smithy has a fascinating way of building. For more about him check out Vasara.
"The Curse That Protects"—I loved this one! The concept of a magical curse designed to protect tomes, grimoires, and other arcane objects—binding intruders to them with spectral chains or leash-like tethers—is absolutely brilliant. It sparks so many ideas for me! The execution felt incredibly well thought out, with just the right blend of eerie and clever. I’ll definitely be diving deeper into KummerWolfe’s world of Hoist the Colors. What a treasure trove of inspiration!
Okay—this world and this article grabbed my attention. It’s not something to sleep on! I love that the author included pronunciation videos for each creature—so thoughtfully embedded. I also checked out the manuscript. It has audio! I’m visually impaired, so that was a real treat. As for this article—they had me at ‘Dark Chocolate Aberration.’ A deadly, dangerous chocolate mousse?! I want to see it turn into fondue. It even made me think of my pocket dimensions in the plates! The creative world of Frontier Flora by Zmthomas.
“Enough!” was an entry in The Reason Why’s Reverie Challenge last fall, and it truly stuck with me. From the start, the rich imagery pulled me in as Eber and Spica navigated a fragile relationship—he only calls her “Vixen,” hinting at tension and history. As they travel for a diplomatic visit to her family, everything unravels, and in a bold move to protect her and avoid war, Eber proposes marriage. I loved the emotional layers, the vivid writing, and especially the banter—Kranjax is wickedly talented at weaving humor into even the tensest moments. It was sharp, heartfelt, and left me wanting more. Visit Elviria!
Evil infernal cats that hang out with demons? Yes, please! These fiery felines—the Deltines—are such unique little creatures, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about them. I love the idea of them roaming in small packs of four to five, darting around with mischievous energy. Honestly, I’d love to just sit and watch them... maybe even try to pet one (against better judgment!). These fascinating creatures can be found in the world of Levis, a setting brought to life by Asmo, who is also the brilliant mind behind the Dip a Toe Challenge—a creative prompt that invited authors to explore one another’s worlds. The Deltines left their paw prints on my imagination! World Levis!
This piece was an entry in the challenge hosted by Asmo, where writers were invited to dip a toe into someone else's world. Imagica wrote a prose piece in which she stepped into Mirintha. The way she wove the story of the character and how she spent her life had me captivated. Zerya’s life—and how she shaped her own story—was deeply moving. I adore how Imagica's writing. Visit the World, Kena'an.
"Marrowtoads" is such a fun—and horrifying—piece about terrifyingly poisonous toads in the Everwealth. Even their bones carry venom! I loved how Dr. Munchies crafted this entry with such care. The descriptions of their life cycle and ecology are both fascinating and deeply unsettling. The imagery is vivid, immersive, and lingers in the mind in all the best (and creepiest) ways. A brilliantly written creature feature!
This article on Tailors began with a simple question I posed to the author, TheReasonWhy—“Does your world have tailors?” To my delight, he wrote an entire piece on the subject. The sidebar sets a beautiful scene in prose; I could practically hear the rhythmic clicking of sewing machines. The vivid imagery pulled me right in. I especially loved the clever detail that artificers enhanced the machines with enchanted needles—it instantly sparked my imagination with all the incredible things that could be crafted. The inclusion of Alchemical Henna was another brilliant tie-in, adding a magical layer that was both unexpected and very cool. This piece turned a small question into something rich and inspiring. Visit The Great Tree!
"Pale Lise & The Thing in the Trees" is a chilling spin on Little Red Riding Hood, reimagined to fit the dark, atmospheric world crafted by SolomonJack. If I remember correctly, he wrote this during March of 31 Tales. The story builds a wonderful sense of urgency, and the woods path—claustrophobic and twisting—adds a haunting layer as Elisa flees from the place that wasn’t quite her grandmother’s to the real grandmother’s house. I really enjoyed it, just as I did with many of the other pieces like The Glim and Mister Whispers. SolomonJack has a talent for eerie, immersive storytelling. Visit, Unknown Shores!
Art
I'm so happy you enjoyed my scary little stories! <3 Thank you so much!
I adore them; it was such a fun way to frame things. each one was chilling and fun.