Kathleen West
@kathleenwest.bsky.social
Reader, writer, teacher, mom, runner. Author of Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes, Home or Away, Are We There Yet, and the forthcoming Making Friends Can Be Murder.
I’ve been here at#5amwritersclub heading into the messy middle of a first draft. Might as well!
January 16, 2025 at 11:58 AM
I’ve been here at#5amwritersclub heading into the messy middle of a first draft. Might as well!
Up for #5amwritersclub and 265 word into my 500 on NASA Conspiracy Murder Book. Also, for the first time, I wrote about sales numbers and my OWN ambition as a writer (as opposed to my characters’ unflattering striving.) open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...
The Raw Truth
More than I've ever shared about the numbers behind my writing
open.substack.com
January 9, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Up for #5amwritersclub and 265 word into my 500 on NASA Conspiracy Murder Book. Also, for the first time, I wrote about sales numbers and my OWN ambition as a writer (as opposed to my characters’ unflattering striving.) open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...
Monday morning! #5amwritersclub Beginning what I hope will be a 3k week, on my way to a full draft by June 15th. NASA Conspiracy Murder Book, here we go!
January 6, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Monday morning! #5amwritersclub Beginning what I hope will be a 3k week, on my way to a full draft by June 15th. NASA Conspiracy Murder Book, here we go!
School’s in session today, so I’m here in #5amwriters club. I had a really productive winter break, and it’s been many years since I’ve enjoyed writing like I am with this project! Ok!!
Space Floating GIF
ALT: Space Floating GIF
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January 2, 2025 at 11:32 AM
School’s in session today, so I’m here in #5amwriters club. I had a really productive winter break, and it’s been many years since I’ve enjoyed writing like I am with this project! Ok!!
I finished my first book of 2025! It was Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear, the second Maisie Dobbs novel. I’m not obsessed with Miss Dobbs. #books #authorsofbluesky
January 1, 2025 at 10:30 PM
I finished my first book of 2025! It was Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear, the second Maisie Dobbs novel. I’m not obsessed with Miss Dobbs. #books #authorsofbluesky
It was my first thousand-word day on book 5! Hoping to hit 20k by back to school next Thursday. 4K to go.
a black and white photo of a rocket being launched
ALT: a black and white photo of a rocket being launched
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December 27, 2024 at 8:51 PM
It was my first thousand-word day on book 5! Hoping to hit 20k by back to school next Thursday. 4K to go.
It looks like I’ll finish 46 books this year. It’s been such a good reading year! I’m excited to recap it over my winter break. (I’m a middle school teacher, and then I write books in the mornings and on my vacations)
December 20, 2024 at 2:46 PM
It looks like I’ll finish 46 books this year. It’s been such a good reading year! I’m excited to recap it over my winter break. (I’m a middle school teacher, and then I write books in the mornings and on my vacations)
Outlining and filling in the holes as I go. Thinking/writing/thinking again. This is fun for the beginning and I might need another tack for Acts 2 and 3. #5amwritersclub
December 18, 2024 at 11:33 AM
Outlining and filling in the holes as I go. Thinking/writing/thinking again. This is fun for the beginning and I might need another tack for Acts 2 and 3. #5amwritersclub
I do #5amwritersclub on school days. This week, I’ve started my outline. I got one box in and realized I needed to expand my first chapter. So, I’m doing that. Having fun. Making progress. We’ll take it.
a woman sitting in front of a microphone wearing earrings and a strapless dress
ALT: a woman sitting in front of a microphone wearing earrings and a strapless dress
media.tenor.com
December 16, 2024 at 11:49 AM
I do #5amwritersclub on school days. This week, I’ve started my outline. I got one box in and realized I needed to expand my first chapter. So, I’m doing that. Having fun. Making progress. We’ll take it.
Sent of 50 (?!) second-draft pages to my agent this morning. That feels like something. #5amwritersclub
December 13, 2024 at 12:10 PM
Sent of 50 (?!) second-draft pages to my agent this morning. That feels like something. #5amwritersclub
Scored an extra twenty minutes yesterday in creative writing club at school. I think I’ll finish the clean-up of the first 10k this week. Yay! #5amwritersclub
a penguin wearing a party hat and a pink sweater is sweeping the floor
ALT: a penguin wearing a party hat and a pink sweater is sweeping the floor
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December 12, 2024 at 11:45 AM
Scored an extra twenty minutes yesterday in creative writing club at school. I think I’ll finish the clean-up of the first 10k this week. Yay! #5amwritersclub
All I have to do this week is show up. 🙋🏻♀️🙋🏻♀️ #5amwritersclub
a man in a suit and tie is waving his hand in the air .
ALT: a man in a suit and tie is waving his hand in the air .
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December 11, 2024 at 11:40 AM
All I have to do this week is show up. 🙋🏻♀️🙋🏻♀️ #5amwritersclub
Yesterday was adding words, today is taking them away. This is the 10k review. #5amwritersclub
December 10, 2024 at 12:15 PM
Yesterday was adding words, today is taking them away. This is the 10k review. #5amwritersclub
This week, I’m starting a review of the 10k I’ve drafted. So far, I don’t hate it. Outline incoming! #5amwritersclub #nasaconspiracymurderbook
December 9, 2024 at 11:20 AM
This week, I’m starting a review of the 10k I’ve drafted. So far, I don’t hate it. Outline incoming! #5amwritersclub #nasaconspiracymurderbook
Wednesday! It’s a different dog in pole position and I’m making some stuff up about NASA. :)
December 4, 2024 at 11:36 AM
Wednesday! It’s a different dog in pole position and I’m making some stuff up about NASA. :)
Goooood morning, #5amwritersclub! I’ve got a senior dog against my leg and an open doc in my lap. Halfway to quota.
a woman in a gold dress is dancing on a stage with the words `` let 's go !!! ''
ALT: a woman in a gold dress is dancing on a stage with the words `` let 's go !!! ''
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December 3, 2024 at 11:36 AM
Goooood morning, #5amwritersclub! I’ve got a senior dog against my leg and an open doc in my lap. Halfway to quota.
Broke out the clickety clackety keyboard for the first time in years. This means writing is finally fun again. #5amwritersclub
December 2, 2024 at 3:20 PM
Broke out the clickety clackety keyboard for the first time in years. This means writing is finally fun again. #5amwritersclub
Extra gold stars for #5amwritersclub before school conferences? It’s gonna be a full day of meeting with nonfictional families.
a black background with yellow stars and the word softness
ALT: a black background with yellow stars and the word softness
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November 26, 2024 at 11:30 AM
Extra gold stars for #5amwritersclub before school conferences? It’s gonna be a full day of meeting with nonfictional families.
Up and writing! I’m doing the whole week with newly arrived ARCs of Making Friends Can Be Murder in close proximity. #5amwritersclub
November 25, 2024 at 11:18 AM
Up and writing! I’m doing the whole week with newly arrived ARCs of Making Friends Can Be Murder in close proximity. #5amwritersclub
I’m not doing competitive reading this year, but/and today I’m on book number 45, and I might be able to get kinda close to 52 if I try hard, keep my head down, and do nothing but read. #winning
November 24, 2024 at 12:33 PM
I’m not doing competitive reading this year, but/and today I’m on book number 45, and I might be able to get kinda close to 52 if I try hard, keep my head down, and do nothing but read. #winning
As a runner, running coach, and parent of runners, I understand that “it’s just running,” but also I’m sweaty and jumpy and just really, really nervous. #d3xcnationals #xcfantasia
November 23, 2024 at 1:59 PM
As a runner, running coach, and parent of runners, I understand that “it’s just running,” but also I’m sweaty and jumpy and just really, really nervous. #d3xcnationals #xcfantasia
Did the airport version of #5amwriters club today, en route to watch D3 NCAA XC nationals! Reading this for research on the plane. Do not myself want to be an astronaut.
November 22, 2024 at 2:15 PM
Did the airport version of #5amwriters club today, en route to watch D3 NCAA XC nationals! Reading this for research on the plane. Do not myself want to be an astronaut.
Reposted by Kathleen West
I'll never ever understand being so small that you feel threatened by someone else's genuine and joyful self expression. Love to my trans friends today and always.
November 21, 2024 at 1:31 PM
I'll never ever understand being so small that you feel threatened by someone else's genuine and joyful self expression. Love to my trans friends today and always.
Hey #5amwritersclub. Just finishing up and anticipating some plotting over the weekend.
a black and white photo of a woman sitting on a couch with a scarf around her neck .
ALT: a black and white photo of a woman sitting on a couch with a scarf around her neck .
media.tenor.com
November 21, 2024 at 11:48 AM
Hey #5amwritersclub. Just finishing up and anticipating some plotting over the weekend.
Checking in for #5amwriters club! Just killed someone, and I don’t know motive or who did it. Here we go!
a man in a leather jacket with the words you 'll figure it out
ALT: a man in a leather jacket with the words you 'll figure it out
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November 20, 2024 at 11:32 AM
Checking in for #5amwriters club! Just killed someone, and I don’t know motive or who did it. Here we go!