J.R. Johnson

Genius is Overrated

November 9, 2025 by J.R. Johnson

One thing I like about posting every day is that, in my mind at least, this process becomes less about perfection and more like a conversation.

If I forget something, I can come back the next day and add it in. If I want to digress, it’s no big deal. And if I don’t feel like writing anything very involved, I can give you a quote and a pretty picture but I still post something.

Stakes are lowered, and the emphasis is on consistency, not genius. (What is “genius” anyway? The post that strikes you as incredible may land flat for someone else, and that’s fine. I can’t worry about that, I need to stay focused on writing.)

For me, that’s the key here. Write something. Say something. Do it again.

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Posted in Writing | Leave a Comment »

Writing Time

November 8, 2025 by J.R. Johnson

“The right time is any time that one is still so lucky as to have.”

— Henry James

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Posted in Writing | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, creativity, Thoughts, Writers, writing | 1 Comment »

Really, I Just Like Saying “Loot”

November 7, 2025 by J.R. Johnson

When I hear a story like “crown jewels stolen in brazen theft,” my first thought tends to be “Now what?” (Ok, my first thought was, wait, France still has crown jewels? And then the other thing.)

I have zero interest in actual theft, but you never know when this sort of information might come in handy for fiction. That’s where experts come in. Here’s a law professor and specialist in art crimes on that very subject.

You’ve just stolen a priceless artifact – what happens next?

The high-profile heist at the Louvre in Paris on Oct 19, 2025, played out like a scene from a Hollywood movie: a gang of thieves steal an assortment of dazzling royal jewels on display at one of the world’s most famous museums.

But with the authorities hot in pursuit, the robbers still have more work to do: How can they capitalize on their haul?

And here’s another professor on what might happen to this particular loot.

What will happen to the Louvre jewellery after the heist? There are two likely scenarios

The stolen jewellery includes well-known pieces that are easily recognisable. This will make it difficult, if not impossible, to sell them on the black market, even to well-heeled collectors and buyers.

(Oh, and given post-heist updates, I’d probably add “Don’t drop the loot and / or leave DNA behind” to this list of handy suggestions.)

Perhaps this will help you think about a (fictional!) story.

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Posted in Writing | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, #DontTryThisAtHome, Writers, writing | Leave a Comment »

Another Type of Magic

November 6, 2025 by J.R. Johnson

“The closest thing we can get to a crystal ball is history.”

— Jennifer Lawrence

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Posted in Other | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, inspiration, Thoughts | Leave a Comment »

Yours in Syzygy

November 5, 2025 by J.R. Johnson

Tonight, friends, we have yet another supermoon, the brightest of the year. This month is the Beaver Moon.

The biggest, brightest Supermoon of 2025 rises Tuesday night – The Weather Network

Overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, November 4-5, the Sun, Earth, and Moon will align in syzygy, with the Earth-facing side of the Moon fully illuminated by the Sun.

So last night, tonight, and tomorrow all showcase the moon at its best. I don’t know about you, but I do not get tired of that big bright ball in the sky getting even bigger and brighter.

If you don’t either, look up!

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Posted in Science! | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, space, supermoon | Leave a Comment »

Sally Forth!

November 4, 2025 by J.R. Johnson

It’s Election Day in the US! Want to have a say in your community and its policies, in who represents you and for what? Voting is all this and more.

Haven’t voted yet? There’s still lots of time.

Need info on where or how to vote? These sites have you covered:

I Will Vote

VOTE411

And if you have additional questions or run into issues, there’s also this election protection hotline (complete with memorable phone numbers!): 866ourvote.org

English 866-OUR-VOTE: 866-687-8683

Spanish/English 888-VE-Y-VOTA: 888-839-8682

Asian Languages/English 888-API-VOTE: 888-274-8683

Arabic/English 844-YALLA-US: 844-925-5287

Sally forth, citizens, and be heard!

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Posted in Other | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, citizenship, community, election day, Thoughts, voting | Leave a Comment »

(I’ll Try to) Use Wisely

November 3, 2025 by J.R. Johnson

“The gifts you possess can lift you up or pull you down; it all depends on how you use them.”

— Arthur C. Brooks

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Posted in Writing | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, creativity, Thoughts, Writers | Leave a Comment »

Nothing, and Everything

November 2, 2025 by J.R. Johnson

My office is filled with random yet interesting items. Maybe a color caught my eye, or a puzzle, or a map (or a bit of pottery, a magic wand, a decoder ring, a set of travel watercolors, or or or). All things that spark my creativity or capture an experience I want to remember.

For example: Mr Man and I had a special dinner a while back.

Appetizer: mussels steamed with a great deal of garlic and a perfectly reasonable amount of white wine.

Flavor: excellent.

Bonus: an unexpected gift, the tiniest pearl I have ever seen.

Taking a picture of it was a challenge, it’s that small.