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Deena Graves

@panicwritten

Drafting & Dreaming She/her. Flailing through life like no one’s watching. #SFF #Writer Mom of πŸ‘¦πŸ»πŸΆπŸ± πŸ’–πŸ’œπŸ’™ Easily distracted by Funko Pops & cookies πŸ¦”πŸ  https://www.quillandcup.com

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01.10.2023
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Latest posts by Deena Graves @panicwritten

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β€œHow many more?”

24.01.2026 18:15 πŸ‘ 1182 πŸ” 356 πŸ’¬ 58 πŸ“Œ 20
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Actual footage of Melania Trump last night coordinating a special assignment.

23.09.2025 23:46 πŸ‘ 123 πŸ” 20 πŸ’¬ 6 πŸ“Œ 2
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a young boy is driving a red toy car on a street . ALT: a young boy is driving a red toy car on a street .

Hanging in there! Just did my Positivity Pass for a fellow SF writer. Next up, is a First 5 and query crit!

24.04.2025 11:40 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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a man is sitting at a table with his arms crossed and looking at the camera . ALT: a man is sitting at a table with his arms crossed and looking at the camera .
23.04.2025 17:26 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Um, excuse my finest effing pardon???
What is this?
I must have.
Like, now.
Respectfully.

23.04.2025 17:06 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Ooooooooh! Okay, gotcha. Love this!!

23.04.2025 16:59 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I'm curious. Would you say you write more literary in style then?

I'm firmly commersial and don't have a literay bone in me, it seems. Explosions, ususally someone dies, banter, lots of running and fighting all a la Marvel Universe-esque.
I'm in awe of literary writers. Such lovely words!!!! πŸ₯Ή

23.04.2025 16:45 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you!!

23.04.2025 16:33 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

For real! πŸ˜† Flawless white teeth are infinitely more disturbing.

23.04.2025 16:32 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Bonus: I usually get glimpses of a scene. Usually like a still frame, sometimes a quick series of events. All random. Could come from a song, movie, a conversation, someone cutting me off in traffic.. then, boom! Idea.
Wish I remebered my dreams long enough to document them.

#CRPWizardWasps

23.04.2025 16:30 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

HS was actually inspired by Fourth Wing and my love of cult classics (Pacific Rim / Reign of Fire). Had the whole "what if" thing and wanted to know what would happen if I leaned more into a Sci-Fi world with fighter jets and cool Mech tech, but also dragons.
Et voila!

#CRPWizardWasps

23.04.2025 16:28 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
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a woman is laughing and saying `` me '' while sitting in front of a bookshelf . ALT: a woman is laughing and saying `` me '' while sitting in front of a bookshelf .

I've perished.

23.04.2025 16:20 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
snippit of a rough ad-lib scene that reads:
β€œUh, Nor?”
β€œWhat now?” I grumble as I flick through files on the holo-screen before me. We’d broken into the absurdly secured wing of R&D not ten minutes ago, and Roane immediately found the wall of weird, insisting on pointing out every oddity like we have all the time in the world.
β€œWhat the hells is this?”
β€œFor the love of…” I know that file is in here if I couldβ€” β€œYes! Got it!” Turning away from the screen as the file loads onto my mobile unit, I plant my hands on my hips. β€œWhat Lieutenant?” 
But my impatience fades and my hands fall slack once I see what has his attention.
β€œWhat the hells is that?” I ask, moving to Roane’s side with timid steps.
A single dark brow disappears behind the soft curls brushing his forehead as if to say, β€œReally?” 
Buoyed between several clear cannisters of varying sizes along the backlit wall of weird is probably the most disturbing thing I’ve ever seen. More so than the yellowed talons the length of my forearm, stained dragon molars, fragments of shimmering onyx scales, and organs all stored in preserving liquid.
I lean forward, stretching my neck, but certainly do not get too close. β€œIs that a rock?” 
β€œIt is.”
β€œAnd… teeth? Human teeth?”
β€œLooks like it.”
β€œAnd zippers?” 
β€œFor lips.” From the wide grin plastered on the Lieutenant’s face, he’s enjoying this a little too much.
β€œDid you… touch it?”
β€œFuck no.” he laughs. β€œI’ve got enough on my plate without adding an obvious curse from that thing.” His grin widens. β€œWe can bring it back for Dion. As a gift.”
β€œI’m not giving some cursed, creepy rock thing with teeth to my best friend, Roane.”
β€œYou bet your pasty ass you’re not,” says Dion over the radio earpiece. β€œAnd get the hells out of there. You got β€˜bout two minutes before we’re all court-martialed.”
I grab my mobile unit with the newly added file while Roane pouts, giving the creepy rock thing one last look. 
Then we run.

snippit of a rough ad-lib scene that reads: β€œUh, Nor?” β€œWhat now?” I grumble as I flick through files on the holo-screen before me. We’d broken into the absurdly secured wing of R&D not ten minutes ago, and Roane immediately found the wall of weird, insisting on pointing out every oddity like we have all the time in the world. β€œWhat the hells is this?” β€œFor the love of…” I know that file is in here if I couldβ€” β€œYes! Got it!” Turning away from the screen as the file loads onto my mobile unit, I plant my hands on my hips. β€œWhat Lieutenant?” But my impatience fades and my hands fall slack once I see what has his attention. β€œWhat the hells is that?” I ask, moving to Roane’s side with timid steps. A single dark brow disappears behind the soft curls brushing his forehead as if to say, β€œReally?” Buoyed between several clear cannisters of varying sizes along the backlit wall of weird is probably the most disturbing thing I’ve ever seen. More so than the yellowed talons the length of my forearm, stained dragon molars, fragments of shimmering onyx scales, and organs all stored in preserving liquid. I lean forward, stretching my neck, but certainly do not get too close. β€œIs that a rock?” β€œIt is.” β€œAnd… teeth? Human teeth?” β€œLooks like it.” β€œAnd zippers?” β€œFor lips.” From the wide grin plastered on the Lieutenant’s face, he’s enjoying this a little too much. β€œDid you… touch it?” β€œFuck no.” he laughs. β€œI’ve got enough on my plate without adding an obvious curse from that thing.” His grin widens. β€œWe can bring it back for Dion. As a gift.” β€œI’m not giving some cursed, creepy rock thing with teeth to my best friend, Roane.” β€œYou bet your pasty ass you’re not,” says Dion over the radio earpiece. β€œAnd get the hells out of there. You got β€˜bout two minutes before we’re all court-martialed.” I grab my mobile unit with the newly added file while Roane pouts, giving the creepy rock thing one last look. Then we run.

Well, isn't this the thing of nightmares. LOLLLLL

Here's my take on it. And, I may just have to keep a version of this... 😏

#CRPWizardWasps

23.04.2025 16:17 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 4 πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you for your service!!! πŸ’œ

23.04.2025 00:51 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

That would be my FMC's bestie, Dion, or her "Sister from another Mister" The gut checker, the living BS meter who will lay it out straight for my MC, even if she doesn't want to hear it. Love that about Dion. And my MC loves/hates it, too. πŸ˜† #CRPWizardWasps

22.04.2025 18:01 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

We (me, myself, and I) are totally in the figuring it out phase. As a solid, Plantser, I need to tell myself the story first with some handy gutter bumpers, and then I go back and make it make sense. LOL It is what it is.

#CampRevPit #CRPWizardWasps

22.04.2025 17:47 πŸ‘ 12 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

No feeling dumb!!! Not allowed at camp πŸ˜πŸ’œ
USAF - US Air Force
More specifically, the badass squads who fly the F-22 Raptors

21.04.2025 19:53 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0

Central time zone here. Weekends are best for me since Day Job Life and Mom Life take over the weekdays, for the most part.

21.04.2025 16:39 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Hey, y’all! Deena here (or Dee). Will likely be using my WIP (adult HTTYD x USAF x Pacific Rim) as I’m shelving the other for now. Just looking to make new writer pals and hype each other up!
#CRPWizardWasps

21.04.2025 16:36 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
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a cookie monster eating a cookie with the words nom nom nom behind him Alt: a cookie monster eating a cookie with the words nom nom nom behind him

I’m not a fan of sharing my s’mores. Just sayin.

20.04.2025 23:54 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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a cartoon character says hi in a dark room Alt: a cartoon character says hi in a dark room

MEEEEEEEEE!!!!

20.04.2025 20:46 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks! It's a nice wee bit of validation.

19.04.2025 21:30 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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a man with long hair and a beard is smiling and saying thank you . Alt: a man with long hair and a beard is smiling and saying thank you .
19.04.2025 20:21 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

May not have survived the #RevPit trenches, but finding out I'm a semi-finalist for a First Page contest is a pretty good buffer.
When one door closes, another door opens, as they say.

#KeepWriting #WritingCommunity

19.04.2025 19:33 πŸ‘ 26 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 0

The Teen walks into my office and says, β€œHey there.”
To which I respond, 🎢 β€œHey there, Delilah…” 🎢 Because I speak in lyrics & movie lines.
He looks at me like I’ve lost my mind (fair) but then tells me, β€œNo, I wouldn’t like to tell you what it’s like in New York City.”

#ParentingWin

17.04.2025 21:26 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

No matter what, this has been fun. Keep writing, keep creating, y'all! And remember this quote I saved from author, Marlon James--
"Trust your own voice...You're not gonna be lacking tough critics; you don't have to be your toughest critic. Be your most sympathetic critic."

#RevPit #RevPitWaiting

13.04.2025 12:35 πŸ‘ 15 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

1️⃣, a ✨huge✨ shout-out to @ambucsaru.bsky.social for these amazing prompts keeping us enganged and at a reasonable[?] anxiety level through this process. You're a 🌟!

2️⃣, these fab editors deserve all the boosting. I canNOT imagine the weight of their job. Kudos to you all!

#RevPit #RevPitWaiting

12.04.2025 14:01 πŸ‘ 20 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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a boy is hugging a giant cartoon character . Alt: a boy is hugging a giant cartoon character .

Thank you! Same to you!!! 🫢🏼

11.04.2025 17:15 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Honestly, I’ll probably park TSWF and put my focus fully on my WIP. I’m about 60% into HS, and I’m determined to reach The End. My original goal was to complete by EOY, but if I can get a final first draft sooner, that would be πŸ”₯

#RevPit #RevPitWaiting

11.04.2025 13:44 πŸ‘ 10 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

No worries! It the Save the Cat collection.
The original is Save the Cat by Blake Snyder generally used for screenplays, but can apply toward novels.
Then Jessica Body adapted for STC Wites a Novel and Wites a YA Novel for more bookish specific guides.
There's also a STC Workbook that's pretty cool

10.04.2025 15:49 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0