#ScribesAndMakers 13, Who are the masters of your art or craft to you? Why?

Master of the craft: I don't read for superb. I read to enjoy. I might be able to list who I think do that best, but masters? Not sure I could make that judgment. Pressed to the wall:

Miyazawa Lori
Inori. sensei

#ScribesAndMakers 4/11. Do you use spreadsheets to help in your process? If so, how do you use them, and what makes them better than other tools?

Yes:

A. Timeline of events compared to real-world events like holidays, school terms, and seasons.

B. Tracking chapter lengths and where illustrations are.

C. Tags names, Eng & JP form, and frequency of use by others.

They are better because they are tabular in format and allow calculations. I could use tables for some, but that is more work.

#scribesandmakers Are or were you taking courses for your creative activities!

Not since high-school. And that was just a fluff class.

#ScribesAndMakers 4/8 Share a song or lyric you've written or heard that resonates with you (Give credit if it's not your song)

Ah, haw. I have been waiting for this one. I actually have a song I wrote. It’s adapted from a #TangDynasty poem to become a #lullaby “#BambooSong” popular during the Tang and #SongDynasty

Note 1: Original poem retrieved 3/22/25 from https://www.cn-poetry.com/liuyuxi-poetry/bamboo-twigs-song-1.html

#ScribesAndMakers 4/4. Can you handle praise well, or do you get embarrassed and play your achievement down?

I have a saying: "Accept a compliment whether earned or not. They are too rare to pass up."

#ScribesAndMakers 03: Would you like to form a writers/creative group?

Depends on how big and what it does. I don't do well with large groups. They are over-stimulating, and I overload

So if it is useful and not overwhelming yes.

#NMSAM #NMPrompts.

#ScribesAndMakers 2: What do you want to work on this month?

* 4 new chapters, 8,000 words. Completing the plague arc and starting the cult chase arc. Introduce the bounty hunter pair Matsumoto and ?Kanoko Nihana?
* All of volume three chapters out of beta 1 status and ready for beta 2. (Or better)
* Publish chapters 55-58

1. Analyze this out-of-context quote from obscure influencer/author SA Poscat and tell us how you feel about it. “If I wanted to do something people liked, I would post videos of someone kicking me in the nethers. Instead, I write.”

Out of context it sounds like a comic version of click bait. Something said for a cheap fast laugh.

#ScribesAndMakers March 31: How did it go? Any changes you want to make next month?

This Month: Made my major objectives. Volume 3 is complete and the last chapters are in a mid-edting drafts. They didn't reach beta quality, but instead I got the beginning section of Vol. 4. As one character put it they have gone from the frying pan into the fire. (Again the theme that no good deed goes unpunished)

Also added a final polish beta reader. @gahlearner .

Next month: Def. all of volume 3 in beta 2 drafts. (That is the final polishing stage.) I want to see the plague forest arc complete and in post beta 1 drafts. And the start of the cult chase arc started, as well as more foreshadowing and tension building around Tomo's idenity crises.

#scribesandmakers 29/3 What is your proudest or best moment with your creative endeavor. Part 1

@gahlearner agreed to be my second beta reader. I have been looking for a while. She has already been useful pointing out a few things including an over correction to my other beta readers comments.

Plus I get to figure out what all the talk about deep POV means.

ScribesAndMakers 03/28—What would your best creative life look like if you weren't bound by reality?

1. An absolutely trust worthy personal secretary who handled all executive tasks for me.

2. A country that applauded creative people instead of capitalist blood suckers.

3. A publisher who handled all PR and supplied a helpful friendly editor. (Both here and in Japan)

4. An inexpensive apt. near the idol clubs and funds, passport, etc to get too and from Japan.

5. The ability to speak and write fluent Japanese so I could translate my own work.

and 6-16 more items.

#ScribesAndMakers 26 Ask the expert: If you're a specialist in something, would you answer questions for writers/artists regarding your speciality?

* Former therapist specializing in trauma and mood dysregulation (Borderlineusing a less percise terms)
* Japanese creepypasta, urban legends, and mythies.
* Some branches of esoteric spirituality and mysticism.

I do on occasion, but at your own risk. And only if you're not going to be upset if I don't answer the way you expect. (That last part is serious, by the way.)

#scribesandmakers 23 puns part 2

Shirley, it is okay to make buns!

Shirley: Pork or leek?

#ScribesAndMakers 2503.23 — How do you feel about puns?

Wordplay I understand. So puns along with other forms of wordplay are A okay in my book. My characters agree, at least Tomo and Ume do. I don’t know about the rest. Shiomi and Kan-chan are pretty snarky so they might go with puns.

In my writing, most of my puns are in Japanese, based on the multiple means of sounds. It’s easier than in English. In English, I stick to snark and wordplay. I recently did one based on classic Chinese, but I won’t bore you with it. You can find in my feed for the day if really want.

#ScribesAndMakers 3/20. Do you like graffiti? Do you have an example?

As a lover of ruin and decay, I like some graffiti. It needs to original, colorful, and interesting or creepy., Your name or your gang's name in fancy letters isn't it.

All my examples are archived or on IG where I am not going. #NMSAM