Tag Archives: writing

April Newsletter: The Good Blank Screen

Posted on May 11, 2021 by dan

So there I was, stumbling out of my attic studio in the Balkan Tower of Matriarchy. My head was spinning, my bladder was full. My mouth was tasted like dark chocolate because I always reward myself after writing. Even when … Continue reading →

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March Newsletter: I Got Chipped!

Posted on April 1, 2021 by dan

My GP is a real pro. I barely felt the needle go in. I looked away anyway, and I kept examining the wall while she gave the jab to Pavlina. I’ve been seeing a lot of needles go into a … Continue reading →

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Levski’s Boots beta: DONE!

Posted on March 18, 2021 by dan

My short story for the Tales From Alternate Earths 3 anthology is done! Begun (beta draft): Thursday March 4th at 9:10am First line: Levski’s boots hit the ground, and he ran. Finished: Wednesday March 17th around 5pm. Last line: “Certainly … Continue reading →

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December newsletter: the Pit and the Telescope

Posted on January 5, 2021 by dan

A couple nights ago, Pavlina came out of the shower with an idea about ideas. She had been having shower thoughts as one does, when she remembered something she regretted saying. Or maybe it was a fight she’d had with … Continue reading →

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November Newsletter: Facts are Bones

Posted on December 7, 2020 by dan

So there I was, done. I could feel it. The out-breath as I saved the file and shut down my laptop on Friday, yes, but more than that, the lack of the in-breath on the following Tuesday. Theoretically, there was … Continue reading →

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The Centuries Unlimited Delta is done!

Posted on August 6, 2020 by dan

The Centuries Unlimited Un-hairy version (delta draft) finished at 92,000 words. Begun (revising) at 8:40am on Monday, June 8th 2020 in the Balkan Tower of Matriarchy. First line: “The utility fog hung thick over Black Chicago.” Finished at 10pm on … Continue reading →

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July Newsletter: Aspirational Fiction

Posted on July 31, 2020 by dan

So there I was, doing jumping jacks, jumping – literally! – for joy in Pavlina’s grandparents’ garret in the Balkan Tower of Matriarchy. My toes sank into and lifted off from their plush,  gray carpet square. Pigeons cuddled on the … Continue reading →

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June Newsletter: Waving Back

Posted on July 3, 2020 by dan

I’m waving through a window, oh Can anybody see, is anybody waving back at me? -Ben Platt, “Waving Through a Window” from “Dear Evan Hansen” So there I was, like, five minutes ago, curled up in the chair I’m still … Continue reading →

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May Newsletter: Ice Cream and Hope

Posted on May 29, 2020 by dan

So there I was, feeling good. I was in the grocery store for maybe the third time since February, buying ice, salt, frozen strawberries, and the other ingredients of home-made ice cream. My headphones were in my ears, playing Terry … Continue reading →

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Wealthgiver Beta is done!

Posted on May 28, 2020 by dan

My experimentation with Terry Pratchett’s “scaffolding story” writing process continues, now with ingredients from the Eleusinian Mysteries! Not many ingredients. Just a bit. Okay, so remember how I wrote the alpha draft of Wealthgiver by the seat of my pants? … Continue reading →

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