talesfromthebitterbeast - Tumblr blog

[talesfromthebitterbeast]

She had a perfectly wonderful life, surrounded by friends and family, and she reminded herself she was content.

The easy smiles stayed on her face, even as she could not quite shake the deep and entirely unfounded sense of loss that gripped her heart.

exclusively for Dedications members, A Single Truth is now available to read on Ko-fi!

[talesfromthebitterbeast]

Another month, another prompt fill. The last few months have seen me struggling with the prompts - not because I don't like them, because they have been so interesting! - but because the character voices have been eluding me. The first draft of this one, for example, was very much something I would never want to share. But edits turned it into something I'm okay with sharing, even if it's not one of my favourite stories.

It has, however, given me many world building ideas for Ajahta, and I look forward to expanding on that.

This month's prompt was ironically chosen by me! Be sure to check out the fills - and as per usual, I'll edit in any stories that go up after this post does.

[IMAGE TEXT: AUTHOR AVENGERS APRIL PROMPT

Everyone else is positive that the dusty, ancient tome you found on your last expedition is a long-lost spellbook, with the grimoire containing magics long thought lost to this world. You, however, are pretty sure it's just a cookbook.]

INDEX:

Aradhna Kaur (me!) - Ancient Readings

Cheers,

Ara

[talesfromthebitterbeast]

now available for everyone only on Ko-fi.

[talesfromthebitterbeast]

now available for everyone only on Ko-fi.

[talesfromthebitterbeast]

innocence dies when a good man does nothing.

exclusive for Acknowledgements members on Ko-fi, 'why didn't you do something?' is now up!

[talesfromthebitterbeast]

“Oh.” The exclamation that dropped from Hannah’s mouth was soft. Her eyes met Farah’s, the same intrigue from earlier now mingling with recognition. “That’s why you looked a little familiar.”

Farah’s lips curled up into a flirtatious smirk. “Hopefully this time I made more of an impression.” Hannah laughed, but Farah could see the hint of pink dusting her cheeks. She bit her lower lip to keep from smiling too wide in satisfaction. The taller woman’s eyes were drawn to the movement, and Farah was hard pressed to keep from preening.

an excerpt from a story i'm not writing

[talesfromthebitterbeast]

Four friends. A weekend in Vegas. And a night they can't remember.

'What Happened In Vegas' is a light, fun romp about friendship and a touch of romance. Out now on Ko-fi and other platforms!

[talesfromthebitterbeast]

(link is here, not in the bio!)

[talesfromthebitterbeast]

The prompt for this month was chosen by Josh Edmunds - it was his birthday month this time around! - and it was admittedly another one I struggled with. I had some immediate thoughts when I saw it, but none that really clicked with me.

Until I actually started writing, that is. The first draft and I were at odds, but draft two? That one clicked, and I found myself having fun with it. (And had some friends read it over which was really encouraging!)

Everyone’s got such different approaches to the prompts, but we all adore sharing our work, so do check out all the prompts and leave some love!

[IMAGE TEXT: AUTHOR AVENGERS MARCH PROMPT

You hear it before you feel it and slowly realise where it came from, a rumble so deep, so loud. In the distance, the mountain still shakes.]

INDEX:

Morris Wayts - White Noise Josh Edmunds - The Fall of Brightrock Bluff Aradhna Kaur (me!) - The Village By The Mountain

As always, any stories that go up after today will be added to the list!

Cheers,

Ara

[talesfromthebitterbeast]

the classic "are you hurt?" but the whumpee is the one saying it. slurring the words through a hoarse throat and numbed lips, their eyes are glazed and their hands are shaking, frantic at the blood soaking the caretaker's shirt and too delirious to realize it's all their own.

[talesfromthebitterbeast]

Death has been haunting my steps my whole life.

Dedications members can now read Beneath Black Wings on Ko-fi!

[talesfromthebitterbeast]

The hand that grabs her arm is familiar - and gentle - and so Diya does not pull away. She turns easily as Grant moves her, tugs her towards a corner. His eyes, when she looks up at him, look almost panicked. That is unexpected. “Grant?” Worry colours her tone.

“Don’t go,” he tells her, his hand trailing down from her elbow to her hand. He holds her lightly, as if wanting to tangle their fingers together but unsure if she will let him. She takes the decision out of his hands, turning hers so that their palms meet. Grant melts closer to her at that, closing his eyes and resting his forehead on hers. His other hand comes up to her cheek, and Diya shudders out a breath. “Stay with me,” he murmurs.

She sways up, closer to him, free hand gripping at his shirt even as she says, “I can’t.” She wants to, gods does she want to, but she also knows he’s only asking her out of some sense of responsibility. Not because he feels the same way she does, even if there’s a wretched look on his face that makes her heart twist in her chest. “It’ll be okay,” she says, she lies, she pretends her heart isn’t breaking in her chest. “I’ll be okay.”

He looks at her, and she wonders if he can see right through her to the heart breaking in her chest. Wonders if she can see the way she wishes with everything in her that he’s asking her because he loves her and not just because he’s worried for her. Diya forces a smile on her face, and Grant closes his eyes as if pained. “Will you?”

Diya swallows down her tears and squeezes his hand gently, and reminds him, “I always am.” Physically, at least, she always is. Emotionally, well, her heart’s been breaking slowly for years now, and she’s still standing.

an excerpt from a story i'm not writing

[talesfromthebitterbeast]

a love that could burn the world is nice in a story, a love you would die for is great in a book.

the Acknowledgements exclusive poem for this month, 'about love' is now available on Ko-fi.

[talesfromthebitterbeast]

This month’s prompt was chosen by the ever so encouraging and wonderful Morris Wayts - it’s his birthday month! - and my first thought when I saw it was oh no. It seemed very out of my comfort zone, and I struggled with coming up with an idea for it. I was almost ready to throw in the towel before I had an idea that I wound up writing.

So far, everybody has approached this in a different way, which I think is the fun of this exercise. Be sure to check out everybody’s pages and leave them a comment and some love!

[IMAGE TEXT: AUTHOR AVENGERS FEBRUARY PROMPT

A thousand years the obelisk had stood in the settlement’s centre. Now it is cut clean in half, as if a giant sword had been swung. Smoke swirls from the surface in black tendrils.]

INDEX: Lou Yardley - Mortvell’s Needle Morris Wayts - Pillar of Fate Kelsey Clarey - The Hatchling Aradhna Kaur (me!) - The Day Of The Obelisk

As always, any stories that go up after today will be added to the list!

Cheers,

Ara

[talesfromthebitterbeast]

Images flash through her mind, disjointed and vague. She tries to piece them together as her eyelids flutter. They make little sense, and they fade to the back of her mind as she blinks her eyes open.

wound up trying a new genre for this month's Dedications exclusive short story. 'Fractures Of Memory' is up now on Ko-fi.

[talesfromthebitterbeast]

The bag she is carrying falls to the floor when she catches sight of the man sitting at the table. It barely makes a sound, but still he looks up, perhaps at the movement, perhaps at her gaze fixed on him in absolute disbelief. His eyes widen in the same surprise she knows is on her face. “Ned,” she breathes out, and then she is moving forward. He’s out of the chair just as quickly, stepping forward, and she flings herself into his arms confident that he will catch her. He always catches her.

He laughs into her hair, a sound that catches in his throat as he holds her close. His hands are warm on her body, and she closes her eyes. “Livia.” His voice is full of wonder and disbelief. She tightens her hold on him at the sound. She can feel his heartbeat against hers, and her laughter is wet and teary as he hugs her closer. He does not seem like he is going to let her go.

It’s alright. She holds back just as strongly. She does not want to ever have to let go.

an excerpt from a story i'm not writing

[talesfromthebitterbeast]

I am currently taking commissions over on Ko-fi. You can find the full list here.

But for a brief breakdown as well:

WRITING

Prose: SGD$0.05 per word, with a minimum word count of 100 words. Maximum word count, 10k words, but negotiable.

Fiction and non-fiction applicable. I can write ranging from blog posts and articles, or original short stories and TTRPG character backstories, etc.

Poetry: SGD$0.25 per line, with a minimum of 4 lines.

I am putting together a poetry collection and have been featured in local poetry magazines, so I am capable and willing of writing on almost any subject and style. (Full disclosure, I’ve never written a haiku or limerick, but am always up for anything!)

For some insight onto my writing style, check out my blog!