Justin Solomon

Spending today reflecting after a very impactful coaching session on Thursday, followed by a formative podcast yesterday and today.

The realization that my procrastination and deflection is a direct correlation to fear of the unknown is clear. It’s time to charge in head-on.

#motivation #Sunday

Anthropic agrees to pay $1.5 billion to settle authors' copyright lawsuit Authors had sued Anthropic, claiming the artificial intelligence startup had illegally used their books to train its models.

I'm a believer that #AI is beneficial as a tool. However, using creative/intellectual property without credit and/or compensation is unacceptable. Although this class-action settlement is a good 1st step, there is much work ahead.

#writingcommunity #authornews #create

www.cnbc.com/2025/09/05/a...

The war on em dashes is out of control.

This concludes my public service announcement.

#amwriting #writingcommunity #tuesdaythoughts

I’ve been MIA for a second. Frankly, I burnt myself out on writing & work. So what have I been up to?

- Diving head-first into human-centered design. Can’t wait to bring this into the fold.
- Mental health check. Getting balance back.
- Family time.

#authorsky #writingcommunity #designthinking

As I’m finalizing my 1st book and 1/3 thru the second, I’m pondering where my specialty will lie.

I’m fascinated by design thinking & human-centered design. I could really see myself diving deep - researching, consulting, teaching…

Such a great match with my CX background.

#amwriting #thoughts

Aug BOTM for a group I’m in is The Will of the Many by James Islington.

I’m half thru. I never thought I’d love a first-person epic fantasy so much.

There’s already been so much action and world building. Fantastic. Magic system is familiar, but unique. Still discovering.

#booksky #amreading

I went missing for a couple weeks. I became a tad burnt out on writing/editing while also having a full load at the day job.

But we are back at it. Second edit was completed, and I got a structural perspective. Next step is to give the book that connective tissue and tangible takeaways. #amwriting

Always searching!

2nd pass of my book is done. I’ve taken a break, diving into reading fiction.

Currently reading:

Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

I’m obsessed with both of these books. I bounce between to clean the palate.

#booksky #amreading #fiction #thriller #fantasy

Going thru my 2nd pass tonight, cleaning up and revisiting clarifying comments.

I’m getting the hang of this, almost to a fault. Now I want to take the existing chapters and break them into parts, and using the sections as sub-chapters.

I may be going insane. 😅

#amwriting #amediting #DadWriter

I’m going to begin sharing snippets from the first book as I do my second pass.

Pretty excited about this milestone. Most importantly, I am looking forward to helping people with something I’ve learned the hard way: how to say no at work.

#amwriting #amediting #WritingCommunity #nonfiction

First edit is DONE! 🥳

Now, time to get the adds and address a few things.

It was grueling, not going to lie… but wow does it feel rewarding being done with that first pass.

#amediting #amwriting #WritingCommunity #DadWriter #nonfiction #celebrate

If your culture doesn’t honor boundaries, it doesn’t honor focus. And without focus, you or your team aren’t delivering — it is just survival mode in the weight of indecision.

#quote #WIP #focus #productivity #leadership #boundaries #amwriting #DadWriter #teamwork #culture

I’ve decided that editing is the bane of my existence.

I know some people enjoy it… I don’t. And although that’s okay, I have to find a way to reverse engineer this. Or at least make it more enjoyable.

#amediting #DadWriter #WritingCommunity #thoughts #struggles

Photo of the book “The Sword of Kaigen” by M.L. Wang.

I finished ‘The Sword of Kaigen’ by M.L. Wang. It’s worth every bit of hype it’s gotten.

Characters are solid, storylines will draw you in, and you will laugh, cry, and enjoy every second.

If you’re looking for a stand-alone palate cleanser, this is the one.

#booksky #amreading #fantasy

That’s awesome! I much prefer the initial creative process. Editing is tedious, but… must be done.

Good morning to all the #5amWritingClub folks out there!

On the docket today:
#amediting the remainder of my first book, 20 pages left.

What’s everyone else up to?

#WritingCommunity

Alright.

I’m officially back after Vacation+Week of catch-up.

For tomorrow:
- Finally finish first-draft edits.
- Outline next chapter to prepare for dictation in second book.
- Maybe think about fiction ideas.

No exceptions.

#hustle #amwriting #amediting #DadWriter #nonfiction #AuthorSky

Photo with book in foreground and in a pool with kids playing in the background. Person is in the shade on a sunny day.

Saturday relaxation and reading while the kids get energy out.

#amreading #booksky #DadWriter #fiction #fantasy

Just got ‘The Sword of Kaigen’ delivered and I’m hoping it delivers on the hype. Starting tonight!

#booksky #amreading

I just finished A Deadly Education by @naominovik.bsky.social.

WWWWHHHHHHHYYYYYYYYY!?!?!?

So good… so good… can’t recommend the book enough, and really excited to read the next one in the trilogy.

#booksky #amreading #fantasy #sunday #thoughts

Boy with pail and shovel on a beach looking out at the ocean.

Sometimes, taking a break from the hustle is absolutely needed. Enjoying the time mostly disconnected with the family.

#amwriting #amediting #break #vacation #relaxation #beach #DadWriter

So I’ve been reading/listening to books a lot lately. I’ve exited my nonfiction phase and moved back to fiction.

Just finished: Mistborn Era 1 Trilogy, Dungeon Crawler Carl, and Spine of the Dragon.

Currently reading: A Deadly Education & Tress of the Emerald Sea.

#booksky #amreading #fantasy

Two children swinging by the ocean.

Our happy place.

#beach #ocean #vacation #landscape #fun

On the hunt for peace and inspiration.

#travel #beauty #amwriting #vacationmode #letsgo

#5amWritersClub session starting with a little research and planning/plotting before diving back in to the initial edit.

Good luck this morning, #AuthorSky!

💯

It’s honestly one of my favorite cities in Western Europe. I also love San Sebastián!

I miss the GSMs. I’m originally from east TN. Nature is so inspiring there! Miss it!

I agree! Makes me want to keep reading. I immediately started Mistborn: Secret History.

I’m afraid the Cosmere is going to suck me in and all my other fantasy books in the “to read” stack will go on hold. 😭

Not enough time to read everything!!!