@stevendbrewer@wandering.shop

Apropos todays #wss366 word #cool is this NYT article (gift link provided) https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/30/well/mind/cool-people-traits-study.html?unlocked_article_code=1.TE8.bGvJ.O-LQzGW_mDrW&smid=url-share

"Cool people are largely perceived to be extroverted, hedonistic, powerful, adventurous, open and autonomous."

Well, one out of six isn't bad…

INDIE AUTHORS MEETUP
For @SFWA and Nebula Conference Members
Topic: The Year So Far--Sales, Marketing, and anything else new and different in the world of indies!
Saturday, July 5th, @ 4:00 Pacific Time
Join us for expert talk, Q & A, and networking!
https://events.sfwa.org/upcoming-events/

Wrote a generic sort of a mid-summer post, mostly for my newsletter that comes out tomorrow: https://stevendbrewer.com/junely-begends/

Now I have more than one fan! (h/t @tobadzistsini)

"Hey! Hey!" said Brunhilde. Today she and Forrest were riding on the bear as he made his rounds through the picnic area. "Do you know how to get #down off a bear?"
"I don't know," said the bear. "How do you get down off a bear?"
"You don't!" she squealed. "You get down off an owl!"
Forrest clacked his beak menacingly.
"Try it and you'll lose a finger!" #wss366

#WritersCoffeeClub When is a piece of writing done?

Leonardo DaVinci is reported to have said, "Art is never finished, only abandoned."

I know people who are perfectionists who want to keep tinkering with their writing endlessly. I'm not like that. I like to finish things and get them out the door so I can focus on the next thing. Because the next thing is going to be EVEN BETTER.

I thought maybe I'd seen my first spotted lanternfly, but I think this is actually a giant leopard moth. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_leopard_moth

"You really have amazing hands, Mr. Bear. You could be a hand model!"
He skeptically regarded his furry paws and opened his mouth to speak, when Brunhilde's mother appeared.
"Brunhilde! Stop teasing the bear!"
She dragged Brunhilde away, squealing and struggling.
The bear looked sadly at his paws and felt the smooth edges of the two claws she'd had time to work on.
"Hey! Hey!" Forrest said. "Maybe next she can add some fingernail polish!"
"Pink would be nice," the bear sighed. (3/3) #wss366

She took his paws in her tiny hands and inspected his huge claws.
"Hmm. I think you could do with a buff and a shine, Mr. Bear."
"I don't think there's…"
"It won't take but a minute, sir! Just wait here!"
She ran to a nearby SpeedRunner and returned a few moments later with a small case. She pulled out a nail #file and started to work on the rough edges of his claws.
"Don't you think this world is moving too fast, Mr. Bear?"
"Too fast?" (2/3) #wss366

"Hey! Hey!" Brunhilde said, running across the picnic grounds. The bear stopped and waited until she caught up.
"Your family seems to come here often," he commented, resuming his circuit.
"My mom loves it here. She says it's the only time she gets any peace."
"Oh? What does your mother do?"
"She's a manicurist! Hey! Hey! Can I see your nails?"
The bear, having checked on all of the active picnic sites for the moment, sat down and extended his massive paws toward her. (1/3) #wss366

I finally wrote the ending scenes of the Young Veronica storyline of *The Ground Never Lies*. There are still one or two world-building scenes I want to write, some loose ends I need to tie up, and a lot of consistency fixes (e.g. her age, the season, etc.). But I'm now confident the manuscript will be done by the end of the summer. #amwriting

A cool earwig came to visit me while I was writing in my tent.

"Bebe doesn't think so," Bebe said, in a sing-song voice.
"What! Why not? Show me a bigger fan!"
Bebe pointed. Farther back in the line was a veritable giant, more than two meters tall, with broad shoulders and knuckles that practically dragged on the ground. He waved shyly at Bebe. (2/2) #wss366

The Better Angels had a receiving line after the concert. Fans bought tickets for a one-minute chat with their favorite Angel. There was only one person in Popo's line: Prince Philip had bought up all of her tickets.
But Bebe had a long line.
"I'm your biggest #fan!" said the first. (1/2) #wss366

When he doubled over, she stepped to the side, grabbed his collar and belt, and shoved him into a wall.
He #hit hard, then fell to the ground, insensate.
Veronica resumed walking home, scarcely breaking stride. (4/4) #wss366

"Hey, little lady!" he slurred. "Let me buy you a drink!"
When Veronica ignored him, he tried to grab her.
She easily evaded his grasp, stepped inside his reach, and, without warning, punched him in the stomach. Hard. (3/4) #wss366

The nightlife in Cloudrise was in full swing, with all that meant. Tourists on vacation who'd hit it big at the tables and the less-savory elements that preyed on them. The latter, being locals, knew enough to stay away from Veronica. But a gambler, drunk on his winnings accosted her. (2/3) #wss366

Veronica sat in her office late into the night, staring at the floor. Finally, when midnight struck, she left. She locked her office and walked through the empty corridors, her footsteps echoing in the silence. She went out the staff entrance, and then walked home in the darkness. (1/3) #wss366

Tonight, the Riverbenders are performing. Good music! https://www.berkshire-brewing.com/event-details-registration/the-riverbenders #WesternMass