Lark Ballinger
@4lark.bsky.social
human thinker writer advocating for humanity at the intersection of consistency, compassion, and logic
@emilystjams.bsky.social Hi! I hope you see this. I just sent you a direct message on Reddit, but you've not posted there in some time. If you've the time, would greatly appreciate you reading my message there. Many thanks for your consideration. 🙏🏽
August 16, 2025 at 9:19 PM
@emilystjams.bsky.social Hi! I hope you see this. I just sent you a direct message on Reddit, but you've not posted there in some time. If you've the time, would greatly appreciate you reading my message there. Many thanks for your consideration. 🙏🏽
I'm really grateful for the friendships that can pick up where they left off because all parties have invested enough that they can just reap the dividends when life calls for it.
September 30, 2023 at 5:09 AM
I'm really grateful for the friendships that can pick up where they left off because all parties have invested enough that they can just reap the dividends when life calls for it.
Reposted by Lark Ballinger
On Threads, I got called an "anti-Christian bigot" in response to this. But it's only "anti-Christian" if you believe being anti-LGBT is *necessary* to Christianity. But *that* is itself condescending towards Christianity, for many correctly view their faith as supporting LGBT rights and acceptance.
If your religious faith is leading you to bigotry, that doesn't provide justification for bigotry, but instead means that you've either misinterpreted your scripture, your religious beliefs are false, or your god isn't morally worthy of worship.
If Your Faith Makes You a Bigot, It's Time to Question Your Faith
Some more likely possibilities to consider before accepting that God belives it's wrong to be LGBT.
open.substack.com
September 22, 2023 at 3:49 PM
On Threads, I got called an "anti-Christian bigot" in response to this. But it's only "anti-Christian" if you believe being anti-LGBT is *necessary* to Christianity. But *that* is itself condescending towards Christianity, for many correctly view their faith as supporting LGBT rights and acceptance.
Reposted by Lark Ballinger
PSA: the CDC has a program that pays for your COVID vaccine if your insurer won't. The guy at CVS told me that my insurer had not added the new vaccine to its formulary yet, so I'd need to pay $190. I told him about this program, showed him the website, and paid nothing. 🤗
Bridge Access Program | CDCCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving...
www.cdc.gov
September 19, 2023 at 9:20 PM
PSA: the CDC has a program that pays for your COVID vaccine if your insurer won't. The guy at CVS told me that my insurer had not added the new vaccine to its formulary yet, so I'd need to pay $190. I told him about this program, showed him the website, and paid nothing. 🤗
Reposted by Lark Ballinger
This is a great event and a lot of fun. I participated in it last year and found my agent through it.
#bvm
#writingcommunity
#bvm
#writingcommunity
Posting for the PitBLK team!
The 2nd annual PitBLK has been moved to 10/17 from 8a-8p EST!! We've migrated the event to a new platform pitchpitblk.wixsite.com/home where participants can upload up to 3 pitches by 10/14 at 5p EST. Take a look at the rules on the site! #writingcommunity #authors #bvm
The 2nd annual PitBLK has been moved to 10/17 from 8a-8p EST!! We've migrated the event to a new platform pitchpitblk.wixsite.com/home where participants can upload up to 3 pitches by 10/14 at 5p EST. Take a look at the rules on the site! #writingcommunity #authors #bvm
September 20, 2023 at 2:10 PM
This is a great event and a lot of fun. I participated in it last year and found my agent through it.
#bvm
#writingcommunity
#bvm
#writingcommunity
"Introduce yourself in three bullet points."
* My core values are compassion and logic.
* I recognize the humanity of each homo sapiens sapiens individual, regardless of identities or politics.
* I think, write, and read.
* My core values are compassion and logic.
* I recognize the humanity of each homo sapiens sapiens individual, regardless of identities or politics.
* I think, write, and read.
"Introduce yourself with 3 bullet points."
-I'm a fiction writer
-I consider myself a funtie
-I got a stand-up desk so I could add side shuffles to my shoulder shimmies as I work
#writingcommunity
#bvm
-I'm a fiction writer
-I consider myself a funtie
-I got a stand-up desk so I could add side shuffles to my shoulder shimmies as I work
#writingcommunity
#bvm
September 18, 2023 at 4:10 PM
"Introduce yourself in three bullet points."
* My core values are compassion and logic.
* I recognize the humanity of each homo sapiens sapiens individual, regardless of identities or politics.
* I think, write, and read.
* My core values are compassion and logic.
* I recognize the humanity of each homo sapiens sapiens individual, regardless of identities or politics.
* I think, write, and read.
New poem by me, PACKING UP
🖤✏️
🖤✏️
September 18, 2023 at 4:00 PM
New poem by me, PACKING UP
🖤✏️
🖤✏️
"don't you
miss
me?"
their ghost whispered
in the stillness of the empty room
being left
behind me
as i continued forward
my response projected
in the direction of my gaze
on the path ahead of me
"i missed
you
when you were
still here"
🖤✏️
miss
me?"
their ghost whispered
in the stillness of the empty room
being left
behind me
as i continued forward
my response projected
in the direction of my gaze
on the path ahead of me
"i missed
you
when you were
still here"
🖤✏️
September 10, 2023 at 9:37 PM
"don't you
miss
me?"
their ghost whispered
in the stillness of the empty room
being left
behind me
as i continued forward
my response projected
in the direction of my gaze
on the path ahead of me
"i missed
you
when you were
still here"
🖤✏️
miss
me?"
their ghost whispered
in the stillness of the empty room
being left
behind me
as i continued forward
my response projected
in the direction of my gaze
on the path ahead of me
"i missed
you
when you were
still here"
🖤✏️
Writing Challenges: Not Just NaNoWriMo Anymore!
#20Kin5Days #20Kin5DaysSept
#20Kin5Days #20Kin5DaysSept
Why I Love Writing Challenges #20kin5Days
It’s the fourth anniversary of this wild-ass challenge that I started on a whim! Can’t believe we’ve been going this strong for this long, but thanks for rocking with me, Wordmakers!...
payhip.com
September 10, 2023 at 2:14 PM
Writing Challenges: Not Just NaNoWriMo Anymore!
#20Kin5Days #20Kin5DaysSept
#20Kin5Days #20Kin5DaysSept
A RELATIONSHIP, IN THREE SILENCES
The peaceful quiet silence of blissful calm
The heavy oppressive silence of mute anger and despair
The yawning empty silence of a vacuum missing what once filled its void
🖤✏️
The peaceful quiet silence of blissful calm
The heavy oppressive silence of mute anger and despair
The yawning empty silence of a vacuum missing what once filled its void
🖤✏️
September 9, 2023 at 6:55 PM
A RELATIONSHIP, IN THREE SILENCES
The peaceful quiet silence of blissful calm
The heavy oppressive silence of mute anger and despair
The yawning empty silence of a vacuum missing what once filled its void
🖤✏️
The peaceful quiet silence of blissful calm
The heavy oppressive silence of mute anger and despair
The yawning empty silence of a vacuum missing what once filled its void
🖤✏️
Reposted by Lark Ballinger
Sharing for the newbies👋🏾. I created a feed for black writers to find each other as the writing community migrates over. Use 🖤✏️ or #bvm to have your individual posts included. If you would love to support us, please go and like the feed! Thank you
#authors #writingcommunity
bsky.app/profile/did:...
#authors #writingcommunity
bsky.app/profile/did:...
August 28, 2023 at 4:09 PM
Sharing for the newbies👋🏾. I created a feed for black writers to find each other as the writing community migrates over. Use 🖤✏️ or #bvm to have your individual posts included. If you would love to support us, please go and like the feed! Thank you
#authors #writingcommunity
bsky.app/profile/did:...
#authors #writingcommunity
bsky.app/profile/did:...
In dignity
In peace
May I go
Head high
Shoulders wide
To make up for the lows
With a laugh
With a cry
No more weary eyes
In dignity
In peace
I shall go
If not north
Then maybe east
Or make the best of least
Compass rose
'Bove written stone
Still enough to call a home
In dignity
In peace
I go
🖤✏️
In peace
May I go
Head high
Shoulders wide
To make up for the lows
With a laugh
With a cry
No more weary eyes
In dignity
In peace
I shall go
If not north
Then maybe east
Or make the best of least
Compass rose
'Bove written stone
Still enough to call a home
In dignity
In peace
I go
🖤✏️
August 31, 2023 at 12:03 AM
In dignity
In peace
May I go
Head high
Shoulders wide
To make up for the lows
With a laugh
With a cry
No more weary eyes
In dignity
In peace
I shall go
If not north
Then maybe east
Or make the best of least
Compass rose
'Bove written stone
Still enough to call a home
In dignity
In peace
I go
🖤✏️
In peace
May I go
Head high
Shoulders wide
To make up for the lows
With a laugh
With a cry
No more weary eyes
In dignity
In peace
I shall go
If not north
Then maybe east
Or make the best of least
Compass rose
'Bove written stone
Still enough to call a home
In dignity
In peace
I go
🖤✏️
Wait, WHAT?!
A historical epic?
With Black folks?
That's NOT about slavery?!?!
Praise Cheeses! 🙌🏽 G-D is gouda ERRYDAY! 🙏🏽
A historical epic?
With Black folks?
That's NOT about slavery?!?!
Praise Cheeses! 🙌🏽 G-D is gouda ERRYDAY! 🙏🏽
'The Book of Clarence' Is a Bombastic Journey Back to the Biblical Era
Exploring many aspects of faith, Jeymes Samuel’s upcoming film centers on a regular guy living in the same town as Jesus, with a knock-out performance by LaKeith Stanfield.
www.vanityfair.com
August 29, 2023 at 8:58 PM
Wait, WHAT?!
A historical epic?
With Black folks?
That's NOT about slavery?!?!
Praise Cheeses! 🙌🏽 G-D is gouda ERRYDAY! 🙏🏽
A historical epic?
With Black folks?
That's NOT about slavery?!?!
Praise Cheeses! 🙌🏽 G-D is gouda ERRYDAY! 🙏🏽
"I could offer a kind of equation for leftists and liberals crossing over to the neofascist and authoritarian right that goes something like: narcissism (grandiosity) + social media addiction + midlife crisis ÷ public shaming = rightwing meltdown. And there would be some truth to that bit of math."
Naomi Klein on following her ‘doppelganger’ down the conspiracy rabbit hole – and why millions...
For years the writer laughed off being mistaken for fellow author Naomi Wolf. Then her ‘double’ drifted into a world of conspiracy theories and became a favoured guest of Steve Bannon and Tucker C...
www.theguardian.com
August 29, 2023 at 1:50 PM
"I could offer a kind of equation for leftists and liberals crossing over to the neofascist and authoritarian right that goes something like: narcissism (grandiosity) + social media addiction + midlife crisis ÷ public shaming = rightwing meltdown. And there would be some truth to that bit of math."
Reposted by Lark Ballinger
Well, time for my first thread here on BlueSky, and I'm pissed off. I've been catching up on the situation with F&SF and Sheree Thomas. I'm slow because I'm not on FB anymore, where apparently the bulk of the convo is happening, and I'm barely on Twitter. Anyway.
August 24, 2023 at 10:12 PM
Well, time for my first thread here on BlueSky, and I'm pissed off. I've been catching up on the situation with F&SF and Sheree Thomas. I'm slow because I'm not on FB anymore, where apparently the bulk of the convo is happening, and I'm barely on Twitter. Anyway.
I love bloomscrolling! 🌼❤🌷
debt is ludicrous, and i fucking love philly and this group of "gutter pagan, queer dirtbags" who helped erase $1.6 million in medical bills for 1700 philadelphians
www.inquirer.com/news/philade...
www.inquirer.com/news/philade...
A group of Philadelphians erased $1.6 million in local medical debt. They celebrated with an unoffic...
Two regular residents got their friends to raise more than $17,000 to buy medical debt worth $1.6 million. Instead of cashing in on the debt, they forgave it, helping more than 1,700 Philadelphians.
www.inquirer.com
August 29, 2023 at 3:37 AM
I love bloomscrolling! 🌼❤🌷
You may never have it again.
But you have it now.
Enjoy it now.
But you have it now.
Enjoy it now.
August 29, 2023 at 1:21 AM
You may never have it again.
But you have it now.
Enjoy it now.
But you have it now.
Enjoy it now.
@anonsee.bsky.social, protect your peace. Whether you're right or wrong, there will be some who want you to grow and others who want to tear you apart. Review your knowledge of the difference. You can defend and defend and defend and some will continue to attack you. Choose your battles.
August 27, 2023 at 3:27 AM
@anonsee.bsky.social, protect your peace. Whether you're right or wrong, there will be some who want you to grow and others who want to tear you apart. Review your knowledge of the difference. You can defend and defend and defend and some will continue to attack you. Choose your battles.
Well worn memories
Of a future lost, 'spite plans
Dreaming tomorrow
🖤✏️
Of a future lost, 'spite plans
Dreaming tomorrow
🖤✏️
August 27, 2023 at 1:40 AM
Well worn memories
Of a future lost, 'spite plans
Dreaming tomorrow
🖤✏️
Of a future lost, 'spite plans
Dreaming tomorrow
🖤✏️
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET: Dream Warriors
Exorcist III
What’s the best part 3 in a horror franchise?
August 26, 2023 at 12:21 AM
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET: Dream Warriors
Reposted by Lark Ballinger
The biggest enabler for creativity is stability. I wish that was made more central to the creative narrative. Figure out what your specific needs are to limit stressors and enable "boring" time and work to achieve that as hard as you're practicing your art.
August 23, 2023 at 1:24 PM
The biggest enabler for creativity is stability. I wish that was made more central to the creative narrative. Figure out what your specific needs are to limit stressors and enable "boring" time and work to achieve that as hard as you're practicing your art.
Beneath the beating of my heart
I sometimes hear
My inner child
Running
From chamber to chamber
Pounding madly at each valved door
I used to think they were trying to escape
Now I know they're raising the alarm
When I've forgotten
To love myself
🖤✏️
I sometimes hear
My inner child
Running
From chamber to chamber
Pounding madly at each valved door
I used to think they were trying to escape
Now I know they're raising the alarm
When I've forgotten
To love myself
🖤✏️
August 26, 2023 at 12:16 AM
Beneath the beating of my heart
I sometimes hear
My inner child
Running
From chamber to chamber
Pounding madly at each valved door
I used to think they were trying to escape
Now I know they're raising the alarm
When I've forgotten
To love myself
🖤✏️
I sometimes hear
My inner child
Running
From chamber to chamber
Pounding madly at each valved door
I used to think they were trying to escape
Now I know they're raising the alarm
When I've forgotten
To love myself
🖤✏️
One of the things I find most exhausting about social media isn't the (frequently justified) anger, it's the viciousness of people in pain.
August 24, 2023 at 2:49 AM
One of the things I find most exhausting about social media isn't the (frequently justified) anger, it's the viciousness of people in pain.
Some like the mode of fashion
I prefer the mode of compassion
To suffer well with those
Who suffered like Jesus
To get personal with each Buddha
Walking around today
I recognize some Buddhas
When my heart's eyes
Are chakra-open
One of my Buddhas
Spoke to the grief
That is universal
And I listened
🖤✏️
I prefer the mode of compassion
To suffer well with those
Who suffered like Jesus
To get personal with each Buddha
Walking around today
I recognize some Buddhas
When my heart's eyes
Are chakra-open
One of my Buddhas
Spoke to the grief
That is universal
And I listened
🖤✏️
August 23, 2023 at 6:51 PM
Some like the mode of fashion
I prefer the mode of compassion
To suffer well with those
Who suffered like Jesus
To get personal with each Buddha
Walking around today
I recognize some Buddhas
When my heart's eyes
Are chakra-open
One of my Buddhas
Spoke to the grief
That is universal
And I listened
🖤✏️
I prefer the mode of compassion
To suffer well with those
Who suffered like Jesus
To get personal with each Buddha
Walking around today
I recognize some Buddhas
When my heart's eyes
Are chakra-open
One of my Buddhas
Spoke to the grief
That is universal
And I listened
🖤✏️
Reposted by Lark Ballinger
UPDATED #WRITING FEEDS list incoming!
If you're an #author new to Bluesky, feeds sort of replicate the experience of following hashtags.
I'll comment in the writing related feeds I'm aware of, but new ones are being created all the time so this is not comprehensive. Just a place to start!
If you're an #author new to Bluesky, feeds sort of replicate the experience of following hashtags.
I'll comment in the writing related feeds I'm aware of, but new ones are being created all the time so this is not comprehensive. Just a place to start!
August 12, 2023 at 2:12 PM
UPDATED #WRITING FEEDS list incoming!
If you're an #author new to Bluesky, feeds sort of replicate the experience of following hashtags.
I'll comment in the writing related feeds I'm aware of, but new ones are being created all the time so this is not comprehensive. Just a place to start!
If you're an #author new to Bluesky, feeds sort of replicate the experience of following hashtags.
I'll comment in the writing related feeds I'm aware of, but new ones are being created all the time so this is not comprehensive. Just a place to start!