Diane Youngblood

Damn. Some of the Phoenix-area residents really get into the light displays.

partially decorated Yule tree - multicolored lights, blue and silver balls, a blue tree skirt, and topped with a vine-wrapped pentagram. In the background is a pawprint stocking hanging from a candle sconce.

It's getting there ... will do more tomorrow.

The Pythian Games were soon to begin, and the polis and Sanctuary were filled with visitors from every corner of Hellas. The athletes, of course, had been lucky enough to receive the best accommodations, for they were required to be present a full month prior to the Games, and train for that month at the gymnasion and palaestra. Initially this was to ensure there was no cheating, but over time most athletes and trainers discovered it also ensured they had the best rooms, food, and services before the crowds arrived. And, in many cases, they had the training facilities all to themselves.

List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for December. Today's is: Saturday Snippet Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social

Day 6 of #FantasyIndiesDecember

Another unedited snippet from Book 7 of my Oracle of Delphi series WIP.

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Sending all the best juju for you!

A Yule tree with only shades of blue lights on it - for now.

And so it begins ...

I've lived in AZ since 1994 and I never knew I could see (and pet!) reindeer here. 😍

One of my all-time favorites!

List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for December. Today's is: Free Friday or holiday/wintery movies or tv shows Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social

Day 5 of #FantasyIndiesDecember

Free Friday: this week I added 7664 words to Book 7 of my Oracle of Delphi series WIP. Still planning (hoping!) to finish Book 7 by the end of this month - lots yet to cover (Sulla, Mithridates, Julius Caesar).

Happy Friday! 🎉

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Woot! I got Book 6 done on my Oracle of Delphi series WIP - and I'm hoping to have Book 7 done by the end of the month. 🎉

That it would! 🤣

List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for December. Today's is: Holiday recipes Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social

Day 4 of #FantasyIndiesDecember

Sorry, I got nothin' for this. I don't have a single special recipe for any holidays.

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A tan Pomeranian dog is snuggled on top of a beige plaid blanket on top of a couch. She has her eyes closed and her paws extended. Behind her is a bright blue wall. In front of her is a desk with a fidget toy on it. To the right is part of a door painted black.

My little writing buddy. 💙

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Oh man, same here.

List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for December. Today's is: Holiday/wintery book recs Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social

Day 3 of #FantasyIndiesDecember

Sorry, I got nothin' for this. I don't do specifically holiday or wintery books.

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Spellcheck wanted to change Antipatrus of Eleuthernai to Antipastos and I just laughed so hard I scared the dogs.

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Sammy wtf

List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for December. Today's is: Holidays in WIP Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social

Day 2 of #FantasyIndiesDecember

The calendar of ancient Delphi was full of festivals and holidays (as in holy days). I've included several in my Oracle of Delphi series WIP. Each required animal sacrifices, feasts, singing, and dancing. Some even had athletic contests.

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A small in-ground garden with carrots, beets, and squash growing.

Our garden is doing great right now, with daytime temps around 75 F and nighttime temps about 45 F - with plenty of sunshine. Arizona December gardening! (Carrots, beets, and squash.) 🌱

List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for December. Today's is: Introduce yourself & WIP Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social

Day 1 of #FantasyIndiesDecember

Hi again, I'm Diane and currently (STILL!) working on an 8-book historical fantasy series about the Oracle of Delphi. I'm just finishing up Book 7 and getting ready to start outlining Book 8.

Happy December! 🎉

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Thank you so much Coe! In a few months the "real" fun starts: finding an editor, cover artist, map maker, and asking other authors about important stuff like ARCs. 😬

Maybe next weekend ... 🤣

Sea glass is awesome! I have yet to take pics of my rock collection. I need to dust the display case first. LOL

I'm still working on that! Right now they're kept in zipper-top plastic bags and out of direct sunlight. I still have to figure out how to display them.

List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for November. Today's is: Monthly Wrap-up Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social

Day 30 of #FantasyIndiesNovember

Wrap up for this month:

🖊️ I added 10K words to Book 7 of my Oracle of Delphi series WIP. Total WC for the series is now 712,968.

📖 I read 12 books, none were indie unfortunately, and half were research for my WIP.

Onward to December! 🎉

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Pythia Antiope carefully walked on the path through the Sanctuary, but when she noticed a new inscription had been put up by the Amphiktyons, she stepped closer and squinted at it. "… to the people of Athens, who are at the origin of everything that is good in humanity, and who brought mankind up from a bestial existence to a state of civilization …" Antiope shook her head. What nonsense. She continued on her way, and had already forgotten about the inscription.

List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for November. Today's is: Saturday Snippet Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social

Day 29 of #FantasyIndiesNovember

Another unedited snippet from Book 7 of my Oracle of Delphi series WIP. Here, the Pythia has reached an advanced age and reads an inscription from about 125 BCE. (catchup)

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I want the Yule decorations up but I don't want to put them up.

Sigh.

💙

Same here.

With horrans!

That's a coo!