iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 12h

While I may not have vibes with the MC, I do think this could be a really fun movie or series and there are plans for both in the works. Overall, I would recommend this book, especially if you're a horror fan. Rating: 3/5

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 12h

I do think this was a decent book. It was fun seeing how some of my favorite horror franchises had the serial numbers filed off and made original and those parallels really helped pull me through the book.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 12h

This was a quicker read. Finished the book over the course of about four days. The story was good, but I wasn't fond of the MC. The first half of the book is her paranoia running rampant. And while I have sympathy for her trauma, I have trouble relating to her.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 12h

Book 21 of 2026 "The Final Girl Support Group" by Grady Hendrix When one of the girls from the Final Girl Support Group are killed, Lynette knows she needs to keep moving to stay alive. But that's made harder as each member of the group is targeted...

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Reposted by TJ Minde

Rhetor Dark End @dark-end.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

The audiobook for The Eternal Party is now up! In addition to some fantastic voice work by @khaki.dog, there's also a little reveal in the audio. In the book I don't say where the Eternal Party is located, but here, you can hear it in Alonso's accent.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Specifically, I've use TTS to make sure edits make sense. Especially when I am way to close to the text and can't help but already see what's there. TTS will at least read back the change and I can say if it worked or not.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

I know I've used TTS often to read back my work to me. Since the robot has to read everything there, it catches typos or error my brain corrects. I have kinda noticed when phrases feel odd a few times, but its much better as an alternative proof read.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

You're gonna share it when you're done, right? :3

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Reposted by TJ Minde

Rhetor Dark End @dark-end.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Also, since it was requested, here is the original list, and oh no, it is a decade old.

Strongly tempted to do a list of erotica cliches you should avoid in your Heat submission.
1. Someone bears a secret crush for the person who turns out to have a secret crush on them too.
2. Everyone in the universe is male.
3. Every guy in the universe is gay or bi.
4. Everyone in the universe is always interested in sex.
5. Everyone in the universe wants to be with the protagonist.
6. Any combination of 2, 3, 4, and 5.
7. I'm so plain and uninteresting but everyone wants to be with me.
8. I'm so sociable and successful but no one is interested in me.

9. Characters have sex for the first time. Somehow, despite no experience or practice, they are amazing at it.
10. No one has ever heard of condoms or lube.
11. Everyone of importance is in their 20s. Anyone older than 35 exists only to be a prude.
12. Protagonist shares species and name with writer's fursona. Story is just their sexual exploits.
13. We just had a (small) fight and (quickly) forgave each other. Let's have messy sex for the remaining 3/4s of the story.
14. Love interest is only described by species, eye color, and erection/breast size.
15. He's cheated multiple times and broken trust countless more, but his SO will forgive him instantly because he's sad and (maybe) sorry.

16. Protagonist personality: alpha. Nothing more than that. Just alpha.
17. Love interest is a high school football player.
18. Gay teacher/student romance. (For whatever reason, this is really popular in the Heat slushpile and rarely works well.)
19. Everyone of importance in the story is atheist/agnostic. Anyone religious exists only to be a prude.
20. Writer really wanted to show that a non-standard relationship is good, so wrote a story with no conflict to emphasize the goodness.
21. Everyone has this kink and will enjoy if I talk at length about it.
22. No one really has this kink so they'll laugh if I poke fun at it
23. One of the main characters writes erotica. Author uses this to preach about the best way to write erotica.
24. Character has critical life or death job, but completely ignores it when irresistibly sexy protagonist shows up.

25. Love interest has no needs and desires of their own and only exists to satisfy the needs and desires of the protagonist.
Since a number of people have asked: yes, I do see these being done every year (with the exception of 23, which I've only seen twice).

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Rhetor Dark End @dark-end.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Many years ago--yeesh, has it been a decade now?--I wrote what has affectionately become known as "The List." Technically it is "A List of Erotica Clichés You Should Avoid in Your HEAT Submission" and was a litany of my complaints about cliches I kept seeing in the Heat slush pile.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

I got both positive feedback regarding my story and the bigger areas of opportunity. So not only do I know what needs to be worked on in my story, I also know what worked (which helps heal the sting of rejection).

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

One suggestion that also helped me feel better about the rejection is to ask for feedback. This one might be more leaning towards in-fandom submissions, but I have gotten helpful responses from editors in the past. Including this time.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

It's a hard lesson to learn and one I keep having to teach myself.... In the meantime, on to the next thing.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

One of the hardest lessons I think writers in our fandom (and probably moreso in general) have to learn how to do it accept rejection and do your best to not take it personally. Sometimes--maybe even often times--you'll hear no. And that's not a dig against you.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Book 20 of 2026 "Blue Zenith" By DarkEnd [Plot redacted]

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

I've had the pleasure of beta reading this story since January, and I have really enjoyed the ride. [Remaining review redacted] [Rating withheld until publication and reread]

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Book 20 of 2026 "Blue Zenith" By DarkEnd [Plot redacted]

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

What HM/TM would give me the motivation to Do The Thing (novel edits)? Pump Up? Helping Hand?

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

One of the most constant bits of writing advice I've heard is "write what you know." And the more things one does gives them more possible things to write about. My novel is about a similar fundraiser, and you see I have first hand experience with an event like this. I'm writing what I know.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

"TJ," I hear you cry, "I followed you because of writing stuff at a con. Why should I care about you posting about bike stuff?" Well, beyond the fact I was doing a fundraiser and trying to raise money for a great cause (wanna help more? :D), art imitates life.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

With the bike on the rack, it's time to go home. All the miles have been gotten for the event and the rat is tired. Still, while what I did was hard, I know fighting cancer is harder. And what I did, I did for them. And I'm looking forward to doing it again next year.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

That hill was hard. But fighting cancer is harder. So I'll keep doing what I can on behalf of those that can't. With the last rest stop under my belt, it's time to finish the ride.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Got about 25 miles left and one killer hill left. The excitement for the finish line is in the air. Let's get these miles.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

One of the neat things of doing an event like this: you get to see parts of Ohio you don't normally see. Lunch today is in Morrow, OH. How often do you get to see something like this while raising money for a great cause?

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Doing hard things for those that can't. I challenged myself to hit a sub-15 minute split over 5 miles and got that chirp. Feeling good and tired over 27 miles in.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Unlike the other days, every rider is wearing the same jersey regardless of team. It really gives a bigger sense of unity in what we're doing: riding miles and fighting cancer.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

And for the last time this year, away we go.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

It's the dawn of the last day. Today is about 77 miles, a gentle descent all day and one mean climb. And all the miles are to help those fighting cancer. The Pan Ohio Hope Ride reached their goal of $1 million dollars raised for the CLE Hope Lodge, but can we get more before the day is done?

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

After over 85 miles, today ends at my alma mater. It's really interesting being back here and seeing all the changes. And there's a special presentation tonight. Looking forward to some rest after.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Just before the last rest stop of the day is Yellow Springs Brewery. After those hellish rolling hills, I think I deserve a treat.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Sitting here as I finished lunch and the exhaustion is starting to catch up to me. But I'll push on for those that can't. Trying my best to ride EFM this year. You know what might help? A donation showing your support (link in reply)!

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

The benefit of a supported ride: all the snacks and the helpful, cheery volunteers. They make riding 329 miles so much easier.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

The OSU James Cancer Hospital is one of the sponsors of the Pan Ohio Hope Ride this year. They were also kind enough to host the first Water Stop today. Kinda neat riding near a campus big enough to have its own zip code.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

After two days of 90+ miles on a bike, getting up is hard. But fighting cancer is harder. So. I'll keep going for those that can't. Now to get ready for an 80+ mile day.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

After 100 miles and so much climbing, the day is done. Time to relax.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

At the last rest stop with about 9 miles left. And I'll be off by 2 miles for a century. Guess who's about to double back for those that can't? Let's do this.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Got 4 total. :3 The advertses milage is 328 going from Cleveland to Cincinnati.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Something I've learned doing endurance events here in Ohio is that pickle juice as an electrolyte drink is freaking amazing. I don't know why it works so well, but it does. This event has been kind enough to provide some as well.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

One of my favorite things about bike fundraisers is that you never know what you'll see. And 65 miles in give another interesting view.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Just over 50 miles in And now it's time for lunch. First half kicked my tail today, but I'm hoping that means the hardest is behind me.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

38.1 miles in. And after a challenging section for those that can't, time for a well earned break.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

First set of hills have been tackled. The Amish in Holmes County help raise extra money for the trails by selling extra snacks. Supporting cancer treatment and bike trails!

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Fighting cancer can be really hard. Because of that, I'm going to attempt the challenge course today. 98 miles with one hell of a climb is in my future. But first: bike tech.

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

I mean the only wrong way to write is to not write. Get to it!

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

And done for the day. Second longest ride of 2026. Started off flat and easy, and ended with lots of climbing. This was fun, but very tiring. But, like cancer treatment, you have your ups and downs, your good day mix with the bad. I'm still proud of myself. Now to rest and get ready for tomorrow

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TJ Minde @tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

I keep thinking of some small things the event doesn't have, like bike parking. But that reminds me again of why we ride: to raise money for the Hope Lodge and give families one less worry while going through cancer treatment. Would bike racks help that cause? No. So on the ground she goes.

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