MJOrtmeier
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mjortmeier.com
MJOrtmeier
@mjortmeier.com
Nom de plume de Michael & Julie, author on the verge of greatness. Any second now…
Pinned
It’s been so long since posting like this, I forgot the hashtags! #writingcommunity #author #selfpublishing
Finally beginning the process of self-publishing after dozens of queries. I hear Reedsy is a good resource for all aspects, from cover design to marketing help.

Anyone have other suggestions?
Every Lie We Told Part III: The Downward Spiral

In Every Lie We Told Part III: The Downward Spiral, gravity takes over as Mark and Jen fight to hold on.
Every Lie We Told Part III: The Downward Spiral
In Every Lie We Told Part III: The Downward Spiral, gravity takes over as Mark and Jen fight to hold on.
mjortmeier.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Every Lie We Told: Animals

Every Lie We Told Part II - Animals Desire. Jealousy. Guilt. Part II steps into that wilderness where instinct blurs with intention. Where love, once gentle, begins to bare its teeth. This line by Paul Verlain and Arthur Rimbaud captures the ache of wanting what cannot…
Every Lie We Told: Animals
Every Lie We Told Part II - Animals Desire. Jealousy. Guilt. Part II steps into that wilderness where instinct blurs with intention. Where love, once gentle, begins to bare its teeth. This line by Paul Verlain and Arthur Rimbaud captures the ache of wanting what cannot coexist with peace. It's a space Mark has deliberately built for himself, one he strides into with confidence, pausing only when his intellect whispers a warning.
mjortmeier.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:15 PM
A cracked golden lamp, a flicker of light, and Rumi’s words on love’s endurance.

Every Lie We Told by M.J. Ortmeier begins with Part I – Days Gone By.

#EveryLieWeTold #MJOrtmeier #RumiQuote #UpmarketRomance #BookLaunch
Every Lie We Told: Days Gone By
A glimmer through cracked glass. Rumi reminds us that love endures almost anything. Every Lie We Told begins with that fragile light.
mjortmeier.com
October 26, 2025 at 7:24 PM
A Blank Screen

I opened Word and saw something I haven’t seen in a while. Tabula Rasa. A blank page. Do I still remember how to start one? It feels like we’ve been doing nothing for a whole decade but editing the story of Mark and Jen, and the slow unraveling of their marriage. Which is kind of…
A Blank Screen
I opened Word and saw something I haven’t seen in a while. Tabula Rasa. A blank page. Do I still remember how to start one? It feels like we’ve been doing nothing for a whole decade but editing the story of Mark and Jen, and the slow unraveling of their marriage. Which is kind of true. We started Every Lie We Told in 2017.
mjortmeier.com
October 25, 2025 at 6:23 PM
A Reformed Stripper

WARNING: TITLE IS CLICKBAIT!!! Part of my job is to return unsold books to a distributor, and one of my favorite parts of this task–for more than one reason–used to be stripping the covers off the paperbacks that have the little “s” in a triangle near the barcode. That symbol…
A Reformed Stripper
WARNING: TITLE IS CLICKBAIT!!! Part of my job is to return unsold books to a distributor, and one of my favorite parts of this task–for more than one reason–used to be stripping the covers off the paperbacks that have the little “s” in a triangle near the barcode. That symbol means the book is “strippable.” Thence, the stripping. Often, co-workers from different departments stop by my desk to ask with great concern why I’m doing that.
mjortmeier.com
October 23, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Writing Tips From a Disorganized Mind

I specifically remember lying on my stomach on the bed in my room as a teenager, staring at a blank piece of paper (yes, actual paper and a pencil). My favorite writing surface in this position was one of the big “Illustrated Stories from the Book of Mormon”…
Writing Tips From a Disorganized Mind
I specifically remember lying on my stomach on the bed in my room as a teenager, staring at a blank piece of paper (yes, actual paper and a pencil). My favorite writing surface in this position was one of the big “Illustrated Stories from the Book of Mormon” books, specifically the one where the puma is about to leap out of a tree onto Lehi or Moroni–or whoever–strolling along in his belted tunic and sandals.
mjortmeier.com
October 22, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Peace and Quiet in the Time of Pandemic

On one side of the breakroom in the television station where I work is a wall of floor to ceiling windows that lend it plentiful sunlight. Even on cloudy days or after dark, it’s a peaceful place to hang out when I need a connection to the outside world. As…
Peace and Quiet in the Time of Pandemic
On one side of the breakroom in the television station where I work is a wall of floor to ceiling windows that lend it plentiful sunlight. Even on cloudy days or after dark, it’s a peaceful place to hang out when I need a connection to the outside world. As a newscast director, I use a lot of expensive, high-tech equipment that doesn’t play nice in sunlight.
mjortmeier.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Planning the Spontaneous

“Writing Twitter’s” December Hot Topic of 2019 is pantsing versus plotting—writing by the seat of your pants as opposed to outlining the story before beginning to write. If you saw the first draft of this post, you’d know I’m a pantser, which, given what I’m telling about…
Planning the Spontaneous
“Writing Twitter’s” December Hot Topic of 2019 is pantsing versus plotting—writing by the seat of your pants as opposed to outlining the story before beginning to write. If you saw the first draft of this post, you’d know I’m a pantser, which, given what I’m telling about myself, is ironic. It doesn’t matter either way,… Continue reading Planning the Spontaneous
mjortmeier.com
October 6, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Black Mirror Glaze

Black Mirror Glaze The evidence is gone, the error consumed. Only the following written account remains. We were watching British Baking Show when Michael said he liked mirror glaze cake. He didn’t ask me for one, or say that he would…

https://mjortmeier.com/black-mirror-glaze/
September 11, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Polka Dots

Curabitur sodales ligula in libero. Sed dignissim lacinia nunc. Curabitur tortor. Pellentesque nibh. Aenean quam. In scelerisque sem at dolor. Maecenas mattis. Sed convallis tristique sem. Proin ut ligula vel nunc egestas porttitor. Morbi lectus risus, iaculis vel, suscipit quis, luctus…
Polka Dots
Curabitur sodales ligula in libero. Sed dignissim lacinia nunc. Curabitur tortor. Pellentesque nibh. Aenean quam. In scelerisque sem at dolor. Maecenas mattis. Sed convallis tristique sem. Proin ut ligula vel nunc egestas porttitor. Morbi lectus risus, iaculis vel, suscipit quis, luctus non, massa. Fusce ac turpis quis ligula lacinia aliquet. Mauris ipsum nulla metus metus ullamcorper.
mjortmeier.com
September 4, 2025 at 8:11 PM
1 Dress 3 Looks

Curabitur sodales ligula in libero. Sed dignissim lacinia nunc. Curabitur tortor. Pellentesque nibh. Aenean quam. In scelerisque sem at dolor. Maecenas mattis. Sed convallis tristique sem. Proin ut ligula vel nunc egestas porttitor. Morbi lectus risus, iaculis vel, suscipit quis,…
1 Dress 3 Looks
Curabitur sodales ligula in libero. Sed dignissim lacinia nunc. Curabitur tortor. Pellentesque nibh. Aenean quam. In scelerisque sem at dolor. Maecenas mattis. Sed convallis tristique sem. Proin ut ligula vel nunc egestas porttitor. Morbi lectus risus, iaculis vel, suscipit quis, luctus non, massa. Fusce ac turpis quis ligula lacinia aliquet. Mauris ipsum nulla metus metus ullamcorper.
mjortmeier.com
September 4, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Sneak The Style Out

Curabitur sodales ligula in libero. Sed dignissim lacinia nunc. Curabitur tortor. Pellentesque nibh. Aenean quam. In scelerisque sem at dolor. Maecenas mattis. Sed convallis tristique sem. Proin ut ligula vel nunc egestas porttitor. Morbi lectus risus, iaculis vel, suscipit…
Sneak The Style Out
Curabitur sodales ligula in libero. Sed dignissim lacinia nunc. Curabitur tortor. Pellentesque nibh. Aenean quam. In scelerisque sem at dolor. Maecenas mattis. Sed convallis tristique sem. Proin ut ligula vel nunc egestas porttitor. Morbi lectus risus, iaculis vel, suscipit quis, luctus non, massa. Fusce ac turpis quis ligula lacinia aliquet. Mauris ipsum nulla metus metus ullamcorper.
mjortmeier.com
September 4, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Bohemian Style

Curabitur sodales ligula in libero. Sed dignissim lacinia nunc. Curabitur tortor. Pellentesque nibh. Aenean quam. In scelerisque sem at dolor. Maecenas mattis. Sed convallis tristique sem. Proin ut ligula vel nunc egestas porttitor. Morbi lectus risus, iaculis vel, suscipit quis,…
Bohemian Style
Curabitur sodales ligula in libero. Sed dignissim lacinia nunc. Curabitur tortor. Pellentesque nibh. Aenean quam. In scelerisque sem at dolor. Maecenas mattis. Sed convallis tristique sem. Proin ut ligula vel nunc egestas porttitor. Morbi lectus risus, iaculis vel, suscipit quis, luctus non, massa. Fusce ac turpis quis ligula lacinia aliquet. Mauris ipsum nulla metus metus ullamcorper.
mjortmeier.com
September 4, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Beauty Over Money

Curabitur sodales ligula in libero. Sed dignissim lacinia nunc. Curabitur tortor. Pellentesque nibh. Aenean quam. In scelerisque sem at dolor. Maecenas mattis. Sed convallis tristique sem. Proin ut ligula vel nunc egestas porttitor. Morbi lectus risus, iaculis vel, suscipit quis,…
Beauty Over Money
Curabitur sodales ligula in libero. Sed dignissim lacinia nunc. Curabitur tortor. Pellentesque nibh. Aenean quam. In scelerisque sem at dolor. Maecenas mattis. Sed convallis tristique sem. Proin ut ligula vel nunc egestas porttitor. Morbi lectus risus, iaculis vel, suscipit quis, luctus non, massa. Fusce ac turpis quis ligula lacinia aliquet. Mauris ipsum nulla metus metus ullamcorper.
mjortmeier.com
September 4, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Buy Less Choose Well

Curabitur sodales ligula in libero. Sed dignissim lacinia nunc. Curabitur tortor. Pellentesque nibh. Aenean quam. In scelerisque sem at dolor. Maecenas mattis. Sed convallis tristique sem. Proin ut ligula vel nunc egestas porttitor. Morbi lectus risus, iaculis vel, suscipit…
Buy Less Choose Well
Curabitur sodales ligula in libero. Sed dignissim lacinia nunc. Curabitur tortor. Pellentesque nibh. Aenean quam. In scelerisque sem at dolor. Maecenas mattis. Sed convallis tristique sem. Proin ut ligula vel nunc egestas porttitor. Morbi lectus risus, iaculis vel, suscipit quis, luctus non, massa. Fusce ac turpis quis ligula lacinia aliquet. Mauris ipsum nulla metus metus ullamcorper.
mjortmeier.com
August 28, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Polka Dots

Curabitur sodales ligula in libero. Sed dignissim lacinia nunc. Curabitur tortor. Pellentesque nibh. Aenean quam. In scelerisque sem at dolor. Maecenas mattis. Sed convallis tristique sem. Proin ut ligula vel nunc egestas porttitor. Morbi lectus risus, iaculis vel, suscipit quis, luctus…
Polka Dots
Curabitur sodales ligula in libero. Sed dignissim lacinia nunc. Curabitur tortor. Pellentesque nibh. Aenean quam. In scelerisque sem at dolor. Maecenas mattis. Sed convallis tristique sem. Proin ut ligula vel nunc egestas porttitor. Morbi lectus risus, iaculis vel, suscipit quis, luctus non, massa. Fusce ac turpis quis ligula lacinia aliquet. Mauris ipsum nulla metus metus ullamcorper.
mjortmeier.com
August 28, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Bohemian Style

Curabitur sodales ligula in libero. Sed dignissim lacinia nunc. Curabitur tortor. Pellentesque nibh. Aenean quam. In scelerisque sem at dolor. Maecenas mattis. Sed convallis tristique sem. Proin ut ligula vel nunc egestas porttitor. Morbi lectus risus, iaculis vel, suscipit quis,…
Bohemian Style
Curabitur sodales ligula in libero. Sed dignissim lacinia nunc. Curabitur tortor. Pellentesque nibh. Aenean quam. In scelerisque sem at dolor. Maecenas mattis. Sed convallis tristique sem. Proin ut ligula vel nunc egestas porttitor. Morbi lectus risus, iaculis vel, suscipit quis, luctus non, massa. Fusce ac turpis quis ligula lacinia aliquet. Mauris ipsum nulla metus metus ullamcorper.
mjortmeier.com
August 28, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Conubia nostra per inceptos himenaeos

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Integer nec odio. Praesent libero. Sed cursus ante dapibus diam. Sed nisi. Nulla quis sem at nibh elementum imperdiet. Duis sagittis ipsum. Praesent mauris. Fusce nec tellus sed augue semper porta.…
Conubia nostra per inceptos himenaeos
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Integer nec odio. Praesent libero. Sed cursus ante dapibus diam. Sed nisi. Nulla quis sem at nibh elementum imperdiet. Duis sagittis ipsum. Praesent mauris. Fusce nec tellus sed augue semper porta. Mauris massa. Vestibulum lacinia arcu eget nulla. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Curabitur sodales ligula in libero.
mjortmeier.com
August 24, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Pellentesque nibh aenean quam in scelerisque

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Integer nec odio. Praesent libero. Sed cursus ante dapibus diam. Sed nisi. Nulla quis sem at nibh elementum imperdiet. Duis sagittis ipsum. Praesent mauris. Fusce nec tellus sed augue semper…
Pellentesque nibh aenean quam in scelerisque
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Integer nec odio. Praesent libero. Sed cursus ante dapibus diam. Sed nisi. Nulla quis sem at nibh elementum imperdiet. Duis sagittis ipsum. Praesent mauris. Fusce nec tellus sed augue semper porta. Mauris massa. Vestibulum lacinia arcu eget nulla. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Curabitur sodales ligula in libero.
mjortmeier.com
August 24, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Nulla metus metus ullamcorper vel tincidunt

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Integer nec odio. Praesent libero. Sed cursus ante dapibus diam. Sed nisi. Nulla quis sem at nibh elementum imperdiet. Duis sagittis ipsum. Praesent mauris. Fusce nec tellus sed augue semper porta.…
Nulla metus metus ullamcorper vel tincidunt
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Integer nec odio. Praesent libero. Sed cursus ante dapibus diam. Sed nisi. Nulla quis sem at nibh elementum imperdiet. Duis sagittis ipsum. Praesent mauris. Fusce nec tellus sed augue semper porta. Mauris massa. Vestibulum lacinia arcu eget nulla. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Curabitur sodales ligula in libero.
mjortmeier.com
August 24, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Luctus non massa fusce ac turpis quis

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Integer nec odio. Praesent libero. Sed cursus ante dapibus diam. Sed nisi. Nulla quis sem at nibh elementum imperdiet. Duis sagittis ipsum. Praesent mauris. Fusce nec tellus sed augue semper porta.…
Luctus non massa fusce ac turpis quis
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Integer nec odio. Praesent libero. Sed cursus ante dapibus diam. Sed nisi. Nulla quis sem at nibh elementum imperdiet. Duis sagittis ipsum. Praesent mauris. Fusce nec tellus sed augue semper porta. Mauris massa. Vestibulum lacinia arcu eget nulla. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Curabitur sodales ligula in libero.
mjortmeier.com
August 24, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Cras metus sed aliquet risus a tortor

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Integer nec odio. Praesent libero. Sed cursus ante dapibus diam. Sed nisi. Nulla quis sem at nibh elementum imperdiet. Duis sagittis ipsum. Praesent mauris. Fusce nec tellus sed augue semper porta.…
Cras metus sed aliquet risus a tortor
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Integer nec odio. Praesent libero. Sed cursus ante dapibus diam. Sed nisi. Nulla quis sem at nibh elementum imperdiet. Duis sagittis ipsum. Praesent mauris. Fusce nec tellus sed augue semper porta. Mauris massa. Vestibulum lacinia arcu eget nulla. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Curabitur sodales ligula in libero.
mjortmeier.com
August 24, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Quis ligula lacinia aliquet mauris ipsum

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Integer nec odio. Praesent libero. Sed cursus ante dapibus diam. Sed nisi. Nulla quis sem at nibh elementum imperdiet. Duis sagittis ipsum. Praesent mauris. Fusce nec tellus sed augue semper porta.…
Quis ligula lacinia aliquet mauris ipsum
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Integer nec odio. Praesent libero. Sed cursus ante dapibus diam. Sed nisi. Nulla quis sem at nibh elementum imperdiet. Duis sagittis ipsum. Praesent mauris. Fusce nec tellus sed augue semper porta. Mauris massa. Vestibulum lacinia arcu eget nulla. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Curabitur sodales ligula in libero.
mjortmeier.com
August 24, 2025 at 7:03 PM
We write love stories with a scalpel in one hand and a match in the other—surgical, intimate, and a little bit dangerous. If you like your fiction emotionally layered, a little messy, and full of hard-earned hope, we’ll get along just fine. #writingcommunity #booksky
April 20, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Freshmen

Falling in love wasn't a choice. Staying in love is.
Freshmen
Falling in love wasn't a choice. Staying in love is.
mjortmeier.com
April 20, 2025 at 8:56 PM