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I Am Going to Scream!
I think I need anti-anxiety meds. For weeks, I have been trying to set up a domain. I have created it, purchased it, and added it to all my platforms. Then I pointed my domain to my Substack and paid for that. Then I analyzed my platforms. I want to get everything streamlined.
By Alexandra Grant5 months ago in Writers
Listening to Mambo No. 5. Top Story - May 2026.
I saw recently a video about a writing technique used by Stephen King. Allegedly, Stephen King listened to Mambo No. 5 so many times while writing one of his novels that his wife threatened to divorce him. Now, maybe I’m just perpetuating an internet rumor, but I decided the concept of listening to one song over and over again was intriguing to me. The idea is that endlessly listening to the same song puts you in a kind of flow state for lack of a better term. So, I thought I’d give it a try.
By Raine Neal5 months ago in Writers
Pleasant Memories
Summer. Gosh, it’s hot. Summers were relatively short in the mountains of Passaic County in New Jersey. We had all the seasons, unlike some of the southern states. Each had its own dramatic flair. Summer was always one of my sister’s and my favorites. It’s when we get to spend the most time outdoors and have the most daylight to be outside as long as possible.
By Alexandra Grant5 months ago in Writers
It's A Challenge
Introduction My first challenge today is to get this article published before I have to run off to York. Yesterday was slightly traumatic having to deal with disappearing parcels and potential thefts, but they are now all in hand and dealt with but on to the subject of this thing.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 5 months ago in Writers
Turning Negatives Into Positives
Introduction When I am looking for inspiration sometimes I have negative thoughts, like the fact that most people don't see me as a creator in any way, I am just there when stuff needs to be done, and that makes things difficult and the lines from Bob Dylan's "Joey" come back to nail things home:
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 5 months ago in Writers
Before Reading or Listening to Peter Thwing (AI Intro - ChatGPT). AI-Generated.
(This reader’s guide was drafted with AI assistance through ChatGPT and shaped from a broader conversation about how Peter Thwing’s essays, stories, podcast episodes, and series function as a connected body of work.)
By Peter Thwing - Host of the FST Podcast5 months ago in Writers
Creativity Is Synthesis, Not Spontaneity
The False Image of the Sudden Idea Creativity is often imagined as something sudden, mysterious, and self-contained. The common picture is a flash of inspiration that arrives whole, clean, and complete, as if the creative person simply receives the idea and writes it down before it disappears. Under that view, real ideas are supposed to feel untouched by process. They are supposed to appear naturally, without visible effort, refinement, conversation, revision, or struggle. Anything that emerges through articulation, outside feedback, tools, or repeated attempts can then be treated as less authentic because it did not arrive in its final form.
By Peter Thwing - Host of the FST Podcast5 months ago in Writers
Lit Lit 3
Who wants to think about something other than "Did I place in the challenge?" Me, too. That's why I'm doing a Mad Libs every challenge results day, to help take the edge off and calm the nerves. I will only use great literature for these delightful corruptions, and this time, I'm not saying what we're destroying. Have faith that it will be fun and irreverent.
By Harper Lewis 5 months ago in Writers
Mad Moby
In case some of you aren't aware, I'm a super nerd. I'm just a couple of grammar police convictions away from earning my cape, and I'm super excited about it. In addition to caring about the grammar of this beautiful train wreck of a language we use to make meaning out of squiggly lines, I lke the partsof speech, the way they work together, the system of language. That's why Mad Libs have always delighted me. I started this series two weeks ago as a distracton to help take the edge off waiting for challenge results. I'll post the third one today, and I'm alternating poetry and prose, so we're back to poetry in the next one.
By Harper Lewis 5 months ago in Writers
Rebuilding Connections: How Volunteer Construction Projects Strengthen New York City Communities
New York City has long been recognized for its towering skyline, cultural diversity, and fast-paced growth. Beneath the city’s constant movement, communities across the five boroughs continue to face challenges related to housing quality, public infrastructure, and neighborhood development. Many residents live in areas where aging buildings, neglected public spaces, and limited resources affect everyday life. In response to these concerns, volunteer construction initiatives have become valuable forces for positive change throughout the city.
By William Steinberg5 months ago in Writers
Paul and John's 47-Words Short Story Unofficial Challenge Results!
Apologies, apologies, apologies! Paul and I have finally extracted ourselves from weeks in virtual confinement in our efforts to judge 53 stellar entries to the 47-word short story unofficial challenge, 54 if you include Harper's 2nd entry (which we did not, sorry Harper, rules may be for chumps, but they are still rules).
By Paul Stewart5 months ago in Writers
