Michael Brockbank
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writersanctuary.bsky.social
Michael Brockbank
@writersanctuary.bsky.social
17 followers 10 following 190 posts
Published author, blogger, and freelance writer.
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writersanctuary.bsky.social
Where do you get ideas for stories? I have quite a few resources I tap, depending on what I want to write that day. My favorite are unsolved mysteries and what ifs.

Yet, I'm quite partial to just letting my imagination run away with me.

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My Favorite Ways to Come Up with Story Ideas - After Hours with WriterSanctuary 🥃
Having trouble coming up with story ideas? In this episode of After Hours, we'll talk about my favorite methods of brainstorming ideas and how I would implem...
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February 3, 2026 at 2:00 AM
writersanctuary.bsky.social
Being able to deal with rejection as a writer is a virtual requirement. You can't please 100% of the people 100% of the time.

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Confronting Your Fear of Rejection as a Writer
Do you have a fear of rejection as an author? This particular fear can easily be debilitating and hold you back from creating something amazing. In this video, I'm sharing 7 tips to overcome this…
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February 2, 2026 at 5:45 PM
writersanctuary.bsky.social
I'm hoping to get the After Hours podcast going again in the near future. Life has been incredibly chaotic, haphazard, and absurd. Still, it was a lot of fun, and I'm going to double down on it for 2026.

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January 30, 2026 at 5:45 PM
writersanctuary.bsky.social
Spring classes start next week, and I'm quite excited. I don't know if I've looked forward to a set of classes more since I took physics and chemistry in high school...30 years ago.

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School Starts Next Week - Reworking the Schedule...Again
Trying to keep everything balanced is a pain
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January 12, 2026 at 5:11 PM
writersanctuary.bsky.social
It's been a long time since I've written over a million words in a year. I wonder if I can still crank it out despite having so much on my plate at the moment.

Guess I'm going to find out.

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michaelbrockbank.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:15 PM
writersanctuary.bsky.social
Oh yeah...feelin' the power today. As we wrap up 2025, how are you approaching the new year? Are you peaking around the corner to make sure it's safe, or are you charging into the fray?

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Ready to Take On 2026? Let's Keep the Positive Momentum!
Making each year better than the last.
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December 29, 2025 at 4:31 PM
writersanctuary.bsky.social
I didn't do as much as I would have liked in 2025 as an author and creator. However, I had a lot of amazing experiences that motivate me to do more in 2026.

What did you do this year that inspires you?

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Just Over a Week Left of 2025 - Looking Back at Accomplishments
Don't focus on what you didn't do, but embrace the victories, regardless of how small.
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December 23, 2025 at 7:08 PM
writersanctuary.bsky.social
Unfortunately, Paramount won't let me monetize the video. However, I'm not in danger of a copyright strike, so I guess that's fine. Anyway...here is my take on Deep Space 9 and why it's my favorite from a writer's perspective.

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Star Trek: Deep Space 9 and "In the Pale Moonlight"
Deep Space 9 played a pivotal role in my youth as both an entertaining vessel and for storytelling. In this video, I touch a bit on why DS9 is so impactful on me while discussing my favorite episode…
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December 11, 2025 at 1:23 AM
writersanctuary.bsky.social
Being sick slowed me down a bit, but I'm back and ready to conquer the last three weeks. Hopefully.

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Cramming for Finals This Week After Being Sick! Sigh...
When being sick for a week slows down the progress.
open.substack.com
December 8, 2025 at 3:10 PM
writersanctuary.bsky.social
Mission Impossible-style break-in. Through the ceiling, take out the security footage, and proceed.

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'Passed out drunk': Raccoon breaks into, ransacks Hanover ABC store
A crime unlike any other unfolded at the Ashland ABC store over the weekend -- involving a tipsy, furry suspect. Animal control officers say a raccoon helped itself to bottles of alcohol before…
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December 6, 2025 at 4:28 PM
writersanctuary.bsky.social
How often do you get hung up on self-doubt while #writing? Over the past 13 years, I've managed to wrestle my own demons to develop an awesome career. Here is how I did it.

writersanctuary.com/conquer-self...
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November 25, 2025 at 7:23 PM
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How often do you struggle as a writer? Tonight, we're diving into those struggles and discussing options to overcome them together. Bring some insights and hang out with us live.

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The Realities of Being a Writer: Struggles We Face - After Hours with WriterSanctuary 🥃
As writers, there are all kinds of struggles we face on a regular basis that often sidetrack us. Tonight, let's talk about those struggles and how we can ove...
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October 28, 2025 at 12:45 AM
writersanctuary.bsky.social
The #writing sprints have returned. Today, we're working on projects to the sound of a crackling fire while a rainstorm happens outside. I'm setting aside time to make a winter edition for the future.

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Lots of Work to the Sound of Rain and a Fireplace - Writing Sprint Ep. 104☕
They have returned. Today's writing sprints are to the sounds of a crackling fire while a storm rages outside. I'm working on everything under the sun while ...
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October 27, 2025 at 4:31 PM
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What are your #writing goals for the rest of the year? I've got a lot on my plate, but it's nothing I can't handle.

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October 15, 2025 at 4:45 PM
writersanctuary.bsky.social
Suffer from writer's block? Tonight, we're going over different methods to help you overcome blockages while developing a steady flow of conscious awesomeness. Let's help each other succeed!

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Overcoming Writer's Block: My Personal Journey - After Hours with WriterSanctuary 🥃
Writer's block can keep you from producing some great works of art. So, what can you do to avoid getting stuck in your writing? Tonight, we'll discuss some w...
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October 7, 2025 at 1:00 AM
writersanctuary.bsky.social
October is definitely the busiest month I've had in quite some time. Let's see if I can manage to get through it without being shoved into a padded room.

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Midterms This Week: Can I Keep from Stressing Out?
October is an extremely full month for me; more so than normal.
open.substack.com
October 6, 2025 at 5:38 PM
writersanctuary.bsky.social
Looking forward to going to Read Between the Stars this Saturday. If you're in the Denver area, why not stop by the Stanley Marketplace in Aurora and meet some great authors...myself included. 😁

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Looking Forward to Read Between the Stars on Saturday
If you're in the Denver area, stop by to meet some authors and get some autographed books!
open.substack.com
September 29, 2025 at 9:45 PM
writersanctuary.bsky.social
I am almost done with my dark western. It has taken almost two years since the moment I started writing. Let's cross our fingers that the chaos isn't as bad when I start writing Fury.

michaelbrockbank.com/finishing-th...
Finishing the Final Touches of Shadows Next Week (hopefully)
Shadows is just about done. I am looking forward to wrapping this one up and diving into the next project, Fury!
michaelbrockbank.com
September 26, 2025 at 3:37 PM
writersanctuary.bsky.social
I can't believe some people think that if you publish more than two books in a year, it must be AI-driven. Sorry to burst your bubble, but some of us are just fast and efficient. It's called having skills.

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How Many Books Could I Theoretically Write in a Year?
Human vs AI productivity. This is seriously a core belief of some on social media.
open.substack.com
September 24, 2025 at 4:24 PM
writersanctuary.bsky.social
Let's do a #writing AMA tonight. I promise, I am getting more authors on the show very soon. It's just been north of chaotic here lately.

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Looking for Some Writing Answers? I Might Have Some - After Hours with WriterSanctuary 🥃
Tonight, we're just hanging out and asking questions. Feel free to toss just about anything at me, within reason. Viewers might have some answers to help you...
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September 23, 2025 at 1:00 AM
writersanctuary.bsky.social
Tonight, I have Gregory Stout with me for a live interview. He's an award-winning mystery writer with a long career of doing some great and interesting things.

Come and meet the author live!

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An Evening with Gregory Stout - After Hours with WriterSanctuary 🥃
Tonight, I am joined by award winning author, Gregory Stout, to talk about writing mystery books and what inspired him to focus on the topics he enjoys. Brin...
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August 26, 2025 at 1:00 AM
writersanctuary.bsky.social
How are you ending August? Everything is kind of working for me at the moment. Well, not exactly what I had planned, but a lot of awesome things that were unplanned.

I can't believe how quick that last month went.

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Wrapping Up the Last Week of August - It's a Heavy Balancing Act
Books, blogs, videos, and school...yep, looking forward to my October vacation for a change.
open.substack.com
August 25, 2025 at 4:36 PM
writersanctuary.bsky.social
I love this house. It's only $2.75 million. Guess I'll have to start saving my pennies.

Can you imagine what I could do with this house at Halloween and Christmas?
August 23, 2025 at 12:10 AM
writersanctuary.bsky.social
Don't forget, Gregory Stout is joining me on After Hours for a live interview on Monday. Bring some questions along and meet an award-winning PI writer!

writersanctuary.com/an-evening-w...
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August 22, 2025 at 9:59 PM
writersanctuary.bsky.social
The golf course calls to me. Probably because I just got paid.
August 22, 2025 at 8:45 PM