@stevendbrewer@wandering.shop

#WritersCoffeeClub Have you ever based a character on yourself? If not, would you?

All of my characters are me, but just with a twist, like, "What if I was interesting?" or "What if I was fun?" or "What if I was attractive?" or "What if people liked me?" or "What if I was a non-human biological android that looked like a bear?"

#ScribesAndMakers What creative activities are you hoping to work on this month?

I finished *Bearly Believable* yesterday, so I'm between projects. I'm not sure what writing project I want to work on next.

My fall class starts in an hour, so I will devote a lot of my creative effort to that. But it's my only class, thanks to my phased retirement. I'll only teach this class once more before I fully retire after the spring.

I also have a secret project. More about that as it develops.

#Wordweavers Introduce your writing to a stranger using just 5 words.

Revin's Heart: Steampunky fantasy adventure

Better Angels: Fluffy military space opera

Lady Cecelia's Journey: Sapphic romantasy road story

The Ranger walked over and looked at one of the so-called charcoal grills. They weren't made of charcoal. Or even carbon. Each had a metal box mounted on a post with a opening on the side and a top formed of an evenly-spaced row of metal bars.
"What is this even for?" he wondered.
"Warning! For your own safety, #please stay out of the construction area!" announced one of the illuminoids.
The Ranger backed up, then watched the dance of the HeavyLifters for a few minutes more. #wss366

#WritersCoffeeClub & #ScribesAndMakers How was this month for you, writing-wise?

I wrote a blog post to answer this in more depth than I could in 500 characters. But the basic answer is "pretty good." https://stevendbrewer.com/bearly-writing-in-august/

"Can I get something to drink?" Jim asked.
"I can offer potable water," Pascal replied.
"Nothing stronger?" Jim asked.
"There were no alcoholic beverages as part of the ship's #manifest, although some crew members undoubtedly brought some on board with them. There is alcohol in the medical facility, but my records do not unambiguously specify whether or not it is denatured." #wss366 (from *An Exchange of Services*)

From my forthcoming dark, cozy fantasy *A Familiar Problem* which has been delayed. You can receive updates when it appears through my monthly newsletter. https://author-sdbrewer.micro.blog/subscribe/

"Huh," he said, sweating and trying to sound puzzled and non-committal.
"It's almost like you're the familiar and…" she started to say, but then the bell rang and Rory got up.
"We'd better get back," he said, very glad to have cut short that conversation. (3/3) #wss366

"Weird?" he said, breaking out in a sweat. "What do you mean?"
"Well, normally, in a familiar #bond, the magical energy flows from the owner to the familiar. But yours flows backward." She peered at him again and shook her head. (2/3) #wss366

"Is there any more to your story about getting a familiar?" Aimee asked.
"What else would there be?" Rory said. She scowled at him.
"There's just something odd," she said. "I've been studying how to visualize magical flows. And your familiar #bond looks weird." (1/3) #wss366

I love how their mic stands have cup holders for their #beer glasses.

The Ragged Blues Band is playing at Berkshire Brewing Company. Good tunes and good #beer. #WesternMass

Content warning:I only drink in social situations.

It's very social watching the Cards with my mom. I'm drinking a Blue Cosmo (gin, blue curacao, lime juice, white cranberry juice cocktail, and luxardo cherries). No cruzan rum — i just like the tervis cup.

"It will be ready in just a minute," he said, from the kitchen.
She seated herself at the table.
He brought out a tray with two bowls of soup and two cups of water.
"*Bonan apetiton*!" he said.
She looked at the soup. It was pale and cloudy with cilantro leaves floating on the surface. She took a taste.
"Delicious!" she said. "How did you get the seasoning so perfect?"
"Ah," he said. He went to the kitchen and returned with a small jar.
"Just add two spoonfuls of Tom Kha #paste." #wss366

I'm feeling this one these days. https://despair.com/products/dysfunction

@Aplonis might be interested to see the birthday note about Jack Vance (number 9) at File770: https://file770.com/pixel-scroll-8-28-25-you-turn-me-on/

I'm back out in the tent to write this morning, enjoying it while I can. It's chilly this morning, so I'm sitting in the sunlight to keep warm.

He let one week #pass. Then two. Then three. Finally he took up his pen again.
"I don't know why you never replied to my previous letters," he wrote.
"Your friendship meant a lot to me. I always thought we had a good relationship. I really valued your perspective and advice. And your sense of humor.
"Was it something I did? Or something I said? I don't understand."
He signed the letter and sealed the envelope. Then, regretfully, he tossed it into the fire and watched it burn. #wss366

I have picked my theme for my scientific writing class this fall…https://stevendbrewer.com/my-teaching-is-going-to-the-dogs/

Well, hello! #DogsOfMastodon