@stevendbrewer@wandering.shop

Today, I learned a new Japanese honorific. Most people know that for girls (and other people you're sweet on, like a brother) you might use -chan. And -tan is kind of a cutesy, baby-talk version you might use for your *oshi*. But today I learned there's also -taso, if you want to sound even more like an otaku.

In other news, Tanuki-taso is coming to visit shortly!

Ooh! I got rejected by Clarkesworld! AGAIN!

With the enormous tariffs on aluminum, maybe it will be an excuse to start using my growlers again. #beer

My dark, cozy fantasy *A Familiar Problem* was originally scheduled for January 2025, but was delayed. If you subscribe to my monthly mailing list, you can receive updates when it appears. https://author-sdbrewer.micro.blog/subscribe/

"That's so exciting!" his dad said. "I'll be interested to hear all about it when you get home."
It wasn't until this moment that Rory realized that this might be — even probably would be — the last time he saw his father. He choked up a bit, but leaned over and gave his father a big hug.
"Yeah, Dad," Rory said, tearing up. "Yeah. I'll tell you all about it when I get home."

#wss366 (from A Familiar Problem)

#WordWeavers What is the most useful skill your SC has?

In Revin's Heart, a small number of people can create "towlines" which use etheric energy to pull things. Most of the people with these skills are employed as "remmers" in airships to provide the motive force. Though they can pull other things, like people. Most remmers can only create a single towline but Will, the pirate captain, can create as many as a dozen.

Eleven-year-old Veronica returned from her apprenticeship. Dolly was waiting at the door.
"Miss Veronica," she said. "I've laid out a dress for you to change into. Then I will help you fix your hair."
"What's going on?"
"Your father requests that you and your mother go with him to a reception in town."
"A reception?" she asked.
"It's like a party."
"A party!" Veronica hurried to get changed.

#wss366 (from The Ground Never Lies)

#WritersCoffeeClub How do you handle the physical strain of writing?

I try to get up periodically to move, sometimes to take walks, but also to dance to #kpop (or #jpop or #tpop or #ppop or #mpop.) When I was young, I was too embarrassed to dance, but now that I'm old, I find that I have no shame.

My brother, @philipbrewer, found a different solution.

For #KPopMonday #SoloLadiesOfKpop, here's Taeyeon singing "Into the Unknown" for Disney's Frozen 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLj0MyVyhaU

The "Side Quests" are only available in the collected edition of *Revin's Heart*. https://waterdragonpublishing.com/product/revins-heart/

#PennedPossibilities Does your MC have any nicknames?

In Revin's Heart, members of the nobility usually assume an alias when acting outside of their official capacity. In *Where There's a Will* one of the "side quests" in the collected edition, Will offers a few suggestions.

In the confusion, however, they had missed the rescue. And when they returned, their baby was gone. They were inconsolable. Now, they were just trying to keep from getting corralled by the workmen.
"Go!" yelled one of the men closing in from the side. #wss366

There was one place you could sneak out of the stockade, but to get back in, you needed assistance from inside to hold the wire up. The two CuddleTums had left their baby asleep so one could sneak out to get some food while the other held the wire.

Three workmen were inside the building trying to catch the two remaining CuddleTums.
"C'mere," said one of the men, holding a large sack behind his back, trying to coax them within range to grab them. "We won't hurt you."

#WritersCoffeeClub Does caffeine intake influence your writing?

Only its absence, which gives me a headache.

I've tried quitting caffeine before and found that it's so ubiquitous that if I'm not using it regularly, it has a strong effect that can be unpleasant, e.g. eating chocolate for dessert and being wired at bedtime. As long as I drink coffee regularly, the caffeine has basically no effect. I routinely drink coffee in the evening and sleep fine.

But if I don't get any in the morning…

#ScribesAndMakers What would your best creative life look like, keeping it realistic?

[Looks around. Opens mouth. Closes it again.]

American voters: "I regret I have but one nose to cut off to spite my face."

"Never heard of it."
"Oh. It was the first kind of plastic." He poured them each a cup of tea then sat down. They both heard a crunch.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" she said. He stood and they inspected the bracelet now broken into three or four pieces. "I guess now it's made out of #satellite." (3/3) #wss366

She inspected it curiously. "What is that? It looks cheap."
"It looks cheap, and I got it for a song," he called from the kitchen. "But it's actually quite valuable."
"Ew. Why?" She set the bracelet back on his chair.
"It's made out of bakelite!" he said, placing the tray on the coffee table. (2/3)

"Wanna see my newest acquisition?" he asked, getting up as the tea kettle started to whistle.
"What is it this time?" she asked. "You always get such weird stuff at the flea market."
He handed her a colorful plastic bracelet. "Ta-da!" Then he scurried out of the room. (1/3)