Margaret Torres (she/her)

Just registered for @chicagonorthrw.bsky.social's Spring Fling romance writing conference! Who else is going??
👀👀

#amwriting #amquerying

a man is doing exercises on a pilates machine in a gym ALT: a man is doing exercises on a pilates machine in a gym

Just signed up for a trial pilates class this week. Think I'm going to survive??

I love the "warning label" jokes these two trade in my contemp. romance, LOVE ON SITE! 🔥🔥🔥

#WIPSnips #amquerying

#WIPSnips from LOVE ON SITE

✨Forbidden workplace romance + women's sexual health✨

It was just one of those moments where I realized how a plot thread would tie in better to the main story idea. It's so exciting when things click!

a woman in a gray sweater is standing in front of a display of makeup . ALT: a woman in a gray sweater is standing in front of a display of makeup .

THE WAY THIS NEW ROMANCE IDEA HIT ME LIKE LIGHTNING #amwriting

a man and a woman are kissing each other ALT: a man and a woman are kissing each other

My favorite thing about writing/reading #romance is that it's ✨defiantly joyful✨

We celebrate sexuality, kink, non-toxic masculinity, healing, healthy relationships, etc., AND make 💰 for publishing...all while being mocked & called "lady porn."

Other genres WISH they could. #writingcommunity

a close up of a person 's face with the word sequence written on the bottom ALT: a close up of a person 's face with the word sequence written on the bottom

Did I just buy tickets to see all 4 BTS Movie Weeks in theaters? 😊😊😊

a man and a woman are holding hands and walking in a park . ALT: a man and a woman are holding hands and walking in a park .

Do you guys remember when Tessa Bailey got us all hooked on that Turkish romcom? Just me???

This is so cool!

We read books by LGBTQ+ authors before. We will read books by LGBTQ+ authors now. We will read books by LGBTQ+ authors tomorrow. Literature is for and by everyone.

I just leave my coffee cup & a notebook in the spot and take everything else to the bathroom. I'm also in STL...maybe in bigger cities this wouldn't work?

a person wearing a hat that says hds ALT: a person wearing a hat that says hds

I'm convinced Instacart shoppers kick apples all the way to the checkout line Ace Ventura style...

Personally, I leave all queries open unless I want to query another at the agency. I've only nudged on 1 & closed 1 out of 100+.

Did they respond w/ a specific timeline? Or does their website have a general timeline?

Most agents are a "no response = pass" these days, so if they have that policy, I wouldn't nudge at all.

a woman is talking on a phone and the words i 'm networking are above her ALT: a woman is talking on a phone and the words i 'm networking are above her

I love the idea of networking as an author. What are your favorite ways of doing it online?

(Most of my writing friends are from writing retreats)

#amquerying #amwriting #writingcommunity

a woman in a denim jacket has the word do tell in front of her ALT: a woman in a denim jacket has the word do tell in front of her

Writers, what's your process for choosing the next story?

(Unhinged practices welcome!)

#amquerying #amwriting #WritingCommunity

a woman is smiling and asking for a friend in a video . ALT: a woman is smiling and asking for a friend in a video .

I'm curious...how likely do we ACTUALLY think it is that an agent would offer representation 6+ months after you submit the full?

It almost seems like the requisite connection & enthusiasm would come quickly or not at all...👀👀👀
#amquerying #askagents #writingcommunity

I am at this place too! I still have some fulls out, and additional agents could open eventually, but for the most part I'm at the end of the runway. It's really hard!

A menu for Songs of Broken Bells SONGS OF BROKEN BELLS AMUSE The awakening of a hungry, living flame. STARTER Searching for a way to extinguish the flame. Tasting notes of trauma and hidden motives. MAIN Learning to tame the flame and cohabitate with it. Side quest of meeting a forest spirit and a crisis of faith. DESSERT "We must decide our own fate. The gods have nothing left to offer me." DIGESTIF All Things End - Hozier

I hope you like your meals with a side of trauma.

#UnhingedPit #F #A #WIP #LGBTQ

Image with a Southern house in the background. On the left are Hagrid from Harry Potter, Loki from the Marvel movies, and Donald Duck with a speech bubble reading, "You have to live here with us because our boss shoved some of his magic in you and we can't get it out." On the right is Sophie from Howl's Moving Castle in a ballet tutu with a speech bubble reading, "I hate you." In the upper right corner is a split headshot of Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde with an arrow pointing to it labeled "Boss." In the center is an award badge reading, "Killer Nashville Claymore Finalist."

WAKE, starring:

FMC: "Never Not Gonna Dance Again" by Pink

Love Interest: "Dancing with Your Shadows" by Phillip Phillips

Foil: "Smooth Criminal" by Michael Jackson

Mentor: "Demons" by Imagine Dragons

Antagonist: "Raining Blood" by Slayer

#unhingedpit #Q #YA #F #M #R #FR

The therapist twist is delicious!

YELLOW PERILS (again)

TRUE DETECTIVE x GOOD OMENS x HANNIBAL x Buddhist/Christian myth

Supernatural crime procedural in London. 2 cops who can't stand each other. But one cop is a British exorcist and the other is a HKer demon. The killer is their therapist.

#UnhingedPit #H #W #booksky #writesky

a baby is standing in a room with his arms outstretched and wearing a space racer shirt . Alt: A baby in a black t-shirt and gray pants running into the room and then turning around and noping right back out.

TFW you hear that there is a prophecy about a chosen one who must save the world from a nefarious evildoer, only to find out the prophecy says you're the nefarious evildoer
#unhingedpit #a #f #WIP

Image of a shirtless man wearing handcuffs.

Federal Charge: Obstruction of Correspondence

The accused, Callen Moore, unlawfully (& unknowingly) opened his neighbor’s mail, which contained personal pleasure devices. As restitution, he offers his six-pack abs, unwavering professional support, and weekly sex-ploration.

#A #R #Q #UnhingedPit

The Vince McMahon escalation meme about romantasy WIP about

#unhingedpit #f #r #wip #writingcommunity

Ok so maybe the whole "magical girl" thing isn't ~THAT~ terrible

A travel poster advertising Bradbury Manor, the location of THE LAST HEIR OF BRADBURY MANOR. Go figure. What's in there? 🖤 Manor With a Mind 📖 Cryptic Diary 💀 Generational Blood Curse 🕯 Gaslight, Gatekeep, Ghosts 🏚 Slow-burn 🖋 Arranged? Lovers? Ghostly Trauma Bonding? 🔥 If the House Doesn’t Kill You, Love Might 🕰 1919 but Make It Haunted ⚰ Who Needs a Dowry When You Have a Death Curse?

Why not get away from it all?

#UnhingedPit #H #A #Q #Spec #Gothic #Ghosts #ParanormalRomance #GenerationalCurses #SpookyShit #TravelUK #LiteralDeath #DeadFamily #Gaslight #CrypticDiary #Slow-Burn #GothicHorror #Historical #ArrangedMarriage #ForbiddenLove #CheapTrips #AmQuerying #WritingCommunity

Taylor Swift looking at a trash can with the caption "look, it's a man!"

Taylor Swift dressed as Bob the Builder saying "I can fix him no really I can"

Taylor swift in a maroon sweater looking anxious with the caption "when you start to like the guy you know you shouldn't be liking"

Taylor Swift screaming "I am calm!"

My memoir AM I THE PROBLEM as Taylor Swift memes:

#UnhingedPit #Q #NF

They definitely are!

Aw, thank you!!