The Look Back | Issue #5
5/4/2024 - 5/24/2024
Dear Reader,
As I work through fixing when I release these (the 2nd and 4th Saturdays), I want to start with a poll question I have for you. And, if at least 25 of you answer my question then I will permanently UNLOCK the June short story for everyone to read!
I have an idea for the June story all ready to go, however, I’m stuck on which point of view I should make the story from. This is where you come in! Tell me which one you like the best after reading the synopsis:
Synopsis: A red car has been parked in the driveway of a home for decades. No one really knows how long. This story seeks to uncover the truth about its owner.
Car Owner - Red car arrives at the house but what happens next is so unbelievable it can only be told by the driver of the car.
New Neighbors - A couple moves in across the street and notices an unused red car. One of them is a retired detective and their curiosity is piqued by who it belongs to.
Home Owners - For decades a husband and wife have kept a secret from their daughter, friends and neighbors. With a surprise anniversary party at the house, their daughter hopes to uncover the truth.
100 WORD STORIES
It’s been a great first two weeks of May. In my house it’s actually the busiest time of the year with birthdays and anniversaries but I still manage to get these 100 word stories done. If not for the help of the many Tarot decks I own, I’m not sure how I would find the topics to write about!
Buy The First 100 to read the very first stories in my journey! [click image below]
Want to pre-order The Second 100? It’s releasing on Tuesday, June 25th. You can do so by clicking the button below:
ANATOMY OF TYPEWRITERS | THE COLLECTION
*Paid Subscribers Only
Inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window, this story has a bit of a twist as it’s told from the POV of the killer instead of the nosey neighbor. And the deadly way in which I incorporate a typewriter in this one is my favorite (so far…).
Part 2 and Part 3 are out now but the story doesn’t quite end here… Look for the epilogue later this week.
WHAT I’M READING, WATCHING, AND LISTENING
READING | Do the Murdle books count? Volume 3 came out the end of last month and I find it to be a way to decompress after so much writing. Nothing like solving a puzzle to get my mind clear enough to think about my next big idea!
WATCHING | Pluto TV is more addicting than I want to admit. I’m constantly switching back and forth between the I Love Lucy and Murder, She Wrote channels to play as background noise while I work.
LISTENING | James Bond Essentials on Apple Music. I simply can’t stop listening to this album. Every single one of them are bangers but my favorite has got to be Sam Smith’s Writing’s On the Wall.
THE OPT-IN EMAILS
Everything below requires you to actually change your subscription. You can do so here so you won’t miss out on these great opportunities for discussion. Click Here.
🫱🏾🫲🏼 COMMUNITY WRITING
Microfiction Weekend (formerly Free Writing Friday) is back and better than ever! It’s the same concept of sharing an image prompt except the storytelling stakes are higher. This time, take the image and tell a 6-word, 50-word, or 100-word story! Are you up for the challenge?
Join in on the latest now:
Microfiction Weekend - Tracks to Nowhere...
A train track can take you to some fabulous places but it can also take you where you never wanted to go. Your train has just been diverted and its destination is unknown. Where is it going, and what will you find once you arrive?
🗒️ NOTES FROM A WRITER
Nestled within this part of my newsletter is what I like to call, The Killer Series. This is where I explain, step-by-step, how I do something writing-related. It’s my way to give back to the writing community and try to help them become killer storytellers.
My latest Killer email was all about creating a navigation page here on Substack. If you use Substack then you know just how important having an organized navigation page can be for newcomers. Read all about it here:
A guide to writing a killer navigation page on Substack
When I wrote my “You Are Here” post I took a lot of inspiration from others who had a much clearer sense of what they wanted their navigation page to say and purpose it should serve. Now that I’ve ha…
🔪 THE MURDER PEN CLUB
My most secret passion is serial killers. I am fascinated by them. So it should come as no surprise to you that my idols are Agatha Christie and Alfred Hitchcock. This club is my way to connect with them and share with you my love for all of their work through literature and film.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles | There are just a handful of chapters left before we reach the end of reading through Agatha Christie’s first ever novel and the first appearance of her famous and infamous Hercule Poirot. If you’re as interested as I am in this type of mystery, be sure and join us as there is a Watch Party plan in the works!
If you like serial killers, the latest Jo Nesbo ‘Killing Moon’ is a cracker!