Writerly Ways

[cornerofmadness]

Before I get into the writing stuff, let me tell you about today. I finally got to see my BFF from college and her kid. We had a great time talking and finally exchanging gifts (she fell and broke bones over the holiday). I got a skele-kitty pillow and some of bath and body works vampire blood products

I then stop by CVS and we're lucky I wasn't on the 6 o'clock news. A few days back I called in my meds and they told me they had to call my doctor for my insulin needles. I was puzzled. I usually check that. Sure enough I have NINE refills until December 2026 (but now my endocrinologist is texting me to find out what's up. CVS is stupid was explanation enough).

So there's no further communication about it. I get there and don't get my needles. Excuse me, where are my needles?

Pharm tech - there's no needles

me - why

Pharm tech - can't tell you. We can only see the screen for what IS here (WTF?) you need to go to consultation and ask.

I do this and ask what's up, why did you tell me I had no refills and why did you NOT refill it?

Pharm tech - I don't know why and it says it's no a covered service.

since when?

Pharm tech -I can't tell

well, my horrible insurance HAS done this before to force me to use their pharmacy only

I come home call my insurance and they said 'what do you mean they didn't give you your needles? It IS a paid service and CVS billed us at 14:20 today (which is when I was there). So you're telling me that they billed you and then DID NOT give me my needles

Yes. So I call CVS and they call me back (they no longer pick up the phone) and I say my insurance said you billed them making it impossible for me to get them elsewhere so where are they?!?

Pharm tech - oh your needles are right here. You can come pick it up.

THEN WHY DID YOU TELL ME THEY WEREN'T THERE.

Pharm tech - I don't know who told you that.

YOU told me that (she's the only Middle Eastern woman there with a heavy accent so I recognize her voice)

Pharm tech - well I don't know why that happened because they're here.

It's a twenty mile drive to get back there. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?

Me going out the door on fire.

Dad: don't be me, don't go off

It was definitely a what would Spock do moment when I got there. And yes my needles were there.


I am trying to p ull everything off my faulty flashdrive which took 10 tries to get it to read (talk about giving me a heart attack) Finally got my new flash, still transferring data.


So on to the writerly ways (who's still here with me?) It's more a question than any advice. I just started an arc (The Atlas of Unknowable Things) and it's not just first person, it's I don't know the technical term for it, I'd call it conversational first person.

It feels like the person is sitting in the room with you, talking to you, sort of throwing in a few fourth wall breaking stuff like they're expecting you to answer.

I know a lot of people don't like first person (I do) and I was curious what people would think of this. WOuld you like it? Have you ever written it (I have not) How did you handle it if you did

I have aggravated my bad knee, seriously messed it up (not a surprise. I overworked it, the cartilage is burst into at least three pieces, it will need replacing) Even having the lap top sitting on it hurts a lot.

Here's about 2 weeks of links


Open Call

Toad Shade Zine

Three-Lobed Burning Eye September 2025 Window Speculative fiction with strong narrative voices

A Coup Of Owls Winter 2025 Issue Stories you’ve poured your soul into but haven’t been able to find the right home for. We do not have set issue themes but feel free to be inspired by the season, seasonal occasions and events.
Note: Only publishes creators from under represented and/or marginalized communities.

Cloaked Press is open to Novels and Novellas Fantasy, science fiction, and horror novels and novellas

Eavesdrop Resistance: Queer-focused stories of any genre: space opera, niche cryptid horror, experimental formats, and anything in between!

5 Paying Literary Magazines to Submit to in August 2025

Of Swords & Roses

The First Line – Winter 2025

Clocks Dark fiction, speculative fiction, near sci-fi that deal with clocks, or a clockmaker

Bog Matter Magazine Fall 2025 Issue. the in-between

Translunar Travelers Lounge Fall 2025 Window
Speculative Fiction in the science fiction or fantasy variety

Trunk Stories Reprints or original stories: Shorts that have been rejected 20+ times, Novelettes that have been rejected 10+ times

Hearth Stories 2025 September Window Speculative fiction that explores connection, family, relationships, comfort, and the natural world.

Dreams Divine Romantic fantasy stories set in or about dreams due next week if you have something like this

No Gods No Masters Stories that are ready to get their hands dirty in the making of a newer, fairer world.

50 Romance Publishers Open to Direct Submissions

Nine Manuscript Publishers Open to Direct Submissions in August 2025

Twin Flame Literary: Now Seeking Submissions


28 Themed Submission Calls and Contests for August 2025


From Around the web

How Editing Shapes Storytelling in Fiction and Memoir Writing

How to Prepare a Manuscript for Publishing

13 Book Binding Types to Know

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How to Plan a Book Tour on Your Own


How to Choose the Right Editing Service for Your Genre and Goals

First-Time Authors: Overcoming Common Challenges When Writing Your First Book

Setting Up Your Book for Future Growth.

How to Start Dictating Fiction (Even If You’ve Tried and Failed Before) pro tip from someone who did her whole sabbatical this way PROOF READ the next day. This stuff is good but half the time it's also on crack. It's like close but no cigar.

Why Your Amazon Book Page Isn’t Converting — and How to Fix It

How to Pair Your Book’s Beginning and Ending to Satisfy Readers

What happens to book characters when the book is over?

Plotter Vs. Pantser: Which Is Right for You?

9 Dos & Don’ts of Book Proposal Formatting

How to Begin a Sequel Without Confusion or Boredom



The Sentence as a Spine: How Syntax Shapes Story


From Betty

Getting Feedback On Your Writing

Five Tips for Characters That Go Against the Flow

Eight Dos and Don’ts for Making Magic Interesting

Twelve Sources of Wish Fulfillment for Your Story

Six Stories That Make Great Use of Their Premise

“In Medias Res” Means in the Middle, but What Is the Middle?

The Power of Dialogue: More Than Just Spoken Words

How to Write Killer Chapter Endings That Hook Readers

How to develop character wounds and misbeliefs

5 Paths to Plotting Your Novel

ARGGH! Words We Love to Hate

Steinbeck on Writing

How to Pair Your Book’s Beginning and Ending to Satisfy Readers

How to Use the Four Levels of Conflict to Strengthen Your Story

Online Scam Protection for Writers: How to Stay Safe and Protect Yourself in 2025

How Carousels on Instagram Help Writers Increase Visibility & Connect with Readers I know nothing about this. I need to sit down and look this over

Comments

[falkner]

Glad you got your needles in the end, but WTF. And I hope your knee is feeling a little better.

I can be swayed to read first person if the specific premise seems like a good fit for it, but for that example I would probably avoid a book like that. I just have never enjoyed fourth wall breaking, even when done well, but I think I'm the minority on that.

[spikedluv]

I would have been fuming about the needle mix-up. WTF?!!

Sorry about your knee. Is there anything you can do for it until it gets replaced?

[cornerofmadness]

I was beyond furious

Exercise it more. Voltaren helps

[cornerofmadness]

seriously WTF CVS?

Thanks

I know a lot of people don't like first person (I do)

Normally I'm with you on fourth wall breaking. I didn't mind it in Deadpool and oddly enough here, I'm okay with it.

[suzume]

I've written some first person POV! In Save Yourself and Your Own Kind. For some reason it's easy to get into Mags' head.

[cornerofmadness]

thanks. I'll take a look