An EXCELLENT choice.

I saw someone (John Cleese?) suggest that when you write, you have to settle down and let your brain get bored and then it will make stuff up. Which, like, I am VERY good at entertaining myself. But also I often solve problems while doing boring stuff, so.

"Every book is a children's book if the kid can read."--Mitch Hedberg

What I really want is like...if I give you some money, you go away and do your thing and stop emailing me for a while?

Oh boy! Uh, ideally 18th century, but given the relative paucity of speakers I'm willing to be flexible. The speaker in this story is a ghost, so she could have originated pretty much any time before the twentieth century.

Wait, should I say what's in the newsletter? Info about the novella (this month) and upcoming events, a podcast episode round-up, a couple little watercolors, and some book recs. Comes out once a month on average.

Oooh, I think we would all enjoy that! Thank you!

Oh wild, I have been to Chiang Rai. I don't think I knew they grow coffee.

I don't think I knew you wrote nonfiction! Congratulations!

2/ Wings of Fire, by Tui T. Sutherland. I think there are 16 of these. Described to me as "Game of Thrones but with dragons." He prefers the novels over the graphic novels, which is an achievement.

3/ The Dark Is Rising, by Susan Cooper. It's a classic for a reason. 5 volumes.

I don't think I start by thinking about the world. I start with...well, this person that I love really likes what I made. And another friend likes it. And then I show it to people I know less well, and eventually to the public. But always I reassure myself that the people closest to me loved it.

I see you've met him. 😂

I have the next Patrick O'Brian audiobook on hold at the library, but the wait list is looooong.