@stevendbrewer@wandering.shop

#ScribesAndMakers How often do you take mental breaks from your creative work?

I learned many years ago that my creative output is uneven and unpredictable. I'll sometimes go weeks or months without accomplishing anything substantive. But then it comes back. I wrote a blog post about my experience: https://stevendbrewer.com/when-the-well-is-dry/

I was always lucky that as a faculty member, I only had annual evaluations (that didn't really mean anything anyway), so I was rarely punished for my uneven productivity.

"Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life," the Mage said. "Can you give it to them?"
"You never know until you try," Galvani said. "I'm getting close! #Just watch this! I hook up these wires and…"
"Stop it! Stop it!" the Mage said. "That's appalling!" #wss366

RE: https://mamot.fr/@pluralistic/117081956893620747

Many years ago, discovered a variant of Goodhart's law that I called the Melamine Effect: https://blog.bierfaristo.com/content/melamine-effect

Infant formula (in China and elsewhere) was being contaminated with toxic melamine because it allowed suppliers to water down milk and have it still pass a protein test to be sold at full price.

When you start looking for treatments that shift a measure, there is pressure to look for the cheapest treatments that "work", no matter how toxic. Once you see it, you see it everywhere.

When people talk about "past grandeur" they rarely acknowledge the inequality and exploitation that enabled the concentration of wealth that made it possible.

"Why did you #capitalize that word?" asked the Editor.
"I just felt like it," replied the Author.
"But what rule are you following?"
"The rule of hedonism?"
"No," the Editor said, exasperated. "What rule of grammar?"
"Grammar doesn't really have rules," said the Author. "They're more like guidelines."
"Look," the Editor said. "Our publication uses rules of grammar. Do you want this to be published? Or not?"
"Well," said the author. "When you put it the way…"
The editor smiled. #wss366

Reminder: @SFWA is still looking for an Executive Director: https://sfwa.org/2026/07/10/hiring-call-july-10-2026/ It's a pretty sweet gig. #fedihire

#WritersCoffeeClub When were you last a student?

I finished my PhD in 1996 and haven't formally been a student since then. But I participated in a workshop that had us do a two-day project which we presented and were evaluated for. The goal was to make us feel like students again — and it was pretty effective. I tried to recreate that feeling for myself so, for example, in my writing class, I always chose a topic that I was unfamiliar with, so the students could be the experts and teach me.

I tried the second batch of escabeche (shown here on brown rice with beans, hominy, and tomatoes.) It turned out very nicely — even better than the first batch!

"They've sent a few skirmishers to probe the defenses. Just #saber rattling."
"I'll go talk to our contact to see what's keeping those wagons. By the skies! If they don't get here soon, we could lose everything."
"Be careful!" Roughneck said. "I don't trust that guy."
Curtains waved away his concerns as he headed out. (2/2) #wss366

"Status report!" Curtains barked, arriving back at the museum.
"All of the art is in crates," Roughneck said. "They're still packing the books."
"Where is Woodseer?"
"They're mostly still consolidating their forces in the southern woods."
Curtains raised one eyebrow.
"Mostly?" he asked. (1/2) #wss366

I'm not sure I've ever seen a product so effectively branded and marketed as Zuckerberg's "pervert glasses." They're getting a lot of buzz. Everyone is talking about them!

I don't speak centaur. And probably never will. https://stevendbrewer.com/i-dont-speak-centaur/

I had never thought of it this way, but I am certainly hell for other people.

A wagon passing through the gate tipped sideways and ground to a halt. The driver reined in and jumped down to inspect the problem.
"You've lost a linchpin," said one of the knights.
"No," said another. "That's a cotter pin."
"The real problem," said a third, "is that the R-clip is missing. That's what allowed the linchpin to fall out."
"Cotter pin!" argued the second again.
"Discuss etymology after you get the gate cleared!" bellowed the Captain as traffic at the gate began to stack up. #wss366

As Straw Dog Writes begins its fourth year, I reflect on where we've been and where we're going. https://stevendbrewer.com/straw-dog-writes-the-little-writing-group-that-could/

I made another batch of escabeche and, after cutting up a dozen jalapeños, my fingers feel like they're on fire. Hmm… Maybe use gloves next time.

This is an excerpt from *A Familiar Problem*, my cozy, dark fantasy available now. https://waterdragonpublishing.com/product/familiar-problem/

"How dare you!" Tseluna hissed, finally. "You nearly killed yourself. Are you trying to find out how badly I can punish you?"
"You can't stop me from killing myself eventually," Rory said, blood oozing down his arms and legs from his scrapes. "You can't watch me that closely."
They stared daggers at one another for long seconds. Finally, she sighed.
"Is this really so important to you?"
"It's the #principle of the thing," he said, squaring his shoulders. #wss366

I read *Long Game: Notes on writing fiction* by Elizabeth McCracken. https://stevendbrewer.com/review-long-game-notes-on-writing-fiction-by-elizabeth-mccracken/

If you want to learn more about Rogue Android, read Better Angels: Tour de Force, available on the Truck Stop at the Center of the Galaxy — and anywhere else fine books are sold online. https://truckstop.waterdragonpublishing.com/product/better-angels-tour-de-force/