StoryShedding: #9
A fortnightly digest from StoryShed Media for the week of March 1, 2026
A LONG-ASS MONTH lies ahead. At the onset, it was quiet, so let’s hope things turn around quick. I’m ready to jump into it…
Warm Bake > Hot Take
“Beware the Ides of March” was the OG hot take. What would a warm bake on that be? “Stay frosty into mid-month?” As far as getting superstitious about months of the year, here are a couple questions for you:
Do you ever approach certain months with caution, just due to past experiences during those months?
Do you have months that are uniformly solid—ones you tend to lean into?
For me, April and October have been problematic, whereas May and September are generally my favorite months of the year, for different reasons: deep spring and the onset of summer and late summer and the onset of autumn.
What Is the Sound of One Substack Clapping?
Reading a lot of great work on Substack these days but, due to unemployment anxiety, not retaining much. My bandwidth is jammed. I’m sure that will change.
For now, go read Anna Schott’s “Today” on her She’s Gone Chilaquiles Substack. Marvelous writing.
Into the Shack
Back to draft on StoryShed Season 11, #3, which I think most readers and subscribers will enjoy: what works or doesn’t work when translating a book or short story into a film? Stick around and let’s find out together.
Outside of that, been bantering about book ideas, mostly non-fiction (a local history book, maybe a biography) and whether I want to revisit an old collection of my short stories.
We’ll see. Maybe after we put Season 11 to bed by April.
The Morning Muse
There was no muse these past two weeks.
I hope it returns soon. It’s easy to spook the muse.
As the saying goes…
Thought for the Week
“…when we say ‘American’ it is not a fact, it is an act, of faith, a matter of lines on a map and words on paper, an outline it will take generations and centuries more to fill.”
—John Updike, “How to Love America and Leave It at the Same Time” (1972)
Tuneage for You
“The American in Me” Steve Forbert (1991) <3
Crossing my fingers for you that the muse returns, Michael.
My mother, father, and brother all died in August in South Florida over a 13 year period in the 2000s. South Florida in August is a place I’ll never voluntarily be again! Easy on the anxiety, Michael! I know it’s hard. Be good to your self.