2026-10-28T05:17:30Z https://nostr.now Joyce Lionarons https://nostr.now/npub1hshswczsdha5dqfz47w5yv4ug2lrnz6x7w3nw6ksl9szjy8shqjszwfvhr https://spaces.hcommons.social/accounts/avatars/109/327/148/742/718/250/original/49c92e2381669acb.jpg https://spaces.hcommons.social/accounts/avatars/109/327/148/742/718/250/original/49c92e2381669acb.jpg https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsgdxmcz8kh25w27yyref9sz0ek85zhgnyd6d4swcyhc63ve6gzhcgzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2rpdle4 Last night I dreamed I was rereading LotR for the umpteenth time (in reality, I&#39;ve probably read it 20-30 times, and taught it along with all the adjacent medieval texts several times). <br/><br/>In the dream there was a new section I&#39;d never read, maybe 100-200 pages long. It was very good and I was looking forward to seeing how it looped around to the familiar text again. But I got distracted by something else in the dream couldn&#39;t finish reading.<br/><br/>I hope I dream it again tonight. I might. Do other people have serial dreams that continue over several nights in a row?<br/>#dreams 2026-10-26T19:01:53Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsflndrahf30w7rwhqhyxnx78gfeaf2tx7nae6xve6ngte49xkln7qzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz269gwm3 Good morning!<br/><br/>Another cold early-morning walk at 33F (1C). Today will be a little warmer than yesterday was, with a high temperature around 65F (18C). Only one other walker was out this morning, and we waved at each other in the dark.<br/><br/>By the time I was getting home the sun had risen and I got another photo of the beautiful maple tree from a different direction.<br/><br/>#Today will be another day of writing and chores and reading in the recliner chair. I love retirement.<br/><br/>Have a good one, my friends, and keep on keeping on.<br/> <img src="https://spaces.hcommons.social/media_attachments/files/117/501/459/161/131/659/original/448b2e4b66b3d343.png"> <br/> 2026-10-25T12:07:00Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsgqly0ly8ax72gzmlm5n757scgzh9swk79adlx9y7ldv4wfcjvtdgzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz26fasyt #FungiFriday #Mushtodon<br/> <img src="https://spaces.hcommons.social/media_attachments/files/117/451/682/095/113/979/original/95ea2b877011a392.png"> <br/> <img src="https://spaces.hcommons.social/media_attachments/files/117/451/684/128/403/970/original/a60bd527837adcb0.png"> <br/> <img src="https://spaces.hcommons.social/media_attachments/files/117/451/692/167/632/598/original/098ab2cddc7cf9ea.png"> <br/> 2026-10-16T17:17:31Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqstfnp8zhg7g5dnqs3yeu4pklcn6qy0zrar8f82qey0jqdtns45elszyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2yu5ttt In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsx6yr8wkma2998c6k9cce9wgkee23p6mqlqqdaneux85f9uhedrusucrqzn'>nevent1q…rqzn</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>I don&#39;t really know the answers to your questions. I&#39;m sure there was a lot of drunkenness and alcohol abuse, but I don&#39;t deal with that very much in my books. I know that wine was usually watered down, and I don&#39;t know how strong the ale was.<br/><br/>Congratulations on 40 years sober, btw! 2026-09-25T14:06:06Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqszsycxzajm7w3qzq23n7te4csf4qvjkxtsxgh0wqdflrwezzqlrxszyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2s4fn9f #WordWeavers 25. Do illicit drugs or alcohol play a role in your story? <br/><br/>No illicit drugs -- most of what we consider illicit drugs were not readily available in 13th century England. Everyone drinks ale and sometimes wine, although rarely to the point of drunkenness. 2026-09-25T11:31:18Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsgas09rs07pk7psrkwsz9mll0wq2p0h09wpzlvsu4m7jrg82wprvszyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2yz3ejf I managed to chase down a delivery driver before he gave up on finding my house. The house number is hidden by the giant hydrangea these days, and I don&#39;t blame him for not seeing it. I need to find someone to prune that thing for me since it&#39;s too big (at least 8-9 feet tall) for me to handle. But at least today I got my package and all is well. Yay! 2026-09-24T17:57:06Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqstpf2jdvw7ga3hq324sux673hnjymvaz554k43fnamszycf8zkq9czyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2x704u6 In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqs9w7s3lwmxuwaayyhqn74cs38h3xfut2nwtr7hwumcluvyucdycasj3r4e5'>nevent1q…r4e5</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Ah. I&#39;ve read a couple of those and liked them. 2026-09-24T11:39:31Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsza4ya7whehn4hev88a0wlq9u523x7yukkw3tc86ecy9p3l6f4jvczyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz22485xt #WordWeavers 24: If your MC made a grand entrance, what fitting song would accompany them? <br/><br/>I have absolutely no idea. 2026-09-24T10:14:15Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs9a5wqt8963dedg8gkpspa927hjq8rmgys7rrq87tlt5l03r5ydsczyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2nntw2f #ScribesAndMakers – 24. Have you ever put proceeds from sales towards a cause you believe in? <br/><br/>I&#39;ve never designated proceeds to go to a cause. But my book sales allow me to donate to Gaza regularly, as well as to my local food banks and the ACLU.<br/><br/>(And I only donate to organizations I trust. I do NOT ever give money to people asking on Mastodon. Don&#39;t try.) 2026-09-24T09:37:20Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsyr2trkm27g5q7jrw6vw9tqlrmqwh0xzhymwc7z4nkvqddy9z5wmczyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2smtl8k In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqs9pwd685stymgtxm6gcxdywldlq44865saukchd979zzcclwsmtxc9n23lq'>nevent1q…23lq</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>What series? 2026-09-23T20:05:40Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsganjchdk0areszmng6qrc4vfdda4gsmgmr8lke0s79x8aa0rj5uszyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2630cr5 #ScribesAndMakers 23: Choose a noun that is representative of you as a creative person. <br/><br/>Workaholic 2026-09-23T11:25:12Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqstrj8xkwwnhzuwp4kgszrgcy8jgc33jj2n42988jfpfc597qh2z3gzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2u5m39f #WordWeavers 23. Have your characters’ journeys affected your own life? Is so, how? <br/><br/>Not in terms of the individual characters and the plot lines I&#39;ve given them, no. More the other way around. But the books have kept me from poverty in my retirement, so that has been a huge effect of my writing them. 2026-09-23T10:21:26Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs2aw32nv35mwzuqsltn06fjayssy7yaxxnmawwwg940kww80aqykczyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz25qt46h #WordWeavers 22: If you wrote a memoir on your writing journey so far, what would it be called? <br/><br/>Second Career, or Why Didn&#39;t I Do This When I Was Young? 2026-09-22T09:51:00Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsghs5m5g7a0w2dwuqq2f0r6sfd7sul2chm2xx496t8alag0uqsm7gzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz26etsy3 #ScribesAndMakers – 22. Promotion day. Self or someone else. Or both.<br/><br/>As most of you know, I write two series of medieval mysteries, the Gavin Rownt books and the Matthew Cordwainer books, both available as ebooks from Amazon. If you haven&#39;t read them, give them a try.<br/><br/>And if you haven&#39;t read Elyse M. Grasso&#39;s (<span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person"><a itemprop="url" href="/npub1qx2r5x40rjtjazdv0q8udveza43p9gzw6sm58qj287hkq2sgzlgqyf3etr" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1"><span>Elyse M Grasso</span> (<span class="italic">npub1qx2…3etr</span>)</a></span>) Elderkin Chronicles trilogy, give them a try, too. Great fantasy! 2026-09-22T09:48:41Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqst2dkqs9vnpp8ueyy6m5kpu6rc0wvnfxnkkthtr8smjwgx6ywtmlqzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz223vqtk #WordWeavers 21. In your current WIP, which character do you relate to the least and why? <br/><br/>Lord Bohun. It&#39;s hard for me to relate to a wealthy man with a lot of power over others, accustomed to having everyone do his bidding. It&#39;s entirely outside of my experience. 2026-09-21T11:42:00Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsgyg8way6g2dc2nnf6ef7wccjveq5gun8c5hg4qjf9j6kaxaqtfcszyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2r8sega #ScribesAndMakers 21, What character from one of your own books or someone else&#39;s would you want to spend a day with? What would you do? <br/><br/>I&#39;d like to spend a day with Matthew Cordwainer, just sitting by the fire and talking about his life and my life and history and books. Maybe with a cup or two of wine and some of Agytha&#39;s savory wafers. 2026-09-21T11:35:14Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsdemq4l73tfrffm0upq7vyc7efa2s6a6takrtwjvqshvv24w4c8hqzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2zavqqk In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsvlm9umvtzj86p2dt33x08k5sjxlhu6cjkwwqvf6y7vnwzjkkv40gcug6fe'>nevent1q…g6fe</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>I had a cat rip a hole in the bottom of a box spring on my bed and climb up into it to sleep, so she wasn&#39;t on or beneath the bed but inside it. And on his first day here, Theo managed to get inside the back of my recliner chair -- the back panel of leather gapped out when the chair was reclined and closed up again when the chair was upright. I could hear him crying in there, but I couldn&#39;t figure out how to get him out at first!<br/><br/>I don&#39;t know if anything like that is possible in your house. 2026-09-21T00:02:59Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs9dqudnlhsf4czn7dn43sq70qazg3qzzp0rp0hxzv6tjtkqerxv4gzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz23hlvrr In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsxn9e7t6rffyz5s078vxvh03ys4pa4fx54n86uywm6znasm94t6jg2g76l5'>nevent1q…76l5</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Oh, dear. I hope she appears soon and that she is well. 2026-09-20T16:04:21Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqspp33sfat952ka3flalf4ns9kjldn3r3nca7huel2fapgmnvqe7rqzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2f7t6f8 <span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person"><a itemprop="url" href="/npub1qx2r5x40rjtjazdv0q8udveza43p9gzw6sm58qj287hkq2sgzlgqyf3etr" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1"><span>Elyse M Grasso</span> (<span class="italic">npub1qx2…3etr</span>)</a></span> <br/><br/>Did your cat show up? I&#39;ve been worrying about her. 2026-09-20T15:55:05Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsvvwm6hk7r8u20qe5pufnunjsp7wryam28djer6jyjd5p997tcygczyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2xgdddq In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqs2lvlrpnlhdr4sj0pvsxerr852qmlcykkt4k8lfksme8n8q3jfsssy22f22'>nevent1q…2f22</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>They&#39;re saying the same thing about us. So I just ordered a rain jacket with a hood and a zip-out lining. I need to be able to keep up my walks as well. 2026-09-20T13:29:37Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs0gshlqh8shjtjafnepsty4mpvy54tfs2gy9u0g5rpska2t7d9rpczyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz22vnqyz #ScribesAndMakers 20 - Repossess? <br/><br/>When that damned demon comes back again. 2026-09-20T11:56:51Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs0zq80v33t9kexegdv4md3aywyec6758ar3qz4ku2x6a8gkj8kclqzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2h0xen2 Good morning!<br/><br/>At walk time the rain was pouring down, so I waited until it had eased a bit and went out later than I usually do. It started out light rain but got heavier as I walked. I was very wet when I got home, but as always the walk helped my mood. I need to buy a decent rain jacket. <br/><br/>#Today will be devoted to working on my new Gavin Rownt book. I hope I can get a lot done, because I have a lot of other stuff I need to do this week.<br/><br/>Have a good one, my friends, and keep on keeping on.<br/> <img src="https://spaces.hcommons.social/media_attachments/files/117/303/229/594/835/248/original/da343788b48e6612.png"> <br/> 2026-09-20T11:56:19Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsrfec4nvvga99kczuy5y0jf3y0xrasraqvy03uv6u20fh7fwg8gtszyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz27n7yym #WordWeavers 20: &#34;How do your characters access water or whatever they need to drink?&#34; <br/><br/>Medieval Londoners had access to public wells, and some people dug their own private wells to reach shallow groundwater. Increasing contamination of the wells led the London authorities in the 13th century to build the Great Conduit, which piped fresh spring water from Tyburn into Cheapside. Londoners also used water from the Thames, which was not yet thoroughly polluted. 2026-09-20T10:53:12Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs27w8a3r7ydqudaf42v49464qp0seqsmq6qrlnl0wfh4mn7gzmzuqzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz28mdnfa In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqswp898t3nrg0clhfllpc8hkd900t0yd0yu8ucenh7wztq4dza4euqa60nxr'>nevent1q…0nxr</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>I hope she reappears soon! I&#39;d check the attic and the crawlspace even if it&#39;s impossible for her to get there. I swear cats can teleport. 2026-09-19T13:29:43Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsgtwy824tgartky25r6evqkl77tc6ym99869zj3syfly2r8z5q24qzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz26lrqwe Good morning!<br/><br/>Cool early-morning walk at 60F (15.5C). Most of the trees are still green, but a few are trying to turn. I didn&#39;t see the deer this morning, but several rabbits were out and about. <br/><br/>#Today is the last day of my virtual conference. I&#39;ll see the keynote and maybe another session, but I&#39;m getting itchy to get back to my WIP. <br/><br/>Have a good one, my friends, and keep on keeping on.<br/> <img src="https://spaces.hcommons.social/media_attachments/files/117/297/504/535/555/108/original/8efe35c86bdb4c88.png"> <br/> 2026-09-19T11:40:00Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsq0l8cvqljt35euzgfelysrezasd0vtk3rtv0erapgs9yctv2n2gczyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2zlczqw I just got the first of the annual deluge of Medicare Advantage Plan offers in the mail. Nope. Not turning my health care over to an insurance company again. Not now. Not ever. Plain Medicare for me, no matter how many trees the insurance companies kill to send their mailings. 2026-09-18T22:50:04Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqswr5hmrs56wksxqrwmqv6gmsa5uudp0yqz0272dfufthqv05ucc2qzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz29kghhd #WordWeavers 18. What are three personality strengths your MC has? <br/><br/>Kindness<br/>Perseverance<br/>Courage 2026-09-18T11:27:38Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs0hqcqnpcw06g5578n4wehr6aljkvpc2sxtvv5q3dkhlhl3mladpgzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz25ejj84 #ScribesAndMakers 18. Change one word in the title of a famous book, a movie, a song, and a play to create four new titles. <br/><br/>The Lord of the Things<br/>One Rattle After Another<br/>Rocky Mountain Low<br/>Thirteenth Night 2026-09-18T11:22:36Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsf06uya2027n5fn9c6dtsewldmk38n5xdeczhampxrrsuyaq2padgzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2rej9ky #WritersCoffeeClub 18<br/>Share a word you&#39;ve used only to learn later you were pronouncing or using it wrong. <br/><br/>I know this has happened to me, but right now my mind has gone blank and I can&#39;t come up with an example.<br/><br/>Edit: I thought of one. Enjambment. And I was mortified when I mispronounced it during my PhD orals. 2026-09-18T11:15:25Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsws2tsy3zpq9al2aa5wddsyqqy55j0c0gfly50nuc2edvn5hgmp2szyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz27gu4q8 I&#39;m kind of conferenced out for the day, even though there are more sessions going on until 10:00 p.m. Aside from getting upset that I didn&#39;t know about Japan and Unit 731 (I learned about it in a presentation about SF novels referencing it in their plots), I heard several good presentations and my TBR list got longer. Two more days and that list will be very long, I&#39;m sure.<br/>#Today #VICFA 2026-09-17T21:15:22Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs25hprr8te6ljzhruv7zp77s9mvxnvdw55xt3qa08egncp8kp9zuszyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2sg0sp2 The horrendous human experimentation done by the German Nazis is well known. I was taught about the atrocities in school and in university. But how did I live into my 70s without ever hearing one word about the Japanese Unit 731? Were the victims simply considered not important? <br/><br/>From Wikipedia: An estimated 14,000 people were killed by human experimentation in the facility itself.[between 1933 and 1945] Its activities included infecting prisoners with deadly diseases, conducting vivisection, performing organ harvesting, testing hypobaric chambers, amputating limbs, and exposing victims to chemical agents and explosives. Prisoners—often referred to as &#34;logs&#34; (or &#34;maruta&#34;) by the staff—were mainly Chinese civilians, but also included Russians, Koreans, and others, including children and pregnant women. No documented survivors are currently known.<br/><br/>Was this history taught to you? 2026-09-17T15:03:37Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsymh8m3zt2jvmj70c2uflqdn57dduek3xzzwts6ejqhdq2at599nqzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2j7z8yj In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqstd2uky3fllcrgqtunx3f8e8kun7d5thmy3dgz25tclzlekgad8msmywx2q'>nevent1q…wx2q</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>No, of course not. 😆 2026-09-17T10:49:00Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsxrmtz5tp8uym9azmwrlzx9xtpf3fu7wfr0tdltt5ta5hzrgv750gzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2wqm32h #WordWeavers 17. By the end of your story, how many injuries has your MC had? <br/><br/>OMG. None. I don&#39;t think that&#39;s ever been true of a Gavin Rownt novel before. I might need to change that. 2026-09-17T09:34:06Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqswwxkplfx8pl7ckv2sawjd23qpxq6dwq0gknu6a6qvwmm8xmh8dmszyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2d7r6zf In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsqweh0mck0t8yayvuuty4vmkmlr6pl5j3zdcyus0usj4dlxut053sqcsr7y'>nevent1q…sr7y</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>I got them together two years ago and had a very bad and frightening reaction when my throat started to close up and I couldn&#39;t breathe for a short time -- this while I was driving my car on the way home. Never again. Last year I made certain to get the two shots separately and had no problems. 2026-09-17T00:45:59Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs2nc44feufjgs4qanly2n7wra4hkturu7c7vlyvufd02e47vg25gqzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2zy9dg6 In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsf9txzsfqvceg7xttzn2dnce85zy42yf8da69xnq45yp3vyq00jmcu9a4az'>nevent1q…a4az</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>[@Owen_G_Richards](<a href="https://writing.exchange/@Owen_G_Richards">https://writing.exchange/@Owen_G_Richards</a> ) <br/><br/>The only thing I could think of off the top of my head that might help you was the late 14th century trial of Eleanor Rykener, who was most likely a transgender person. A search for them brought me to this article: <a href="https://publicmedievalist.com/transgender-middle-ages/">https://publicmedievalist.com/transgender-middle-ages/</a><br/><br/>The article also talks about the Roman de Silence and several transvestite saints, who may or may not have been transgender. You might also want to look at this article: <br/><a href="https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1814&amp;context=mff">https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1814&amp;context=mff</a> <br/><br/>And the works she cites, some of which look interesting. <br/><br/>I can&#39;t think of anything specifically having to do with Henry VIII&#39;s time. 2026-09-16T22:09:38Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsvwlafegseje22rsrtwhafdu8vkdnxhm7lxc7tyw8tzuwmftxgz7szyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz223h5jx #WordWeavers 16. If your MC was elected mayor of your own town, would you stay or move? Why? <br/><br/>I&#39;d stay. Gavin Rownt would make a great mayor, partly because he wouldn&#39;t want to be and partly because he would settle disputes with a sword. 2026-09-16T11:20:19Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsrkjqqzaq2y0f7xn0e3uvxtyvxd39vx9pqskjayelwt58f89054pszyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2c3xk3v #WordWeavers Sep. 15: Your characters get one completely ordinary day with no villains, quests, murders, wars, prophecies, romantic disasters, or impending apocalypses. How do they spend it? <br/><br/>Rownt would have his usual sparring match with Ore at dawn, then spend the morning training the Tower guards. Then he would spend his afternoon relaxing in his rooms or chatting with his neighbors. 2026-09-15T10:09:39Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsvyq55ssd03z44nwxrf7q0pgyca2w363cl85mxl9s5xa46txghu7qzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2dg60jk #ScribesAndMakers 15 Sep. What&#39;s a situation where you feel a &#39;;&#39; definitely works better than a &#39;.&#39; ? <br/><br/>When you want to balance two complete clauses against each other without showing a specific relationship between the two by using a conjunction. 2026-09-15T09:23:48Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsp5w8wekh9x0y4e32x6hxur4k2lw0zen993d9ugfpxmf7953ex0jgzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2lgjw20 In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsdfgt3aqlyhx4ta4ma2trke73t92m3syz44qxyx4pw2esa9uwajgcaxv30t'>nevent1q…v30t</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>I wish I knew how to help. Hugs to you! 2026-09-14T19:41:45Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsw7dk0yk5jzs6rcfen462fwjg60ev824s0rx5wmdu96lpp6nadetgzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2y6k3jt My car passed inspection and I am now waiting for a couple of preventative maintenance things to be done while I&#39;m here. I should be home in an hour or so. I was afraid of a major expense, but this won&#39;t be bad at all. <br/>#car #today 2026-09-14T13:20:52Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsr0vwughfxcl9u4epk2kzt7vq2qpveqsjp3dje2grnzyjl6nal34szyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2pawt4a #ScribesAndMakers 14. What&#39;s your favourite type of story setting?<br/><br/>That&#39;s pretty obvious from my books: a medieval city, among the artisans and shopkeepers. 2026-09-14T10:50:59Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqstzjr4t67dvdpc4tne6mug6zlx9t9nuyfjr3e8ge9a42jwl6s5msszyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2k5950a #WordWeavers 14: Your MC is offered exactly what they&#39;ve always wanted-but accepting it will cost them something they love. What do they choose? <br/><br/>Hmm. I don&#39;t really know, but this prompt just gave me an idea for another Rownt book. Hmm, indeed. 2026-09-14T10:29:15Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsdedjvch6cvrcvzduqcrwp37uuw4wka963nflcqgzfhxmtdyz24wgzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2pqu5wv #WordWeavers Sep 13 - Share a line of dialogue that sounds innocent without context but absolutely isn’t. <br/><br/>Nothing comes immediately to mind, and I&#39;m too lazy to go searching. Pass. 2026-09-13T10:42:21Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsxf9znt4amv6qspt9zed5jqv7qrzpucmy50qcxqdngmxftz30dphqzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2wkmzer #ScribesAndMakers 13/9: How pedantic are you? <br/><br/>Very. And I don&#39;t think that&#39;s necessarily a bad thing in a writer. Or in a medievalist or an English professor. Here&#39;s a great article that explains: <a href="https://medium.com/@lfloridi/on-the-importance-of-being-pedantic-series-notes-to-myself-c232220722dc">https://medium.com/@lfloridi/on-the-importance-of-being-pedantic-series-notes-to-myself-c232220722dc</a> 2026-09-13T10:21:23Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsv7q4j05xytmxk9jzp9k5rmv4gey432jwjvjwe2n0sjlud60mrzrqzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz268tlkl I just tried to read a news story about the GOP&#39;s midterm convention/Trump rally. I couldn&#39;t finish it. I felt too sick. My takeaway is simply that if the Republicans win the midterms, there will be no doubt left that Americans want fascism. <br/><br/>I don&#39;t think they will win. I think that most of the Republicans who are up for election will lose. But I was wrong about the 2024 election, when I was certain we&#39;d be rid of Trump. I&#39;m scared.<br/>#USPol 2026-09-11T18:05:50Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsgd4gu3apdr0nvtht4z9ykd44vletd9w8lpps83erfeq8mzzlvtkszyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz24yprrw In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqstl74fjhamwt4glltp4fwj8wu3cyhpsx39y5x4nhseukw56u9lg8ck3ajlv'>nevent1q…ajlv</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Well, that&#39;s scary. Black bear? brown bear? I hope you are prepared for such things on your hikes! 2026-09-11T11:45:38Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqst04uh9h62hpa6xqvaf9qjwdc92wc3vnw74hts39gdusjfarerffczyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz23an6xx #WordWeavers 11/9: What does your MC believe about themselves at the beginning of the story that turns out to be completely wrong? <br/><br/>Gavin Rownt knows himself well. His problem is discovering who murdered the wine merchant, not anything about himself. 2026-09-11T10:13:18Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsq5fffr6fjss38edf528j49ac4wnfd8nce0057k2hdz720u9awtpqzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2ja3rmg #ScribesAndMakers 11: Our next featured creator is a group of three collaborators. Have you ever been part of a collaborative group for your creative work?<br/><br/>No. I work best alone. 2026-09-11T10:02:19Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs9e2926pz8l2s2fgrfeyzcfp0cm724x5lvfrq6zmq96cnaj0s6jpszyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2e9fjul #WordWeavers 10. Share a description from your WIP that establishes atmosphere without explicitly naming the emotion.<br/><br/>Every surface that was not covered with bits of parchment, inkwells, quills, and writing knives was occupied by an instrument or machine that Ore could only guess the purpose of. He knew some were used to calculate the rising and setting of the planets and the locations of the fixed stars, others to calculate the times for the canonical hours when the bells called those in monastic orders to prayer. <br/><br/>Some of the instruments had, Ore believed, medical uses, though to his layman’s eye they resembled instruments of torture. Probes and speculums, forceps, lancets, and fleams, along with images on parchment and vellum showing the organs of the body along with the astrological correspondences of each. Yet Ore could not so much as guess what some of Matthias’s devices were intended to do. 2026-09-10T10:25:15Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs099ewergfhlr0z8axnm0vcn8wvdfdp0g8e6u4de9vemr9yms85sqzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2csunx3 #ScribesAndMakers ~ Our next featured creator is an acronym. Do you use acronyms in your work? <br/><br/>No. They are not common in 13th century England, especially among the commoners, most of whom are illiterate. 2026-09-10T09:39:43Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqstel0pta2cr62zk6xj75zgr589pclvz0ljs6px807sqmyh3xk45fgzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz266h4n4 #ScribesAndMakers 9 - Share something you&#39;ve been working on this month.<br/><br/>I&#39;ve been working on my new Gavin Rownt book, working title The Informant, revising the first draft. 2026-09-09T09:25:20Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsvk8vw47r2m24z6lqn76xrx4eu49x9yta32fgjw2cha6g5jnf9eqczyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2qa2prd #WordWeavers 9/9: What secret would cause the most damage if it were revealed in your story right now? <br/><br/>Right now is when? Right now in the real world? At a certain point in the story? What point is that? I&#39;m confused. <br/><br/>At any rate, since it&#39;s a murder mystery, clearly revealing the identity of the killer would damage the story. Revealing the background of a certain character would ruin the mystery. 2026-09-09T09:20:01Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsylr3zyplwkndlsm85jrjcj78luh75pp84jefnger8cj92wqwhjyqzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2v0x7hj OE pronouns I wish we still had: wit, unc, git.<br/><br/><a href="https://bbc.com/future/article/20260408-the-extinct-english-words-for-just-the-two-of-us">https://bbc.com/future/article/20260408-the-extinct-english-words-for-just-the-two-of-us</a> 2026-09-08T12:08:47Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs2jkp94z7ylmd6kgt7dg6q3u4uh0k9hhmhd59qhd66dc7frp0vppszyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2wh6pyq #WordWeavers 8: Which character would be the worst person to get trapped in an elevator with?<br/><br/>In my current WIP, Sir Humfrey, who would shout and bluster about how he would get us out of there, but be totally ineffective in doing so. 2026-09-08T10:39:31Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs2h5l4746u00mpm8dsdsdvah7d49d5lhky3vs9ph8tccgv35qau7czyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2wa86nd #WordWeavers 7. Describe a moment when one of your characters realizes they’ve made a terrible mistake.<br/><br/>The only character to make a truly terrible mistake in my WIP is the killer, and he doesn&#39;t realize it until Rownt tells him what tipped him off as to who the killer was. And this, of course, kicks off the climactic scene of the novel. 2026-09-07T09:36:16Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsffuhak8u6v2r8wwmahncfue8j5mk9vxvap0q7nl8de0kapnwengqzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz206lwsg #ScribesAndMakers 7. What &#39;character&#39; (letter, number, symbol, punctuation, space) would make a great main character? <br/><br/>? <br/>It would keep the readers guessing. 2026-09-07T09:32:02Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqstnqlqqpwkl40rn09gxjqxs7kx7echg5mtm2n3vrq2rs5afgl50sgzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2rt8nzg #WordWeavers 6: What is your MC hilariously bad at?<br/><br/>Gavin Rownt is good at most of what he does. He is not hilariously bad at anything I can think of. 2026-09-06T11:21:35Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqst4yy266yt354fde5xve5fszejune3w7r2wv78cq2axayd08mutgczyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz23dh5x0 I&#39;m muting and blocking anyone who replies to my post of a few days ago to explain to me how the fediverse works or to tell me I&#39;m wrong in what I said. Sheesh. 2026-09-05T23:57:24Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqspmqhn3gduvj8tdtsvj949f6xuwcvgl8cjfzydrs58gqpdsq0gskczyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2cc3xwu #ScribesAndMakers 5 From a purely aesthetic standpoint, what is your favorite color of ice cream? <br/><br/>The light green of mint. 2026-09-05T11:10:54Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsrau6tpdqc66eyy67v9x4eeducvq36zzd7qs6q0hrazyaz5h4v4zczyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2y67hy6 #WordWeavers 5. If your antagonist could justify their actions in one sentence, what would they say? <br/><br/>I didn&#39;t think I would cause any harm, but things went farther than I ever expected. 2026-09-05T11:09:41Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs2ugrr0j7x95cf7erpv8n53nx762rd9r8ls3xqmqukgqhhzk6jgyczyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2v0d62l I would love to see more of my friends start using Mastodon. A number have gotten accounts, but they don&#39;t stay. They say there are two reasons:<br/><br/>1. It&#39;s a steep learning curve.<br/>2. They feel they must pass multiple purity tests to be accepted. <br/><br/>Not much can be done for those upset by the first one. But the second one, yeah, I see their point.<br/><br/>#Mastodon #PurityTests 2026-09-04T17:23:12Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs8sgmy9ptghgnraf2jtrtrduk8vwnqp7y6lul9eqd50dyjww9pueqzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2x435la In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqszdgn5xqglxd6hum833sm55q7kysn0yg0ugrw4rhg7d70sfrawh5g8lvznu'>nevent1q…vznu</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Oh good. I just finished the second book this morning. 2026-09-04T17:18:06Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsvm5u7t3aggjy5xv856k8vcdv4sjp0v88zje846w06y9nh264ax9qzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2u9zy3p VICFA (The Virtual International Conference for the Fantastic in the Arts) is an academic conference for scholars working in fantasy, science fiction, horror, and related art and literature. It&#39;s happening September 17-19 and since it&#39;s virtual, it&#39;s not too late to register and attend. This year&#39;s theme is Speculative Visions of Care and Hope.<br/><br/><a href="https://iaftfita.wildapricot.org/page-1820583">https://iaftfita.wildapricot.org/page-1820583</a><br/><br/>#AcademicConference #Fantasy #ScienceFiction #Horror #IAFA #VICFA 2026-09-04T16:14:13Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsdz23kl9v0qsvc9fml4v4kvxt4grlyvd3hy3lezkd6qnqpxsmeluczyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz25krzz6 I&#39;m having repeated problems accessing my instance and I&#39;m thinking of changing servers, but I&#39;m not sure where to go. Where would you suggest?<br/><br/>#Servers #Instances #ChangingServers 2026-09-04T14:20:05Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsrp4a95nt8qac56g0taplz3awsyqlmdqhqhmycr8hzss8sqq2p20qzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2w03qnr #WordWeavers 4. What seemingly insignificant object in your story carries a lot of emotional weight? <br/><br/>None. There isn&#39;t one. 2026-09-04T11:23:48Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsvdu7gezg42x4uvzt0kdgutv4529z64fppulrff6tsvtjx24jhhzszyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2f7fhtu #ScribesAndMakers 4 If e-books stopped being produced, how much would you miss them?<br/><br/>A lot. I have no more room for physical books in my house and so many things I want to read and/or have are not available in the libraries I have access to. 2026-09-04T09:22:15Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsgmelsewnqka05j0n6czydxf9nfn5730an9gfsr8nhm43az84pfdgzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2xjy3q8 #WordWeavers 3. Share a line from your WIP that reveals more than the speaker intended.<br/><br/>I can&#39;t think of anything off the top of my head, and it&#39;s too early in the morning to go searching. 2026-09-03T10:32:34Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs0rdmxae6qpvsganenlutex3ke0k8fsjqjlhcfqu3wtd9d2w9wqdszyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2sp06mn #ScribesAndMakers 3Sep—Which ebook reader do you use? <br/><br/>Kindle Fire tablet. 2026-09-03T10:30:58Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsrud6vuw5fupqsckgtdr0gjlyfdvj57dttg55nm7ecdufw8k5tamqzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz23kstyd #ScribesAndMakers Sep 2 - How do you think where you live affects your creative work? <br/><br/>Pro: I can go for walks in a beautiful area that always lets me think things through. Most of my neighbors work away from home so on weekdays things are generally fairly quiet.<br/><br/>Con: My upstairs neighbor is a school teacher with summers off and more days off during the term than I would have thought possible. When she&#39;s home, I cannot write at all. 2026-09-02T10:58:49Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs0aw7w8t2pfq932fgvlk5nueu5dmxsmxphpqeqxnaere907pyx43gzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2hnh5kn #WordWeavers 2. What would your MC notice first upon entering a crowded room?<br/><br/>Whether there was danger or not. Rownt would notice who carried weapons, what the mood of the crowd was, before anything else. 2026-09-02T10:53:46Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs92pkzusq97pq0kgfd69njcv7ng6tdcy073azan3jdpaj0fkeem8szyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2kwdgm2 I hurt all over from sitting cramped in front of the computer. My eyes are blurry. A headache is not far away. I started working 12 hours ago, with a few breaks for food and scrolling. <br/><br/>But I did it. I finished the first draft of the new Gavin Rownt medieval mystery. #Today 2026-09-01T23:16:12Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqspe8lur5jdgclxkk4e25rlgaqtyfh85v4lsm7vl75a7mq4r5tu8zszyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz259aj6u I just read on a local news site that a big-time drug dealer was arrested in his home just a block away from me today. Well, not that big time or he&#39;d have a more expensive house, I suppose, but fairly major anyway. Crime in the suburbs.<br/><br/>#Today 2026-09-01T14:30:48Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs844zfqjjhy27khtmmgr6urjsadme2s53vw0p0ct0rsqa3q9z704qzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2n2elex In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqst2knj87tknc6nz5jycwy5e70x84vrrv7clz324rhct9gxy992nkseds9uz'>nevent1q…s9uz</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>And of course learning to read in the 13th century entailed learning Latin... 2026-09-01T13:59:05Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs9gj97ztvh5z86s5dnaqxej5ts30guhchj82py2750s4vxsp79h8szyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2f30se5 #WordWeavers 1. What is something your MC desperately wants but would never admit to wanting? <br/><br/>Gavin Rownt wants to learn to read. But he thinks he&#39;s too old, and in any case his eyesight is no longer what it was, and books are only for the clerics and the wealthy. 2026-09-01T10:58:33Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsts65vg3fdsvq6uydnj9rwgglmwp53yxt2purupfvfnyapyjjhe3czyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2cf2ltn #ScribesAndMakers ˜1 It&#39;s September. List 7 things about your creativity (accomplishments, goals, etc.) <br/><br/>1. I write two mystery series set in the Middle Ages, the Matthew Cordwainer series and the Gavin Rownt series.<br/><br/>2. I sell my books as ebooks only on Amazon. Don&#39;t judge.<br/><br/>3. I hope to finish a first draft of a new Rownt book in the next few days.<br/><br/>4. I didn&#39;t write fiction until after I retired.<br/><br/>5. I also draw, mostly pencil drawings of people.<br/><br/>6. I also knit and crochet, but haven&#39;t in a while.<br/><br/>7. And I do embroidery, but again, haven&#39;t in a while. 2026-09-01T10:07:22Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsygsypqktr7lq20madmwuqnlp08wxzkh527zy29nzug7z6ulp3prqzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2884h79 Well, today I got a good start on what I said would be the final chapter of my new Gavin Rownt medieval mystery. I&#39;m beginning to think, however, that it&#39;s going to be the penultimate chapter, not the final one. I may need another just to wrap things up. We shall see.<br/><br/>#Writing #Today 2026-08-31T22:36:57Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsvg53e5gaflx02aq65uez2mz8pguwpzuc9ckcqj49njurt6ttr3wgzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2gx0d9s In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsw6g2nenf6ygmncr9dlwc0zh5w49hdjpdl5e2mzj8zaecvksekgag7gdcqh'>nevent1q…dcqh</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>You&#39;re right. It is attested in Middle English. I should have realized that, given OE spyrian -- to ask or find out. But as I said, it &#34;feels&#34; modern. Now I&#39;m not sure why. 2026-08-31T20:05:19Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsd9ycampvt6dg0rwnn4zlx4t02vr8p6kcjwdvzga0nhtkdxe49ruqzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2wxu5ku In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsdmhp45gn0pdnt2yx52hsjgge3c8fcn27cjlz67n5qn7jw2lzfftqxsx5dk'>nevent1q…x5dk</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>I agree with you about &#34;explorator,&#34; and I&#39;m not going to use it. I&#39;ll probably go with &#34;The Informant&#34; unless I think of something entirely different. 2026-08-31T13:13:34Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs8dszujec9df50ke4vvmeq4j4qpgs27y4qkkht5sep5x3v9ylqt7szyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2kn9e9s In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsrcv8yw2l2l0eqqj6naxc3glur54kne9vg224ayr6h5wnwckp5yhc545fj6'>nevent1q…5fj6</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>That&#39;s more betrayal than spying, isn&#39;t it? I don&#39;t think it would really fit. 2026-08-31T12:30:53Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs8mk696sx3946340wzpq7wc8ypp605ysn60u5kqqlm8wgz8es2ghczyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2vs3z27 In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqswf39qc3f3y8ayr5x9sww7gn3lwpcd96p6ngav59uggxcmajqr57gtdyzf0'>nevent1q…yzf0</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Wow! You go, girl! 2026-08-31T12:05:26Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsytt9q6nz7q99ua2zm0y9e0s3xna578cp7659e9zk5x8lx6hngvfszyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz282tw06 Good morning!<br/><br/>The temperature for my early-morning walk was 10 degrees F higher than it was yesterday as we move into another hot spell. But there was red in some of the trees as a reminder that fall is indeed coming.<br/><br/>#Today I&#39;m going to start writing the last chapter of my new Gavin Rownt medieval mystery. I think I&#39;m going to call the book &#34;The Informant.&#34; I would have preferred a medieval English word for &#34;spy,&#34; but the common word was &#34;explorator&#34; and people wouldn&#39;t know what that was, and &#34;spy&#34; sounds too modern to me. &#34;Intelligencer&#34; is another possibility, but it didn&#39;t come into use until the 16th century. What do you think?<br/><br/>Have a good one, my friends, and keep on keeping on.<br/> <img src="https://spaces.hcommons.social/media_attachments/files/117/189/867/851/947/284/original/a043b8e2c1bf119f.png"> <br/> 2026-08-31T11:26:16Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsvw29qa84sa8qdvgwzgyh7tm2ndjykjmud30qt7t466teg2gvek5gzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2dpuf6x #WordWeavers 31 Aug: What&#39;s one thing you hope readers remember long after they finish your story? <br/><br/>The characters. That&#39;s what will bring them back looking for another story, another mystery for Cordwainer or Rownt to investigate. 2026-08-31T10:53:23Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsfeum7mq6sdxl62vpd85nhzszgzqlak90rnc98u4gq03q8727hqgczyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz26vnex0 #ScribesAndMakers August 31: Choose an adverb to sum up how your month went.<br/><br/>As far as writing went, frustratingly. But I persevered, day by day. Now, I have only one more short chapter to draft. It&#39;s going to be a huge editing &amp; revising job, but given how far I&#39;ve gotten this month, maybe I should say my month went successfully. Yes, that sounds much better. 2026-08-31T10:49:43Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs8dyu7ty9gkpamu3r700wkv0psfnr3d0l6xdj37s5fajlshrxsmjgzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2rmy7ew #WordWeavers Aug 30 - If you could interview one of your characters over coffee, what would be the first question you asked?<br/><br/>Probably if they liked the coffee, once I explained to them what it was. 2026-08-30T10:47:33Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsrv758mvlffyr7jwnv8acsagrmc6289lpkcv0r7u59v356t48eelszyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2y6s4fy I&#39;ve been reading Susie Dent&#39;s mystery novel, Guilt by Definition. If you like words and etymologies, you&#39;ll probably like this book. It&#39;s light reading, nothing deep or profound. Just a good mystery featuring lexicographers and lots of obscure vocabulary.<br/><br/>#AmReading #Books 2026-08-29T20:59:19Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqspw4z0dun63wlk4jz6tevck4mmjq0843ckznwdgcr6hk3gdsljpxszyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2z87584 #ScribesAndMakers Aug 29 - Do you know what you wanted to be at 11?<br/><br/>Oh, yes. I wanted to be a writer. And all those years in between I didn&#39;t think I could write fiction. 2026-08-29T10:45:48Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsf30kv0223ewshwffrktyufw8k4xdtrvpcp3v046l2ptvegh8nvaczyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2zf8vum In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsd88tf3ecv8x7mfdstwavrsv27zhpytelj0ywt6g8flnr0jkh4rpc7esws0'>nevent1q…sws0</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>#ScribesAndMakers 8/28. Our next featured creator is a pun-slinger. Share a pun.<br/><br/>Part II: Too many folks are saying they didn&#39;t get my pun, probably because they haven&#39;t read the Song of Roland recently. Okay, here&#39;s another one:<br/><br/>Q: What&#39;s the moral of Beowulf?<br/>A: Don&#39;t let your fights drag-on. 2026-08-28T11:02:00Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsd88tf3ecv8x7mfdstwavrsv27zhpytelj0ywt6g8flnr0jkh4rpczyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2yyc6k8 #ScribesAndMakers 8/28. Our next featured creator is a pun-slinger. Share a pun.<br/><br/>Part I: Q: What&#39;s the moral of the Song of Roland?<br/>A: Don&#39;t put all your Basques in one exit. 2026-08-28T10:02:46Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsd5etrv59n799gvva7qdvw40w28dgpryq9x0q45lgarm3gd7ud9wczyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz24wsrym #WordWeavers Aug 28:<br/>What&#39;s one question you&#39;re still trying to answer about your story? <br/><br/>The title. What am I going to call it? 2026-08-28T09:56:55Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsqc2r6w5x408zfcmsk3ws2uhx4xdtzcl2hl93jzp0mj3d8qfj3rpqzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2h3v0kc Well, that took twice as long as I expected, partly because the radiologist sent me back in for more pictures. But the good news is that she decided everything was normal and I didn&#39;t need an ultrasound, and I should schedule a regular mammogram instead of a diagnostic one next time. After years of every six months squishing and ultrasound, this is wonderful news.<br/>#Today 2026-08-27T13:04:50Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsglmm9e9uqhhgwe5frv8qjyszeczfxufvaf7zzk9ugrzw9dy5af6czyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2kfmt83 #ScribesAndMakers 8/27. Tell a story, real or fictional, about an object on your desk/work area. <br/><br/>I have bookends on my desk in the shape of dragons, each one different from the other. They were a gift from my department at my retirement. One of the dragons has a small plaque at the base that reads &#34;To Joyce, Teacher, Scholar, Friend.&#34; 2026-08-27T10:04:13Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs9tfpt5qjsesqpdwrakatss6tnccty4j249taludvnzael3vlk3dqzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2fl798t #WordWeavers 27/8:Which character would win a trivia contest? <br/><br/>I can&#39;t imagine a 13th century trivia contest unless we are talking about the trivium as a university subject. The main characters in the Gavin Rownt series are illiterate. In the Cordwainer series, Stefan -- a university-trained physician -- would win hands down. 2026-08-27T10:01:09Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs2df9cnxr57lmgcvn80nvhcxs7t8v3qm05m2ek0pjw09ucwhjpmxgzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz20h5hse 900 words more on the new Gavin Rownt novel and I&#39;m at the beginning of a knife fight. I&#39;m going to need to think about this for a bit before writing more. I&#39;ve learned quite a bit about sword-fighting while writing this series, but not so much about knives. It&#39;s not the same.<br/><br/>#Writing #AmWriting 2026-08-26T15:12:23Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsp00mecdmsecqasmx63wcv9nertcfg9hm7rghc5f5c6casvfxm4xqzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2l43ft8 #ScribesAndMakers Aug 26 - Describe how it feels to be &#34;locked in&#34; to your work.<br/><br/>I&#39;m writing and it crosses my mind that I need to take the trash out, but I don&#39;t want to go out in the pouring rain.<br/><br/>It&#39;s not raining where I live; it&#39;s only raining in the book I&#39;m writing. 2026-08-26T09:54:21Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqst7a4zfndu008x6fuqnvz92fu22nzn0tce7u2m2vagxcapzclpw2czyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2jyjgqw #WordWeavers 8/26: &#34;What weather best matches your current work in progress?&#34;<br/><br/>Early summer, with some rain and some sun. 2026-08-26T09:21:55Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsr602xlkg95t7lqp04kknm4ecegacyzp09k664h7dfp04lj68y9wszyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz25lexfc #FungiFriday<br/> <img src="https://spaces.hcommons.social/media_attachments/files/117/133/738/600/326/590/original/632cff3908d30ad1.png"> <br/> <img src="https://spaces.hcommons.social/media_attachments/files/117/133/746/801/990/298/original/b467987510654088.png"> <br/> <img src="https://spaces.hcommons.social/media_attachments/files/117/133/753/578/318/316/original/dfeaab7237716a66.png"> <br/> 2026-08-21T13:35:46Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsg0zz9h4sv9ak7qzfz2uwmdz9m7728gyphlhe3rkcjcyp29ek9u9qzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2t4axv8 Good morning!<br/><br/>A warm morning for my walk leading to a hot day, followed by (we hope) rain this evening. <br/><br/>Today I have nothing I absolutely need to do except work on the new Gavin Rownt mystery. This book has been a struggle since the beginning, but it&#39;s coming along in dribs and drabs. Fingers crossed I can make it good!<br/><br/>Have a good one, my friends, and keep on keeping on.<br/>#Today<br/> <img src="https://spaces.hcommons.social/media_attachments/files/117/025/757/519/420/397/original/3dcdedbe067aa1fe.png"> <br/> 2026-08-02T11:49:52Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsyvd2n7qzdeyahctrkdhp9u5rqycs3932gyfgdtcgg7cafe4v998szyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2uly20c Good morning!<br/><br/>After all the people I saw out walking yesterday, today it was just me and the deer and the bunnies, probably because the humidity was 98%. Had it been sunshine, it would have felt like a Disney cartoon, but it&#39;s gray and cloudy and we&#39;re supposed to have thunderstorms today.<br/><br/>Today was going to be Tuesday brunch, but that&#39;s not happening this week. I&#39;m going to write and try to stay cool and dry. <br/><br/>Have a good one, my friends, and keep on keeping on.<br/>#Today<br/> <img src="https://spaces.hcommons.social/media_attachments/files/116/997/354/383/535/010/original/edd5b47dc79dc194.png"> <br/> 2026-07-28T11:27:59Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsyhpc8rl0rvmhd3phl2vqpv9c8sz8npx3zpu9aztufchlzq99fraqzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2hah5fp In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsr9hcsjue9juj8drvlwg4dg2nx9a29hdfs47vujfvhh86mveleunqaslssr'>nevent1q…lssr</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Here&#39;s a link to the article I read about Emily Wilson and her translation of the Odyssey.<br/><br/><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/entertainment/movies/emily-wilson-upenn-odyssey-christopher-nolan-20260725.html">https://www.inquirer.com/entertainment/movies/emily-wilson-upenn-odyssey-christopher-nolan-20260725.html</a> 2026-07-26T12:52:58Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsr9hcsjue9juj8drvlwg4dg2nx9a29hdfs47vujfvhh86mveleunqzyz7z7pmq2pklk35py2he6s3jh3ptuwvtgme6xdm26rukq2gs7zuz2j66q8w Emily Wilson, whose translation of the Odyssey has received a lot of attention since the movie came out, has added a new contact button to her website in response to right-wing assholery. You can now contact her for &#34;Interviews/Speaking Engagements,&#34; &#34;General Inquiries,&#34; &#34;Misogynistic Trolling,&#34; or &#34;Kind Words and Praise.&#34; <br/><a href="https://www.emilyrcwilson.com/home">https://www.emilyrcwilson.com/home</a> 2026-07-25T16:28:55Z