#BookNerdLife

[gowerhardcastle]

Professor Gower's Games

I’m Gower, and when I’m not being a professor of medieval and Renaissance literature, I’m writing long interactive storygames published by Choice of Games.

Meet some of my characters:

Do you enjoy games where you get involved in terrible scandals, lose your money in ill-conceived wagers, go on foxhunts, solve mysteries and have a torrid affair with your servant, in an alternate 1930s where all shall be quite well in the end?

My games are light-hearted, super-branchy narratives inspired by P.G. Wodehouse's worlds of well-to-do young folks with more money than sense. My games are designed to have the reader's back no matter what choice you make.

Right now, I'm almost 3 million words deep into my fourth game.

Here's my past games:

In Tally Ho (620,000 words) you play a servant charged with the welfare of your hapless employer who has managed to tangle themself up in terrible romantic, familial, and master-servant difficulties. Play some of it for free at the above link!

In Jolly Good: Cakes and Ale (1.2 million words) you play the employer! Now, with your own servant, you can create the terrible romantic, familial, and financial, and scandalous, etc., etc., situations and let someone else clean up the mess. Or make it much, much worse. This game was the Winner of three 2020 XYZZY Awards: (Best Writing, Best Setting, Best NPCs). Play some of it for free at the above link!

I've also written a Shakespearean comedy pastiche, called A Midsummer Night's Choice. This one is much shorter and less complex.

My current game is the sequel to Jolly Good: Cakes and Ale, and is called Jolly Good: Tea and Scones. Continue the story of your Jolly Good: Cakes and Ale character, visit your ancestral manor, and deal with both your present servant and the servant who quit your employ out of sheer disgust! (I am halfway through chapter seven of eight chapters, and this work-in-progress stands at nearly three million words.)

If you like the sound of a very, very long piece of interactive fiction which is designed to be cozy, funny, and deeply responsive to your choices, check back here--and check out my Patreon for peeks at my work in progress, additional fiction, and musings on what it is like to write long-form, choice-heavy interactive fiction. Each month, you'll be able to see various lengthy tranches of my game. Swing by!

You can play a sizeable chunk of chapter one as a free demo should you care to partake, and the entire, 270k+ words chapter one for patrons.

[choiceofgames]

Meme day

[sentientsapphic]

The Time I Accidentally Came Out at Book Club

So, this is going to be one of those stories where I wish I could just pretend it didn’t happen, but unfortunately, I have zero chill, and it was just too perfect for me to ignore.

Okay, so picture this: I’m at my weekly book club meeting. It's a small, casual group of people, mostly friends and acquaintances, just chatting about whatever book we’ve all been assigned to read. We’re all sitting in a circle in someone’s living room, talking about the latest YA fantasy novel (you know, the usual).

Now, I’m not the most talkative person in the group. I usually hang back, nod along, and give my opinions when I feel like it. But this particular week? I had thoughts. (Like, really strong thoughts. Specifically about the character who was, and I quote, "unexpectedly" gay, but it was literally the entire plot twist of the book, and I was ready to talk about it.)

So, we’re all discussing the book’s “big reveal” when I get a little too passionate. Without thinking, I blurt out, “Yeah, I kind of knew the love interest was going to be gay, honestly. I mean, come on. The way he kept looking at the other guy? So obvious. I would totally fall for someone like him.”

And, you know, silence. Complete silence.

I looked around, expecting people to be nodding along or maybe just acknowledging my opinion like normal people. But no.

One of the members, Sarah, leans forward with this very confused look on her face and goes, “Wait, so you’re saying you like the character because he’s gay? That’s a weird reason to like someone...”

I just blinked at her. “No, no! That’s not what I meant—what I meant was, if I were the character, I would totally fall for him. I—uh, you know, if I were straight, which I’m not. So…"

And then it hit me. Oh no.

Aaaaand cue the awkward realization that I may or may not have accidentally come out to the entire book club.

Like, there was no going back now. My face was a full-on shade of tomato as I tried to backtrack, but my friend Lauren (who knows full well I’m gay) decided to throw some gasoline on the fire. She smiles and says, “Yeah, we know. It’s pretty obvious. She’s just trying to act like she’s not crushing on every fictional girl in these books.”

Everyone turns to look at me.

The silence that followed was so thick I could cut it with a knife. Then, finally, Sarah looks at me with wide eyes and goes, “Wait... are you actually into girls?”

I swear, time slowed down. I looked at her. Then I looked at Lauren, who was fighting to hold in her laughter.

At this point, I was like, screw it. “Yeah. Yes. I’m gay. Happy now?”

And Lauren just goes, “You’ve literally been dropping hints for months,” and everyone else just stares.

I think the best part was how everyone acted like they didn’t know what to say for the next five minutes. It was like I had told them I was secretly a time traveler from the future or something equally shocking.

Finally, Sarah just nods and says, “Well, I guess that explains why you were so into the female lead's character development."

And I, naturally, facepalm and mutter, “Yeah, I really need to stop making everything weird."

The rest of the meeting? Just an awkward mix of “Oh, cool” and “Good for you,” and me trying to pretend my face wasn’t on fire.

Moral of the story: book club is a terrible place to accidentally come out. Just stick to discussing character arcs and avoid romantic subplots unless you want to get way too honest.

[amazonbooksauthor]

Always be on success mode

[globalretrotees]

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[natti-ice]

Okay, I saw your recent post and have a writing request 🤣 a kinda sorta forbidden romance kind of story with Benedict Bridgerton. Like what I think of is Love Story by Taylor Swift. They see each other at the ball, talk, dance, fall in love, but x reader’s father is against it because Benedict has a rep around town. But they “sneak out to the gardens” to see each other at the balls and things get smutty 🤣 but then it works out in the end. sorry, was listening to this song and it popped into my head 😅

18+ mdni

Pairing: Benedict Bridgerton x fem!reader

warnings: mentions of smut, nothing graphic

oh star-crossed lovers au love it!

reblogs and comments are greatly appreciated<3

⟡ ⟡ ⟡ ⟡ ⟡ ⟡ ⟡ ⟡ ⟡ ⟡ ⟡ ⟡ ⟡ ⟡ ⟡ ⟡ ⟡ ⟡ ⟡ ⟡ ⟡ ⟡ ⟡ ⟡ ⟡

The past few weeks since you met Benedict have been a complete whirlwind, you had fallen head over heels for this man- a man with a notorious reputation for being a ladies man- but you couldn’t help it. His charm and dashing good looks won your heart within the first few moments of meeting, when he asked you to dance his smooth voice made you swoon. The two of you danced all night long until it was time for the last dance, as you went to step out to the floor your father caught your arm and pulled you away. He went on muttering things about that “no good Bridgerton boy” as you were being drug from the ballroom your eyes caught his, a confused and saddened expression played across his face before he disappeared from your view.

Days had gone by before you saw him again, this time he was at your bedroom window in the middle of the night, you scald him for being so reckless, you both knew the scandal that would ensue if he was seen. “Their gossip means nothing, you are the only thing that matters to me, my love.” Your heart melted at his words and pulled him into your room. Your mouth moved passionately against his, your hips grind against each other in perfect rhythm, hushed moans and sighs of pleasure filled your room and for the first time you felt complete.

The two of you had to find ways to see each other more often, stolen glances in the park weren’t enough to satisfy that burning need inside of you. You craved each other’s bodies like fire craved oxygen, at the last ball of the season the two of you snuck out to the gardens desperate to get away from the crowds of debutantes who only care about social status and town drama. The labyrinth of flowers became your shelter from your uptight parents, your back pressed against the cool stone of the bench as Benedict cupped your breast through your dress, his lips attached to your neck as he whispered promises against your skin. “I’m going to marry you. You shall be my bride, the mother of my children, the love of my life, i swear it.”

Thoughts of running away flooded your brain, you knew it would break your parents heart but you were too in love to care. The moans that flew from your mouth were absorbed by the shrubbery that surrounded you as he took you right there under the stars.

Tag list:

@Booknerdlife @themadhattersqueen @let-love-bleeds-red @lovelyy-moonlight @hiireadstuff @peachyiiiii

[alindseypa]

⏱️ 🐇🎩Shattered Wonderland! ->

https://a.co/d/5UKTotM

🍰

🍄Defeating the Red Queen could cost them everything.

Alicia is a legacy witch. Certain expectations fall upon her shoulders. Just as she’s accepted her fate, her grandmother gifts her with an enchanted music box that has been locked for generations. Determined to prove her power to her kin, Alicia attempts to break the enchantment. When her spell backfires, she finds herself trapped inside the music box and stumbles upon Lewis, a shapeshifter. As if things couldn’t get more complicated, he could be the answer to all her desires.

Long ago, Lewis once loved and trusted a witch known as the Red Queen until she condemned him to a music box. For years, he has tried and failed to retrieve the key to Wonderland that would allow him to escape her grasp. Then Alicia tumbles into his world. Though he wants to trust her, he’s uncertain he can, except his heart and body have other ideas. As if his emotions couldn’t get more conflicted, Alicia could be the answer to his freedom.🍄

#BrigitRosé #TheLucentChronicles #Series #bookshelf #bookrecommendations #ShareBook #lovebooks #mustread #readingtime #romance #romancebooks #TBRList #bookworm #mustreadbooks #kindle #booknerdlife #PNR #PARANORMAL #paranormalromance #romanticfantasy #fairytale #fairytaleretelling #witch

[fayes-fics]

Fic Taglist PSA

If your tumblr username is listed below, please note I can’t tag you, even though you signed up to my taglist:

@debheart

@hanji-emo-blog

@loveeverythingalsohateeverything

@katygracious

@booknerdlife

@yourmumstoy

@kiwibee05

@kati3snothere

@nevaehren

@marvelsmistress

@kokocrunch2011

@chronic-fangirl-222

So, why might this be?

If you change user/blog name, sadly it doesn’t update, so I can’t tag you anymore. The fix? Send me a message with your new username and I can update my spreadsheet. :)

If tumblr thinks you’re a bot, or you have certain settings, or you mark your blog as explicit, sadly I can’t tag you. See HERE for more info. Sadly nothing I can do to help you on this one.

Hope this helps 🧡🧡

[vangohgohboots]

I’m coming to the realization that I need pride and prejudice in the pov of Mr. Darcy or I will get violent

[jessentialreads]

🌼Have you read the retellings? 🌷These are the ones I have so far, I still need to read Once upon a dream. Up to now this is my order of best to OK 1. As Old as time 2. So this is Love 3. A Whole New World We will see where the Once upon a Dream stands and I’ll probably buy the Mulan and Hercules next. #booksbooksbooks📚#bookblogger #bookish #bookaddictions #beautifulbooks #books #authorsofig #booklover #authors #bookcommunity #bookwormforlife #booknerdlife #booklove #bibliophile #bookphotographer #bookslover #bookaholicgirl #booksofinstragram #bookreviewers #disneyretellings #disney #disneybooks #bookreviewblog https://www.instagram.com/p/CPSVuZKLfm7/?utm_medium=tumblr

[thebookdragon217]

For the last two weeks I've been participating in a series of scheduled conversations at work centered around race and policies in the workplace and how it intersects with the outside world. It isn't shocking to me that the view from those at the top is so clouded by privilege that they are blind to the fact that the marginalized people at the bottom cannot simply just separate themselves from the social injustices that are woven into every aspect of their existence. I am inspired by the voices that continue to speak up and speak truth to power. But I can't help but wonder how different these conversations would be if there was true knowledge, knowledge of self first followed by knowledge of others. The veil would be lifted and people can truly see each other. How do we learn to see others in a meaningful way? Let's start by decolonizing our shelves. What we ingest consistently becomes our frame of reference. You cannot expand your thinking, if you put your mind in a box. Reading diversely all year long: ¤ allows exploration of identity and other cultures ¤ brings visibility and validation to cultures different than our own ¤ builds community, inclusivity and unity ¤ creates opportunity to talk about current events ¤ emphasizes similarities and helps you draw connections #LatinxHeritageMonth #latinxreader #latinxbookstagram #diversereader #decolonizereading #bookdragon #readingislearning #readingislife #weneeddiversebooks #bookworm #latinxbookstagramtour #ownvoices #bibliophile #knowledgeispower #readlatinxallyearlong #latinxIG #bookishthoughts #booknerdlife (at The Shops at Atlas Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFf3v5jA5ag/?igshid=3hqqhns5w2ax

[gowerhardcastle]

This is the best tip for writing romance that I know

When you are writing a romance scene, with emotional dialogue, fraught, deeply intense stuff, have the conversation take place while something else is happening, and in fact, have the conversation be mostly about the other thing.

So when Roderick the gentleman's valet is talking to Lady Blanche, and he knows that she can't run away with him, that it would be absurd, but they are both burning for each other, he is handing her back the gloves that he cleaned for her and talking about removing the spots.

He is helping her build a house of cards on the pool table.

She is showing him her broken fan that he accidentally stepped on.

They are working together to patch the tire when something punctured it on a long car trip.

If the relationship is set up right any interaction gets infused with a thrill of sensuality and the things left unsaid are heard loud and clear by the reader. If Roderick says "I think I can fix that fan," and he touches the tear in the lace; if she builds the house of cards, and they tumble to the table uselessly; if they have to pump the air into the tire together, inflating, inflating...

Redirect the sensual and emotional energy into something else and it will show the characters saying more than they intend, and the reader will feel like a genius for understanding what's really going on here, and it will just be a deeper, hotter scene.

[choiceofgames]

New Game!

NEW GAME! "Stronghold: Caverns of Sorcery" is out now! 30% off until Feb 6th!

Deep beneath the earth, the dragon is rising! Quest into mysterious underground caverns and forests to learn magical secrets, draw strength from friends and family, secure alliances that can save your home, and carry on the heroic legacy of Stronghold!

https://www.choiceofgames.com/stronghold-caverns-of-sorcery/

Stronghold: Caverns of Sorcery is an interactive fantasy novel by Amy Griswold, where your choices control the story. It’s entirely text-based—380,000 words and hundreds of choices—without graphics or sound effects, and fueled by the vast, unstoppable power of your imagination.

You’re the grandchild of your town’s legendary heroic leader, and everyone’s always expected great things from you. So when you began to study sorcery, you intended to prove them all right—until your magical experiments disturbed a sleeping dragon in the depths of the mountain caves. Now you’ll have to discover something even more powerful if you’re going to save your town and help your family’s legacy endure for generations to come.

Delve deep into ancient caverns to find more fuel for your sorcery—along with unexpected allies and places for secure fortified camps. But there are also fragile wonders beneath the earth: will your efforts to protect your town threaten the dryads and treasures in the caverns? Learn mystic lore to strengthen your fight against the dragon—alchemy, magic, or even the knot-work enchantments of goblins and spiders—or raise an army from among your loyal townsfolk and allies. Or maybe, just maybe, you can bargain with the dragon—if you dare.

[novelnoviceya]

And just like that, May is over! 😱 How was your reading this month? . . I started the month by giving birth to my twins -- doctors literally started me on drugs to induce labor around 1am on May 1st and they were born about 27 or so hours later. 👶👶 So I didn't expect to get much reading done. But surprisingly, I finished 9 books! I've been doing almost all of my reading during my pumping sessions, and then sometimes while holding a fussy baby. 📚 My Kindle has been such a blessing, because it's the easiest way to read while juggling a baby (or two). I've got a few physical books I'd love to get to soon, but we'll see how that goes moving forward. Also, HUGE thanks to @berkleyromance for all the e-galleys of upcoming releases. . . A few of you have asked about this pillow you've seen the twins chilling on in my stories; it's the @twinzpillow_onezpillow & is easily one of the best baby purchases I've made. It's great for both breastfeeding and bottle feeding, and obviously is a great place for the babes to relax while my husband and I get things done around the house. Any new or expectant moms should note that they also make a version for single babies. 😉 . . #AllTheBooksMay20 #storiesbdaymay2020 May Wrap-Up . . #whatiread #booksiread #onmyereader #ebooks #IReadRomance #romancebookstagram #momswhoread #readingmom #twinmom #twinzpillow #mommyreads #momreads #bookstagrammom #momsofbookstagram #readinglife #mybookishlife #booknerdlife https://www.instagram.com/p/CA3bgzvA2Qb/?igshid=1tjlcgbk802yz

[whitnei-writes]

”The Quality, for instance, did not inquire on the inner workings of their ”people”. They knew our names and they knew our parents. But they did not know us, because not knowing was essential to their power. To sell a child right from under his mother, you must know that mother only in the thinnest way possible. To strip a man down, condemn him to be beaten, flayed alive, then announced with salt water, you cannot feel him the way you feel your own. You cannot see yourself in him, least your hand be stayed, and your hand must never be stayed, because the moment it is, the Tasked will see the you see them, and thus see yourself. . . . ✒️: @tanehisipcoates . . 📸: ”The Water Dancer” - p. 84 . . 🧠: The Water Dancer is filled with more beautiful prose like this. Coates is an artist and this is a beautiful book. I could honestly pull a 10 more passages that moved me as much as this and the previous post. It's clear that this book was painstakingly written and the history behind it makes it even more necessary. It's a book that classrooms need to move into the conversation. I hope English teachers are getting their printouts ready 😂😍 I do have some critiques that I plan on covering in a review for the site! . . Have you read it and what did you think? (My all-time FAVE from Coates is still Between the World & me!) . . . Have you read it and what do you think? . . #bookstagram #bookgeek #bookobsession #booknerdlife #booknerd #booknerdigans #booknerdforlife #booklover #bookworm #bookwormproblems #books #readingtime #readingchallenge #readingcommunity #amreading #amreadinghistoricalfiction #decolonizeyourbookshelf #blackgirlreads #blackbookstagram #tanehisicoates #waterdancer (at ATL) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7W1nuRBNqH/?igshid=1rj6c6lrfd76j

[shelikesthewayyoumove]

Escaping into Literary Realms! 📚✨

Step into the shoes of a literary explorer as you observe the enchantment of reading from a first-person perspective. Watch as the pages turn, revealing a universe of emotions, adventures, gis assignment help, arcgis assignment help and cipd assignment help. Let the power of storytelling ignite your imagination and take you on unforgettable journeys. 📖✨