Feminism. Ethics. I'm anti-patriarchy, which is the use of oppression of women to enslave half the population in order to steal their property and rights. Morals are not ethics. Morals masquerade as ethics, but are arbitrary rules created to keep those in power in power and the rest of us unquestioningly loyal or enslaved, and to create new generations of unquestioning loyal and enslaved. Gender roles mandate conformity; they validate bullying and hate to enforce that conformity. I'm of the opinion that humans are programmed by evolution to want to reproduce, and if they want to do so, especially with the technology to deal with the downsides of disease and unwanted pregnancy, nothing should stand in the way of choice with consent. Technology means humans can be more than brutish animals; society needs to stop reducing us to brutish animals in the name of something arbitrarily "natural" or self-servingly moral. Attraction and preference is something every person discovers for themself. Others to fighting someone else' choice and preferences is at best bullying. Technology again obviates downsides, as above, so long as there is consent. Sexual shame is a terrorist tool.

As you may guess, what's spicy in my stories is influenced by my views as expressed above. I celebrate humans being human. Doesn't mean my characters are perfect, but their imperfection is a different kind of stupid.

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#WritersCoffeeClub #WCC 2026.03.30 —What got in the way of your writing this month?

To be honest, I used answering hashtag writer challenge games to procrastinate more than I'm willing to admit to.

Oops. Pretend you didn't read that.

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#PennedPossibilities 972 — Do you ever have to deal with “trolls” where your writing is concerned? Do you receive hate?

I rehabilitated myself after I burnt-out by writing fan fiction. Lots. Lots and lots. I remember getting some comments that weren't nice, which I could moderate out of the stream. That didn't bother me much. What did bother me was that when I would post the first chapter of a new story, within a minute I would inevitably get down votes. No way the chapter could have gotten read. Somebody either didn't like the characters I'd picked, or had not picked, or competition, or what. Such behavior could affect whether you got feature boxed so the story remained listed on the front page of the site, or whether it got tagged Hot. This on a show that was all about friendship. Go figure.

Pretty sure I never got hate or repeated harassment.

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#Writephant 2026.0330 — A5. What are your bread and butter games (specific titles)- the ones you return to time and again? Have you played any new games lately?

My bread and butter hashtag writer challenge games? You all probably know #PennedPossibilities, #ScribesAndMakers, #WordWeavers, and #WritersCoffeeClub. All amazingly helpful as a writer, and participants share truly useful ideas. Recently, I've added #EroticMusings, which since the current WIP includes spicy content (not specifically erotica), I figure I qualify for joining and replying to it. It has helped me resolve some issues. If nothing else, it's a new community.

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#Writephant 2026.0330 — A4. Does playing games refill your writing well? How so (or why not)?

What I acknowledge playing hashtag writing challenges is that I am writing, practicing, getting it done everyday, even if it isn't the novel or other projects. Not writing regularly, even when I'm not feeling it, would weigh on me further. Often, I am writing essays about what I am working on. Other times I am revising a tract to use as an excerpt; real work. Sometimes it is getting the scut work done. Yesterday, I wrote out the full cast of characters for the current WIP, each with a bit of description, nicknames, and hints of plot—which today I inserted as a reference into the Scrivener project. Definitely worthwhile.

Does it refuel me? Well, it maintains me flying level at cruising altitude.

Procrastination with purpose?

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#Writephant 2026.0330 — A3. When do you play games most often? During a specific season? During a specific time of day? During a specific mood (ex, high activity or burnout)?

How pertinent and topical, for me. I play hashtag challenge games every day (practically). I admit it is often when I am keyed up and resistant to writing chapters in the novel. Not so good, I suppose. I'm trying to cut back, or put it later in the day. Today, I had to resolve a three way sync conflict, that is that I made changes in three different files, all good, in the novel. That. Took. WORK. Having finished that, I am playing this game. [Grins.]

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#Writephant 2026.0330 — A2. As writers, our primary work is often solitary. Some games have a social aspect built-in and some are solitary. How do the games you play impact your socializing?

Since I play hashtag challenge games, they do impact my socializing. To a large extent, they are my socializing with the writing community.

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#Writephant 2026.0330 — A1. Games take many forms: card, board, tabletop, physical, mobile, video, etc. Do you play games? If so, what kind?

Well, the call hashtag challenges and prompts games. Does that count? I pretty much stopped playing video games half a decade ago, and then I played them on Apple TV and my iPhone. I just don't have time. I like playing Cards Against Humanity. Mostly on vacation, or when organized at sf conventions.

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#PennedPossibilities 971 — Where does your SC feel the safest? Is there a particular person or object that helps them feel safe?

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I am going to turn this question around slightly as really it brings to mind one supporting character, Molt. He's a day angel who came to Home City to attend HUHC (Home University at Home City) for a degree in Men's Studies. (Nope, not explaining other to say it would be NSFW.) His first apartment living away from home turns out to be down the hall from Bolt, the main character, who is a courier for the mob. The minimalist aerie setup means they share many facilities, almost like a boarding house. They see each other every day. As events unfold and Bolt is allowed to have a camera, one of her coworkers decides to spy on her. He threatens Molt to do so. Very scary. Lots happen and Molt and Bolt have fun, until the thug, being the punk he is, roughs up Molt incidentally breaking a bone.

Where does Molt feel safe?

He returns home, leaving Home City and a full scholarship behind.

Bolt is livid. She wants to murder her coworker after that.

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#WordWeavers 2026.03.29 —How big is your cast of characters?

Thanks, I needed to capture this.

So… Let's count. In Reluctant Courier (for the Mob), the following people have storylines. There are plenty bit parts I'm not listing.

12?

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