Autistic queer nerd. 🏳️‍🌈 Physicist turned biochemist by day and writer of silly stories by... well, also day because I need my sleep. I also like penguins, food, and cats. Writing blog at https://loopylouwrites.wordpress.comhttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3mtsm2ffbg22cI'm currently reading (and loving) "Chef's Kiss" by TJ Alexander. For my subgenre, some of my favourite cosy fantasy romances are by TJ Klune (e.g. House in the Cerulean Sea, Under the Whispering Door). So I guess what I'm saying is folk with the initials "TJ" write good queer romances. #SumLuv [contains quote post or other embedded content]24 Aug 2026 05:46 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtsm2ffbg22chttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3mtpyqeixuc2pPerhaps inspired by events this morning, one way to describe it is that Sarah is the one that spots the spider, and Raven is the one that deals with it, but together they get the job done. #SumLuv [contains quote post or other embedded content]23 Aug 2026 04:55 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtpyqeixuc2phttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3mtosagodsk2rLatest gluten-free vegan baking experiment: jam filled cupcakes topped with coconut. Was touch and go watching them bake but turned out alright in the end.22 Aug 2026 17:26 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtosagodsk2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3mtnj3xzw322wGetting past the mental block of seeing them as perfect together (and being in a very happy relationship myself), probably? I think I'd be a better fit with Raven than with Sarah as two overly anxious people prone to panic and imposter syndrome could easily work each other up. (1/2) #SumLuv [contains quote post or other embedded content]22 Aug 2026 05:10 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtnj3xzw322whttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3mtlosxas2c22Editing a kiss scene in my WiP and realising I'm doing very odd things with my mouth as I try to picture and figure out how to describe things. Good job I'm at home rather than in a café, I suppose 😅21 Aug 2026 11:47 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtlosxas2c22https://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3mtl346dng22x"I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun" is definitely a vibe for both Sarah and Raven, so it's difficult to pinpoint exactly, but I'd say they're both falling simultaneously, but both resist the feelings for various reasons, meaning there's plenty of pining. (1/2) #SumLuv [contains quote post or other embedded content]21 Aug 2026 05:54 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtl346dng22xhttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3mtiurkixts2jThis snip is from my steamiest scene. Sarah's preparing for The Witch Trials. To alleviate some stress, Raven suggests a run. Sarah suggests that sharing a shower after might alleviate even stress. This takes place as they enter the bathroom away from nosy familiars. #SumLuv [contains quote post or other embedded content]20 Aug 2026 08:55 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtiurkixts2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3mtfxqj3wis2hI think everyone would get along for the most part, though some of the "real" people wouldn't believe in magic, dismissing it as a scam. That would irritate Raven, but she's very good at hiding her feelings when needed. It would amuse Sarah because she thought the same until very recently. #SumLuv [contains quote post or other embedded content]19 Aug 2026 05:10 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtfxqj3wis2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3mtdkcecgus2kHmmm, my original plan was for Sarah and Raven to get together at around the midpoint in the story, hitting a "darkest hour" sort of vibe after that with Sarah having to go back full-time, RTO to her old job or lose it. (1/3) #SumLuv [contains quote post or other embedded content]18 Aug 2026 06:04 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtdkcecgus2khttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3mtbbwhqls22jOh to be a cat17 Aug 2026 08:29 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtbbwhqls22jhttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3mtaww4ahlc2qOoh, this is very relevant to my WiP. While Raven and Sarah are similar ages, Raven was raised as a witch. She's lived in this world her whole life, while Sarah grew up thinking magic was just a story. At first, this makes Raven judgmental and dismissive, and makes Sarah jealous. (1/?) #SumLuv [contains quote post or other embedded content]17 Aug 2026 05:12 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtaww4ahlc2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3mt7i5aqlls2cI love competitive chemistry. Masks drop and true selves come out, trying to impress each other without having to admit why they're so desperate to impress. This snip is one such moment when Raven has insisted Sarah needs to recharge from all her magic lessons with a fun game of football. #SumLuv [contains quote post or other embedded content]16 Aug 2026 15:15 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mt7i5aqlls2chttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3mt6ilkyqv22sWithout downloading any new pics, where are you at mentally? [contains quote post or other embedded content]16 Aug 2026 05:50 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mt6ilkyqv22shttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3msznne75u227When Sarah inherits her grandmother’s cottage, becoming the local witch, she has no idea what she’s doing until Raven arrives to show her the ropes. As she's drawn into this world of magic, she's equally drawn to her teacher. But which of them really deserves this job? #SumLuv [contains quote post or other embedded content]14 Aug 2026 07:38 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3msznne75u227https://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3msxxgbnqvc2bWrote an alternate version of one of my opening scenes of my WiP for a prompt as a fun exercise (not properly edited, so excuse the writing). It's fun playing with the characters and the world away from the pressure of the novel: https://loopylouwrites.wordpress.com/2026/08/13/some-strings-attached/13 Aug 2026 15:27 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3msxxgbnqvc2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3msx25hwqd22dIn my WiP, Raven stops things in their tracks after the first kiss. She claims it's because she was sent there to teach Sarah witchcraft, and doesn't want to complicate that relationship. #SumLuv (1/?) [contains quote post or other embedded content]13 Aug 2026 06:43 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3msx25hwqd22dhttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3msvydziid22tNew genders dropped. [contains quote post or other embedded content]12 Aug 2026 20:39 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3msvydziid22thttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3msvbfestkk2aJust finished my ARC of "The Chosen One Con" by @trudieskies.readindiefantasy.com and would definitely recommend getting a copy when it's out (full review on Storygraph https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/fdaac91a-8db5-4d6e-8d11-59b3c5fa2f24) but also, was that a sneaky "Inheritance" series Easter egg reference I spotted in there?12 Aug 2026 13:48 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3msvbfestkk2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3msug3jtcus2lInitially, my characters are kind of forced into proximity. Raven is sent to teach Sarah how to be a witch after she inherits her grandmother's cottage and the job that comes with it, living in the cottage with Sarah, helping fulfill the role of local witch while Sarah learns. (1/?) #SumLuv [contains quote post or other embedded content]12 Aug 2026 05:39 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3msug3jtcus2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3mss2loypks2dDuolingo today teaching me some sort of jedi mind trick for acquiring more books.11 Aug 2026 07:08 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mss2loypks2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3msruyryt3c2hMy WiP is very much a "Lemon & Herb" on the Nandos scale, or a "Korma" if we want to go curries. A pleasant, slight tingle on the tongue, with a gentle warning sensation spreading through you as you consume more. #SumLuv [contains quote post or other embedded content]11 Aug 2026 05:28 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3msruyryt3c2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3msqrybsqsc2hThat moment when your cat is super interested in something at the foot of your bed, only to bap it and a huge spider crawls out 😬 Thanks for keeping us spider free, Clio! Needless to say I will now be thoroughly checking the sheets every time I want to get in the bed.10 Aug 2026 19:01 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3msqrybsqsc2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3mspleqh6yc2pCalliope and Thalia have definitely seen something, but refuse to tell me what.10 Aug 2026 07:30 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mspleqh6yc2phttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3mspepfhwrc2pClosest I have is a scene when Sarah and Raven are still bonding as friends where they dance around the kitchen while singing "Season of the Witch" (making up their own words if they can't remember). It's probably the first moment that Sarah sees Raven properly let her guard down. #SumLuv [contains quote post or other embedded content]10 Aug 2026 05:31 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mspepfhwrc2phttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3msnkbzhmdk2fTime for a rare vane moment. I'm normally not that keen on my body for many reasons, but I have to admit that I like how my right arm looks in this pic from the York 10k. Okay. Vanity for the year done. Regularly scheduled complaining about my body will now resume.09 Aug 2026 12:06 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3msnkbzhmdk2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3msmz4jaysc2dHmmm, I suppose if my WiP wasn't a fantasy and was reality fiction, there wouldn't be real witchcraft, which would mean that Sarah could be having a breakdown and hallucinating (in which case maybe Raven would be a carer of some kind). Either that or they're both scam artists. (1/?) #SumLuv [contains quote post or other embedded content]09 Aug 2026 06:58 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3msmz4jaysc2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3mskegh62wc2aI'm writing a cosy fantasy romance, set in the modern world, just with the addition of a little magic. I enjoy the escapism of it, and the fun of the fantastical elements. And I always like the warm hug of cosy fiction. (1/2) #SumLuv [contains quote post or other embedded content]08 Aug 2026 05:43 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mskegh62wc2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3mshtxwz4vk2aOoh, this one is tricky. I think because I only returned to reading romance recently I haven't really figured it out yet. I think I like Enemies to Lovers and Grumpy/Sunshine. And I like when everyone sees it but the MC, but I don't know what that's called. #SumLuv [contains quote post or other embedded content]07 Aug 2026 05:43 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mshtxwz4vk2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3msftca2dzc2iMaking a 2nd attempt at a vegan, gluten free cake today, following this recipe https://healthylivingjames.co.uk/gluten-free-victoria-sponge/ The struggle of finding recipes that don't specify an exact brand of flour you can only import from the US or everything will fall apart. https://healthylivingjames.co.uk/gluten-free-victoria-sponge/comment-page-1/#wprm-recipe-container-2312106 Aug 2026 10:25 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3msftca2dzc2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/loopylouwrites.bsky.social/post/3msffeleiks2wMy WiP is set in a (somewhat fictionalised) version of Naburn, a small village just off the river near York, with the primary location being Nidd Cottage, an old, cozy cottage with a wonderfully overgrown garden (and the home of the local witch). (1/2) #SumLuv [contains quote post or other embedded content]06 Aug 2026 06:16 +0000at://did:plc:c4avyfztsqrmfekrtgiho7xs/app.bsky.feed.post/3msffeleiks2w