Why Stack Talk? 2024 is halfway finished and I am noticing so many cool things being done on Substack that I decided to adopt/adapt a few. One change is that I will now post ‘Stack Talk’ the first Sunday of each month. To reach more readers (as it is my understanding posted newsletters go via email to subscribers, not followers), I will also enter ‘Stack Talk’ in Notes.
When I first started my Stack in late December 2023, it was due to inspiration from ’s Winter Writing Sanctuary - an amazing experience - I would recommend anything she is involved in without reservation. I do not “do” most social media - FB sometimes to sell stuff, YouTube because it’s funny, Pinterest because there are some cool things on there to make and do, but that is about it…until I fell in love with the vibe on Substack.
I have written and told stories for those I’m close to my whole life but writing during my work years (I am recently retired) was always business, marketing, and research- (all non-fiction…then, again, is non-fiction really factual or is this just a cultural illusion that we all implicitly agree to maintain? Oh, sorry, I digress). Off-time though, during these years was spent with my true loves, fiction, poetry and storytelling which I can now devote more time to.
I set a personal goal after joining Substack to create something weekly worthy of sharing with others and so far, I have accomplished it (the weekly part, not necessarily the worthy part, though I do give it my best). This is my continuing goal and while I enjoy others’ posts that often hit several times per week, I cannot produce on that scale, so you will never (I hope!) feel overloaded by my ramblings.
Sundays are my usual day to post unless I have something that fits that week for Macabre Monday or Thorny Thursday with . Sometimes, I think my post is amusing enough for Funny Sunday, so I tag . I am a huge sci-fi reader but rarely write something I am satisfied with in this genre, though I am working on something promising for Sci-Fi Friday (does anyone know who the POC is for this one?!). Now that I am mentioning the niche groups, I cannot leave out - love their stuff under Warrior Wednesday and Sword Saturday…been thinking about starting a fantasy series for one of these but not sure I am up to the task. The have lots of great writing, (and do interesting interviews too!) along with several addictive series to follow (I am a fan of binge-watching various TV series and binge-reading is just as good if not better).
Things I want to start featuring on Stack Talk:
Coming Soon... Stack Talk will give the reader a heads-up of what posts to expect each week from me with a description of genre, theme, and any comments I think might be of interest.
Substack Favorites & Recommendations. There are so many great writers and engaging posts here! I really like the niche groups that have formed to promote and support each other and want to show appreciation.
Hey, Did You See that? I am including links to selected past posts of mine that may have gone unnoticed due to algos, posting during low-activity times, and such - maybe with a bit of insight about the piece not included in its original post.
Book & Film Recommendations. This will only mention the best of the best IMO. I do not have any kind of Siskel and Ebert rating system with one or two thumbs up…do any of you guys remember them?
So here comes the July Stack Talk.
Coming Soon…
7 July “July Stack Talk” …technically, it has already arrived. See you next Sunday!
14 July “Bitter Love Bites”. Four dark, cynical “love” (?) poems from back in the day. I was cleaning out my drawers and throwing away old writings for which I could find no redeeming qualities. These four survivors had some je ne sais quoi that allowed them to escape the flames for now.
21 July “Disparate Things”. Poem, essay, essay. I am feeling good about pairing these three very different pieces together - might a designer call it an eclectic arrangement? “Eye Trap” is a poem about evil personified - his name is Iggy; “What May be in the Offing” was inspired by a Beth Kempton prompt. It is fanciful, hopeful, and humorous as I try to create a “perfect day” in an imaginary future. And lastly, “Promises” is like a note to self, sort of. It has occurred to me that I cannot properly call a threesome a pairing, can I? Oh, dear, well, hmm. I fear this menage a trois might be off to a rocky start.
28 July “Summer Haikus”. I simply love haikus and I love summer - Writing a haiku feels magical - hope these make you feel some magic too. Why not make a few of your own and post them - I will be your biggest fan! :)
Substack Favorites & Recommendations
I usually find several posts I enjoy each day on Substack for reasons like: I learned something new; it portrays a unique well-written perspective (doesn’t necessarily have to be my opinion); the voice is compelling and makes me laugh, cry, get mad or feel uplifted; the writer for whatever reason speaks to my spirit and opens my mind. That being said, there are writers here that I never miss reading (they have become a habit, I suppose), and others I subscribe to because I simply must keep an eye on what they are up to.
Currently, my faves/recommendations are a small list and I have probably forgotten some (I am old you see…hoping this will not be held against me as I have heard there are folks here who dislike old guys and gals- so did I when I was young :))
Caveat: I avoid most political and self-help writers/posts though I subscribe to some clever ‘advice columnists’ and a few political mavens so I can see how each side thinks.
- never fails to entertain, pique my interest, and make my imagination soar!
- goes well with morning coffee and occasionally makes my husband laugh (no easy feat) as I read them aloud to him…wish someone would read to me too…oh, yeah! Note: I love the audio clips several writers use - I cannot resist them whether it be a poem, music, interview, or just some rambling.
- a rare poet who has supported me from the start with her commentary, wisdom and humor…if I were a man I suppose I would say we have a bromance, but as a woman…is it a womance? Whatever it is, I simply adore her.
- there is not enough space for all the good I could say about her style and writing - log on to her website or Substack and see what I mean, better yet, take a course and experience the best online writing experience around.
- a beautiful soul, inside and out who writes the most amazing accounts of her life and times and reaches out with kindness and encouragement to even the little guys. There are folks that inspire trust and of whom you know the world is a better place for having them in it, this is Charlotte.
- a prolific and always interesting writer who through his recommendations of my stack, has produced an unexpected windfall of subscribers - thank you always!
- I bought a camera with the best of intentions; it is collecting dust unfortunately. I love his wonderful photos and how he draws everyone into his world with his love of people, art and life.
Hey, Did You See That?!
This is all about me (my past posts) - sorry for the shameless narcissism and self-promotion. Here is a reader favorite (judging by comments, likes, restacks), and there is one I had the most fun writing. If you didn’t get a chance to check them out, here they are:
The Birds and Bees Revisited
Thinking this works for “Funny Sunday” and maybe even “Thorny Thursday”. When I was young, I first felt something bordering on love for my partner-in-crime, Skip (read all about him in Escape from the Garden Part One and Escape from the Garden Part Two
Meeting for the First Time, Twice
She would buy herself a potbellied pig; it would be hypoallergenic, not prone to disease, intelligent, affectionate, and easily housebroken. Faye Rain had done her homework on possible pets and found this information easily online. She had been feeling a bit lonely after moving into the little cottage in the country her parents left her, not that she wo…
Book and Movie Recommendations
“The Librarian of Burned Books” historical fiction by Brianna Labuskes. A story of the human spirit and its triumph over evil, “Even in the darkest days, in their deepest grief, at their most exhausted, humans found a way to create moments that were so fundamentally hopeful that they couldn’t help but inspire you to take one more step forward. And then one more.”
“All the Light We Cannot See” - It’s on Netflix and it’s magnificent!
Until next week!
“May good luck be with you
Wherever you go, and your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow.”
Thank you so much for your words of encouragement! It means much to me to hear from you-I closely follow your work and admire your writing and enthusiasm! 🫶🏼😊
Good luck with the projects, especially the poetry and fantasy, honestly you can start simple; like with a missing princess or fairy-tale stories that's how Harold Ember started with us. Fantasy is best done with a simple concept at first. But take your time, WW & S&S will always be waiting for you.
Really appreciated your kind words madame.