iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I reject insomnia as a method for creating productivity opportunities to work on your writing. I bet anything I craft on 40 minutes of sleep is probably utter dogshit (with apologies to dogs)… BUT I’M GONNA GIVE IT A SHOT ANYWAY! #230amWritersClub #5amWritersClub

0100

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

In this month's LOW NOTES, I give my hottest take on the myriad of writing craft books in the world and which one is the best one. Read and subscribe, peoples. jayheltzer.substack.com/p/theres-mor... #5amWritersClub

jayheltzer.substack.com

There’s More Than One Way to Save The Cat

My hot take on writing craft books.

050

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Dear brain, while you agree we should work on the WIP, I will give you 20 mins to jot down as many ideas about the next book that is bubbling up inside you, but then its back to the current WIP, got it? #5amWritersClub, where too many ideas pop up when all is quiet.

static.klipy.com

Jim and Pam: Flush Out Bad Ideas

ALT: Jim and Pam: Flush Out Bad Ideas

170

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

I just wrote the stupidest sentence. It doesn't make sense, it barely serves the story, and it makes me look like a verbal knucklehead... But I have something to edit and revise later. What do you have? #5amWritersClub, where waking early to write poorly is better than not writing at all.

static.klipy.com

Eric Cartman: I'm Better Than Everyone Here

ALT: Eric Cartman: I'm Better Than Everyone Here

280

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

In this month’s LOW NOTES, I compare my love for used CDs with my current WIP. Read and subscribe, peoples. jayheltzer.substack.com/p/aint-no-sc... #5amWritersClub

jayheltzer.substack.com

Ain't No School Like the Old School

How my used CD collection resembles my WIP

080

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Another SHIT day ahead, right? 💩 So Happy It's Thursday! (Sure, you could be one of those peppy "Pre-Friday" people, but whatever.) GM #5amWritersClub 🌅

150

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Me: Holy crap. I can look up the exact time of sunset on a particular day at a particular spot on the globe back in 1939! 🌇 Also me: Holy crap, this new sunset detail completely throws off the timing of my chapter. 🕰️ Not all info is good info I guess. #5amWritersClub

static.klipy.com

Hide The Pain Harold Harold

ALT: Hide The Pain Harold Harold

2111

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

I have been trained so well by technology that I automatically press SHIFT + ENTER to start a new line or paragraph out of fear of accidentally "sending" something before I'm done writing it, whether it's on social media or not. Thanks Steve Jobs. Ok, time for fiction... #5amWritersClub

static.klipy.com

Courage the Cowardly Dog Typing on Computer

ALT: Courage the Cowardly Dog Typing on Computer

0130

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Me: I need this one detail... WIP: You don't have time for this. Me: It's an important– WIP: The chapter isn't about whether there was a fence. Move on. Me: But my readers need to know. WIP: At this rate, you won't finish the book and won't have readers. Me: Fine. #5amWritersClub #HistoricFiction

static.klipy.com

Seeker: More Research Is Needed

ALT: Seeker: More Research Is Needed

1130

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

If this doesn't define my existence in the #5amWritersClub, then nothing will.

090

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Sit down open laptop same chapter same problems same writer Back at it, 'cause what else am I going to do now that I'm awake? Eggzactly! #5amWritersClub

static.klipy.com

Samus Paulicelli: We Are Not Done Yet

ALT: Samus Paulicelli: We Are Not Done Yet

0121

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

In this month's LOW NOTES, I got shoved into the AI machine and something else came out. Read and subscribe, peoples. jayheltzer.substack.com/p/i-got-aied... #5amWritersClub

jayheltzer.substack.com

I Got AI'ed and You Will Too

What happened when someone fed me to the monster?

060

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

In this month’s LOW NOTES, I found the perfect place to less my more. It’s in Houston, Texas. Read and subscribe, peoples. jayheltzer.substack.com/p/the-rothko... #5amWritersClub

jayheltzer.substack.com

The Rothko Chapel

The ultimate place to "Less is More" your brain.

171

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

@itsdonaldrus.bsky.social Hey there, Donald. I’ll bet a lot of money we don’t have the same pad, Lamy fountain pen, and gold-plated bass trombone mouthpiece. Please remove my picture from your header.

290

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

In this month's LOW NOTES, I try to apply a year of "Less is More" to my writing desk, and it doesn't go well. Read and subscribe, peoples. #5amwritersclub jayheltzer.substack.com/p/all-the-co...

jayheltzer.substack.com

All the Colors Before Me

The subtle art of drawing attention to something

0120

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

First VDP of 2026 is tomorrow, building MOMENTUM for the rest of the year. Plus... first details about the annual Journey to Jupiter in-person writing retreat. You KNOW you want to be there... so be there. #5amWritersClub

0130

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

Virtual Donut Parties are back for '26, starting this Friday 1/9 at 5am ET via Zoom. How to build MOMENTUM for a successful year -Repetition -Asking little & big questions of your work -Measuring Success -Celebrating without Slowing Down #5amWritersClub DM me for the new Zoom link

0130

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 26/12/2025

🧠More. ♥️Less. ✋🏻Some? 🧠It needs more. ♥️But not with unnecessary fluff. Move on. ✋🏻Gimme something, please. 🧠We haven't fully told the story. We've barely filled the scene. ♥️The reader understands. We shouldn't be working this hard! ✋🏻Kinda like this post? #5amWritersClub

060

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

🧠I'm so tired. Not just sleepy tired, but so... ugh. ♥️I get it. You wanna write? 🧠Yeah, but... its easier to not bother. ♥️That's no fun. Writing is fun. 🧠Yeah, but– ♥️Hey... don't ever forget: Writing is fun. Doesn't have to be anything else. 🧠 😀 ✋🏻Game on! #5amWritersClub

0120

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

♥️The holiday concerts are over. 🧠Halleluyah! ♥️Time to finish with the gifts. 🧠Crap! ♥️But we get to write first. 🧠Halleluyah! ♥️Time to finish that synopsis. 🧠AW CRAP! #5amWritersClub

0140

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

🧠It's synopsis time. ♥️I believe in you. ✋🏻Good luck. 🧠The heroine... no. The night was... ♥️Take your time. ✋🏻You know the story, right? 🧠On a dark desert highway... ♥️That's not– ✋🏻Oh lord.🤦🏻 🧠Who's the MC again? ♥️This may take a while. ✋🏻I'll make more tea. #5amWritersClub

0110

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

🧠Its go-time. ♥️Hold on... a few more journal thoughts... ✋🏻We'll be with you in a sec. 🧠... Now? ♥️... 🧠Now?? ♥️... 🧠Now??? ♥️If you don't mind, I need to SCREAM INTO THE VOID AND CAN'T START THE CREATIVE PART TILL I'M DONE, OK? 🧠Damn. ✋🏻Told you. #5amWritersClub

160

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

♥️You really need to finish holliday shopping. 🧠What would my MC want for Christmas? ♥️Most of the good stuff is gone. 🧠Are there any gifts in Chapter 6 of my WIP? ♥️You're running out of time. 🧠Time is a plot problem. ♥️Oy, you're your own plot problem. 🤦🏻🎄 #5amWritersClub

060

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

👀Hey! This best-selling book is like the one we're writing. 🧠Wut? 👀Sweet! It's got scenes just like the ones we wrote. 🧠Come again? 👀Wow. That cool idea we loved... they wrote it much better. 🧠<cry, panic, anger, cry> ♥️It'll be ok. ✋🏻<opens new document> #5amWritersClub

2280

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

🧠'26 will have big plans, big changes, BIG GOALS! ♥️What about today? 🧠Let's survive today, ok? ♥️Will we be a different person on 1/1? 🧠Same, but new, cool direction. ♥️So, why wait? 🧠Shut up. '26 is our year. ♥️What about today? ✋🏻Today we edit or die!!! #5amWritersClub

1100

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

♥️Please don't look at the news. Let's just write, okay? 🧠It's incomprehensible. 👀We can handle it. ♥️No... yesterday was awful. Please don't. 🧠C'mon, just a few hours of creative work first. ✋🏻<click> 👀... Holy shit... 💔 #5amWritersClub

1180

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

🧠What's all this noise? 👂🏻Her name is Mariah Carey. 🧠Is she in our book about the Mississippi Blues? 👂🏻No, she sang this Christmas song called– 🧠I KNOW THE SONG! What's it doing here? 👂🏻Living rent free. 🧠Get her out! 🪗Can I help? 🧠It would be a 🎄 miracle! #5amWritersClub

0110

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

👃🏻<snore> 🧠Wha? Who woke me? 👃🏻Did you say something? 🧠Dammit. It's too early. 👃🏻My bad... but don't you get up early to write? 🧠Yeah, but... 👃🏻Well, there you go. 🧠You're not helping. 👃🏻All I'm saying is... 🧠Shut up. ☝🏻👃🏻 ✋🏻Uh, we can't type like this. #5amWritersClub

0180

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

🧠How nice, yesterday's unresolved plot problem is still there. ♥️You know what the MC is trying to accomplish. Follow your gut. 🧠So many mediocre choices in front of the MC. I'm stuck and uninspired. ✋🏻Hey, what does this DEL button do? 🧠OK, OK, I'LL MAKE A CHOICE. #5amWritersClub

080

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

👀Ooh, click that. ✋🏻No. 👀That news item will incense us. Clicky! ✋🏻No dice. We have work to– 🧠What's going on here? 👀... 🧠<processes dumbass news story> We must wake and prep for the day and you want to read this crap? ✋🏻I tried to– 🧠Back to the WIP, now! #5amWritersClub

0140

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

🧠One more Reel... ♥️No. ✋🏻<sigh> 🧠That last one was great. They were cooking– ♥️No. ✋🏻We're waiting... ♥️Are the Reels for your WIP? 🧠Maybe...? ✋🏻Can we get a little help, please? 👀We're staying closed until you agree to work. 🧠You're no fun. Fine, let's art. #5amWritersClub

0130

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

✋🏻Are we on the same chapter today? 🧠Yeah. ♥️Be kind. ✋🏻The MC and the ally are having their first fight, AGAIN? 🧠Yeah. ♥️Be kind. ✋🏻Wow! How long is this going to... hey, why are we going numb? ♥️I SAID TO BE KIND! ✋🏻Damn, that was cold. 🧠Yeah. ♥️Be kind. #5amWritersClub

0130

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

♥️How's it going? 🧠It's still not done. ✋🏻We'll never be "done." ♥️That's a funny attitude. When's the deadline? ✋🏻There's a deadline? 🧠There's always a deadline. ♥️So, it'll be done soon. 🧠✋🏻Bite me! #5amWritersClub

090

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

Who forgot they signed up for the @nycmidnight.bsky.social 250-word micro-fiction contest this weekend? (👈🏻 this guy) Who got Suspense/Thriller as a genre and has never written in that genre? (👈🏻 this guy) Who keeps looking at the ticking clock with worry and... 💡(👈🏻 this guy) #5amWritersClub

media.tenor.com

a man with a mullet and a mustache says oh

ALT: a man with a mullet and a mustache says oh

2191

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Ok, settle down folks. Can we settle down? You two back there, take your seats please. Today, we're gonna do the same thing as all the other days. Wake up at dawn's crack, drink the magic, and then create more amazing art in the #5amWritersClub. Any questions? No? Ok, begin...

media.tenor.com

a man wearing a m. ward t-shirt is cutting a piece of cardboard

ALT: a man wearing a m. ward t-shirt is cutting a piece of cardboard

0130

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

Hey, it's 5am. Hey, are you caffeinated? Hey, are you medicated? Hey, are you regulated? Hey, are you at the desk? Hey, what are your words awake? Hey, are you ready? If you answered "yes" to any of these, you are likely a member of the #5amWritersClub... or you want to be.

media.tenor.com

a cartoon says welcome to the club with a man holding a light saber

ALT: a cartoon says welcome to the club with a man holding a light saber

1180

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

Throwing caution into the wind is an exciting adventure provided it is not covered in some gross liquid that splashes back into your face. I don't know. First thoughts of the day, so... editing will be fun, right? Write! #5amWritersClub

media.tenor.com

a man in a blue shirt is standing in front of a white honda car

ALT: a man in a blue shirt is standing in front of a white honda car

0120

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

My body is awake but my clever is still slumbering. Yeah, I got nothing for you, but I'm here and that's enough. #5amWritersClub, where showing up is the minimum, but the minimum is still okay.

media.tenor.com

a man in a suit and tie is sitting at a desk and says oh god i 'm sorry am i still here

ALT: a man in a suit and tie is sitting at a desk and says oh god i 'm sorry am i still here

1330

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

Today's #5amWritersClub session (and likely 6am, 7am, 2pm, 5pm, etc) is being used to think about someone else's past and my future. Cramming in the next LOW NOTES before the sun goes down and rises on a new month. Tune in tomorrow for whatever the hell I come up with. #WriteOn

2170

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

This is where it's at. This is where my writing heart lives. This is the place and time of day to get some great work done. And, it's also the hot spot to be with others who also rise early and get it done. #5amWritersClub, where the cool kids hang out to write.

0160

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

Walk right in, it's around the back Just a half mile from the railroad track. You can get anything you want at Marcy's Restaurant. (apologies to Arlo Guthrie) Happy Thanksgiving to my American writing pals and have a super Thursday to everyone else. #5amWritersClub

0110

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

Hey #5amWritersClub, be thankful that we have our regular tri-weekly Virtual Donut Party 🍩 this Friday, 11/28 at 5am ET. Instead of fighting the Black Friday nutjobs, hang with your favorite #WritingCommunity. No topic but there'll be an open mic and lovely people ready to chat. DM me for info.

0120

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

In brightest day, in darkest night, no writing sessions escapes my sight. Let those who worship sleeping-in's might get your ass out of bed, it's 5am! WRITE! #5amWritersClub #GreenLanternCorps

0160

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

We were somewhere around Northfield on the edge of the beach when the drugs began to take hold... And suddenly there was a terrible roar all around us and the sky was full of what looked like huge... dolphins? - Fear and Loathing in Atlantic City by Me. #5amWritersClub

1150

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

My sleep hygiene loves the creative process so much, it gets me to the #5amWritersClub much earlier than intended. Let the games begin!

1180

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

Having one of those fortunate mornings where I get to ride the rails and write the words. #5amWritersClub

Pen and paper on a train table as the world outside b

0131

Jay Heltzer @jayheltzer.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

🧠♥️✋🏻 Begin. 🦶🏻Wait... itch. 🧠♥️✋🏻🦶🏻 Ok? Go. 👀Still blurry... ✋🏻here 👓 👀 Good. 🧠♥️✋🏻🦶🏻👀 Lets go! ✒️ <scratch scratch> thirsty ✋🏻💦🟣 good? ✒️Lovely, thank you kindly. And now we... 🧠♥️✋🏻🦶🏻👀✒️ GO! #5amWritersClub

1160