T.M. Shannon

Hi everyone,

Three weeks in, and I’m up three posts, three prompt posts, and I’m doing alright (though the site needs some more work).

Views and Likes, Loves, and a couple of Cares have trickled in, and I’m proving quite popular in South Africa – so much I had to add an SA link in my last post, which you can catch up on here.

So far, just two subscribers here, a few more followers there, so no leap into the big leagues just yet. But I’m just getting started on this journey. The big challenge will come when I stop boosting. Here’s to hope, yeah?

Feedback is nil, though, with no page comments, and only two followers on WordPress. There hasn’t been any movement on The Ways In, so I’m thinking of reining that in and sticking with progress updates (you can find the latest here).

My guess is offering a half work at ninety-nine cents is screaming, “Self published,” but needing the momentum to sell is, well…

I guess I can push the short stories. To See His Face is running at the moment as a monthly offering, but starting mid-month I’ll stretch it through August.

I do have another story in mind, but haven’t written it yet, so I will run chapter one of Three Ways (the second draft version) and try to cram some creativity in.

Is that a mission? Yes it is. I’m trying to keep regular, so posts on Sunday, WordPress Prompts on Wednesday, and I’ve got to start some reels to hopefully build presence and interest. But what about the blog? I didn’t start with a plan, and there’s so much I want to share.

So, as with my meetings, I’ve cobbled together a plan for each month, and set myself on building up to the controversial ones rather than coming out swinging. Here goes with my topics, and what you can expect with my August posts.

Writing and Blogging – Starting 04/08/24

Week 1 brings a writing or blogging topic. I have one about AI feedback in mind, but this one is going on hold, as I thought I’d start with why and how I became an author.

Pretty much building other worlds to go into to get out of mine (the other way was through video games), I’m not sure if it’s quite the story, really, unless that’s me showing my imposter syndrome or else downplaying things.

But, I’m a story-teller, I’ll do it anyway, plus delve into other topics, too.

On Matters Queer – Starting 11/08/24

Week 2 brings a queer topic, because honestly, I’m not community active, and I’m not across all the issues outside of bi-phobia, bi-erasure, and the Hitlerites going after trans people (while of course aware of Stonewall and the 1978 protest in Sydney).

Granted that’s what I hope to lead into, but I’ll start the topics closer to home. Personal introspection is kinda my thing (at least that’s what the AI feedback tells me)

Plus, don’t go straight to the End Boss without lots of levels, a mad stack of enchantments, and metric tonne of potions.

Mental Health and Addiction – Starting 18/08/24

Having touched on both already, I wouldn’t go far not discussing these issues in a frank sense, granted I’ll at least do research when it’s not about my own experiences.

Yes, there will be the warnings and the help links, and I’m not shamed to discuss my wonderfully-sharded multiverse of a mind (and an added source of my compassion).

But as for the addiction, I will have to be vague to keep my anonymity, something I value most being in 12 Step (the other is the sheer non-professionalism honed from trying and failing).

I’m thinking addiction as my first-up on Week 3, because it will lead into my next first-up.

Speaking of Which – Starting 25/08/24

And lo, there shalt be a faith topic, or a topic religious, and thou shalt have the chance to passeth if thou wisheth not to readeth it.

I’ll admit it, I do love the KJV chapter and versing (which I know I just got horrifically wrong).

But I’ll lean towards the faith first, or at least draw comparisons between the religion I participate in and the “religion” that helps me keep sober, though both can be worlds apart from each other.

I certainly won’t preach conversion, that my devotion or adherence is the one true way towards spiritual goals: after all, everyone is different, and there are many denominations in many practices. But I do have some Gospel in mind that I’d like to share, but above all the inclusive part of the Gloria – on Earth, peace to people of good will.

Skip a week, go for it. But I certainly won’t be “sharing the faith” by picking up the bits that say homosexuals won’t go to heaven (soz Paul), I’ve come across many life lessons, and found 99.99% of Church catechisms match my worldly-wrought views and outlooks.

Disliking one catechism out of 3800? Not bad in my book, but I promise I’ll get to it.

But Sometimes There’s Five – Starting 29/09/24

Four times a year, give or take to be honest.

So, with what I want to blog about sorted, I’ll offer instead a Topic du Jour, something unrelated to the bulk above. Maybe a video game. Maybe my favourite historical figure. Maybe the combat techniques he taught. Maybe the evolution of gnats, why not?

I’ll keep these as a surprise, given you won’t see one for a while yet. But you’ve gotta let your hair down and take breaks, yeah?

Phew!

Well, what do you know? I got a decent-sized post out of forward planning. Five year planning? Hmm, things can change between now and then.

But I’ll call it adieu from July, you’ve got the links to other posts and prompts scattered within, yet I’ll offer it now: feel free to subscribe, or else follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Goodreads, or else subscribe below for more posts, prompts, and updates on Three Ways.

Hoping you’re all well, and I’ll catch you all next week. Have a good one!

T.M.