@stevendbrewer@wandering.shop

#ScribesAndMakers What foods can't you stand?

Eggplant. I can't stand the texture. And it doesn't really have much taste: you might as well be eating snot. It's just horrible.

Oh! Oh! Even worse: echinoderms (i.e. sea cucumber and sea urchin). Blech.

Arrived too late to go to registration for @seattlein2025 but after something like 15 hours traveling, I'm happy to just take it easy tonight. We have a nice view from the hotel…

My mom has finished the story and rendered her judgement: "That was a cute story."

I have finished my first draft of the bear's origin story. I have shared it with my alpha readers and printed off a copy for my mom. ❤️

"Now, what you'd want to do in *that* circumstance," the older boy explained. "Is set up a #sole proprietorship and…"
The younger brother cut in, "What does it have to do with shoes?"
"Nothing to do with shoes! It's all about the tax implications. The first thing you need to do is incorporate in order to manage liability…"
"I use thumbtacks to stick things to my bulletin board."
"Land, death, and taxes," the older brother continued, unabated, "are the only things that exist forever…" #wss366

#KPopMonday #SummerVibes This is actually #PPop, but is so summery I have to share it. Pantropiko by Bini. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx31bB2vMns

I wrote a bit more about *The Mary Stories* and publishing with Theo Reads. It's an interesting model for publishing serialized fiction. https://stevendbrewer.com/the-mary-stories-at-theo-reads/

Undercast by Bright Ideas Brewing at #MassMOCA, a very nice, hazy NEIPA #beer.

We just finished an amazing first visit to #MassMOCA. We had won a guided tour and got chaperoned through many exhibits that were in equal parts powerful, moving, provocative and whimsical. We'll be back.

The Mary Stories, my 10-chapter novella, is now available via TheoReads! "An older man moves back to his childhood home in the country and rediscovers the imaginary friend he had as a child, who is not so imaginary. Reconnecting after a lifetime apart, they begin to trust one another again. And, together, they confront a mystery that spans the past and the present, and that threatens them both." https://www.theoreads.com/story/54e5936b-8455-4db3-b5f7-06a98f051700/view

"Hey! Hey!" Brunhilde said, riding the bear. "Go that way!"
The bear obediently turned left, walking along the far edge of the picnic grounds.
Brunhilde giggled and then shouted, "Go faster!"
The bear broke into a trot and then began to gallop.
Brunhilde clung to his fur, screaming with delight.
"Aren't you afraid you'll #spoil her?" Forrest said.
"I will not governed by your fear," the bear said, slowing to a walk.
Brunhilde beamed as she bounced along to the rolling gait of the bear. #wss366

Everything in history appears twice: first as tragedy and then as AI slop.

"These don't just grow on trees, you know!" Brunhilde said, holding up an apple.
"Actually, they do," the bear said.
"What!?"
"Several kinds of #fruit do. Or so they say."
"We get ours from the replicator!"
"Stop pulling her leg!" Forrest screeched. "Next you'll tell her mice grow on trees!" #wss366

#ScribesAndMakers Do you like baking? If so, what do you usually bake?

I love to bake, especially during the winter. I'm particularly good at pizza and scones, although I haven't made any for a while because summer. https://wandering.shop/@stevendbrewer/111794950286633001

"Watcha doin'?" he said.
"Planting tomato starts."
"Starts?"
"You #start 'em inside, then move 'em out after the last frost."
"What else are ya plantin'?"
"Onions, peppers, and cilantro."
"Whatcha gonna make?"
"The hottest salsa you ever had," she said, tweaking his nose. "Wanna help?" (2/2) #wss366

The boy knocked on the door. There was no answer.
"Grandma?" he called.
"'Round back!" she said.
He skipped around the corner of the house and into the back yard. She was wearing old clothes with a bandana over her hair. She was kneeling next to a raised bed with her hands in the soil. (1/2) #wss366

#WritersCoffeeClub What's a work you won't write but you'd like to see another writer take on?

Every other book in existence.

#WordWeavers Describe the sensations of one of your characters in the last scene you wrote.

My current WIP is the origin story of the bear. I just wrote the scene where he is welcomed to the Volpex Picnic Park and the Ranger replicates a feast. The bear has never experienced anything like this before and can't quite believe he gets to gorge himself on so many delicious things. But then, after the wonderful meal, he nervously has to confess there is one more thing that he'd really like to have…

The @wss366 prompt today is a perfect one: an ordinary word with multiple meanings. So why don't you #start writing your contribution right now? https://wandering.shop/@wss366/114992323142635296

I'm set up for the Amherst Artisan's Market (Thursdays from 3-7pm). Due to nearby construction, they've packed us into a smaller space. But the weather is nice and people are happy to be here. #WesternMass