Maike Claußnitzer

Leseratte und vindaerinne wilder maere: Ich bin vor allem als Buchbloggerin und Fantasyautorin hier. In meinem Blog gibt es Rezensionen und gelegentlich auch Informationen über meine eigenen Romane und Geschichten.

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Last Notes

2026-10-30 12:57:33 UTC

#WordWeavers 10/30: "What tiny detail about your world or a character will probably never matter to the plot, but you created it anyway?"
The fact that I put a robin somewhere in very many of my stories is purely for my personal enjoyment; it is not plot relevant at all, but any world is better if there are robins in it.

2026-10-30 09:38:00 UTC

#ScribesAndMakers 10/30: "Share some words of wisdom (yours or someone else's)."
"Everyone has to be used up the way they are" or, in the original German: "Jeder muss so verbraucht werden, wie er ist."
(My great-grandmother, as frequently quoted by my mother; it means that trying to change people is a futile endeavour, but that you still have to work with what is there, for better or worse.)

2026-10-29 13:22:09 UTC

#PhantastikPrompts 29.10.: "Baust du manchmal 'befreiende Komik' in deine Geschichte ein?"
Das kann passieren, aber eigentlich ist der Humor bei mir meist eher ein stiller Begleiter im Hintergrund. Ich hoffe, dass der Grundton meiner Geschichten trotz aller geschilderten ernsten Vorfälle mehr oder minder vergnüglich ist.

2026-10-29 08:29:18 UTC

#ScribesAndMakers 10/29: "How do you feel about alliteration?"
It is fun to use, and of course, it features prominently in Early Medieval poetry (at one point, Ivar gets a self-ironic inner remark about having ended up with an involuntary - and quite bad - verse in his spontaneous reply to a question due to just that), so, yes - occasionally, my stories contain some.

2026-10-29 08:25:06 UTC

#PennedPossibilities 1169: "Your MC is dead and haunting you. Where and how do they show up?"
One can never predict exactly when and where a ghost will show up (they can be quite wayward creatures), but as for how: My three main characters would be friendly spooks, I hope, perhaps secretly expecting some tea (libations to ghosts are common in their world), and having the whole trio haunting my kitchen might be quite fun. They could tell me even more stories about their adventures!

2026-10-28 13:42:31 UTC

#PennedPossibilities 1168: "Does your world have any mythology creatures? Can you describe their lore to us?"
There are dragons, trolls, griffins, goat demons, and ghosts, of course, but if the question means if there is any mythology about creatures *not* obviously existing in the story's world, there seem to be tales about, depending on geographical region, elves and nymphs (with none of them ever showing up anywhere), and there seems to be a belief in wild water creatures such as mermaids.

2026-10-28 13:36:22 UTC

#WritersCoffeeClub 10/28: "Do you hide secrets in your works?"
To paraphrase what Ivar says in one of my stories when asked if something is a secret, "secrets" is the wrong term for things that anybody knowing me well could reasonably guess at, even if not many people know me that well. 😉 In any case, if anything is hidden in my stories, finding it is not strictly necessary in order to enjoy the book.

2026-10-28 13:16:47 UTC

#PhantastikPrompts 28.10.: "Kuscheltier-Liebhaber-Tag: Welche Kuscheltiere oder Kuschelobjekte haben eure Protagonisten? Erzähle!"
Für Kuscheltiere leben meine Figuren leider historisch zu früh (obwohl ich mir vorstellen kann, dass einige von ihnen ihren Spaß daran hätten, wenn es welche gäbe), aber Kinderspielzeug in Tierform kommt durchaus mehrfach in meinen Geschichten vor (Pferdchen, Tiger und Vogel aus Holz und einige Tonpferde). Kuscheln kann man aber sehr gut auch mit einem Drachen. 🐉

2026-10-28 12:14:20 UTC

#WordWeavers 10/28: "Your antagonist and MC are forced to work together toward the same goal. What could drive them together?"
Any number of things, really. The current story's antagonist is just that - an antagonist, ready to use somewhat questionable means to solve a problem that actually does need solving, but not a particularly wicked villain committing unspeakable atrocities.

2026-10-27 13:56:55 UTC

#WritersCoffeeClub 10/27: "As a writer, what do you need right now?"
A particular notebook that is hiding somewhere.

2026-10-27 11:47:39 UTC

#WordWeavers 10/27: "What location in your story would you most like to visit? What location would you absolutely avoid?"
I'd like to visit Wulf's kitchen, please, as it is likely to offer warmth, tea, good food, and even better company (dragon included, if I am lucky).
As for places to avoid, the quarries of Mons Arbuini that also serve as a prison are not exactly a pleasant location, so steering clear of them seems like the wisest choice.

2026-10-26 16:11:15 UTC

Bevor der Tag herum ist, noch schnell eine neue Rezension im Blog:
https://ardeija.de/book-review/the-informant/

2026-10-26 12:47:44 UTC

#PhantastikPrompts 26.10.: "Wie kritisch liest du? Hast Du einen Anspruch an fremde Bücher? Oder lässt du beim Aufschlagen des Buches alle Gedanken fahren?"
Pauschal ist das schwierig zu beantworten. Natürlich ist es bei mir wie bei allen anderen Menschen, die in irgendeiner Form beruflich mit Texten arbeiten, so, dass ich die Sicht, die ich beim Übersetzen und Lektorieren entwickele, nicht völlig ablegen kann, auch wenn ich nur zum Vergnügen ein Buch lese. Ob ich aber über manche Dinge ... 1/2

2026-10-26 12:40:31 UTC

#ScribesAndMakers 10/26: "What's something you accomplished this month that you weren't sure if you would be able to?"
Continuing to write at all. That is something, isn't it?

2026-10-26 12:00:29 UTC

#PennedPossibilities 1166: "Would any of your characters actually survive a 'zombie' apocalypse?"
Absolutely (and I'll be kind and refrain from expounding on my utter dislike of zombies here). A zombie, after all, is just something like an unthinking draugr, right? For all I know, fire is considered the easiest way of getting rid of draugar, and my characters have a dragon. Problem solved.

2026-10-26 09:49:37 UTC

Zum Wochenanfang beste Laune:
#ZitateMontag #Fantasy #Torfschuppenmord
https://literatur.social/system/media_attachments/files/117/506/579/224/034/273/original/9bab58762bf1ee78.jpg

2026-10-25 11:16:20 UTC

#PhantastikPrompts 25.10.: "Wie viele Charaktere hast du maximal in einer Szene? Gibt es da ein Limit für dich?"
Nein. Ich muss gestehen, sogar ganz gern figurenreiche Szenen zu schreiben, weil es doch besonders Spaß macht, wenn die Perspektivfigur mit einem Auge auch verfolgen muss, was da alles im Hintergrund los ist.

2026-10-25 09:57:33 UTC

#PennedPossibilities 1165: "Can the dead truly return to the 'land of the living' in your universe?"
In the sense of a bodily ressurection? Well ... That has not happened yet in any of my stories, and if it might happen at some point in the far future is, as in our world, a matter of belief. However, there are ghosts. 👻

2026-10-24 14:41:15 UTC

#WordWeavers 10/24: "Which character would survive the longest if suddenly dropped into our world with no money or identification?"
Gjuki, the little dragon, of course (however, doing that to him would just be cruel). Dragons need neither money nor identification.

2026-10-24 08:57:03 UTC

#PhantastikPrompts 24.10.: "Dein Protagonist ist unglücklich verliebt und denkt sich einen Song aus (...)."
Bei den Hauptfiguren ist das noch nicht in der Form vorgekommen (und da zwei von ihnen mittlerweile glücklich miteinander verheiratet sind, wäre das auch etwas besorgniserregend), aber in "Verzauberte und Unbesungene" gibt es eine Nebenfigur, die in einer entsprechenden Situation etwas dichtet und vorträgt - auf der Hochzeit des geliebten Menschen mit jemand anderem.

2026-10-24 04:53:46 UTC

#ScribesAndMakers #TTMD Talk To Me Day, featured creator:
@nprofile…p9kg
Hello! Your love both for mapmaking and for hiking was mentioned in the preparatory questions for today. How does the knowledge you have accumulated during your outdoor adventures influence the way you approach making fantasy maps?

2026-10-23 10:59:52 UTC

#PhantastikPrompts 23.10.: "Wie viel (erweiterte) Familie gebt ihr durchschnittlich euren Protagonisten?"
Familie haben die meisten, wenn auch oft keine große, und zur entfernteren Verwandtschaft besteht nicht immer ein inniges Verhältnis. Ich wollte es mir nicht so leicht machen, nur Figuren mit möglichst wenigen Bindungen zu schreiben. Mit Angehörigen, für die man die Verantwortung trägt, abenteuert es sich anders, als wenn man völlig allein ist oder das Kümmern an andere delegieren kann.

2026-10-23 07:05:25 UTC

#WordWeavers 10/23: "What rule--legal, cultural, magical, social, or otherwise--does your MC regularly break?"
I fear Herrad and Wulfila have been breaking the unspoken social rule that a worthy judge and a branded (ex-)thief should not be married to each other for years now, and will continue to do so.

2026-10-22 11:55:20 UTC

Es ist Herbst.
https://literatur.social/system/media_attachments/files/117/484/428/003/010/954/original/0836d6d238f395f5.jpg

2026-10-21 13:45:45 UTC

#WritersCoffeeClub 10/21: "How do you make your works approachable?"
There's always a glossary for the Latin bits.

2026-10-21 13:43:07 UTC

#ScribesAndMakers 10 21:
"How cerebral do you consider your creative work?"
I want readers to like my little dragon and to have fun following my characters through their adventures. So, thinking "Yes! It's good that this character is getting a hug now!" will get you much closer to the heart of these stories than merely analyzing them from an intellectual perspective.

2026-10-21 09:21:44 UTC

#PhantastikPrompts 21.10.: "Groschenromane, eine Story unter 100 Seiten – wäre das ein Format für dich?"
Das sind zwei verschiedene Fragen. Eine Geschichte unter 100 Seiten kann ich problemlos schreiben. Auf einen Heftroman hätte ich allerdings nicht unbedingt Lust, weil dort oft die Vorgaben, sich an eine bestimmte Formel zu halten, ausgesprochen eng sind, und mir liegt es eher, in meiner Figuren- und Handlungsentwicklung doch recht frei zu sein.

2026-10-21 09:01:52 UTC

#PennedPossibilities 1162: "If your MC or SC were to carve a Jack-o’-lantern, what would it look like?"
Well ... It's not a tradition where they live, but if it were, the mouth would definitely have to be big enough for a tiny dragon to get in, for otherwise, where's the fun in having a carved pumpkin?
https://literatur.social/system/media_attachments/files/117/478/072/653/997/800/original/68adc2ca6bbecd8a.jpg

2026-10-20 12:53:56 UTC

Go read it, everyone! It is a fun book with an exciting case, an abundance of Humfreys, a secret murder investigation, and someone else investigating what the hell the investigator may be up to (both plot threads come together nicely in the end). And while this is a serious historical novel making good use of a particular political situation, it also has very funny scenes (especially one particular memorable bit of fencing practice - poor One-of-the-Humfreys!). Gavin Rownt never disappoints. ⚔️

2026-10-20 08:59:27 UTC

Im Blog gibt es eine neue Rezension (vielleicht noch ein wenig früh im Jahr, andererseits: In ein paar Wochen kann man ja Weihnachtsgeschichten schon brauchen, und für ein neues Buch von Petra Oelker ist es immer der richtige Zeitpunkt).
https://ardeija.de/book-review/das-weihnachtskonzert/

2026-10-20 07:33:39 UTC

#WordWeavers 10/20: Which two characters in your story understand each other the least?
It is a safe bet to say that Wulfila and Flavian don't understand each other at all. Flavian, in Wulfila's eyes, is an arrogant, small-minded petty landowner whose good fortune in inheriting a decent share of the family estate obviously cost him every bit of compassion with those whose life went less well. Wulfila, to Flavian, is a dangerous criminal and a wicked seducer of an unsuspecting respectable woman.

2026-10-20 07:00:27 UTC

#PhantastikPrompts 20.10.: "Hast du Anspielungen auf andere Werke in deinen Büchern? Erzähle!"
Manchmal zitieren oder erwähnen die Figuren ihnen bekannte Texte (das ist dann auch im Glossar aufgeschlüsselt). Andere Anspielungen sind eher ein Spaß auf der Metaebene. So tritt etwa einmal ein Krimineller namens Messer-Ortnit auf. Er heißt nur aus dem Grunde Ortnit, dass er im Zuge der Geschichte von einem Drachen gebissen wird.
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ortnit

2026-10-20 06:47:50 UTC

#PennedPossibilities 1161: "Do you have any mythology around the afterlife in your universe?"
There are various beliefs (Christian and Pagan ones, mainly) as to what exactly the afterlife might be like. However, the idea that there is one at all is not mythology in my stories' world, but a known fact; there are ghosts, and certain people can see them. 👻

2026-10-19 13:00:40 UTC

#PhantastikPrompts 19.10.: "'Gibt es da auch Schokolade?' Wichtige Fragen werden zuerst gestellt. Welche legt ihr so auf die Zunge eurer Protagonisten?"
Zunächst einmal: Nein, Schokolade gibt es in meinen Geschichten nicht, tut mir leid. Aber es gibt gelegentlich guten Nusskuchen, könnte ich vielleicht jemanden für den interessieren?
Ansonsten sind Fragen (und die weitere Frage, ob man sie laut stellt oder nicht) situationsabhängig, so dass es die eine eigentlich für keine Hauptfigur gibt.

2026-10-18 15:39:06 UTC

Übrigens hat mir heute jemand ganz ernsthaft und mit Nachdruck mitgeteilt, dass es doch schon eine Autorin außer mir in Hamburg gibt, die historisch inspirierte Krimis schreibt (die Person kam nur leider gerade nicht auf deren Namen). Ich bin also ziemlich überflüssig. Für zwei Autorinnen gleichzeitig ist offenbar kein Platz in dieser Stadt.

2026-10-17 13:30:31 UTC

Eine lesenswerte neue Kurzgeschichte von
@nprofile…adsw
über das Ineinandergreifen von Anderssein, Naturerkundung und den Geschichten, die wir lieben, aus charmanter Kindersicht, mit Eichhörnchen, geheimnisvoller Inschrift und dem möglichen Wechselkurs von Geschwistern zu Lebkuchen ... 🐿️

2026-10-17 13:01:08 UTC

#PhantastikPrompts 17.10.: "Außer dem Erzählen, was magst du in deiner Schreibroutine noch gern?"
Das Recherchieren. Man stößt dabei auf so viele wunderbare Dinge, auch wenn man meist gar nicht alle für die gerade aktuelle Geschichte verwenden kann.

2026-10-17 12:58:37 UTC

#WritersCoffeeClub 10/17: "What are the defining traits of your niche in your genre?"
Setting more or less nice stories in a fantasy world heavily inspired by the Early Middle Ages instead of focusing on the violence and drama also present in the time period. Some Vikings can actually be quite all right, after all, and certain dragons are small and cute.

2026-10-17 12:18:51 UTC

#WordWeavers 10/17: "What is the worst possible first impression someone could get of your MC? Would it be accurate?"
A ruthless branded criminal, a violent, armed tough guy, and a scarily observant witch have obviously teamed up, and they have a dragon. Run!
(And, no, it's not accurate. It's just a local judge with her guard captain and her chief scribe, and they are fairly nice people, all in all. Beware of the dragon, though. He might try to eat your snacks.)

2026-10-17 11:55:07 UTC

#FotoVorschlag "Pilze"
Ja, Pilze habe ich. 🍄 🍄 Allen viel Glück!
https://literatur.social/system/media_attachments/files/117/456/108/434/073/599/original/005372ba3e2d9b63.jpg

2026-10-16 13:10:26 UTC

#WordWeavers 10/16: "What is one choice your MC made for the right reasons that ended up having terrible consequences?"
If Ardeija hadn't handed over a certain item to Ivar in "Der Ringeltaubenmantel", which seemed like the right thing to do at the time, the events that led to Ivar being imprisoned and the whole cast ending up in Castra Nova very much against their will in "Der Torfschuppenmord" would not have happened in quite the same manner, if at all.

2026-10-16 11:01:29 UTC

#WritersCoffeeClub 10/16: "How do you feel about people reading your works without buying a personal copy?"
I guess the question is not about borrowing a book from a library, friend, or family member, but about e-book piracy? If so, I feel that the individual reader keen on pilfering a book for whatever reason is less of a problem than the whole mentality of undervaluing authors' and artists' work and wanting it for free that is apparent in very many things currently going wrong.

2026-10-16 10:20:25 UTC

#PhantastikPrompts 16.10.: "Machst du Figuren manchmal bewusst unsympathisch?"
In dem Sinne, einer Gestalt bestimmte Taten oder Eigenschaften nur zu dem Zweck zuzuschreiben, sie besonders schurkisch und abstoßend wirken zu lassen? Nein. Natürlich gibt es Figuren, die mir weitaus sympathischer sind als andere, aber absolute Widerlinge, bei denen menschlich Hopfen und Malz verloren sind, interessieren mich weniger als ambivalente Gestalten, deren unsympathisches Handeln eher situativ erfolgt.

2026-10-15 20:05:59 UTC

#PhantastikPrompts 15.10.: "Was wäre das ältestes Musikstück deiner Welt? Imaginiere und erzähle."
Das älteste sowohl in irgendeiner Form erhaltene als auch den Figuren bekannte oder das älteste überhaupt? Letzteres weiß ich nicht, denn die Welt meiner Geschichten basiert auf unserer, und was das älteste Musikstück war, das es je gab, können wir nicht wissen. Ersteres kommt in gewisser Weise in der derzeitigen Geschichte vor. Die Figuren lernen jedenfalls zufällig ein sehr altes Lied kennen.

2026-10-15 12:02:33 UTC

#WordWeavers 10/15: "What piece of backstory did you invent just for yourself that readers may never learn?"
There are enough bits and pieces about Wulf's parents in my stories to know that they were somewhat unconventional people (a bookish ex-nun and a pagan thief/almost-sorcerer/cook), but I don't think I'll ever publish that tale of how they met that only exists in a notebook somewhere. But I find the two of them very fun and like to play around with them on occasion.

2026-10-14 13:34:42 UTC

#WordWeavers 10/14: "If your MC could ask their future self one question, what would they ask?"
"So, what's it like, being a ghost?"

2026-10-14 09:02:41 UTC

#PhantastikPrompts 14.10.: "Wenn Du dir eine/n Cover-Illustrator*in wünschen könntest, wer wäre das?"
Ich möchte gar keine andere Coverillustratorin als die großartige Sameena Jehanzeb, die bisher all meine Bücher gestaltet hat.

2026-10-14 07:17:12 UTC

Auf der Zugvogelroute scheint heute Hochbetrieb zu herrschen (mein Smartphone schlägt mir für "herrschen" übrigens "Herrad" vor, was wohl beweist, worüber ich mich immer zu viel äußere).

2026-10-13 13:01:06 UTC

Es pilzt noch immer.
https://literatur.social/system/media_attachments/files/117/433/721/430/559/040/original/6b3eaef704ce6253.jpg

2026-10-13 12:50:29 UTC

#WordWeavers 10/13: "What is something your MC would risk their life to protect but would struggle to explain why?"
I don't think any of the three would have much trouble explaining why they would be ready to take such a risk - if they do, it's usually for a good reason they can name. I'm afraid they aren't the sort of people who are prone to risking life and limb for inexplicable things.

2026-10-13 12:37:23 UTC

#ScribesAndMakers 10/13: "Schadenfreude?"
In my stories? In "Die Teeräuber", Wulfila admits to feeling some when a member of a family that was not very nice to his father in the past manages to get himself arrested under suspicion of a crime. Ardeija approves of the sentiment. 😉

2026-10-12 14:34:16 UTC

#WordWeavers 10/12: "Which relationship in your story changed the most from what you originally planned?"
In the current story? I don't think any relationship changed that much; the biggest changes from my original plan concern the timing of certain events (causing a journey to be shorter than envisioned at first).

2026-10-12 08:27:33 UTC

Zum #ZitateMontag geht es an dem frischen Oktobermorgen heute ans Mittelmeer, zumindest in Gedanken.
https://literatur.social/system/media_attachments/files/117/426/981/920/875/066/original/12a6629f729d25cd.jpg

2026-10-11 12:37:46 UTC

Im Blog gibt es eine neue Rezension, diesmal zu einer Crowdfunding-Beute, die sich vergnüglich gelesen hat:
https://ardeija.de/book-review/the-moonhound/

2026-10-11 11:46:28 UTC

#PennedPossibilities 1152: "MC POV: A time you ran out of options was…"
Ardeija: "... at Bocernae." (Turns away brusquely).
To elaborate a little more than he probably would, Bocernae was the climactic battle of a civil war, and having just failed to save your lord (or even his dead body), ending up too wounded to do anything more than play dead, only to realize that your erstwhile best friend is well aware you are still alive and likely to kill you himself, tends to leave very few options.

2026-10-10 16:02:48 UTC

#PennedPossibilities 151: "What is your MC’s relationship to what modern society considers the paranormal or supernatural?"
Herrad is able to see and talk to ghosts. This puts her into an interesting position at times, because she is also a judge, and while, legally, a ghost's wishes do not matter (and, in fact, such superstitious stuff never even made it into the law at all), morally, things might look different ...

2026-10-10 08:53:00 UTC

#WritersCoffeeClub 10/10: "Do you have a guiding principle as a writer? What is it? (Or why not?)"
Writing nothing too nasty.

2026-10-10 08:44:34 UTC

#PhantastikPrompts 10.10.: "Welthundetag – Erzähl uns von deinen vierbeinigen Helden! (gern auch andere Vierbeiner!)"
Hunde kommen in meinen Geschichten immer wieder einmal vor, darunter Turnus (der gern auf Stiefeln herumkauende und sich mit Vorliebe mit ins Bett kuschelnde schwarze Hund von Ivars Familie). Katzen gibt es auch gelegentlich, und neben Reitpferden und anderen lebenden Tieren tauchen auch vierbeinige Geister aller Art, von der Maus bis zum Tiger, auf.

2026-10-10 08:25:36 UTC

Hier und da blüht auch im Oktober noch etwas.
https://literatur.social/system/media_attachments/files/117/415/650/256/585/625/original/d8673ed08e702543.jpg

2026-10-09 11:59:21 UTC

Und was bei aller Kritik am Happy End gern vergessen wird: Es muss keinesfalls reiner Eskapismus sein (obwohl auch der legitim ist).
Geschichten, die gut ausgehen, zeigen schließlich, dass sich jemand Gedanken darüber gemacht hat, *wie* man eine oft erst einmal schwierige Situation positiv auflösen könnte. Alles lustvoll vor die Hunde gehen zu lassen, ist meist deutlich einfacher (und mit vermeintlichem "Realismus" hat man auch noch den idealen Vorwand, um sich dabei überlegen zu fühlen).

2026-10-09 07:36:29 UTC

#ScribesAndMakers 10/9: "Our next featured creator is a 'relentless optimist.' How full is your glass?"
I'm actually a friendly pessimist who'll point out that, at least, instead of a glass, we can use a nice tea cup, so that is something, even if things are going downhill.

2026-10-08 12:44:23 UTC

#WritersCoffeeClub 10/8: "Tell us about someone who supports you on the sidelines."
My mother is awesome in many respects and has wholeheartedly adopted "the Herrad gang", as she calls them. She is also the one convincing me that, yes, the current story is worth finishing.

2026-10-08 12:40:32 UTC

#PhantastikPrompts 08.10.: "Frappant, blümerant und andere famose Worte: Wie hälst du es mit älteren Sprachblüten und würdest du frohlocken, sie selbst einzusetzen?"
Manche Ausdrücke dieser Art finde ich herrlich, aber für das, was ich meist schreibe, sind sie zu modern. Ich glaube, Leuten, die sich aller Wahrscheinlichkeit mit etwas relativ nahe an "Weis sijum thai wulfos!"* vorstellen würden, wird nicht so rasch blümerant zumute. 😉
("Wir sind die Wölfe!" 🐺 🐺 🐺)

2026-10-08 12:23:49 UTC

#PennedPossibilities 1149¾: Bonus Question: "If your character is ill, who would care for them? Would they provide good care?"
It happens; usually, the family or other household members will be the first to care for an ill person, and if that isn't enough, physicians and other healers are available. Incidentally, Mathilde and Ivar's backstory contains the detail that he turned out to be an excellent caregiver when she was suffering from horrible food poisoning. It strengthened their bond.

2026-10-07 09:25:21 UTC

#WordWeavers 10/7: "Share a line of dialogue that tells us everything we need to know about a character's personality."
"My experience as an assassin is very limited."
(Ivar, amused)

2026-10-07 08:54:23 UTC

Noch mehr Pilze.
https://literatur.social/system/media_attachments/files/117/398/778/094/720/851/original/79d0161956f6c556.jpg

2026-10-07 08:33:32 UTC

#ScribesAndMakers 10/7: "Create a four line rhyming poem that includes the word goose."
In Latin, anser is a goose,
while alces clearly is a moose,
astutia might be a ruse:
By now, I'm certain, you all snooze.

2026-10-06 16:15:00 UTC

Pilzzeit.
https://literatur.social/system/media_attachments/files/117/394/852/372/877/561/original/6657a184591fd0af.jpg

2026-10-06 12:17:33 UTC

#WordWeavers 10/6: "What is considered completely normal in your story's world that would seem bizarre to us?"
Well, I know that at least one reader was well and truly shocked that a murder might result in the culprit having to pay a hefty fine and whole lot of monetary compensation to the bereaved, and not necessarily in imprisonment or even worse kinds of punishment. So I suspect the whole legal system (and the thinking behind it) might seem bizarre to some.

2026-10-06 09:04:36 UTC

#PennedPossibilities 1149: "Think of a choice your MC made. How did it lead to where and who they are now?"
Many years ago, a very down-on-his-luck Wulfila made the decision to steal a chicken and a shirt. This was probably both the worst and, in the long run, the best choice he ever made, as it got him branded, but ultimately also married to the judge who sentenced him to just that (and in spite of how all this may sound, it is not a particularly dark story, just one with rocky beginnings).

2026-10-06 08:45:15 UTC

#PhantastikPrompts 6.10.: "Dein Protagonist benötigt Geld und erhält einen musikalischen Job. Imaginiere und erzähle."
Dann wollen wir mal stark hoffen, dass es sich bei dem Protagonisten um Audoin, eine der Hauptfiguren von "Rattenlied", handelt, denn der ist professioneller Sänger und Harfner und wäre damit ganz gut bedient. Er wird sich erst einmal erkundigen, was für eine Art von Musik für den Anlass gewünscht ist, und das Programm danach zusammenstellen Tänze? Heldenlieder? Alles möglich.

2026-10-05 07:05:59 UTC

#WritersCoffeeClub 10/5: "What haunts the narrative of your current work?"
Quite a number of actual ghosts. 👻

2026-10-04 12:41:31 UTC

#ScribesAndMakers 10/4: "Do you include details in your work that are important to you even though no one else will likely notice?"
Yes, and if a reader does notice them, I'll be delighted.
For example, there is a very minor recurring antagonist called Ortnit. He simply couldn't have any other name, because, during his first appearance, he is bitten by a (tiny) dragon.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ortnit

2026-10-04 12:38:52 UTC

#PennedPossibilities 1147: "How does your SC feel about those around them?"
Beneath that veneer of being a scary ex-spy with a cold gaze and entirely too many knives hidden somewhere upon his person, Ivar actually has a giant heart and is incredibly fond of the whole gang (yes, even of his big brother, although that may veer into "fondly exasperated by" more often than not - it certainly does near the end of the current book). And of the dog, too, even though he professes to be a cat person.

2026-10-04 12:24:03 UTC

#WritersCoffeeClub 10/4: "How isolated are your characters in your current WIP?"
They aren't exactly hermits. As of the current book, all three of them live in Castra Nova, a coastal city, so even if they didn't have their families and (some of their) friends around, there would be quite enough people in the immediate vicinity. However, they are still relatively new in the area, and, therefore, not as much part of the place's networks as they were back in Aquae.

2026-10-04 10:56:04 UTC

#PhantastikPrompts 4.10.: "Hast du eine*n Autor*in als Vorbild? [...]"
Nein, aber meine Mutter. Ich glaube, ich habe schon einmal hier erwähnt, dass sie zwar nicht selbst schreibt, aber eine wunderbare Erzählerin ist, die vor allem historische Begebenheiten mit viel Wärme und Humor verlebendigen kann. Wenn ich das für die Fantasy irgendwann auch nur halb so gut wie sie hinbekomme, bin ich schon zufrieden.

2026-10-03 12:53:21 UTC

Nur für den Fall, dass irgendjemand einmal, wie unten beschrieben, Spoiler brauchen sollte: Wenn es um ein Buch geht, das ich geschrieben oder übersetzt habe, jederzeit PN an mich, ich verrate gern, wie es ausgeht oder ob bestimmte Dinge passieren/nicht passieren, wenn das Wissen darum zum Lektüregenuss beiträgt oder das Lesen überhaupt erst möglich macht.
#Lesen #Spoiler #Roman

2026-10-03 11:18:11 UTC

#PennedPossibilities 1146: "Does romance ever feature in your work?"
Yes, in the sense of characters falling in love with each other, but their love stories don't always follow a classic romance scheme, and I admit I enjoy exploring what happens once they have become a couple even more than that initial romantic phase.

2026-10-03 10:54:19 UTC

#WritersCoffeeClub 10/3: "How do you feel about spoilers?"
I'm actually fine with them in most cases. Of course, if we are talking about, say, a mystery, guessing along with the characters is part of the fun and it is nice to be able to do so, but knowing beforehand what happens does not necessarily ruin a good book (otherwise, reading any sort of classic would be futile). If a surprising twist or reveal is the *only* thing a book has going for it, it is probably not that exciting anyway.

2026-10-03 08:57:31 UTC

#PhantastikPrompts 3.10.: "Hast du einen Roman (kein Sachbuch) gelesen, aus dem du etwas Neues über das Schreiben gelernt hast? Welches ist es und was hast du gelernt?"
Nicht unbedingt einen Roman, auf den das zutrifft, aber ziemlich früh diverse Sagas, und ich fürchte, die daraus gewonnene Erkenntnis, dass Ernstes (bis hin zu äußerst dramatischen Ereignissen) und Humor sich nicht ausschließen, bin ich beim Schreiben nie wieder losgeworden.

2026-10-02 16:30:09 UTC

Hm.
https://literatur.social/system/media_attachments/files/117/372/131/156/318/572/original/b66a4163fc2343d8.jpg

2026-10-02 09:22:52 UTC

#PennedPossibilities 1145: "Describe how your MC dresses."
Unremarkably, overall? Most people in Austrasia wear a tunic (length and material vary) or perhaps a klappenrock (a wraparound, kaftan-style garment) combined with some sort of trousers, leggings, or stockings, a belt, ideally shoes or boots, and a cloak in colder weather.
If the question is about the process of getting dressed, there is actually a scene with Wulfila putting on his clothes after a bathhouse visit in "Die Teeräuber".

2026-10-02 08:53:53 UTC

#ScribesAndMakers 10/2: "Do you think it's important for authors to use different pen names for different genres?"
No, and I admit I find it a bit impractical from a reader's perspective, especially with closed pseudonyms. If I like an author's work, I will gladly follow them through different genres. Even if I don't usually prefer a certain genre, I might give it a try if I know the author is good. But if I have no chance of knowing it's *that* author, I might not read the book at all.

2026-10-01 11:14:47 UTC

#PennedPossibilities 1144: "Is there a story behind your MC’s name? Were they named after someone or something?"
Within the story? Both Wulfila and Herrad have names derived from those of their fathers (Wulf and Heribrand, respectively); in Austrasia, it is not uncommon to name children partially after their parents or other relatives. As for Ardeija, we never learn how exactly he came by his name, but it is obvious that his mother must have picked it (as it is from her culture).

2026-10-01 10:43:40 UTC

#ScribesAndMakers 10/1: "Draw a fish and share it. (It doesn't have to be brilliant.)"
https://literatur.social/system/media_attachments/files/117/365/233/141/656/745/original/101fb7da467dfb44.jpg

2026-09-30 14:28:22 UTC

#PhantastikPrompts 30.9.: "Welche Aspekte deiner Welt sind aus unserer Sicht am bemerkenswertesten?"
Gleichberechtigung ist normal und unhinterfragt, mit Spuk ist zu rechnen, es gibt ein gewisses Maß an Magie, und die Fauna ist ein wenig anders als gewohnt (Trolle, kleine Drachen und Greifen haben ihre ökologische Nische gefunden). Ansonsten dürfte sich jemand aus unserer Welt in Austrasien schnell zurechtfinden, wenn sein Althochdeutsch halbwegs firm ist. Mit Latein kommt man aber auch durch.

2026-09-30 13:18:17 UTC

#WordWeavers 9/30: "What stereotypes do your MCs deal with in their world?"
While the MCs don't have to deal with some of the stereotypes of our world (for example, gender stereotypes would baffle them quite a bit), there are some prejudices against both steppe riders and the Norse (violent pagans who are up to no good, all of them!), and Wulfila is constantly up against the assumption that a person won't simply stop being a thief - criminals always stay criminals, that much is certain.

2026-09-30 13:12:46 UTC

#WritersCoffeeClub 9/30: "Where did this month's writing take you?"
Into the woods, out onto the waters of the bay, and towards further trouble. 😇

2026-09-30 13:01:15 UTC

#ScribesAndMakers 9/30: "What was the last song you listened to?"
The last piece of music I deliberately listened to was Mozart's Horn Concerto in D Major, but the last song? Ahem, whatever was on the radio before the morning news started today, I suspect, but to my shame, I must admit I was not listening too closely and can't tell you what exactly it was.

2026-09-29 13:06:43 UTC

#PhantastikPrompts 29.9.: "Gibt es in deinen Geschichten Szenen, die du als cozy oder slice of life bezeichnen würdest?"
Der Alltag meiner Hauptfiguren, der berufsbedingt auch Krimielemente und Abenteuerliches umfasst, nimmt viel Raum in meinen Büchern ein, mit der Bezeichnung "cozy" (die andere schon einmal dafür verwendet haben) tue ich mich aber immer etwas schwer, da ich zwar nette Geschichten über hoffentlich nicht allzu fürchterliche Leute schreiben möchte, ihre Welt aber kein Idyll ist.

2026-09-28 17:54:19 UTC

WritersCoffeeClub 9/28: "Could you work without the internet? What would change?"
Writing as such would not be a problem at all, but the internet certainly makes selling self-published books easier, so I would have to come up with different strategies in regard to that.

2026-09-28 09:53:38 UTC

#PhantastikPrompts 28.9.: "Haben Nebenfiguren von dir eigene Plots, die sich 'im Hintergrund' abspielen?"
Ja, wobei es schwankt, wie viel man darüber erfährt. Aber als Leserin mag ich keine Bücher, die einem den Eindruck vermitteln, dass alles bis auf die Hauptfiguren nur Staffage ist. Deshalb bemühe ich mich beim eigenen Schreiben immer, das Gefühl zu vermitteln, dass sich in der geschilderten Welt viel abspielt und man auch jederzeit eine ganz andere Geschichte darüber erzählen könnte.

2026-09-27 17:22:58 UTC

#PhantastikPrompts⁩ 27.9.: "Welcher deiner Charaktere trägt die meiste Wut in sich?"
Wahrscheinlich Julian im "Ringeltaubenmantel". Er hat im Bürgerkrieg viel verloren und wird dann auch noch bei einem Kirchendiebstahl ertappt, der aus seiner Sicht unabdingbar notwendig war. Fast die ganze Welt ist offensichtlich gegen ihn, und er entsprechend gegen sie.

2026-09-26 14:39:39 UTC

Im Blog gibt es eine neue Rezension. Das aktuelle Buch von @nprofile…zy3z greift wieder Gestalten aus Jane Austens "Stolz und Vorurteil" auf, aber in Form von vier kurzen Erzählungen und mit merklich anderer Schwerpunktsetzung als ihr Romandebüt "Mister Bennet":
https://ardeija.de/book-review/jenseits-von-longbourn/

2026-09-26 09:30:34 UTC

#ScribesAndMakers #TTMD Talk To Me Day, featured creator: @nprofile…e8x0
Hello! I've noticed that you seem to like working with black and white photos. What are their advantages for your creative work compared to colour photos?

2026-09-25 11:33:50 UTC

#ScribesAndMakers 9/25: "Our next featured creator uses a separate Fedi account dedicated to their book. Do you use different accounts for different creative purposes?"
No. There is only this one account. While I know that some other people like to keep different parts of their creativity separate (through using various pen names etc.), that wouldn't work for me.

2026-09-25 07:09:55 UTC

#PhantastikPrompts 25.9.: "Welches ist dein liebstes nichtsprachliches Kunstwerk?"
Da gibt es zu viele, als dass ich alle aufzählen könnte, ob nun Gemälde, Zeichnungen, Musikstücke oder andere. Aber um ein spezifisches Kunstwerk zu nennen, das ich schön finde: Der kleine Freund hier lächelt so nett, dass man ihn, wie ich finde, einfach mögen muss.
https://www.mkg-hamburg.de/sammlung/objekt/sphinx/1973.43/dc00126601?term=Sphinx&context=collection&position=1

2026-09-25 06:50:37 UTC

#WordWeavers 9/25: "Do illicit drugs or alcohol play a role in your story?"
Alcohol is mentioned and/or consumed by characters now and then, but does not play a major role. As for "illicit drugs", I don't believe Austasian legislation contains anything comparable to modern drug laws. However, there is one instance of a questionable painkiller (we never learn what exactly it contains) and an ample amount of strong wine consumed in combination leading to an ... interesting result.

2026-09-24 12:38:04 UTC

#WritersCoffeeClub 9/24: "Do you write primarily for yourself or for a reader?"
I write the kind of stories I would like to read, and of course, I am happy whenever other people seem to enjoy reading them, but I rarely write with a specific reader in mind, the exception being "Der Torfschuppenmord" (the title translates to "The Peat Shed Murder"). That was written for my mother, because she likes murder mysteries, and her favourite characters among my usual cast got to play important roles.

2026-09-24 05:19:31 UTC

#PennedPossibilities 1137: "Do you have an FMC, MMC, other gender MC, or more than one MC?"
It varies by story, but my recurring three MCs are one woman (Herrad) and two men (Wulfila and Ardeija).