Tom Halasz
@tomhalasz.bsky.social
Retired Ind Engineer, trying to write a book, dad to three wonderful daughters and three granddaughters, one grandson. Follow Cleveland sports, math, physics, and classic comedies. Oh, yeah. Tend liberal. Most of what I write is meant to be humorous.
Shadow does a lot of criticizing, but rarely comes up with a good fix.
January 21, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Shadow does a lot of criticizing, but rarely comes up with a good fix.
#WritersCoffeeClub January 21: When writing about unpleasant feelings, how do you avoid alienating the reader entirely?
With bad humor. Like I do in real life.
#writing
With bad humor. Like I do in real life.
#writing
January 21, 2026 at 1:43 PM
#WritersCoffeeClub January 21: When writing about unpleasant feelings, how do you avoid alienating the reader entirely?
With bad humor. Like I do in real life.
#writing
With bad humor. Like I do in real life.
#writing
#WordWeavers January 21: If in the middle of the book your MC discovered a foundling, what would they do with it?
If it was at the evil corporation's HQ, he would be worried they would feed it too much chocolate.
#writing
If it was at the evil corporation's HQ, he would be worried they would feed it too much chocolate.
#writing
January 21, 2026 at 1:42 PM
#WordWeavers January 21: If in the middle of the book your MC discovered a foundling, what would they do with it?
If it was at the evil corporation's HQ, he would be worried they would feed it too much chocolate.
#writing
If it was at the evil corporation's HQ, he would be worried they would feed it too much chocolate.
#writing
#WordWeavers January 20: Do you make use of weather in your story? If so, how?
Only if it's necessary for the plot. I generally don't use it for texture. Probably due to working in weather most of my life. I tended to ignore it.
#writing
Only if it's necessary for the plot. I generally don't use it for texture. Probably due to working in weather most of my life. I tended to ignore it.
#writing
January 20, 2026 at 2:37 PM
#WordWeavers January 20: Do you make use of weather in your story? If so, how?
Only if it's necessary for the plot. I generally don't use it for texture. Probably due to working in weather most of my life. I tended to ignore it.
#writing
Only if it's necessary for the plot. I generally don't use it for texture. Probably due to working in weather most of my life. I tended to ignore it.
#writing
#WritersCoffeeClub Jan 20. Figuratively speaking, do you travel with the caravan or solo over the hills?
For writing, I'm rather solo. In life, probably Red Solo Cup.
#writing
For writing, I'm rather solo. In life, probably Red Solo Cup.
#writing
January 20, 2026 at 2:34 PM
#WritersCoffeeClub Jan 20. Figuratively speaking, do you travel with the caravan or solo over the hills?
For writing, I'm rather solo. In life, probably Red Solo Cup.
#writing
For writing, I'm rather solo. In life, probably Red Solo Cup.
#writing
#WritersCoffeeClub ~ Talk about something (even if very small!) from your own life which made it onto the page.
I spent a lot of time in management, so it would be the people promoted for the wrong reasons that turn out to be good at their jobs.
#writing
I spent a lot of time in management, so it would be the people promoted for the wrong reasons that turn out to be good at their jobs.
#writing
January 19, 2026 at 12:50 PM
#WritersCoffeeClub ~ Talk about something (even if very small!) from your own life which made it onto the page.
I spent a lot of time in management, so it would be the people promoted for the wrong reasons that turn out to be good at their jobs.
#writing
I spent a lot of time in management, so it would be the people promoted for the wrong reasons that turn out to be good at their jobs.
#writing
#WordWeavers Jan 19
Who is the most moral character in your story?
Historical head of the MC's government agency. He designs the department to be effective for the right reasons.
Others in government are in awe.
#writing
Who is the most moral character in your story?
Historical head of the MC's government agency. He designs the department to be effective for the right reasons.
Others in government are in awe.
#writing
January 19, 2026 at 12:48 PM
#WordWeavers Jan 19
Who is the most moral character in your story?
Historical head of the MC's government agency. He designs the department to be effective for the right reasons.
Others in government are in awe.
#writing
Who is the most moral character in your story?
Historical head of the MC's government agency. He designs the department to be effective for the right reasons.
Others in government are in awe.
#writing
#WritersCoffeeClub January 18: Are you comfortable making a reader uncomfortable?
Just had an interaction with people reading snippets of my WIP. One was DEFINTELY uncomfortable. I got quite a kick out of it!
#writing
Just had an interaction with people reading snippets of my WIP. One was DEFINTELY uncomfortable. I got quite a kick out of it!
#writing
January 18, 2026 at 1:41 PM
#WritersCoffeeClub January 18: Are you comfortable making a reader uncomfortable?
Just had an interaction with people reading snippets of my WIP. One was DEFINTELY uncomfortable. I got quite a kick out of it!
#writing
Just had an interaction with people reading snippets of my WIP. One was DEFINTELY uncomfortable. I got quite a kick out of it!
#writing
#WordWeavers January 18: Your antagonist gets a call or message from their mother. How do they respond?
He might say, "I'll be home for Christmas."
And, since he has a bit of a sense of humor, he might sing it.
#writing
He might say, "I'll be home for Christmas."
And, since he has a bit of a sense of humor, he might sing it.
#writing
January 18, 2026 at 1:39 PM
#WordWeavers January 18: Your antagonist gets a call or message from their mother. How do they respond?
He might say, "I'll be home for Christmas."
And, since he has a bit of a sense of humor, he might sing it.
#writing
He might say, "I'll be home for Christmas."
And, since he has a bit of a sense of humor, he might sing it.
#writing
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 17: What’s frustrating you, writing-wise?
Ignoring real world, while trying to include the real world.
#writing
Ignoring real world, while trying to include the real world.
#writing
January 17, 2026 at 2:35 PM
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 17: What’s frustrating you, writing-wise?
Ignoring real world, while trying to include the real world.
#writing
Ignoring real world, while trying to include the real world.
#writing
#WordWeavers Day 17: If cost wasn’t an issue, what would your ideal setting be for you to write in?
A writing desk with a view of people walking by.
Then, I could make up stories about those people.
#writing
A writing desk with a view of people walking by.
Then, I could make up stories about those people.
#writing
January 17, 2026 at 2:33 PM
#WordWeavers Day 17: If cost wasn’t an issue, what would your ideal setting be for you to write in?
A writing desk with a view of people walking by.
Then, I could make up stories about those people.
#writing
A writing desk with a view of people walking by.
Then, I could make up stories about those people.
#writing
#WritersCoffeeClub How human are your protagonists? What about your antagonists?
Quite. They are driven more by emotional biases than logic.
#writing
Quite. They are driven more by emotional biases than logic.
#writing
January 15, 2026 at 12:13 PM
#WritersCoffeeClub How human are your protagonists? What about your antagonists?
Quite. They are driven more by emotional biases than logic.
#writing
Quite. They are driven more by emotional biases than logic.
#writing
#WordWeavers 14 Most exciting thing to ever happen to MC from their POV.
This humor story has world intrigue and evil intent, so naturally, it's when he meets a woman for a date.
#writing
This humor story has world intrigue and evil intent, so naturally, it's when he meets a woman for a date.
#writing
January 15, 2026 at 12:11 PM
#WordWeavers 14 Most exciting thing to ever happen to MC from their POV.
This humor story has world intrigue and evil intent, so naturally, it's when he meets a woman for a date.
#writing
This humor story has world intrigue and evil intent, so naturally, it's when he meets a woman for a date.
#writing
#WritersCoffeeClub How human are your protagonists? What about your antagonists?
Protagonist is mostly normal.
Antagonists are incompetent, but effective. (And, I started writing this a LONG time ago. It's all a coincidence.)
#writing
Protagonist is mostly normal.
Antagonists are incompetent, but effective. (And, I started writing this a LONG time ago. It's all a coincidence.)
#writing
January 15, 2026 at 12:06 PM
#WritersCoffeeClub How human are your protagonists? What about your antagonists?
Protagonist is mostly normal.
Antagonists are incompetent, but effective. (And, I started writing this a LONG time ago. It's all a coincidence.)
#writing
Protagonist is mostly normal.
Antagonists are incompetent, but effective. (And, I started writing this a LONG time ago. It's all a coincidence.)
#writing
#WordWeavers day 14: If your MCs lived your antagonists’ lives, what would they be like?
An evil version of the MC would promote evil DEI hires.
#writing
An evil version of the MC would promote evil DEI hires.
#writing
January 14, 2026 at 4:37 PM
#WordWeavers day 14: If your MCs lived your antagonists’ lives, what would they be like?
An evil version of the MC would promote evil DEI hires.
#writing
An evil version of the MC would promote evil DEI hires.
#writing
#WritersCoffeeClub day 14: What’s a service or skill you’d like to offer your fellow writers?
I think I do the first line of a novel pretty well. I did that for work (department mission statements and project emails).
#writing
I think I do the first line of a novel pretty well. I did that for work (department mission statements and project emails).
#writing
January 14, 2026 at 4:34 PM
#WritersCoffeeClub day 14: What’s a service or skill you’d like to offer your fellow writers?
I think I do the first line of a novel pretty well. I did that for work (department mission statements and project emails).
#writing
I think I do the first line of a novel pretty well. I did that for work (department mission statements and project emails).
#writing
January 12, 2026 at 1:48 PM
#WritersCoffeeClub Jan 12. How do you get to know your characters before you start writing?
I give them goals and their character evolves from those.
#writing
I give them goals and their character evolves from those.
#writing
January 12, 2026 at 1:47 PM
#WritersCoffeeClub Jan 12. How do you get to know your characters before you start writing?
I give them goals and their character evolves from those.
#writing
I give them goals and their character evolves from those.
#writing
#WordWeavers Jan 11
What does the opening chapter of your story reveal about the world it’s set in?
Not much different, other than that the road to world domination begins in Lakewood, Ohio.
#writing
What does the opening chapter of your story reveal about the world it’s set in?
Not much different, other than that the road to world domination begins in Lakewood, Ohio.
#writing
January 11, 2026 at 2:54 PM
#WordWeavers Jan 11
What does the opening chapter of your story reveal about the world it’s set in?
Not much different, other than that the road to world domination begins in Lakewood, Ohio.
#writing
What does the opening chapter of your story reveal about the world it’s set in?
Not much different, other than that the road to world domination begins in Lakewood, Ohio.
#writing
#WordWeavers day 10: SC POV: Describe a perfect setting for you to relax.
Alcohol, drugs, a cat...
But, I save some of those for myself, too.
#writing
Alcohol, drugs, a cat...
But, I save some of those for myself, too.
#writing
January 10, 2026 at 8:36 PM
#WordWeavers day 10: SC POV: Describe a perfect setting for you to relax.
Alcohol, drugs, a cat...
But, I save some of those for myself, too.
#writing
Alcohol, drugs, a cat...
But, I save some of those for myself, too.
#writing
#WritersCoffeeClub Jan 10: How do you steer a reader’s emotional journey?
I try to offend EVERYONE!
#writing
I try to offend EVERYONE!
#writing
a close up of a man 's face with a beard looking at the camera .
ALT: a close up of a man 's face with a beard looking at the camera .
media.tenor.com
January 10, 2026 at 8:34 PM
#WritersCoffeeClub Jan 10: How do you steer a reader’s emotional journey?
I try to offend EVERYONE!
#writing
I try to offend EVERYONE!
#writing
#WordWeavers 05 January: Tell us about something funny that happens to a character.
Well, it's a humor novel, so...
#writing
Well, it's a humor novel, so...
#writing
January 5, 2026 at 2:11 PM
#WordWeavers 05 January: Tell us about something funny that happens to a character.
Well, it's a humor novel, so...
#writing
Well, it's a humor novel, so...
#writing
#WritersCoffeeClub January 5: How do you choose the point of view for a new story?
I try to write like I talk.
And, when I tell a story and people run away, I avoid that style.
#writing
I try to write like I talk.
And, when I tell a story and people run away, I avoid that style.
#writing
January 5, 2026 at 2:09 PM
#WritersCoffeeClub January 5: How do you choose the point of view for a new story?
I try to write like I talk.
And, when I tell a story and people run away, I avoid that style.
#writing
I try to write like I talk.
And, when I tell a story and people run away, I avoid that style.
#writing
#WordWeavers 4 Jan - Describe an uncomfortable situation a character experiences.
A kick to the groin where the MC meets his future relationship
#writing
A kick to the groin where the MC meets his future relationship
#writing
January 4, 2026 at 2:11 PM
#WordWeavers 4 Jan - Describe an uncomfortable situation a character experiences.
A kick to the groin where the MC meets his future relationship
#writing
A kick to the groin where the MC meets his future relationship
#writing
#WritersCoffeeClub 4 Jan: Share a tool of your trade.
Sleep. I get quite a few scenes from weird dreams.
#writing
Sleep. I get quite a few scenes from weird dreams.
#writing
January 4, 2026 at 2:08 PM
#WritersCoffeeClub 4 Jan: Share a tool of your trade.
Sleep. I get quite a few scenes from weird dreams.
#writing
Sleep. I get quite a few scenes from weird dreams.
#writing