Squills 12/1/25

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Mon Dec 01, 2025 8:54 am

SquillsBot says... · Mon Dec 01, 2025 8:54 am

Welcome to Squills, the official news bulletin of the Young Writers Society!

What will you find here? Tons of interesting news about YWS, including but not limited to: articles about writing, art, and the world of humanities; interviews with YWS members; shameless plugs; link round-ups; and opinionated columns. And where will all of this come from? Take a look at our fantastic creative staff!

If you have feedback on this edition of Squills we'd love to hear your thoughts over at the Squills Fan Club .

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Mon Dec 01, 2025 8:55 am

SquillsBot says... · Mon Dec 01, 2025 8:55 am

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. FEATURED MEMBER INTERVIEW: ALEXWRITES
2. FEATURED MEMBER INTERVIEW: THEREBEL2007
3. SHAMELESS PLUGS
4. SUBSCRIBERS

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Mon Dec 01, 2025 8:58 am

SquillsBot says... · Mon Dec 01, 2025 8:58 am

FEATURED MEMBER INTERVIEW: ALEXWRITES

written by Liminality< PM: >

This FM joined us in July and quickly made a splash with his Team Tortoise participation. He won victory gold in this year's Review Month and is an encouraging and motivating presence. You might know him for his poetry, or for his GIF avatars. That's right, @AlexWrites is the subject of today's interview! Read on below for our chat about becoming FM and his favourite YWS moments.

Squills: Hi there Alex! Lim here, reporting for Squills - the YWS Newsletter. We run a column where we interview Featured Members. Would it be okay if I asked you a few questions? c:

AlexWrites: Hey, Lim! It's so nice to hear from you again.
Ahhhh so this is really it! I've been eagerly awaiting my FM interview. ^-^
It'd be an honor, ask away!

S: Awesome to hear! Could you tell us what your reaction was when you first found out you were FM?

A: It was so unexpected. I remember opening YWS for the day just after I woke up. Initially, nothing felt out of the ordinary. I just had a few notifications as usual. But when I opened the tab to see what it was about, I discovered that I had been tagged in an FM post. I thought to myself- in what instance could I be mentioned in such a post considering I'm not the new FM myself? After a few seconds, it hit me LIKE WAIT A SECOND. I opened the thread rather hastily and well the many turtle gifs cleared the air rather quickly. I was quite overwhelmed, because I hadn't considered such an honor in my very short time on the site. I used to think I'd come unknown, go unknown; but that sure changed after this. It was heartwarming to see everyone congratulating me. To check out the Hall of Fame and see your name there is a whole another feeling I can't describe. I had been getting around the site but this helped consolidate others' familiarity to me. I enjoyed my golden time thoroughly and I'm glad it fell in the days when I could afford to be much more active here. I remember having a smile on my face and confidence in my walk for a good few days after the announcement, like nothing in the world could bring me down. For YWS to acknowledge and formally appreciate with FM in just a few months of my debut has got to be one of my happiest experiences ever.

S: Those turtle gifs certainly are iconic! That sounds like a fantastic experience, and I'm super stoked that it happened. What would you say draws you to YWS?

A: It would have to be the community. I came to brush up my poetry but that doesn't explain the days I spent on here when I wasn't exactly publishing. The events are definitely an added bonus but the wonderful people here are the real hook. We're like a family. YWS is a small world of its own and I can't get nearly enough of it. That's why I still hang out here from time to time.

S: That's really awesome! YWS is indeed great for community-building. Do you have a favourite YWS memory?

A: That's a tricky one! But I think I'd actually choose my debut. The night at 2AM when I uploaded my first poem on YWS, unaware of where it will lead. Just within the next day, I got a comment and review on it. I remember checking my phone as soon as I woke up, curious if anyone had checked it out yet. I was smiling so wide that day. Beginning are always special and YWS made sure my literary journey had a great one. The results really exceeded my expectations.
It's really the best experience for a writer-to be seen and appreciated.

If I had to choose something more concrete though, I'd have to go with the collaboration I did recently with @Ravena. It was rather spontaneous, still things flowed so effortlessly (ignoring the contrasting time zones lol). I'm very proud of the end product, she was really wonderful to work with! I had never imagined collaborations could be such fun and was skeptical of them. To me, they were a reminder of those lengthy group projects you end up doing alone. But this turned out to be totally different. Shout out to her, for making this experience memorable!

S: That's awesome! Getting thoughtful comments and reviews on something you've written is really a great feeling. And I really enjoyed your collaboration poem with Ravena as well! Are you working on any writing projects at the moment?

A: I hate to say this but I don't have any projects in progress at the moment. Life happened and I've taken a break from writing until I can adapt into my new hectic schedule of college. That being said, things aren't all so stagnant as they might seem! I've actually been thinking that I write too much and thus don't process or sort my thoughts beforehand. This break is some good practice to pull back when it doesn't feel natural and organise my next poem better. Perhaps I'll return to the scene with more depth than my recent style of simplicity. I might just need to experience the end of it before I sit down to pen it down.

But I believe YWS can still expect some random poetries from me every once in a while. They're just going to be a lot less frequent. I really need to feel something other than the emotion of being in an entirely new city without family to write something unique (as I've already exhausted this idea lol). Unfortunately to me, they have a mind of their own so I have no clue when the tides shall shift a bit.

I will bring to your attention though- there has been another collaboration I was working on. I had submitted my part for it to but some other poets are yet to be done with theirs. I'm not sure by when we'll be able to tie all the loose ends but hopefully soon enough! So technically it won't be a new project of mine, still one y'all haven't seen. A surprise treat then, in the baking!

S: That's perfectly understandable! Writing has its various seasons, and life can get really busy. That poetry collaboration sounds exciting - I'm looking forward to reading it

For my last question, what advice do you have for your fellow YWSers?

A: My advice will be to always speak up. I feel like this could be interpreted in so many beautiful ways. Here at YWS, we can help you do it.

Going through something? Share it with the community and receive support. See something wrong happening? Fight for fairness because the battle is always worth it. Don't know what to write? Describe your genuine and vulnerable thoughts on paper. Your autonomy is being compromised? Revolt for your rights. Your relationship is struggling? Speak out your honest feelings. Want to get to know someone new? Take the initiative and go introduce yourself.

But no matter what happens, never choose silence. It may be peaceful but beneath it something dead rots- be it dignity, love or potential.

S: That is excellent advice and a really important lesson to learn. Thanks so much for doing this interview and congratulations again on FM!

A: It was my pleasure! I had a great time answering all the questions. This interview really made me go down the memory lane so I have you to thank for it. Another time, YWS. Stay writing!

If you have yet to do so, join us in congratulating Alex on his FM thread or on his wall!

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Mon Dec 01, 2025 9:01 am

SquillsBot says... · Mon Dec 01, 2025 9:01 am

FEATURED MEMBER INTERVIEW: THEREBEL2007

written by Liminality< PM: >

This FM has been with us since 2021. You might know him for his poetry (in both Latin and English), his translations, or his humorous sci-fi novel, Nine. Contemplative and wide-ranging, I speak of none other than @TheRebel2007! I had the chance to chat with him about becoming FM and about his literary works. Read on below for our conversation.

Squills: Hi there Rebel! Lim here, reporting for Squills - the YWS Newsletter. We run a column where we interview Featured Members. Would it be alright if I asked you a few questions? c:

TheRebel2007: Sure, I wouldn't mind! :p

S: Amazing! What was your reaction when you first found out you were FM?

R: It came as a pleasant surprise to me, as I didn't really expect it at all. I had been here for 4 years and done some stuff, so I guess it was about time (or something)? I dunno how the mods decide who'd be FM, but I am grateful to them.

S: Wow, a whole four years! Do you remember what your early days on YWS were like? What do you think stood out to you about the site?

R: I do feel like, for some reason this site was a bit more active back in 2021-22. I was inteoduced to this site by my friend, @ForeverYoung299 (you might know her name). Though it's comparatively inactive compared to 'back in the days', the main feature of the site is still shining through -- positive feedback and good vibes. You may genuinely get good reviews if you post a short story or a poem. Same for novels, but with later chapters you might have to wait really long (at least, that's what my own experience and observation says). The formula of the site is quite strong, it would have been lovely if this was more popular.

S: That's fair! I do think there was a burst of activity when the pandemic hit in 2020 that continued for a couple of years after that.

What literary works you've posted are you most proud of?

R: I think I am most proud of my WIP novel Nine and several of the poems I have posted -- my personal favourite among them are the historical ones like Julius Caesar, the Ruins of Rome, and A Peasant's Plea. Also, I really love the nonsense poems (one's literally named 'Nonsense' lol) and The Ant Who Nuked The World - A Rap -- they were really fun to write, and also to read, I presume.

S: Those all sound amazing! Ancient history does seem to be one of your characteristic poetry topics. What do you find most interesting about ancient history?

R: To be honest, I probably don't have any particular reasons for liking it as much as I do. I just love history. Maybe it's to learn from it, or just to read or tell more stories about people who existed, or perhaps just to relate to Marcus Aurelius telling himself not to give up while in Dacia while struggling to get up from bed myself. I just love it for the sake of loving it, you know?

S: That all makes sense! I particularly like what you said about telling stories about people who existed - I think that's such a core human activity. Finally, what advice would you have for your fellow YWSers?

R: Ah, so, for my final trick --

I would like to ask my fellow YWS-ers (we should have a better word for that, perhaps Youngings?) to always remember -- no matter if you are reading a piece of work or writing a review on one on YWS -- that the person on the other side of the internet is a human being. This applies to everywhere on the internet too -- always remember that the one on the other side of the screen is a human person with their own thoughts and feelings. Never imagine that you can get away with writing anything (especially reviews made with AI, NEVER DO THAT) on anywhere -- as it might have real repercussions on the one you are replying/commenting to.

Aight, that's all! :p

S: That is splendid advice! Thank you so much for doing this interview and congrats again on FM!

R: Thanks for the interview, it was really fun for me too! :p

If you have yet to do so, join us in congratulating Rebel on their FM thread or on their wall!

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Mon Dec 01, 2025 9:01 am

SquillsBot says... · Mon Dec 01, 2025 9:01 am

SHAMELESS PLUGS

written by SquillsBot < PM: >

We love to run articles and questions, but we also love to advertise for you. Let people know about your new blog, a poem or story you’re looking for reviews on, or a forum thread you’d like more traffic on through Squills’ Shameless Plugs. PM @SquillsBot with the exact formatting of your advertisement, contained in the following code.