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#WordWeavers What small precious memento does a character keep on their person? What makes it precious?

After Grip left, Revin sat on his bed and pulled out Momo's lace handkerchief, which he kept tucked away near his bedside. He unfolded it and felt Momo's embroidered initials. He closed his eyes and held the handkerchief up to his nose and inhaled, imagining he could still detect a note of perfume. (from Storm Clouds Gather, Part 3 of Revin's Heart)

A few of the other CuddleTums came over to offer to hold the #baby, but it clung to Bebe, squealing determinedly, and refused to let go.
"You are safe, Civilian," she assured it, rocking it gently. "Bebe will permit no harm to come to you." (3/3) #wss366

Bebe sat on the deck and took tiny bites of the Fun Meal which she fed to it with her mouth. The #baby was overjoyed and treated the process as a game, giggling the whole time with delight. (2/3) #wss366

Bebe had been unable to find the parents of the #baby CuddleTum and it still clung to her desperately. When it tried to eat the Fun Meal, however, its mouth was too small get a good bite.
"Let Bebe help you, Civilian," she said. (1/3) #wss366

"Behold the Needles of Knitting!" she said. "These accursed needles, once grasped cannot be put down until you either finish a sweater or murder someone."
"Murder someone?" gasped a young man.
"That's right, dearie," the docent said, smiling sweetly, eyes crinkling. "Wanna try 'em?" (2/2) #wss366

The grandmotherly guide led the party into the next room of the museum. A glass case stood in the middle.
"Gather round! Gather round!" the docent said. "This is one of the most interesting items in our whole collection."
In the display was a ball of yarn and two knitting needles. (1/2) #wss366

#ScribesAndMakers Ask the expert: if you're a specialist in something, would you answer questions for writers/artists regarding your specialty?

As an educator at a public university, I devote myself to helping people learn. I have some expertise in science education, science writing, biology, ecology, botany, zoology, geology, technologies (unix, programming, web, maker), languages (English, Esperanto, Spanish, Japanese), Japanese poetry (tanka, haiku, senryu, renga, haibun), manga, anime, etc.

I'm going to be selling books at the Amherst Global Village Festival! I'll be taking my fiction and my books of Esperanto haiku. I ordered a few extra copies to have plenty… https://www.amherstma.gov/3847/Global-Village-Festival #WesternMass

They were Vulpex Lights branded with a picture of a sexy fox.
"Low #tar," he growled. "But better than nothing. Thanks."
He lit one up. Forrest watched him expectantly. Alarm bells began to go off in his mind when the cigarette exploded.
Forrest took off, screeching with laughter. (2/2) #wss366

After a long day, the bear was headed back to his cave for the night when Forrest swooped in and set a half-empty pack of smokes in front of him.
"Someone dropped these," the owl said. "I was gonna trash 'em, but then I thought you might want 'em."
The bear picked up the pack and inspected it. (1/2)

#ScribesAndMakers If you've sold your work, have you made a net profit?

I have. I've made enough to qualify for full membership of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA): https://www.sfwa.org/about/join-us/sfwa-membership-requirements/

If you're an author of science fiction and fantasy, I would encourage anyone who qualifies to join SFWA at either the associate or full level. SFWA advocates for authors and provides rich opportunities to network and organize to improve conditions for the profession. Join us!

J.B. Pritzker is saying the right things: https://www.readtpa.com/p/watch-illinois-governor-jb-pritzker

#WritersCoffeeClub Describe your workflow if it had to be 100% analogue.

I'm old enough that I took "secretarial typing" in high school. But I always hated it. I started using a word processor (on Vax/VMS) in college and never looked back.

I might just switch to letter writing. A few years ago, I exchanged hand-written letters with @philipbrewer for a while. At first, it hurt my hand to write more than a paragraph or two. I have sadly not continued and I would have to start over.

#Writephant Q1. Are audiobooks a part of your reading program? Why or why not?

Years ago, when I spent a lot of time in cars, I used to use audiobooks. But I don't need to drive anywhere now. I don't like just listening to audio (podcasts or audiobooks). I do listen to music, but mostly while I'm working and writing, which would not permit me to focus on a book.

#Writephant I am an author of steampunky queer fantasy and fluffy military space opera. My next book — a cozy, dark fantasy — is currently scheduled for release in June.

It really brought me joy during spring break last week to have my brother come to visit. We had a great time hanging out with my mom, visiting my son's boxer dog, and generally having a great time.

Now, I'm back to work grading papers for my scientific writing class.

Should you block people when you see them using AI generated imagery?

#PennedPossibilities In theory, what would be your SC’s weapon of choice?

The Better Angels have David as Master Sergeant and Sisi as Weapons Specialist to help them choose weapons appropriate to the task. Generally, they use railguns, but also sometimes use the Corona-14 plasma rifle, Ublyudok particle rifle, or Mottusuchi pin beam for specialized tasks.

I just ordered one of these. https://steviesafespaces.com/you-will-have-to-go-through-me-tee

#ScribesAndMakers Have you developed film in a dark room? What was the experience like?

A few times. It was like magic to put a sheet of photo paper in the developer and watch the image emerge. At one time, it was a life goal of mine to have a dark room. By the time I could afford one, the world had moved on. My employer had several dark rooms and, as they switched to Photoshop, I would see the enlargers and other equipment discarded on the loading dock. It hurt me to walk by them, every time.

I was originally going to do it as a conversation between Zsazsa and Booboo, but they're *already* Volpex girls.