#WritersCoffeeClub (Sep) 1: Intro: Shameless Self Promotion.
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 13: Has anything you've written made you cry, either when writing it or on a re-read?
Not yet. I truly hope something does at some point.
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 14: How does your plot structure grow? Linearly as you go? Or does it grow out from one or more ideas?
I'm afraid I don't understand this question. I feel like my answer is something like, "Yes, and..."
(I guess the "and" is that it grows out of the actions the characters take.)
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 14: How does your plot structure grow? Linearly as you go? Or does it grow out from one or more ideas?
I'm afraid I don't understand this question. I feel like my answer is something like, "Yes, and..."
(I guess the "and" is that it grows out of the actions the characters take.)
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 15: Which of the different marketing tactics you may have tried has been the most successful?
I haven't tried any marketing tactics yet; it's way too early for me to try to market something that I haven't even started the first draft of yet.
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 15: Which of the different marketing tactics you may have tried has been the most successful?
I haven't tried any marketing tactics yet; it's way too early for me to try to market something that I haven't even started the first draft of yet.
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 16: Have you ever tried to write something set in a culture other than your own? How did it go?
Yes, I once wrote a sort of ongoing _roman à clef_ about web development cast as a tale of ninja derring-do in feudal Japan, in the later part of the _Sengoku Jidai_.
I think it went pretty well, but I did eventually get tired of it and move on to other things.
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 16: Have you ever tried to write something set in a culture other than your own? How did it go?
Yes, I once wrote a sort of ongoing _roman à clef_ about web development cast as a tale of ninja derring-do in feudal Japan, in the later part of the _Sengoku Jidai_.
I think it went pretty well, but I did eventually get tired of it and move on to other things.
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 17: What's the body count in your WIP? Is this typical for your work?
It will be at least 2, probably 3. Maybe a few more.
I'm a fan of the Anyone Can Die trope¹, as it keeps readers from getting complacent or figuring that main characters must have Plot Armor², so yeah, this will probably be a typical rate for my work, once I produce more of it.
1. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AnyoneCanDie, usual TV Tropes link warnings apply, this will suck hours of your time
2. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/PlotArmor -
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 17: What's the body count in your WIP? Is this typical for your work?
It will be at least 2, probably 3. Maybe a few more.
I'm a fan of the Anyone Can Die trope¹, as it keeps readers from getting complacent or figuring that main characters must have Plot Armor², so yeah, this will probably be a typical rate for my work, once I produce more of it.
1. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AnyoneCanDie, usual TV Tropes link warnings apply, this will suck hours of your time
2. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/PlotArmorAddendum: I think it's really cool that some folks have tried taking this as the sexy kind of body count instead of the murdery kind, but I'm like, how would one even begin to count that?
Do established liaisons count, or only new connections? Do the established ones only count if we see them having sex (or at least see them making overtures and then give them privacy), or... 1/2
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Addendum: I think it's really cool that some folks have tried taking this as the sexy kind of body count instead of the murdery kind, but I'm like, how would one even begin to count that?
Do established liaisons count, or only new connections? Do the established ones only count if we see them having sex (or at least see them making overtures and then give them privacy), or... 1/2
...can we just assume that over a 6-month time span (for my WIP), they obviously must find the time at least once or twice?
Depending on those criteria, and on how many side characters I depict in certain groups, my count could be anywhere from 1-2 all the way up to 3 digits. 2/2
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...can we just assume that over a 6-month time span (for my WIP), they obviously must find the time at least once or twice?
Depending on those criteria, and on how many side characters I depict in certain groups, my count could be anywhere from 1-2 all the way up to 3 digits. 2/2
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 18: Do you read scripts? Would you try writing a script or screenplay?
Do I habitually read scripts? No. Am I willing to read scripts, or things written in script form? Sure.
I actually have vague dreams of trying to write scripts or screenplays, but I know I should first work on the various novels that I have ideas for.
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 18: Do you read scripts? Would you try writing a script or screenplay?
Do I habitually read scripts? No. Am I willing to read scripts, or things written in script form? Sure.
I actually have vague dreams of trying to write scripts or screenplays, but I know I should first work on the various novels that I have ideas for.
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 19: Do you go to fan conventions or similar?
I've been going to sci-fi cons since I was about 15 or so. I look forward to eventually going as a guest rather than fan, someday.
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 19: Do you go to fan conventions or similar?
I've been going to sci-fi cons since I was about 15 or so. I look forward to eventually going as a guest rather than fan, someday.
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 20: Do you agree with Terry Pratchett, who said, "There's no such thing as writer's block. That was invented by people in California who couldn't write."
WTF?
I generally have a good impression of Sir Pterry (despite not having read anything of his except whichever is the half of _Good Omens_ that he wrote), so I'm wondering if maybe this was just a line that one of his character said, and he doesn't believe it himself? 1/2
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 20: Do you agree with Terry Pratchett, who said, "There's no such thing as writer's block. That was invented by people in California who couldn't write."
WTF?
I generally have a good impression of Sir Pterry (despite not having read anything of his except whichever is the half of _Good Omens_ that he wrote), so I'm wondering if maybe this was just a line that one of his character said, and he doesn't believe it himself? 1/2
Or is it misleadingly out-of-context in some other way, as so many of these quotes have been?
Whatever. Basically, the slur against California isn't landing very well over here, in this San Franciscan's mind and heart. 2/2
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Or is it misleadingly out-of-context in some other way, as so many of these quotes have been?
Whatever. Basically, the slur against California isn't landing very well over here, in this San Franciscan's mind and heart. 2/2
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 21: If you write adult fiction, would you consider children's stories and vice versa? Do you write both? How's it going?
I don't have any real desire to write children's stories. I think I'd be okay at it if an idea hit me that would work well in that genre, but... that's not the kind of thing I usually think about and care about, so that seems unlikely.
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 21: If you write adult fiction, would you consider children's stories and vice versa? Do you write both? How's it going?
I don't have any real desire to write children's stories. I think I'd be okay at it if an idea hit me that would work well in that genre, but... that's not the kind of thing I usually think about and care about, so that seems unlikely.
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 22: What's your favourite writing convention to eschew?
"Writing *convention*" doesn't sound to me like "faux, overly-prescriptive grammar 'rule'", so I don't need to mention things like splitting infinitives or the fact that prepositions are perfectly legitimate things to end sentences with. So let me see, what are some writing conventions? 🤔 1/3
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 22: What's your favourite writing convention to eschew?
"Writing *convention*" doesn't sound to me like "faux, overly-prescriptive grammar 'rule'", so I don't need to mention things like splitting infinitives or the fact that prepositions are perfectly legitimate things to end sentences with. So let me see, what are some writing conventions? 🤔 1/3
To a fair degree, I'm *not* writing what I know. I am writing from the POVs of a lot of people who have lived experiences that are very different from my own. Women, enbies, Black people, Asian-Americans and Hispanics, people who grew up poor... Okay, also a few rich and powerful people.
I'm kind of diving into the deep end here, but there's no way I can tell the story without doing that. I'm being as careful and conscientious about it as I can. I'm doing my best. 2/3
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To a fair degree, I'm *not* writing what I know. I am writing from the POVs of a lot of people who have lived experiences that are very different from my own. Women, enbies, Black people, Asian-Americans and Hispanics, people who grew up poor... Okay, also a few rich and powerful people.
I'm kind of diving into the deep end here, but there's no way I can tell the story without doing that. I'm being as careful and conscientious about it as I can. I'm doing my best. 2/3
Additionally, I'm writing a multi-POV, ensemble story as my first book. I think most people would have advised me to start with a single MC. But again, this story requires multiple POVs and MCs.
A few months ago, I'd have added that I'm starting with a full novel, when there's lots of (good!) advice to write shorter things first. But I've recently realized that's what my vignettes are for. So, yay, I'm at least doing one thing that's not utterly foolish! 😄 3/3
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Additionally, I'm writing a multi-POV, ensemble story as my first book. I think most people would have advised me to start with a single MC. But again, this story requires multiple POVs and MCs.
A few months ago, I'd have added that I'm starting with a full novel, when there's lots of (good!) advice to write shorter things first. But I've recently realized that's what my vignettes are for. So, yay, I'm at least doing one thing that's not utterly foolish! 😄 3/3
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 23: How do you capture a character's unique voice in dialogue?
For the most part, things like word choice and tone. That tone might occasionally be indicated by dialogue tags, though I'm of the opinion that roughly 90% of dialogue tags should just be "said" (or "asked" if that's the case). The time to use variant ones is when it will give the reader extra information — such as a character's unique voice!
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 23: How do you capture a character's unique voice in dialogue?
For the most part, things like word choice and tone. That tone might occasionally be indicated by dialogue tags, though I'm of the opinion that roughly 90% of dialogue tags should just be "said" (or "asked" if that's the case). The time to use variant ones is when it will give the reader extra information — such as a character's unique voice!
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 24: Do you criticize other writers? Who and in what way?
I mostly criticize things writers *say*, not the writers themselves. Like Stephen King's thing about not using adverbs, or Raymond Chandler's advice on having someone come through the door with a gun if you're not sure what to do next, which can easily result in a very tangled plotline full of threads with no clear antecedents. (In essence, a forest of _diaboli ex machini_.) 1/3
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 24: Do you criticize other writers? Who and in what way?
I mostly criticize things writers *say*, not the writers themselves. Like Stephen King's thing about not using adverbs, or Raymond Chandler's advice on having someone come through the door with a gun if you're not sure what to do next, which can easily result in a very tangled plotline full of threads with no clear antecedents. (In essence, a forest of _diaboli ex machini_.) 1/3
A major exception is JK Rowling. Not only do I criticize her world-building (which falls apart the moment you give it more than a passing glance, and is a perfect example of the kind of shoddy world-building I'm determined to avoid), I also criticize her as a person. Calling her a TERF would be a misnomer, since the F stands for "feminist", and she doesn't stand up for women — not even herself, as exemplified by her bowing to pressure to use initials instead of her feminine given name. 2/3
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A major exception is JK Rowling. Not only do I criticize her world-building (which falls apart the moment you give it more than a passing glance, and is a perfect example of the kind of shoddy world-building I'm determined to avoid), I also criticize her as a person. Calling her a TERF would be a misnomer, since the F stands for "feminist", and she doesn't stand up for women — not even herself, as exemplified by her bowing to pressure to use initials instead of her feminine given name. 2/3
This piece is an insightful (and honestly kind of heartbreaking) study in what she might have done and written if she *had* been a feminist: https://globalcomment.com/in-praise-of-hermione-granger-series/ I wish I could read *that* series; it sounds pretty damn good. 3/3
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This piece is an insightful (and honestly kind of heartbreaking) study in what she might have done and written if she *had* been a feminist: https://globalcomment.com/in-praise-of-hermione-granger-series/ I wish I could read *that* series; it sounds pretty damn good. 3/3
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 25: How long is the shortest story you've ever written? Can you link to it?
I guess I can consider my vignettes to be stories. The shortest one is the one where Jessie Nakamura comes out to her older brother, George; it's 956 words.
I haven't put it up anywhere public. (Yet. Maybe someday. After the actual book is published.)
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 25: How long is the shortest story you've ever written? Can you link to it?
I guess I can consider my vignettes to be stories. The shortest one is the one where Jessie Nakamura comes out to her older brother, George; it's 956 words.
I haven't put it up anywhere public. (Yet. Maybe someday. After the actual book is published.)
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 26: Have you entered any contests? Which would you recommend?
I haven't, and I don't know nearly enough about any to recommend any.
Gli ultimi otto messaggi ricevuti dalla Federazione
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L'ai esiste da migliaia di anni
Si chiama "leggere il volo degli uccelli"
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STOP REWRITING PERFECTLY GOOD C IN RUST
STOP REWRITING PERFECTLY GOOD C IN RUST STOP REWRITING PERFECTLY GOOD C IN RUST STOP REWRITING PERFECTLY GOOD C IN RUST STOP REWRITING PERFECTLY GOOD C IN RUST STOP REWRITING PERFECTLY GOOD C IN RUST FUCK YOU FUCK YOU FUCK YOU. FUCK YOU AND YOUR FUCKING MODERN-ASS PLATFORMS, SOME OF US CARE ABOUT THINGS THAT AREN'T YOUR AMD RYZEN DESKTOP OR YOUR FAKE-ASS POWER9 BOX THAT DOESN'T EVEN RUN SLOF OR IN BIG-ENDIAN MODE
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@ni Hi. Co-author of ActivityPub here. Private distribution has always been a goal.
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@strypey @nelfan@gotosocial.social @benpate @ni @swf @sovtechfund @bonfire
First, there's a document on possible integration models, which explains why this model was used.
https://swicg.github.io/activitypub-e2ee/integration-models.html
Second, bridgeability is a user story for the spec. I'd love to see encrypted messages cross bridges. MLS could help make that happen.
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in the spirit of the holiday season: fedi uses activities like gift wrap. they unwrap them to get at the side effects inside, then discard them. activitypub is for publishing activities, so it's like gifting someone gift wrap. if they unwrap it, they get nothing. the gift wrap is the gift itself. the type of gift wrap you use says something all by itself. but a lot of people don't appreciate gift wrap. if you gifted someone gift wrap they might be confused and not understand it.
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welp. the certbot program now no longer works on SPARC, because like many needlessly rewritten things that exist now, it now depends on something written in fucking rust. for fuck sake.
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I hear that DDR5 is super expensive to get right now.
