@stevendbrewer@wandering.shop

Now that the dark days are upon us, I shared this a few weeks ago: https://stevendbrewer.com/strategy-for-dark-days-ahead/

The tl;dr is: (1) Try not to react to what they *say* they're going to do. They're going to say a lot. Stay focused on what they can actually do and push back against that. (2) Don't let them divide us. (3) Work together.

I only attended a single day at Arisia this year, but I participated in four panels and had a good time. https://stevendbrewer.com/there-and-back-again-an-arisia-story/

Read more about Tseluna and the others in *A Familiar Problem*, a dark, cozy fantasy coming out from Water Dragon Publishing later this spring. If you subscribe to my monthly mailing list, you can receive updates when it appears. https://author-sdbrewer.micro.blog/subscribe/

"You can make one in a dimension that has different physical rules."
"That doesn't make any sense! How is that possible? How can it exist here?"
She shrugged.
"Who c-c-cares!" Lord DarkSoul barked. "G-g-gimme that die so I c-c-can roll!" (4/4)
#wss366

"You can't have a 15-sided die. It's not possible. The number of edges, faces, and vertices don't add up."
"Sure you can," Tseluna said. "Here!"
She tossed him a weirdly shaped die.
"Wait! What?" he said, genuinely puzzled. "How does it even work?" He began counting faces. (3/4)

"Aww," she purred. "I'm sorry then. I guess you can't do it."
"B-b-but my dexterity is 16!"
"You still have to roll."
"C-c-can't I just use a 20-sided d-d-die?" he said, exasperated.
"Oh, no. It has to be a 15-sided die."
"Hey!" said Lord FrostFire, scribbling on a piece of paper. (2/4)

"I will t-t-try to p-p-p-pick the l-lock on the chest," said Lord DarkSoul.
"Alright," Tseluna said. "Roll a 15-sided #die."
Lord DarkSoul reached toward the dice, then drew his hand back.
"What?"
"You need to roll under your dexterity with a 15-sided die."
"B-b-but we d-don't have one." (1/4)

I have returned safely home, through the teeth of a winter storm, after a full day at Arisia.

I'm half way through my panels at Arisia. Everything's been good so far. Two more panels and then a loooong drive home through the snow.

John Connor: But I had to get you out of there! That AI — it was going to sell you a whole series of AI-generated imagery!

Sarah Connor: I wasn't going to buy any! Just use a few fun ones, to make Internet memes.

John Connor: But that's how they HOOK you!

"Did you see the #buffalo?"
"The what?"
"The buffalo."
"Oh. You mean the bison."
"Bison. Buffalo. Whatever."
"Do you see this?"
"What? You mean your fist?"
"Do you see this punching you?"
"What? It's just a word."
"It's the wrong word. We don't live in Africa. Or Asia."
"Whatever."

#wss366

#WritersCoffeeClub What are your biggest fears for the writing world in 2025?

I'm most concerned about the collapse of traditional publishing. There are only 4-5 publishers left. And they keep pushing more of the work and the risk onto authors. People that write do so as a hobby, or some kind of compulsion, rather than a legitimate path of professional endeavor.

Horrifyingly, the re-intermediation that has destroyed the Internet may perversely help. Heaven help us for praying for *that*.

I've posted my platform statement for running for re-election as Secretary of SFWA: https://stevendbrewer.com/running-for-re-election-as-secretary-of-sfwa/

#WordWeavers Do you prefer long or short works? What’s your sweet spot?

I think the story know how long it needs to be. But, personally, I like telling novelette-length stories. And I like writing serials. But I enjoy everything from microfiction to novels.

Tanuki-chan is baffled by the mystery of the squeaker. #DogsOfMastodon

#WritersCoffeeClub How would you describe the way you create your stories to a non-writer?

Hmm. I guess it would depend on the person. I might describe it as as cooking a sumptuous meal. Or perhaps preparing for and taking a road trip. In both cases, there is a lot of planning and research. And then the work that goes into actually accomplishing the thing. That's the "creating the story" part. It doesn't account for the publishing and publicity work that goes into being an author.

#WordWeavers What is your shortest work?

My shortest *published* work is *The Better Angels and the Giddy Genial Gag* which clocks in at 280 words (not including the title). It's in *Better Angels: Tour de Force*. You can find it on the Truck Stop at the Center of the Galaxy. https://truckstop.waterdragonpublishing.com/product/better-angels-tour-de-force/

"Aaaah!" screamed Sisi, when she saw Sssindy's eyes.
"Aww. Don't worry, Sssweety," Sssindy said. "Thisss isss normal when I'm gettin' ready to ssshed."
"Will they get better?"
"Tomorrow I'll be right asss rain!"
The next day, the Angels helped Sssindy wriggle out of her old skin. The new skin underneath was a glorious, vibrant pink.
"That feelsss better!" she said.
"Ooh! Feel how soft and smooth it is!" Sisi said.
"Bebe thinks she feels like shoes."
"Hush!" the rest of the Angels said.

#wss366

Brrr. Cold this morning! It says its 14° but I think it must be 14° kelvin.

Join us for Romancing SFF on Zoom this Saturday, January 18, for 2025 goal setting! Time is 11:00 am PST. Open to SFWA members and Nebula Conference Participants. https://events.sfwa.org/events/romancing-sff-meetup-goal-setting-for-the-new-year/