Doug Schlesser

I tell my students I don’t spend time making diabolical plans when writing a new seating chart. But really - I do.

The thing about this one is that it most definitely existed just under the surface.

The book I’m reading just had a rumination about what it feels like to actually relax on a holiday, and I might as well just never go back to work because Sally is absolutely right.

367 words this morning in a quick 20 min sprint. 🌬️👟

This time next month, I’ll be in Vienna walking 10,000 steps before lunch, three coffees deep every day with my favorite travel partner (Amy), and staying up way too late. The countdown has begun.

Until then, hoping to get lots of scribbles snuck in between work obligations.

Being a month away from Vienna and Prague is getting me through today. Not much else.

1-Hour Write Sprint starting now.

Writing a whole new sequence for the opening of my novel is daunting, but also very exciting.

Absolutely ecstatic to be outside and getting in a quick little run and it feeling easy after years of doing absolutely nothing. This run brought to you by 4 months of 5am treadmill workouts. See also: Shorts in February!

Gotta turn on the notifications for Blue Sky. I missed this one.

Much to my dismay, I may have to make a fiscally responsible decision about my flight to the UK this summer. Someone tell me premium economy is worth it. (I already know that it is)

Writing pals - is Bluesky still active? I have no idea where the bookish folks are these days. Thread? Instagram?

Never being able to do the @radiomukhers.bsky.social cruise in India due to the American teaching schedule is something I’ll never get over. At least my wallet is happy.

I’ve been in Chapel Hill for less than 12 hours and have already been in 2 indie bookshops.

I’ve been in Chapel Hill for less than 12 hours and have already been in 2 indie bookshops.

“You choose your family these days,” says Joyce. “I saw that on Instagram.”

I love these characters so much. #ThursdayMurderClub

Riot Fest

I’m tired of folders on my iPhone. Maybe this is a hot take. But everything feels cluttered.

How have you cleaned up your phone home screens?

In a shocking moment of self restraint, I picked up a book I purchased this summer to read next instead of going to the bookshop.

How long will this resolve last? Only time will tell.

Jackson Lamb knowing who the Thursday Murder Club are is reality breaking.

Which novel do you think is his favorite? Or do you think he just knows the pop culture reference?

#SlowHorses #ThursdayMurderClub

Thanks, Howard. This means a lot.

Another school shooting today. A “big one,” not that any size is appropriate or any size is worse than another.

Reach out to your teacher friends. Every time this happens, we are all impacted.

And it continues.
And continues.
And continues.

Well, hot damn.

Ok, so, I finished my book. And it is definitely in need of major work. So, I’m feeling accomplished and also deflated. Breathing for two weeks before diving back in.

First round assignments for @nycmidnight.bsky.social’s #500WordChallenge2025 are out. And mine are…interesting. Here we go!

Don’t mind me. I’ll just be brushing the no-linger-existent hair out of my eyes at random, unpredictable intervals.

Tomorrow.
“The End.”
Maybe?

500-word Fiction Challenge — nycmidnight The 500-word Fiction Challenge is an international creative writing competition that challenges participants to create short stories based on genre, action, and object assignments in 48 hours.

Join me in the @nycmidnight.bsky.social 500-word Fiction Challenge on August 15th! Learn more at nycmidnight.com/500

The juxtaposition of a Love Actually rewatch (hate watch?) and the rising tension at the end of The Last Word is just phenomenal work. @ellygriffiths.bsky.social does not disappoint.

Did it plan on a 101.6 degree fever to come out of nowhere today.