Y’all I’m drowning in tasks. I’m supposed to be editing the audio recording of The Ugly Duckling right now. Well that or editing one of the two Lives done on Stories from the Jukebox this week.

This is in addition of course, to all the regular daily things that need my attention. And I’m struggling under the weight of it all.

Read more

Hank Cotton has been interviewed a few times, but this was the first time anyone asked ME. And I am truly grateful🙏 Here’s her post on Short Stories & Tales. Harriet does such a wonderful job highlighting many great authors!

Short Stories and Tales

Short Stories and Tales Live with MJ Polk

Thank you everyone who joined us today for this chat with MJ Polk…

Listen now

4 days ago · 9 likes · Harriet Corvine and MJ Polk

Now, for the rest of the fun! I had such a wonderful time visiting with Harriet, we could’ve gone on for hours! She asked some great questions, and I’ll be using clips from that interview for a long time to come. But that wasn’t my first Live of the week. Below is my Ad for the Jukebox song prompt this week.

I didn’t expect to have my little partner with me — too bad Substack cut it from the Video🙄. So, I deleted it instead of publishing it. That’ll show’em!

Now this next one is an interview with Colin Gillman, aka- . If you’ve been with me for a while, you’ll remember Colin from Sending the Sun, which was published back in Febuary.

Well, he and I have become fast friends. I’m a huge fan of his music and his writing, and am so stoked that he decided to use an original song for this week’s song prompt. His Headliner submission — a memoir story behind the songs origin — was absolutely amazing! Below is my interview with Colin, we talk about the song, the story, a vacation in Spain, and how Spanish Elvis inspired Colin’s next chapter of life. Amongst other things… 🤭

Stories from the Jukebox

SFTJ - Elvis Night at Andy's LIVE

“Elvis Night at Andy’s” is track #6 on Chip Martini’s debut album, No Band Required. Written, produced, and performed by Good Boy Records…

Listen now

3 days ago · 4 likes · MJ Polk and Good Boy Records

Speaking of other things…

“I may have gone on a bit,” he said.

Now, for newer readers, it is important to understand that the phrase “gone on a bit” has a very specific meaning inside Good Boy Records. It does not mean “slightly over-excited.” Nor does it imply “mild over-explanation.”

Y’all I’m not kidding when I say that The Polk Incident is the funniest thing I’ve ever read. I had to stop reading five or six times to wipe my eyes and blow my nose!😭 I literally almost 💀from laughter! Maybe Colin got a little long winded, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as he’s made it out to be. I know I do the same thing when someone asks me about my art. So keep it coming Colin, next time I’ll forgo the time limit!😉

Oh yeah, did y’all notice the name of the title of that piece? 😁 World Famous.

Share

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing it and clicking that ❤ button, and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Oh and if you’re an email reader, just hit reply — I want to hear from you too!

Leave a comment

Don’t like commitments, but still want to support my writing? You can make a one-time contribution here.

Wanna know what I’m reading?👇

Here are all the stories mentioned in my interview!

Southern Writers Guild

Right Place Wrong Time

You’re in the Right Place, and it’s the Wrong Time to skip-out on Subscribing. Gone ahead…

Read more

4 months ago · 12 likes · 2 comments · MJ Polk

Southern Writers Guild

Wyoming

This is just a taste of a bigger story I’m working on called, Try Your Luck In Reno. I’m warning y’all aheada time too — it’s pretty explicit. So there’s that.Gone ahead — if ya don’t, you’ll regret it later…

Read more

4 months ago · 7 likes · MJ Polk

Southern Writers Guild

The Little Shops That Were

So I was sitting on the Porch, doing what boomers do, talking about how great the past was. I was talking about that time the gator charged into the convenience store in Cape Coral. Which led to Grace talking about roadside peanuts and peach ice cream. Which led to Hank reminiscing about the bootleggers behind the Quality Inn. So we decided to each writ…

Read more

2 months ago · 15 likes · 5 comments · MJ Polk, primalbeet, and Gray

Southern Writers Guild

Three Stories & A Wager

“Na, no way, Grace,” MJ said, almost choking on his sweet tea. “Not On Purpose is good—real good—but the best of those first stories we uploaded is definitely, Gracelets…

Read more

7 days ago · 7 likes · Gray, MJ Polk, and primalbeet

Since I’ve decided to uncuff myself and can now share my SFTJ prompt submissions with you — I’ve let Cotton put together a batch of his Jukebox Favs! Here’s a mix of 10 personal essays and short stories.

I’mma give you a little introduction to each of the pieces below:

• These first two posts are about my Sweetheart💚. So you’ll wanna skip them if you ain’t into the lovie-dovie stuff.😏

Stories from the Jukebox

I've Got It Bad

Okay, so before I get started let me just say that I’ve got it bad…

Read more

2 months ago · 9 likes · 8 comments · MJ Polk

Stories from the Jukebox

Time And Time Again

This is my submission to this week’s Stories from the Jukebox song prompt, Time After Time, by Cyndi Lauper. Subscribe now to have your submission shared…

Read more

3 months ago · 5 likes · 4 comments · MJ Polk

• And now we’re getting into essay territory. In Try To Get It Right, I talk about intention. Next I visit how sometimes it’s just easier to start over, empty the bin, and get Back to Square One. The Myth of Bobcaygen is about finding peace by confronting the obstacles that stand in our way. And in A Little Bit Them - A Little Bit Us, I discuss how the thoughts and actions of others only affect us as much as we let them.

Stories from the Jukebox

Try To Get It Right

This is my submission to this week’s SFTJ song prompt, Peace Somehow, by Avi Kaplan! Subscribe now so you don’t miss out on these weekly writing prompts…

Read more

2 months ago · 12 likes · 4 comments · MJ Polk

Stories from the Jukebox

Back to Square One

This is my submission to this week’s SFTJ prompt, Back to Square One, by Ian Thomas. Subscribe now so you don’t miss out on these weekly writing prompts…

Read more

2 months ago · 6 likes · 5 comments · MJ Polk

Stories from the Jukebox

The Myth of Bobcaygeon

This is my submission to this week’s SFTJ song writing prompt, Bobcaygeon, by The Tragically Hip. Subscribe now so you don’t miss out on these weekly prompts…

Read more

3 months ago · 7 likes · 1 comment · MJ Polk

Stories from the Jukebox

A Little Bit Them - A Little Bit Us

This is my submission to this week’s Stories from the Jukebox song prompt, A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit You, by the Monkees. Subscribe now to have your submission shared…

Read more

3 months ago · 9 likes · 4 comments · MJ Polk

• Now let’s slip off into a world of our own making — it’s fiction time! Travel to Amsterdam’s Red light District in No.90, or take a little trip with Hank Cotton in Right Place Wrong Time. Need a drink? Pull up a stool beside Johnny in I Still Miss Someone, or let Brian pour you a cold one at BJ’s Karoke Bar!

Stories from the Jukebox

No. 90

This is my submission to this week’s SFTJ prompt, A Bar In Amsterdam, by Katzenjammer. Subscribe now so you don’t miss out on these weekly writing prompts…

Read more

2 months ago · 10 likes · 7 comments · MJ Polk

Southern Writers Guild

Right Place Wrong Time

You’re in the Right Place, and it’s the Wrong Time to skip-out on Subscribing. Gone ahead…

Read more

4 months ago · 12 likes · 2 comments · MJ Polk

Stories from the Jukebox

I Still Miss Someone

Here’s my submission to this week’s song prompt, I Still Miss Someone, by Johnny Cash. Subscribe now to have your submission shared…

Read more

5 months ago · 9 likes · 8 comments · MJ Polk

Stories from the Jukebox

BJ's Karaoke Bar

This is my submission to this week’s Stories from the Jukebox song prompt, Back in Black, by AC/DC. Subscribe to vote on next week’s song prompt and have your submission shared…

Read more

7 months ago · 13 likes · 8 comments · MJ Polk

Share

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed any of these posts, please consider sharing’em with ya friends! And don’t forget to click that ❤ button. Email readers, just hit reply — I want to hear from you too!

Psst😏here's my Tip Jar🫙

Don’t like commitments, but still want to support my writing? You can make a one-time contribution here.

The message board lit up like the fourth of July.

Freedom said, “Breakfast at 8am. Everyone should be in position by six.” The others answered with the agreed upon code words in unison.

John closed his laptop and sighed heavily. Can there be no other way?

He opened the encrypted messaging app on the most recent burner and sent the group a message that said, “Breakfast is on. 6am sharp.”

He walked over to his work table and removed the sim card from the phone, picked up his small ball pin hammer and smashed both the sim card and phone to tiny bits. After sweeping the contents into the bin, he placed the hammer to its rightful position.

John looked at his watch, five hours until he would need to be in position.

The Mission: support the guerrillas in their attack on the incoming wave of troops advancing on their location.

John was torn though. He couldn’t be sure of which side his true alliance set. There just wasn’t enough credible information available. Everything had been so chaotic in the weeks leading up to the coup, John hadn’t been sure what was real news and what was fake. And then everything just went black.

So the choice had been made for him. The rebels recruited him. And they were the ones in control of his zone, so he had little choice in the matter.

He’d heard from some, that the troops were coming to liberate them. But there was no way to know for sure. The guerrillas also claimed to be liberators.

He sat in torment over the next few hours. The events leading up to this moment swirling through his mind. The same question over and over as if on repeat, Can I go through with this?

When the time came, John collected his gear and loaded it into his pick up. He then proceeded to his assigned location, and took up his position. When he powered up the new burner there was a message waiting, “Breakfast at 8am.”

Fucking aye John. What are you going to do?

Share

The blast went off the instant his watch struck eight. Then shots unleashed with a fury he’d not heard in many years. John had done two tours in Afghanistan as a Marine Sniper. His mission had always been troop support — call sign, Dark Angel.

But this was different. He’d been able to avoid the fighting up to this point. The enemy had been clear before, not so much now. He did not want to kill on his home soil.

He watched the group of troops advance through his rifle scope. He scanned over all of his neighbors’ positions, as well.

A flash caught his naked eye, Tom and Tommy Jr had opened fire prematurely. And the troops were focusing all their attention on the two of them. John picked off two of the threats quickly, then missed the third shot as the soldier ducked behind an amphibious assault vehicle.

John picked up the Roku remote and pressed the home button, setting off a chain of explosions behind the assault force’s position. This signaled the rest of his neighborhood to open fire.

With his trigger finger no longer hesitant. The Dark Angel descended onto the troops beneath him. He unleashed his wrath on any enemy that dared show himself.

He and his tiny brigade of neighbors fought valiantly, but were ultimately no match for the shear numbers of troops that continued to pour onto the battlefield — a place that had just one year ago been a peaceful community.

Life During Wartime had changed everything. The fighting had began far away, over seas, as it usually does. But things at home had begun to worsen. The political machine had lost touch with it’s people, and riots began. Skirmishes broke out in the larger cities at first, and then quickly spread into the rural areas.

And now John found himself shooting down his fellow countrymen, like he had wild hogs over a corn plot. God forgive me.

He saw the rocket propelled grenade launch in his direction…

The End

MJ's Tip Jar🫙

This flash fiction story was inspired by the Stories from the Jukebox song prompt, Life During Wartime, by Talking Heads!

I had something else in mind for this week, but thought this was just too good not to share it with you. So I hope you enjoyed it! Here’s the Jukebox newsletter. Be sure to look in the comments for the other submissions!

Share

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing it and clicking that ❤ button, and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Oh and if you’re an email reader, just hit reply — I want to hear from you too!

Leave a comment

Don’t like commitments, but still want to support my writing? You can make a one-time contribution here.

This is my submission to this week’s SFTJ song prompt, Don’t Look Back In Anger, by Oasis. Chosen by my pal, .

I’ve mentioned before how I don’t make a habit of mixing my publication posts. I also mentioned last week, how I felt as though my essays have been rather flat lately. But the thing is, I feel as though I’ve shared some really great work over on the Jukebox. But I don’t send those out to readers, I usually only send out the one newsletter. So I say all that to say this, I’m no longer going to make this harder that is has to be.

So starting with this week’s blog post I’ll be sharing more of these prompts with you, my blog readers. And I think you’ll enjoy this change, as these prompts often inspire me to share things that I’ve kept hidden away.

This is the thing isn’t? The thing we have to do, or to not do, right? Don’t Look Back In Anger.

It’s tough though. It’s hard not to be pissed off about past events or actions of others. The people that let us down, or worse, wronged us in some way. This one is especially hard for me — given the events that unfolded in my life, and therefore my family’s life back in 2018…

This isn’t something that I want to talk about. But I don’t know how to say this, without just saying it; I’ve been blackballed and ostracized by the community I grew up in.

Why, you might ask?

Because I shuttered a failing business, ran away from a failing marriage, and failed to return to beg forgiveness for sins I never committed. It is mostly because of the lies of others that I am now an outcast.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that I didn’t make selfish choices that hurt my family. Because I did. And I regret those actions every single day. But the four people that I wronged, have all forgiven and welcomed me back into their lives. It took time and effort. I’ve had to fight a lot of demons to win back their trust. And I will not let them down again.

I also understand why the others said the things they did. I mean not exactly why, I’m not in their heads. But I do get it. They ran with the facts they had. And since I was not there to fill in the blanks, they used the only other resource they could find — their imagination to fill in said blanks. Then, you tell the story enough times it becomes true.

I was angry at them for a long time. But luckily I found this passage from Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations a couple of years ago, that’s helped me move on. It said:

I too was ignorant. I looked for cause and blame in every situation. I’d spread rumors in the past. I was one of them. So I Don’t Look Back In Anger, because they know not what they do. They believe they are justified. They are embarrassed and trying to save face. And if I we’re them — in their shoes, with their same life experience and knowledge — I’d see things the same as they do.

All of those events — even the lies that were said, and spread — those same things, are part of what has helped to bring me to where I am today. And from where I’m now standing, I can see nothing but beauty.

How could I be mad about that?

As it turns out, those hardships we’re a blessing in disguise. If I hadn’t lost everything, or so I thought, I may have never found my true path. I may have continued to take my loved ones for granted — not to mention, we wouldn’t have the Littles. And they’re my heart! So, I Don’t Look Back In Anger. At least, I try not to.

But if I’m being truthful with you all now — I’m not sure that I have reached the point yet, that I Don’t Look Back Anger. Not totally. There are still times when thoughts of the past get my blood boiling. But I’m working on it. I hit the Pause Button. I recite a mantra, R-E-L-A-X. Relax, it’s going to be okay. And I glance down at that tattoo on my left wrist that says, Amor Fati🤍. A constant visual reminder, not only to not judge — but to love fate, and all that it has in store for us.

This is the thing isn’t? The thing we have to do, so that we Don’t Look Back In Anger.

Share

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing it and clicking that ❤ button. Email readers, just hit reply — I want to hear from you too! What do you do to avoid Looking Back In Anger?

Psst😏here's my Tip Jar🫙

Don’t like commitments, but still want to support my writing? You can make a one-time contribution here.

Here’s last week’s, just in case you missed it😉

How about a little bit of fiction?😏

Speaking of fiction — have you seen Rick’s novel First Light over on the SWG?

Southern Writers Guild

First Light

1: Home Sweet Home…

Read more

a month ago · 9 likes · 2 comments · primalbeet

If it feels like I’ve been missing a little depth in my essays lately, I understand. I feel it too. One of my Creative Writing Professors called this, “writers block.” But to that I would say, I’m not blocked, I’ve been writing lots!

The thing is though, writer’s block comes in many different forms. It’s anything that keeps you from writing.

It’s not always sitting in front of a blank screen, just watching the cursor blink. It can be literally anything: The day job, or family obligations. It could be a side project that suddenly jumped to the forefront. The time of day, or night — if you’re like me and wake up at 3am with the most brilliant prose that’s ever been conceived. And then are lucky if fragments make it onto paper.

Writer’s block could come in the form of your favorite k-9 companion, or I guess it’s counterpart if you like being stalked. It can be anything that keeps us from writing.

So what’s keeping me from writing?

Admin. I’ve got Admin Galore!

I must admit that I have not been spending much time studying at all lately. My morning meditation and study time is still there, but barely. As soon as I’m done, my mind has moved on to something else — something writing related yes, but it’s more Admin than actual writing.

There’s a lot more that goes into the social aspect of the craft than I originally thought. Well, maybe not more than I thought — I always knew that this would be a part of it, I just couldn’t have actually imagined myself doing it.

Y’all, I only just created my Instagram and X accounts a couple months before I joined Substack last year. Here are my handles over there if anyone wants to connect. X.com/mjpolkwriter & Instagram.com/thesoutherncopywriter (Disclaimer- I ain’t there much. I had to make myself share the Dueling Jukeboxes prompt there earlier this week. It just ain’t my kinda scene, if you know what I mean.)

Substacker and author talked about this recently in his post titled, Striking the Balance. In it he discusses what he calls being a good Literary Citizen — supporting fellow writers, the pull of social media. And how, putting the writing first, is the only real solution.

This brings me to admit that when I say Admin, I’m lumping quite a bit of stuff in there with it. Which is basically, anything that is not writing. Including you all, sorry. And that’s part of the problem, a bunch of it is actually fun! I like being here and participating in this community. It’s fun to make and edit videos over on the Guild. The Jukebox newsletter an absolute freaking blast!

(Plus like Jason says, the days of being a loner and people reading your writing and thinking it’s cool that you’re a mystery, are over. That shit is creepy, or they’ll probably just assume your AI.)

But all that takes up a huge chunk of time — not to mention, brainpower. It can be mentally exhausting. And for some reason I find it much easier to escape into fiction, than in writing personal essays. Whether that be reading it, or writing it.

And it’s not that I’m not writing essays either, it’s just a lot harder to maintain focus on those projects or subjects when my writing time is broken up. I typically blurt out the first draft of a personal essay all at once, while in the heat of creative flow. And that’s hard to duplicate once it’s been broken. Where when I’m writing fiction or auto-fiction, it’s pretty easy to slip back into that world after reading a previous chapter.

And I think it’s more likely that this is the most common form of writer’s block today. I mean, it’s hard for me to imagine not having anything to write — do you have any idea, just how many ideas are in my idea bucket? Actually, I bet most of you who are writers do have an idea — because your idea bucket is overflowing too!

I know that my friend gets it! She’s mentioned how she’s been overwhelmed with Admin lately also.

It’s rarely going to be, staring at a blinking cursor these days. I think it’s much more likely to be a time issue. We’re all pulled in so many directions constantly, it can be extremely difficult to make time for our art.

Unless of course we’re talking specificity. Now if there is one particular thing that has to be written next, then I get it. I could totally see writer’s block being the dreaded, Blinking Cursor in that case. Because, I don’t think that’s how creativity works at all. At least that’s not how it works for me. I think, if you’re trying to force a story — you’re flat out doing it wrong.

Does that make me an amateur? I don’t know, maybe.

But I don’t see it that way at all. I think that if there’s pressure to write some specific thing before it’s time has arrived, than writing has been turned into a chore. It’s not Art anymore, it’s Work. So I’m obviously not talking about creating copy here. In fact, in that case you get handed a subject and you write about it. Easy-peasy.

Okay, so back to The New Writer’s Block — Marketing & Social Media, or any other outside force keeping you from writing. What do we do about it?

I don’t know. Na, I’m just kidding.

No not really, I really don’t know. 🙃 But I am trying to figure it out. And I’ve got a lot more to say about this… Is it an impossible feat? Jason lays out a great approach, and I have made a few changes lately — maybe we can all figure this out together! What y’all think?

What if I made this an open call for submissions, and offered to follow this newsletter up with a second one including some of your ideas on how to juggle this new monster? This New Age Writer’s Block.

Prompt- How do you balance all the Admin Galore, with putting the writing first? Or is there something else that vies for your writing time?

So here’s what we’ll do. If three or more of you answer yes to the above Poll, I’ll plan to follow up this newsletter in 4 weeks with another that includes everyone’s submissions to the prompt. There’s no competition here. The only thing there is to win is participation in the conversation, and hopefully together we find a remedy to this New Age Writer’s Block.😉

Leave a comment

If you’ve answered yes, just add your submission or a link to it in the comments. I’ll check back in a couple weeks, say around the 20th of April, and respond to any submissions. And if we get three or more, I’ll make it a newsletter. I’m really interested to see what y’all have to say!

Oh and if you’re not interested in making your own response, I hope you’ll stick around to see how the others are dealing with the challenges of Writer’s Block. I’m willing to bet that these tactics can be applied to all sorts of adversity!

Share

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing it and clicking that ❤ button. Email readers, just hit reply — I want to hear from you too! I would love to hear how you are dealing with the constant demand for your attention.

Psst😏here's my Tip Jar🫙

Don’t like commitments, but still want to support my writing? You can make a one-time contribution here.

Speaking of Admin… Remember, this isn’t my only pub. Here are some of my recent favorites from the Guild & Jukebox. See what I mean, I have been writing lots!

Southern Writers Guild

The Little Shops That Were

So I was sitting on the Porch, doing what boomers do, talking about how great the past was. I was talking about that time the gator charged into the convenience store in Cape Coral. Which led to Grace talking about roadside peanuts and peach ice cream. Which led to Hank reminiscing about the bootleggers behind the Quality Inn. So we decided to each writ…

Read more

2 months ago · 14 likes · 5 comments · MJ Polk, primalbeet, and Gray

Stories from the Jukebox

No Rain

This is my submission to Jennifer’s SFTJ Dueling Jukeboxes song prompt, No Rain, by Blind Melon. Subscribe now so you don’t miss out on these weekly writing prompts…

Read more

a month ago · 10 likes · MJ Polk

Stories from the Jukebox

I've Got It Bad

Okay, so before I get started let me just say that I’ve got it bad…

Read more

2 months ago · 9 likes · 8 comments · MJ Polk

And here’s a blooper, cut from my voiceover. Idk why I could not say specificity… Blocked maybe? I finally just gave up🙃🤣

I’ve noticed something…

My day seems to be much more productive when I Get Up & Get Going.

I actually think that the new time change has helped me in that respect. Maybe it’s a better match for my body clock? I don’t know for sure why, but I’ve sure struggled to get going in the mornings for the past few months.

We’ve all been there right? Snuggled underneath a warm blanket. And if we’re really lucky, we might even be curled up with a lover. Well, it isn’t only us commoners that must grapple daily with the vice of sloth. In his journal, known to us as Meditations, Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius repeatedly counseled himself on the matter. Saying:

Shoot, fictional characters even struggle with it! Looks like no one is immune…

So how do I, Get Up & Get Going?

Well to begin with, I’m probably not the best tutor on the subject. Actually, wasn’t I just sharing that same Marcus quote? Am I the only one that seems to be learning the same lessons over and over?

And just today — I actually got back into bed after I’d gotten up! Wait just a minute, I know what you’re thinking — just hear me out. I did it intentionally, so that makes it alright. Right?

I mean look, if the most important thing to me is spending time with my loved ones. And she starts pout’n when I get up and put my robe on. Then you can’t blame a fella for shucking that joker, and sliding back underneath the covers every now and then. I mean, she does have to share me with the whole world once we do get up and going. (Haha, I joke to her all the time that I’m world famous now that I’ve got subscribers and sold books outside of the USA😉)

So again, I might not be the best tutor on the subject. 🤔 But then, maybe that’s exactly what does make me a good tutor on the subject! Because this is what it really looks like in real life to work on improvement.

I’m no Sage — I haven’t gotten anything figured out. But I am learning and getting better. And although I may not always be moving forward, if I continue to practice, my gains will outweigh any losses incurred along the way. Small Steps, as Zeno said.

I wish I had some great secret to share with you — a trick to getting up and getting going every day without fail. But I don’t. The only advice I have is to be grateful you’ve woken yet again. Gratitude is always the best way to start anything. But frankly, that isn’t always easy either.

So I’ll keep trying to, Get Up & Get Going, each and every day. Will I always succeed? Probably not. Will I win more times than I lose? Certainly.

Want to get more accomplished? Be more productive? Successful?

The most successful people in today’s world all have one thing in common — they Get Up & Get Going! There’s no sense in naming names, you know who they are. But I’ll close with a quote and blog post from one of them:

Share

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing it and clicking that ❤ button, and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Oh and if you’re an email reader, just hit reply — I want to hear from you too! Do you struggle to rise each day, too?

Leave a comment

Don’t like commitments, but still want to support my writing? You can make a one-time contribution here.

Here’s the full video from this week’s Southern Writers Guild recording. Myself, Rick, and Grace discuss Rick’s new Thursday Guild Feature, First Light — his short story Antique Bastards, and novella Saudade. And we ramble off course a couple times in the process, too. Enjoy!

Southern Writers Guild

Granddads, Grown Men on Scooters, and Lumineering

Hank Cotton did a star turn worthy of the name as the inaugural featured writer on the Southern Writers Guild. His novella—“The Ugly Duckling”—brought us chills and a rare look into the seamy underside of the trucking world. Great work…

Listen now

2 months ago · 4 likes · primalbeet, Gray, and MJ Polk

Oh, and here’s the one from last week! The crew tries to get Hank Cotton to talk, The Ugly Duckling, but he’s more interested in discussing other things…

Clickbait: (noun) something, such as a headline, designed to make readers want to click on a hyperlink especially when the link leads to content of dubious value or interest. (Merriam Webster)

I’ve always fancied myself as clever. So of course I think I’m pretty good at coming up with titles. But more often than not, I don’t choose the title that I think will necessarily get the most clicks or reads. I typically use the one that prompted the essay in the first place. And when it comes to fiction, I just seem to know it.

But when I was titling last week’s essay, I was tempted to go in a different direction. Which of course sent me down a rabbit hole, and subsequently inspired this essay.

So I asked some writer friends of their opinion.

I also asked non-writer friends what they thought.

Why not this title?

Is a Clickbaity title really a turn-off? Or is it just yet another example of us as artists not wanting to promote ourselves? What could be the disadvantages of using one title over the other, and vice-versa?

It’s crazy y’all — none of my writer friends have been able to answer this question! It’s almost as if we’re standing too close. Which is exactly what’s peeked my curiosity. Do we, as artists overthink the whole thing?

So I decided to do a little experiment. I tried the Title Test Function offered by Substack. It’s on the final page before you publish 🤔 I bet you’ve noticed it too.

And then last night I had a breakthrough reading ’ article, Opinions Are Like Assholes!

Guess what? Readers ain’t thinking about that stuff at all. They see a title, and it either grabs them or it doesn’t. They ain’t dissecting its validity. They ain’t saying, “Boy, MJ was sure trying a little bit too hard with that one, huh.”

As it turns out, only my non-writer friends were able to look at and answer my question objectively. And every one of them had the same answer. The point of the title is to get someone to read your article. Period. So then the question becomes one of virtues, I guess.

I had so many questions about this whole process! And some were answered, but some were not. And in the end I’m still left wondering if the best title won. But I’m certainly not surprised at the outcome. The experiment went just as I thought it would. I always knew that the juicer title would win.

1. I set the experiment to test 50% of my blog subscribers. That should have been 102 out of 204. So half of the half were supposed to get each title, right? That’s 51 for each title. Then, why the weird “Sent” numbers?

2. Was it just to email readers?

3. Did each title build “Sends” as opens were tallied?

4. Could Substack have been pushing the second title?

And yes, I’m probably being over critical. That second title, the one that won, isn’t really a clickbait title, because it does fit. Heck it’s a quote from the essay’s opening statement!

But the question becomes one of intention. Is that how I want to attract readers? And are those the type of readers I want?

I’ve been very fortunate so far, and have had very little negativity on anything I’ve published. But, I’ve also been very careful about things such as this. And I don’t do anything here purely based on numbers.

Now I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t track the stats. What I’m saying, is that’s never been the sole goal. Sharing the light of love and compassion with others, shining my light is the main goal.

Do I want more Readers? Yes of course, but not in exchange for leaving anyone feeling questionable about the intent of my title choice.

So I think I’ll just aire on the side of caution. I don’t think I’ll be going the clickbait route anytime soon. At least, not if I’d consider it a “dubious” title. Because even if most readers say it doesn’t matter to them, it matters to me.

One more thing — let me make it clear that I do not see the word feminist as a negative connotation. It’s just that by rule, I typically refrain from drawing any distinction between any of us. I don’t like claiming to be anything but human. And in that way, your brother and friend. So that’s why the hesitance over the title. If I’d have ever really considered it clickbaity, there’d never have been a question. 🙏

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing it and clicking that ❤ button, and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Oh and if you’re an email reader, just hit reply — I want to hear from you too! To clickbait or not? That is the question…

Leave a comment

Don’t like commitments, but still want to support my writing? You can make a one-time contribution here.

Read more

Well y’all, I reckon I’m jumping on the Women’s Month train. I didn’t expect it at all. Not that I’m against it — I wish I could say that I’ve always been a feminist — it just wasn’t on my radar.

But as I read ’s, Why Do All The Women Go MAD? essay — I saw myself in the men she described. Not me today, that is. But a historical MJ. A me that married a 17yo girl, and raised three daughters. A me that thought for many years that the man was the, “Head of the Household.”

I used to say proudly, “Wifey is like the General. She runs the show, sure. But I’m the President. I wield the real power behind the scenes.”

Yes that is a direct quote, to the best of my recollection that is. It’s been a long while…

I’ve since chalked up many of those old stances to ignorance. That’s the way I was taught. So how could I, or anyone else expect anything different?

But if I’m being truthful with you, and myself — I’m not sure that’s 100% correct. To a certain extent, yes. I was ignorant. I didn’t know any better — or, did I?

Didn’t I know better?

I want to say that I did — that it felt at least a little bit wrong. But I’m honestly not sure.

I can tell you this though, I’m damn sure paying attention now. And I see things in my partner and in my daughters today, that still bear the scars of a time when they were marginalized in my limited way of thinking. And while they obviously can feel the weight of the old injury, I’m not sure they are always aware that it’s there either. They too are ignorant. Because our society has gone to great lengths to preserve the status quo.

Do I blame myself for their ignorance? Sure, I failed them. I could have done a much better job at it. It was my responsibility to show them the way. And I cannot go back and change the past, but I can steer the ship in the right direction.

But how? How do I know which direction to take?

I use a Wind Rose as my reminder. I have a tattoo of a compass on my left arm. And it’s points aren’t just directional — for me, they signify something else…

The Ancients: Plato, Aristotle, and later the Stoics, gave us a guide. A moral compass, so to say. They are the Four Cardinal Virtues: Wisdom, Courage, Fortitude, and Temperance.

• Wisdom(Prudence) is the ability to discern the true good in every circumstance and choose the right means to achieve it — it is ‘right reason in action’.

• Justice is the firm will to give to everyone what is rightfully due to them, focusing on fairness and rights.

• Courage(Fortitude) is our moral strength, endurance, and resolve in pursuing good despite difficulties, fear, or temptation.

• Temperance is the moderation of our attraction to pleasures. And the balance of instinctive desires, providing self-control and moderation.

  (Side note- These were later adopted by Christians, with Thomas Aquinas adding Faith, Hope, and Love to the mix to make seven theological virtues.)

If we apply these Four Cardinal Virtues to the way we approach this and other life decisions, we will be in a better position to do good by others.

Once we have seen that our actions are not Just and we are no longer ignorant, we have the Wisdom needed to make a positive change. So we must then summon the Courage to seek Justice in our actions toward others. And forgo the convenience of falling back in with the mob by invoking Temperance.

Yes, it will be uncomfortable. Change almost always is. It’s hard. That’s why we avoid it. It’s easier when things stay as they always have been. But without it, nothing would exist. Change is growth.

So maybe the answer to my question, Is it Ignorance or Convenience? — is, that we should not let our Ignorance turn into Convenience.

Share

Reader, you’ve just been part of an experiment — I allowed Substack to pick this week’s essay title. Which one would you have chosen? Find out the results of this experiment in next week’s newsletter! To Clickbait, or Not? That is the question.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing it and clicking that ❤ button, and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Oh and if you’re an email reader, just hit reply — I want to hear from you too!

Leave a comment

MJ's Tip Jar🫙

Don’t like commitments, but still want to support my writing? You can make a one-time contribution here.

Here are two reads that I think really correlate.

Stories from the Jukebox

A Classy Lady

This is my submission tho this week’s Stories from the Jukebox song prompt, Classy Girls, by The Lumineers. Subscribe now to have your submission shared…

Read more

4 months ago · 8 likes · 6 comments · MJ Polk

And look at this! read a chapter of The Ugly Duckling Live! Subscribe to Short Stories & Tales!

Gosh, couldn’t have timed this week’s Stories from the Jukebox writing prompt any better. It’s been sunny and 75 every day since Here Comes the Sun was published. Spring has arrived at the party — it ain’t even dark yet, and it looks like he’s been day-drinking. He’ll be plastered and draped over the keg before midnight. 😒

Here Comes the Sun is a beautiful song of hope, it represents the end of a cold spell. But when I hear that phrase, I see an unrelenting Sun — and it’s bringing Hell’s fury with it.

I try not to make a habit of it, but I’m combining my submission and blog post this week because they coincided anyway. I was on this train before the Beatles jumped aboard. But boy oh boy did they frame the thought just right.

When I started this essay last Sunday afternoon, on March 1st — The first line being, “Well, leisure time is over. Every waking moment from today, until it is too hot to breathe, will be spent working.” — My Sweetheart was behind the couch vacuuming at the time.

And while most of America, and I guess the northern hemisphere are excited to be able to emerge from their winter dens — the gnats have barely even took a break around here. Sure it was cold for a couple dozen days, but that’s about the extent of winter in Southern Georgia.

Around here, Spring is, “Naw, this don’t count as summer yet.” And Fall is, “Damn if it ain’t summer, still.” And Winter runs from about Dec, 28th to Feb, 28th, give or take a week. So pretty soon, it’ll be impossible for me to put off many of the things around here that I’d rather not be doing.

So, Here Comes the Sun — whether I’m ready or not.

Meanwhile, I’m playing hide-and-seek over here. But to no avail — hell, time even springs forward this week!

So, Here Comes the Sun — I might as well embrace it.

And once I do. After I finally thaw — I’ll be happy that I did. I’ll look back and say, “Boy, you sure made it hard for yourself, MJ.” And yet, I’m still not ready for it…

But, Here Comes the Sun, anyway.

Share The Southern Copywriter blog

Okay so here is the Flash Fiction piece that was written as a companion to this piece. I think the two-together, do a great job of showing the power of perception. How we choose to frame our thoughts, makes all the difference.

Here Comes The Sun - Flash Fiction

“Here Comes the Sun,” the clerk said. “Brace yourself, Johnny. This’un is all sunshine, all the time.”

“Good morning, gentleman,” MJ said as he entered the feed store.

“Mornin’,” both men replied.

MJ told the clerk he was there to pick up seed for M&M Farms, then went about his business. He was humming along to the tune of Here Comes the Sun, when John approached.

“Peanuts, huh?”

“Yessir,” MJ said, brandishing a big smile. “Ain’t no telling how many trips I’ve made up here this week — we’re planting over four-thousand acres this year.”

“That’ll make for a loong summer,” John said, shaking his head.

“Yeah, but I’m proud to have the work,” MJ said. “There’s lots of fellas that’d kill for this job, I imagine.”

~

“Here Comes the Sun,” the attendant said. “Watch this.”

“Hey Polk,” he said as MJ walked into the station.

“Good afternoon, gentleman,” he responded as he approached the counter. “Hey Ralph, let me get twenty on pump one, and a BBQ sandwich, please sir.”

“Damn pollen’s going to tote us off if we ain’t careful,” Ralph said as he handed MJ his sandwich.

“Yup, I started taking allergy medicine yesterday. It used to not bother me at all, but as I get older I reckon I get more and more sensitive to it.”

Ralph perked up, he thought for a minute he had’em. He seconded MJ’s statement by saying, “It’s just terrible.”

“Oh not at all!” MJ replied, smiling. “The flowers will be blooming soon, and boy oh boy do I love me some honey. So, I reckon I can stand a little pollen for a week or two.”

~

“Here Comes the Sun,” the bartender said under his breath as MJ entered.

“Good evening, Sam,” MJ said, smiling, and pulled up a stool. “Lemme get a Stella draft, please sir.”

Sam, being a professional, asked him how the planting season was going. Though, he wasn’t really up for MJ’s constant light today. After all that he’d been through in the past week, the last thing he wanted to do was pretend that everything was hunky-dory.

“It’s going well, Sam. We’re a little behind — it’s been tough, with all the rain and all. You know.”

Sam gave a polite nod, and moved to wipe the other end of the bar again. But Mr Sunshine continued after giving a big sigh.

“I’m worn out to be honest, Sam. The heat is really giving me a hard time this year. I don’t believe it used to get this hot, this early.”

“Global warming,” Sam said, being drawn in now.

“Maybe,” MJ replied.

There was silence for a while, both men were familiar enough with one another that they didn’t have to speak for the sake of it.

Then after Sam’d slid another cold mug over, MJ said, “I reckon the earth goes through cycles, and there ain’t much we can do about that. But as a whole, we could probably do a lot better.”

“Maybe,” Sam replied.

“Naw really,” MJ said, as he took a long draw of the ice cold draft. “Just because things are going sideways, doesn’t mean that we have to help it along.”

Sam thought about this, then said, “Sometimes things just happen, we get caught off guard, right? You don’t think that sometimes we just get swept up in the whole mess?”

“Sure we do, Sam. But most of the time it’s like drowning in a foot of water. We’re so frantic, we forget that all we have to do is to stand up. No matter what happens to or around us, we always have a choice as to how we respond.”

“Mmm, I don’t think it’s quite as easy as that.”

“It isn’t,” MJ conceded with a smile. “Nothing’s easy at first. But it does get easier after we’ve practiced some, right? It’s like pushing a hay bale down a hill. The first couple of times it doesn’t seem to move at all. But once you get it started, it just seems to take off on it’s on.”

MJ held up his half-drunk draft. “Some would say this is half empty, right?”

“Sure,” Sam obliged, as MJ drained the mug.

“And most would say that it’s empty now.”

“No shit,” Sam laughed.

“Well Sam, not me. I say that this mug is primed for another!”😉

“Hahaha,” Sam laughed, despite himself. He took the now hopeful mug and refilled it until it overflowed with goodness…

Buy me a beer!🍻

The Ugly Duckling paperback is now available! Wanna signed copy?

Share

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing it and clicking that ❤ button, and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Oh and if you’re an email reader, just hit reply — I want to hear from you too!

Leave a comment

Don’t like commitments, but still want to support my writing? You can make a one-time contribution here.

I made the cover image on ChatGPT

This fictional story is inspired by Sean of the South’s post, also titled The Invisible Man.

It’d been years since I’d been in the attic. But the kids were hell bent on cleaning it out. They’ve been on me about it since Judy passed, and I finally gave in. I’d hoped that they would tire of it all before we got to my trunk, but they didn’t. Luckily I caught sight of my boots before they made it into the trash.

“Where’d you get them old boots at anyway, Pa?” My son asked.

I was on I-95 headed south out of NYC — petal smashed to the floor, still drunk off a weekend with no sleep. The engine of my old Chevy was screaming like banshee.

Yet another job pissed away. And it’d been a good one, too. I’d somehow managed to sign on with a company that sold and installed bleacher seats, and they paid great. But I’d been fired on a Tuesday, just like the time before. I still hadn’t learned then that Monday’s aren’t optional.

I’d been thinking about the beach anyway. And figured I still had enough funds to get me to Florida, if I played my cards right. So I’m Southern bound, with nothing but a quarter tank of gas and a fist-full of dollars — thinking, a couple days and I’ll be outta this snowy hell and lapping up sunshine on the coast somewhere.

Like just I said, the budget was almost nil. So it’s a pretty big letdown when the gaslight dings, before I’m even out of New Jersey. Hell, I was hoping to get into Maryland — maybe even Virginia before I needed fuel.

I exit when I see the first BP sign. And as I stop at the end of the exit ramp to wait on the red light to turn, a bum walks over. I don’t roll the window down, it’s cold as a witch’s titty. But I can still hear the man say, “God bless you,” as he passes by the driver’s door.

Read more

My Sweetheart and I took a little trip over the three day weekend. Monday was President’s Day.

We spent a wonderful few days in Kentucky. It did rain a little on the way up Saturday. But it was absolutely gorgeous as we wandered our way around Sunday, and back down on Monday. It was really a lot of fun! And well needed. We’d not been off alone together in months.

With my new job requiring me to be in attendance 6 days a week, it’s difficult to travel these days. Pair that with the fact that I’m saving up all my vacation days for an extended trip out of the country next summer, and it’s virtually impossible. And our priorities have also changed in the past year — we’ve been very focused on the kids lately.

But that’s not what this essay is about.

Y’all — I’m out of practice. BIG TIME.

It was ridiculous. I made rookie mistakes.

Rookie Mistakes!

I got off the interstate in the inner city.

Yes, you read that right. I got off of the through road, in favor of inner city surface streets. It’s the biggest no-no. There’s nothing more dumb than this. Nothing. It cost us an additional hour and a half of high stress, dangerous travel. We are lucky to get out alive. (not really, I’m being dramatic, sort of;)

And then, if that’s not bad enough — y’all, I chose a cheap hotel in haste.

Without checking the reviews😱

It was bad. Bad, bad. Like, flip a coin on whether or not to just leave — forgoing a refund attempt, bad. But there were no bedbugs — or insects at all for that matter. And though the sheets had cigarette burn holes in them, they were clean. It was hella sketchy tho guys — we even took our bags with us when we went out for dinner.

Now when I’m alone, I’m not against a place like that. It’s almost fun. Almost. But not when I’m responsible for another — we can do better than that. And I’m putting the girls up at the Hyatt.

The thing that surprises me as I reflect on the weekend this morning though, isn’t those “mistakes”. It’s just how quickly I fell Out Of Practice.

I’m reminded of an NBA basketball player, Allen Iverson. He was a perennial 90’s All Star. This guy was super talented — a real superstar. But from what I could see, he lacked work ethic. Here’s the first thing that comes to mind when I hear anyone talking about AI. “Practice? You talk’n bout practice?”

Y’all I am a Traveler — not a Tourist.

And yet even though I have years of experience, I damn sure acted like a tourist during this past weekend. It was more like a National Lampoon’s road trip, than a seasoned traveler’s wandering weekend. Again, I must reiterate that we had a blast. So no worries.

But if I can fall Out Of Practice so easily at something I enjoy, and also consider myself a master of. How easy is it for us to get off track when it’s something more challenging?

• Those New Year’s resolutions.

• The commitment to be more mindful.

• To pay attention to family, instead of a phone screen.

• To thoughtfully reflect on how each day was spent, and how I treated others.

• To hit the Pause Button, and consider a response before it’s made aloud.

• To check the auto-pilot, and recenter.

• To listen in order to understand, not so that I can respond.

If we don’t keep these things in front of us at all times — if we don’t stay in practice, we’ll easily find ourselves right back where we don’t want to be. Sleeping in a shit-hole, or driving circles around the inner city — instead of going straight on through to our destination using the path we’d so carefully laid out.

It’s all too easy to fall Out Of Practice. So we must remain vigilant, on guard.

He said that philosophy was something that should be kept at hand every day and night. The title of his book Enchiridion actually means “small thing in hand,” or handbook. And he advised his students to take disciplined daily action towards personal growth.

My daily journal, and this weekly blog are my attempts at keeping philosophy at hand. Those conversations with myself, and these with you my friends here, help me remain mindful. To remember to pause before I react. And to really listen when someone else is talking.

While talking with a friend this week about Hank’s book going to print, we got on the subject of practice and gaining experience. And how talent can only take you so far, that it also takes preparation and a good work ethic.

The thing is if you don’t practice, it doesn’t matter how much talent you have, you’re going to get rusty. I was flat Out Of Practice, when we tore out on that road trip last Saturday. It made no difference that I’d considered myself a Professional Traveler — that I’ve logged over half-a-million miles driving all over North America.

So I’ve learned a valuable lesson over this past week. Not just to stay on the through road or check reviews, though those lessons won’t likely be forgotten anytime soon.

But I must also remain vigilant, and practice daily — that just because I’ve “learned” something, doesn’t mean that I still know it.

I might even implement another stoic technique, Premeditatio Malorum 🤔 or the premeditation of evils to help be more prepared for what could go wrong next time. Hmm, maybe we’ll visit that subject in an essay soon…

Anyway, don’t be like AI. No, not that AI. But yeah, don’t be like it either. I mean don’t be like Allen Iverson. Practice. Practice. Practice.

Kobe sets us a much better example:

Share

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing it and clicking that ❤ button, and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Oh and if you’re an email reader, just hit reply — I want to hear from you too! What’s something that you’ve fell out of practice at? Whatcha gonna go about it?

Leave a comment

MJ's Tip Jar🫙

Don’t like commitments, but still want to support my writing? You can make a one-time contribution here.

I almost feel as if I’ve been crying nonstop for the past 2 years…

Yesterday, someone came into the Post Office to pick up a certified letter. I heard the door open and her come in. I tried to greet her like I normally do when I hear the door open, but my voice caught, and I couldn’t.

---

I’m sure you’re all familiar with Post Offices. The box section is open 24/7, but the lobby isn’t. The open hours of my little office are 12:30-4:30 PM, on weekdays. And I always prop open the door to the lobby. It serves three purposes:

• First, it allows me to hear when a customer does enter. Because I rarely see most of them, they just check their box and leave. But this allows me to greet each one with a, “Good afternoon,” at the very least.

• Secondly, it’s an invitation. The door’s open, come on in.

• And third, it makes it impossible for me to leave without locking up. And, I don’t have to go check and double check before I leave. If it’s closed, it’s locked. Period.

---

Now this certainly isn’t the first time I’ve cried at work, I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned it to y’all before.

So anyway, I’ve finished all my daily tasks — it only takes me about 30 minutes or so. And I’m writing. And I’m balling. I mean really crying — sniffing, tears falling on the desk crying. It was good. 😭 I hear the door. Shit.

I tried to greet her like I do everyone, but am unable. I’m too deep in the pool, and when I open my mouth I start to drown. So I do the only thing I can, I smile.🥲

She walked into the lobby and immediately stopped when she saw that I had been ringing out tears like they’d been in a soaked, wet cloth. I smile bigger.

“It’s okay, I’m an artist,” I say. Like that explains why the world is round.

“Oh,” she stammered.

“No really,” I say reassuring her. “I’m just working on something that was really touching. It’s a good thing.”

I could see the relief wash over her, literally. Then we continued with the business at hand. After she had her letter, she thanked me and went about her day.

But the thing is, this isn’t an isolated incident — the crying I mean. I’ve always been “tender-hearted,” so they say. But since discovering my art, it’s been virtually out of control.

I could be watching Bink and Tink play together, or see the girls in the kitchen with their mama. I could be writing something that triggers it — fiction or non-fiction, it makes no difference. And movies? Forget about it.

There’s absolutely zero chance that I will not cry when reading a touching story or essay. Have y’all read Rick’s Antique Bastards story? My connection with Ruth is, both amazing and terrifying. Just like Ruth, I too feel as though I’m an infant in this new world of art and self expression.

Frankly y’all, I’m not even sure where I’m going with this — except maybe to say that it’s okay to cry. It’s good. It’s healthy to let those feelings out. It doesn’t matter if you’re a man. It doesn’t matter if you’re a business professional, or that others depend on you for strength. There’s a strength in being able to let go — in trusting yourself enough to let loose the reins at times, and just let the horse take you in the direction you’re supposed to go.

Crying is not a weakness, it’s a truth. So cry like you mean it.

Share

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing it and clicking that ❤ button, and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Oh and if you’re an email reader, just hit reply — I want to hear from you too! Are you tender-hearted? Or do you stay composed under all circumstances? Is there an in-between?

MJ's Tip Jar🫙

Don’t like commitments, but still want to support my writing? You can make a one-time contribution here.

Sweetheart,

Come here, I want to hold you
Closer

I pull her, Closer

I’m right here honey
I can’t get any Closer

I pull her Closer anyway
Closer

She tries to pull away
I can’t move Sugar

But I pull her Closer, and Closer
I hold her tighter

She struggles now
Honey, I can’t breathe

And yet, I pull her Closer
I hold her harder

I wrap my legs around her
I hold her Closer

I cannot get enough,
I hold her Closer

Harder

I pull her Closer still,
Devouring her now

Consuming her
I am still not satisfied

Happy Valentine’s Day My Love🖤

Share

You probably wouldn’t guess it — to say that our writing isn’t exactly in the same genre, would be an understatement. But , is one of my favorite writers on this platform. There’s just something about her voice that pulls me in… I just can’t get enough! She’s such a talented writer, and I’ve got a feeling that she’ll one day be a big star. She already is in my book — Best Seller Lists, lookout!

This is the first time that I’ve attempted one of the Milk & Honey writing prompts, and like I said in the Note above, “I’m not usually a dark writer, but this one came rather easily.” And I am very excited to participate in one of Meg’s prompts!

Writers, the Love Letters Never Sent… community event prompt runs the entire month of February, so there’s still lots of time to make your own submission! I’d love to see what you come up with😈.

Share

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing it and clicking that ❤ button, and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Oh and if you’re an email reader, just hit reply — I want to hear from you too!

Leave a comment

MJ's Tip Jar🫙

Don’t like commitments, but still want to support my writing? You can make a one-time contribution here.

I’m fairly confident that the Milk & Honey Cult will be expecting this song pairing 🖤 if you’re not already familiar, it’s probably not for you.

I thought I’d share my title photo this week. Isn’t this wickedly erotic? It reminds me of a Romantasy Novel cover. It’s what ChatGPT thought of my title, Closer🖤 A Sinister Love Poem.

Read more

Well it shouldn’t be any surprise to my long-time readers that events this week have altered the direction of this newsletter. For the first time in months, I didn’t know at the start of the week what I’d be sharing with you today.

So when told me on Monday that, Send The Sun, by Nikki Lane would be our Stories from the Jukebox song writing prompt this week, I knew exactly what to do with my submission. There’s no doubt about it, comments are my favorite!

On Tuesday I was scrolling Notes, looking to interact with some friends. And then as it often does, I ran across a comment from a stranger that intrigued me. So, I followed the bread crumbs. I read a couple essays, made a comment, and went about my day. But then I got a reply, and subsequently gave an invitation.

What has followed is proof, that true happiness is found in selfless service to others.

As it turns out — Me, taking the time to read a comment on a fellow writers work — actually brightened their day, thousands of miles away.✨

Which has intern, filled my cup until it runneth over 🙏 I am absolutely overwhelmed with gratitude for all of this. There is nothing that compares to the Joy one receives from selflessly helping others.

I didn’t comment on that essay by in order to gain a Subscriber, though I did. I didn’t comment to gain a submission to this week’s Jukebox song prompt either, though I did. And I certainly didn’t comment because I wanted a song written and dedicated to me, though I received this blessing anyway.

I hope you’ll take a moment and read Codsworth’s essay, The Morning The Sun Finally Came In, and listen to, Broadsworth Calling Danny Boy. I promise that you will not be disappointed!

Think of others before yourself,
For in lifting them,
You lift yourself.
And in serving them,
You ascend.
-The Elder Sage

There’s no doubt about it, comments are my favorite!

I ask y’all at the end of every post — sometimes, even within the newsletter to tell me what you’re thinking in the comments. It’s my favorite part of being on Substack! There’s no doubt — discourse with you, my readers and friends, is what keeps me writing here. I absolutely love it🥰so I’ve decided to share some of my favorite comments from you all on this past year’s newsletters.

Leave a comment

Email readers, there are just too many links below for this newsletter to fit in your inbox. Please finish reading on the web.

Here are the comments that have Sent Me The Sun over the past year🌞

• Anne left me this beautiful comment on, What’s In A Song?, just this week!

• Year of the Wooden Snake

• Tamy is absolutely right 🙏 Who Am I Kidding?

• Looks like I met my friend Joe here! Orange was quite the hit😎

• An Estate Sale

• It’s Witchcraft

• The Merchant Marines - Fiction (I guess I should write another one😉)

• Smartphone Junkie

• Tempus Fugit

• The Hitchhiker - 🥲

• Is It Manifestation?

• Over the Road

• The Philosopher King

• Beatrix’s Box Vol. 2

• Cows Outside

• Chronicles of a Farmhand, It’s Vaccination Day

• The Picture

• Lucky or Blessed

• Alternate POV

• By The Book

• In The Gray Area

• I Worry

• I’m Different

• What Is The American Dream?

• The Girl With No Name

• The Question Spiral

• Live Cheap or Die

• Challenge Accepted

• The Pause Button - Please read this if you haven’t yet.

• The Sunshine Blogger Award

• Free or Paid?

• Orange Slices

• A Lost Boy

• Let It Be

• Nobody Likes Me

• First Things First

• Don’t Let It Whip Ya

• Ramblings

• Efficiency Is Key

• Chronicles of a Farmhand- Harvest Time

• Slavery Repackaged

• The Kiss Method

• The Iceberg Theory

• Memento Mori

• Dream On

• The Things We Tell Ourselves

• Who’s Values?

• What A Wonderful World

• Be Kind

• Keep Choppin’

• Lessons From A One Year Old

• Is Santa Real?

• On Religion

• Each Day Is A New Beginning

• Let’s Play

• The Future Is Now

• A Year Later

And finally if you made it this far, here is the essay by the Elder Sage that I quoted in the beginning.

The Elder Sage

A Dignified Human

Rise up, my friend, Never lower yourself. Let not anger stain your speech, Nor uncouth words betray your spirit. Such vulgarity does not befit you, You are destined for greater things. Hold your hea…

Read more

a year ago · 29 likes · 5 comments · The Elder Sage

Don’t forget to send me your love in the comments!

Leave a comment

Share The Southern Copywriter blog

Don’t like commitments, but still want to support my writing? You can make a one-time contribution here.

Stories from the Jukebox

Send The Sun

Calling all Poets, Fiction, or Non-Fiction writers and readers that love music — Subscribe now…

Read more

4 months ago · 11 likes · 11 comments · MJ Polk

“We all are part of the human community and have the responsibility to benefit that community. We should take a more active role in helping society by employing whatever talents and abilities we possess to help others. For if the human community is happy and at peace, we all benefit.” -Bhiksu Tenzin Gyatso

This week will be my one year anniversary on Substack🥳. And let me tell you, it has been a life changing experience! I’ve grown in so many ways during the past year. And instead of a Year End Review highlighting some of my older posts, I want to share with you some of the things I’ve learned. Yes, there will be some nods towards some of my earlier work below. But I’ll be using them to show you the growth I’ve made, not sharing them because I now have a hundred times more subscribers.

Those early posts are not as good. They’re not the same quality as I’m putting out now. And that’s okay. I’m supposed to be growing. I’m supposed to be getting better. So, while it’s tempting to go back and change or update them, I’m not going to. I’m going to leave them just as they are.

Shortcut to the Archive

The Courage to Write was my very first post. It’s highlighted in my Welcome Email(which we’ll discuss later). I also submitted it to this week’s The Stories from the Jukebox song prompt, Vienna. And I must admit, there’s not much I’d change about it. Maybe just where it says ‘mj’s substack’ in the subscription message.

What’s in a Song? was my second post. It was the inspiration for my second publication, Stories from the Jukebox. One of these weeks I’ll choose Stone, by Whiskey Myers, as our song prompt, and I’ll update and republish this essay there. Notice in it how I’d not yet learned how to use the “Quote” button — those quotes are just in the body of text, and not being highlighted or showcased in any way. But at least I capitalized MJ in the subscription message this time. And I’d still not updated my profile or added my bank account yet. I do have that done in the next post though, Blue Bird, which remains my favorite essay to date.

In the next post, A Billion Dollars, I added audio — narrating the essay myself for the first time. Boy 🙉 I’ve gotten much better at that too!😂

I noticed something just now, I wasn’t liking my own post yet back then — I mean if you don’t like’em, how can you expect others to?

My first poem, Who am I Kidding? was published on February 24th, 2025. And I’m getting better. I’ve added Share buttons and a message of gratitude at the end. I also see some familiar Likes down there, and I wonder if this is where I connected with some of you🙂. I still haven’t found the “Poetry or Quote” buttons, though.

Wow, so it looks like I made big strides in the very next post! Orange, was also my most successful to date. And I remember just how excited it made me to see that others really did like my writing. I didn’t realize until listening and reading it again just now, that I was also beginning to get more comfortable sharing my writing voice you. And I’m sure that had a lot to do with the response it received.

Entering March, 2025 — I’d been on Substack for about 75 days. And this is where things really started to take off for my writing. I published Fiction for the first time, ever. And y’all liked it! I was blown away at the response The Merchant Marines short story series received. That gave me a lot of confidence. And I made big strides in both my writing — those are some excellent essays, and in formatting the newsletters. I gained my first 2 Paid Subscribers during that period, found the “Quote” button, and began mentioning other writers too!

It’s funny to see where some of these other writers are now — some are still here, and some have faded. And a couple have really made it big!

I highly recommend that you go back and read my work from March and early April. That whole stretch from, It’s Witchcraft to Tempus Fugit, will be worth your time. I was still working out my Paywall back then, and some of these may have been hidden behind that $ wall not long afterward.

Shortcut to the Archive

By April I’d grown comfortable with my writing, and decided to really pursue more copy-writing ventures.

I created my Copywriting Page, published my first Testimonial Essay, and began to go after local newspapers — two of which allowed me to publish their articles here. And while my copy-writing has really taken off of late, I’ve still not been able to break into the newspaper industry. They are all so used to losing, I’ve not yet found the right newspaper partner. If I could just get one, to get behind their Substack publication — really commit to it, I’m confident that it will provide them a platform that will build their customer base. Something that that industry hasn’t seen in more than a decade!

Do you know of a newspaper that could benefit from this online platform? Let’s partner up.

I’m not going to continue dissecting my newsletters, as at this point I’d pretty much figured everything out. Working as a Newspaper to Substack Editor, I quickly learned the ins and outs of this platform. This is also the time I discovered what a great tool I’d missed in the Welcome Letter.

If you haven’t done this yet, you’re welcome😉 It’s a game changer imo. The Welcome Letter may be the only thing that New Subscribers ever see! And you do not want to spoil this opportunity. Here is a copy of my first rewrite, back in May. Isn’t that a gazillion times better than the, Thanks for Subscribing – Download our app, generic email that most New Subscribers get off the rip?

I’ve since added two more publications:

• Stories from the Jukebox, I’ve already mentioned. That’s where each week myself and other writers across Substack tackle a writing prompt inspired by song. So if you’re a Writer, or Reader that loves music, you’ll find a treasure trove of prompts and reads there. Join us!

• And my latest venture is a partnership with two other amazing writers, and will soon be open to more! We are the Southern Writers’ Guild: a deliberate assembly of stubborn scribes — poets, novelists, essayists, playwrights, journalists, and songwriters — who stake our claim on this tangled South, by blood or by choice or by some inexplicable pull that won’t let go.

I’ve also published my first book, The Ugly Duckling, on Amazon-KDP.

And let me tell ya, there’s a big learning curve when it comes to book publication. I have learned SO MUCH during that process! I was just speaking with a fellow writer earlier today, and said, “The Ugly Duckling, that you read was at least the tenth draft. A dozen beta readers have read it and given feedback.” And that was before I started getting ready to publish.

Since then, there’s been numerous edits, and tasks — from reformatting it to match Amazon/Kindle’s accepted style, to working on cover art. Which if you’ll notice closely, is missing the author name on the eBook cover. The printed version will be correct. And I still am not happy with my back cover🙃.

This is getting pretty long, so I’ll wrap up by thanking all of you 🙏 my readers. Without you, none of this would have been possible. This past year will be hard to beat, and you all have been a major part of it.

Just as I promised you a year ago on my About Page-

I’ll continue to let my Creative Writing speak for me. It clearly shows what I am capable of. And if I can be of service to you in anyway, please don’t hesitate to message me.

My Editing Services include:

• Substack Consultant Services

• Proofreading

• Copy-editing

• Developmental-editing

• Newspaper to Substack Editing & Consultant Services

Share

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing it and clicking that ❤ button, and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Oh and if you’re an email reader, just hit reply — I want to hear from you too! Out of all I’ve published over the past year, which was your favorite?

Leave a comment

MJ's Tip Jar🫙

Don’t like commitments, but still want to support my writing? You can make a one-time contribution here.

Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash

I started this publication with a single goal in mind — become a published author.

And in the past year I have realized that goal hundreds of times. I’ve published over a hundred pieces on this blog alone! I’ve launched a community publication as well, Stories from the Jukebox, where I’ve also published many stories and essays. And today, I have another announcement — a very big one.

But none of this would have been possible had I been fixated on the future, or worrying about the past. If I’d only focused on where I wanted to be, I would have never gotten here. Because the future isn’t obtainable — it doesn’t exist. There is only the Now.

Just like my recent essay titled, Each Day Is A New Beginning — in each moment we have the opportunity to accomplish something. And though it may be a very small accomplishment indeed, the result of each of those wins is what makes our goals obtainable. Small steps baby, we ain’t gonna get there all at once. But if we Keep Choppin, the tree will eventually have no choice but to fall. Focus on the Now.

Now for my big announcement-

I’ve published my first book! The Ugly Duckling, by Hank Cotton, is available for purchase on Amazon Now!

Hank Cotton, a Hotshot Truck Driver, doesn’t know that he’s picked up an unlikely passenger.

In this, his debut story—our hero Hank Cotton, is tasked with getting not only a travel trailer from Indiana to Florida; but also Jenny Deal, a thirteen year old runaway that’s been kidnapped and forced to perform as a sex worker.

Will Hank be able to out run her pimp, and out smart the crooked Alabama lawmen looking to stop him?

Find out how Jenny got in this mess—whether Brooke, Hank’s wife will understand why he’s got an underage sex worker with him, and whether Hank is able to get his cargo delivered safely in this novelette length story titled, The Ugly Duckling.

Purchase eBook

And this leads me to my second big announcement-

I’ve partnered with two other amazing writers to create, The Southern Writers Guild!

The Southern Writers’ Guild will serve as Hank Cotton’s home, and will house all of his short stories. And this first novelette, The Ugly Duckling, will be released as a serial over the next 8 weeks. The first episode will air this Thursday, January the 22nd, at 7:00 PM EST, with the remaining episodes following the same schedule. It’s prime-time, must-see TV, baby!

The Ugly Duckling will be released for free, and then paywalled one week after the final episode is published. So Subscribers to the Southern Writers’ Guild will get The Ugly Duckling for FREE!

Southern Writers Guild

We are the Southern Writers’ Guild: a deliberate assembly of stubborn scribes—poets, novelists, essayists, playwrights, songwriters—who stake our claim on this tangled South, by blood or by choice or by some inexplicable pull that won’t let go.

By MJ Polk

If you’re one of my current blog subscribers, just kick back and relax — you can skip this step. Because I’m going to do it for you 😉 I’ll be importing all of The Southern Copywriter blogs’ current Subscribers, straight to the Southern Writers’ Guild. Look for your insider subscription email to hit your inbox today!

Here’s our cast, and more info on the Southern Writers’ Guild!

About the Southern Writers’ Guild

We are the Southern Writers’ Guild: a deliberate assembly of stubborn scribes—poets, novelists, essayists, playwrights, journalists, and songwriters—who stake our claim on this tangled South, by blood or by choice or by some inexplicable pull that won’t let go.

We write out of its pine thickets and its futuristic data centers, from the weight of old ghosts and the flicker of new possibilities. We avoid both the sepia gloss of nostalgia and the acid burn of despair. We aren’t about stroking egos and trading compliments, but rather we tend the fire of the craft. We read one another honestly, push sentences until they bleed truth; We are witness over the sunny Southland, where contradiction upgraded its wardrobe and learned to code.

Not every story is about the South, but the South is in every story. Because Southern is a state of mind.

Southern Writers Guild

About the Southern Writers Guild

Thanks for reading Southern Writers' Guild! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work…

Read more

4 months ago · 7 likes · MJ Polk, primalbeet, and Gray

The Southern Writers’ Guild is currently made up of three founding members, , , and (me😁). As I stated earlier, it will serve as Hank Cotton’s home. But it’s also home to Hank’s cohort — Beau Pritchett IV, and Grace, both of which will have books coming out within this next year too!

And the best part is, you don’t even have to wait around for us to publish these books to read our work — we’ve already uploaded over 15k words of prose! There are currently 17 stellar short stories available to read for free. And I expect that number to be 20 by the time Hank releases the first episode of, The Ugly Duckling, on Thursday night! Plus you can expect another, The Porch story or two, each Monday or Tuesday, with the next episode of The Ugly Duckling released every Thursday, for the next two months.

Still curious? Tune into our Live Stream tonight! Where I’ll be joining Gray and Rick to announce the Southern Writers’ Guild to Substack! And if I’m not mistaken, Rick has an interview with Hank Cotton lined up for this week too.😉

Oh and one more thing — we’ll be opening the Southern Writers’ Guild up to other writers as well! So if you’re a Southern Writer that’s interested in joining the Guild, just keep ya pants on. We’ll get around to that part soon enough…

Feel free to message any of us to get on the list.

I’ve also revamped my website, TheSouthernCopywriter.com. It’ll serve as the Guild’s formal book publication site. You’ll be able to find all of our books there. And both Hank and Rick’s debut books are listed now!

Southern Writers Guild Books

Share

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing it and clicking that ❤ button, and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Oh and if you’re an email reader, just hit reply — I want to hear from you too!

Leave a comment

Don’t like commitments, but still want to support my writing? You can make a one-time contribution here.

“MJ, why do you always take the time to stack each box like you’re playing Tetris?”

I thought since I’d left retail, I’d no longer have to work extra during the holidays…Wrong. During the past few weeks I’ve had to work much more than I’d like in our main office — the Amazon packages have been out of control. As you can imagine, the package counts quintuples from Black Friday through Christmas. So instead of two days a week, I’ve been working five for the past month. I don’t like it — I’m sick of it frankly. This isn’t what I signed up for. I’m contracted to work 25 hours a week — afternoons only, in my little office. But I get it — it’s all hands on deck right now, this is our busy season.

I guess I could go about it like one of my co-workers does — my dude has been in a funk for three weeks now. “I hate this time of year, all it means for me is more of this shit,” he said as he swiped his hand across the backroom one morning. And just then someone rang the bell at the counter, “F*** Christmas,” was his response as he sulked his way to the register.

I just want to ask him, “So how’s that working out for you?” But I already know the answer.

Meanwhile, I’m over here making a game of it all.

The pallets will come in, completely overloaded — so when you cut the shrink wrap off, the whole thing collapses. Challenge accepted! My mission, do not let the packages fall. Because if they do I’ll have to pick them up — which is tough on my hips and lower back, not to mention much slower. So I just cut the plastic halfway, and unload the boxes marked ‘Heavy’, that incidentally shouldn’t be on the top anyway. But whatever, it is what it is — I’m sure the warehouse isn’t intentionally trying to screw us. I imagine they’re overwhelmed too, I don’t want to think about what it’s like working in one of those places right now. I worked the weekend night shift at Walmart Distribution when my Sweetheart and I were just married, and it wasn’t any fun.

So anyway, I’m careful not to let the palette collapse — I make a game out of it. Then as I’m putting the packages in each carrier’s module, I go a step further — I place them in a neat pile.

Now mind you, this is NOT how the others do it. They throw the packages towards the carrier’s module. Yup, you read that right. They throw them. They cut the plastic allowing the palette to collapse all over the floor and against the other palettes. This leaves everything in a big nasty pile, shrink wrap entangled all about — then rush around like chickens with their heads cut off, throwing the packages here and there. It’s chaos, frankly.

And then you’ve got me, calmly unloading the pallet — taking the time to place each package neatly. BTW- I’ve watched the clock, and my way is NOT slower. It only appears to be, because I’m not running around. But if you were to watch closely there is still an urgency there, it’s just controlled. It’s wielded with the precision of a fencer — again, part of the game.

One morning during the holidays one of the rural carriers asked me, “MJ, why do you always take the time to stack each box like you’re playing Tetris?”

“Because I am!” was my response. “If I’ve got to spend my morning doing this instead of what or where I’d rather be, I might as well have some fun doing it.”

Then he went on to thank me for making his job easier, which I took great pride in. Mission accomplished. 😁

Am I always able to keep the palette overloaded with packages from collapsing on the floor? Nope. Do I always stack the packages perfectly in the carrier’s module? Not-ah. Must I sometimes step on the gas, and forgo some of the neatness? Sure. But that’s all a part of the game. I don’t write the rules, I just try my best to get the job done without decimating them.

Perspective is everything. And if you begin by dreading the day as soon as you open your eyes each new morning, or at the beginning of each task — I can guarantee that you will get exactly what you’re asking for.

This is yet another thing that I’ve learned by watching my 1yo grandson over the past year. My dude plays at everything! And he is the happiest human that I’ve ever known. Do you think that Bink, wakes up dreading this new day? No, he most assuredly does not. When he opens his eyes each morning, he is so happy to be alive. His sleepy little eyes are filled with joy — pure joy. It’s one of the most inspiring things I’ve ever witnessed, and it explains so much.

Now of course we all have many more responsibilities than the Binkster does. But that doesn’t mean that we have to trudge through them. Let’s play! Turn the task into a challenge — make it a game! And then not only will it be more fun, but I bet you’ll find that it goes much smoother. Not to mention that if things go sideways during a game, we’re much more likely to take it in stride and look for a solution, than to get all out of sorts about the possible consequences.

Make it a game. Let’s Play!

Share

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing it and clicking that ❤ button, and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Oh and if you’re an email reader, just hit reply —I want to hear from you too! What’s task do you often turn into a game? Better yet, what’s one task that you dread, that you could turn into a game?

Leave a comment

Don’t like commitments, but still want to support my writing? You can make a one-time contribution here.