C. W. Maurer
@cwmaurer.substack.com
Author of epic fantasy and low-tech sci-fi. Engineer, coach, gamer, mom, and hobby collector in New England.
Fueled by tea, video game soundtracks, and dog snuggles.
(She/her)
Fueled by tea, video game soundtracks, and dog snuggles.
(She/her)
100%
It's especially frustrating when my creative mediums of choice are incredibly forgiving when it comes to going back and fixing things later. And I know this.
My brain is fully aware that going back over it to fix things is part of the process.
And yet... 🤦♀️🤷♀️😭
It's especially frustrating when my creative mediums of choice are incredibly forgiving when it comes to going back and fixing things later. And I know this.
My brain is fully aware that going back over it to fix things is part of the process.
And yet... 🤦♀️🤷♀️😭
November 16, 2025 at 7:04 PM
100%
It's especially frustrating when my creative mediums of choice are incredibly forgiving when it comes to going back and fixing things later. And I know this.
My brain is fully aware that going back over it to fix things is part of the process.
And yet... 🤦♀️🤷♀️😭
It's especially frustrating when my creative mediums of choice are incredibly forgiving when it comes to going back and fixing things later. And I know this.
My brain is fully aware that going back over it to fix things is part of the process.
And yet... 🤦♀️🤷♀️😭
I struggle with this one as well.
It's amazing how hard it can be to shove that mindset out of the way long enough to start something that doesn't have a clear "do this next" guide.
It's amazing how hard it can be to shove that mindset out of the way long enough to start something that doesn't have a clear "do this next" guide.
November 16, 2025 at 1:31 PM
I struggle with this one as well.
It's amazing how hard it can be to shove that mindset out of the way long enough to start something that doesn't have a clear "do this next" guide.
It's amazing how hard it can be to shove that mindset out of the way long enough to start something that doesn't have a clear "do this next" guide.
If you find any answers, let me know, because I am also like this.
November 16, 2025 at 1:08 AM
If you find any answers, let me know, because I am also like this.
And another photo, because my phone wouldn't let me put them both in the same post for reasons unknown.
November 15, 2025 at 6:59 PM
And another photo, because my phone wouldn't let me put them both in the same post for reasons unknown.
Belated update: I listened to it while doing some crochet the other day, because that seemed appropriate, and it was very fun 😁
Thank you for writing it!
Thank you for writing it!
November 14, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Belated update: I listened to it while doing some crochet the other day, because that seemed appropriate, and it was very fun 😁
Thank you for writing it!
Thank you for writing it!
👏👏👏
For science!
Gotta be getting that data!
For science!
Gotta be getting that data!
November 14, 2025 at 3:43 PM
👏👏👏
For science!
Gotta be getting that data!
For science!
Gotta be getting that data!
Our current field has fewer insect-distractions, but I do miss calling a halt to practice to have everyone admire a walking stick or praying mantis (before relocating it somewhere with less squash-risk)
New field gets turkey flocks wandering through now and then, though, so it's not all a loss.
New field gets turkey flocks wandering through now and then, though, so it's not all a loss.
November 14, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Our current field has fewer insect-distractions, but I do miss calling a halt to practice to have everyone admire a walking stick or praying mantis (before relocating it somewhere with less squash-risk)
New field gets turkey flocks wandering through now and then, though, so it's not all a loss.
New field gets turkey flocks wandering through now and then, though, so it's not all a loss.
I think my favorite part of this (which is all wonderful) was the note at the end.
As a coach of middle school soccer players, I have had this sort of thing occur multiple times over the years. Especially when the field was next to the woods, and we'd get interesting bugs hanging out on the goals.
As a coach of middle school soccer players, I have had this sort of thing occur multiple times over the years. Especially when the field was next to the woods, and we'd get interesting bugs hanging out on the goals.
November 14, 2025 at 1:39 PM
I think my favorite part of this (which is all wonderful) was the note at the end.
As a coach of middle school soccer players, I have had this sort of thing occur multiple times over the years. Especially when the field was next to the woods, and we'd get interesting bugs hanging out on the goals.
As a coach of middle school soccer players, I have had this sort of thing occur multiple times over the years. Especially when the field was next to the woods, and we'd get interesting bugs hanging out on the goals.
When my husband and kiddo go out on errands, I'm always reminded that the range of weird sad noises a single large dog can produce is remarkable.
How could they abandon him so, to leave him with the other person who loves and feeds and scritches him and is right over there on the couch?
How could they abandon him so, to leave him with the other person who loves and feeds and scritches him and is right over there on the couch?
November 13, 2025 at 1:15 PM
When my husband and kiddo go out on errands, I'm always reminded that the range of weird sad noises a single large dog can produce is remarkable.
How could they abandon him so, to leave him with the other person who loves and feeds and scritches him and is right over there on the couch?
How could they abandon him so, to leave him with the other person who loves and feeds and scritches him and is right over there on the couch?
The vast majority of the time, it's fine (thanks to regular strength and mobility work).
As a coach who sometimes jumps into activities with the team that I'm definitely not in shape to be doing, I put it through a lot.
The fact that it doesn't give more trouble is the more surprising thing.
As a coach who sometimes jumps into activities with the team that I'm definitely not in shape to be doing, I put it through a lot.
The fact that it doesn't give more trouble is the more surprising thing.
November 11, 2025 at 7:32 PM
The vast majority of the time, it's fine (thanks to regular strength and mobility work).
As a coach who sometimes jumps into activities with the team that I'm definitely not in shape to be doing, I put it through a lot.
The fact that it doesn't give more trouble is the more surprising thing.
As a coach who sometimes jumps into activities with the team that I'm definitely not in shape to be doing, I put it through a lot.
The fact that it doesn't give more trouble is the more surprising thing.
Oy. Knees are good at getting things pinched in end ranges of motion.
I had ACL reconstruction in college, and when weather is funky, it does all sorts of weird things if it's straightened or bent the whole way.
It often involves lots of "Will it be fine tomorrow? Or will it mean months of PT?"
I had ACL reconstruction in college, and when weather is funky, it does all sorts of weird things if it's straightened or bent the whole way.
It often involves lots of "Will it be fine tomorrow? Or will it mean months of PT?"
November 11, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Oy. Knees are good at getting things pinched in end ranges of motion.
I had ACL reconstruction in college, and when weather is funky, it does all sorts of weird things if it's straightened or bent the whole way.
It often involves lots of "Will it be fine tomorrow? Or will it mean months of PT?"
I had ACL reconstruction in college, and when weather is funky, it does all sorts of weird things if it's straightened or bent the whole way.
It often involves lots of "Will it be fine tomorrow? Or will it mean months of PT?"
I hate driving, so when I have to do it, I enjoy adding in the adventure of "solo concert, featuring me" where I (an alto at highest. Probably a contralto if I'd ever done any proper voice training) pretend I can hit all the notes in pop songs.
(I can't. But I have fun)
(I can't. But I have fun)
November 11, 2025 at 1:42 AM
I hate driving, so when I have to do it, I enjoy adding in the adventure of "solo concert, featuring me" where I (an alto at highest. Probably a contralto if I'd ever done any proper voice training) pretend I can hit all the notes in pop songs.
(I can't. But I have fun)
(I can't. But I have fun)
Fitting, then, that this one is on my Thanksgiving travel reading list because parenting and general life responsibilities aren't going to allow me the time to sit down and enjoy it before then. 😅
November 10, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Fitting, then, that this one is on my Thanksgiving travel reading list because parenting and general life responsibilities aren't going to allow me the time to sit down and enjoy it before then. 😅
I did miss it! Thank you for the notice. I will now be checking this out immediately! 😁
November 10, 2025 at 2:37 PM
I did miss it! Thank you for the notice. I will now be checking this out immediately! 😁
It depends on the scene, for sure. And on the character.
I have some characters who will gladly muddle through their own thoughts for pages (sometimes engagingly, sometimes it needs a lot of trimming).
Others have very little verbal internal monologue, which means needing to be more strategic.
I have some characters who will gladly muddle through their own thoughts for pages (sometimes engagingly, sometimes it needs a lot of trimming).
Others have very little verbal internal monologue, which means needing to be more strategic.
November 9, 2025 at 1:32 PM
It depends on the scene, for sure. And on the character.
I have some characters who will gladly muddle through their own thoughts for pages (sometimes engagingly, sometimes it needs a lot of trimming).
Others have very little verbal internal monologue, which means needing to be more strategic.
I have some characters who will gladly muddle through their own thoughts for pages (sometimes engagingly, sometimes it needs a lot of trimming).
Others have very little verbal internal monologue, which means needing to be more strategic.
Just read this one last month, and have been counting down days til I can get my hands on the sequel!
November 7, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Just read this one last month, and have been counting down days til I can get my hands on the sequel!
Appa says that it is time for scritches, not naps.
November 6, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Appa says that it is time for scritches, not naps.