I like that you've made changes and embraced them, but also stuck to a schedule. Those were the same two things that really brought out my best creativity. I'm really going to look forward to Mondays (if there can be such a thing) for your stories. I'm glad we connected this year and I look forward to more of Along the Hudson in 2023!
Sticking to the schedule really helped me out a lot. I’m hoping to queue more stories in advance this year to take some of the pressure off. Likewise, Brian! It has been such a pleasure reading your work and getting to know you! Take care and best wishes to you and everything you have going on over at Future Thief!
I know I'm late to this post Justin but I wanted to tell you I've enjoyed reading your work. I haven't been able to jump in to any of the Fifties by the Fire lately because of work but I'll try to participate more in 2023.
Thank you so much, Matthew! I really appreciate it. And no worries whatsoever - I completely understand! The writing exercises will be there if things settle down for you - which I hope they do! Take care and Happy New Year. 😃
Beautiful photo of the Hudson, and I like what you said about deadlines. I found placing deadlines to be so useful in overcoming my doubts. I think I could tinker forever, but sometimes you have to just get it out. I'm interested: looking back over the year, do you think there were certain themes or topics you kept coming back to?
Thank you so much on both accounts, Luke! I completely agree regarding deadlines. I think overcoming doubt was another aspect of it for me, too.
That’s a great question. It’s difficult to say, but it seems like there were periods of time where certain topics/themes surfaced. I had quite a few pieces that centered on death/loss, but also had hopeful undercurrents. I also wrote a slew of stories over the course of the year that were more speculative in nature - stories about unlikely “what if” scenarios. (What if time stood still, what if an old man found a portal to another dimension, etc.) My fiction leading up the the holidays has been much cheerier and brighter, ha!
Thanks again for the question. It was fun combing through the archives with a purpose!
I changed the name of my newsletter for the same reason. The old name (Monday Morning Mark) was too restrictive. It became a section on my newsletter. Why tie yourself down to one thing? Allow your creativity to do what it wants. That is when it shines.
I hate deadlines. 🤣 I do not write well to a deadline. I am far more creative when I want to write. Fortunately, I have hundreds of stories in a backlog, which allows me to schedule my newsletter far in advance (I am working on April) and take any deadline pressure off.
Absolutely, Mark! We have to give ourselves permission to write whatever the heck we want to write about. Why stay in any one lane?
Haha, I hear you regarding deadlines. I wanted to challenge myself by committing to the two weekly stories. I’m going to check the box for now. 😄
Moving forward I hope to schedule stories in advance, even if they are only a couple weeks ahead of time. It’s amazing that you are already scheduling stories for April!
Merry Christmas to you as well, Claire! Thanks so much. I’m really happy you’re a part of it. It’s been a lot of fun. I’ve been enjoying your stories as well. Can’t wait to see what next year brings for you, too! 😊
Merry Christmas and a very happy new year to you, Justin! So glad I happened upon your page and all the wonderful stories and comments here. I've really been enjoying reading. Here's to a wonderful 2023!
This was a wonderful way to start my day, Justin. I wasn't able to vote in your poll (my app version does not support), but yes! Interested interested interested in whatever you come up with for prompts. Happy holidays. See you around the fire next month. 😊
I like that you've made changes and embraced them, but also stuck to a schedule. Those were the same two things that really brought out my best creativity. I'm really going to look forward to Mondays (if there can be such a thing) for your stories. I'm glad we connected this year and I look forward to more of Along the Hudson in 2023!
Sticking to the schedule really helped me out a lot. I’m hoping to queue more stories in advance this year to take some of the pressure off. Likewise, Brian! It has been such a pleasure reading your work and getting to know you! Take care and best wishes to you and everything you have going on over at Future Thief!
Cheers! Thanks for the inspiration and writing prompts/challenges this past year 🌲
You’re very welcome!
Happy New Year, Justin! Thank you for being a part of my personal Inspiration Team over the years.
I'm excited to see what will be new for you in 2023!
Happy New Year, Jenise! Likewise. Thank you so much. I am grateful for everything you have done for me. I appreciate you!
RE inspiring others to write--it's the teacher in you, I'd bet. The community you created at Friday Fix on Medium was a great example.
Thanks a bunch, Jim. Agreed, it makes sense! It’s one of the aspects of teaching I enjoy the most.
I know I'm late to this post Justin but I wanted to tell you I've enjoyed reading your work. I haven't been able to jump in to any of the Fifties by the Fire lately because of work but I'll try to participate more in 2023.
Thank you so much, Matthew! I really appreciate it. And no worries whatsoever - I completely understand! The writing exercises will be there if things settle down for you - which I hope they do! Take care and Happy New Year. 😃
Beautiful photo of the Hudson, and I like what you said about deadlines. I found placing deadlines to be so useful in overcoming my doubts. I think I could tinker forever, but sometimes you have to just get it out. I'm interested: looking back over the year, do you think there were certain themes or topics you kept coming back to?
Thank you so much on both accounts, Luke! I completely agree regarding deadlines. I think overcoming doubt was another aspect of it for me, too.
That’s a great question. It’s difficult to say, but it seems like there were periods of time where certain topics/themes surfaced. I had quite a few pieces that centered on death/loss, but also had hopeful undercurrents. I also wrote a slew of stories over the course of the year that were more speculative in nature - stories about unlikely “what if” scenarios. (What if time stood still, what if an old man found a portal to another dimension, etc.) My fiction leading up the the holidays has been much cheerier and brighter, ha!
Thanks again for the question. It was fun combing through the archives with a purpose!
Congrats on your year, best wishes for 2023.
Thank you, Mark. Best wishes to you as well! 😀
Happy Holidays Justin! Thanks for this year end review and for sharing your fiction and prompts with us!
Happy Holidays to you as well, Jason! It’s my pleasure. Thank you for being such an avid reader! I appreciate you! 🙏
I changed the name of my newsletter for the same reason. The old name (Monday Morning Mark) was too restrictive. It became a section on my newsletter. Why tie yourself down to one thing? Allow your creativity to do what it wants. That is when it shines.
I hate deadlines. 🤣 I do not write well to a deadline. I am far more creative when I want to write. Fortunately, I have hundreds of stories in a backlog, which allows me to schedule my newsletter far in advance (I am working on April) and take any deadline pressure off.
Merry Christmas! 🎄
Absolutely, Mark! We have to give ourselves permission to write whatever the heck we want to write about. Why stay in any one lane?
Haha, I hear you regarding deadlines. I wanted to challenge myself by committing to the two weekly stories. I’m going to check the box for now. 😄
Moving forward I hope to schedule stories in advance, even if they are only a couple weeks ahead of time. It’s amazing that you are already scheduling stories for April!
Merry Christmas to you as well, Mark!
Merry Christmas, Justin! It's been a joy being part of your community and participating in "fifties"! I can't wait to see what next year brings!
Merry Christmas to you as well, Claire! Thanks so much. I’m really happy you’re a part of it. It’s been a lot of fun. I’ve been enjoying your stories as well. Can’t wait to see what next year brings for you, too! 😊
Merry Christmas and a very happy new year to you, Justin! So glad I happened upon your page and all the wonderful stories and comments here. I've really been enjoying reading. Here's to a wonderful 2023!
Merry Christmas to you as well, Ricki! I’m happy you’re here. Thank you so much for the kind words, and I look forward to seeing you around! 😊🎄
This was a wonderful way to start my day, Justin. I wasn't able to vote in your poll (my app version does not support), but yes! Interested interested interested in whatever you come up with for prompts. Happy holidays. See you around the fire next month. 😊
Thanks for saying so, Meg! I’m happy to hear it. Yes! See you around the fire soon enough, and happy holidays to you and yours as well! 😀