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I'm writing this in that familiar in-between moment — the day half gone, the mind noisy, the page blank. One of those days where thinking feels productive, but nothing has moved.
And that's when the truth shows up again.
That familiar tension is here again — the feeling that I should think a bit more before I write.
Plan more.
Read one more article.
Get clearer.
But clarity has never shown up for me while waiting.
It always arrives late.
After the sentence.
After the bad paragraph.
After the moment I stop hovering and actually do the thing.
Action doesn’t follow clarity.
Clarity chases action.
Every time.
If you’ve been stuck lately, it’s not because you don’t know enough.
It’s because you haven’t moved yet.
Today's issue is a quiet nudge to stop circling the work and step into it — one imperfect move at a time.
Is this the cutest heating pad ever?
Meet the Menstruation Crustacean—the microwaveable, ultra-soothing lobster heating pad that brings major comfort and a little comic relief. Just pop this plush crustacean in the microwave and let its warm weight melt away period cramps, backaches, or any random aches life throws at you. Plus, it features a soothing lavender scent to boost your mood when it’s that time of the month. This little guy is hilarious and functional – the perfect Secret Santa gift or stocking stuffer for this holiday season! Check out the rest of the Menstruation Crustacean gang, too.
Writing Prompt: One Small Act
Set a timer for 10 minutes.
Write about a character (or yourself) standing at the edge of something unclear — a decision, a relationship, a truth, a door they haven't opened yet.
The Rule:
They must take one small action before the timer ends.
Not a grand choice.
Not a speech.
Just a move.
A knock.
A sentence sent.
A bag packed.
A truth admitted halfway.
When the timer ends, stop. Don't explain. Don't resolve it.
Notice how much clearer the scene feels simply because something happened.
The Funny (and Very Real) Writer Example — With a Name
Neil Gaiman has openly talked about how procrastination disguises itself as preparation.
In one interview, he admitted that he once spent days reorganizing his workspace — sharpening pencils, rearranging books, cleaning his desk — instead of writing the story he was avoiding.
Nothing was wrong with the story.
Nothing was missing.
He just hadn’t started.
Once he finally did, the story moved faster than all the “preparation” combined.
Thinking felt productive.
Writing felt dangerous.
Only one of them created clarity.
Writing Advice Worth Keeping
Ray Bradbury put it simply:
"Jump, and build your wings on the way down."
Most writers want to see the wings first.
But clarity isn't a prerequisite for action — it's the result of it.
You learn what the story is by writing the wrong version.
You learn your voice by hearing it crack.
You learn the shape of the work by touching it.
Calls for Submissions
Deadline: December 31, 2025
If clarity comes from action, consider this your invitation to submit something — even if it's not perfect yet.
Genre: Poetry
Payment: $150
A strong option for poets ready to put work into the world with confidence.
Genre: Flash fiction
Length: Up to 1,000 words
Payment: $25
Perfect for sharp, fast stories that don't overthink their way out of impact.
Genre: Fantasy, speculative fiction, horror
Length: 100–500 words
Payment: $0.01 per word
Short, atmospheric work encouraged — let the mood do the work.
Genre: Fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, visual art
Payment: $25 CAD
A welcoming space for cross-genre and experimental voices.
Genre: Chapbook
Payment: Royalties
For writers ready to take the bigger step of a cohesive collection.
Genre: Short stories, speculative fiction, personal essays by Black women writers
Payment: $0.07 per word (short stories), $150 (essays)
Theme-driven work with depth, voice, and lived experience.
Genre: Essay on modern love
Personal, honest essays that understand vulnerability as strength.
A Question for You
What's one small writing action you've been postponing — not because it's hard, but because it makes things real?
A submission.
A draft.
A line you've been avoiding.
You don't need clarity first.
You just need to start.
— Mechi | Buildwriting