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I never ever click on anything in an interstitial, other than to close it (and frequently just close the tab instead). But very occasionally, I might want to do the thing in the interstitial and am a little sad that, since it was presented to me in an interstitial, I won't ever do it.

RE: https://wandering.shop/@philipbrewer/115554385048714551

What was your unfortunate Mastodon setting choice?

Easier. I don't think that word means what you think it means. #xfinity

I had the pleasure of hosting James Cambias for a presentation on Worldbuilding last weekend. It was fantastic and I learned a lot. https://stevendbrewer.com/worldbuilding-101/

I had meetings and errands pretty much all day today, so — although I really should be catching up on grading my overdue papers — I'm slacking this evening, listening to J-pop and reading manga.

There is still (barely) time to sign up for the @SFWA Quasar online conference that starts tomorrow (Nov 15). The program looks fantastic with lots of professional development opportunities and a keynote address by Nicola Griffith and Lois McMaster Bujold! Join us! https://membership.sfwa.org/event-6301796

let the willow #weep tonight
and to the stars belie
its tendency to shun the fight
when tempest winds do fly
for though the mighty oak may fall
and every hemlock fail
the willow bends to heed the call
and o'er the storm prevail

#wss366

He sketched out a map in the dirt and drew two arrows.
"See this canyon?" he continued. "We draw them in from opposite directions and get them to spend themselves against each other. Then we clean up what's left."
The squad's mood lifted as they began to hope.
Sergeant Baker grinned. (2/2) #wss366

The cadets of Squad 6 were discouraged.
"We've got three squads arrayed against us," Updraft said. "Three against one! We're screwed."
"Bring it!" Nightmare exulted, pumping his fist.
Curtiss thought for a moment and then said, carefully, "I think you're thinking about it backwards." (1/2) #wss366

#WritersCoffeeClub Name the oldest work to have inspired you

I certainly appreciated ancient epic poems, like *Gilgamesh* or *Kavaliro en Tigra Felo*, but in terms of genuine inspiration, I would probably cite both *The Three Musketeers* and *Treasure Island* that profoundly influenced my writing. My debut work, *Revin's Heart*, though not a pastiche of *Treasure Island,* began with the question, "What if Jim had gone off with Long John Silver? What adventures might they have had together?"

#ScribesAndMakers If your creativity had a mascot or symbol, what would it be?

I created this illustration for my Airship Pirate ribbons and have used it as the favicon for my website. When I make my next set of business cards, I'll probably put it on those. https://stevendbrewer.com/airship-pirate-ribbons/

The Northampton Antiquarian Book, Ephemera, and Book Arts Fair is coming to the Northampton Center for the Arts November 21-22. Straw Dog Writers Guild will have a table with local authors all weekend. I'll there from noon to 2pm on Saturday. Join me! https://mailchi.mp/northamptonbookfair.com/2025-sneak-preview-10138790 #WesternMass

Curtiss inspected the man carefully before introducing himself.
He was a hard bitten, grizzled, older man with a lined face who was missing an arm. He had grey eyes and closely-cropped gray hair. His uniform was faded and worn, his boots, old and scuffed. (2/2) #wss366

Curtiss arrived at the barracks just as the men were returning from the mess hall. Curtiss listened to the drill sergeants barking directions to the different squads, listening for his number. Finally, he heard someone bark, "Squad Six! Fall out!" (1/2) #wss366

We got back at sunset.
"Woof!" he said. "I'm bushed. See you tomorrow!"
"You bet!" I said. I strode to my car with a spring in my step.
Once inside, I opened the glove box and got out two ibuprofen. After a moment, I added a third. Who was I kidding? I wasn't going anywhere tomorrow. (2/2) #wss366

"Hey, old man!" Tommy laughed, joining me at the trail head.
"Old man?" I said, glaring.
He poked my cheek. "Look at your beard sometime, old man!"
I scowled. I knew I was getting some #gray. But it was just a few hairs.
"C'mon," I said. "Let's go! We want to reach the summit by noon." (1/2) #wss366

In a recent episode of Ruri Rocks, they talk about dealkylized glass that develops an iridescent sheen after being underwater for a long time. By coincidence, I ran across this bottle I found snorkeling on St Croix that shows the effect. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dealkalization

"I came across Better Angels: Tour de Force and was immediately struck by the originality of your premise, magical-girl idols turned galactic heroes? That blend of sci-fi creativity and emotional depth is something truly special. It’s clear that your background in science and language enriches your storytelling in ways that few authors can match."

It's constant and relentless…

For more examples: https://stevendbrewer.com/sycophantic-scams/

"Every so often, a story redefines what it means to be alive. Better Angels: Tour de Force does exactly that. Beneath its cosmic wonder and rhythmic pulse lies a deeply human story one about identity, freedom, and the power of purpose after creation. The Better Angels may be engineered beings, but their search for belonging, connection, and meaning makes them strikingly real. It’s the kind of story that lingers, not just for its imagination, but for its heart."

Robots, man… I hate 'em.