@stevendbrewer@wandering.shop

#WritersCoffeeClub Sentence fragments? Punchy? Cliché? Essential? Wrong? What's a sentence fragment?

I just write how I want it to sound. My parents were well educated and so my default writing tends to be grammatically correct. But I also grew up on a rural area with friends who were less-well educated and I learned how to code switch to "fit in" — or, at least, not stand out. Depending on the effect I'm trying to achieve, I can code-switch in my writing too.

#WordWeavers Share a description of unusual or interesting clothes in your story.

The dressmaker went into the back and returned with a hanger. Veronica's eyes opened wide to see what she'd created. On the hanger was a white, chiffon dress with puffy sleeves, a ruffled skirt, and red ribbons as details on the cuffs and hem. The woman held it up by Veronica's face.
"Perfect! I knew these red ribbons would complement your hair!" she said excitedly. "Here! Try it on!" (from The Ground Never Lies)

#WordWeavers Who truly understands your MC?

The protagonist of *A Familiar Problem* (coming in January) is Rory Soletsa. He's a young man who's recently lost his mother & is depressed. It's time for him to find a magical familiar, but he gets captured as the familiar of a demon. The demon has lived for thousands of years among people and knows them inside and out. And can both read Rory's mind and all of his memories. With their knowledge & experience, they know him better than he does himself.

Facebook lets strangers pay to hide your friends' posts and waste your time.

"Well, I want to live with you," Sophie said.
Veronica stared at her, dumbfounded. She knew how these things always ended. She would lose her temper and drive Sophie away — maybe even hurt her. It was better to just not start.
"No." Veronica said. She held out her hand.
"What?"
"Give me the #key."
Sophie reluctantly handed it over.
"Now, get out," Veronica said.
"Can't we at least…"
"No."

#wss366

In 2018, I posted the scientific successes we've had reducing global risks. https://blog.bierfaristo.com/content/long-arc I mentioned leaded gasoline and ozone depletion. Another was the atomic test ban treaty. Background radiation levels peaked at 4.6% above normal in 1963 but have returned to near background levels.

Jesse Lee Kercheval did a fantastic presentation about translation for the Straw Dog Writers' guild. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuWuqVWyxM4

Read more about Revin and Words in *Revin's Heart*, available now from Water Dragon Publishing https://waterdragonpublishing.com/product/revins-heart/

Revin left his hand resting on his arm and leaned forward. "You are not alone! Both Momo and I are with you. We won't abandon you."
"Oh, Revin," Words said, tearing up. He leaned forward and hugged Revin. "What would I do without you? Why did I ever let you go?"
"Let's get you to bed," Revin said.

When he went to take another swig, Revin put his hand on Words' arm. "Don't you think you'd better go easy on that stuff?"
A quick flash of annoyance crossed Words' features, but then he made a forced laugh. "Yeah. You're right. How did I get into such a #vein of depression?"

#wss366

Seven years ago, I posted "So-called 'Big Data' is just Taylorization applied to every aspect of human existence and, in the long run, just as destructive to human values."

Via my son, who wanted me to say "the bear said" instead of "he said."

Bebe & Tau had wandered into the tall grass.
"Where is Bebe?" Bebe asked. "Where are the others?"
Tau barked, then stood up on his hind legs to peer over the grass.
"Bebe thinks we're lost," Bebe moaned.
Tau barked angrily.
"OK, OK," Bebe said in a conciliatory tone. "Bebe is lost & Tau has only become separated from the pack."
Suddenly Tau was on #alert & all the fur came up along his back. A bear reared up over the grass.
"Yo. The picnic grounds are back that way," he said, pointing.

#wss366

#PennedPossibilities Your SC is hosting a get-together at home.

"Pardon me, Sir Revin. The Baron has asked me to bring you to his private lounge."
Mystified, Revin followed Terrier who, after many twists and turns, opened a door and held it for him. He entered to find Will and Grip sitting together on a sofa in a comfortable den. The walls were lined with bookshelves and a crackling fire burned in the fireplace. The Baron poured out of a decanter into a snifter, and then extended it to Revin.

Panting, they took refuge under an awning while the rain poured down.
"Oh, no! Look at your dress!" Celene said.
Veronica looked down. The white dress had become nearly transparent.
Celene giggled. "It's more like 'look through your dress'," she laughed.
Embarrassed, Veronica wrapped her arms around herself.

They walked along the boardwalk and then turned left, back in toward town. Mar's Cafe was on a quiet side street off from the main street.
A rumble of thunder broke the silence and then, without warning, rain was pelting down upon them.
"Let's run!" Celene said. They began to #dash toward the cafe, but the rain fell harder and harder.
"Over here!" Veronica said.

#wss366

#WritersCoffeeClub From all your work, who's your favourite character?

It's got to be Bebe of the Better Angels. She has a delightful mix of naivete, insight, honesty, and devilishness. She drives everyone crazy with her need for attention and off-the-wall antics. But she always comes through in the end.

I got publicity photos made for each of the Angels. If you buy a signed copy of Better Angels: Tour de Force you get a 'zine with their photos, vital statistics — and their three measurements.

#WritersCoffeeClub Does your work make you laugh when you read it back?

Sometimes. Especially if it's been a while. A lot of humor is the surprise and it's hard to be surprised when you've seen something too recently.

A challenge I have when reading is trying to get through the emotionally charged sections without getting choked up. I often have to read a passage several times to prepare for a reading so I don't inadvertently get stuck.

The Chief nodded curtly, spoke to the desk sergeant who directed two constables to follow them, and then he gestured for Veronica to lead the way.
They arrived at the parcel of land. It seemed even more desolate than it had the previous day. It was cloudy and blustery.
The Chief and constables stood back. He crossed his arms.
"Now, Ms Bellox, please tell me everything you can see."
She pushed her awareness down and studied the site as carefully as she could.

#wss366 (from The Ground Never Lies)

I didn't reach my "goal" but I had a good experience during #WritingMonth https://stevendbrewer.com/writing-month-wraps-up/ Thank you to @amin for putting together the site! I hope it continues to develop and I look forward to trying again, maybe as soon as January.