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#WritersCoffeeClub How much of the finished work do you need to have in mind before you start writing?

When I started writing, I would begin with some characters and a setting and only a general idea of where the story would go. At some point, I started having anxiety that I would write myself into a corner and I began making outlines as guardrails. I've discovered, however, that the outlines don't really constrain me. So I make them, but still end up letting stories go where they want.

Before the Nebula Conference in Kansas City, the SFWA Board held a strategic retreat to talk about plans for the coming year. I was really encouraged by how well things are going. https://stevendbrewer.com/sfwa-strategic-retreat/

After reading this article, I'm tempted to start a book club. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/style/fiction-books-men-reading.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Rk8.I2lj.-nmjHA7spcVj&smid=url-share

#WritersCoffeeClub How frequently do other languages (or conlangs) appear in your writing?

My forthcoming book, *A Familiar Problem*, has scenes set in Japan, and there's a little Japanese to go along with those scenes. In *Ecorozire* (a Revin's Heart sequel), they travel to a place where a different language is spoken (that I developed the outline of a conlang for). But I'm cautious about using other languages. I'm a language geek and if I really let my geek flag fly, it might turn people off.

Tutu looked at the glass then at Bebe. "I'm sorry," she said.
"Hmph!" Bebe said, looking away.
Tutu put the glass down and sat on the floor.
Bebe pushed Bellotrix into her glass and knocked it over. It spilled all over Tutu's lap.
"Hey!"
"Oops! Bebe told you Bellotrix was thirsty!" (4/4) #wss366

"Where did you hide my glass?"
"Bebe didn't take it!"
Tutu clenched her fists and took a step toward Bebe. Then David returned from the galley.
"There was was a fly in your drink," he said, handing her the glass. "So I got you a fresh one." (3/4) #wss366

The Angels looked up and around at each other, but no-one said anything. Then Bebe spoke up.
"Maybe Bellotrix was thirsty."
She held her teddy bear up as evidence.
"Bebe! That was #mine! If you're thirsty, get your own drink!"
Bebe looked shocked. "Bebe didn't drink it!" she protested. (2/4) #wss366

Tutu carried her glass out to the lounge and set it on the table. When the replicator dinged, she went back to galley to get her popcorn. She passed David on her return to the lounge. When she arrived, her glass was gone. She eyed the other Angels.
"What happened to my drink?" (1/4) #wss366

The temperature topped out at 101.2°, but it's dropped all the way to 99.6° now! There's a weather station at Computer Science, about a quarter mile from my house. https://weather.cs.umass.edu/

From *The Better Angels and the Military Morale Mishegoss* in *Better Angels: Tour de Force*, only at the Truck Stop in the Center of the Galaxy. https://truckstop.waterdragonpublishing.com/product/better-angels-tour-de-force/

#WordWeavers 24. Have you ever created an imaginary animal? What is it like?

The 'pede soldier morph was a large centipede-like creature. They had little intelligence and carried no weapons, but were vicious and single-minded. They were highly flattened with thick exoskeletons, huge pincers, and many legs, that could roll at great speed like a hoop.
Their spacecraft were flown by the soft, grub-like 'pede officer morph. They were highly intelligent, devilishly clever, and cunning pilots

He blew on the #punk, keeping its ember alight, waiting for the signal. He listened to the waves lap against the gunwale as the small boat bobbed up and down. Then he heard a shout and the clash of arms.
He touched the punk to the fuse of the first rocket and, with a hiss, it sailed up into the sky. A moment later a brilliant light shone down from the pyrotechnic flare that hung in the sky on a parachute. It cast a garish light on a scene of combat as the marines assaulted the ship. #wss366

It lies, but still…

I gave away a lot of 'zines while selling books this weekend. If anyone would like a 'zine, just buy a signed copy through my publisher and I'll include a 'zine with the book. https://water-dragon-publishing.square.site/steven-brewer

Now the sun is just up…

The men sprang up and each deployed a 10-foot pole, braced in a pre-prepared depression.
The horses, preparing to jump the stone wall, were unable to maneuver, and Curtain's men, carefully spaced, each used their poles to dislodge the riders.
Only three or four riders made the jump and tried to turn, among a jostling crowd of riderless horses on a jumble loose rocks and stones.
Roughneck sprang on the dismounted commander and held a knife to his throat.
"Call them off," he growled. (2/2) #wss355

Roughneck reacted first, but in moments, everyone could feel the earth #pound as the cavalry began to charge across the field.
"Take cover," Curtains said.
"Cover!" Roughneck bellowed.
The squad sprang over the low stone wall of the ruins they were defending and lay flat as the cavalry approached over the broken ground.
Curtains had selected a spot where he could peer through a crack as the horsemen approached. He waited.
"Now!" he yelled. (1/2) #wss366

I went to bed early last night, and am up before the sun this morning, to enjoy the brief cool before the predicted heat of the day.

I wonder if Iran will strike mainland United States. I've heard the media speculating about Iran hitting US bases in the middle east, but I don't see why Iran wouldn't hit the US directly, if they could. I don't know what their capabilities are. Or what missile defenses the US may have deployed. If they did, I think a lot of people would be surprised.

My wife left a snake to keep an eye on me while I was selling books.