{"version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1","title":"Michael Lang","home_page_url":"https://michaellang.co","description":"Michael Lang","author":{"name":"Michael Lang"},"items":[{"id":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/opal---the-best-gem-in-the-ocean","html_content":"

We’ve all been there before: an hour or more of drowning in social media, our minds turned to mush by clip after clip after clip. The content, much of which is disconnected from whatever came before it, grants just enoug...

","url":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/opal---the-best-gem-in-the-ocean","title":"Opal - The Best Gem in the Ocean","summary":"We’ve all been there before: an hour or more of drowning in social media, our minds turned to mush by clip after clip after clip. The content, much of which is disconnected from whatever came before it, grants just enoug...","date_modified":"2026-04-30T23:46:28Z"},{"id":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/i-lost-my-landmine---ray-bradbury-the-power-of-writing-prompts","html_content":"

“Every morning I jump out of bed and step on a landmine. The landmine is me.”

","url":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/i-lost-my-landmine---ray-bradbury-the-power-of-writing-prompts","title":"I Lost My Landmine - Ray Bradbury & the Power of Writing Prompts","summary":"“Every morning I jump out of bed and step on a landmine. The landmine is me.”","date_modified":"2026-03-26T11:44:32Z"},{"id":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/green-is-the-color-of-sight","html_content":"

For 11 consecutive years, I’ve camped each spring or fall with a group of veterans who are also my friends. We reserve several sites on a campground in the Catskills and spend four-and-a-half days together, fishing, play...

","url":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/green-is-the-color-of-sight","title":"Green is the Color of Sight","summary":"For 11 consecutive years, I’ve camped each spring or fall with a group of veterans who are also my friends. We reserve several sites on a campground in the Catskills and spend four-and-a-half days together, fishing, play...","date_modified":"2025-08-31T21:26:07Z"},{"id":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/sleep-%E2%80%93-you-need-it-so-get-good-at-it","html_content":"

It’s been a spell since I last posted, but I have a good topic for today: what I’m doing to get the best sleep I can. I implemented a new sleep routine and it has already yielded positive benefits to my slumber. It’s ear...

","url":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/sleep-%E2%80%93-you-need-it-so-get-good-at-it","title":"Sleep – You Need It, So Get Good at It","summary":"It’s been a spell since I last posted, but I have a good topic for today: what I’m doing to get the best sleep I can. I implemented a new sleep routine and it has already yielded positive benefits to my slumber. It’s ear...","date_modified":"2025-03-24T01:11:55Z"},{"id":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/the-great-composers-%E2%80%93-sergei-rachmaninoff","html_content":"

Earlier this month, I discovered a new podcast – The Great Composers from Colorado Public Radio. During its short-lived run – only 15 episodes, so sad! – the hosts covered two of the all-time greats: Mozart and Rachmanin...

","url":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/the-great-composers-%E2%80%93-sergei-rachmaninoff","title":"The Great Composers – Sergei Rachmaninoff","summary":"Earlier this month, I discovered a new podcast – The Great Composers from Colorado Public Radio. During its short-lived run – only 15 episodes, so sad! – the hosts covered two of the all-time greats: Mozart and Rachmanin...","date_modified":"2024-03-24T20:20:44Z"},{"id":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/children-of-the-bedtime-machine-by-robert-mccammon","html_content":"

The streak continues! I’m now at three weeks straight of finding my weekly reflections in one piece of my life. And what a wonderful piece it is: Robert McCammon’s delightful short story, “Children of the Bedtime Machine...

","url":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/children-of-the-bedtime-machine-by-robert-mccammon","title":"\"Children of the Bedtime Machine\" by Robert McCammon","summary":"The streak continues! I’m now at three weeks straight of finding my weekly reflections in one piece of my life. And what a wonderful piece it is: Robert McCammon’s delightful short story, “Children of the Bedtime Machine...","date_modified":"2024-02-26T01:02:54Z"},{"id":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/write-club","html_content":"

This week, my writing group restarted our workshop sessions. Our group, called Write Club (clearly, I’m not following the first rule of Write Club 😉), had not met in some time, so it was great to resume our regular sess...

","url":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/write-club","title":"Write Club","summary":"This week, my writing group restarted our workshop sessions. Our group, called Write Club (clearly, I’m not following the first rule of Write Club 😉), had not met in some time, so it was great to resume our regular sess...","date_modified":"2024-02-18T21:02:09Z"},{"id":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/a-place-of-magic","html_content":"

Unlike last week, I’m not in an exotic place as I write this week’s reflection. However, I did spend some during the week writing in my favorite bookstore – R.J. Julia Booksellers of Madison, Connecticut. I traveled ther...

","url":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/a-place-of-magic","title":"A Place of Magic","summary":"Unlike last week, I’m not in an exotic place as I write this week’s reflection. However, I did spend some during the week writing in my favorite bookstore – R.J. Julia Booksellers of Madison, Connecticut. I traveled ther...","date_modified":"2024-02-11T20:45:36Z"},{"id":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/chatgpt-the-lieutenant-by-andre-dubus-and-mattress-shopping","html_content":"

Another week has finished, and I’m writing this reflection on a train. Each key stroke is a challenge because the rattle and rumble of the train jars my laptop left and right. Earlier in the trip, as we arrived in a city...

","url":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/chatgpt-the-lieutenant-by-andre-dubus-and-mattress-shopping","title":"ChatGPT, The Lieutenant by Andre Dubus, and Mattress Shopping","summary":"Another week has finished, and I’m writing this reflection on a train. Each key stroke is a challenge because the rattle and rumble of the train jars my laptop left and right. Earlier in the trip, as we arrived in a city...","date_modified":"2024-02-05T02:45:28Z"},{"id":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/weekly-reflections-%E2%80%93-the-first-of-many","html_content":"

Today’s post is the first of my weekly reflections! Each week for the rest of the year, I aim to write a short summary of the lessons I’ve learned from my writing, reading, and wellness practices. The purpose of these re...

","url":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/weekly-reflections-%E2%80%93-the-first-of-many","title":"Weekly Reflections – The First of Many","summary":"Today’s post is the first of my weekly reflections! Each week for the rest of the year, I aim to write a short summary of the lessons I’ve learned from my writing, reading, and wellness practices. The purpose of these re...","date_modified":"2024-01-29T01:47:52Z"},{"id":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/the-weeks-of-my-life","html_content":"

In late 2022, I read a post online about a stoic practice called memento mori (the post I read is lost to time, but here’s a good one from Daily Stoic). Memento mori, which is Latin for “remember death”, refers to an anc...

","url":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/the-weeks-of-my-life","title":"The Weeks of My Life","summary":"In late 2022, I read a post online about a stoic practice called memento mori (the post I read is lost to time, but here’s a good one from Daily Stoic). Memento mori, which is Latin for “remember death”, refers to an anc...","date_modified":"2024-01-21T18:38:22Z"},{"id":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/at-year%E2%80%99s-end-%E2%80%93-where-i%E2%80%99m-at-and-where-i%E2%80%99m-going","html_content":"

The last true update I posted for my writing and reading goals was back in July. You may recall that I got sidetracked by a family emergency soon thereafter and had difficulty reorienting myself to my productive routine....

","url":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/at-year%E2%80%99s-end-%E2%80%93-where-i%E2%80%99m-at-and-where-i%E2%80%99m-going","title":"At Year’s End – Where I’m At and Where I’m Going","summary":"The last true update I posted for my writing and reading goals was back in July. You may recall that I got sidetracked by a family emergency soon thereafter and had difficulty reorienting myself to my productive routine....","date_modified":"2023-12-31T21:47:51Z"},{"id":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/unlocking-story-potential-red-dragon-and-the-lock-structure-2","html_content":"

“‘I don’t think you want to wait here in the Keys and read about the next one in your Miami Herald. Hell, I’m not the pope, I’m not saying what you ought to do, but I want to ask you, do you respect my judgment, Will?’

","url":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/unlocking-story-potential-red-dragon-and-the-lock-structure-2","title":"Unlocking Story Potential: Red Dragon and the LOCK Structure (#2)","summary":"“‘I don’t think you want to wait here in the Keys and read about the next one in your Miami Herald. Hell, I’m not the pope, I’m not saying what you ought to do, but I want to ask you, do you respect my judgment, Will?’","date_modified":"2023-11-30T12:17:31Z"},{"id":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/do-your-most-important-thing-first-each-day","html_content":"

That makes sense, right? You hit the alarm, cast off the covers, and jump right into whatever is most important to you: writing, drawing, music, coding, business, you name it. Within an hour, you’re like a rocket to Mars...

","url":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/do-your-most-important-thing-first-each-day","title":"Do Your Most Important Thing First Each Day","summary":"That makes sense, right? You hit the alarm, cast off the covers, and jump right into whatever is most important to you: writing, drawing, music, coding, business, you name it. Within an hour, you’re like a rocket to Mars...","date_modified":"2023-10-31T10:42:46Z"},{"id":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/back-on-trackso-far","html_content":"

July began with a great fire for writing but didn’t end that way. Unfortunately, a family vacation late in the month turned into a family emergency, and I backed off from writing to help. My time away from writing lasted...

","url":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/back-on-trackso-far","title":"Back on Track...So Far","summary":"July began with a great fire for writing but didn’t end that way. Unfortunately, a family vacation late in the month turned into a family emergency, and I backed off from writing to help. My time away from writing lasted...","date_modified":"2023-10-01T02:06:25Z"},{"id":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/when-i-said-weekend-i-meant-tuesday","html_content":"

This weekend flashed by me like a burst of heat lightning: I blinked, and it was gone. June was like that, too. I know it existed since I accomplished many things during it, but it still feels like a flicker of time rath...

","url":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/when-i-said-weekend-i-meant-tuesday","title":"When I Said Weekend, I Meant Tuesday","summary":"This weekend flashed by me like a burst of heat lightning: I blinked, and it was gone. June was like that, too. I know it existed since I accomplished many things during it, but it still feels like a flicker of time rath...","date_modified":"2023-07-04T20:17:09Z"},{"id":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/the-power-of-price-pacts","html_content":"

Earlier this year, I signed a contract with myself: deliver on my writing goals or pay a penalty to the federal government (way more than it’s due!). The effect on my productivity was immediate; not only did I write more...

","url":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/the-power-of-price-pacts","title":"The Power of Price Pacts","summary":"Earlier this year, I signed a contract with myself: deliver on my writing goals or pay a penalty to the federal government (way more than it’s due!). The effect on my productivity was immediate; not only did I write more...","date_modified":"2023-06-30T22:23:03Z"},{"id":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/ill-procrastinate-tomorrow","html_content":"

That right there is my new focus: to put off procrastinating until another day. And since it comes so easily to me, I’m certain I’ll succeed. 😉 Kidding aside, May was a tough month. From the title, you probably guessed ...

","url":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/ill-procrastinate-tomorrow","title":"I'll Procrastinate Tomorrow","summary":"That right there is my new focus: to put off procrastinating until another day. And since it comes so easily to me, I’m certain I’ll succeed. 😉 Kidding aside, May was a tough month. From the title, you probably guessed ...","date_modified":"2023-06-01T03:36:25Z"},{"id":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/my-1000000th-word","html_content":"

Last month, I achieved a new milestone: I wrote my 1,000,000th word since I began tracking my word count in 2018. There was little fanfare to mark the occasion (those who know me will not be surprised). I simply rocketed...

","url":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/my-1000000th-word","title":"My 1,000,000th Word","summary":"Last month, I achieved a new milestone: I wrote my 1,000,000th word since I began tracking my word count in 2018. There was little fanfare to mark the occasion (those who know me will not be surprised). I simply rocketed...","date_modified":"2023-04-30T20:16:10Z"},{"id":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/raising-the-stakes-why-i-put-a-price-on-failure","html_content":"

Another year is gone and, again, I failed to achieve my writing goals. My failure wasn’t due to a lack of clarity – the goals I chose at the end of last year were composed in a neat and accessible list – nor was it cause...

","url":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/raising-the-stakes-why-i-put-a-price-on-failure","title":"Raising the Stakes: Why I Put a Price on Failure","summary":"Another year is gone and, again, I failed to achieve my writing goals. My failure wasn’t due to a lack of clarity – the goals I chose at the end of last year were composed in a neat and accessible list – nor was it cause...","date_modified":"2023-03-07T12:21:02Z"},{"id":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/write-early-write-often","html_content":"

The day began with promise. I’d had a long and restful sleep, and an uncreaky rise from bed. There was sunshine, a sense of movement, and the white-cold splash of water on my skin. I fixed coffee afterwards, watched its ...

","url":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/write-early-write-often","title":"Write Early, Write Often","summary":"The day began with promise. I’d had a long and restful sleep, and an uncreaky rise from bed. There was sunshine, a sense of movement, and the white-cold splash of water on my skin. I fixed coffee afterwards, watched its ...","date_modified":"2022-07-10T12:53:00Z"},{"id":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/you-can-learn-a-lot-about-writing-from-throwing-an-axe","html_content":"

A bullseye, dead center. The sound of the axe sinking into the wood hums in your head. A moment’s pause and your friend launches his own at the target, the axe-head flip-flip-flipping before it thonks into the painted ri...

","url":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/you-can-learn-a-lot-about-writing-from-throwing-an-axe","title":"You Can Learn a Lot About Writing from Throwing an Axe","summary":"A bullseye, dead center. The sound of the axe sinking into the wood hums in your head. A moment’s pause and your friend launches his own at the target, the axe-head flip-flip-flipping before it thonks into the painted ri...","date_modified":"2022-06-27T10:53:03Z"},{"id":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/unlocking-story-potential-red-dragon-and-the-lock-structure-1","html_content":"

“‘I don’t want to talk about it anywhere, Jack. You’ve got to talk about it, so let’s have it. Just don’t get out any pictures. If you brought pictures, leave them in the briefcase – Molly and Willy will be back soon.” (...

","url":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/unlocking-story-potential-red-dragon-and-the-lock-structure-1","title":"Unlocking Story Potential: Red Dragon and the LOCK Structure (#1)","summary":"“‘I don’t want to talk about it anywhere, Jack. You’ve got to talk about it, so let’s have it. Just don’t get out any pictures. If you brought pictures, leave them in the briefcase – Molly and Willy will be back soon.” (...","date_modified":"2022-05-23T01:53:10Z"},{"id":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/writing-my-dreams","html_content":"

“If you open your mind for me / You won’t rely on open eyes to see / The walls you built within / Come tumbling down, and a new world will begin”

","url":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/writing-my-dreams","title":"Writing My Dreams","summary":"“If you open your mind for me / You won’t rely on open eyes to see / The walls you built within / Come tumbling down, and a new world will begin”","date_modified":"2021-09-06T13:44:19Z"},{"id":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/on-steinbecks-journal-of-a-novel","html_content":"

Though I know little of John Steinbeck and his work – I’ve read and enjoyed The Pearl, but no other of his stories – I’ve found reading his thoughts on writing in Journal of a Novel to be of great help to my work. Compri...

","url":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/on-steinbecks-journal-of-a-novel","title":"On Steinbeck's Journal of a Novel","summary":"Though I know little of John Steinbeck and his work – I’ve read and enjoyed The Pearl, but no other of his stories – I’ve found reading his thoughts on writing in Journal of a Novel to be of great help to my work. Compri...","date_modified":"2021-07-19T02:41:02Z"},{"id":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/if-i-am-to-succeed-in-writing","html_content":"

“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; there is where they should be. Now put foundations under them.”

","url":"https://michaellang.co/journals/f/if-i-am-to-succeed-in-writing","title":"If I Am to Succeed in Writing","summary":"“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; there is where they should be. Now put foundations under them.”","date_modified":"2021-07-19T02:21:50Z"}]}