@stevendbrewer@wandering.shop

I get to have a weekend this weekend! For weeks, I've been having to write comments on student papers or grade papers. But *this* weekend, I can just, you know, *write*. ❤️

#PennedPossibilities What is the longest amount of time you’ve spent on a WIP?

I began the manuscript that became *The Third Time's the Charm* in 2003. I submitted it in 2004 and it was rejected. And I didn't get around to revising it until 2021 but then I submitted it again and it was accepted — and became the first part of my *Revin's Heart* series. But I recognize that's not exactly what the question is really asking because, for 16 years, I really didn't do anything with the manuscript.

"It was a surprise," Grumpy said. "After a series of inconclusive engagements the two fleets jumped into the same system."
"What happened then?" Bebe asked, on the edge of her seat.
"It was carnage," Grumpy said. "The humans released an AI killer while the AIs charged in with new beam weapons that the human ships couldn't shield against. It was a bloodbath. And then…"
"Then what!?"
"My ship got blown up before the AI killer hit our ship. I didn't know anything until I woke up in N.B.D."

#wss366

"Oh, Kasseh!" Cecelia said. "Whatever shall I do?"
"It's not my place to say, Milady."
Cecelia broke down in tears, sobbing, and whispered, "I can't take it, Kasseh! Please stop! Please be yourself."
Kasseh eyes grew red with suppressed tears but she hissed. "Now is not the time, Mistress! There are other servants just outside the door! Pull yourself together. I beg you!"
Cecelia looked pleadingly at Kasseh, but then managed to stop the tears.

(From Lady Cecelia's Choice) #LesFicFri sad

The tree company that's been helping us nurse our sakura tree back to health came today to prune back the deadwood. It's always sad to lose any flowers, but the tree looks better after they finished. #bloomscrolling

The coach bearing the Professor arrived in the central plaza. He hopped down where Revin & Balkan met him. Using his arm-braces, he began to hand walk that way, but then stopped.
"Revin," he said. "Did you notice that fountain?"
"Of course!" Revin said. "It's spectacular — It's even more amazing than the fountain at Ravensbelth."
"But Revin," he said. "How can it possibly work? We're on top of a promontory! How do they build a hydrostatic head to create the pressure? It's not possible!"

#wss366

#PennedPossibilities What were your SC's childhood obsessions?

Collect more minerals. Build more overlords. Get to lurkers before the zealots arrive. Bury zerglings before the siege tanks get there.

After two days of tortuous descents from Highlend, with Kasseh having to lean on the brake to not overrun the horses, they reached the border with Tenmills. A gigantic lake had been created in a river valley that provided the water for an immense series of locks. For a fee, they rolled the wagon onto a barge and could then relax as the water was released and the barge lowered. Each lock brought them one #step closer to the huge complex of mills and factories that gave Tenmills its name.

#wss366

I believe today is peak sakura. It's supposed to rain tomorrow and I expect the petals will start falling then. They don't last long, but are so magnificent while they do. #bloomscrolling

In case anyone else was worried, I'm fine — just busy. My honors students are preparing posters for Friday which has put me behind grading papers for the writing class.

"What are you looking for?" Curtains asked.
"Your cargo. From your tracks, we can see you're heavily laden." He grabbed the covering and pulled it back, revealing the bed of the wagon filled with rocks.
"You bastard!" he yelled. "Where did you stash it!"
"We're just carrying rocks. I've got the bill of lading right here."
"Go back! They must have swapped the cargo!"
The riders wheeled their horses.
The leader shook his fist at Curtains. "The Contessa will have those statues!" 2/2

#wss366

Curtains and Roughneck drove the team of horses mercilessly across the plain. The could see dust rising behind them and could see that the riders that pursued them were overtaking them fast.
"We're not going to make it," Curtains said. "Rest the horses."
Roughneck reluctantly reined them in and let them walk. Soon they heard the drumming of hoofbeats and twenty riders arrived in a great cloud of dust and surrounded them.
"Surrender!" cried the leader. 1/2

#wss366 #microprompt

This morning the sakura tree was at maybe 25%. But over the course of the day more and more blossoms opened and now, at sunset, it's maybe 60%. Tomorrow the weather will be nice so it will probably peak by late afternoon. #bloomscrolling

#WritersCoffeeClub Describe your perfect writing conditions.

I don't have any. Or, rather, it depends. I love when I have a good idea, an outline, and the words just flow onto the screen. But, beyond that, a bunch of different circumstances can work well. I do most of my writing in my office. Depending on the time of day, I'll have a cup of coffee or a beer at my elbow. I often like to play k-pop or j-pop in the background. But sitting under the cherry tree or at a street cafe can be good too.

The Queen arrived at the Hermitage. There was no landing field, so they set down in a pasture & the remmers used towlines to hold her down while Revin and #Will went in.
The arrival of the airship had attracted a large crowd of onlookers. Director Solzen hailed them as they approached.
"Well met, young Revin," he said.
"Well met, Director," Revin laughed. "We're looking for The Professor."
"He couldn't be bothered to come out. He said, 'If you've seen one airship, you've seen 'em all.'"

#wss366

Tanuki-chan is waiting for Charlie to come out of Atkins. She does not like for the pack to become separated. #dogsofmastodon

The Better Angels ran in at a run.
"Please state the nature of your medical emergency," said Zaza.
"It's another case of the virus," said David.
"Bebe will take care of it!" said Bebe.
They began to wrap Racy with bandages and Bebe clamped a helmet over her head.
"What's happening? What's all this for?" Racy asked, nervously.
"Oh. I already updated your nano — you should start to feel better in a few minutes. They're just doing just this for fun." 2/2
#wss366

After Never Back Down docked at the Truck Stop, Captain Racy Reckless walked briskly down the Docking Ring to Angels' Wings. She stepped to the bridge, then started to feel dizzy & collapsed.
"What's happening?" she asked, head spinning.
"Didn't you see the announcement coming in?" David said. "Some idiot brought a virus to the Truck Stop that evades medical nano until you update." He pressed a button & called, "Angels? There's another #patient. Better turn on your nursing modules." 1/2

#wss366

post longa atend', finfine komenciĝas… sakura floro / after a long wait, it finally begins… sakura flower #hajko #haiku #esperanto #bloomscrolling

The Lily Lassies wrapped up their performance at the summer music festival. They left the stage to raucous cheers & applause. Sweaty & exhausted, they started to head back to their #trailer.
"I'm tired," said Calla. "I think I just want to take a shower & go to sleep."
"I'm hungry," said Tiger. "I'm going to check out the food stands."
"I'm horny," said Michigan. "I'm going to hit the bar."
"Anybody want to go look at a dead skunk?" asked Wood.
"Nope."
"No, thank you."
"That's all you."

#wss366