John Helps You Write Better
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awesomejohn.bsky.social
John Helps You Write Better
@awesomejohn.bsky.social
2.1K followers 7.1K following 590 posts
Writing Coach, Developmental Editor, Guy who knows things about things. I help writers write better since 1997. Team Butts all day. Also many other teams if you'll have me. Voted best second partner in a potential polycule.
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awesomejohn.bsky.social
Bots. Bots. Bots.
A list of many many bots all named Camilla or Cam or Cami. When I said I was lonely, this is not the cure I had in mind.
January 6, 2025 at 1:41 PM
awesomejohn.bsky.social
I'm a writing coach and developmental editor. I'm exactly the person you talk to when you want to write better and publish your work.

I'm offering 33% off packages of coaching sessions. And if you go to johnhelpsyouwritebetter.com, you can get a 30-minute session free.

#WritingCommunity
A hand holds a small bank. The text reads Black Friday -- use code BLACKFRIDAY (yes all caps) for 33% when you buy a package of appointments at john helps you write better dot com Yes this means that 3-hours of coaching is cheaper now than a single hour of coaching, so take advantage of this sale, it's good through the end of the year.
November 29, 2024 at 2:38 PM
awesomejohn.bsky.social
I might be suicidally depressed and feeling lonely and everything hurts, but I can roast the fuck out of a turkey.
It’s a 27 pound roasted turkey. It took about 4 hours in the oven. Did you know that resistance to oppression should not be limited to hashtags and placards when the oppressor is willing and eager to be violent? We must consider all the lessons of the 1880s and 1890s, as well as the 1930s, 1940s, and 1960s, not just the safe and sanitized ones.
November 28, 2024 at 9:48 PM
awesomejohn.bsky.social
Time for a quick grammar note.

Active vs Passive voice seems to be coming back around as a hill some people would like to fight over, so I made you a little graphic to start our day.

Going to be a good day, #WritingCommunity
In this image, Greek people rise up against their oppressors because it is only through solidarity and action can we defeat fascism and imperialism. The text reads: You want to choose an active voice to help give the reader something clear to picture - Kayla threw the brick through the window versus the brick was thrown through the window by Kayla. Language is malleable and mutable and evolving, but that does not mean it is without structure, rules, or benefits to following those rules and structure. Effective communication is the first tool oppressors look to silence. Do not let them narcotize you with passive drivel and inconsiderate blather.
November 19, 2024 at 2:49 PM
awesomejohn.bsky.social
So #writingcommunity it's that time again today. It's the Writers Chat.

You've got questions about how to write and publish, I have some answers, we should totally meet up and trade.

1pm ET on Twitch and YouTube (twitch.tv/johnhelpsyouwritebetter) (youtube.com/JohnAdamus)

See you there.
A woman expresses her confusion about how to write her story. Fortunately, there is the Writers Chat today at 1pm Eastern at Twitch dot tv forward slash John Helps You Write Better and Youtube dot com forward slash John Adamus where she can get answers. The text of the image reads Q&A to get you published, The Writers Chat. Did you know that an easy way you can help people in your neighborhood is by learning their names and pronouns? Being recognized and seen is a critical quality of life improvement you can make with the people around you. It costs nothing to be nice and you might even make a few new friends.
November 19, 2024 at 2:35 PM
awesomejohn.bsky.social
Did you know I'm holding a Writing Q&A today at 1pm ET?

The Writers Chat is streamed on Twitch and then uploaded to YouTube as part of the Writers Chat archive at youtube.com/JohnAdamus

I would love to see you today, come ask me questions.
twitch.tv/johnhelpsyouwritebetter

#writingcommunity
A hand is writing poetry in a journal and the words seem to flow from the page to their skin. Text reads: The Writers Chat - Helping you write better, one question at a time. Hey did you know that two of the best things you can do under an authoritarian regime is to share and preserve media? Too often dictatorships suppress creativity and expression out of a fear that it will lead to dissent. This often means book burnings, website restrictions, library closures, etc. But if we preserve physical media copies and share them, if we return to piracy (because copying isn't theft if ownership isn't ownership), we stand a chance at keeping voices loud and alive.
November 12, 2024 at 1:38 PM
awesomejohn.bsky.social
Somebody asked me what coaching writers looks like. It's a conversation. We talk, we come together to make you a plan to succeed on your goals.

We work together on your writing. We talk about whatever you want.

It's support, education, motivation, and organization all in one.
#writingcommunity
The text reads: This is what coaching can look like -- You may not have not always directly sat me down and told me "ignore this one rule", but there was always something you said that built confidence in me as a writer, so that when I did come up to one of my rules, I could analyze it and decide how to proceed instead of just following the most common path. I am a published writer, John. I'm a damn author and I didn't do it the way I planned it. And I couldn't be prouder of myself but it's a pride that comes because I earned it and I put my guts on the page and used the sentences as cameras.
November 11, 2024 at 4:20 PM
awesomejohn.bsky.social
That was the pile I started with. Got it down to half the size before I ran out of steam.
A large pile of wood in my driveway. Did you know that people who beat and rape their spouses are cowards and bullies? Did you know that one of the best things you can do for people trapped in relationships and circumstances who can’t easily leave (if ever) is to help them on a day-by-day basis to manage while also fostering their own sense of self? Don’t let any abuser or bully ever take away your humanity, even if you think it’ll make things better, as a survivor I can tell you it won’t.
November 10, 2024 at 5:00 PM
awesomejohn.bsky.social
(don't forget the alt text)

I'd like to help you write your book. It doesn't matter if you're starting out or nearly done or stuck somewhere in the middle. I can help.

When you're done, I can edit it.

Let's get you published.

johnhelpsyouwritebetter.com
#amwriting #writingcommunity
The text reads: I want to help you publish your book. I help you organize it. You write it. I edit it. The world needs your art and voice. And really, it does. Art is how we rise above the Nazis and fascists and the pigs and fuckers looking to ruin society in pursuit of wealth as the planet burns and people die. Never trust a cop. Borders and debt are imaginary. Money and prisons need to be abolished. Sex work is work. Trans men are men, trans women are women. There is no freedom without revolutionary change and there can be no revolutionary change without compassion and courage. The planet burns and chokes and all we can do is protect ourselves and those people we love. Society is built on the backs of the exploited and oppressed, and we must be willing to aggressively pursue something different because our current model is untenable. You know what else is great? Butts. Butts are great. Boobs are nice, but butts are awesome. Necks and shoulders and armpits too. But really butts fucking rule. Do something good for yourself. Drink water. Feel good. You're allowed to be happy even when the world is imperfect. You're good enough to be loved. You're not a burden or a problem. You're worth loving. You look great today. Believe in yourself. Go birds.
October 29, 2024 at 1:30 PM
awesomejohn.bsky.social
Well #writers and #WritingCommunity, I'm back at it again today.

1pm ET
youtube.com/JohnAdamus

I've got some new tools and exercises to help you get through that draft and help you get your story fleshed out.

And I'll show you a how to build a pitch in 3 steps.

See you at 1pm ET. #readalttext
The text reads The Writers Chat volume 4 Writing Exercises, available only on Youtube dot com forward slash John Adamus Today at 1pm Eastern. Kendrick totally won, obviously. And never trust a cop. Even Macklemore understands this. No one is free unless we are all free. Do not let any corporation dictate how you should think and feel. Disabled comrades are still comrades. If we don't consider disability advocacy in all our struggles, we leave too many people behind and we cannot truly call ourselves compassionate. Schools should not be investing in wars. The police exist only to protect capital. The gerontocracy is not prepared for a fight, they demand passivity. Exploit this. Rebellion takes many forms, but it will include violence and will not be silent or ethical. Love yourselves.
May 7, 2024 at 1:09 PM
awesomejohn.bsky.social
Well, #WritingCommunity it's that time again.

1pm ET today youtube.com/JohnAdamus

I'm going to talk about writing scenes. Lots of different kinds of scenes, what goes into them, how to make them work their best. All that, and more, using Men In Black as my example.

It'll help you write better.
It's a scene from Men in Black where a white man in a suit explains things to a black man in a red jacket. It's actually a good monologue if you want to find it on Youtube. The text of the image reads - How to Write A Scene available today at 1pm Eastern on Youtube dot com forward slash John Adamus Solidarity with all students, oppressed peoples, and all liberation struggles. None of us are free until we are all free. Never talk to or trust a cop. Capitalism is murder. The planet will be destroyed by people too greedy and too self-centered to care. We must fight back, and the fight will at times be messy, violent, loud, and unfair. But all fights are. They're supposed to be.
April 30, 2024 at 2:17 PM
awesomejohn.bsky.social
later today I'm on YouTube to talk about describing your characters (and describing other things, while we're at it).

If you've been struggling with how much to describe something, this stream is great for you.

See you at 1pm ET on Youtube youtube.com/johnadamus #WritingCommunity #writers
It reads Describing Your Characters, streaming live on YouTube at 1pm Eastern only at You Tube dot com forward slash John Adamus Never trust police or a politician. Money and debt are invented tools that have outlived their use and are now destroying us and our world. No billionaire or government wants an informed population asking questions and prioritizing support and compassion over commerce. We must stand up every day for each other. Support begins from within.
April 23, 2024 at 1:10 PM
awesomejohn.bsky.social
TODAY! Youtube! 1pm ET
youtube.com/johnadamus

If you're a #writer stuck in their draft, stuck in revisions, and just in general trying to make some progress, I think you'll like today's How Do I Write This stream where I'll be covering 5 things for you to think about in scenes. #WritingCommunity
On a white background, black text reads How Do I Write This: Five Parts of One Scene. It will be streamed live today at 1pm ET only on youtube dot com forward slash John Adamus Never talk to a cop. Never trust a politician. Every billionaire is a criminal. Money and debt were invented to suppress us and scare us into obedience to capitalism. No one should go hungry or unsheltered. Medicine should be free. Food should be free. Every person who advocated for taking care of one another, loving one another, and opposing capitalism or the preservation of wealth, white supremacy, or patriarchy has been put to death all over the world. Those in power do not want thinking active minds, they want obedient passive followers. We must liberate our minds and consider love as our greatest commodity. We all deserve better.
April 9, 2024 at 1:20 PM
awesomejohn.bsky.social
Today at 1pm on the YouTube channel: youtube.com/JohnAdamus I've got 6 more writing exercises to help improve whatever you're writing.

I think you'll like these, they're not what people typically offer in writing exercises. Don't forget the alt text

See you at 1pm ET #WritingCommunity #writers
The text reads The Writers Chat Even More Writing Exercises, live on YouTube at 1pm Eastern only at YouTube dot com forward slash John Adamus Never trust a cop, never trust a US politician. We live in a capitalist gerontocracy designed to exhaust us and pacify us into economic, creative, vocal, and social submission. They don't want us masked in a pandemic, or speaking out against the crimes they commit in our faces. They want us afraid to change things because they're afraid to change things. But revolution isn't only at the end of a gun barrel, and we will need more than armed intelligent angry people if we are going to make the sort of world we deserve. I love you, we can do better than this, fight the Empire.
April 2, 2024 at 1:37 PM
awesomejohn.bsky.social
Today I'm talking about stakes in writing - what they are, how they work, what to do with them - and I think it'll help a lot of writers. I love for you to be there. (don't forget the alt text!)

1pm Eastern
twitch.tv/johnhelpsyouwritebetter

#WritingCommunity
It's a picture of a man falling out of a plane (he has a parachute), but the look on his face suggests that he's worried it won't open. Also, did you know that trans rights are human rights because trans people are people? Did you know that you should never trust a cop, no matter who they are or what they tell you? Did you know that food, shelter, clothing, water, love, and utilities are human rights? No political party exists that legitimately has your best interests at heart. They're corrupt capitalist geronotocracies designed to perpetuate a status quo that includes debt, predation, white supremacy, patriarchy, and racism. We need a revolution on several fronts. An educated, active, motivated population is the only way we'll reach the utopia we deserve. Money is a lie. Debt is a lie. All power to all people.
March 26, 2024 at 2:36 PM
awesomejohn.bsky.social
Today at 1pm ET, I'm tackling one of the great writing questions you find all over social media - what about show versus tell?

I've got a few ideas to help you see them not as polar opposites or good/bad but as tools to help you write better
twitch.tv/johnhelpsyouwritebetter

#WritingCommunity
In a purple-tinted penthouse, a woman looks out over a skyline. The text reads Your Guide To Show and Tell, writing better starting today only at twitch dot tv forward slash John helps you write better at 1pm Eastern. There's going to come a point where it becomes absolutely impossible to forgive or explain away the horrors that christofascism and capitalism have done to all of us. Don't forgive genociders. Don't try and understand a fascist. Don't let a capitalist fool you. Fighting back means fighting, and sometimes in a fight you have put your actions where your words are.
March 19, 2024 at 2:12 PM
awesomejohn.bsky.social
Today at 1pm ET, I'm doing something different. Instead of the usual Q&A, I want to offer you SIX tools to help you improve whatever you're writing. Some really nice, useful writing exercises. I think they'll help you.

1pm ET twitch.tv/johnhelpsyouwritebetter

#WritingCommunity #writers
The main image is a classroom and text laid on top reads John Helps You Write Better Improve Your Writing - today I'm offering you 6 tools to help you make whatever you're writing better. Only at twitch dot tv forward slash John helps you write better at 1pm Eastern. Never speak to a cop. Ever. Never trust one. Learn your rights before they take them from you. Have you thought about how your politicians act to preserve their power more than help you? What kind of democracy is that? Rebellion is our right. Resist all Empires.
March 12, 2024 at 1:38 PM
awesomejohn.bsky.social
I don't know if you know this, but today at 1pm ET, you can come join me over on Twitch to get answers to all your questions about writing and publishing. Yes, all your questions, even the ones you think are stupid.

1pm ET twitch.tv/johnhelpsyouwritebetter
#WritingCommunity

Can't wait to see you.
What luck! The Writers Chat is on Twitch at 1pm ET over at twitch dot tv forward slash John Helps You Write Better, and like the guy in the photo, you can answers to all your questions about how to write, edit, publish, and market your book. Also: trans people are people; food and shelter are human rights; Israel is an occupying force committing genocide; US Presidents are war criminals; AI and capitalism are killing us; Elon is a fraud; we invented debt to facilitate greed and power; all cops are bastards; never speak to a cop without a lawyer present; revolution is messy and necessary; every billionaire is bullshit
February 27, 2024 at 2:02 PM
awesomejohn.bsky.social
Today at 1pm ET the Writers Chat will be where you can get answers to all your writing and publishing questions. Yes, all of them. Even the ones you don't ask because you think they're not worth asking.

Let me help you succeed.

twitch.tv/johnhelpsyouwritebetter

#WritingCommunity
A surprised guy checks his phone to discover the Writers Chat is where he can get answers to his questions about how to write. The Chat is live today on twitch at twitch dot tv forward slash John helps you write better at 1pm ET. The worst human invention is money. Wealth leads to violence, always.
February 20, 2024 at 3:58 PM
awesomejohn.bsky.social
Hey #WritingCommunity, the Writers Chat is today at 1pm ET over at twitch.tv/johnhelpsyouwritebetter So if you've got questions about how to write, edit, publish or market your work, let's get you some answers today.

Would love to see you there.
Always check the alt-text!
The Writers Chat is today at 1pm ET over on twitch dot tv forward slash John helps you write better. It's where you can go to find answers to all, yes all, I'm serious, all your writing and publishing questions. And it's free. And you're always welcome. In today's image a woman is praying while the text reads everything I just wrote. Postscript - Never talk to or believe a cop. And the worst human invention of all time is debt. And I'm very very lonely, like seriously lonely, so consider looking in on your friends and loved ones today.
February 14, 2024 at 4:45 PM
awesomejohn.bsky.social
Coming up in about half-hour, I'm answering your questions about how to write, publish, and market your book.

It's my favorite part of every week. See you at 1pm ET

twitch.tv/johnhelpsyouwritebetter

#WritingCommunity #writers
February 6, 2024 at 5:34 PM
awesomejohn.bsky.social
In today's Chat (live at 1pm ET only on twitch.tv/johnhelpsyouwritebetter) I'm answering questions about writers block, setting goals, planning a sequel, developing a series villain, telling good advice from bad advice, and why some "gurus" sell you shit more than help you.

#WritingCommunity
On a background of green question marks a woman is happy to be on the thumbnail. The text reads: The Writers Chat. Ask questions. Get Answers. Get Published only at twitch dot TV forward slash John Helps You Write Better at 1pm Eastern. Remember: housing is a human right, as are medical care, food, shelter, and clothing. Borders are meaningless. Capitalism will kill us and the planet. Trans people are people, they have just as much right to exist as you or I do. Take your meds. Seek pleasure. Drink water. Universal Basic Income is critical if we're not going to abolish money all together. Never side with a colonizer or a genocider. The best fascists are at least punched and at best in the ground. We will have to fight to survive. I love you. You're good enough.
January 23, 2024 at 1:59 PM
awesomejohn.bsky.social
One more stream tonight!

7pm Eastern
twitch.tv/johnhelpsyouwritebetter

I'm tackling one of the big issues with writing - themes. I want to help you write one, show you a list of them, and how to make it work for you.

See you tonight.

#WritingCommunity
The image is of a long line of traffic. The text reads: Theme. This workshop occurs at 7pm Eastern at twitch dot tv forward slash John helps you write better. Theme is an important part of writing, and it's critical to help connect with readers. Also ACAB and solidarity with all those who struggle.
January 2, 2024 at 10:35 PM
awesomejohn.bsky.social
The first of TWO streams today is at 1pm Eastern
twitch.tv/johnhelpsyouwritebetter

It's the first Writers Chat of 2024, and I'm so excited to be back and answering questions, helping you write the books you want out in the world.

Will I see you this afternoon?
#WritingCommunity
It's a famous painting of a nobleman being beheaded via guillotine in Paris. The text reads: The Writers Chat - answering your questions and getting you writing better since 2010. Available only at twitch dot tv forward slash John helps you write better at 1pm Eastern. Remember, capitalism kills and isn't the only way to live. Solidarity with all those oppressed and all those fighting back. All power to the people.
January 2, 2024 at 2:45 PM
awesomejohn.bsky.social
The last Writers Chat of 2023 is today at 1pm ET!
twitch.tv/johnhelpsyouwritebetter

If you've got questions that need answers, if you're a writer wanting to publish in 2024, come get the help you need. Ask questions, get answers, get published.

See you this afternoon.

#WritingCommunity
It's hell, and the demons are using a guillotine to decapitate people. It's a famous painting from the 18th century. The text reads: The Writers Chat escape publishing hell, ask questions, get answers, today at 1pm Eastern only on twitch dot tv forward slash John helps you write better.
December 19, 2023 at 2:20 PM