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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.

Around 230 students were affected and #UMassAmherst is also raising money to support them: https://minutefund.uma-foundation.org/project/20457

One of the students in my #writing class recently lost everything in a catastrophic fire that destroyed an apartment building in Amherst. He's started a go-fund-me to try to help recover: https://www.gofundme.com/f/tragic-fire-took-our-home-belongings-pet-help-paddy-v #WesternMass

"This is a great opportunity to practice how to #float on your back."
Kasseh looked stricken.
"It's going to be alright, my love," Cecelia laughed, holding her hand. "I'll be right here with you and I promise I won't let you sink."
She put a hand on her waist. "Now just lean back…" (3/3) #wss366

"Come see!" Cecelia said, holding out her hand.
Kasseh reluctantly stepped into the water. She shivered at first, but then as she waded further she said, marveling, "It's cold at the surface, but warmer underneath."
"That's what happens when it's calm like this," Cecelia said. (2/3) #wss366

In the early morning, Cecelia and Kasseh returned to the beach. There were hardly any waves. The ocean stretched out to the horizon almost like glass.
Cecelia dropped her towel and then waded straight out into the water.
"Isn't it too cold?" Kasseh asked, standing back on the wet sand. (1/3) #wss366

#WritersCoffeeClub What have you recently learned which will have a big impact on your work?

Yesterday, I hosted a Straw Dog Writers Guild workshop by James Cambias on worldbuilding that gave me many ideas for creating imaginative settings for stories. We talked about everything from the relationship among variables that make for realistic planets — and the kinds of life they might support — to using research to find interesting tidbits that add to the verisimilitude of settings.

I've really been enjoying the Ruri Rocks anime. It follows a JK on a journey from liking shiny things to a budding interest in mineralogy and earth science. It's also beautifully animated and teaches a lot of science. It's cool. Check it out! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4ZmD85u6nM