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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/profile/blog/holttaylor/day/1-2-2026
Rated: 18+ · Book · Writing · #2329921

In all fairness, I don't seem to either. Care to go exploring?

         
Through windows closed and shuttered you can see where fun was had,
Where tales were served by a young barkeep, a story-tellin' lad.
The barmaids teased and plied their trade twixt the tables, dark and light,
And the patrons there gave not a thought to the lurking veil of night.
But night did come, as it always must, and the lamps went dark at last,
And the barmaids left, and the patrons, too, and the barkeep's grief was vast.

It's said if you pass on the lonely road where the tavern stands abandoned,
You can still hear, if you strain your ear, the barkeep's pen a'scratchin'.
Some call him a phantom, some call him a fool, but call him what you will,
He'll never give up on the stories he told 'til they're back, his tavern to fill.
So give him a thought on your busy road, and stop for a while as you pass,
'Cause you just never know when the stories will flow, and the thrill will return at last!


         Hello and welcome. My name is Jack, and for around a decade, my "muse," whatever you conceive that to be, has been lying in a coma. I refuse to give up on her, and am currently focused on bringing an old endeavor, "The Orphan PrincessOpen in new Window. to completion. I still love to read, and offer positive reviews for stories that I enjoy. While I'm trying, I keep this blog open to exchange encouraging thoughts with the fine writers found in every corner of this site. I won't give up until the Reaper comes calling, This is where we can talk, and I would love to discuss your thoughts on any subject appropriate for the world's greatest writing site.
         Thanks for your support. You guys are the best!

   Jack... *Suitdiamond*

Merit Badge in WdC Community Hero
[Click For More Info]

For appreciation for your comments in the mystery newsletter. Thank you for your contributions and for your support. Much success in your endeavors!
January 2, 2026 at 1:20pm
January 2, 2026 at 1:20pm
#1104929
         A very good morning to all my wonderful friends, and I hope it finds you full of hope for the new year. I'm back from my customary Thursday hiatus and hopeful for a few things, but it finds me full of honesty as regards my WdC membership, and that's what I'm here to address.
         The first thing you will have noticed is the new cover. That is a photograph of the design on a jacket that doesn't fit me anymore, but the photograph does. The skull represents my love of the horror genre, and the gears inside and scattered around, my enjoyment of steampunk, the genre where I first achieved some minor recognition. This replaces the plaque I was awarded by "The WDC Angel ArmyOpen in new Window. for being named the WdC Angel of the Month for September. This was a great honor and I displayed it for three months, but it's time to stop resting on those laurels and look to the future.
         Second, I feel the need to fess up: I'm not here to participate in the same way that all of you are. It's been years since I've produced anything original, and it's long past time that I stop pretending that the "muse" is going to come back refreshed from her ten-year vacation. I'm familiar with WdC from previous memberships, and I came here because it seemed a stable site to store all the things I wrote years ago when I was active. That's what you see in my portfolio now. This includes the supposedly "new" work, "The Orphan PrincessOpen in new Window.. I had written the first few chapters of this when the muse quit without notice and moved on to greener pastures. I've been posting a scene per week, and working in the background to continue the story. Hopefully I'll have some new stuff to post when I run out of old stuff, but only time will tell.
         Finally, once I returned, I found a vast universe of your fantastic stories, poems, and even novels to read, and I initiated an award, "Jack's DiamondsOpen in new Window., to offer encouragement to the best of the best. I just gave one this morning, in fact, to a great poem. Go check it out when you're finished here. It's really worth a read.
         So that's the new course I've set to navigate 2026. I once was a writer. I may be again, but I'm going to stop pretending that I currently am. Peruse the port and enjoy the stories. Encouragement and even suggestions for possible ways to take The Orphan Princess wouldn't go amiss, but don't expect to see a lot of new material going up. There's a vanishingly small store of that in the warehouse. But I wish you all the best, and look forward to discovering more and more of your fine writing. You guys are the best!

Stay inspired,
Jack *Suitdiamond*

Quill 2025 Nominee
"Best Reviewer" Category


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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/profile/blog/holttaylor/day/1-2-2026