RJBeary | Author ✍🏾📚

Thank you! That’s usually what I do, but this time I made a back up file of the previous draft before starting this one.

My goal is to cut ~10k words from Lavon’s Covenant so it’ll be under 100k. I cut ~300 from chapter one. 26 chapters to go
#writingcommunity #queerwriters #amwriting #amediting #amquerying

I'm convinced I'll never be successful at social media because I can never remember to post unless I'm writing 🤦🏾‍♀️ And based on how much I post, that should hint at how much time I spend writing. So, let me get back to it 😆

“It’s kind of like basketball,” Ivan explains, glancing at Coop for confirmation, who nods enthusiastically. “Two teams compete to score by getting the ball in each other’s goals. But with magic, the goal teleports around the court, so you have to use spells to anticipate where it’s going to be and time your plays perfectly. It’s fast, unpredictable, and intense.” Coop chimes in, turning to me with a grin, his hands full of what looks like popcorn but, as Ivan had informed me, was actually the popped bones of a sea serpent’s spine—explaining the faint green tint. “Ooh, Lavon, Telegoal is like real-life Space Jam when you add magic,” he says, nudging me, as if trying to lift the mood. “What in mortal hell is Space Jam?” Demaria asks, her tone sharp with skepticism, like she can’t decide if the concept is too ridiculous or too intriguing to ignore.

From Lavon's Covenant: For this scene, I asked myself, what's a mortal experience so ridiculous that if explained, even witches would think it was crazy? The answer: Space Jam.
💙📚 #WIPSnips #amwriting #amquerying #writingcommunity

My shoulders relax as I scan over the chemistry equations, and I settle into the familiar rhythm of organizing our supplies. My hands move on their own, separating beakers and test tubes, labeling everything neatly—mostly for Kai’s sake. He watches with his chin propped on his hand, clearly unbothered that I’ve taken the reins and am about to get very bossy. “I love it when you tell me what to do,” he says in an exaggerated, ruttish tone, batting his eyes at me. I roll mine, but when I point to the goggles and gloves and tell him to suit up, he smirks, leans closer, and murmurs just loud enough for me to hear, “Are you this forceful when telling someone to undress?” I forget myself and smirk back. “Are you trying to find out?” He places a gloved hand over his heart, pretending to swoon while dramatically wiping his goggles. “Don’t tease me, Lavon.”

From Lavon's Covenant: Lavon and Kai have ✨chemistry✨
💙📚 #WIPSnips #amwriting #amquerying #queerwriters #writingcommunity #friendstolovers 🌈📚

I didn't have positive, so here's certain.
From Lavon's Covenant: Lavon's mom is using Uncle Sterling and the amplifier as a cautionary tale. Dad...not so much.
💙📚 #WIPSnips #amwriting #amquerying #writingcommunity #bvm

So getting back to basics gave me idea for content. Idk if it helped all that much with my writing. I guess we’ll see when we start editing/revising again

For writing time today we’re going back to basics

🥰🥰🥰

Dares: Sterling was a genius! Highly accomplished in both science and magic. Me: So, why has no one heard of him? Dares: Maynard’s jealousy! Alexina: He scrubbed Sterling’s name from the witch world as much as he could. Seven: Most of the spells in the family spellbook are actually Sterling’s. Alexina: And some mainstream ones, too. Danielle: The Hush Little Baby spell that’s trending on MomWitchTok? Totally Sterling’s. Just colonized. Hanna: Lavon, I don’t know how your mom raised you without powers. When my baby cries, I just tap both eyes and her nose while singing, and she’s out like a light.

From Lavon's Covenant: Lavon seeks more information about his mysterious uncle from the Council of Cousins. #WIPSnips #amwriting #amquerying #writingcommunity #bvm 💙📚

Thank you 😊

“You know—” We both freeze when the door to the courtyard opens, and Coop’s voice rings out. “I’m sitting outside with the rest of the student body, minding my business, when I happen to glance up from my taco over at this open window—” He gestures dramatically toward the nearly floor-to-ceiling windows that line the hallway. “—and see you two engaged in magical battle!” I facepalm. Romantic entanglements really do make you stupid. “Coop, can you take care of it?” I ask, the words practically sighing themselves out of me. “I can’t stop time and force the entire school to drink an amnesia potion, Lavon,” he deadpans.

I've posted this from Lavon's Covenant before, but it's honestly so funny. #WIPSnips #amwriting #amquerying #bvm #queerwriters #writingcommunity 💙📚

Aaaand just like that I found myself back in someone’s classroom without getting to do any fun writing stuff. Unfortunately, my life is just not set up in a way where writing can be my full-time job, even if I want it bad enough

Maynard’s attention returns to me, his frown deepening into a permanent groove. “You’ll serve your time at the Correctional School for Delinquent Witches for twenty days…until your eighteenth birthday. After which, you will be transferred to a witch correctional facility to serve twenty years.” My heart pounds like a hammer against my chest. Mr. Baez’s warning not to let them see me sweat rings in my ears, but my body betrays me. A bead of sweat forms on my temple as panic overwhelms me. “And once you’ve completed your sentence,” Maynard continues with cold precision, “you’ll be released, stripped of your magic, and exiled to Kentucky.” “Kentucky?” Councilwoman Donners blurts, raising a brow. “There’s nothing magical in Kentucky,” Councilman Morris intones gravely.

I didn't have cheat, so here's ✨betray✨
From Lavon's Covenant: Mr. Baez's advice is "don't let 'em see you sweat." (this is also my formal apology to the state of Kentucky 😅)
#WIPSnips #amwriting #amquerying #bvm #writingcommunity 💙📚

I sigh. “You don’t have to say anything right now. We can drop the whole thing if you want,” I offer as I stand from the bed, letting my sheets fall from around my waist. Ivan watches me this time as I gather my clothes from the floor and redress. It’s silent for a long moment. Just me with my back to Ivan, pretending I don’t feel him watching me. “If we do this,” he starts, words weighted and slow to come, “it would be…” “Casual,” I finish for him. “Of course.” “Like stress relief,” I add. “Something to take the edge of.” “Roommates with benefits,” Ivan says as if trying out the phrase on his tongue. I grin. “I split the rent, and I’m a good lay. How lucky are you?”

💙📚 From Coop's Sidequest: And they were ✨ roommates ✨ #WIPSnips #amwriting #queerwriters #writingcommunity #enemiestolovers #roommateswithbenefits 🌈📚

From Coop's Sidequest: Magic requires focus and exercise. Mr. Baez demonstrates with a little live, laugh, love. Coop just wants his dad to stop being embarrassing 💙📚 #WIPSnips #writingcommunity #queerwriters #bvm #amwriting

So, I disappeared again 🤦🏾
Y'all, it's hard to stay consistent without structure and a schedule. When you're unemployed, looking for employment and gig jobs is your full-time job, and then I'm too exhausted for anything else.

Promoting myself makes my skin crawl, so I'll make it quick

I'm active on my tiktok now (authorrjbeary) if anyone wants to listen to me yap about writing there too

Oh this is going on the recipe list. Thank you so much for sharing!

Sweet potato brownies, you say 🤔

Promoting myself makes my skin crawl, so I'll make it quick

I'm active on my tiktok now (authorrjbeary) if anyone wants to listen to me yap about writing there too

From Lavon's Covenant: Some of Lavon's rogue magic turns into a scene from The Birds. 💙📚 #WIPSnips #amwriting #amquerying #bvm #writingcommunity #queerwriters

Helen Keller and LL Cool J were alive at the same time.

We don’t know what to do with this information, but we thought we should tell you.

From Lavon's Covenant: Kenly is a perfectly normal mortal girl. Exactly what Kai deserves. That's what Lavon thinks. No matter how he feels about Kai. 💙📚 #wipsnips #amwriting #amquerying #writingcommunity #bvm #queerwriters #friendstolovers 🌈📚

Today's wipsnip word of the day is deep, and apparently, my characters take a lot of deep breaths 🥴

I might do another edit/revision of Lavon's Covenant. That would be draft 7 or 8. I really just want to get it under 100,000 words

I didn't have yesterday, but I did have tomorrow.
From Coop's Sidequest: Coop is hurting, but he's also learning not to lash out at the people he loves. Save that for therapy 💙📚 #wipsnips #amwriting #queerwriters #enemiestolovers 🌈📚

Up at 4am after only 3 hours of sleep because anxiety I guess 🤷🏾‍♀️

I wrote 1,843 words toward Coop's Sidequest today. Total: 44,924 words.

and posted my very first tiktok 🍾 It's just yapping about Gilmore Girls but still

Exactly 😂