@stevendbrewer@wandering.shop

The Hero stood on the dock and watched while the firemen worked to contain the raging inferno where the lake cabin had once stood.
"I'm afraid it's a complete loss," the Captain said.
"It's not a complete loss," the Hero clarified. "We learned a lot."
"What did we learn?" (1/2) #wss366

#PennedPossibilities Have you ever created a SC that you later wished was the MC?

In Revin's Heart, I wrote two side-stories that let the pirate captain become the protagonist because I thought his back story was interesting to explore. And another minor character, Lady Cecelia, now has her own series of novelettes. I'm still working on the novel that will tell the story of the Butcher Baron. I used to call this "fan fiction" but a woman at a convention angrily told me it was literary canon.

Today, my university evidently turned on all of the AI bullshit in Zoom. I've seen it in other Zoom events run by other entities, but it hasn't been turned on for my university's accounts before. So, I went into the settings and spent 10 minutes turning it all off — there were like 15 or 20 separate things to disable. Then I restarted my client. Ugh.

#WritersCoffeeClub Do you tend to include epilogues?

I like epilogues. In fact, I also like to write *omake* stories, for when an epilogue alone simply won't do. I wrote them for *A Familiar Problem* and for *Lady Cecelia's Journey*. And I wrote "side quests" as *omake* stories for *Revin's Heart*, which provide back story for the some of the secondary characters.

"It's Cakecrist," the Hero said. "The Frosting Cleaver — Made by the elves, you know."
The Demon Lord extended a finger and tentatively touched the knife. There was a spark and a curl of smoke rose up. He jerked his hand back.
"I think I'll let you cut the cake," the Demon Lord said. (3/3) #wss366

"Aren't you going to cut the cake?"
"With what?"
"Ah! I thought you'd never ask!" the Hero laughed. "Here!"
The Hero offered the Demon Lord an elaborate knife. It seemed to glow blue with an inner light.
The Demon Lord eyed it suspiciously.
"What is that?" he asked. (2/3) #wss366

"Blow out the candles! Blow out the candles!" everyone called.
The Demon Lord scowled, but then blew out the candles and everyone clapped.
"Are you really sure that's sanitary?" he mumbled, as they produced a stack of paper plates and plastic forks.
"Well?" asked the Hero.
"Well, what?" (1/3) #wss366

I have a lot of new stuff coming up for November! https://stevendbrewer.com/new-for-november/

Carrying a cake with candles, they began to sing Happy Birthday.
"It's not my birthday!" the Demon Lord barked.
"Do you even have a birthday?"
"Well, no…"
"So, today is as good as any."
"What kind of cake is it?" he said, eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"Why, devil's food. Of course!" (3/3) #wss366

"Pish posh," the Hero said, casting the line again. "Your minions can run things just fine without you for an afternoon. When was the last time you took a day for yourself?"
"But…"
"Besides, you haven't had dessert yet."
"Dessert?"
The hero gestured and a group of people approached. (2/3) #wss366

"Well," the Demon Lord said, getting to his feet. "It's been fun, I guess…"
"You're not going to eat and #bolt, are you?" the Hero said, pained.
The Demon Lord settled back into his seat, grumbling.
"Look!" he growled. "Maybe you don't have anything better to do all day, but I…" (1/3) #wss366

There is a new set of sycophantic scams targeting authors going around. It's just… Ugh. https://stevendbrewer.com/sycophantic-scams/ #WritingLife

"An interesting flavor…" he said, as he chewed.
"Right?"
"So what is it?"
"It's bang bang chicken."
"You made this yourself?"
"Oh, no. My mother made it."
"Your mother!?"
"Only the best for my friends." The Hero smiled. "At least I hope we'll soon be friends."
The Demon Lord scowled. (2/2) #wss366

"What kind of sandwich is this?" the Demon Lord asked.
"It's a tasty sandwich," the Hero explained helpfully.
The Demon Lord unwrapped it and inspected it skeptically.
"Try it!" the Hero encouraged.
The Demon Lord took a small bite. And then a larger one. (1/2) #wss366

For the past three weeks, I participated in #writeout. I didn't write as much as I'd hoped I might, but I still had fun. https://stevendbrewer.com/writeout-2025/ Thanks to @dogtrax for cluing me in.

ĉu estas nova, aŭ malnova tapiŝo… falintfolia / is it new, or old carpet… fallen leaves #hajko #haiku #esperanto #writeout

"At this rate, we'll never get lunch," the Demon Lord said.
"Look in the basket under your seat," the Hero said.
The Demon Lord pulled out the basket and opened it.
"Sandwiches?"
"And beer. Isn't this better than fighting to the death?"
(3/3) #wss366

"You know I can just #cast death on the fish and…"
"You shall do no such thing."
A ripple appeared around the bobber. Once. Twice. Then it dove under the water.
The Hero pulled back on the rod. The bobber and hook popped up, bait gone. The Hero pulled another worm out of the bait can. (2/3) #wss366

"What's even the point of this?" the Demon Lord said.
"Ssh," said the Hero as he #cast his line out again.
They sat together at the shore of the lake. There was a quiet plunk as the bobber landed in the water. Ripples radiated out and then settled down. (1/3) #wss366

#PennedPossibilities Which of your characters has the backstory that was your favorite to create?

In *Revin's Heart*, the captain of the pirates meets and falls in love with a young man who looks familiar somehow. It isn't until much later, that he meets the young man's father, discovers it was someone he had met before, and realizes this is why the young man looks so familiar. You can read these "side quests," *Where There's a Will* and *Curtains Rise,* published in the collected edition.