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The #SundaySnips Word of the Week is 'witch' - despite my deep love of witchcraft and covens I've ironically not used this word a lot in my current wip 'The Canary.' #WritingCommunity #Writesky #HQPress

The Sunday Snips word of the week is 'witch' - the following is an excerpt from my novel WIP 'The Canary' featuring said word - "Which one of y'all is Katie?"

God fucking damn it.

Betrayed like the sole cloaked party member in a witch hunt, the table pointed to me. Face aghast with horror, I looked at them with panic in my eyes. They didn't know I was terrified, I couldn't blame them. Even so, what kind of people were they to just rat me out immediately? A detail I would pocket. The only one who didn't point was Bekah.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 18h

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'cousin' and here's an abundance of them (mainly because I haven't figured out her name yet). #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

The WIP Snip Word of the Day is 'cousin' and here's an abundance of its usage (mainly because I haven't named this cousin yet) - the following is an excerpt from my novel WIP 'The Canary' - At last, I met Bekah and her little cousin at the top of the stairs. Eyes still wld as ever, the cousin raced down the steps first. I sighed and tried to muster the courage. I hated family dinners. It was just an excuse for the old to trap their kids at the table and talk over them, holding them hostage for an outdated definition of manners. Don’t get me wrong, I could rub elbows with anyone and find a commonality, even if I truly hated the person. My preference to avoid them was not a skill issue.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'fuzzy' - had to pivot here since I haven't used that word yet so I went with 'wool' to capture the essence. Meeting the family of friends is always a little awkward, but what do you do when the strangeness feels uncanny? #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

The WIP Snip Word of the Day is 'fuzzy' but that word hasn't come up in my draft yet so I chose 'wool' - the following is an excerpt from my novel WIP 'The Canary' featuring the word 'wool' - The silence that blanketed the room felt oppressively suffocating like a wool coat worn too deep into spring. As I tried to avoid eye contact, I kept catching the gaze of lingering family from around the table. Slowly, I started to realize that it wasn’t just the cousin that was boring holes into me. The entire table was. I swallowed nervously, my chest tight with concern. Had I done something wrong? Was there something on my face? No… Bekah was staring, too.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

#LitHodgepodge D10: Delilah/Della - teenage sweetheart to Megan Deer and a generally shy, sweet girl born and raised in the mountains of Tennessee. What things would you set to catch her? #WritingCommunity #WriteSky

A 9 panel OC moodboard for my character Delilah/Della from book 2 of my series. The images will be described from top to bottom, left to right. The images are as follows: A hazy old flash photo of a blonde and brunette girl sitting on a roof together at dusk with their backs turned, an old white house in the hills of Appalachia with a simple tin roof and aging front porch, a faceless image of a young teen playing with a corded phone line while she talks with someone, a mostly empty field on a dark overcast autumn day with an unmarked simple white wooden cross in the field, a pale face with intense glaring eyes of a young girl with a red gleam in her gaze that implies she is not fully human, an image of sheep with disturbing red glowing eyes, a faceless photo of a young girl's bare legs from behind from the thigh down (her calves and feet have stains of blood but she is mostly clean), an overcast dark autumn day with dry orange fields with a burning farmhouse in the middle with a tower of black smoke rising into the air, a despondent young bride in all white with her face turned away from the camera in a high flash contract giving the image an eerie feel.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'raid' - tragically, not a word I've used in my current WIP. Decided to pivot to 'onslaught.' Minor content warning to implied homophobic bullying and isolation. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

The WIP Snip word of the day is 'raid' but I haven't used that word yet in my draft for my WIP 'The Canary.' Instead, I chose 'onslaught' - minor content warnings to implied homophobic bullying and isolation - “A lot of girls don’t hang out with me because people assume anyone hanging out with someone gay *has to* be gay,” I sighed, vision distant as I thought of how many people recoiled from my kindness because they refused to be associated with the fat nerdy dyke. “The gay best friend thing is more for gay guys and girls, you know?”

Letting out a great sigh and face falling into introspection, Bekah thought about the loaded question. She leaned her head back, her long neck arching beautifully as she kicked the idea around in her thoughts.

“Not really,” she said at last. “At the end of the day, they’d be wrong and who cares if idiots are wrong?”

As much as I loved the sentiment, it felt shallow. Obviously, that was true on the surface, but it wouldn’t stop mistreatment. I just hoped she had the spine to defend herself from the constant onslaught of assumptions. Words were empty when compared to actions in the South. It didn’t matter what you said, it’s what you did or presented that gets around. At least she had the devoted years-long love of Logan to bat away the gossip.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Next #OC reveal: Delilah/Della from Book 2 of my series entitled 'The Cage.' She is Megan Deer's childhood friend and lover in their later teen years. She is a doe like character with a dark secret. #WIP #art #moodboard

A monochrome sketch of a woman in her later 20s in the mid 90s. She has the iconic "Rachel" haircut (medium bob with layered styled sections and an overall round appearance). She is looking away, as if silently forlorn, torn in regret. Her lips are closed and tight as she holds back what she really wants to say. This art is an original sketch attributed to the owner of the account, Micah Clark.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'lizard' but I had to get flexible and go with 'snake' here. Mild content warning for brief mention of animal euthanasia. Katie seems convinced Bekah's got a dog hiding in her house, especially with hearing them and smelling them everywhere around her house.

The WIP Snip Word of the Day is 'lizard' but I've not yet used this word so I had to get really flexible with 'snake' - the following is an excerpt frommm my novel WIP 'The Canary' featuring the word 'snake' - mild content warning for mention of animal euthanasia - As I leaned an inch closer, the sound of a huffing muzzle filled my ear. My eyes widened with disbelief, watching the four thin black lines beneath the door scamper away. Just then, the door pulled wide open. Bekah stood at the top of the steps, head tilted in confusion. She was looking down at me, a strange sight for sure. I was pressed to the steps like a snake, hands bracing the ground as if I was sleuthing around the room. Her smile downturned in amusement, matching her arched brow.

"You… good?" She asked, chuckling as I shot up and nervously smiled at her.

"Yeah," I laughed, stiffly. There was no point in explaining myself. "Sorry. I… thought I heard a dog."

"Dog?" She asked, clearly confused. "No. We *had* one. Had to put her down when I was a kid, though. Rabies."

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

The #LitHodgepodge Challenge for Day 7 is to share an excerpt where our narrative voice really shines. My developmental editor feels strongly that this chapter is one of my best. It's a nightmare sequence from the POV of my clairvoyant character Katie, who occasionally becomes possessed by the dead.

The dream started in the dark. I opened my eyes to nothingness, only a cold wet feeling beneath me. When I turned to my side to push myself upright, I felt my hand sink slowly like the water beneath me. It felt like half hard gelatin. sending a cold shiver down my spine. Gross as it was, the world solidified once I was on my feet.

Slowly, sounds started to gurgle to life around me. Layered laughter of two girls echoed from somewhere far in the distance, rippling through me as it reached me. I tried tuning into the sound, catching faint pauses and the distant sound of a guy chuckling quietly. Panting urgency, the sound of falling and laughter, the distinct hitches in breath of passion: my skin started to crawl. Where the hell was I?

From somewhere in the shadows a girl began walking backwards in my direction. She had long black hair that was curled at the ends that matched a black cocktail dress that just barely covered her. Her bronze skin seemed warm and radiant, even in the dark. Still, I panicked, looking for any way out as she continued to march in reverse towards me, her body language flirtatious even if it was uncanny. My heart thundered in my chest, wondering if she was real or if she was a faceless, mangled nightmare my mind had concocted. The closer she came, the worse my fear became.

Suddenly, she was nearly on top of me, walking a stride backwards as if I wasn't there. A gasp of horror erupted from me, hands held up in anticipation of an impact. Bumping into her would have been far easier than what happened.

When our bodies touched, her skin phased through mine like she was a ghost. The feeling of our bodies crossing over sent a gut churning shudder of disgust through me, like a primal boundary had been crossed. The shape of her form continued backwards until she stood exactly in my shoes. Eyes clenched tight with fear and nausea, I felt her body merge into mine, a second skin. Breath trembling, the corpse-like cold slowly drained away.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'comparison' - this comes from an earlier chapter where my MC Katie is at an open mic night, lovingly encouraged/pressured by Bekah and Whitney who want to see her shine. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

The WIP Snip Word of the Day is 'comparison' - the following is an excerpt from my novel WIP 'The Canary' featuring the word of the day - Nervously eyeing the setting sunset, I realized we'd be performing soon. The baristas inside were giving their opening welcome to the patrons and giving a sneak peak on some of the types of artists performing that night. Most of them were college students looking to build an audience for their music. We were the youngest performers. There was no need to sit inside and listen to all of them. It wasn't that I didn't respect them, it's that I would trap myself in a Gordian prison of comparison until I could no longer function. I had to neutralize any competing forces and focus on executing the piece well.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'rice' but I haven't used that word yet so I went with 'oat' to keep the grain theme. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

The WIP Snip word of the day is 'rice' but I haven't used that word once in my WIP so I chose 'oat' to keep with the grain theme - the following is an excerpt from my novel WIP 'The Canary' featuring the word 'oat' - We pulled up to Whitney's house in the suburbs, a quaint powder blue cottage. She lived in an idyllic spot, the home cradled by towering tree canopies above. It was easily a quick walk to school. There was no pressure to rush. It was a relief I had no idea I was yearning so deeply for.

Halfway up the steps, a wafting scent of bananas and oat floated from the open windows like a cartoon. As we walked inside, I caught the melody of warm jazz flowing through the speakers. Whitney's place was modern and clean. The bookshelf was filled with tasteful nonfiction and CDs tucked among a modest record collection. It seemed like Whitney's single father was not suffering from his separation, but thriving in it.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'wall' - sometimes the walls in my characters lives are literal, but this is a time when it's a metaphor. Ambitions run high when you're a teen, but it's hard to make someone you care about chase their visions for them. Sometimes, it's easier to let them go. #WriteSky

The WIP Snip word of the day is 'wall' - the following is an excerpt from my novel WIP 'The Canary' featuring the word of the day - Bekah snorted, shaking her head with a dry smile. She leaned back against the brick wall of the shed behind us and let out a heavy sigh. Legs straight out in front of her Bekah's eyes stared ahead in the distance. She shoved her hands in her pockets and lost herself in the thoughts before her. I knew the subject of life after school was a sore spot, but it couldn't be avoided forever.

"I'm probably not going to school," she finally replied, her voice cold and distant. "No money for it. Besides… I don't think it's for me."

"Bekah, come on. There's scholarships. You're one of the smartest people I know. I *know* they'll put you through. What happened to wanting to be a vet?"

Another huff. Bekah rolled her eyes with a groan. It made my heart ache, but I couldn't force her to chase her dreams. I'd run boundless through the highs and lows with her, but she had to want it for herself most of all.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

The #SundaySnips Word of the Week is 'eerie' - ironically, I've only used this word 3 times in my paranormal thriller lmao. Katie begins to realize that perhaps mischaracterization is a symptom of her best friend's minorly delusional worldview. Innocuous as it may seem, it is a clue.

The Sunday Snips word of the week is 'eerie' - the following is an excerpt from my novel WIP 'The Canary' featuring the word of the week - However, the longer I read the more my face fell. It was true that we shared a deep bond over our adoration of tragic lovers. The story she titled 'in aeternum implicatus' was a nod to her passion for Latin and Roman history but it was something deeper, too. The tale was eerie and familiar, a deeply emotional extension to the myth of Romulus and Remus. I saw that we'd studied the same mythos, but she'd seen a very different ending.

In Bekah's story, Romulus was a deeply flawed young man who had an unhealthy and entangled vision of his future and his brother's true motives. He saw his wolf mother's kindness as selective and his river father's mercy as neglect. The anguish he felt taking Remus's life was the cost of his boundless lust for power. Still, this version of Romulus could not bear his shame. The reality of his crimes was a sobering curse. Actualization was in his very grasp, his destiny sealed, but the one person he wanted to celebrate with the most lied dead in his hands, by his hands.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'contract' - this snippet is especially fun because it starts to illuminate a secondary MC in my world, Detective Megan Leanne Deer. She's a butch Southern officer who may be much more important than my readers may realize. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

The WIP Snip Word of the Day is 'contract' - the following is an excerpt from my novel WIP 'The Canary' featuring the word of the day - Passing off the mic with expert fluidity, Detective Deer stepped back as the vice principal focused our attention. He explained how if our parents had additional questions about the security measures that they could reach out to the Wrightsville school board or police department. He rambled on about how select grade students could apply for their work and after hours curfew exemption at the guidance counselor's office and where to report any suspicious activity. Mostly the fine print on the open air social contract.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Decided to do an OC Moodboard for my MCs of The Canary. On the left we have Bekah and on the right we have Katie/KT. Vastly different energies, but a kind of chemistry together that makes even true words come into question. #OC #moodboard #WriteSky #WIP

A 9 panel OC moodboard for my character Bekah. The following is a description of the images from top to bottom, left to right: a light green blue eye staring sharply, trashed notebooks and notepads that are incredibly well loved, two teen hands locked in a pinky promise, a person holding up their hands to a mirror like they're struggling to tell what's real, a bright glare of a woman's silhouette with the words 'when will you learn that there's no escaping me?' overlaid, a teen standing on another teen's toe tips both in sneakers, an auburn haired girl in overalls turning her head, half of a best friends forever necklace, a smiling pale face with many cheek wrinkles.

A 9 panel OC moodbaord for my MC Katie/KT. The following is a description of the images top to bottom, left to right: a depressed girl putting on headphones in a green hue, a stack of well used ringed notebooks, hands held above a head in shadow cast against a tree trunk in the sunshine, brown wavy hair, a digital screen that reads 'in a dream you saw a way to survive and you were full of joy' in a serif font, blurry teens laughing hysterically, a hand struggling to let go of another in the dark rainy night, a glowing green and blue sign for a palmistry psychic that reads 'spiritual', art of a depressed person laying on the bed covering their head in the dark with a single line of light cast parallel to them from an open door off frame.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'petal' - had to get a little creative with this one since I'm not often referencing flowers in my WIP. Went with 'bouquet' instead! An early moment in the story where my MC realizes the motive behind a friendship could be deeper than she realized. #WriteSky

The WIP Snip Word of the Day is 'petal' - since I have not yet used this word I chose 'bouquet' - the following is an excerpt from my WIP The Canary featuring 'bouquet' - The girls started talking about their ideas for how to spend the day and the rest of the weekend. Bekah reached over to the bag with her gifts, pulling out some chocolates and energy drinks she liked. Inside one of the bags was a cheap but lovely grocery store bouquet. She closed her eyes and took in the scent, savoring the sweet floral smell. When she opened her eyes, they were dead locked onto me.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

#LitHodgepodge D3: I'll do both! The left is my original art of my #OC Detective Megan Leanne Deer. In 'The Canary', she is a grown adult detective in Wrightsville investigating the disappearance of local teens. In 'The Cage', the story follows her life and how she's involved in the previous story.

A character portrait sketch sheet of headshots of my OC Megan Leanne Deer throughout key ages in her story. From top to bottom, left to right, her ages are as follows: 17, 15, 21, 35-45, and 55-65. At the bottom of the page under her name is a sketched shotgun rifle, the one she grew up using on the farm as a kid.

A 9 panel OC moodboard for my character Megan Leanne Deer. Described top to bottom, left to right, the images are as follows: a grinning pale woman with blonde wavy hair, a crookedly hung pay phone, a cheap brick porch with a single plastic chair by the open screen door, keys on a carabiner hooked onto someone's back pocket of their jeans, a vintage button reading 'I BECAME A TEENAGE LESBIAN!', someone with brown heeled boots kneeling in bootcut jeans, a grungy 80s teen outfit with an oversized unbuttoned flannel over a tucked white tshirt and jeans, a pale hand guarding the wind to light a cigarette, a blonde girl in shadow with her face concealed.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

#QueerPrompts D3: This scene may feel explicit, but it's a nightmare channeling the final moments of a teen that disappeared from my MCs town. Until this moment, the school thought the teens were running away or attacked. But perhaps there's something supernatural afoot. The true terror comes later.

The Queer Prompt was to share a snippet that foreshadows a later frightening scene. This sequence from The Canary is from the nightmare of my MC Katie who is a medium. Here, she is channeling the last memories and moments of a missing person in the area, where she discovers the disappearances may just be supernatural in nature. The reveal of what truly has happened in this nightmare is revealed at the end of the story. The following is the excerpt in question: Realizing how loud my sobs were, I pulled my hands back over my mouth. My eyes were wide, as if any inch of eyelid would block out some horrid, necessary detail. I'd miss something. I'd be next. No matter what, I had to keep my eyes peeled. I had to witness it. Somebody had to. They were giving up. I wouldn't give up on them.

Suddenly, the monster was inches from my face. I could feel the heat of its exhale, hot iron and rot dripping from its tongue with each breath. I fought back a gag from the smell, shoulders trembling violently. The creature took in deep, curious inhales, trying to sense me. Then, the sniffing stopped. It smelled something it recognized, something it didn't want to detect.

I felt the beast suck in another breath and move to snap towards me. I tried moving backwards but I hit a wall. Panic shook through me like a freight train rattling down the tracks. There wasn't a wall there before, but I was cornered. The animal roared like thunder, its body thrusting towards me. I couldn't see it, but I could sense it. The monster's mouth was gaping wide, ready to tear me apart. All I could do, just like the others, was scream.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Hello #LGBTQWriteAThon Nation! Looking for an Appalachian gothic paranormal sapphic thriller duology with plenty of complex dark themes? Yearning for that 'Fear Street'esque teen thriller vibes? May I present to you my coming soonish releases of 'The Canary' (Volume 1) and 'The Cage' (Volume 2).

A 9 panel mood board of images for the sequel to my current novel WIP, volume 2 in the duology entitled 'The Cage'. The images are described top to bottom, left to right: two girls kissing in the sunlight, a payphone on a dark street illuminating the space with amber street lights in the background, claw swipes on a grey locker, a person loading shells into a shotgun, a movie caption screen from the 70s or 80s in yellow lettering reading 'Summer of Fear', two girls with their backs to the camera in high contrast flashlight photography in the dark one is blonde wearing a brown hoodie and one is brunette wearing a black leather jacket, a dark hazy corn field with a full moon above, a brunette girl facing a sun shower with a ray of light obscuring her face and part of the image, a disturbingly isolated white steepled American Christian church.

A 9 panel mood board of images for the sequel to my current novel WIP, volume 1 in the duology entitled 'The Canary'. The images are described top to bottom, left to right: A newspaper article clipped into a folder titled 'Mystery Accident Causes Teen Fatality', a yellowed worn cover of a black and white composition notebook, the faceless image of a county police officer with a black brown tie and dark thick overcoat (uniform issue) with a name tag, a white house that at the right angle reads 'RUN' in all capital letters spraypainted on the roof and facade of the exterior, two pale faced teens laughing loudly with toothy grins as they hug with the image zoomed on their mouths, a newspaper article reading 'BODIES FOUND MUTILATED BY ANIMAL', two pale hands clawing at the dirt as they try to escape, two Ride Waite tarot cards laid over top of each other reading 'Love' and 'Death', an unpainted and weathered barn in rural Appalachia with a white and black lettered sign reading 'GET RIGHT WITH GOD' on the side.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Little late to the #LitHodgepodge Party but better late than never! I am a Southern queer writer focused on queer storytelling of every shade but with a focus on Appalachian Gothic, paranormal thrillers, mysteries, romances, and more. I'm unpublished but working on a debut duology.

A literary this or that meme asking me to make a choice between two options. The options are as follows: paperback (chosen)/hardcover, series/standalone (chosen), tears (chosen)/laughs, coffee(chosen)/tea, hero (chosen)/villain, character driven (chosen)/plot driven, computer (chosen)/pen and paper, sweet/salty (chosen), silence/soundtrack (chosen), bookmark (chosen)/dog ear, plotter/pantser (chosen), lush (chosen)/minimalist, vomit draft/slow craft (chosen), morning/midnight (chosen).

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'dent' - anger is a powerful storm in a person's heart and sometimes tenderness is the only cure.

The WIP Snip Word of the Day is 'dent' - the following is an excerpt from my novel WIP Canary featuring the word of the day - My eyes flicked to Bekah and saw a look of barely contained anger, her jaw tight. The grip on her beer was enough to turn her fingertips white and dent the metal. The corner of her eye twitched but she chewed the words lingering in her mouth in silence. At her side, her hand balled into a shaking fist. I didn't know what was hurting in her, but I acted without thinking just hoping to distract her. I reached down and grabbed her hand, squeezing hard.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'injury' - after a frightening disappearance and alleged head trauma, Bekah begins to act bizarrely out of touch with her own vanishing. Slowly, it begins to unnerve her closest friend who begins to wonder what's really going on. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

The WIP Snip word of the day is 'injury' - the following is an excerpt from my novel WIP Canary featuring the word of the day - Carefully, I slid my cell phone out of my pocket and angled myself behind a student sitting a row down in front of me. Bekah had replied to almost every statement, ranting to me about how stupid it all was. Rolling my eyes knowing she'd never see it, I couldn't help but wonder what was going through her head. For God's sake, she was one of the reasons for the curfew. She sure must've had a traumatic head injury for how thoughtless she could be about it all.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

While I'm still working on the first book in the #duology I'm writing, there's no harm in teasing some of the vibes of the second book. Unlike The Canary, The Cage is set between the 80s into the 90s giving the story a more classic summer horror vibe. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #QueerWriters #WLW

A 9 panel mood board of images for the sequel to my current novel WIP. The images are described top to bottom, left to right: two girls kissing in the sunlight, a payphone on a dark street illuminating the space with amber street lights in the background, claw swipes on a grey locker, a person loading shells into a shotgun, a movie caption screen from the 70s or 80s in yellow lettering reading 'Summer of Fear', two girls with their backs to the camera in high contrast flashlight photography in the dark one is blonde wearing a brown hoodie and one is brunette wearing a black leather jacket, a dark hazy corn field with a full moon above, a brunette girl facing a sun shower with a ray of light obscuring her face and part of the image, a disturbingly isolated white steepled American Christian church.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'guard' and oh boy this is where my readers will want to guard their hearts. A moment of rare frankness between Katie and Bekah sheds light on their unspoken devotion towards each other, and perhaps more. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #QueerWriters

The WIP Snip Word of the Day is 'guard' - the following is an excerpt from my novel WIP Canary featuring the word of the day - "Do we mix?"

"Don't we?" I asked rhetorically.

Bekah looked like she wanted to correct something but Amber, Rhys, and Lucas came around the corner to the tune of Amber's booming laugh. Craning my neck, I saw them raising their plastic glasses of punch and dancing together in our direction. I looked back to Beck but she had turned her head away, like the timing caught her off guard. A whisper of intuition made me wonder if there was something deeper in the meaning but I had to remind myself that my favorite pastime was overthinking.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'well' - this is an excerpt from the opening of my third act where the familiar and fond mountains take a dark turn when led deep within, far from any recognizable place. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

The WIP Snip word of the day is 'well' - the following is an excerpt of my novel WIP Canary featuring the word of the day - The further Bekah's dad drove us out into the country the more uneasy I felt. Familiar land marks faded until we were deep in the rolling valley backed against the rising slopes of the worn peaks of the Smoky Mountains. Next to me in the back seat, Bekah gripped my hand tightly as I rested my palm against the well loved fabric bench seat. Eyes flickering through the scenery, I was desperate to find anything I could recognize. Even the Little River faded behind us as we hauled out to the mysterious farm of Bekah's grandmother.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'prime' and this word is a rare chance to show off a scene in one of my MC's classes. However, few things in my story are just filler. Shout out to the zany and wild teacher of mine from high school who I based this character off of. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

The WIP Snip word of the day is 'prime' - the following is an excerpt from my novel WIP Canary featuring the word of the day - "What happened to Remus, then?" A girl in the front asked, drumming her black painted fingernails against the desk.

"The most predictable thing happened, a story older than the Bible. Beloved brothers turned afoul, driven by jealousy and greed."

"He got Abeled," a boy in the back hooted, sending a wave of disappointed boos and laughter through the audience. Our teacher, ever savvy, rolled with the punches like a skilled comedian.

"In a way!" She agreed emphatically. "Romulus and his brother argued where their great empire would be, but he didn't just kill his brother over prime real estate. Remus made the fatal error of invoking the gods."

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'delay' - this scene is a perfect high wire to show growing tension between Katie and Logan, but also hints at some unspoken feelings between the girls as well. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

The WIP Snip Word of the Day is 'delay' - the following is a scene from my novel WIP Canary featuring the word of the day - Bekah stuck out her pinky towards me and shook it in my direction. I locked mine with hers, never blinking as I looked in her eyes and shook it affirmatively. I meant every word. The connection I felt with Bekah as a best friend was everything to me. I would kill Logan if he ever stole her light from this world. He didn't appreciate the amazing person he had. She'd been a permanent installment in his life so long that he'd forgotten her value.

After a long pause, Bekah kicked at the concrete. She twiddled her thumbs with her lips puckered as she looked around, as if delaying the inevitable. I could feel it coming, like I could read her mind. Around came her goofy grin and brows high on her forehead.

"Does that mean you'll come to the Homecoming dance, or…?"

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

The #SundaySnips Word of the Week is 'turn' - minor CW for descriptions of teen drinking - sometimes the best fun you can have is breaking curfew to party in the woods around a bonfire. This scene is a tried and true warning of the dangers and delights of the mixed punch bowl.

The Sunday Snips word of the week is 'turn' - the following is an excerpt from my novel WIP Canary featuring the word of the week - minor content warning for descriptions of teen drinking - The night started to turn to blurry smears of light and laughter with each sip of the barn booze Tommy had handed me. Bekah was right. It tasted like water and sweet tea and knocked the sense right out of you. I only realized when I was gripping the hay bale under me for stability and kept swaying and laughing to myself. Bekah eventually loosened up, too.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'observe' - a word and a major them in my story. Here, we see an experience of Katie's power as a medium who can live through memories of the dead but only in the space of her dreams. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

The WIP Snip word of the day is 'observe' - the following is an excerpt from my novel WIP Canary featuring the word of the day - When I opened my—her?—eyes, my back was against the trunk of a tall tree. I felt my body move on its own, the girl using my dreams to bring a memory to life. In that moment, I was nothing more than an observer through her eyes and body. A daring glance downward, and my stomach dropped with confusion. The girl who piloted my dreams was slender and lean. Her skin was smooth and perfectly unblemished. My scars did not carry with her. Her wrists were dainty, making her hands seem larger. Or maybe I was just used to being built with different proportions. I'd spent my whole life wishing I could be smaller but now that I was it felt sickening. I felt vulnerable in a way I couldn't describe.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Hey #ArtSky, anyone still into comic book fanart? I don't know if Ghost Rider is still popular but he was always one of my favorites as a kid. Though, I'm biased, I grew up on motorcycles as a kid. #fanart #comicbook #GhostRider #marvel #motorcycle

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Voices are one of my favorite facets of a character and I love describing them. Whether it's using temperature, metaphor, or comparison, I love animating my character in my readers' minds as clearly as possible. Below is a variety of ways I describe them: #pretendpanel #Writers #Authors #WriteSky

The Pretend Panel challenge is to find snippets that show how we as a writer describe voice. The following is an excerpt from my novel WIP Canary featuring a description of voice - Footsteps from the bridge, a sickeningly familiar sound cut through the silence. I silenced my breathing, eyes wide with absolute terror. The back of my neck prickled the same way it did when I passed through a ghost. My skin was cold and my mind's voice was screaming like a tornado.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'nation' - I went with 'national' here since I had limited options. This scene reveals Katie's thoughts at a vigil for the missing and presumed dead. There's a lot of guilt in being a survivor. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

The WIP Snip word of the day is 'nation' - the following is an excerpt from my novel WIP Canary featuring a related form of the word of the day - Echoing announcements came over the sound system calling fans to the stands. They were going to open the game with the national anthem, alma mater song, and a candle lighting ceremony where the life of Logan (Surname) would be honored. It felt weird that they were ignoring the others. As if their bodies being absent was enough to pleasantly float the foolish idea that they'd come home.

Optimism had always felt like self sabotage. I'd had so many wonderful things ripped out of my hands or from under my feet that I'd learned to cautiously walk around in life, anticipating the next horrible shock. As much as I tried fighting that instinct, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of dread whenever I looked at those missing posters. They felt living the way a memory does, not a moment. I knew they weren't coming home.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'meddle' - I had to get flexible here so I chose the word 'tampered' instead. Running from the cops is hard when they're next door. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

The WIP Snip word of the day is 'meddle' - I had to get flexible on an alternative word for this challenge prompt so I chose 'tampered' instead - the following is an excerpt from my novel WIP Canary featuring the word 'tampered' - "You, uh… need a ride?" A familiar voice called as the passenger side window of the SUV rolled down.

Looking over with a face of pure dumbfounded shock I saw Detective Deer leaning across her seat towards me in her cruiser. Of course. Who else would it be? I sighed, admitting defeat, and walked over to her vehicle. Better to be forthcoming than put up another attitude. I could get away with it once, but I was not gonna bet twice on tampered dice.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'tumble' but I had to go with 'stumble' on this one. A lighthearted scene as the girls race to class, and perhaps realize things about their friendship. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

The WIP Snip word of the day is 'tumble' - I didn't have this word in my WIP so I chose 'stumble' - the following is an excerpt from my novel WIP Canary featuring the word of the day - Without a word, Bekah took my hand into hers and pulled me towards the door. I didn’t think I’d ever get used to her touching me. She was a whirlwind of force and there was no telling her no. Having spent years of my life with passive, indecisive people in my life, her assuredness was a magnet.

Down the stairs we ran like a gust of wind, ducking and dodging past the kids slowly streaming into the music hall. I yelled that I couldn’t keep up and she just replied, confident as ever, “Yes, you can.” There was no weakness that couldn’t be overcome in her mind. I laughed as he stumbled and ran to our lockers, hastily grabbing things up as the bell rang overhead. Logan only managed to steal a kiss from Bekah as she waved goodbye, heading down towards her end of the school as I took the steps upwards to mine.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'meltdown' - An earlier scene of Katie and Bekah's friendship growing closer amidst a dying relationship in the background. Teen drama sets off our story with innocent friend drama until the story twists into something darker and more complex. #WriteSky

The WIP Snip word of the day is 'meltdown' - the following is an excerpt from my novel WIP Canary - "Please," she chuckled. "Don't be. I think it's cute. You get so turned around and embarrassed easily. Everyone is busy posturing because we're teenagers. Everyone's gotta be hot, cool, unique. I don't know. It's nice to see authenticity," she smiled warmly, sitting back in her seat with a heavy sigh. "Guess I won't give your barista friend a heart attack. Besides, I think Logan just got off work. You want a ride?"

"Oh, I mean, I can get my mom to grab me. You two deserve some time together."

"Nonsense," she shook her head. "He'd be happy to drive you home. Besides, I wouldn't ruin your day like having your *mom* come get you. Not after Emily's meltdown."

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Another great prompt from #WhimsicalWriters and such perfect timing because I just finished writing a prom scene in my novel Canary! Bekah doesn't often get dressed up b/c she's a tomboy by nature but when she does it's always a wow moment. The only catch is she's not dressed for her bf 👀 #WriteSky

The Whimsical Writers prompt asks us to share a snippet featuring the importance of fashion (cultural, formal, or otherwise) - the following is an excerpt from my novel Canary featuring a prom scene where an important and beautiful outfit takes center stage - "There you are," a familiar voice chuckled.

Looking up from my position half knelt on the ground, I saw Bekah standing right in front of me in a blue dress with a black sheer lace exterior that gave the gown a gothic look. As I stood up, I couldn't help but notice the hem of the pants she loaned me matched her dress. She was pushing her luck big time.

Finally eye to eye, I could admire her full look. Her long auburn hair was tied up in a bun at the back of her head and held in place by a silver hair comb with a wolf motif with two obsidian eyes. She had smeared black eyeliner on her upper lid and blue beneath her lower lashes for a rough colorful smokey eye. She was a vision. It only broke my heart that she wasn't taking the person she loved to the dance.

"You look…" I began, lips parting. "Incredible."

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'stream' - the old saying is always 'boys will be boys' but this scene between my protagonists is a tried and true 'girls will be girls' moment. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

The WIP Snip word of the day is 'stream' - the following is an excerpt from my novel WIP Canary featuring the word of the day - "See you, Tommy," she waved flirtatiously.

The second she slammed the door shut, Bekah's expression faded as fast as it had appeared. The once flirty girl had changed into a drained ghoul of dissatisfaction. Only when I heard Tommy's truck pull off did I finally let my laugh out. Hand over my eyes, I shook with laughter and turned away, like the very sight of her would induce the giggles once more. She was diabolical.

"I fuckin' hate that boy," she groaned, plopping back onto the couch with the pizza between us.

"He's so handsome," I shrugged, voice shrill with disbelief. "What's Logan got that Tommy doesn't?"

Bekah looked over at me, smile downturned and eyebrows high on her forehead. A silent pause of knowing only reignited the howling laughter. We laughed until tears streamed down my face and both of our faces were bright red. Of course. The only important thing to her. My shoulder trembled as the giggles started to burn, my diaphragm tight with joy induced agony. I clutched my stomach and doubled over my knees, raking my long hair back over my face as I finally caught my breath. All I could muster was a one word reply.

"Damn," I snorted.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

The #SundaySnips Word of the Week is 'crisp' - I went with crispy here because I don't have the exact word many other places. A rare tender moment in a terse parent-child relationship, but also a closing ritual of the last time a mother does her daughter's hair before she becomes an adult. #WriteSky

The Sunday Snips word of the week is 'crisp' - the following an excerpt from my novel WIP Canary featuring the word of the week - "I don't know," I admitted. "I thought I was just being a good best friend. I mean… shouldn't you want to keep the people you care about safe?"

"That doesn't mean running into the line of fire to take the consequences away from people. Pain is meant to teach us a lesson and it's wrong to rob a person of the opportunity to learn," she said confidently with a sigh.

"Where did you hear that?" I asked, certain she didn't come up with that ringer herself.

"Saw it on a daytime talk show," she smiled.

Sitting straight, glasses back on my nose, I watched as mom moved around me to take down my hair. She had me hand her hair spray and mousse for her to work in as the last step to define my loose waves. I'm sure my hair would be crispy and flat by the end of the night, but at least it looked nice for a moment.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'signal' - this snippet gets a chance to show a tense moment of horror when the plot of my story takes an abrupt left. In a moment of anger, a sign of premeditation is exposed. The cops say it's an accident, but the evidence says otherwise #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

The WIP Snip word of the day is 'signal' - the following is an excerpt from my novel WIP Canary featuring the word of the day - Vision tunneling, I began tearing up the floor pallet looking for my cell phone. The signal was going to be shit no matter what, but I needed to call for help. I found it, stuffed just under the couch behind my pillow. I scraped my fingers frantically towards it, clawing for the device. Letting a roar of curses free, I finally swept the phone towards my palm. I gripped it so tight in my hand I thought I'd shatter it. I smashed the buttons frantically, only to discover it was dead. Another expletive, my anger raging like a sea as I threw the phone hard against the wall. It clattered into pieces, the backing and the body. Strangely, not the battery.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'tube' - ironically, despite the word being deeply unrelated to the current chapter of my WIP that I'm writing rn, I am however revisiting the theme of teen parties/drama mentioned here. Mild CW for mention of teen use of drugs/alcohol. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

The WIP Snip word of the day is 'tube' - the following is an excerpt from my novel WIP Canary featuring the word of the day - Mild content warning for drug/alcohol consumption - "Girl," I snorted, gesturing to my outfit. Sloppy jeans ripped at the heels, ratty hoodie fresh off the box store clearance rack, a t shirt with an anime character edited on lightning and neon letters. I was a loser. I knew that. I was fine with that. "This is not the face you invite to a sick ass party. I look like I'm going to ask about the DD. Like, come on."

We cracked up in the safety of her room. It was fine. I hated crowds, I didn't drink, and I wasn't about to smoke laced bud from an ass bag footballer. The movies made teen parties look tons of fun, but I knew it was something I only enjoyed from the sidelines. I was too much of an obedient homebody to get a thrill out of streaking and beer pong.

"I disagree," Bekah smiled at last, turning back to her mirror. She dug through one of her desk drawers unceremoniously, withdrawing a beat up eyeshadow pallet from the mess. From another drawer, she extracted a beat up tube of mascara and a bottle of foundation. "I think you'd have a lot of fun."

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Writing from a friend's place while #cat sitting. Pictured: Junie, Kiwi, and Kiki!

A large round orange girl cat squinting up from her position on two pillows on the hardwood floor.

A geriatric pair of cats, one tabby, one mostly white with stripes.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'payment' - I had to go with 'pay' this time. A careful hint of what is to come from an earlier section in the draft. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

The WIP Snip word of the day is 'payment' but I chose the word 'pay' - the following is an excerpt from my novel WIP Canary featuring the word of the day - The least I could do was pay Bekah the kindness I'd always wanted. Even through the storms of chaos and fearful roars, I just wanted to know that someone cared, that someone would show up even as the dust settled. Despite her handsome beauty and proud achievements, I could still see that tender girl in Bekah's heart, desperate for understanding. I couldn't fix the problems with her boyfriend or her dad, but I could show up as the best friend that I could. I would do that for her, even to the end.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'effort' - what makes a true best friend is showing up for your people even when their anxiety has them flying away untethered. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

The WIP Snip word of the day is 'effort' - the following is an excerpt from my novel WIP Canary featuring the word of the day - Making no great effort to return, Bekah and I walked slowly around the block that Sigmund's occupied. I forced deep breaths in and out of my mouth, holding my chest over my heart as if massaging it into a calm. She comforted me, saying that if my mother tried to make any snide comment that she would cut her off in an instant. She reminded me that all of our friends were here to support me and that whatever was up my mother's ass was irrelevant.

"Tonight's your night," she smiled genuinely. "She'll never be happy and that's no excuse not to be happy for yourself."

Brows upturned in nervous disbelief, I couldn't believe how little things effected Bekah. I was so grateful that I had an amazing friend like her, someone that truly cared to uplift the people in her life. She could never fully grasp what a positive impact she had on my life. I was grateful for her friendship every day.

"What if I fuck up?"

"You won't."

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'call' - while I had hundreds of options to pick from, I chose an intimate moment between friends late at night. Sometimes, all you need is a best friend that sees you. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

The WIP Snip word of the day is 'call' - the following is an excerpt from my novel WIP Canary featuring the word of the day - "Always," I answered, smiling even if I felt weak. "The love of hateful people is only as warm as the cooling iron shackles they call bonds. The warmth won't last forever and the obligation far outlives the kindness."

"Damn," she whistled. "That's some deep shit."

"Not to sound, like, super corn ball, but I feel things so… so much. Like, I know everyone's trying to be fake deep and super intellectual, but for me," I paused, resting my chin on my hands as I leaned back onto the ledge, "I guess life does feel a lot more complicated than what it seems."

"You seem like it. Well, I guess the better way to put it is you always look like you're thinking all the time," Bekah nodded. "I don't see that in a lot of people."

"It makes you lonely, that's for sure," I sighed, looking to Bekah with a tired smile. "You never make me feel lonely, though."

"Good," she grinned.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'exterior' - not a lot of things to pick from in my WIP but I chose one of the happier parts of my paranormal thriller. However, don't let this excerpt deceive you: the laughter doesn't last for long. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

The WIP Snip Word of the Day is 'exterior' - the following is an excerpt from my novel WIP Canary featuring the word of the day - Through the glass, I heard the muffled sounds of teen hooting and laughter. Logan and Neil were fake wrestling for the steps to the coffee shop while some of the others hung back and laughed. A few of our friends decided to take up a wrought iron table along the exterior of the building, tossing their backpacks behind them as they sat. Emily walked by the window, her gaze catching mine. She glared at me, face stone cold. My throat tightened, watching as she finally turned away.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

The #WIPSnip word of the day is 'month' - Southern Gothic as a genre is nothing else if not a love letter do the deeply complicated beauty of the rolling hills, meandering rivers, and lush green valleys within. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

The WIP Snip word of the day is 'month' - the following is an excerpt of my novel WIP Canary using the word of the day - For all my pain and anguish, I did love the South. It was beautiful in ways few other people understood. Life was hard, but it was lovely, too. Saving up pocket change for months to afford a weekend camping trip in the hills made it all the more magical. Escaping the heat in the meandering creeks and rivers, the same waterways that had stretched through the mountains for eons, was a spiritual experience. The rich, earthy scent of the clay soil as you dug for mudbugs, the humid nights that sung with the song of wildlife, the whispering voices on the breeze snaking through the corn fields: no matter how I felt about her, the South was my home.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'distract' - escapism is the most affordable form of fun and the best way to bond as friends. Before the drama kicks off, Bekah and Katie spend lots of times as regular friends writing fanfiction together. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

The WIP Snip word of the day is 'distract' - the following is an excerpt from my novel WIP using the word of the day - Bekah kept hyping me up, shaking my shoulders with her own excitement throughout the day. I had distracted myself with pouring over the chapter reply I was writing for our story together. It had become apparent quickly that Bekah preferred the kind of fiction that tested boundaries, the kind of stories that would make a teacher gasp. No longer did I wonder why she struggled to find a writing partner. Wrightsville's most alternative was still aghast by the heated teenage cravings for the taboo. Even so, I was happy to indulge her.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'wedge' - relationships as a teen are messssy and so are the feelings, no better illustrated than the drama told through my MC here. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

The WIP Snip Word of the Day is 'wedge' - the following is an excerpt from my novel WIP Canary featuring the word of the day - In a short year we'd become so entangled as friends that we practically went everywhere together. There was no one in the world I was closer to. Our connection was so constant that it had driven several wedges between Bekah and her friends. Yet, she dragged me around by my hair at her leisure whenever she was bored. My texts often went unanswered, but never could I do the same. She itched for attention and, the longer we were friends, the more it felt like Logan could no longer scratch that ache for her.

Checking my phone for a tenth pathetic time, I felt the shame of my own expectation weigh on me. Why was I so hung up on waiting for her? It didn't really matter. She was probably just busy. I was busy. That's what I told myself, anyways.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

I was in 1st grade, my mom never even told me what happened and every time I asked people got mad at me so I ended up having to learn from school years later ironically even if I remember everyone being upset about the news

Australian cattle dog smiling face photoshopped into a child's outfit holding a lollipop with a helicopter hat, meant to imply playful innocence.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

The #WIPSnip Word of the Day is 'exhaust' featuring everyone's favorite trope: bedsharing! It's always tricky to tell if someone's just acting out in sleep or if their actions are disguised, especially here in my WIP. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

The WIP Snip word of the day is 'exhaust' - the following is an excerpt from my novel WIP Canary featuring the word of the day - In her sleep, Bekah rolled around until she found the source of heat she could leach off of. Just as I thought exhaustion finally put me to bed, I felt her tiny arm squeeze around me and pull close. My heart pounded, eyes popping open wide against the smokey sting and the burning sun kissed tightness against my cheeks. She nuzzled into my back, my stomach and heart fighting for which could make me feel sicker. The snores told me she was dead asleep, but it trapped me in her clutches. Pulse racing, I tried to feel tired again but the sensation of Bekah clawing at my body for purchase kept me awake for another hour.

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M. Clark @mcwrites27.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

This is a good one for sure because out of context, it's impossible to tell which character this is about. Just know they had it coming. Minor content warning for graphic news headline.

The writing snippet prompt was a scene where a character get what they deserve. Content warning for graphic news headline implying intense gore - Finally finding what he needed, Lucas chucked his phone towards me from across a teaching bench we stood by. I read the headline in an instant, but couldn't process a word, as if my brain was trying to shield me from the shock of my life. Over and over and over again, I reread the title and opening passage like it was in a foreign language I could only decipher word by word. Suddenly, the ghastly look on Lucas's face made perfect sense. I felt the blood drain from my face and hands, fingertips trembling as I scrolled downward on the page.

GORED BODY OF TEEN FOUND AT VALLEY MALL, WRIGHTSVILLE PD SOUND ALARM

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