And I've read books with the most tropey, simple, or overdone plots that are incredible because the WRITING is incredible.

Good writing can save a bad idea, but a great idea canNOT save bad writing. You can't skip that part or wish it away because the writing is THE WHOLE THING.

And I get both of these feelings, but I tell them, "Ideas are great, but it's not about the idea, it's about the WRITING." I've read books with really clever and fascinating ideas but are super boring to read because their WRITING is boring.

Woop! That's not easy to do! Congratulations!

Much as I hate it, a lot of that kind of information IS technically available to the public. As a public librarian, people call us for addresses all the time, and we aren't really allowed to question why they want it. But it sucks that it's now becoming infinitely easier.

I think I bowed out last year, so maybe I should do one this year. Hmmmmmmmm...

"In the Bleak Midwinter" is a certified banger

Thanks, it was one of my favorite stories to write, it was just a lot of fun.

Thanks! I really enjoyed writing her perspective. Especially since she's kind of the parental figure for them all. And gay panicking Waverly is a trope I always enjoy.

Thanks, it was one of my favorites to write and I still enjoy it!

Woooooot thanks for plugging! I loved writing that one.

Lol, I wouldn't call those anything alike, aside from being from vaguely the same era. But Wayside didn't have anything paranormal, IIRC.

You activated my librarian powers. The series is called The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids. It's got like "Vampires Don't Wear Polka Dots" and "Werewolves Don't Go to Summer Camp." Written by Marcia Jones and Debbie Dadey.

I'm sorry, man. These times come and go, it'll get better again.

Good news: it's single digits after wind chill today, and they seem entirely unfazed. I gave them some warm water and they didn't even seem to care. They aren't even huddled, they're just bopping around like normal. Two of them laid eggs this morning!

And yet if someone sprayed their agents with it, you know that it would suddenly become a "deadly weapon"

Lol yessssssss

I could crochet them little hats to protect their combs 😂