#WordWeavers 11. Share an inspiration for one of your settings.
Once a long time ago, I was visiting a friend in New Jersey. Her boyfriend was in a heavy metal band and they had a gig in Brooklyn. It was such a crazy and fun experience that I became obsessed with Brooklyn, fueling my fascination with NYC even more. I listen to history podcasts by the Bowery Boys (I have mentioned them before) and google images and stories about Brooklyn so I get close to reality. Much inspiration for me there.

@stevencudahy
#MastoPrompt May 4, 2025: #prototype #MrWhiskers
Mr. Whiskers was evaluating his latest performance review, finding himself very pleased with his efforts this past month. Sleep, eat, eat and sleep and suffer Autumn's antics. Yes, he was the prototypical kitty cat. The sun baked his black fur and he reveled in the warmth as he settled into a self-satisfied nap.

@stevencudahy
#MastoPrompt May 2, 2025: #mournful
#MrWhiskers
Autumn had done it this time. Mr. Whiskers looked on as Mother looked closely at Autumn's paw. She had caught a sliver in her bean. She let out a mournful wail as Mother helped remove it. Mr. Whiskers rolled his eyes figuratively as he listened to her shrieks and screams when Mother tried to help her. To no avail. He was not surprised as he watched Mother stuff her into a carrier and haul her off to the vet. Oh the drama...

#WritersCoffeeClub How much research does your setting require?
Well, for me, rather a lot. I am infatuated with NYC, but I have never grown up in a city. So cities are a place I only go when I'm with a responsible adult. My #WIP is set in Brooklyn and I have only been to Brooklyn a handful of times, so I don't really know what life is like there. I listen to history podcasts about NYC like crazy and I love searching for images of Brooklyn, now and then...

#ScribesAndMakers Day 2. If you paint, do you have “recipes” or tricks for mixing colours, or do you eyeball it?

I usually don't mix my own colors because I do very simple things with paint. But I have been known to experiment sometimes. When I do decide to custom mix something, it needs to be used immediately on a project and never revisited, because I know I will never get the same combo again.

#PennedPossibilities 659 MC POV: Tell us about your idea of a perfect day.
#zackandruby
Ruby: My favorite is when we go into Manhattan and see Times Square and Broadway. The theaters are amazing. I can never get enough of seeing the architecture. I like seeing the shows, especially paying attention to the stage-work.
Zack: We go to see bands and stuff too.
Ruby: Yes, we like to hear others' music and experience new sounds and ideas.
Zack: Sometimes we learn something new!

@FrostPoem
Today's #MicroPrompt: Bubble
#MrWhiskers
The bubbling of the pot burbled in Mr. Whisker's ears. He listened as Mother moved around the kitchen, creating something that smelled delicious. Following his nose, he wandered into the kitchen to see if she had anything for him. A piece of chicken dropped in front of him and it disappeared immediately. Yummmm. Autumn raced through on her usual zoomies, drifting the corner for a chance at a tidbit, which was soon rewarded. Ah, normalcy.

#ScribesAndMakers 1: What do you want to work on this month?
#AmWriting

Writing.

Plain and simple.

I've been sick with a cold/flu and distracted from it and I miss it.

#PennedPossibilities 658 — When asked about SCs, do you talk about your side or supporting characters, or both?

My SC's come from my mind so they all carry some aspects of my personality. But when I answer prompts directed towards the SC, I frame it as coming from that character. It is an exercise in perspective for me, to get out of my head and into what I view as someone else's head.

#ScribesAndMakers Apr 29: What is your proudest or best moment with your creative endeavor this month?

I'm quite pleased with this. I had some empty #3dPrinting filament spools lying around. I didn't want to throw them out, and they don't seem to be recyclable. So, I turned them into a carrousel of storage drawers.

#WritersCoffeeClub 27th April 2025. What does a session of writing look like for you?
#AmWriting
I hyperfocus when I write. A writing session usually happens when I get good ideas to write about. It can last a few hours or a few days, during which there is very little sleep. When I'm not hyperfocused, I still write, especially in the mornings when I'm slightly more rested.

#PennedPossibilities 655 — What’s the most unusual source of inspiration you’ve found?
I love the history and atmosphere of New York City. It buzzes and hums constantly and people just are so packed in together. My inspiration for Brooklyn as a setting comes from a podcast I listen to called the Bowery Boys. They have years of podcasts about NYC history that just fascinate me.

#WordWeavers 27/4: Would you ever want your MC’s life?
#AmWriting
#zackandruby
Aside from being abducted and experimented on, yes I could get into living with a hot band in Brooklyn. Ruby's life was lonely and tragic as a child, but she faced the challenges and made it through. She is strong and resilient now. So yeah, it would be cool living in an apartment with a studio downstairs where I could play my fiddle anytime I wanted and make music all day.

@scottrochester
Sometimes we have very short discussions about the craft behind writing and publishing, but they are never more than touched upon. I agree that those discussions would be helpful and would need their own sessions.
Right now the memoir classes are all I can manage right now. I can't start a group either, but it would be a great idea someday!

@scottrochester
Hi! Thank you for asking!
We are actually a small local group located in New England in the northeastern corner of Massachusetts. The classes are run through the town's continuing education for adults group. It's a weird little pocket of people who gather! Very low key and everyone reads for 5-7 minutes and discuss it after. We are small groups, about 5-6 people, and meet for two hours so there's time for feedback.

#ScribesAndMakers, 26.
Do you engage offline with other creatives? What did you/would you do if social media didn't exist?
#AmWriting
I belong to a class that meets four times a year for six weeks in a row. We share mostly short memoir essays which are a ton o fun! I enjoy that because I get to hear what other people are doing and how they write. Beyond that, there is no creative input outside the internet. I' wouldn't know any different if there was no internet. If it goes away, I'll be sad.

#WritersCoffeeClub 26. What kinds of conflict do you find the most compelling?
#zackandruby #AmWriting
My favorite type of conflict to write is outward vocal conflict. People getting into it is one way I see them working through things. Throughout the book, Zack learns that verbal warfare doesn't help and that he needs to include working through things. By the end, he's got it.

But, dang, those fights were fun to write,

We urgently need to raise $1,000 to cover critical surgeries for several rescues:

🐾 Wheelbarrow the hamster has a badly broken leg & needs an emergency amputation
🐾 Sonnet is severely bald & likely needs a spay to treat a hormonal issue
🐾 Lyric has uterine abnormalities & also needs to be spayed

All surgeries are scheduled for Monday — we cannot delay! Donations have been low, and we need immediate help to move forward.

❤️ PayPal: donations@helpingalllittlethings.org
❤️ Venmo: haltrescue
❤️ CashApp: haltrescue

Or call our vets directly to donate:
❤️ Southern Maine Hospital for Small Mammals: (207) 535-9330
❤️ House Paws: (856) 234-5230

Thank you so much - every dollar and every share helps!

#WordWeavers 25th April 2025. How long does it typically take you to draft a novel?
#AmWriting
Welp, Let's see. I started my (one) novel about 12 years ago. Just finished it. Now I have to reread, edit and tighten up my details. I write a lot. I just don't really ever get anywhere on something big.