Stephen, kin to Icarus's Avatar

Stephen, kin to Icarus

@stephensnotepad.bsky.social

๐Ÿ‰ Writer of Mundane Things โœ๐Ÿพ FutureScapes Alum ๐Ÿ† Goblin Connoisseur of historical facts and a purveyor of silly opinions ๐Ÿ“œ Husband, Dad, Friend

88 Followers  |  92 Following  |  100 Posts  |  Joined: 09.08.2023  |  1.9828

Latest posts by stephensnotepad.bsky.social on Bluesky

Huge congratulations!

09.02.2026 22:14 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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a close up of a man 's face with a beard ALT: a close up of a man 's face with a beard

The discourse surrounding writing rules (especially those made up by peers) never fails to amuse me.

Today's Rule: Using em-dashes within writing competitions (whether a couple or several) is cheating, regardless of the competition allowing it.

09.02.2026 15:50 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Just received my first R of 2026. Onward!

26.01.2026 19:16 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Writing Battle โ€” Write. Read. Win. Write. Read. Win. A competitive writing platform for storytellers around the world. Receive oodles of feedback. Join the most supportive writing community on the web. You up for the chal...

www.writingbattle.com/join-battle I joined the upcoming Tempest Owl Battle with writers from around the world. Get Ready to Battle on Jan 13, 2026! @writingbattle.bsky.social
#flashfiction #writingprompts #writerslife #WritingCommunity #writersofbluesky

Join the Battle and Learn More

30.12.2025 05:30 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Our next submission call is right around the corner. Check out our guidelines to learn more: https://bit.ly/3FZcgMA

26.12.2025 13:08 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 34    ๐Ÿ” 27    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

We're kindling a new flash fiction writing contest, with unique prompts to spark your creativity. Join us on January 30?

17.12.2025 11:36 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 12    ๐Ÿ” 6    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 4
Boromir from THE LORD OF THE RINGS, holding The One Ring. He thought he could use it for good, but everything done with the ring turns to evil. He was one of the mightiest warriors of middle earth, and he could not resist its powers. Others even mightier fell to the ring. Do you think you are stronger than them? The One Ring is generative AI.

Boromir from THE LORD OF THE RINGS, holding The One Ring. He thought he could use it for good, but everything done with the ring turns to evil. He was one of the mightiest warriors of middle earth, and he could not resist its powers. Others even mightier fell to the ring. Do you think you are stronger than them? The One Ring is generative AI.

Techbros seem to love Tolkien, so here's an analogy to help you understand what genAI is.

GenAI is The One Ring. You think your use is justified, b/c you don't have evil in your heart.

But it came from evil, it is intended for evil purpose, & anything you do with it will be twisted to that end.

17.12.2025 20:43 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 7370    ๐Ÿ” 3090    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 93    ๐Ÿ“Œ 105
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Odd Embers Writing Contest | Ignite Creativity, Enter Now Join the Odd Embers Flash Fiction Contest to spark creativity with strange prompts. Submit stories, receive feedback, and compete for prizes and publication.

New contest alert!!! The inaugural contest is on January 30, 2026 (happens to be my birthday).

Consider signing up!

www.oddembers.com

17.12.2025 15:27 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Such an amazing story! Congratulations, friend.

08.12.2025 06:27 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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I am happy to announce that my Alternative History story won the 2025 Autumn Writing Battle competition.

07.12.2025 23:47 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 29    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 12    ๐Ÿ“Œ 3
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I'll take a HM. Great competition and fine outcome, albeit unexpected.

05.12.2025 20:27 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Edition 29 - OUT NOW This issue is dedicated in part to the memory of Dennis McFaddenโ€”whose final story appears withinโ€”celebrating a voice that shaped the magazineโ€™s dark heart.

I have a story out in the wild. Take a peek at "Arrangement in Gray and Yellow" in Stygian Lepus #29
www.stygianlepus.com/r/1cc5c468?m...

22.11.2025 23:23 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 14    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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Here's the final result of my story! While this is my best performance, I'll say that the best is yet to come!

24.11.2025 02:16 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 7    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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This was a nice surprise. My second time ever going to the final showdown!

22.11.2025 01:18 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Writing Battle โ€” Write. Read. Win. Write. Read. Win. A competitive writing platform for storytellers around the world. Receive oodles of feedback. Join the most supportive writing community on the web. You up for the chal...

www.writingbattle.com/join-battle I joined the upcoming Autumn Short Story Battle with writers from around the world. Get Ready to Battle on Oct 26, 2025! @writingbattle.bsky.social
#flashfiction #writingprompts #writerslife #WritingCommunity #writersofbluesky

Join the Battle and Learn More

26.10.2025 13:35 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Next up!

03.10.2025 18:49 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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September 29th: Bad Advice | Crepuscular Magazine Get more from Crepuscular Magazine on Patreon

Another story day for me! "Bad Advice" is available at @crepuscularmag.bsky.social today, and in 30 days if you don't subscribe (but you should it's cool over there).

29.09.2025 15:41 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Huge congratulations!

12.09.2025 17:10 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I'll never understand other writers crapping on peers (after contest results) in online forums.

10.09.2025 03:13 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Excited to start this book!

11.08.2025 01:40 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

In other news, for my first Twisted Tournament writing comp, I received the following trophies:
1x Most Tension โšก
4x Most Surprising ๐Ÿ˜ฒ

My story was ranked a 7.87 and with so much amazing talent around that site, I'll take what I can get and work toward greater.

10.06.2025 06:57 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

The swing from "I'm a capable writer." to "What is a word?" is honestly debilitating.

10.06.2025 00:24 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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A bummer of a result since this was my favorite story I've written in a while, but I'm excited to see feedback!

06.06.2025 23:06 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

So excited for my friends!

#notquitewrite #writing #contests

05.06.2025 22:50 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

What was the car story?

31.05.2025 15:49 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Listening!

30.05.2025 00:24 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Marketing and lobbying are two (of a few) industries that need to vanish. Tonight.

21.05.2025 18:26 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

About to hop on an Airbus and get shot through the sky!

18.05.2025 14:41 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

NYC Midnight
100 Word Mircofiction
Round 1 results?

Ya boy is heading to round 2!

15.05.2025 05:16 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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19 new names, you say?

14.05.2025 16:10 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

@stephensnotepad is following 20 prominent accounts