Plot Twist

the one about first lines

Why obsessing over your story’s opening sentence matters, and how to get it right.

Oct 16 • 

Josh Rivera Jiménez

5

7

September 2025

Worst Pitch of the Week: Stop with the AI pitches

I, too, could ask the robot for story ideas.

Sep 5 • 

Josh Rivera Jiménez

13

August 2025

the one about being a tourist

Take it from someone who has only lived in popular destination, it's OK to be (and look like) a tourist.

Aug 17 • 

Josh Rivera Jiménez

1

8

July 2025

Worst Pitch of the Week: Context to follow ups

My words were twisted! But that's fine.

Jul 15 • 

Josh Rivera Jiménez

9

4

June 2025

the one about 'thing' and paltry translations

Even if it sounds vague, context can carry more weight than the words themselves.

Jun 29 • 

Josh Rivera Jiménez

1

Worst pitch of the week: Follow ups

Follow-ups are tricky—but here’s when to hit send, when to chill, and how your subject line can save you.

Jun 4 • 

Josh Rivera Jiménez

1

the one where i wrote an entire manuscript knowing it was wrong

Here’s why pushing through a doomed manuscript still felt like the smartest move I could make.

Jun 2 • 

Josh Rivera Jiménez

2

2

May 2025

Worst pitch of the week: Low effort stories

A pitch with promise turned into a scavenger hunt—and a lesson in how not to overcomplicate a “quick win” story.

May 7 • 

Josh Rivera Jiménez

6

3

April 2025

the one about glimpses of goodness

A reminder that kindness still matters (even in a Pokémon card trade)

Apr 14 • 

Josh Rivera Jiménez

1

2

March 2025

Worst pitch of the week: Timing

No screenshot on this one because it was a lot of the same issue.

Mar 26 • 

Josh Rivera Jiménez

4

2

the one about cringing at old work

We should be so lucky to keep looking back and cringing.

Mar 10 • 

Josh Rivera Jiménez

1

February 2025

Worst pitch of the week: Subject lines

Clear wins over "funny" every time.

Feb 26 • 

Josh Rivera Jiménez

4

1