Russ Black
russblack.bsky.social
Russ Black
@russblack.bsky.social
Writer
Video editor
Dive bar drinker
Rhode Island, New York City, Cleveland, Ohio
Email: [email protected]
Five weeks of repose.
Now the second draft of LIGHTS.
Working the big chunks first.

#writing #wip #seconddraft #writingcommunity #horror
January 16, 2026 at 11:49 PM
Originally posted 12.11.2025

Holy hell – finished first draft of first novel.
If I couldn't remember the past nine years I wouldn't believe it.
Wrote five practice novels trying to find my style & what worked.
Today is a win.

#firstdraftdone #Writing #Wip #WritingCommunity #finishedmanuscript
January 8, 2026 at 3:10 PM
"Well, I won't back down
No, I won't back down
You could stand me up at the gates of Hell,
But I won't back down.
No, I'll stand my ground,
Won't be turned around.
And I'll keep this world from draggin' me down -
Gonna stand my ground."

I Won't Back Down
#TomPetty and the Heartbreakers, 1989.
January 8, 2026 at 3:07 PM
Have a FANTASTIC New Year!

(Hanging out with nephews, decided to draw Reed with nod to Dale Eaglesham style)

#FantasticFour #ReedRichards #MisterFantastic #Marvel #Illustration #CouncilofReeds #UltimateNullifier #MCU #InfinityGauntlet
January 8, 2026 at 3:07 PM
Watched 4 movies:
Ready or Not, 2019
Mickey 17, 2025
Babes in Toyland, 1934
Miracle on 34th Street, 1947

#SamaraWeavingCallMe
January 8, 2026 at 3:06 PM
January 8, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Unintentional research:
met Albanian woman in hospital who said she was possessed by a demon.

We talked. She liked talking to me because I'm "sweet and nonjudgmental."

Woman Possessed
Peter Paine, 1974
January 8, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Spending time with the nephews. Sometimes crayon holiday drawings get out of control.
January 8, 2026 at 3:04 PM
There's a lover in my heart
Killer in my hands
Whiskey on my breath

Someone handed me a ladder
And for the longest time
I've been climbing

to the bottom of it.

Three Nights
#BlackFlag, 1984
January 8, 2026 at 3:04 PM
This evening's writing space was across the street from the bar.
January 8, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Wasn't planning on a trip this holiday, but I went and I'm glad I did...
It sucked so much, I have the plotline for my next book!
#writingcommunity #WIP #writing #author #writer #bookcommunity #horror
January 8, 2026 at 3:03 PM
"I've been splittin' 8's
'n' hittin' straights
in the cardrooms of the world
Chasin' skirt
and gettin' hurt
but now I got card playin' girl

Man she gets excited
when the deal
don't come out right,
It's time to switch to whiskey we been drinkin' beer all night"

Time To Switch
#CorbLund, 2002
January 8, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Most of my book has been written in parking lots.
I recall this trend for writers, sharing their writing spot with a photo... mine would be a parking lot – any parking lot.
#WritingCommunity #Editor #LiteraryAgent
January 8, 2026 at 3:02 PM
A-TEAM sketch.
I was waiting on hold.
#ATEAM #BABARACUS #FACE #HANNIBAL #MURDOC
January 8, 2026 at 3:02 PM
After one day of gathering ideas, one day of overtime, and one day of sleeping, me and the words are back!

Got in 2000 words on a scene I didn't know was coming.

"Thank you, Miss Violet."

#Writing #WIP #WritingCommunity#Manuscript #Editor #LiteraryAgent #BookPublisher
January 8, 2026 at 3:00 PM
I'm looking to connect with literary agents interested in:
"Supernatural Horror / Psychological Thriller"

Any recommendations (with searchable links / evidence) ?

#writingcommunity #literaryagent #WIP
#SupernaturalHorror #PsychologicalThriller #Publisher #Editor #Writer
January 8, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Yesterday was one of a few rest days in the past month from writing.

I wasn't sure about resting and letting ideas percolate, mainly because of the fear of not continuing - losing momentum.

Turns out it was useful.
I got a lot of new stuff.

#WritingCommunity #Editors #Agents #Publishers
January 8, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Approaching the halfway point on the first draft.
Its exciting.
Consistency is key for me.
#writing #wip #author #writingcommunity #readingcommunity #manuscript #editor #literaryagent #publisher #suspense #thriller #horror
January 8, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Today was rough going.
It was hard to start and get into the flow, but by the end I had out 2.5K

Someone else said it, but it's true for me: "Every day - good or bad, show up and do the time. Something is bound to happen."

#writingcommunity #writers
#Booksky
January 8, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Paul Gauguin
D'où venons-nous? Que sommes-nous? Où allons-nous?, 1914.

My friend Sharon made Gauguin more interesting than art school had, w/ mushrooms, weed, & big book of color plates

#Art #Artwork #PaulGauguin #ArtLivingRentFree #Painting #MetaphysicalArt #symbolicart #Tahiti #Fauvism #Sauvage
January 8, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Question: Why do you write?
Answer: I hate people, so...
January 8, 2026 at 2:57 PM
I had a couple Avengers Marvel reprints. Always loved this cover.
At the time, I wanted to follow up with the "Masters of Evil" cover - Superfriends vs. Legion of Doom.
Maybe Dolphin will make that cover remake ;)
January 8, 2026 at 2:57 PM
I grew up with those late 70s super friends, the non-white ones. Even though they were bad stereotypes, I liked them, especially Black Vulcan, El Dorado, and Apache Chief.

I did this as tribute.
#Avengers #SuperFriends #ElDorado #BlackVulcan #ApacheChief #Samurai #Comic bookArt #Art
January 8, 2026 at 2:56 PM
I had a great spat of writing this morning. Trying to stay consistent – consistently writing instead of consistently not.

#Writing #WritingCommunity #ReadingCommunity #WIP
January 8, 2026 at 2:56 PM
January 8, 2026 at 2:55 PM