@stevendbrewer@wandering.shop

I was so happy when I discovered the setting that lets me turn off all content and sensitive imagery warnings.

That said, I'm still filtering on two or three things, so I get it.

post has an image of a toy spider

I wrote a summary of my presentation about setting up an author website. This is more descriptive of what I've done than prescriptive, but I preach a little. https://stevendbrewer.com/setting-up-an-author-website/ I also recorded the presentation. If anyone really wants to watch the video, lmk.

#WritersCoffeeClub What's your current project? How's it going?

As usual, I have several things I'm working on. During #WritingMonth I made a lot of progress on Ground Never Lies. Lately, I've been working more on my After Campshire novella. I took a break over the holidays and let them sit for a few days, but I've got good ideas for both of them that I want to implement. At the same time, I've been getting ready for Arisia and Boskone and delivered a presentation about author websites today.

Here's my lock screen.

"Hahaha!" laughed the villain via video link. "You'll never stop my plan!"
"Curse you, Dr. Slow!" Mr. Winkles said, standing beside the captain on the bridge and shaking his fist. "What have you done this time?"
"A #crate on this container ship contains an infernal device. Defuse it before it reaches its destination or it will destroy the world."
"You fiend! How long do we have?"
"It's a slow boat to China, Mr. Winkles. Take your time. Just don't take too long!"

#wss366

David Crockett Graham was a missionary and scientist in Sichuan Province China from 1911 to 1948. He left behind a vast number of records with unique cultural and natural history information. This small non-profit is supporting the preservation of primary source materials: https://www.davidcrockettgraham.org/

#PennedPossibilities How did you come up with the title for your WIP?

It took a long time to come up with a title for Better Angels: Tour de Force. The publisher and I batted titles back & forth for a couple of weeks until we found one we both liked. I was leaning toward "Better Angels: Sixteen Seriously Sweet & Significantly Sanguinary Stories Set on the Truck Stop at the Center of the Galaxy."
He said, "Well, it would save money on artwork because there wouldn't be room for any on the cover."

Read more about Bebe and the rest in Better Angels: Tour de Force, only at the Truck Stop at the Center of the Galaxy! https://truckstop.waterdragonpublishing.com/product/better-angels-tour-de-force/

"Our next show's on Volpex," David said. "Anything else we should do?"
"A picnic!" Lala said.
"The beach!" said Mumu.
"Bebe wants to go on this!" She pointed her device at the screen and a video played.
"Ride the LONGEST WATERSLIDE IN THE GALAXY!" It showed a couple climbing in. The #slide started up in the clouds, went down a mountain, and then through pools of lava. At the far end, the couple emerged as steaming skeletons.
"Um…" David said. "Maybe next time."

#wss366

#WordWeavers Has your writing process changed over time?

Yes and no. I've observed that I approach writing differently now than I did in the past: I was a pantser and then a plotter and now more of a plantser. But I don't really think of there as being a "writing process," in that I'm guided mostly by serendipity. To be honest, I approach writing to maximize my pleasure and satisfaction and don't really have any formal process at all. I am a leaf in the wind (he says right before… WHAM!)

I still remember when I first met my wife. She would sometimes read Cosmo and administer the personality tests to me. It was a whole different outlook on life I had never been exposed to. And she married me anyway.

"During reconstruction of the palace, they found that the library had been mostly spared. It's open again! Well, for limited use only."
Revin's eyes lit up. He excused himself and walked briskly back to his quarters to pack.
"Next stop, Harway!" he chortled with glee.

"I'm just making one last pass for anything I might have missed." He sighed. "I sure miss the library in Harway."
The library at Ravensbelth was second only to the incredible one on Harway that had been lost in the war when the Royal Palace was destroyed.
"Perhaps you didn't hear, Milord," he said.

Revin was about to head to Balarae, but he stopped at the library first. He ran his hand along the volumes looking for anything else that might mention Nerha.
"Can I help you find anything, Your Excellency?" the librarian asked.
"I don't think so," Revin replied. #wss366

#WritersCoffeeClub As a writer, what do you get from social media?

I really like the sense of connection I get with community here on Mastodon. I enjoy the prompts and the opportunity to share my work. And to see the work that others are doing.

The rest of social media is pretty much a wasteland. Facebook just hides posts from my "friends" and tries to jam ads and slop in front of my eyeballs. I can't use Instagram or Threads because of autoplay. And the vibe on Bluesky is creepy and weird.

#EngenderedWriting If your story contains sexual scenes (any combination of genders or preferences) are they mostly positive or negative experiences? Why?

The vast majority of the sexual scenes I've written are joyful and positive. I've written a small number of dark scenes that either threaten sexual violence or that might be considered borderline non-consensual. But none are gratuitous and they all play important roles in the plot. It's not a plot device I choose lightly.

#WordWeavers Share something writing-related you're proud of: an achievement, a beautiful passage, a compliment, etc.

I particularly liked this review of Revin's Heart: "The story moves along smoothly, and the action will get your heart racing. The characters are unforgettable, and you won’t see the twists coming. For as many moments that will have your heart in your throat, there are others that make you laugh, or just fill you up with warmth." ❤️

"Should we take a break?" she teased, looking up.
"No! Don't #stop!" he groaned. She resumed what she was doing. He closed his eyes, entirely focused on the incredible sensations she was giving him. His entire being tensed. He clenched his hands in the covers, and then relaxed with a sigh.

#wss366

I think this says more about teaching than it does about writing. I can't wait for the sequel, "I quit writing and made more money as a waitress."

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