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Lani Diane Rich

@lanidianerich.com
870 followers 446 following 348 posts

novelist. story expert. loud and opinionated. loves goats and polka dots. yearofwritingmagically.substack.com

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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 01/10/2026
Writing about real people can be awkward, but it creates opportunities for honest conversations, which can bring you closer. Or... they might throw something at you. Best be prepared for both outcomes. yearofwritingmagically.substack.com/p/what-if-th...
yearofwritingmagically.substack.com
"What if the person I wrote about doesn’t like what I wrote about them?"
I’m getting into less common, more fun, writing questions. Put your writing question in the comments, and I will answer it. Bonus points if it’s a weird one.
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 22/09/2026
When you write about real people, there's a chance they might not like it. That's okay; do a quick integrity test first, and if you pass, you're good to go. Uncle Dan will have to manage his own feelings this time. yearofwritingmagically.substack.com/p/what-if-th...
Close-up of an older man's stern, scowling face against a blue background, wearing a maroon shirt. Bold white text: "LET UNCLE DAN MANAGE HIS OWN FEELINGS."
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 15/09/2026
Writer, when you need to rest... you should rest. Prove to that screaming voice inside that it'll be okay by taking the time off you need. When the world doesn't end, the voice will calm down. Trust me on this. yearofwritingmagically.substack.com/p/everyone-n...
An abandoned railway tunnel mouth, brick arch overgrown with ferns and vines, rusted tracks running into total darkness. Large text over the image reads: NO WAY OUT BUT THROUGH.
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 01/09/2026
Question: If you follow a bit of writing advice, and it eventually loses its flavor like gum that's been chewed too long... is that your fault, or the one giving the advice? I say... neither. Wrote about this on my Substack this week, link's in the bio. ⌨️
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 27/08/2026
So you haven't written in a decade? No one's read your work yet? You haven't made a dime? I don't care. You're still a writer. f.mtr.cool/u7gdwbmryi
Overhead shot of a coral notepad and a rainbow-checkered pen on a coral background with green leaves at the top, overlaid in pale pink block letters: "Yes, Pinocchio, you are a real writer."
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 26/08/2026
Vintage photo of a smiling Dolly Parton in a bandana headband, hoop earrings, and denim jacket, with text reading: "I didn't know her personally. Never went to a concert. Never visited Dollywood. But my time on this planet got to overlap with hers for a while. I think, as far as blessings go, I'll take it."
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 25/08/2026
If you're asking the question, the answer is yes.
f.mtr.cool
Am I a real writer if no one has read my work?
Spoilers; yes.
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 20/08/2026
I have a better idea. Let’s regulate AI so that personal identity still means something, avoiding situations where we create nightmare fuel for the people whose dead loved ones happened to be famous. Let’s put this energy into cancer vaccines and shit like that.
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 19/08/2026
How do you write when you're unmotivated? Well, you shift your perspective a little, apply some self-compassion, and release some of the pressure with a little whine. Not a typo. That is exactly what I mean. #writingadvice substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com
A bad case of the Don’Wannas
How do I write when I’m not motivated?
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 18/08/2026
I'm a whiner, and I'm not apologizing for it. #amwriting yearofwritingmagically.substack.com/p/a-bad-case...
yearofwritingmagically.substack.com
A bad case of the Don’Wannas
How do I write when I’m not motivated?
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 16/08/2026
Just witnessed a mid-size creator mocking a fan who liked his work, but couldn’t afford to pay for it. Instead getting pissed about feeling entitled to people’s ducats when they can’t afford food and are skipping health insurance, I just unfollowed. It’s nice to remember I can just peace out.
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 14/08/2026
"Is it normal to hate everything I write?" Oh, sweet summer child. Sit down. yearofwritingmagically.substack.com/p/the-sisyph... #amwriting
A wooden artist's mannequin pushes a large crumpled ball of yellow paper up a rising chalk-drawn slope on a black chalkboard background, evoking Sisyphus. Bold gray text at the top reads "IS IT NORMAL" and text at the bottom reads "to hate everything I write?"
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 26/07/2026
That is beautiful. I can’t get another one until one of my tarot decks dies, but I hope it brings you joy!
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 21/07/2026
Writers often believe that they “should” be writing in one particular way because it worked for someone else. The switch here is mindset. Definitely try different things—kiss them frogs, baby—but if it doesn’t work for you, you didn’t fail. The method just didn’t fit.
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 17/07/2026
Traditional publishing has always been the gold standard achievement for a writing career. Maybe it’s not that way anymore. Maybe there are new ways to think about how your writing career works, and who decides your worth. open.substack.com/pub/yearofwr...
open.substack.com
Why you should start your own publishing collective
This is a long read, but worth it
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 16/07/2026
You wrote a book. People should see it. yearofwritingmagically.substack.com/p/why-you-sh... #fictionwriting #amwriting
open.substack.com
Why you should start your own publishing collective
This is a long read, but worth it
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 04/07/2026
I haven’t. I’ll ask Ian. Is it good?
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 02/07/2026
…we look to them to tell us at what point are we ourselves forgivable. Okay. Clearly I’m jonesing for a third run at Buffy. @iannitram.bsky.social — shall we?
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 02/07/2026
…not fully cooked opinions that I would refine more if I could, I’d love to hear what he thinks now. It’s such a complicated discussion, and it doesn’t come out morally clean on either side, which is why I think we get so passionate about it. We live inside our stories, and…
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 02/07/2026
WOW. I hadn’t seen that quote before, but I think it says more about the speaker than the fans. I’m not insulted. I just think he’s wrong, and also that he said it a while ago, and I would so love to talk to him about it now and see if he’s come around at all. As someone who has expressed a lot of…
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 06/06/2026
OMG, I thought it was just me. I can’t swipe fast enough when I hear it.
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 26/05/2026
I'm guesting on Never Left, an Our Flag Means Death podcast! Ariana Perry and I talk about so many fun, crunchy topics, like conflict, Monday morning quarterbacking with stories, love stories! So fun!
podcasts.apple.com
Never Left: Our Flag Means Death
TV & Film Podcast · Updated Weekly · Never Left is a totally spoiled, completely unofficial, deep dive into Our Flag Means Death. Each episode is about a new topic so when we say fully spoiled, we mean it! No detail is too big or too sm…
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 26/05/2026
Had SUCH a great time talking with Ariana about Our Flag Means Death!
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 14/05/2026
A writing teacher said you suck. A workshop shredded your confidence. Some rando with Opinions thought they knew your worth. This week's essay is for you. bit.ly/4d0dnfx
Crumpled balls of paper scattered across an orange surface beside an overturned metal trash can. Large bold white text reads "DON'T QUIT*" with smaller text below reading "*because of some rando douchebag."
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 12/05/2026
Hank is a writing teacher who discourages every student he thinks doesn't have "it." Hank is a douchebag. This week's essay is about how writing teachers fail to do their one real job; to make sure your spark doesn't go out on their watch. Low bar. And yet... there's Hank. bit.ly/4d0dnfx
A man in glasses looks shocked and confused, holding a stack of papers, against a bright blue background. Large bold text reads "HANK is WRONG."
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 05/05/2026
This is a ghost story. Kind of. A happy, loving, casual ghost story that happened at a Trader Joe’s. And every bit of it is true. open.substack.com/pub/yearofwr...
open.substack.com
My friend Solinea is dead
Don’t worry if you forget. I'll remind you.
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 28/04/2026
I used to give my book to my best writer friends and say "beat the shit out of me." As an act of love. Bananas. Here's what works better. open.substack.com/pub/yearofwriting…
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 21/04/2026
My mother, a narcissist, had something to say about everything. Except what to do with her when she died. So... I improvised. open.substack.com/pub/yearofwr...
open.substack.com
The lilac tree
Or bush. Or whatever it is.
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 08/04/2026
open.substack.com/pub/yearofwr...
open.substack.com
So you're thinking about petsitting for Winnie
All names have been changed to protect the innocent... and the douchebags
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 08/04/2026
Names have been changed to protect the innocent, and the douchebag. Timeline has been altered to help me hit my deadline. Otherwise… entirely true story.
Quote graphic from Lani Diane Rich’s Substack, Year of Writing Magically: “You think about the next poor sucker who’s going to get conned into sitting for this douchebag, and you start writing this guide. You feel a little bad about it, but then you remember what Anne Lamott said. If people wanted you to write warmly about them, they should have behaved better. You keep writing.” Attributed to the essay “So you’re thinking about petsitting for Winnie.” Background is a blurred photo of colorful dog toys on a pink background.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 07/04/2026
democracy.io
democracy.io
Democracy.io - Contact your Members of Congress
Democracy thrives when people’s voices are heard. Send a message to your legislatures using EFF's simple new tool.
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 31/03/2026
open.substack.com/pub/yearofwr...
open.substack.com
On Nicholas Brendon
And, also… other things.
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 31/03/2026
“And then, somehow, by the transitive power of Daddy Issues, my saving them would magically undo my failure to save the first man who ever failed me.”
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 31/03/2026
“I spent much of my youth yearning after these men and trying to fix them, running through their rainstorms with a bucket, trying to catch as much water as I could bear to carry, as if returning their storms to them would somehow make them whole again.
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 31/03/2026
“In my youth, the Xander and Chandler types were catnip for me. At the risk of sounding like a bit of a cliché, these guys were not a million miles away from my dad. Smart, quippy, sad, in need of saving.
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Reposted by Lani Diane Rich
Mignon Fogarty @grammargirl.bsky.social · 01/03/2026
I can report that if you call the Congressional switchboard right now, a very nice lady will likely answer and direct you to the voicemail for your senators and rep. 202-224-3121 She answered all three times I called. Doesn't seem like they're that busy right now.
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Reposted by Lani Diane Rich
Nan Reinhardt @nanreinhardt.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
@lanidianerich.com nails it. On dragons and villagers open.substack.com/pub/yearofwr...
open.substack.com
On dragons and villagers
Believe it or not… this is about winning.
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 19/02/2026
Psssst. Don't let anyone yuck your yum. Not even me. open.substack.com/pub/yearofwr...
open.substack.com
Walking on broken glass
Content Warning: There is a lot of societal context in this essay with the potential to yuck your yum. Do not let it.
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 02/02/2026
Glad to hear it. Good to see you!
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 02/02/2026
Oh, I’ve missed you, Garrett. Clearly, you are my people. How are you?
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 02/02/2026
Excellence can be a wonderful thing, but instead of chasing it, maybe we let it find us where we already are. open.substack.com/pub/yearofwr...
open.substack.com
The irrelevance of excellence
Like many things we chase, it's the pursuit that makes us stumble the most
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 30/11/2025
We need to catch up! Expect an email soon! MWAH!
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 30/11/2025
I’m with you. 1000%. Also…. HI! Been way too long!
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 11/11/2025
Today on Dear Writer, I take inspiration from disability advocates and learn how to work with myself as a creative, instead of against myself. #WritingCommunity #amwriting open.substack.com/pub/dearwrit...
open.substack.com
Body doubling and spoons
How disability activists and researchers can help you write your novel
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 14/10/2025
Have you heard about Nano2.org? If you miss #Nanowrimo and would love to participate without feeling conflicted… check it out!
nano2.org
NaNo 2.0
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 11/10/2025
So. Some news. I live in a van now. Also, the Year of Writing Magically 2026 cohort is now open for registration! You wanna write a novel in ‘26 as part of a tight community of writers? Sign up today, because in March, we RIDE! www.tiktok.com/@lanidianeri...
tiktok.com
#Writing #writer #fictionwriting #novelwriting Go to yearofwritingmagically.com to learn more about how to write your novel in 2026!
TikTok video by Lani Diane Rich | Story Expert
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Reposted by Lani Diane Rich
ComicBooked! @comicbooked.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
Do you own or work in a comic book store? You should be on ComicBooked.org
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Lani Diane Rich @lanidianerich.com · 20/08/2025
I’m on @bufferingcast.bsky.social today talking about “Reptile Boy.” Has such a great time with Jenny & Kristin, and it was SO much fun to talk snoot Buffy again! open.spotify.com/episode/1c52...
open.spotify.com
Penis, Demon, Money, Snake: Lani Diane Rich on "Reptile Boy"
Buffering the Vampire Slayer | A Buffy the Vampire Slayer Podcast · Episode
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Reposted by Lani Diane Rich
Patton Oswalt @pattonoswalt.bsky.social · 04/07/2025
So glad we all get to experience the Most Ironic Independence Day In American History.
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