Sometimes happiness is as simple as...

#Colombia #Food 😋

Also, I was chuffed this week to receive my first "pledge" on Substack - essentially, a promise to pay a monthly fee if my newsletter ever went to the "paid" model. I literally can't at this juncture; Substack runs on Stripe, which does not work for users in Colombia - and I should probably grow my readership a lot more first anyway - but that was still a kind thought on the part of the person pledging.

May your weekends be full of loving, everyday affirmations for all that you do. 💫

I think I have a few Patrons here now, yes? (Thank you, wonderful people.) I'm reading yesterday's essay with fresh eyes, and very satisfied with it - but I cannot post draft work even privately to Patreon without threatening first publication rules, so in the upcoming everyday-Patron update, I'll be offering to send this draft privately to interested parties instead.

I already know which of my longterm Patrons will enjoy receiving it. If you would, too, please let me know!

UPDATE: With the first part of funds you fine folks have provided, we were able to get the ball rolling on new oxygen tanks to keep the kiddo supplied. THANK YOU. We still need $2100 for the full month, but for now you've helped keep him fighting the remaining infection.

BIGGEST of hugs to you all. 🫂💛

#CoSoMutualAid

I highly recommend writing the pitch email for an essay first, before diving into writing the draft itself. (Without the sender added, of course, to avoid costly errors!) It's such an easy way to get to the thrust of your argument ASAP, instead of fumbling through a draft to figure out the point you want to make.

Suffice it to say, this essay is coming together pretty well, I think. Still more to do today, but the "bones" feel good so far! 🤞

#AmWriting #WritersOfCoSo #Writing #WritingCommunity

With thanks to @MisterE for nudging me to try a UK fundraising site (in the past, North American ones have all had rules and/or payment processors that knock me out because I live in Colombia) - a proper GoGetFunding page is now live.

This is one site that can be shared on other platforms, with a bit more heft than my personal ko-fi page. If you can signal-boost elsewhere, I'd be much obliged.

Have a love Friday afternoon, CoSo!

https://gogetfunding.com/oxygen-for-5-year-old-recovering-from-pneumonia/

Today's #1 goal is writing an excellent creative nonfiction essay that I can sell to a well-paying magazine sometime super soon. Fingers crossed that a) I can write such a piece, and that b) I'll finally be seen as someone with a sufficient portfolio to be selected by the editors. I write about so much, and I strive to be as knowledgeable as I can about it all, too - but at the end of the day, it's who you know and a numbers game. 🤞🏻 Going to try to make this pitch shine all the same. #AmWriting

I had one of those difficult dream nights where I woke up convinced that I'd murdered someone, and needed about five minutes to remember that I hadn't.

🙃 Happy Friday, CoSo. May you only feel guilt for things you've actually done.

(And may those things be few and far between!)

This morning I'm 1/6th of the way to this urgent goal: $503 of $3000CAD for oxygen for a child still recovering from pneumonia, his lungs having undergone three surgeries & three rounds of stem cell therapy, & his levels of bacterial infection low but not gone. Pneumonia is the world's number one killer of children under five; thank you to everyone who donated and helped him turn five on January 31. This is the last hurdle. Please spread my ask if you can. #CoSoMutualAid

ko-fi.com/mlclarkwriter

It's looking like I'll need to fundraise another $3,000CAD for César's child, who needs oxygen for another month of recovery from double-lung pneumonia before insurance kicks in. I've been fortunate to have folks who know me helping out, but I fear I need more hands on deck.

Can you help? Can you spread this ask to someone who can? I can't use the usual fundraisers due to regional zoning. I have PayPal via https://ko-fi.com/mlclarkwriter. Can I offer you MS feedback? Proofing? Market recs? Let me know.

Morning CoSo! 😊

I have a fun one at #OnlySky for the science geeks and sci-curious today.

My first love was physics, so when I saw the latest reporting making a right hash out of a paper that might explain the phenomenon casually known as "dark energy", I leapt right on the story this morning.

If you've ever felt intimidated by this slice of cosmology, please give my everyday explainer on our latest, black hole solution to the problem a try!

#Science #MediaLiteracy
https://onlysky.media/mclark/early-black-holes-simplify-the-question-of-dark-energy/

Just out for a walk to rest my eyes and revive my body between writing stints. Wherever you are, however far you are from where you're going, I sorely I hope your midweeks are treating you well.

#CoSoNature #Colombia

This poem, shared by Nikita Gill on the bird, reminded me of so many of you. 💛 Thank you for being the water glass to so many in your lives. #Poetry

Woo! Finally! 🎉 Patron-only sneak peek of my latest BookTube video is up, with real-talk about writing life, cultural critique, and a reading from Then Raise the Dead Man High. Everyone else will have access this weekend.

Learning curves suck, but after 3 hours last night & 3 this morning, I think I've figured out which editing software & format choices will make upload easier going forward.

(Just have to improve audio next! Paso a paso!)

#Indie #Publishing #BookTube

https://www.patreon.com/posts/sneak-peek-first-78727069