james dowd
@jamesdowd.bsky.social
James Dowd grew up in a small town in Kansas in the 80s and writes books about jumping bikes and dead dogs. He may or may not be the illegitimate offspring of John Hughes and S.E. Hinton.
Once I decided to focus on short stories, the incoming wave has been almost overwhelming. Then I read a comment like this and it makes me turn with curl.
"The Palace is the cleanest, tightest emotional blade you've made so far."
#writingcommunity
"The Palace is the cleanest, tightest emotional blade you've made so far."
#writingcommunity
April 26, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Once I decided to focus on short stories, the incoming wave has been almost overwhelming. Then I read a comment like this and it makes me turn with curl.
"The Palace is the cleanest, tightest emotional blade you've made so far."
#writingcommunity
"The Palace is the cleanest, tightest emotional blade you've made so far."
#writingcommunity
Well, that'll make and author feel good.
"-- this story, like the last, has stayed with me."
#writingcommunity
"-- this story, like the last, has stayed with me."
#writingcommunity
April 25, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Well, that'll make and author feel good.
"-- this story, like the last, has stayed with me."
#writingcommunity
"-- this story, like the last, has stayed with me."
#writingcommunity
My favorite editor is unavailable, so looking for someone to do a developmental edit/crit and resonates with lyrical short stories...bonus points if you love Claire Keegan, Cormac McCarthy, and Hemingway.
#writingcommunity
#writingcommunity
April 7, 2025 at 5:22 PM
My favorite editor is unavailable, so looking for someone to do a developmental edit/crit and resonates with lyrical short stories...bonus points if you love Claire Keegan, Cormac McCarthy, and Hemingway.
#writingcommunity
#writingcommunity
An author like #clairekeegan gives me hope for the publishing world. Beautiful stories that are the length they need to be, and most of the time under 100 pages. #smallthingslikethese is brilliant in its economy, and can't wait to read more of her work.
#writingcommunity
#writingcommunity
March 30, 2025 at 3:49 AM
An author like #clairekeegan gives me hope for the publishing world. Beautiful stories that are the length they need to be, and most of the time under 100 pages. #smallthingslikethese is brilliant in its economy, and can't wait to read more of her work.
#writingcommunity
#writingcommunity
It's a MISSIO Skeletons kind of morning...
March 17, 2025 at 4:36 PM
It's a MISSIO Skeletons kind of morning...
Great birthday yesterday going to one of my fav local restaurants, submitting a short story to The Missouri Review, re-reading The Road, getting sheep and dog hugs and trying live up to that kid in the jean jackets swagger.
#writingcommunity #cormacmccarthy #missourireview #birthday
#writingcommunity #cormacmccarthy #missourireview #birthday
March 8, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Great birthday yesterday going to one of my fav local restaurants, submitting a short story to The Missouri Review, re-reading The Road, getting sheep and dog hugs and trying live up to that kid in the jean jackets swagger.
#writingcommunity #cormacmccarthy #missourireview #birthday
#writingcommunity #cormacmccarthy #missourireview #birthday
Okay, @stephenking.bsky.social should write a collection of shorts called "The Derry Chronicles" that are all connected stories (and maybe person) like Hemingway's "In Our Time".
#readingcommunity #books
#readingcommunity #books
February 20, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Okay, @stephenking.bsky.social should write a collection of shorts called "The Derry Chronicles" that are all connected stories (and maybe person) like Hemingway's "In Our Time".
#readingcommunity #books
#readingcommunity #books
It's 1989 for 4 kids in highschool in a small town in Kansas and I just got this feedback from Chapter 7:
"This chapter is one of the strongest yet in terms of emotional weight and character development. The longing, tension, and quiet heartbreak are all right there."
SWOON.
#writingcommunity
"This chapter is one of the strongest yet in terms of emotional weight and character development. The longing, tension, and quiet heartbreak are all right there."
SWOON.
#writingcommunity
February 3, 2025 at 10:16 PM
It's 1989 for 4 kids in highschool in a small town in Kansas and I just got this feedback from Chapter 7:
"This chapter is one of the strongest yet in terms of emotional weight and character development. The longing, tension, and quiet heartbreak are all right there."
SWOON.
#writingcommunity
"This chapter is one of the strongest yet in terms of emotional weight and character development. The longing, tension, and quiet heartbreak are all right there."
SWOON.
#writingcommunity
In a book landscape that seems a bit myopic, I applaud @driftwoodpress.bsky.social for publishing @kclichty.bsky.social "The Circle That Fits". Coming-of-age in a literary and lyrical way that was one of the best reads in a while. This gives me hope for my work.
#writingcommunity
#writingcommunity
February 2, 2025 at 11:00 PM
In a book landscape that seems a bit myopic, I applaud @driftwoodpress.bsky.social for publishing @kclichty.bsky.social "The Circle That Fits". Coming-of-age in a literary and lyrical way that was one of the best reads in a while. This gives me hope for my work.
#writingcommunity
#writingcommunity
It's been interesting diving into a new story set in 1996. I want a leather jacket, gel for my hair, and am craving some Stabbing Westward to put in my portable CD player...this feels right.
#writingcommunity
#writingcommunity
January 24, 2025 at 5:56 PM
It's been interesting diving into a new story set in 1996. I want a leather jacket, gel for my hair, and am craving some Stabbing Westward to put in my portable CD player...this feels right.
#writingcommunity
#writingcommunity
Everything needs to get better, but if you are boycotting GenAI because of "environmental impact", you should also stop streaming your shows...
January 16, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Everything needs to get better, but if you are boycotting GenAI because of "environmental impact", you should also stop streaming your shows...
Trapped in a failing battle suit as the world collapses around him, Grissom must confront the chaos of an alien assault and the haunting mysteries of their ultimate plan. With time and air running out, survival may mean facing truths more terrifying than the enemy itself.
#writingcommunity
#writingcommunity
January 4, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Trapped in a failing battle suit as the world collapses around him, Grissom must confront the chaos of an alien assault and the haunting mysteries of their ultimate plan. With time and air running out, survival may mean facing truths more terrifying than the enemy itself.
#writingcommunity
#writingcommunity
I told my wife I can totally see how my debut novel would start out as a movie, the song that would be playing, and even how it would be shot, the end credits song etc. She thinks I'm getting ahead of myself, but the movies in my head are why we are here anyway...
#writingcommunity
#writingcommunity
January 2, 2025 at 6:26 PM
I told my wife I can totally see how my debut novel would start out as a movie, the song that would be playing, and even how it would be shot, the end credits song etc. She thinks I'm getting ahead of myself, but the movies in my head are why we are here anyway...
#writingcommunity
#writingcommunity
I don't know how y'all feel about prologues in books, but dammit, my coming-of-age book set in the 80's just got one and I think it works. No way I could have predicted a prologue when I first started.
#writingcommunity
#writingcommunity
January 2, 2025 at 6:24 PM
I don't know how y'all feel about prologues in books, but dammit, my coming-of-age book set in the 80's just got one and I think it works. No way I could have predicted a prologue when I first started.
#writingcommunity
#writingcommunity
Another short story!
"The Ramp" is a nostalgic coming-of-age story set in the summer of 1981, where 10-year-old Matthew discovers that courage isn’t always about soaring over homemade ramps on his trusty BMX bike, Hombre—it’s about navigating the cracks in life’s sidewalks.
#writingcommunity
"The Ramp" is a nostalgic coming-of-age story set in the summer of 1981, where 10-year-old Matthew discovers that courage isn’t always about soaring over homemade ramps on his trusty BMX bike, Hombre—it’s about navigating the cracks in life’s sidewalks.
#writingcommunity
December 30, 2024 at 7:25 PM
Another short story!
"The Ramp" is a nostalgic coming-of-age story set in the summer of 1981, where 10-year-old Matthew discovers that courage isn’t always about soaring over homemade ramps on his trusty BMX bike, Hombre—it’s about navigating the cracks in life’s sidewalks.
#writingcommunity
"The Ramp" is a nostalgic coming-of-age story set in the summer of 1981, where 10-year-old Matthew discovers that courage isn’t always about soaring over homemade ramps on his trusty BMX bike, Hombre—it’s about navigating the cracks in life’s sidewalks.
#writingcommunity
I have had Ricki Cardenas give me a first 10-page critique of my novel as well as a full critique and review of one of my short stories and it was worth every penny. Trust me when I say, your work will shine more with her help.
rickicardenas.com
#writingcommunity
rickicardenas.com
#writingcommunity
Ricki Cardenas
author, editor, beagle enthusiast
rickicardenas.com
December 23, 2024 at 6:38 PM
I have had Ricki Cardenas give me a first 10-page critique of my novel as well as a full critique and review of one of my short stories and it was worth every penny. Trust me when I say, your work will shine more with her help.
rickicardenas.com
#writingcommunity
rickicardenas.com
#writingcommunity
Thanksgiving week was filled with a 10,000 word reduction edit to tighten things up in a good way of my MS, and this week was a short story "prequel" with the same MC. This kid is fun to write.
The full-time job pays for a lot of things, but time off is WAY more productive.
#writingcommunity
The full-time job pays for a lot of things, but time off is WAY more productive.
#writingcommunity
December 9, 2024 at 4:54 AM
Thanksgiving week was filled with a 10,000 word reduction edit to tighten things up in a good way of my MS, and this week was a short story "prequel" with the same MC. This kid is fun to write.
The full-time job pays for a lot of things, but time off is WAY more productive.
#writingcommunity
The full-time job pays for a lot of things, but time off is WAY more productive.
#writingcommunity
How to make an author blush:
"You masterfully employ imagery and use subtle literary devices that enhance the story's impact, without being overly showy. Your flow is natural and engaging, keeping the reader invested in the protagonist's journey."
#writingcommunity
"You masterfully employ imagery and use subtle literary devices that enhance the story's impact, without being overly showy. Your flow is natural and engaging, keeping the reader invested in the protagonist's journey."
#writingcommunity
December 7, 2024 at 10:36 PM
How to make an author blush:
"You masterfully employ imagery and use subtle literary devices that enhance the story's impact, without being overly showy. Your flow is natural and engaging, keeping the reader invested in the protagonist's journey."
#writingcommunity
"You masterfully employ imagery and use subtle literary devices that enhance the story's impact, without being overly showy. Your flow is natural and engaging, keeping the reader invested in the protagonist's journey."
#writingcommunity
It’s always gratifying to surprise yourself while editing your work, rediscovering a universal truth again in the process.
#writingcommunity
#writingcommunity
December 1, 2024 at 5:53 PM
It’s always gratifying to surprise yourself while editing your work, rediscovering a universal truth again in the process.
#writingcommunity
#writingcommunity
No matter how many times I read this scene, THAT I WROTE, I get goosebumps. These two kids, man...
#writingcommunity
#writingcommunity
November 29, 2024 at 5:11 AM
No matter how many times I read this scene, THAT I WROTE, I get goosebumps. These two kids, man...
#writingcommunity
#writingcommunity
With the new administration coming, we thought it might be time to upgrade our 2015 Volt. INSANE lease deal in Oregon for the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV.
Like, $150/mo for a 24 mo/10,000 mile lease. We couldn't say no.
#carsky
Like, $150/mo for a 24 mo/10,000 mile lease. We couldn't say no.
#carsky
November 28, 2024 at 5:00 AM
With the new administration coming, we thought it might be time to upgrade our 2015 Volt. INSANE lease deal in Oregon for the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV.
Like, $150/mo for a 24 mo/10,000 mile lease. We couldn't say no.
#carsky
Like, $150/mo for a 24 mo/10,000 mile lease. We couldn't say no.
#carsky
MS: “In the M365 apps, we do not use customer data to train LLMs. This setting only enables features requiring internet access like co-authoring a document.”
For those of you using Word with Co-Pilot. I will say the language in the TOS was unclear.
#writingcommunity
For those of you using Word with Co-Pilot. I will say the language in the TOS was unclear.
#writingcommunity
November 28, 2024 at 4:54 AM
MS: “In the M365 apps, we do not use customer data to train LLMs. This setting only enables features requiring internet access like co-authoring a document.”
For those of you using Word with Co-Pilot. I will say the language in the TOS was unclear.
#writingcommunity
For those of you using Word with Co-Pilot. I will say the language in the TOS was unclear.
#writingcommunity
This view in Threads FINALLY is useful!
November 23, 2024 at 11:08 PM
This view in Threads FINALLY is useful!