Writerly Ways

I had plans for this but honestly I'm feeling rather blah (Not sure why but my stomach is ugly tonight)

I was thinking about where that half done fantasy/mystery went wrong. I think I've pinpointed a couple places

1. In trying to figure out why in an otherwise progressive culture would they have a ban on autopsies so made it a border town with an encroaching monotheistic religion but it quickly became a) a reason for the serial killer to justify himself b) a dumping ground for MY problems with the Abrahamic religions in general. It feels angry and I'm not sure that's where I want this story to go

2. I have one of the adopted sisters who has cultural differences but she's also a Character of Color and I am not sure it won't be problematic and I need to figure out how to handle this. Maybe lessen some of it or their reactions to it. Add another character and give the culture to her. I don't know. It's hard. I might be overthinking it

Open Calls yes I know I said I wasn't going to do this but I decided to a) share the one at SFWA/HWA pro rates of pay and the author publish megalinks.

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Ensure Your Newsletter Lives Up to Subscriber’s Expectations I need to ruminate on this. I should try to start one but who'd want it at this point as I have nothing but a few short stories. Also with whom? Everyone is acting like mailchimp is 100 years old and laughable but now substack's answer to neonazis harassing people and using it to spread their hate is 'we don't like it but everyone deserves a voice.'

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MAKE SURE YOUR WRITING COMPANIONS ARE A GOOD INFLUENCE: BEWARE THESE 9 TRAITS OF TOXIC WRITERS And since I've been asking around for companions this seems important to put out there.