Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈 @magicmikewrites Twitter profile

Pinned Tweet

Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

1 year

What an honor it was to write about the glorious Margot Kidder and the secret box office record she alone holds for @RollingStone (!!!!). Please have a read; it’s been 5 years since Kidder’s death and the narrative about her is all wrong.

Remembering Margot Kidder: Hollywood Superwoman and Box Office Queen

Five years after her tragic death, we pay homage to the star of ‘Superman’ who should be remembered as an ardent activist and box office queen.

www.rollingstone.com

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 months

You think you’ve seen it all and then your 13-year-old blind beagle throws up the French flag in the middle of the night.

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

10 months

@clhubes I don’t understand it at all. How does everyone have a couch? Couches? How are we all not just sitting on folding chairs all the time?

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

Got my PhD today!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

1 year

No fat person is a whale, no fat person is a cute metaphor for your suffering. No fat person deserves to be represented by rubber and paint. And being fat is not a punishment, nor is it evidence of dreams unrealized.

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

1 year

This morning my 3-year-old told me I was beautiful and my 5-year-old told screamed “No, he looks like an old clown!” so everything is fine, everything is great.

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

6 months

Two writers who were very cruel to me are having moments and I need you all to know that I’m not being silent because of my immense grace and kindness but rather because revenge, like a hoagie, is best served long and after soaking in its own juices for a day or two.

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

Ruined my husband’s birthday dinner by calling my racist aunt a racist how is your Saturday going?

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

Both of my kids and all six of my nervous breakdowns were born during the writing of this big beauty (my dissertation), which I turned in last Monday! I defend in two weeks, send magic this way! ❤️❤️❤️

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

I complained about my rejections yesterday and poof! - got two of my bigger acceptances today! So the lesson is...whine to the universe? 😂😍

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

9 months

I had an absolutely terrible writing world experience last month, and my confidence was shot. Here I am on my way to dear friends for a glorious, unexpected residency, and hope is restored. When things get bad, don’t give up!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

I just made it a full hour into a book before figuring out the protagonist was a heterosexual. Unrepentantly heterosexual. Immediate one star on Goodreads, will be writing to the publisher. I will never get that hour of my life back. Devastated.

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

1 year

Oh gosh I got a rejection from an academic journal and I forgot how MEAN these things are! Like if you’re going to reject it I don’t need all of the insults while you’re at it. Of course my argument isn’t substantial, I’m writing about gay fruit trees in Jane Austen!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

Woke up to a rejection from an agent that I didn’t even query, so I’m breaking new rejection ground!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

New favorite photo 😭😭😭. Can I send this back in time to the Mike in his 20s who was so worried about everything? With a little note that says, “That’s you, baby! You’re a dad! Your dream came true! And your kids are insanely cool. They even love books!”

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

1 year

You started writing because of Proust, I started writing because of that Days of Our Lives storyline where Stefano locked Marlena in a birdcage in the Paris catacombs and John could only see her with pre-Google Google Goggles. We’re not the same!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

10 months

@clhubes No wonder our grandparents kept them covered!!!!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

My older child, who is 3, was upset with me and yelled, “You are not handsome!” What demon force instructed him on how to cut straight through my cold ancient heart?!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

“We’re just running into the store for milk and dog treats,” said the family who now owns two shark chariots.

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

Okay, submitted my novel to Roxane Gay Books so I need all of you to channel your queerest energy in her direction so that my submission rainbow glitters in the slush. Like when you see 8000 ads for candles and then must have a candle? That, but queer! Well, candles are queer.

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

6 months

I love love love it when writers make playlists to go with their books/stories/work!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

@silverjocelyn She truly is our Warhol.

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

10 months

My husband’s delightful grandmother made cross-stitches for my boys when they were born just like she made for my husband when he was born and then, so I wouldn’t feel left out, she made me one and sent it from South Africa and it’s so gay and I love it.

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

1 year

These babies got gay married 10 years ago today in Cape Town. Sometimes time flies, but in measuring this, 10 years feels far too small to contain how big it all feels. Cc @simonwillo

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

Is dressing as a Slutty Kidney for Halloween a “too soon” situation?

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

Five rejections before noon on a Sunday? You people need church!!! 😂

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

I'm so excited to say that I'm now represented by @daniellechiotti at @UpstartCrowLit . It took so many little miracles for me to find the perfect agent, and if you're one of those miracles I'm so full of gratitude. When my work and I found Danielle, it just felt right.

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

Before Twitter joins Atlantis at the bottom of the sea, I must tell you that I have a short story in @fairytalereview ’s upcoming Rainbow Issue. I’ve dreamed of having a story in Fairy Tale Review since I started writing, and for it to happen w/ this particular issue made my year!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

Wanted to share real quick that I’ll be teaching Creative Writing at Eastern Illinois University starting this autumn. Really excited to teach undergrads and graduates at a university that values diversity and where so many awesome writers teach/have taught!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

Just found out that my story “Devil’s Island” is listed as a “distinguished story” in this year’s Best American Mystery and Suspense anthology and my year is made. My dad has every one of these on his shelf, and it has been a lifelong writer dream of mine to be on these pages!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 months

@StanleyStocker 😂😂😂😂

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

1 year

If you publish something, please share it beyond the day it comes out! I think we are programmed to be shy about self-promoting, but social media is often how I find my very favorite stories!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

Burnt all of my bridges so sorry folks you’re my family now!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

This is what happens when you finally buy something from one of those Facebook ads

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 months

@NairYasmin She’s apparently a secret francophile!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

Year one of being an “emerging writer” vs year five of being an “emerging writer”

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

1 year

@blgtylr @ClintSmithIII Okay I knew I loved you but this seals the deal (seals as in 🦭)

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

1 year

Speaking of superheroes! (This is my son Leo, who tries to get spiders to bite him so that he’ll become Spiderman)

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

I have gotten so many rejections that are like, "we're already running a gay column" or "we already represent a gay here" or "sorry there was once a gay parent who was a cousin of our weekend editor" and I'm very tired.

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

Bittersweet to pass my dissertation defense on the day we lost bell hooks, as her words were the foundation for so much of my dissertation. ❤️❤️❤️

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

6 months

Leo is 6 today and I am just amazed at how cool he is. He's fun, so smart, and so weird. Like me, he loves jewelry, video games, and scary things. Like his other dad, he loves '80s pop-rock and complaining. He's a good brother. He's a good son. He's beautiful and wonderful!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

I’m struggling. It’s okay to struggle. How could you not struggle? I’ve been struggling hard for over a year now, and I wanted to say so because I often only share good news online. I love you all and you’re not alone. I’m not alone.

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

These children are bullying me 150 years after they were painted

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

This is so, so exciting. I am so excited! Ahhhhh! Thanks so much to @HubCityPress for recognizing my collection of weird wonders. What beautiful company to be in, as well.

Hub City Press

@HubCityPress

2 years

Announcing the 2022 C. Michael Curtis Short Story Prize finalists: Mark D. Baumgartner for Last of the Icemen, Rachel Ewing for Like Disaster, Scott Gloden for The Birds of Basra, and Mike McClelland ( @magicmikewrites ) for What Used to Be Caracas.

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

This panic over the children seeing leather daddies and jockstraps at pride parades is bollocks. My parents took me to Pride in Provincetown as a young lad and while it did, in fact, turn me into a raving homosexual, I am a very nice person. I even pay my taxes!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

9 months

It is sweet, kind, smart Leo’s first day of kindergarten! I’m a mess!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

1 year

Look Mom I’m in Rolling Stone! Writing about the secret box office glory of the late, great Margot Kidder.

Rolling Stone

@RollingStone

1 year

Five years after Margot Kidder's tragic death, we pay homage to the star of 'Superman' who should be remembered as an ardent activist and box office queen

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

First day nerves! ❤️

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

First photo as Dr. Mike!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

1 year

Four years ago today, our younger son Fox thundered into the world. His stressful and scary arrival directly contrasts his effortless joy and brave, bold sense of adventure. We are so lucky to be his dads. He lights up every day. We love you, Fox!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

I need some love. You don’t need to put it on here or message or call. Just send it and I’ll feel it. And know I love you all and you give me so much!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

11 months

I've been selected as the Fellow for the Lordship House Retreat 2023 and I'm over the moon! It's my first residency, and @adrianf and Michael are the absolute coolest. I can't wait to write queer ocean things while in fellowship with queers by the ocean!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

Screamed “fuck you and your whole life” at my one and only brother across a vat of pimento cheese in case you were wondering how low I can go!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

“Let’s just get a nice picture by the waterfalls,” he said hopefully.

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

1 year

How is my babiest baby 4 years old?!?!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

1 year

Matt Bell, my fairy godfather of revision, was in my head this morning while I looked for "weasel words" in my manuscript. My two biggest offenders are "suddenly" and "seems" - and you should definitely subscribe to @mdbell79 's No Failure, Only Practice!

Exercise #14: Hunting Weasel Words

Alexander Chee, Garth Greenwell, Karin Tidbeck, Brandon Hobson, Wendell Mayo, Gabe Durham

mattbell.substack.com

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

@clhubes This!!! I once got a taco in London (admittedly it was a street taco, I should have known better) that had a entire lemon in it. Just a whole lemon, plopped right into the taco.

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

In just over one month, I defend my dissertation. I know I can do this because I have successfully left my house with a toddler. Once or twice.

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

Instead of saying he’s hungry, my son just said, “I have an idea in my tummy!” and I’ve melted from cuteness.

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

Nine years ago today in Cape Town. Happy Anniversary, @simonwillo . I love you and somehow we survived this year! 😂

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

5 months

Sent new novel into my agent, turned in my grades, got my hair blonded, managed to dress both kids in every “spirit week” outfit, and headed to South Africa tomorrow for in-law Christmas. Am I Mike or am I a feature on Charlize Theron in Good Housekeeping magazine?!?!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

9 months

Yesterday was my first day of my 8th year of university teaching. I’m teaching a graduate gothic writing workshop and an undergraduate fiction workshop this semester and I feel very lucky! To balance that out I dressed like the gayest person on your middle school debate team.

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

11 months

Omg I’m so tired of anti-trans people “asking questions” and “wanting civil debate.” Guess what? The rules of your sport are made up! Your sport is made up! Why not include trans athletes? On what planet do you think someone would pretend to be trans to “cheat” at a sport?

Lance Armstrong

@lancearmstrong

11 months

Is there not a world in which one can be supportive of the transgender community and curious about the fairness of Trans athletes in sport yet not be labeled a transphobe or a bigot as we ask questions? Do we yet know the answers? And do we even want to know the answers?

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

1 year

My year-end writing list isn't as voluptuous as I would have hoped. I (finally) signed with my amazing agent, got my PhD, started a new job, and moved to a new city, and I'd love to say this was why I didn't publish much. But I submitted over 100 times and had just 1 acceptance!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

We managed to each wear at least one piece of a costume and no one cried! Success!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

Second photo of Dr. Mike 😂

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

Tomorrow I start teaching at Eastern Illinois University. I’ve been a student for 8 years! I’m not ready to be an adult again. Can non-TAs teach in rompers? How much jewelry is too much jewelry? (That’s obviously a trick question)

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

I am so gay and so unused to actual seasons that I took my dogs out this morning and thought, “who dumped all of these fabric swatches in my yard?!” Reader, the swatches were leaves.

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

Visiting beloved chosen family today so naturally my children have found the creepy ram statue in the house and have decided to worship it

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

So excited to be going to the Sewanee Writers’ Conference this summer! If you’ve been before I need all of the tips! I also need to procure a serious-writer-but-summery-but-not-as-trashy-as-my-actual-summer-clothes wardrobe! Cannot wait! ❤️❤️❤️

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

There was a shooting at our local splash park which sparked an online confessional of all of the local parents who always bring their guns when they take their kids to the park and I just cannot cannot cannot anymore. We’re never leaving the house again. I’m building a bunker.

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

The best pilot

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

1 year

Be gay, do crime, wear jumpsuits!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

1 year

Romper season is in full bloom!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

@nkjemisin My older son, who is 3, watched my husband walk through the front door from the store the other day and asked, “did you get popsicles?” and my husband said, “oh no, I forgot!” and my son looked at the bag, frowned, and said, “you remembered wine!”

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

1 year

My son Fox is afraid of getting his hair cut so my angel father let Fox cut his hair so Fox could see that it was safe 😍😂😭

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

1 year

I took my five-year-old to see Black Panther and the whole theater was gifted with him repeatedly asking me “Why did they put T’challa in a box?!?! Can they hear him from the box?!?!” so maybe we should have covered death first.

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

Had to have my pants down in front of 5 medical folks for a doctor’s visit (not serious or sketchy, fear not), and the office had a live stream of Venice playing to soothe, and I joked, “Not the first time I’ve had my legs over my head in Italy!” and, dear reader, no one laughed.

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

The result of being a trashy father with a large toddler is that I’ve accidentally put on baby shorts four times this week.

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

I'm never writing nonfiction ever again because I will never write anything as pure and perfect and as this

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

4 years

My plans: 2020:

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

1 year

Not the “send us something we’ve never seen before” and “No genre fiction; literary fiction only” right next to one another in the Submission Guidelines. 😭😭😭 Is it not time to put the “No genre fiction” to rest? Can you only write fancy if you’re writing domestic drama?

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

Was finally able to schedule vaccines for my 3yo and 4yo for this Saturday and as soon as I booked the appointment I burst into unexpected tears. I didn’t realize the amount of tension I was carrying around over it, but it’s just been constant fear for 2 years so it makes sense!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

Yes the book is absolutely amazing but can we talk about @blgtylr ’s sweater-on-sweater game?! 😍😍😍

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

Can’t read/watch Harry Potter anymore and I’m upset about it every day. Not even in a boycott way; I just feel gross and sad whenever I think it, and that shadow has swallowed so many beautiful memories. Authors - if you’re a bigot, buy a diary and leave the rest of us out of it!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

I spent months writing an essay about art and poetry and love and sold it to a big dream publication and they published it and, months later, it has gotten its first comment, which is, “thankks great blog post.” How joyous, to finally sniff the sweet smell of success!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

Well, this online order was certainly a choice!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

1 year

It’s my delightful mother Dr. Virginia McClelland’s 75th birthday today. I inherited my laugh from her, she has the best smile, and she’s such a fun grandma.

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

1 year

If anyone ever uses my tweets in a book review please use the ones where I’m like 30 flirty and thriving and not the ones where I’m live tweeting my mental breakdown from behind a grocery store.

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

1 year

This draft is where my novel took to the skies and became something beautiful that is mine but also like feels something of its own. I owe @alexanderchee and @mdbell79 ; I was struggling to wrangle the threads in revision so I typed it all out again. Listen to your favorites!

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

Some of my favorite new/new-to-me books from independent/small publishers that I read in 2021. I enthusiastically recommend any and all of these beauties. I read some on Kindle and have lent others out, so this isn't complete; I need to get better about sharing these treasures.

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

Naomi Osaka has started a long overdue conversation. Since this is all happening around Marilyn Monroe’s birthday, here’s an anecdote. Marilyn was often disliked and dismissed for being difficult. Jane Russell, Marilyn’s co-star in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, shared that Marilyn...

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

5 months

Baby’s first (but not last!) red carpet. He played the Star Wars theme on the piano.

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

10 months

Have decided to become a Tennessee forest witch

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

12 years ago, I met this dreamboat at a gross bar in Cape Town. 11 years ago, we got engaged at midnight on a little beach in the Philippines. It’s a great day to look back. The constant of it, the average of it, was just simple happiness. It’s been that way from day one.

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

Do not text and drive! It is not safe and impossible to proofread. I just texted my mother “I’m wet for meatballs!” 😭😭😭

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

@Kristen_Arnett Pirate wench, game of thrones “shame!” lady, porg

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

3 years

... was always ready on time, she was just too nervous to leave her trailer and head to set. So Jane would walk over to her trailer and pick her up on the way to set and shooting went wonderfully. On Marilyn’s birthday, let’s spare a thought for the “difficult” folks in our lives

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites

2 years

Promised myself I wouldn’t, then only made it 1/3 of the way through a job interview before saying, “I really love Céline Dion”

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Dr. Mike McClelland 🌈

@magicmikewrites