#WritersCoffeeClub (Sep) 1: Intro: Shameless Self Promotion.
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 8: Do you agree with Michael Moorcock, who said: "Ignore all proffered rules and create your own, suitable for what you want to say"?
I have no idea. I suspect his meaning was clearer in context, but there *is* no context here for that quote, and so I suspect my interpretation of it might not be what he meant.
I mean... grammar rules? Spelling rules? How "ungovernable" can you make your writing before it becomes incoherent? But I *don't* think that's what he meant.
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 9: How do you select ideas from all the ones floating around?
Not all ideas are equally interesting to me! I take the ones that really appeal to me, that make me go, "Hey, *this* is something I can get my teeth into!"
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 9: How do you select ideas from all the ones floating around?
Not all ideas are equally interesting to me! I take the ones that really appeal to me, that make me go, "Hey, *this* is something I can get my teeth into!"
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 10: Do you revise and add more plot if you feel your story is too short?
I haven't reached a situation like that yet, so I'm not sure what I would/will do if/when it came/comes to pass.
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 10: Do you revise and add more plot if you feel your story is too short?
I haven't reached a situation like that yet, so I'm not sure what I would/will do if/when it came/comes to pass.
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 11: Is it okay to use a comma before a dependent clause? Or anywhere else?
"Or anywhere else"? What, like, "is it okay to use a comma anywhere?" Ummm, that'd be a big yes from me, pal.
More seriously, just see:
https://www.writingforward.com/grammar/punctuation-marks/commas-and-clauses
https://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/dependent_clause.htm
Or even Strunk & White's rules 3 and 4: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37134/37134-h/37134-h.htm#Rule_3 and https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37134/37134-h/37134-h.htm#Rule_4.
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 11: Is it okay to use a comma before a dependent clause? Or anywhere else?
"Or anywhere else"? What, like, "is it okay to use a comma anywhere?" Ummm, that'd be a big yes from me, pal.
More seriously, just see:
https://www.writingforward.com/grammar/punctuation-marks/commas-and-clauses
https://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/dependent_clause.htm
Or even Strunk & White's rules 3 and 4: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37134/37134-h/37134-h.htm#Rule_3 and https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37134/37134-h/37134-h.htm#Rule_4.
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 12: Which social media channels do you use as a writer? Which gives you the best engagement?
Just this one, and also Dreamwidth if you count that as social media. Shoutout to the "Little Details" community there: https://little-details.dreamwidth.org/
The only other social media I'm on is LinkedIn, which wouldn't be appropriate. I refuse to use FB, IG, or TikTok.
[Edit: Oh yeah, Reddit counts, doesn't it? I get a little engagement there, not as much as here.]
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 12: Which social media channels do you use as a writer? Which gives you the best engagement?
Just this one, and also Dreamwidth if you count that as social media. Shoutout to the "Little Details" community there: https://little-details.dreamwidth.org/
The only other social media I'm on is LinkedIn, which wouldn't be appropriate. I refuse to use FB, IG, or TikTok.
[Edit: Oh yeah, Reddit counts, doesn't it? I get a little engagement there, not as much as here.]
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 13: What's your favourite antagonist to write? Villains, anti-heroes, rivals?
At the moment, I'm looking forward to writing some straight-up villains, including some bits where they do things that are just plain *bad*. (The fact that they see themselves as heroic doesn't make them anti-heroes. Just villains with excuses and a skewed worldview. And that skewed view is part of what makes them villains.)
Maybe later in my career, I'll get more into anti-heroes or rivals.
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 13: What's your favourite antagonist to write? Villains, anti-heroes, rivals?
At the moment, I'm looking forward to writing some straight-up villains, including some bits where they do things that are just plain *bad*. (The fact that they see themselves as heroic doesn't make them anti-heroes. Just villains with excuses and a skewed worldview. And that skewed view is part of what makes them villains.)
Maybe later in my career, I'll get more into anti-heroes or rivals.
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 14: Describe a bit of ask-an-expert research you've done presenting yourself as an author.
I contacted the San Francisco Public Library to ask about what it's like to work there. The librarian who called me back was very friendly and helpful, and it was overall a really nice experience.
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 14: Describe a bit of ask-an-expert research you've done presenting yourself as an author.
I contacted the San Francisco Public Library to ask about what it's like to work there. The librarian who called me back was very friendly and helpful, and it was overall a really nice experience.
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 15: Is your work child or teen-friendly, or does it contain themes more suited for mature audiences?
I'm not yet sure just how much sex and drugs will wind up appearing in my WIP. Maybe none, maybe just a little, in a few key spots. Depending on that, it might or might not be appropriate for younger teens. I think older ones could probably read and enjoy it, but I'm really targeting an adult audience.
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 15: Is your work child or teen-friendly, or does it contain themes more suited for mature audiences?
I'm not yet sure just how much sex and drugs will wind up appearing in my WIP. Maybe none, maybe just a little, in a few key spots. Depending on that, it might or might not be appropriate for younger teens. I think older ones could probably read and enjoy it, but I'm really targeting an adult audience.
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 16: How do you like to end a story? Fully resolved? Bittersweet? Dark? What's your go-to?
I like to have things pretty well wrapped up, with little ambiguity about what's happened to whom or where they're going next. I like the ending to be mostly happy, but I can put a little bitter into that overall sweetness.
My WIP will not 100% conform to these things, however.
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 16: How do you like to end a story? Fully resolved? Bittersweet? Dark? What's your go-to?
I like to have things pretty well wrapped up, with little ambiguity about what's happened to whom or where they're going next. I like the ending to be mostly happy, but I can put a little bitter into that overall sweetness.
My WIP will not 100% conform to these things, however.
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 17: Do you lose track of time while writing or editing?
If it's going really well, yeah.
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 17: Do you lose track of time while writing or editing?
If it's going really well, yeah.
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 18: Do you consciously apply show rather than tell in your writing, or do the cards land where they may?
I don't think I could *not* be conscious of that adage/directive as I write, and while I don't take it as a hard-and-fast commandment, I do usually think it's better advice to follow than not.
There are times when it's better to tell (it's often more direct and less wordy), but it's *usually* a good idea to show.
Anyway, I try to be conscious of which I'm doing.
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 18: Do you consciously apply show rather than tell in your writing, or do the cards land where they may?
I don't think I could *not* be conscious of that adage/directive as I write, and while I don't take it as a hard-and-fast commandment, I do usually think it's better advice to follow than not.
There are times when it's better to tell (it's often more direct and less wordy), but it's *usually* a good idea to show.
Anyway, I try to be conscious of which I'm doing.
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 19: Does the slash (/) have any place in fiction?
Much as I love it (see my use of it in my very last answer), I struggle to imagine good ways to use it in fiction, whether in dialogue or in narration. The best I can think of is if a character actually says "and/or", which is something I *could* see certain characters doing, but even then, it'd be awfully unusual.
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 19: Does the slash (/) have any place in fiction?
Much as I love it (see my use of it in my very last answer), I struggle to imagine good ways to use it in fiction, whether in dialogue or in narration. The best I can think of is if a character actually says "and/or", which is something I *could* see certain characters doing, but even then, it'd be awfully unusual.
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 20: Do you ever write in a café or bar? Give a shout out to your favourites.
Definitely more bars than cafés. My go-tos are:
Fritz in Fort Greene
Hollow Nickel in Boerum Hill
McMahon's Public House in Park Slope
And also the Center for Fiction, also in Fort Greene. (All of these are in #Brooklyn.)
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 20: Do you ever write in a café or bar? Give a shout out to your favourites.
Definitely more bars than cafés. My go-tos are:
Fritz in Fort Greene
Hollow Nickel in Boerum Hill
McMahon's Public House in Park Slope
And also the Center for Fiction, also in Fort Greene. (All of these are in #Brooklyn.)
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 21: Can one use arcane verbiage in one's prose, or must one's saga embody only elementary text?
Use the vocabulary you need to use.
Note: That doesn't mean "show off your vocabulary". Only use the words that are right for what you're trying to convey. But yes, sometimes the right word is a big one, or an obscure or archaic one. If it's right, use it. Readers know how to look up words if they don't know them.
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 21: Can one use arcane verbiage in one's prose, or must one's saga embody only elementary text?
Use the vocabulary you need to use.
Note: That doesn't mean "show off your vocabulary". Only use the words that are right for what you're trying to convey. But yes, sometimes the right word is a big one, or an obscure or archaic one. If it's right, use it. Readers know how to look up words if they don't know them.
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 22: Do you have a writer's totem, such as an old toy or a certain cup?
No.
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 22: Do you have a writer's totem, such as an old toy or a certain cup?
No.
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 23: Some people can't access literature due to social factors. Are we, as writers, doing anything to break down these barriers?
This is almost impossibly broad. "Social factors" could be anything from illiteracy to problems in the publishing industry to poverty combined with sustained right-wing attacks on public libraries.
Are writers doing anything to combat illiteracy? Honestly, *writing interesting literature* is one of the greatest things in that regard! 1/4
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 23: Some people can't access literature due to social factors. Are we, as writers, doing anything to break down these barriers?
This is almost impossibly broad. "Social factors" could be anything from illiteracy to problems in the publishing industry to poverty combined with sustained right-wing attacks on public libraries.
Are writers doing anything to combat illiteracy? Honestly, *writing interesting literature* is one of the greatest things in that regard! 1/4
JK Rowling has become a transphobic horror, but remember how much the popularity of the Harry Potter books drove interest in reading back in the early 2000s? Well, practically every writer is trying to do the same thing. We'd almost all love to get that popular, and have so many people clamoring to read our books! 2/4
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JK Rowling has become a transphobic horror, but remember how much the popularity of the Harry Potter books drove interest in reading back in the early 2000s? Well, practically every writer is trying to do the same thing. We'd almost all love to get that popular, and have so many people clamoring to read our books! 2/4
Problems in the publishing industry? We're generally *aware of* them, and have strong opinions, and *would love* to have things be different... but how much power do we have to make those changes? They'd require changes in society as a whole — much like the problems of illiteracy and poverty and right-wing attacks on libraries (and bibliophilia and literacy). 3/4
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Problems in the publishing industry? We're generally *aware of* them, and have strong opinions, and *would love* to have things be different... but how much power do we have to make those changes? They'd require changes in society as a whole — much like the problems of illiteracy and poverty and right-wing attacks on libraries (and bibliophilia and literacy). 3/4
I don't know of any writers who wouldn't *love* a world where people are reading lots more, and books are more easily available, and where reading is held in higher regard than it is right now. But expecting us to fix the whole goddamn world is a helluva burden to place on shoulders that I don't think are the right ones to target with this. 4/4
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I don't know of any writers who wouldn't *love* a world where people are reading lots more, and books are more easily available, and where reading is held in higher regard than it is right now. But expecting us to fix the whole goddamn world is a helluva burden to place on shoulders that I don't think are the right ones to target with this. 4/4
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 24: What does your narrator sound like in your mind?
A "fairly neutral" voice, which I put in quotes for good reason: *to me*, that means one that speaks in General American English, in a baritone or tenor register (or possibly alto — but either way, with fairly few gender clues).
The fact that my own voice is baritone, and my dialect is GAE, is not coincidental here. I'm not saying my narrator voice is *my* voice specifically, but it's… close.
[Edit: nope; this is 1/3]
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#WritersCoffeeClub Day 24: What does your narrator sound like in your mind?
A "fairly neutral" voice, which I put in quotes for good reason: *to me*, that means one that speaks in General American English, in a baritone or tenor register (or possibly alto — but either way, with fairly few gender clues).
The fact that my own voice is baritone, and my dialect is GAE, is not coincidental here. I'm not saying my narrator voice is *my* voice specifically, but it's… close.
[Edit: nope; this is 1/3]
Actually, hang on, that's not *entirely* true. A lot of my writing is close 3rd person. And one of the reasons why is that the "narration" can take on some of the POV character's voice.
So in the vignette I wrote last night, from the POV of Jessie Nakamura back when she was in college, there are some parts that are italicized, literally her thoughts... but there are also some that are roman/normal, but still using some her vocal rhythms and vocabulary. 2/3
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# BloomScrolling !
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The man who runs our corner store (dépanneur) was murdered Thursday morning. There was a candlelight vigil tonight with a couple of hundred of our neighbors. I don't have much to say except that every life touches so many others. #montreal
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Ehi, novaxcinating, date i dati col dating! 😁 😄 🤣
Non ne sapevo nulla, ma l'app di dating per i non vaccinati Covid è una cazzo di idea geniale per raschiare il fondo del barile.
(visto su un annuncio sponsorizzato su Xhitter)
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@gloriouscow @lritter also I highly recommend following @ clever_reports@mastodon.art, and also all of the great lakes live bots
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i mean i know the tech-bro type, and ever since John Carmack revealed some profoundly bad takes I have been careful about putting people on a pedestal just due to technical prowess. people don't typically become my friend just because they are good engineers, i like to become friends with people that make me laugh, who can be real with me, vulnerable, frank, and generous with knowledge and experience.
the kind of qualities that don't typically make me think someone's ethical machinery is broken.
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We report: mid-March, it still gets properly cold. It is freezing out here, especially when the sun is gone for long stretches of time. The wind is whipping our hair into our eyes while we watch bright green surge out of the ground; a strange colour after all these months.
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Ha finito di vedere Predator: Badlands
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La recita da duro di Pete Hegseth gli si sta ritorcendo contro.
I sostenitori di MAGA speravano che il segretario alla Difesa li avrebbe fatti sentire virili, ma con la guerra all'Iran li ha messi in imbarazzo.
https://www.salon.com/2026/03/13/pete-hegseths-manly-act-is-backfiring/
