SteveJB

When I was issued my first work computer, Win98, I found that the auto-correct 'feature' would replace my last name with "Bastard". I left it that way for about 2 yrs before adding my name to the dictionary.

This is another auto-correct I could live with...

#WritersCoffeeClub 16 May
What's a writerly risk you've taken recently? Did it pay off?

For the first time, I'm including some actual romance in my WIP, The Cuckoo. Not really sure why I've always shied away from this. I have no idea how it will be received.

#WritersCoffeeClub May 6. Talk about something you've written which you expected would (or expect will) divide readers.

When I wrote "The Vegan" I never really thought about how an actual Moral Vegan would react. I viewed it as a little tongue in cheek story about the morality of killing to eat. But I did have one person lecture me on the different reasons people stop eating meat, and they completely missed the point of the story.

I should have realized that the topic would draw out emotions on both sides. Fortunately, or unfortunately, not many read it.

#WritersCoffeeClub 26/5: In what ways does your work defy expectation?

Often, it's the animals that save the day.

#WritersCoffeeClub May 25. Share a late-stage change you made to a work.

The story was "13 Points of Light". The concept: Every time she strikes a match, she finds herself in another reality.

I had the the entire story outlined, right down to the conclusion (rare for me). The story started veering off target rather quickly, but not drastically.

When it came to the last chapter, the story took a sharp turn I wasn't expecting and ended completely differently than I had planned.

Note: It was better than my original idea, but it was almost like the character changed the story for me.

#WritersCoffeeClub 19 May: How would changing genre change your current WIP's plot?

My current WIP I would call Heartwarming Paranormal, because I've found that the best ghost stories aren't the scary ones. Changing to Horror would alter the entire trajectory of the story, only the opening scene could remain the same.

#WritersCoffeeClub May 17. If you work exclusively digitally, could you work by hand? (Or vice-versa!)

Not a chance. By the time I graduated HS ('73), I already couldn't read my own handwriting. The little bit of writing I couldn't avoid was painfully executed with a clenched fist around the pen.

My firs word processor (Word Perfect on a DOS Computer) was a god send.

#WritersCoffeeClub
22nd Mar 2026. How do you organise your notes?

On my computer, I keep a folder for each project (on a memory card to protect against system crash). In the folder I store txt notes, images, drafts, and finals. Drafts and finals are in ODT format that I can quickly convert to other formats as necessary.

Also, I've been developing an ODS spreadsheet, based on the app Manuskript, to better organize the various components. I liked Manuskript except the editor. I thought they really dropped the ball there.

#writersCoffeeClub 26 Mar: How much of a break or hiatus do you take between works?

I try to take at least 2 weeks before starting another large project. I don't read when I'm in the middle of projects, so I need the time to catch up (sort of) on my reading.