Bruce Byfield
@byfield.bsky.social
Some time writer about free software and open source and would-be novelist. Companion to parrots, collector of First Nations art, and ergonomic keyboard advocate. Now actively querying my novel "The Bone Ransom," a post-colonial fantasy.
Pinned
Bruce Byfield
@byfield.bsky.social
· Jan 13
If the rest of your computer was as modern as the average keyboard, it would have 640k of RAM and a 20 megabyte hard drive. Far more sophisticated keyboards are now available, and are basically dedicated computers themselves, but remain expensive. #keyboards
December 3, 2025 at 2:12 PM
If the rest of your computer was as modern as the average keyboard, it would have 640k of RAM and a 20 megabyte hard drive. Far more sophisticated keyboards are now available, and are basically dedicated computers themselves, but remain expensive. #keyboards
Fantasy note: how a weaker person can win a fight. With:
* a distance weapon
* more training or experience
* a first, effective blow
* speed
* agility
* tactics
* ground advantage
* psychological advantage
* superior armor
* stamina
Strength is not the determinant many believe.
#writing
* a distance weapon
* more training or experience
* a first, effective blow
* speed
* agility
* tactics
* ground advantage
* psychological advantage
* superior armor
* stamina
Strength is not the determinant many believe.
#writing
December 2, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Fantasy note: how a weaker person can win a fight. With:
* a distance weapon
* more training or experience
* a first, effective blow
* speed
* agility
* tactics
* ground advantage
* psychological advantage
* superior armor
* stamina
Strength is not the determinant many believe.
#writing
* a distance weapon
* more training or experience
* a first, effective blow
* speed
* agility
* tactics
* ground advantage
* psychological advantage
* superior armor
* stamina
Strength is not the determinant many believe.
#writing
Generally, women are not as strong as men. But they might win a fight with a man if they have 1 or more of these advantages:
a. they can deliver an effective first blow
b. they are faster
c. they are more skilled
d. they have the advantage of ground
Strength is not the only factor in a fight.
a. they can deliver an effective first blow
b. they are faster
c. they are more skilled
d. they have the advantage of ground
Strength is not the only factor in a fight.
November 30, 2025 at 5:31 AM
Generally, women are not as strong as men. But they might win a fight with a man if they have 1 or more of these advantages:
a. they can deliver an effective first blow
b. they are faster
c. they are more skilled
d. they have the advantage of ground
Strength is not the only factor in a fight.
a. they can deliver an effective first blow
b. they are faster
c. they are more skilled
d. they have the advantage of ground
Strength is not the only factor in a fight.
I understand that many self-publishers can't easily afford a decent cover, but $300 is cheap for quality art -- and if you settle for something you can afford, you risk representing your work poorly. If at all possible, save, work out a trade, or something, and get the art your work deserves.
November 30, 2025 at 2:32 AM
I understand that many self-publishers can't easily afford a decent cover, but $300 is cheap for quality art -- and if you settle for something you can afford, you risk representing your work poorly. If at all possible, save, work out a trade, or something, and get the art your work deserves.
Shakespeare's Richard III illustrates an interesting form of dialogue: the repetition of a line with a twist.For instance:
RICHARD
Lady, you know no rules of charity,
Which renders good for bad, blessings for curses.
ANNE
Villain, thou know’st no law of God nor man.
#writing #dialogue
RICHARD
Lady, you know no rules of charity,
Which renders good for bad, blessings for curses.
ANNE
Villain, thou know’st no law of God nor man.
#writing #dialogue
November 30, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Today, I pointed out that an AI depiction of a famous scene showed the wrong flag, dress, and armor, and centered on a figure who looked nothing like the person it was supposed to be. The maker's reply? "The spirit of it was what I was aiming for and I’m very pleased with it." 😢
November 25, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Today, I pointed out that an AI depiction of a famous scene showed the wrong flag, dress, and armor, and centered on a figure who looked nothing like the person it was supposed to be. The maker's reply? "The spirit of it was what I was aiming for and I’m very pleased with it." 😢
"I'll never get to heaven, no matter what I do,
I'll never be a blue-eyed boy although my eyes are blue,
And I will not work, and I will not work,
And I will not work for you."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOoP...
I'll never be a blue-eyed boy although my eyes are blue,
And I will not work, and I will not work,
And I will not work for you."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOoP...
The Generals Are Born Again
YouTube video by The Oyster Band - Topic
www.youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:16 AM
"I'll never get to heaven, no matter what I do,
I'll never be a blue-eyed boy although my eyes are blue,
And I will not work, and I will not work,
And I will not work for you."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOoP...
I'll never be a blue-eyed boy although my eyes are blue,
And I will not work, and I will not work,
And I will not work for you."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOoP...
For most of my life, patriotism has been associated with the right-wing. It has seemed jingoistic, even racist. But the last year's response to Trump has produce a leftish patriotism that promotes diversity and human rights. I hardly know how to adjust to that change.
November 24, 2025 at 8:38 PM
For most of my life, patriotism has been associated with the right-wing. It has seemed jingoistic, even racist. But the last year's response to Trump has produce a leftish patriotism that promotes diversity and human rights. I hardly know how to adjust to that change.
The key to research for a novel is not to become an expert. It's recognizing a few details that make you *sound* like you know what you're talking about. #writing
November 24, 2025 at 5:44 AM
The key to research for a novel is not to become an expert. It's recognizing a few details that make you *sound* like you know what you're talking about. #writing
Until I got a new phone last week, I'd forgot how many apps there were I never wanted or used yet couldn't delete, & how many annoying defaults there were like notification sounds, MS Office, gmail -- and now, AI. So much useless clutter.
November 24, 2025 at 5:33 AM
Until I got a new phone last week, I'd forgot how many apps there were I never wanted or used yet couldn't delete, & how many annoying defaults there were like notification sounds, MS Office, gmail -- and now, AI. So much useless clutter.
As a discovery writer, I know the climax, but not exactly how I'll get there Each finished chapter is an accomplishment, followed by the same challenge: what needs to happen next to bring the climax closer?
Meeting that challenge keeps me going.
#writing
Meeting that challenge keeps me going.
#writing
November 23, 2025 at 5:53 AM
As a discovery writer, I know the climax, but not exactly how I'll get there Each finished chapter is an accomplishment, followed by the same challenge: what needs to happen next to bring the climax closer?
Meeting that challenge keeps me going.
#writing
Meeting that challenge keeps me going.
#writing
The ethical and environmental issues aside, the main reason I have no interest in AI is that when I experiment I have no attachment whatsoever to the results. They don't feel like mine. #AI
November 23, 2025 at 5:00 AM
The ethical and environmental issues aside, the main reason I have no interest in AI is that when I experiment I have no attachment whatsoever to the results. They don't feel like mine. #AI
My next chapter title: "Wrought Irony"
November 23, 2025 at 4:54 AM
My next chapter title: "Wrought Irony"
I've experimented with AI so I can understand it. But if I ever used it for serious work, I'd never get anything done. I'd get bored and wander off. #AI
November 23, 2025 at 3:16 AM
I've experimented with AI so I can understand it. But if I ever used it for serious work, I'd never get anything done. I'd get bored and wander off. #AI
I always try to find at least one quirk in each major character, and often in secondary characters, too. #writing #characters
November 23, 2025 at 3:11 AM
I always try to find at least one quirk in each major character, and often in secondary characters, too. #writing #characters
In 2025, it is common for literary agents to state that they do not represent works created in any way with the help of AI.
This stance may be partly ethical, but also saves them wasting time. Like bad grammar, use of AI often accompanies poor writing overall. #A #querying #writing
This stance may be partly ethical, but also saves them wasting time. Like bad grammar, use of AI often accompanies poor writing overall. #A #querying #writing
November 22, 2025 at 2:11 AM
New chapter: "Welcoming Ways"
November 22, 2025 at 12:55 AM
New chapter: "Welcoming Ways"