iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Also having an emotional-support pittie sleeping on your lap while you write helps. You don't want to wake the puppy, so you may as well write while she sleeps to the soothing sound of your keyboard!

Close-up of a brown and white bulldog mix sleeping on a person's lap while a laptop computer balances precariously next to the snoozing dog because waking the baby would be THE WORST.

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Writing-wise, things that have helped me: - Fan-fic your own work. - Swap genres. Doesn’t matter if you do it “right.” - Let yourself write badly. - Consume! Embrace your inner capitalist and hoover up all the good ideas that have come before. Refill that well.

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Also do you have a support system, writing or otherwise? Talk to them. Even if you don’t want to overshare or “bore” them. If they’re your people, they’ll want to hear and help.

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Is this writer’s block or burnout? Anxiety and insomnia are classic burnout red flags. If it's not burnout, and you aren’t on a deadline, stepping away from the work helps, maybe for several days. Try engaging in something that demands your full attention to break the cycle of overthinking.

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Sames! Even way back when I did my first NaNoWriMo (well before the dumpster fire days) I rarely did more than an hour at a stretch, and usually tapped out at 3 or 4 in a day. Be great if I ever made money, b/c I'd actually have time for stuff to feed the creative juices.

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

I feel for you! Helping others regulate when you're already blasted is beyond exhausting. I joke that the only thing keeping me steady some days is the dog/s who lay across my lap in the evenings. But 70lb weighted blankets that occasionally mlem are kinda effective 🙂

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I'm so sorry. The loss of that kind of support, or finding out it never truly existed for you, can feel as devastating as a death. FWIW from a stranger on the internet, grieving is valid. Feeling bereaved is valid. Sounds like your kid is lucky to have you. I hope things get better.

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Ya'll should read this series. Good books are allowed to be fun. These are both.

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

I'm sorry you're going through this, and I can relate. For me it's akin to hating the sound of my own voice. Some days, everything I write just "sounds" nasally and grating, and I hate it all.

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The ingenuity of toddlers never ceases to amaze me. I think "babyproofing" is a myth. Best you can hope for is "buy myself enough time to keep them from lighting the house / the dogs / themselves on fire."

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Love seeing kids and dogs hanging out together!

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

That face seems to indicate that you've pre-forgotten dinner, thus judgment has been naturally pre-ordained.

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I baked a cake today. Yes, it was from a box mix, but I baked it and it's mine :-) I've always enjoyed cooking, but baking just wasn't on my radar much. I've done a few pies, some breads, and now a cake. 10/10 would do again.

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

"A snappy valentine..." I see what they did there :-)

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Emily J. Edwards @msemilyedwards.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

“[A] sprightly debut . . . Edwards writes with flair.” —NYTRB “A snappy valentine to a bygone era . . .” —Kirkus Reviews “For fans of hardboiled PIs with hearts of gold.” —Library Journal “Edwards nails the tone, with dialogue and milieu evocative of classic noir.” —Bookpage

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Can confirm! Mine will roll onto her back and wait for someone to come stick their hand into her gaping maw. Otherwise she's very nuzzly and gives soft mlems with the widest tongue I've ever encountered.

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Welcome! I hope it helps, and I hope things get better. Burnout sucks. Also, it's not your fault.

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Not a professional, but this article seemed like a pretty solid one, with overviews of causes, symptoms, and strategies for dealing with it. www.helpguide.org/mental-healt...

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Congrats! Do you have a release date yet?

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

The Great Muppet Caper is one of my all-time favorites, and that was a great discussion! Also appreciated the love for Tim Curry.

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Emily J. Edwards @msemilyedwards.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Mindy Carlson is back this week on @screensleuthspod.bsky.social to talk all about the reverential, post-modern, and groundbreaking stuff happening in 1981's THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER. Guess how many minutes we spend reminiscing about when the Muppets were for adults? (a lot) youtu.be/-PKTjZIwAEQ?...

youtu.be

The Great Muppet Caper (1981) - Mindy Carlson

YouTube video by Ms. Emily Edwards

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Good luck to you and your manuscript 🙂

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

"I have come here to drink cat water and kick ass. And I'm all out of cat water." ---Your Dog, probably.

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

So what happened was, I got out of my chair to refill my drink. One of my dogs got into the chair. I relocated to the couch, and now she's in my lap, which was her plan all along. My laptop is balancing on the arm of the couch. What could possibly go wrong?

Brown and white dog claiming her space on my lap and then some while I'm sitting on the couch with my headphones. Also i'm wearing a shirt with a chess puzzle by Paul Morphy printed on it because I am a huge nerd. And there's curtains over the window and pictures and a lamp on the wall.

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Emily J. Edwards @msemilyedwards.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Your #WeekendWatch is here for @screensleuthspod.bsky.social: THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER gets love from one of our first repeat guests: @mindycarlson.bsky.social! Combining the subversive humor of the Muppets with the moral compass of a mystery, this movie is a classic for a reason. Ep drops Tuesday!

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

I'm terrible at tributes, esp. for celebrities. But Dolly Parton's compassion and advocacy always struck a chord with me. If you're trying to process her passing and are able to donate, supporting her Imagination Library is as good of a tribute as I can think of. donate.imaginationlibrary.com

donate.imaginationlibrary.com

Home

Make a donation and support Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in communities around the world and help put more books into the hands of more children.

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Someone once said something about letting sleeping dogs lie, so I guess Imma be here a while. 🐶🖋️📚

Mixed breed bull dog with white snoot sleeping peacefully on my lap as while as my laptop computer while I'm trying to write a mystery novel.

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

I'm reading a copy from the library, but VIVIANA VALENTINE AND THE TICKING CLOCK ebook is on sale for only $2.99. If you like PI's this series is for you! Bookshop: bookshop.org/p/books/vivi... Amazon: www.amazon.com/Viviana-Vale... B&N: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/viviana-va...

Holding a hardcover copy of Viviana Valentine and the Ticking Clock by Emily J Edwards.

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Reading it right now :-) This series is SO GOOD.

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Emily J. Edwards @msemilyedwards.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

PLEASE RE-POST! The eBook for VIVIANA VALENTINE & THE TICKING CLOCK is $2.99 for TODAY ONLY at all major retailers. Get it now! Bookshop: bookshop.org/p/books/vivi... B&N: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/viviana-va... Amzn: a.co/d/044EwJ7P

EBOOK ON SALE! $2.99 TODAY ONLY! viviana valentine & the ticking clock. image of a cartoon woman in a golden trench coat walking down an alley towards times square. the background of the promo image is dark iwth golden fireworks.

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Been kind of down most of the day, but storms blew through this evening, cleared the air out and dropped the temp about 15 degrees. Now I feel...lighter somehow? All the yuck and bad news and <everything!> is still there. But for a little while at least, things don't feel so oppressive.

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

I didn't even get my laptop out before the other menace claimed his spot.

Black and white dog using my lap as a pillow without any care as to whether or not I'm available to be a pillow.

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

It's not easy writing about murder and mayhem when this massive noggin is sleeping between you and your laptop.

Close up of a mixed breed bull dog with a brown face, white snout, and rust colored nose sleeping on my lap while I'm trying to write a book on my laptop.

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Beautiful dog. My pibble has a similar white patch on her chest, and the tips of her toes are also white.

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

If you have ceiling fans, you can play the fun new game "How far will it fly, and how many pieces will it land in?"

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

@deecherrywriter.bsky.social really enjoyed your chat with @msemilyedwards.bsky.social on this week's Silver Sleuths podcast!

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Finished writing a short story today. Little over 5k words. Been a while since I've done one of those. Was nice to finish something and relatively quickly too (started it over the weekend). Now debating if I'll revisit an abandoned project or start something new. 🖋️📚

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

There's no obligation to answer, but may I ask why you don't write historical PI comedies now? I'm 2/3 through "Goes Up the River" and the series is absolutely delightful.

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Steel Victory is SOOO good! Some alt history, some magic, the aforementioned creatures, lots of action and adventure. Very fun to read!

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

The one and only time I taught a writing class, I told them that the secret formula for writing was Step 1: Butt in Chair; Step 2: Finish the Fucking Thing. I was not asked back as an instructor.

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Draft2Digital is also easy to use, and their PBs are good quality, but they are a lot more expensive than Amazon for author copies. Be aware that they charge a $20 set-up fee and $12 annually if you don't net at least $100 in sales. Great if you want to distribute to Apple, BN, Kobo easily.

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

If you're US-based, Amazon is pretty easy to set up. They have their own formatting program that works well enough. Paperback is fairly easy too, but make sure you have a high quality cover. Quality of their books is ok. Hardbacks were "meh" last time I tried them.

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Emily J. Edwards @msemilyedwards.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Please share this because I cannot afford the $1600 Book Bub charges to advertise book sales!

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

The struggle is real! One year at a street fair our tent was directly across from a taco stand and a few slots down from a BBQ truck. We literally ate through our profits, but MMM! I feel like they were put to good use.

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Anyway, this latest "shits and giggles" draft was supposed to help me gear up for the next book in my series, but I'm kind of digging it, so I may forge ahead and keep fleshing out the outline in my head of what my next "real" novel is going to be.

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Chris Stout @stoutwriter.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

My writing process involves a lot of noodling around. I have SO. MANY. DRAFTS. started, some tens of thousands of words long. They almost always lack conflict, I think because i'm trying to figure out a new set of characters and circumstances, and that's just how I do it.

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