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tontonstee.bsky.social
Storyteller with my heart in several places: Detroit, New York, Belgium, Ireland, France and the UK. English and French-speaking, with enough knowledge of Dutch and Spanish to be dangerous. Inspirations: Bombeck, Baldwin, Basquiat.
186 posts 207 followers 227 following
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Dear #WritingCommunity, Whenever you get upset at your typos, be happy you weren't responsible for this doozy, which remains one of my favorites... #writing #amwriting #writers www.cbsnews.com/news/chicago...

submitted 2 days ago • 0 comments

Dale Carnegie famously said “A person’s name is the sweetest sound in any language.” Dale lied. Because loved ones don't say your name to you all the time. It's usually others bothering you or wanting something. The sweetest sound to me? Loved ones laughter. #WritingCommunity #writing

submitted 3 days ago • 1 comment

Trying to explain "shade" to a hippie, I said it's basically "damning with faint praise" or the oblique insult you confirm if you address directly. Examples: "You prove that talent's more important than good looks” or "You're cooking is so creative" I think the hippie got it. #WritingCommunity

submitted 3 days ago • 1 comment

Name two teachers who inspired you to write whom you would list in your acknowledgements of your masterwork. I'll go first: Mr. Donaldson and Mr. Payne... #writing #WritingCommunity #amwriting

submitted 6 days ago • 1 comment

On this day of buying nothing, I'm reminded of a conversation with a friend I'll be seeing soon in Europe. She requested I bring her books, encouraging me to buy 2nd hand for "the environment." I had to remind her that the author earns nothing on such sales. #WritingCommunity #amwriting #writing

submitted 9 days ago • 0 comments

The most distressing thing about writing a memoir: The least problematic people in your past get barely mentioned compared to the most problematic people. Those who were utter a55holes get paragraphs, while true treasures get fewer words. #WritingCommunity #amwriting #writing

submitted 11 days ago • 2 comments

Writing Tip: That section of your writing that you're avoiding... that you want to speed over to get to what you think is more interesting: that section you're dismissing is often the most fascinating bit. Slow down & write deeply. You can always cut later. #WritingCommunity #amwriting #writing

submitted 13 days ago • 1 comment

I cannot write with music in the background, but it's essential for editing my own work. As with doing the dishes or vacuuming, it makes what would be drudgery more of a breeze. #WritingCommunity #amwriting #writing #editing

submitted 22 days ago • 1 comment

Opinion held by many #writers but unpopular to voice: When one says, "If I reach one person out there with my book, then it will have been worth it," they're full of sh*t. Because I'd be plenty peeved I spent all this time writing for one reader. Hell, my mom is "one reader." #WritingCommunity

submitted 35 days ago • 0 comments

If you had your choice of anyone to give a blurb for your book, what three people would you choose...living or dead? #writing #WritingCommunity #amwriting

submitted 47 days ago • 1 comment

The worst thing about working on a long project: Having ideas for different projects pop up before you've finished that long project...and you dare not start anything new, as it will sidetrack you from finishing what you've already started. Discipline is a muthaf*cker. #writing #WritingCommunity

submitted 48 days ago • 1 comment

I have a good friend whose mother tongue is Greek. That's the language he expresses himself best. But he speaks English to me as my Greek is non-existent. Self-expression is wonderful, but #writing is communication. Consider who your reader is. Otherwise, it's just noise. #WritingCommunity

submitted 52 days ago • 0 comments

Why I prefer to call myself a storyteller rather than a writer: Because my work is in service to the story. "Story" comes first in the title "storyteller." That's my priority. #writing #WritingCommunity #amwriting

submitted 52 days ago • 1 comment

Writing a first draft is harder than editing, just as going from being broke to making your first billion is harder than turning that billion into two. Once you've built a base, you have something to work with. Building on that base is tough, but not as hard as the start. bsky.app/profile/parr...

submitted 52 days ago • 1 comment

Don't focus on whether you feel qualified to call yourself a writer or not. Focus on the writing. Because what you produce should be more important than what you're called. Your writing will define you. #writingtips #WritingCommunity #writing #amwriting

submitted 52 days ago • 0 comments

I've warned my nieces and nephews that if they ignore me in my old age, I might end up taking up with some go-go dancer who'll end up stealing their inheritance. #writing #WritingCommunity #geezersrevenge #memoir

submitted 53 days ago • 1 comment

Beware of using placeholder names for characters. After a while, the placeholder names take root...and you end up not being able to imagine the character under a new name. #WritingCommunity #writing #amwriting #tipsforwriting

submitted 59 days ago • 1 comment

I'm better at keeping secrets as I get older. Because what was "scandalous" when I was young is often now either sad or boring. Someone having an affair? How cliché. Someone has an addiction problem? How sad. I mind my own business because other folks' business is no longer entertainment #writing

submitted 62 days ago • 0 comments

Ending 2024 with foot firmly inserted in mouth. At #writing group yesterday, I critiqued a piece, saying, "It's clear the protagonist is a douche. He drives a Tesla." Another group member said, "Hey, I drive a Tesla." "You're the exception to the rule," I stammered. #WritingCommunity #oops

submitted 70 days ago • 0 comments

Often I delay writing because a project seems so perfect in my head. I dread it falling apart once I start typing. But then a wonderful thing happens: the act of writing makes the idea flower in directions I'd never imagined. #WritingCommunity #writing

submitted 72 days ago • 0 comments

More than Mariah, Patti right here is my Christmas tradition. #blacksky www.youtube.com/watch?v=z84Q...

submitted 75 days ago • 0 comments