Marsha McSpadden
@marshamac.bsky.social
Writer of small thorns, teacher of same
A couple of favorites I teach — Bullhead by Leigh Allison Wilson. leighallisonwilson.com/2014/10/16/u...
Sleeping by Katherine Weber www.vestalreview.net/sleeping
Let X by Chad Simpson fictionaut.com/stories/chad...
And The Hobblers by Dan Chaon www.smokelong.com/stories/the-...
Sleeping by Katherine Weber www.vestalreview.net/sleeping
Let X by Chad Simpson fictionaut.com/stories/chad...
And The Hobblers by Dan Chaon www.smokelong.com/stories/the-...
Unromancing the stone
BULLHEAD by Leigh Allison /wilson (From flashquake) Every story is true and a lie. My mother tells a story about the love of her life. It’s a simple one, but she always cries when she tells it and …
leighallisonwilson.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:44 PM
A couple of favorites I teach — Bullhead by Leigh Allison Wilson. leighallisonwilson.com/2014/10/16/u...
Sleeping by Katherine Weber www.vestalreview.net/sleeping
Let X by Chad Simpson fictionaut.com/stories/chad...
And The Hobblers by Dan Chaon www.smokelong.com/stories/the-...
Sleeping by Katherine Weber www.vestalreview.net/sleeping
Let X by Chad Simpson fictionaut.com/stories/chad...
And The Hobblers by Dan Chaon www.smokelong.com/stories/the-...
Ain’t it the truth. For 26 we’re going to have Tubs running for Gov, McCarron for LG, and Finebaum for Senate. 🥴
November 14, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Ain’t it the truth. For 26 we’re going to have Tubs running for Gov, McCarron for LG, and Finebaum for Senate. 🥴
I don’t know why he thought having a press conference in front of all those empty stairs was a good look. It makes them look even smaller and lonelier.
November 5, 2025 at 3:44 PM
I don’t know why he thought having a press conference in front of all those empty stairs was a good look. It makes them look even smaller and lonelier.
Alabama has a state law barring “divisive topics”
November 5, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Alabama has a state law barring “divisive topics”
He’s now free to have more date nights at Mar-a-Lago
November 2, 2025 at 8:29 PM
He’s now free to have more date nights at Mar-a-Lago
Even snails get where they’re going, I say to myself as I open my manuscript…
October 30, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Even snails get where they’re going, I say to myself as I open my manuscript…
Absolutely. I had a student who said, as I was passing out the midterm, I don’t think I’ve learned anything in this class. Information I would never have admitted to anyone but they said this confidently and proudly as though it were an indictment of me. 🤷♀️
October 30, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Absolutely. I had a student who said, as I was passing out the midterm, I don’t think I’ve learned anything in this class. Information I would never have admitted to anyone but they said this confidently and proudly as though it were an indictment of me. 🤷♀️
Yes. Agree. I think phones has a lot to do with it too. They take fewer risks. And are generally less curious than kids 7-8 years ago because they are entertained 24/7.
October 30, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Yes. Agree. I think phones has a lot to do with it too. They take fewer risks. And are generally less curious than kids 7-8 years ago because they are entertained 24/7.
I had a student submit an AI story to workshop this go round. My first look at AI doing “creative” writing and it was hot garbage. Logically didn’t make sense, repetitive, switched from first to third at random, hollow characters. I don’t think most readers want that.
October 29, 2025 at 4:51 PM
I had a student submit an AI story to workshop this go round. My first look at AI doing “creative” writing and it was hot garbage. Logically didn’t make sense, repetitive, switched from first to third at random, hollow characters. I don’t think most readers want that.
Rural grocery stores will be hit hardest and a good many will shutter. Al.com estimates 18 countries could lose access to grocery stores because of this.
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Al.com
October 28, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Rural grocery stores will be hit hardest and a good many will shutter. Al.com estimates 18 countries could lose access to grocery stores because of this.
Yes. Great for different character threads and timelines. I don’t write very linearly and it’s great for housing snippets you *know* belong *somewhere* I also love putting a scissor icon on things I’m going to cut. Oddly satisfying.
October 24, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Yes. Great for different character threads and timelines. I don’t write very linearly and it’s great for housing snippets you *know* belong *somewhere* I also love putting a scissor icon on things I’m going to cut. Oddly satisfying.
I use and love Scrivener. One of the best features, I think, is the ease of moving docs around. I think it would be great for ordering/ organizing poems. You can color code them. Create sub folders, etc.
October 24, 2025 at 3:14 PM
I use and love Scrivener. One of the best features, I think, is the ease of moving docs around. I think it would be great for ordering/ organizing poems. You can color code them. Create sub folders, etc.
Especially interesting since Caterpillar is one of reported donors
October 22, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Especially interesting since Caterpillar is one of reported donors
I hope a family of rabid raccoons takes up residence
October 20, 2025 at 9:10 PM
I hope a family of rabid raccoons takes up residence
I was there this time last year, before the election, and they had their blue dot in a red area signs everywhere.
October 18, 2025 at 3:58 PM
I was there this time last year, before the election, and they had their blue dot in a red area signs everywhere.
It’s especially dumb right now when the government is shut down and the king isn’t even paying the paychecks in his lousy metaphor
October 15, 2025 at 4:39 PM
It’s especially dumb right now when the government is shut down and the king isn’t even paying the paychecks in his lousy metaphor
It makes Johnson’s refusal to call the house to order next week all the more confusing. Our open enrollment starts Oct 15. I assume lots of people in lots of places will see their premiums then. It certainly doesn’t give him a stronger hand.
October 10, 2025 at 4:39 PM
It makes Johnson’s refusal to call the house to order next week all the more confusing. Our open enrollment starts Oct 15. I assume lots of people in lots of places will see their premiums then. It certainly doesn’t give him a stronger hand.
also, going to need several meetings about this.
September 26, 2025 at 8:11 PM
also, going to need several meetings about this.
I’m in Tuscaloosa and have never heard of these people. So I just looked them up. I thought they might be biz developers or student apts. But it’s public housing. All over the state. And turns out, my neighbor works for them.
Fascinating!
Fascinating!
September 26, 2025 at 2:54 PM
I’m in Tuscaloosa and have never heard of these people. So I just looked them up. I thought they might be biz developers or student apts. But it’s public housing. All over the state. And turns out, my neighbor works for them.
Fascinating!
Fascinating!
Ah. I live in Tuscaloosa and have never heard of these people but I just looked up the company info and my neighbor / yoga instructor works for them. Fascinating!
September 26, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Ah. I live in Tuscaloosa and have never heard of these people but I just looked up the company info and my neighbor / yoga instructor works for them. Fascinating!
It’s super weird terminology if it’s an on campus event.
September 26, 2025 at 1:49 PM
It’s super weird terminology if it’s an on campus event.
Such a good book
September 24, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Such a good book
Thank you! I needed to hear it this morning. 😊
September 21, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Thank you! I needed to hear it this morning. 😊