Welcome to RiotMuse: Stories from the In-Between
A blinking cursor on a blank page is intimidating—even for someone who’s written reports under pressure. But this space isn’t about perfection. It’s about honesty, clarity, and connection.
What Brought Me Here (And Why I’m Finally Ready to Speak)
I’m Shiann (like Cheyenne) —a veteran, creative writer, two-dog mama, and a woman in a lifelong transformation. After 8 years in military intelligence (where most of my writing was behind classified clearance levels), I’m trading that world for one where I can write stories that actually breathe.
This space was born out of a need to finally tell my truth—the kind I buried under uniforms, expectations, and survival mode. RiotMuse is the name I gave to my inner voice once I stopped silencing her. And this Substack? It’s the journal I’ve decided to share with you.
Why now? Because surviving isn’t enough anymore. I’m ready to live. And to write it all down.
The Kind of Space I’m Building (Spoiler: It’s for Us, Not Just Me)
This isn’t just a blog or a newsletter. It’s a gathering place. A place for stories that don’t always end neatly. A place for recovery, reflection, road trips, and real connection.
If you’ve ever:
Left something familiar behind and didn’t know what came next
Tried to unlearn what trauma taught you
Raised dogs, loved hard, grieved harder, or found peace in unexpected places
Laughed during a breakdown or started over more times than you can count—
You’ll feel at home here. This is a space for rebels with soft hearts, people rebuilding from scratch, and anyone craving stories that see them.
What You’ll Get (And How Often You’ll Hear From Me)
Here’s what you can expect when you subscribe:
🗓 Posting Schedule
One post a week, minimum
Extra drops when the stories demand it
📝 Topics I’ll Write About
Short stories from my life: the wild, the weird, the wonderful
Essays on trauma recovery, PTSD, love, heartbreak, road-tripping, the military, friendships gained and lost
Behind-the-scenes of building my digital shop (RiotMuse) and finding freedom as a creative entrepreneur
💌 For Free Subscribers
Full access to all weekly stories
Reflections, resources, and writing that keeps it real
💎 For Future Paid Subscribers (Coming Soon)
Exclusive content too raw or vulnerable for public posts
Early access to my digital tools (budget planners, guides, creative templates)
Private Q&As, mini podcast-style reflections, discount codes, and more
Let’s Make It Easy (And A Little Beautiful)
Insert your banner image here – it’ll brighten the post and give your archive a visual identity.
Click that Subscribe button—it costs nothing, but supports everything. It helps this space grow and tells me that stories like these matter to more than just me.
And if something you read here makes you pause, laugh, or feel seen, share it. Tell a friend. Start a conversation. That’s what this is really for.
Truthfully? This whole thing is a little terrifying. But also exhilarating.
There is no perfect way to begin, no template for telling your story exactly right. This space is my experiment in being radically honest—with myself and with you. If you're down to read along, reflect, laugh, cry, maybe riot a little—then welcome. Let’s write from the in-between, together.
With heart, grit, and some dog hair on the keyboard,
Shiann