30 Comments

Joy comes in the morning. - Psalm 30

Beware of farmers with Earth, Wind, and Fire stones. - Me

Well done, Justin.

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Haha! Steer clear of them! Thanks so much for reading and for the kind words, Mark.

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“Honey, things are going to be okay. Maybe not today, or tomorrow, but someday we’ll all get there.” ♥️

Came across an Anne Lamott quote yesterday:

“Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come.”

Great story! I love the message.

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Thank you so much for the kind words! 🙏 I enjoy Anne Lamott’s ideas and stories. Bird by Bird is one of the best “on writing” books I’ve ever read.

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It’s on my shelf!

There are so many good stories in the book! The one about how her dentist wouldn’t give more pain meds and told her to chew gum because the muscles around the work she has done were tense — protecting the weak area has really stuck with me. I think about it for both physical and emotional tender spots. How can I relax my tense protective spots to heal?

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Mine too! Right next to Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones.

Bird by Bird is phenomenal. The stories are excellent, and the lessons she weaves in throughout the book are life-changing.

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Very cool!

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I’m happy you liked “A Dandelion Wish”! Thanks, James.

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A wonderful conclusion, Justin! I like how everything became grounded in the real world in this half. Except that mysterious farmer!! The real and the fantastic were really well balance.

I feel you on the backlog! It all stacks up so quickly!

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Thank you so much, Claire! I really appreciate the kind words and feedback. I’m glad you thought the story was balanced, too. I wanted it to feel plausible enough without it becoming too far fetched. Super happy it worked for you!

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Would love more of this story!

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Thanks for sharing that, Chris. Maybe I’ll come back to it someday! There’s definitely room for expansion.

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Loved this image: "the skies had cleared, almost as if someone had scrubbed at the black and gray clouds with a rag, revealing the blue backdrop behind them."

I feel your backlog. I'm in the same boat. But we're still here!

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Thank you for reading, Meg. I’m buried up to my neck in stories over here. I must start reading my way out!

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This is a powerful story, rich with fabulism. I enjoyed every vivid scene and the realistic dialogue.

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Thank you so much, Amie! It was such a fun story to write, and I’m happy to hear that those elements came through for you.

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Nicely done Justin. I could really feel Abby’s panic when things got out of control.

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Thank you so much, Jim! Poor Abby has had a rough go of things lately.

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You had me riding in that truck and slogging through the rain and mud right along with them, Justin. When the father said, "“You’re going to walk up to that house, knock on his door, and apologize.” I yelled NOOOOOO! So many thoughtful details. Excellent!

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Thanks so much, Sharron! I’m really happy you enjoyed the story. It was a fun one to write.

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May 22, 2023Liked by Justin Deming

This story came together beautifully with its ending. As much as we want to control things and push that button that will make everything we wish for come true, it just doesn't happen that way. How tempted we all are to steal a little machine that can do just that. I really liked this one, and loved the innocence of Abby.

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Thank you for sharing these ideas, Andrea. If life worked that way it would be difficult to see much of a point! What you mentioned is where I ultimately tried landing, and I’m happy to hear the story worked for you. This one was a lot of fun to write. Thanks so much for reading!

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That was excellent. I really enjoyed it.

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Thank you, Pennie! 🙏

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Jason, that was a read! As I meandered into your story, it surely pulled me in; where this is going, I couldn't stop! Alot of great writers here, keeping us reading!

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Thanks so much for reading! I’m happy you enjoyed the story.

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Excellent story, I enjoyed the relationship between the father and his daughter.

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I really appreciate it, Scott. Thank you! I had fun creating them. 😀

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I loved this story and am so happy that I got to read the conclusion today!

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Thank you, Jason! That makes me really happy to hear!

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