iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 8h

I saw this on Tumbler (@YesterdaysPrint). It's from the Boston Post, Massachusetts, July 7, 1921. Some things just keep repeating themselves. Everyone should go out today and buy a book, then read it. Let's prove Einstein wrong.

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 8h

—from my recently edited first novel, YOUR PAL AL. Phil is a secondary character who kinda appeared as I was writing. While he is a secondary character, he became an integral part of the plot. #SouthernGothic #Horror #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #bullies

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

I spent some time in Ireland a while back and in one of the chats I had with my cousin in Dún Laoghaire, she told me that her granny used to talk about how our family was related to Grace O'Malley but verifying is difficult as most of the historical records were destroyed by the fire in 1922.

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

My MC, Albert, is on the run. And that is ALL I will say. —from late in the book nearing the climax, Chapter 35, YOUR PAL AL, soon to be querying #SouthernGothic #Horror #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #bullies

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

And not quite a lizard, here is a dragon from a line of mini-comics I produce on occasion. This is called Gryll, the Invincible. I used a Drabble that was published in the anthology, Wyrms II.

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

The story is set in the early 1970s. My MC, a 10 yo is a little obsessed with pop culture. —from YOUR PAL AL, soon to be querying. #SouthernGothic #Horror #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #bullies

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

I'm not sure when the weekly changes out, but if you enjoy the work of Joe R. Lansdale and want a little more insight, this week's story "Batman Threw the First Punch" will deliver just that. joerlansdale.com/stories.html...

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

And the fun begins, and much more so in the rest of this scene. —from Chapter 19, YOUR PAL AL, soon to be querying #SouthernGothic #Horror #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #bullies

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Just a small snip today. INJURY is not in my manuscript but hurt is, so… —from YOUR PAL AL, soon to be querying #SouthernGothic #Horror #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

In the first part of the book, one of my favorite characters, Mr. Sam, uses his experiences from World War I as a way to warn the MC of the impending dangers coming his way. —from YOUR PAL AL, soon to be querying #SouthernGothic #Horror #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

And here are a couple of stills. All five Drabble Zines are available for purchase at my Etsy Shop. Link in my bio.

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Rhe word today, WELL, it used extensively in my newly-finished novel, YOUR PAL AL. The main character is a 10yo boy, who isn't always honest and this word, is his way of giving himself time to formulate a response—truthful or fantastic. #SouthernGothic #Horror #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Enda Things-Black and White is my first Drabble Zine. A Drabble Zine is a mini-comic created from a drabble—micro-fictions of exactly 100 words. Enda Things was first published by Free Flash Fiction back on July 17, 2023. If you want one, check out my Etsy shop—link in bio. #Comics #Horror #Zombies

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I was watching the supernatural horror Western, The Wind, and had my sketchbook. I felt inspired. #sketch #ink #horror #western #demon

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Born on this day, September 26, 1888, poet, essayist, and playwright T.S. Eliot. #Poet #Playwright #Essayist #BTD #Quotes

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Over the past few years, I created a line of mini-comics based upon drabbles. I started with a couple that I have published in various places, then I did a few collaborations with some North Florida writers. The first, ENDA THINGS, is a zombie tale. All five are available: michaelgoconnell.etsy.com

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

The #WIPSnips word for September 26th is "delay". This scene is from later in the book. A kind of playful aside showing that the evil Grandmother isn't completely evil. #SouthernGothic #Horror #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts @wipsnips.bsky.social

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

If you are one of those people who are afraid of diverse casts, you'll probably want to skip YOUR PAL AL. In my mind, the cast is rich and layered, but not perfect. It's some kids trying to keep a friend from becoming something he isn't. #SouthernGothic #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #Horror

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

YOUR PAL AL is loaded with nostalgia sure to meddle with your modern sensibilities. #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #SouthernGothic #WriteSky #Horror

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

This is my version of the #WordoftheDay. I must call it #LearnAWord because, I often get lost and forget to post something. As for today's word, TABOURET, I actually have one for my art supplies. It was not mobile when I bought the antique cabinet but it made too much sense to add wheels, so…

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Jacksonville had a wonderful visit with @emmastraub.bsky.social over the weekend at the Jax Book Fest. As usual, the @jaxlibrary.bsky.social did a bang-up job.

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

What's a Southern Gothic without a couple of crazies working in a cemetery? —from my soon-to-be-released first novel, YOUR PAL AL #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #AmWriting

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Another #LearnAWord. It's not that I haven't heard this one before, I just never really paid much attention. ZAFTIG comes from the Yiddish word zaftik, which literally means "juicy" or "succulent".

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Almost missed this one. From my soon to be released first novel, YOUR PAL AL. It's a Southern Gothic set in the early 1970s.

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I look at the state of our country today and see the wreckage left by 250 years of the greed of man. It's time to try something else. Let's put more women and minorities in office. They can't possibly make more of a mess of things. And to that end, on this date in 1911, William Golding was born.

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

So, I have realized that I am incapable of posting a regular #WordoftheDay so, this will now be #LearnAWord. Today you get a verb. LOCARNIZE, and wouldn't it be nice if we could get our politicians to settle on the first definition instead of the second?

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Today's #WIPSnip is for "EFFORT". —from my soon-to-be-released novel, YOUR PAL AL, a Southern gothic horror set in the 1970s. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #SouthernGothic

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

And this is another #WIPSnip from my soon-to-be-released novel, YOUR PAL AL. A Southern gothic horror set in the 1970s. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #SouthernGothic

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Another #WIPSnip from the soon-to-be-released, YOUR PAL AL. A Southern gothic horror set in the 1970s. My wife described it as an episode of The Andy Griffith Show if it were written by @stephenking.bsky.social. She's being generous, but that's the vibe. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

"Abi had grown used to her father’s magic and welcomed the distraction. It did the trick. Albert’s mind was floating in chocolate, cherries, and ice cream." —from my soon-to-be-released novel, YOUR PAL AL #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #SouthernGothic #Horror #WIPsnip

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

And an OT BTW, she was yesterday's Final Jeopardy answer. The Question was: "She wrote the foreword for a 1971 cookbook sponsored by the Jackson Symphony League." Sadly, none of the brainy tournament finalists knew it.

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

A little wisdom from the great Eudora Welty. What your favorite Welty story? Me, sadly, I'm still woefully behind on her work.

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

How goes the Joe Ledger series, @jonathanmaberry.bsky.social? Is casting still going on? I ask because I had a thought for Church. Jeff Speakman. He has a great look—a little blocky, fit, and can fight AND act!

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Today, I am getting back to the regular #WordoftheDay. Today is Klazomaniac. And while Seinfeld has been making headlines recently, no one can deny that the show about nothing has had lasting effects on us all.

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Like yesterday's Word-of-the-Day, To Makula’, today's word, Sokushinbutsu, has spiritual overtones. It is the final word of the dead-to-not-dead words. Hopefully, this will all be resolved soon.

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

I missed yesterday. 😢 Today's #WordOfTheDay is "To Makula’". It continues my exploration of words to use for someone like Senator Mitch McConnell who is most certainly in a freezer somewhere, but has been claimed to be alive. There are no words for it probably because it shouldn't be a thing.

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Yesterday, for my #WordOfTheDay I posted "Pseudocide." I explained then, there are no words for faking that you are alive *cough* Senator McCorpsicle *cough* I'll dance around the subject as best as I am able. In keeping with the theme of yesterday's word, this one is derived from science:

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

I've been posting my words of the day for a few days now. I hope to make it a habit. Today's word is Pseudocide and is the opposite of what is going on with Mitch McConnell because there is no English word for faking that you are alive. Some other languages have something akin to that. Stay tuned.

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Michael G. O'Connell @mocando.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

If you are in or around Tallahassee on September 15 and you have young readers who are into mystery, @jamesponti.bsky.social is visiting the Midtown Reader & the Piebrary at 1123 Thomasville Rd. midtownreader.com/event/2026-0...

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