Rachel Reddick / RZ Nicolet

Convincing you to read my novel by the first sentence. (And share yours if you want!)

The opening of The Cloak and Its Wizard (to be coming out... probably February 2026, exact date TBD).

Gery: What would you want to do?
Serte: Maybe skydiving.
Gery: ...
Serte: Just once. And I wouldn't make you come.
Gery: Oh, good.

#WordWeavers Nov 10: MC POV: Name one thing you’ve never done but really want to.

Gery: There's an original copy of the Charter. I'd love a close look at that.
Serte: Really? That's it? You could go see that any time!
Gery: I've been busy!
Serte: ...truth.

#amwriting

Panel 1 An author in their agent's office says: "This book will be my magnum opus, the book that I was put on the planet too write, and the pinnacle my writing and your publishing careers." Panel two The agent looks over a manuscript with a neutral expression. The author continues: "Unless you don’t like it. In which case it’s just one of a number of ideas I’m playing around with."

My books cartoon for this week’s @theguardian.com

The Seekers and the Weavers are both minority religious groups. The Seekers have some influence, whereas the Weavers have a negative reputation, to the point of being called traitors at times, because they still venerate Illusion.

#WordWeavers Nov 9: Which community/group (from questions 5&7) is stronger? Why?

Depends on where you are.

In the country the story is set, Investigations has the most overt power -- but again, it's Enforcement that can actually arrest people.

#amwriting

(1) This is creepy as fuck and guarantees I will _never_ again set foot in a Target

(2) As @tnh.nielsenhayden.com points out, this sets up Target employees to be gamed up the wazoo by all kinds of bad actors

The Enchanted Greenhouse, by Sarah Beth Durst. A winged cat in the foreground looks across a snowy landscape; beyond a path through the snow is a greenhouse that promises light and warmth.

And now, the intersection of #books I've been reading and #gardening: The Enchanted Greenhouse! Absolutely delightful book, very cozy. The sentient plants are so much fun. Also a master class in how to write an enthralling plot _without_ a bad guy.

#amreading #fantasy #romantasy , I guess? 📚🪐 💙📚

...with a side of "those weirdos who follow a seven-day week."

Investigations has a rep for being good-but-nosy, between effectiveness, official impartially, and lack of arrest powers (that's Enforcement's job).

#WordWeavers Nov 8: How is the MC’s community/group perceived by the people in your world?

The Seekers, as a schism from the main religion of the Sects, have been persecuted historically for heresy. These days, though, they have something of model minority status...
#amwriting

Serte: She's technically a congregant of the Sect of Power (most folks pick one, since that sets when your days off are), and of the Mages' Guild, but her strongest affiliation is with Investigations. She's more-or-less FBI: Magic Stuff Division.

#amwriting

#WordWeavers Nov 7: What community or group does your MC belong to?

Gery: He's a member of the Seekers of the Abstract, a schismatic Sect that believes there are other High Concepts that have been forgotten (called Lost Concepts). He's also affiliated with the Retainers political party.

#amwriting

Opinions range from "They venerate the same Concepts we do, just with different emphasis and traditions" to "How you can trust anyone who venerates Illusion? They'd have sided against the revolutionaries. Traitors."

#WordWeavers Nov 6: How is the antagonist’s community/group perceived by the people in your world?

Perception of the Weavers (a minority religion in our primary country) varies widely, both geographically and from person to person.

#amwriting

When Is Your Talking Sword an AI? Is your magic talking sword an AI?  (An essay) Considering that I’ve written a book lately involving sentient objects (in which the magic sword is a minor character; the eponymous cloak i…

Also, a blog post about when a magic talking sword counts as an AI (a _real_ AI, not the LLM generative nonsense kind), mostly for my own amusement:
rznicolet.com/2025/11/05/w...

They favor the High Concepts of Truth and Illusion over the others.

He's also the most famous leader of the Rift Guardians, a secessionist group that's behind a lot of bombings and sabotage, particularly the bridges over the Rift.

#WordWeavers Nov 5: What community or group does your antagonist belong to?

To avoid spoilers, let's go with the early antagonist...

He's a Weaver, which means he's part of a minority religious group that follows the precepts of the Twice-Sworn Prophet.

#amwriting

... heavy edit vs outlining/worldbuilding.

The edit's the primary focus; the benefit of having a secondary project is that if I can get stuck, I can "take a break" on something else I want to work on.

#WordWeavers Nov 4: Are you working on one or several projects? What’s your preference?

Two at present: Fantasy democracy and let's-kill-the-gods. I (theoretically) prefer to only have one ball in the air at once, but... too many ideas. At least they're at different stages...

#amwriting

#WordWeavers Nov 3: What was your MC’s childhood like?

Gery: The quiet, bookworm childhood you'd expect for a future academic.
Serte: She tested out as a high-tier mage (~age 8), so there was early training with her dad to make sure she didn't (e.g.) accidentally blow up any lamps.

#amwriting

(In this setting, taking an Oath is the most common path to magic. Each Oath comes with strict requirements if you want to keep it.)

#WordWeavers Nov 2: Share something unusual about one of your characters’ lives.

Gery seriously considered taking the Oath of Knowledge -- to the point of learning the shorthand -- but ultimately decided he wanted too many other things out of life.

#amwriting

Well, I said that if the Mariners weren't in the World Series, I'd root for the Blue Jays... and for a close, exciting series.

Looks like I got the second half of that wish! Congrats to the Dodgers, and well-played to the Blue Jays, they were this >< close. (Extra innings Game 7, wow.)

You know, people who think baseball is boring haven’t been paying attention

Having finally gotten around to watching #Superman from 2025, I have two main reactions:

1. The folks who made this movie understood the assignment (and Superman), thanks for that, and
2. I would like a Mr. Terrific movie with Superman as a supporting character

For the book that's coming out next spring (The Cloak and Its Wizard, unrelated to the WIP above):

- Anybody who liked Doctor Strange, but thought the Cloak of Levitation was the best character
- Or would be interested in a wizard who's a fan of Star Trek

#WordWeavers Nov 1: Describe a perfect reader for your story (i.e. who is the story for?)

For the current #WIP (edit in progress):
- Anybody who's tired of all the fantasy countries being monarchies
- Or who would like a cold war era-ish thriller, but, like, with wizards

#amwriting #amediting

#WordWeavers for November, for anybody who'd like to join in: mastodon.online/@AlinaLeonov...

#WordWeavers Oct 31: What was your antagonist’s favorite childhood game?

For the two biggest antagonists:

[Redacted 1]: Truth or Dare
[Redacted 2]: Capture the Flag

#amwriting

#WordWeavers Oct 30: What sort of emotional therapy pet would your MC benefit from having?

Gery: A dog, maybe?
Serte: She's already got a pet owl. She's good. (There's a domesticated species of owl in the setting, so he's more cuddly than you might think.)

#amwriting