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#WritersCoffeeClub On what are you unwilling to compromise?

When I wrote *A Familiar Problem*, I aimed it to be new adult, rather than young adult. My publisher suggested that I could cut the sex stuff to have a larger audience, but I pushed back, because I thought it would fundamentally change the story. I got my way and the story came out as I wrote it. Was it the right decision? I dunno.

Lloyd led the customer into the back of Kowareta Nai.
"Do you have any particular specification or request?" he asked.
"Well, what I'm looking for…" he started to say, then caught sight of a very large chicken that was laying on the ground.
Lloyd waddled around the chicken and invited the customer to follow.
"What's wrong with him?" asked the customer.
"That's #Forlorn Leghorn," Lloyd said. "He's depressed because no one will hire him. It's a shame because he'll work for chicken feed." #wss366

Microsoft doesn't want you to call it "microslop." https://www.windowslatest.com/2026/03/02/microsoft-gets-tired-of-microslop-bans-the-word-on-its-discord-then-locks-the-server-after-backlash/

Read more about Rory and Tseluna in *A Familiar Problem*, available now from Water Dragon Publishing. https://waterdragonpublishing.com/product/familiar-problem/

Rory shivered in the chilly breeze. He peered at Tseluna who was naked beside him.
"How come you're not cold?" he asked her.
"I can just use magic to warm myself and maintain my body's homeostasis. You could too, if you had any finesse."
"Really?"
"Of course. Why don't you try?"
Rory thought for a moment to prepare the spell and cast it silently. His clothes burst into flames. He began screaming and trying to beat out the conflagration.
"Finesse," she said, shaking her head. #wss366 #side

I don't want a foldable phone. I also don't want a foldable car. Or a foldable house. Or a foldable dog. In fact, I think the only foldable thing I want is a folder. Go figure.

Young women moved through, refilling glasses and bringing platters of food. The plumpest looked up, then gasped.
"It's Devi-san!" Booboo cried.
Zsazsa spun.
"Devi-san," she spat. "What are you doing here?"
"It's true," she said, archly. "You can go #back. But you can never go home." (3/3) #wss366

Mindful of her long nails, she zipped her coat up against the breeze and headed that way. She spotted Mama-san's noren, walked underneath, and pushed open the door. Laughter and good cheer poured out in abundance. The room was full of cheerful patrons. (2/3) #wss366

The SkyJumper hissed when the hatch opened. She climbed down the steps and stepped out into a chill breeze that whistled around the buildings and blew down the streets of Volpex One.
She checked her device. Mama-san's izakaya was just around the corner. (1/3) #wss366

The somewhat weird backstory of Oni Diras Nun! https://stevendbrewer.com/oni-diras-nun-a-tabloid-for-esperantujo/

#WritersCoffeeClub
Feb 28: How well did this short month go for you, in terms of writing?

#ScribesAndMakers
2/28. How did your month go?

Due to my son's hospitalization and subsequent outpatient treatment, I wrote essentially no fiction during February. I wrote a few fragments for @wss366 and that was it. Maybe March will be better.

Content warning:#uspol

When did Congress declare war? Is that just optional now?

A sole crewman stood watch.
From the girl's journal, she knew that this was the ship. It acted as a freighter, but that was just a #front for far more lucrative human trafficking. She approached the ship.
"Is the captain aboard?" she called.
"Come back tomorrow," the crewman replied. (2/2) #wss366

Heather headed out into the Docklands of the port of Deepmooring. Dozens of ships were tied up while crates were offloaded and onloaded. The docks were busy with swarms of porters while sailors came and went.
Off on a small dock far out in the harbor, a red two-masted lugger was tied up. (1/2) #wss366

I'm imagining a VR walk for dogs, with a little headset and scratch-and-sniff card for what you find along the way…

"I'm home, dear," JD said, coming in the door. "That was a long day."
He loosened his tie and hung up his coat. Then, as if struck by inspiration, he began to fully disrobe — except his socks.
"I think, tonight, a little diversion is in order. Are you ready?"
Naked, he approached the #couch. #wss366

Tau approached cautiously. He nudged Lambda with his muzzle. She sniffed and turned, facing away. Tau stood silently, then whined quietly. She snorted. He laid down and rolled over on his back. She turned back to him and licked his muzzle.
Then she gave one more withering stare at Omega, cowering on the other side of the hatch. Finally, she and Tau sauntered back to the Zoological Garden. (5/5) #wss366

Tau heard snarls and yelps and then saw Omega running for the exit. The crowd went wild. Tau spotted a lithe and tawny shape darting after Omega and nipping at his heels. He sprang to give chase.
The pursuit led half way around the Docking Ring to a Xerxes Mark IX courier, where Omega finally took refuge. Lambda stood outside the hatch barking furiously as Omega barked back at her through the window. (4/5) #wss366

He stood ringside and waited as the crowd came in. He could hear people placing bets. There was some question whether Omega would even show.
Tau paced. He carried the heavy Fightin' Ball clenched his jaws. The anticipation of the coming battle coursed through his veins. He felt his hackles rise.
Excitement rippled through the crowd when Omega entered the room. Tau stood on his hind legs to peer over the crowd as Omega made his way to the ring. Then the screaming started. (3/5) #wss366

Omega was a flashy fawn from Holufinia who seemed to think he was Hod's gift to NeoBoxers or something.
"You've got this!" a man called.
Tau growled and barked in response.
A whole #cascade of events had led to the exhibition match, but the deciding factor had been when Omega had insulted his girlfriend, Lambda. Honor required that he stand up in her defense.
One hour before the match, Tau weighed in. He clocked in at 55kg with his heavy Fightin' Ball. (2/5) #wss366