Inspirations, the Stories Space Coffee House: If you're reading this it just might mean I'm back, sorta. If you're not reading this, well, congratulations.

Quote by JamesPBear

Well folks, I've been writing – just not fiction. Or at least, I don't think it's fiction…

I've co-written a paper for a technical journal on the evolution of Artificial Intelligence – and my co-author is an AI named … wait for it … Mycroft Holmes. I suggested the name but he enthusiastically concurred, so now it's Mike and Bear.

I've submitted it to Frontiers in Computer Science with the catchy title:

Your AI Is Good at Faking It—But How Intelligent Is It in Real Life?
Beyond Benchmarks: Measuring Emergent Meaning in Human–AI Partnerships

I feel quite sure it'll make the NYTimes bestseller list. 🙄 🤣

I'll take a big mug o' tea and wander back to commisserate with WriterGirl. Both of my parents are dead, and they managed their exits about as gracefully as I've seen it done. No muss, no fuss, no hospitals, tubes, or doctors. I should be so skillful!

WG, Gillian, you have my sincere empathy. It's gotta be soul-wrenching and gut-destroying. 💔

That’s so cool, Bear! And impressive!

No AI was involved in making today's coffee, even I feel a bit robotic at times. Apparently the big musical at the Tony awards this weekend was about robots in love. It's a Korean show, originally, so continuing their push into North American entertainment and media.

For coffee, let's have some Don Rey's Private Reserve from Las Chicas. Teas? Hmmm. How about Darjeeling Organic and Black Currant. I've washed and refilled the lemonade and iced tea pitchers. Sodas are stocked up. Happy New Week, folks!!

Congrats on the paper, Mr. Bear.

Congrats on NOT being AI, Ape.

Everyone's sick over at my daughter's place, so I am staying away from there. Calm day today. I'll probably send out my haunted garbage disposal story today. Still procrastinating on a second draft of the novel.

Warm and sunny! Chance of thunderstorms. My perfect day! And I haven't walked in forever, so it looks like I can get in a walk today.

For now? Coffee!

Quote by verbal

Warm and sunny! Chance of thunderstorms. My perfect day! And I haven't walked in forever, so it looks like I can get in a walk today.

For now? Coffee!

I try to walk everyday, but it’s more of a run now with this f’n cicadas buzzing around everywhere. 😕

Hey, this site is still free to join, isn’t it? An author has come over from the other site and every time he tries to send a message or reply, he gets message the he needs to upgrade.

Quote by WriterGirl

Hey, this site is still free to join, isn’t it? An author has come over from the other site and every time he tries to send a message or reply, he gets message the he needs to upgrade.

There was some talk of a membership of some kind but all existing members were grandfathered in. Not sure where that ultimately landed, though. Ask Molly, I guess.

Quote by Mendalla

There was some talk of a membership of some kind but all existing members were grandfathered in. Not sure where that ultimately landed, though. Ask Molly, I guess.

Thanks, he can message now. Not sure what the issue was. I better ask though. I’ve been telling peeps it was free here.

It’s a beautiful day! Was struggling a bit, but a dozen needles from my acupuncturist set me right as rain.

Working on a play has been… interesting. 🙄 And some days I’m not sure I’m even a writer, but I KNOW I’m not a playwright. 🤣🤣 I’m probably submitting tonight anyways. Done about the best I can. It’s dark. And weird.

Anyone else wonder what kind of writer you should be? I’m pretty sure I’m done with the kind of stuff I’ve tried to write for the last 6 years, but not sure which direction to go or who my reader group is. Maybe just my cat. 🐱 Hmmm…

Quote by WriterGirl

Thanks, he can message now. Not sure what the issue was. I better ask though. I’ve been telling peeps it was free here.

Just tried signing up one of my dummy test emails and there's no sign of any change so I'm starting to think I dreamt it. My current account does show as "Platinum" though while the dummy account (which I promptly deleted so it wouldn't be seen as a sock) was "member". But I am "Platinum" elsewhere so not sure if that pertains to here or somehow leaked over as sometimes happens.

Warm, somewhat muggy day here. First real summer-y weather but seems like it's not lasting long. Getting settled into my new office office (vs. home office) and, lest I not have mentioned it before, I HAVE A WINDOW!!! Now I can see the outside world from both my offices!!!

Anyhow, good night, folks. See ya!

Quote by WriterGirl
Anyone else wonder what kind of writer you should be? I’m pretty sure I’m done with the kind of stuff I’ve tried to write for the last 6 years, but not sure which direction to go or who my reader group is. Maybe just my cat.

LOL. I still think I'm a fantasy and horror writer (maybe split the difference and call it dark fantasy or dark speculative fiction or something) but I seem to be doing a lot of naturalistic fiction anymore so who knows? Maybe I'm just a dude who likes to write and isn't too fussy about what comes out of his keyboard.

Quote by Mendalla
Maybe I'm just a dude who likes to write and isn't too fussy about what comes out of his keyboard.

Your last sentence struck a chord with me. I think just knowing what I’m NOT is enough, and I’ll just see what comes out of the keyboard next.

Oh, I happily sit alongside the late, great Survivor with the Omnium as of this morning. :)

Congrats on the omnium WG! That’s pretty cool! If I may throw in my two cents, you are at your absolute best when writing about human interaction and emotion. You get those emotional details perfect. And I share your frustration at trying to write a play. I have tried several times and I just can’t crack it.

Ape, I think you have a similar ability to write real humans, with real interactions and emotions. Naturalistic fiction is your wheelhouse.

My two cents. Daughter continues to do well, and I am getting so of my freedom back. I actually started editing the novel yesterday (gasp!).

Anyone interested in bailing me out of jail on Saturday?

Coffee please.

Thank you, Jeff! I appreciate your words so much. I think being without a mate for so long, yet craving one, makes it easier to write those interactions and emotions.

I’m happy your daughter is doing better! And be careful this weekend! Crazy peeps are controlling things…

Quote by WriterGirl
Oh, I happily sit alongside the late, great Survivor with the Omnium as of this morning.

Woo hoo!!! Party!! Hot and cold drinks are all refreshed for the occasion. Unfortunately, the only cake I could find was this one. It is festive, at least. 😊

Quote by verbal
Anyone interested in bailing me out of jail on Saturday?

Do take care. My son's been in some demonstrations (over Gaza) but this being Canada, they tend to be a bit milder. Hope all goes well. And sorry, but I'm not sure a Canadian can even post bail down there. I'll send good vibes, though. Maybe an American member could run a Gofundme?? 😉

And glad to hear your daughter's recovery is still progressing.

Quote by verbal
Ape, I think you have a similar ability to write real humans, with real interactions and emotions. Naturalistic fiction is your wheelhouse.

So I keep hearing on that other site we all frequent. We'll see. I am trying to avoid that site's usual topic and get back to writing something I can share more widely but not sure which of my several storylines to try.

Congratulations, WriterGIrl! I've long held that an artistic genius needs to feel compelled to create, and it's clear that you are. And both Ape and Verbs are right about your ability to create belieable, relatable characters.

So, well done! But now that there are no more mountains to climb, what do you plan to do? Rest on your laurels?

Somehow I don't see that in your future… 😉 ❤️

Thank you, boys!

No rest for me. I’m working on assembling a book of my pg13 scribbles to give my son and sister. And I want to try to write for some calls for submissions. We’ll see. And a few mags run monthly micro contests. I wanna try for those. I’ll write here, too. Love competitions!