@stevendbrewer@wandering.shop

For folks at #Worldcon, at 10pm BST (5pm Eastern) is another virtual "rogue reading". It's open mic. Join us to read or just listen!

#WritersCoffeeClub What's your favorite summer read for a vacation?

I read mostly science fiction and fantasy. For a summer read, I often want something cozy which, to me, usually means re-reading an old favorite. My favorite is probably *The Three Musketeers*. But other books by authors that include Elizabeth Bear, Patricia Briggs, Lois McMaster Bujold, Jim Butcher, Steven Brust, Glen Cook, J.R.R. Tolkein, and many others.

Tanuki-chan was VERY VERY HAPPY to meet @philipbrewer and treated him like a favorite new chew-toy. #DogsOfMastodon

#PennedPossibilities What does your MC’s morning routine look like?

At 5 bells, Terrier awoke Revin with a tub of hot water for bathing. Revin washed gratefully and then reclined in the bath. He wistfully remembered Momo bringing him a cup of coffee last time but acknowledged to himself that it wasn't reasonable to expect the Queen to fetch and carry for him. But suddenly the adjoining door popped open and Momo breezed in carrying a cup of coffee.
"Are you decent?" she sang out, with a wink.

#WordWeavers Tell us about a character that you don’t like as a person.

In *Revin's Heart*, Beck is a bodyguard who, when he discovers that Revin is transgender, begins to misgender him and make inappropriate and unwanted advances. In one of the reviews of *Then They Fight You* (part six), the reviewer says, "First, let me say, Beck gave me the icks shortly after meeting him, and I'm happy about the way his role in the story played out."

#WritersCoffeeClub In your work, do you include short sections in languages other than the primary language?

In *A Familiar Problem*, the demon Tseluna has spent a lot of time in Japan and she occasionally says words in Japanese. Part of the charm (to me) of the story is that the human protagonist (Rory) is from another dimension that humans were seeded to during the last ice age and he knows nothing of Earth. So the inhuman demon is the one that is the expert and teaches him about our world.

Water Dragon Publishing, a small press in California, is holding a virtual Live Pitch Session at #Worldcon at 8pm BST (3pm Eastern). Yes, it's OK to come just to listen and learn!

#PennedPossibilities Where does your villain prefer to sleep?

In a bed.

#WordWeavers Is your plot linear or not?

Typically yes, although I have two stories (*The Tanner and the Tree: A Bitter Lesson* and *Curtain's Rise*)that use framing stories. And *An Exchange of Services* has a series of flashbacks in the first half of the story that provide context to explain current events.

Lidja and the Queen looked at Revin, then looked at each other and smirked. 
"Agreed," they said, shaking hands. 
Revin did not like the sound of this at all. 
"What did you talk about?" Revin pressed Lidja as they walked to the stables. 
"Oh, stuff," Lidja said, with a little bounce in her step. "Girl stuff."
"You can tell me, can't you?" Revin persisted. 
"You're not a girl, are you?" Lidja asked, archly.
Revin scowled.

#wss366

#WritersCoffeeClub Authors love to show off a book stack. Post an image of your stack or a collage of your digital work.

Revin's Heart was originally serialized as seven novelettes that have now been collected together in a "fix up" that includes the original novelettes, interludes that connect them, three original "side quests," and a sneak preview of Devishire! https://waterdragonpublishing.com/product-category/book-series/revins-heart/

us pol, inappropriate sexual reference

Tim Walz makes sure she comes first.

#PennedPossibilities How does your SC view their mother? Their father?

David looked up at Revin, eyes glowing with adulation.
"I can't begin to tell you. I love this so much. You *understand*!"
"I don't think you give your mother enough credit. I think she understood too. You saw what happened when she tried to support you."
David's expression hardened and his eyes blazed with anger. "You've no idea what she did," he spat. "For years. I don't think I will ever be able to forgive her."

We saw even more fungi on our walk in the Lawrence Swamp: Smoky Spindles and Purple Coral Fungus. #WesternMass

The rain brought out the bird's nest fungi!

"Okay," Rory said. "Anything else I should know?"
"I expect afterwards there will be things you wish you knew, but I think it's actually better you just go without preconceptions. You #trust me, do you not?"
He looked at her, trying to imagine how he could express the depth of his trust and his love for Tseluna. She smiled to acknowledge that she perceived his earnest struggle & patted his head.
"Good boy! Go to sleep now. We'll go first thing tomorrow morning when you're fully rested."

#wss366

#WordWeavers Tell us about an influential group from your story. How do they affect the plot?

In the Better Angels, the "Hod Followers" are religious fanatics who are led by the HodFather. They are attempting to foment division and hatred against the groups they want to see marginalized.

#WritersCoffeeClub In your writing, what is the best thing you've done (or might do) to a reader's state of mind?

It depends on the work. In the Better Angels, I'm aiming for a "gap moe" effect. The Angels are cute anime girls who do cute fluffy things except when they turn on their soldier modules and become cold-blooded killers. That "gap" is what I'm going for there.

But in much of my writing, I'm just aiming for a warm, "Awwww!" when characters get their happily ever after.

#PennedPossibilities How does your MC react if / when their life is spiraling out of control?

Revin looked at the journal he'd been writing and wanted to scratch or tear out everything he'd just written. His throat closed up and he felt his gorge rise. He closed the journal, put away his pen, and sat on the bench staring at the ground. His mind stopped working for a while.
(from *Rewriting the Rules*, Part Seven of *Revin's Heart*)

I am also a best-selling author and Donald Trump is in prison.