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sonya cheney

sonya cheney

writer. witch. creatrix.

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currently | january 2021

Jan 14, 2021 | Sonya Cheney

I’m sitting here at my kitchen peninsula (my new writing space for #momlife reasons) as I type, Finn upstairs napping, laundry running in the washing machine, dishes in the dishwasher, and dinner prep going in the oven. I stared at the blank screen of Scrivener to work on a new scene for my novel but after ten minutes have only managed to tear 87 words from my brain. I know exactly what the scene is, but it hasn’t finished percolating, I suppose. I can’t focus.

This morning I was struck by the possibility of resurrecting Whatsername, my personal zine, and since then it’s been one of the only things on my mind. I’ve really stepped back from the zine community, both reading and writing, in the past couple of years, and there’s a hole in my heart that zines used to fill. In considering starting back up, the possibilities feel endless, while at the same time my mind rings with the question: “What’s the point?” A lot of what I’ve been doing lately has been haunted by that thought. What’s the point of learning to watercolor? What’s the point of making all of these scrapbook albums? What’s the point of knitting myself a sweater?

What’s the point of pouring my heart out in print?

And maybe I won’t. I don’t know if I’d even want to go through the hassle of putting it online to sell. My ideal? To find a satisfying way to consolidate what Whatsername was into this blog space. On the one hand, I love writing out book reviews, craft project overviews, and miscellaneous other “blog style” posts. But I also love the heart and the word vomit of personal zines. And while my scrapbooks are becoming a place for that kind of thing, I also recognize my compulsive need to (over)share my personal writing with the greater world–even if that greater world is only, like, two people.

It’s funny; the January prompt for Book of Me from the Awesome Ladies Project is “Currently,” and I didn’t know how I would approach it. I still don’t as far as the scrapbook goes. But there’s something about the fact that currently is how I chose to approach (and title) this impromptu blog post that, if nothing else, makes me chuckle.

Things are hard right now, on the micro and macro levels. There is so much inside me aching to get out: feelings, stories, tears. Venting in “close friends” Instagram stories isn’t enough, and it isn’t productive (even if it sure as hell felt good last night). After setting intentions for the New Moon last night revolving around my writing, my finances, and my health, I think relaunching the spirit of Whatsername–in whatever form that takes–is going to be a major part of that.

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Hello there!
I’m Sonya! I like horror movies, knitting, and witchcraft.

the.inkwellghost

Hello, lovelies, and happy Monday (I hope). 🍁 P Hello, lovelies, and happy Monday (I hope). 🍁 Please njoy this forecast for the week ahead. Look at the cards in the first photo and choose which resonates with you. 🔮

Comment your choice (card 1, 2, or 3), then swipe to the second photo for the reveal and read the summary for this week below.

🍂Ten of Swords: This week, you're looking at the end of a struggle and/or pain. If you accept and allow for this ending, you can create space to feel at peace and allow a new, hopefully more positive cycle to begin. I know it's been difficult, but don't wallow for too long in this pain and defeat. Accept it, allow it to transform you for the better, and honor this experience for what it's taught you.

🍂The Devil: You're being confronted for your self-destructive habits. What unhealthy coping mechanisms are present right now, and how can you take responsibility for them and yourself? This doesn't have to be a scary or negative experience--though it can be; vulnerability and truth often are scary. By acknowledging your crutches, you take the first steps toward liberating yourself from them.

🍂Daughter (Page) of Pentacles: This is a week for working on a new project. Focus yourself and with steady effort, this project could turn into something bigger and more abundant than you originally imagined. Tap into your inner child if need be, and use that youthful enthusiasm to start manifesting  your dreams, big or small, into your reality.

Which did you get? 🔮 Tag a friend to let them know what vibes this week holds!

#weeklytarot #weeklytarotreading #consideratecattarot  #witchthings #witchstagram
some sunday memes (spooky bookish vibes version) some sunday memes (spooky bookish vibes version)
One of my least favorite questions to be asked is, One of my least favorite questions to be asked is, "What's your novel about?" No shade to anyone who's asked because I totally understand where the question comes from; I've asked it myself once or twice of writer friends. The trouble is simply that it can be hard to summarize such a large project, especially in the earlier stages, when asked.

The solution? This handy little graphic! It includes my Save the Cat-inspired log line to quickly summarize the story. I expect it'll change over time (in fact, it already has in a couple of ways), but I think it'll still prove useful--and hopefully get some of you excited for the book. 🧡

#writercoven #horrorwriter #writermom #authormom #authorlove
I'm about 15,000 words behind on my 30 day novel, I'm about 15,000 words behind on my 30 day novel, and after a bit of reprimanding myself for slacking, I realized it's okay.

November is a ridiculous month to write an entire novel. I don't have to push through and I don't have to overwork myself to earn breaks.

I'm only "behind" because I'm taking time for other things I love. There's a reason I include both "writer" and "creatrix" in my profile; I have so many hobbies and projects at all times. I'm not novelling, but I am knitting and working on other writing. I'm going to the gym again--I love the gym!

And, to be honest, I'm not sure I love my novel all that much anymore. It's not quite doing what I hoped, and I think taking a step back to regroup and decide how to proceed is a much needed part of crafting this book.

It's all a process, and the book will be done when it's time to finish.

#writerinspiration #writermom #multipotentialite #writercoven
A weekend away means spending as much time with th A weekend away means spending as much time with this guy upon returning. He's soaking up all the love he possibly can.

#gimlithebassethound #bassethounddog #bassetlover
"I wish that I could bake a cake made out of rainb "I wish that I could bake a cake made out of rainbows and smiles and we'd all eat it and be happy..."

Yes. It's stupid and naive and a pop culture quote. But it best encapsulates how I feel, all the time. I just want people, everyone, to be nice and to be safe and to be okay.

I don't speak much on what's happening because it's...a lot. And I love my friends who have opposing views and I don't want to hurt my friends and they all make good points and it so often feels like I need to be an expert on every single detail to say anything without hurting people I care about--even though what it comes down to is that I don't want anyone to die. That's a simple, uncontroversial view, right?

I don't know.

image via @iamjoelleon by way of @nourishednatasha
In high school, I had an image of myself being a c In high school, I had an image of myself being a cool literary writer. A poet. An authoress. An intellectual. I wanted to be known and read and admired.

These days, I just want to write. My goals can be summed up in three simple ideas:
🖋 to live sustainably off my writing
🖋 to do so without too much burnout (it's inevitable, so I'm trying to temper it)
🖋 and the one that's still relevant to my high school self, to have my books stocked in my local bookstore

I don't really care if my writing makes it into the large bookstores. I'd be rather content with it on KDP, even if I don't love, eh-hem, that particular website.

I just want to write what I love and put it out into the world and see what happens.

#writerwednesday #writercoven #writerinspiration #horrorwriters
manic meme dump 🤡 "i'm gripped with nihilism" e manic meme dump 🤡 "i'm gripped with nihilism" edition
I haven't been in the best headspace this week, an I haven't been in the best headspace this week, and that's made it so hard to write.

I don't want to "lose" NaNoWriMo, but it's beginning to look more and more like that's going to be the case if I don't have some big push. We're only halfway through the month, so it's not impossible, but it feels hard--because it is. Writing a book is hard. Doing it in 30 days is even harder. I'm just trying to be soft with myself. All I want is to listen to podcasts and knit on this simple sweater, so for now, that's what I'm going to let myself do.

How do you be gentle with yourself?

#knitwitch #writercoven #nanowrimo2023 #writermom
I just...have a lot of books, okay? It's a miracle I just...have a lot of books, okay? It's a miracle they aren't in any places stranger than this. (Which is only because I vastly overfill the "normal" places.) 📚 And no, of course I haven't read them all.

What's the weirdest place you've noticed yourself storing a book? Lmk in the comments 👇

#readingcoven #bookposts #bookishcoven #cozyhouse #cosyreading
Hello, lovelies, and I hope you had a good weekend Hello, lovelies, and I hope you had a good weekend. 🍁 Please njoy this forecast for the week ahead. Look at the cards in the first photo and choose which resonates with you. 🔮

Comment your choice (card 1, 2, or 3), then swipe to the second photo for the reveal and read the summary for this week below.

🍂Five of Swords: This week is about conflict. There may be one coming, but it also may just be a reminder to know when it's time to walk away. You need to decide what's more important: being right or your relationship. If there's conflict or argument in a relationship you value, maybe let it go. You need to take the time to reflect on that.

🍂The Hermit: It's time to take solace in your solitude. Don't let others take too much of your time and energy this week; instead, find the time to be alone and let yourself recharge. Reflect on your own inner wisdom and how it's important to you this week. Is there a situation that requires taking time alone to truly hear yourself?

🍂King of Cups: Be the King of Cups this week. Take confidence in your capacity for empathy and emotional stability. This is a King who knows and upholds his boundaries, and you need to do the same this week. Don't let others tell you how you feel or how you should feel; trust in your own emotional intelligence.

Which did you get? 🔮 Tag a friend to let them know what vibes this week holds!

#weeklytarot #weeklytarotreading #modernwitchtarot  #witchthings #witchstagram
week of 11.5-11.11 photo dump week of 11.5-11.11 photo dump
I could answer this in a lot of ways. "They're al I could answer this in a lot of ways.

"They're all my favorite."
"The one I'm currently working through."

But I think, I suppose, if I had to pick just one, it's outlining. It's like a puzzle or a mystery to me, and even though I don't always have the patience for mysteries, I do love them so much. I love the way they make my brain work. (It's similar to why I enjoy Magic the Gathering, actually.) 🌱

This time around I've been outlining as I go, tightening up each act along the way, and it's really cool to see how everything works when plans change. It's also a good reason not to plan start to finish: something will inevitably change.

If you're a writer, what's your favorite part? If you're not, what do you think would be?

#writercoven #writermom #nanowrimo2023 #writingprocess
OH. MY. GOODNESS. Today has been a roller coaster OH. MY. GOODNESS.

Today has been a roller coaster. I eventually threw a tantrum. Now I'm sitting down for some sweater stitches 🧶 and a book 📚 and taking my mind OFF of NaNoWriMo. Maybe for the day, maybe not. We'll see how I feel tonight. 

What do you do when your plans go awry and you have to adjust? Do you meltdown like I did or do you manage to flow with it? (Which I also do sometimes. Just not this time.)

#cosyaesthetic #readingcoven #knittherapy #cottagewitch
Y'ALL. I am OBSESSED with this series right now. I Y'ALL. I am OBSESSED with this series right now. I devoured the first book in about 24 hours, and I'll likely start the second one later today. @authorkatiewismer is an absolute inspiration to me as I work through nanowrimo this year, and I'm so happy to immerse myself in her world right now. It feels fresh to me, and I'm loving that.

#currentlyreading #themarionettes #bookishcoven #cozyspaces
Other interests include Thai food, feminist prose, Other interests include Thai food, feminist prose, and angry girl music of the indie rock persuasion. Also, Green Day, zines, and Magic: The Gathering. 

Introduce yourself in the comments with some things that you love!

#witchstagram #horrorwriter #writermom #writercoven
Hello, friends! 💚 Sunday again! Enjoy this fore Hello, friends! 💚 Sunday again! Enjoy this forecast for the week ahead. Look at the cards in the first photo and choose which resonates with you. 🔮

Comment your choice (card 1, 2, or 3), then swipe to the second photo for the reveal and read the summary for this week below.

🍂Page of Wands: Take this week to tap into your creativity. You've got the freedom to explore to your heart's content--try a new hobby, try an old hobby in a new way. Get out of your creative comfort zone and see what you can make of the energy. If you've already started a project or you're on the cusp of one, this is the week to work on it; your passion is going to be palpable, so focus that energy.

🍂Seven of Swords: This is often a card of secrecy and deception, but that doesn't mean that someone is keeping things from you. Maybe you're not being honest with yourself or others around you. Take the time to reflect on your actions. Perhaps you even need to be more discrete for a time in order to achieve a goal by alternative means. 

🍂The Empress: All I can think when this card comes up is, "Treat yo self!" But this doesn't have to mean spending money on yourself. Take a nap. Read a book. This is a card of nurturing and care. Even if you're not a mom (and maybe you don't want to be!), my advice is to get into "mom mode" for yourself or someone else this week.

Which did you get? 🔮 Tag a friend to let them know what vibes this week holds!

#weeklytarot #weeklytarotreading #modernwitchtarot  #witchthings #witchstagram
photo dump week of 10.29-11.4 spooky writer editio photo dump week of 10.29-11.4 spooky writer edition
I decided to grab some tarot/oracle decks from my I decided to grab some tarot/oracle decks from my collection to use while writing my NaNoWriMo project, and these are the three that felt the most fitting and reflective of what I'm going for.

The Horror Tarot because, well, I'm writing a horror novel. 👹

The Believe in Your Own Magic oracle deck because my FMC really...needs to do that. 🔮

And the Anima Mundi tarot deck to go with that cozy, cottage/gothic vibe I'm also trying to evoke. 🕸

I love using tarot and oracle decks when I'm writing and trying to figure out where the story is going. If you want to give it a try but don't know where to start, check out the free Story Spark worksheet at the 🔗 in my b i o.

#writercoven #horrorwritersofinstagram #witchstagram #tarotcards #writerinspiration
And yes, the TV is usually on. 😬 Oops? What's And yes, the TV is usually on. 😬 Oops? 

What's your not-so-secret writer shame? (Honestly I have many. This is but one on a long list.) 

Let me know in the comments!

#writercoven #writermom #nanowrimo2023 #horrorwritersofinstagram
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