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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

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Busy Can Be Good

It can also make writing slower

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Reposted by Ben Rose Author

Rob Bignell, Editor/Author @inventingreality.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

At Xitter and Facebook, scammers claiming to offer “marketing services” to writers are rampant – and like vermin sneaking aboard a ship they're following us here. Let’s stop ‘em with this handy moderation list! #writingsky bsky.app/profile/inventingrea...

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Instead, I waited until Dave was engaged in conversation with Joe Schiavo. Joe was the lead miler on the track team. I slipped unnoticed into the den where Tony Robinson had been pouring drinks. In my haste to reach the bar, I knocked over a glass. #HELP #WIPSnips

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

I giggled and wrapped my arms around his waist. “I barely know him, Daddy. I mean he probably barely knows I exist. It's just that one time he knocked me over in the hallway by accident. We were talking and he invited me to this party.” #HELP #WIPSnips

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Two buzzards stood in the ticket line at LAX. The agent asked if they'd be checking their bags. "No ma'am, it's just #carrion" #vss365

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Dave scowled. “Take it easy, Robinson, you want her to get zonked?” Tony gave Dave a wink. Other guests were pouring drinks, and one of them was refilling a vodka bottle and a gin bottle with exactly the amount of water needed to replace what was consumed. #HELP #WIPSnips

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

I started thinking about whether carrying a few small bottles of Coke might be a good idea. Easy enough to pour in some rum or bourbon. Maybe bottled water would be better with these uptight, snobby kids. I could easily add some gin or vodka. #HELP #WIPSnips

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

I opened the bathroom door and checked that no one was around. Here came Lacey, a friend of my mother’s. I was uncertain what to do, so I rinsed out the glass and refilled it with water. “Hello, Caterina. How are you this evening?” She was loose and easy from more than one cocktail. #HELP #WIPSnips

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

It was a pyramid scheme, really. Those above him made a commission on his sales, and he made one on those people he convinced to sell for the company. He sold everything from gewgaws and stuffed toys to coffee and cleaning supplies. #HELP #WIPSnips

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Dave tilted his head and gave me a look. Then he smiled and put an arm around my shoulder, drawing me into a chaste hug. “I don’t drink too often. I don’t actually care for the taste. It’s something that guys from school do, and…you know. Appearances and all that.” #HELP #WIPSnips

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

I sat and thought about my father. He had often told me that he never cared if he got rich. He just wanted to paint and draw. I loved watching him in the studio. It was the one place where I felt accepted and loved. My mother, of course, wanted him to do more with his life. #HELP #WIPSnips

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

I sat on the couch, my legs no longer willing to hold me upright. My head slumped until my chin rested on my chest. I felt as if the room was spinning, but sleep was coming on fast. Dave sat holding me until someone brought my jacket. I put it on and leaned heavily on Dave as we left #HELP #WIPSnips

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

I walked into the bedroom as if to retrieve something from my jacket pocket, and when no one was watching, I turned toward the den. I started to grab the bottle of rum but decided that it wouldn’t look good to empty it too far. I picked up a bottle of vodka instead. #HELP #WIPSnips

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

I began scanning the room, looking for Dave to inform him that I was ready to go home. “Looking for Dave?” Nicki asked. “No. No, I’m not.” I replied and headed to the bedroom where guests’ coats had been placed. I grabbed my jacket and began heading to the door. #HELP #WIPSnips

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Don't tell him not to live Just sit and #putter America's a laughing stock The POTUS is a ball of butter They keep sending clouds around To rain on his parades #vss365

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Trump's White House Vomitorium Potato po-tah-to #BraveWrite

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Lounging on the rocks, enjoying lunch, I felt like I was with a good friend instead of my daddy. He had one of those faces that never seem to age, and his demeanor was eternally youthful. I adored him as much as I disliked my mother. He was everything she was not. #HELP #WIPSnips

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

I think about candlelight with Dave. Holding hands by a fire. Sitting close without pressure. I even like holding hands with Mackenzie during bonfires here. Except for one mistake I can’t #undo, I’ve never wanted sex. #HELP #vss365

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

We entered the kitchen. A group of boys and girls were passing around a bottle of wine. I moved to the sink and filled a plastic cup with water. My eyes remained on the wine bottle as I drank. #HELP #WIPSnips

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

I suddenly didn’t feel as attractive. I needed a stiff drink. “I didn’t know you knew his mother. You never told me that.” “I met her a few times at the club, and she’s part of the bridge group. Sometimes we partner up.” My mother dismissed the subject with the wave of a hand. #HELP #WIPSnips

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

I walked over to the accompanist and handed him my music. He played the opening bars. When I opened my mouth, no sound emerged. I felt as exposed as if I were onstage in my birthday suit. A group of other girls was giggling and whispering. At me, I assumed. #HELP #WIPSnips

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

When she finished her song, a small cluster of seniors conferred. After deciding, the head of the group spoke up. “That's fine, Gretchen. Chorus meets here on Tuesday and Thursday at noon. Next, we have Caterina Longo. Miss Longo, are you present?” #HELP #WIPSnips

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

I knew all about Tony Robinson. He was in Dave Durham’s crowd. That clique was the most popular group in school. There wasn’t a snowball’s chance that he would want to meet me. I shook my head. #HELP #WIPSnips

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

open.substack.com/pub/benrauth... My latest substack

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

“I know. It's just, I mean, I don't want you to get in trouble with your job or anything.” My stomach #clenched. My temples throbbed. He popped another beer. “Forget about the job. Tell me about this boy from school.” #HELP #vss365

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

"If anyone ever writes a #novel about my experience and Destiny's, I hope they don't glamorize it. It isn't all that great out there. You want a street name, Caterina? I have a great one for you. You aren't Caterina Longo anymore. Tell people you're Caterina LaFica." #HELP #vss365

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

The stuff leaves the mouth tingling and slightly burning. I couldn't even imagine the sensation of peri-Scope. #Bravewrite

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

I miss the trees most. Sassafras. Sumac. Maples. Oaks. Here, the pines bleed sap that clings no matter how hard I scrub. I’m learning new things every day. Feeling new things too. Sometimes it’s too much. That’s why I like the window. The trees don’t ask questions. #HELP #WIPSnips

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Jasper Price had built a life around certainty. Science gave him answers. Flowers gave him purpose. Distance gave him peace. (1/3)

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

I don't know about this #gift of sobriety. It makes me uncomfortable, it hurts at times, it leaves me no way to mask my anxiety and social awkwardness. Some gift! #HELP #vss365

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

The word era doesn't appear in any of my WIPs. There are numerous words containing the letters, but that word...not so much. #WIPSnips

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

I've had readers ask for more tales of Cyrus, #Dawn, and Jack. It won't happen. Of all my novels and WIPs, Bury Me Upside Down and Found Family are complete as is. #vss365

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

It was dreadful tasting. I took another sip, forcing myself to swallow. After the first sip, I managed to drink it all in a hurry in case anyone else needed to use the bathroom. I felt a warmth in my belly, heard a slight buzzing in my ears, and noticed that my depression had eased. #HELP #WIPSnips

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Praying that it is another easy season around here. There is still rebuilding that is in progress from Helene and Milton back in '24. The #deadfall is never pleasant after a storm, but those back-to-back hurricanes almost leveled a friend's house. #vss365

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

In fact, the attention was making me uncomfortable. The prying eyes and probing questions made me feel like a monkey on a leash jumping around to entertain the guests of my mother and Angelo. #HELP #vss365

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

I scowled back. “There is nothing wrong with my hair, Mother.” “Nothing a hairbrush wouldn't fix. Which I might say the same for your attitude lately. Go help Consuela with the hors d’oeuvres.” My mother was interrupted by the doorbell. #HELP #vss365

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

“Caterina, I really wish you’d do something about your hair. Why must it always look like you just got out of bed? There will be important guests here tonight. You need to make a good impression.” My mother clucked at me, scowling. #HELP #vss365

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

I walked into the kitchen where Angelo was making coffee. The smell woke up my dulled senses. I poured a cup and added cream. Sipping it eased my headache and loosened the stuffiness in my sinuses. #HELP #WIPSnips

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Polly shook her head. “She needs to sleep now. Anyway, Mom and Angelo say that if you pick up a baby too often, it becomes spoiled. We don’t want Sophie to grow up spoiled, now do we?” I threw my hand to my forehead in mock #horror. “Oh, heavens no! How dreadful that would be!" #HELP #VSS365

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

"I've fought fifty-seven years without a guide to get me to this point. I'm published, but barely getting by. The last thing I need is some bullshit artist claiming they can make me famous if I only pay...dammit... I'm broke!" Portrait of The Artist as an Alter Kacker #WIPSnips

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Ben Rose Author @benroseauthor.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

He led me into Mr. Robinson’s study, where Tony and some others were at a bar with bottles lined up. Tony raised his eyebrows when I entered the room. “What’s the freshman doing here, Dave? If my old man catches wind of what’s happening, it won’t be pretty.” #HELP #WIPSnips

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