Welcome back to another posting of The Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG). Our fantastic co-hosts for April are:  Diane Burton, JH Moncrieff, Anna @ Emaginette, Karen @ Reprobate Typewriter, Erika Beebe, and Lisa Buie-Collard . Please take a moment to check out their blogs. 

Instead of a monthly question to answer, I’m going to introduce the judges for the 2020 IWSG anthology. (If you’re interested in submitting, click the IWSG image at the top of the post and sail away to the main page. Dates and further information can be found there. The genre this year is Science Fiction.)–

Dan Koboldt, author and #SFFpit founder

Lynda R. Young, author

Colleen Oefelein, agent, The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency

Damien Larkin

Ion Newcombe

Julie Gwinn, agent, The Seymour Agency

David Powers King, author

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Now, time for some news.

It’s a goat takeover.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/naughty-goats-take-over-town-21785193

I love the postman in this next story. Some people shine no matter what life throws at them.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/postman-deliveries-fancy-dress-lift-21779819

Last up on the menu tonight, some delicious science. It turns out our urine, or, at least, the urea component in it, makes one hell of an ingredient for building. Just add a little moon dust and viola. Science just freaking rocks!

https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a32006103/astronauts-urine-moon-bases/

That’s all for me tonight. Stay healthy, and I’ll see you in seven.

It’s Thursday once again. What do you mean I post on Wednesdays? Who said I post on Wednesdays?

Um…yeah, I guess I did. Sorry. Yesterday was a day. It’s better now. Enjoy the stories and pretend. You can pretend whatever you want right now. For some of you it will involve time, and for others…I hope the things I share help you breath for a moment or laugh. We all need some laughter about now.

This first story makes me happy for “Cocaine Hippos.” That is the weirdest sentence I’ve written in a while, and I write fiction.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pablo-escobar-hippos-colombia-environment_n_5e7a2e7ec5b62f90bc52087e

That is one strange-looking cat.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/xherdan-sphynx-cat_n_5e6bd0c5c5b6dda30fc8b070

And in science news this week, auroras. Why? Because I want to see them in real life so bad, like top-of-the-bucket-list bad. Enjoy!

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/auroras-dunes-pulsating-cusp-steve

That’s all for me today. Stay healthy, and I’ll see you in six.

In keeping with the need for enjoyable distractions, today I’ve chosen art. Enjoy!

https://www.google.com/amp/s/parade.com/899760/kristinluna/best-murals-street-art-every-state/amp/

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.interestingengineering.com/25-amazing-images-of-3d-street-art

http://globalstreetart.com

That’s all for me tonight. See you back here in seven. Stay healthy!

Unless you’re living under a rock, you are well aware that things are nuts at the moment. I decided to share some music to add something uplifting to what has gotten pretty heavy. Take care of yourselves and each other.

Welcome back, cats and kittens. It’s the first Wednesday of the month once again, which means it’s time for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG) posting. If you still haven’t clicked on the image above and virtually traveled to our anxiety-riddled hive mind, snap to it.

March 4 optional question – Other than the obvious holiday traditions, have you ever included any personal or family traditions/customs in your stories?

Not really. Helpful answer, I know. The closest I came was looking at the pagan traditions of several cultures which pre-date the modern area as a resource for made up holidays in my YA fantasy novel. Not exactly the same but idea adjacent. 🙂

Time for some news.

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I have no words.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/python-foreign-object_n_5e58a57bc5b6beedb4e91c5b 

My favorite soundtrack for a javelina running is Chariots of Fire. I heart internet people!

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/javelina-with-music_n_5e5763b4c5b66622ed76b5f5

And in science news this week, jellyfish snot. I could not resist. You’re welcome!

https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/ouch-jellyfish-snot-can-hurt-people-who-never-touch-the-animal 

That’s all for tonight. See you in seven.

Happy Wednesday, boys and girls! It’s been seven days since we were last together. I told you I’d be back. I know you were worried. Well, maybe not. 😉 I guess I’ll just get to the news.

Who knew there was a toilet race? https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2020/02/25/808791622/why-america-is-losing-the-toilet-race

Stripping down to your underwear is one way to register frustration with losing a job. Um…not one I would choose. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/richard-lee-strips-croyden-police-chief_n_5e4dbe61c5b630e74c4fdefe

In science today, the beginning of a science fiction movie. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/02/200226110843.htm

That’s all for me tonight. I’ll see you in seven promise (😉).

It’s that time of the week again—time for some news snacks. I present to you some tasty but filling news nuggets to get you through the rest of the week. Indulge, I won’t tell. 🙂

This first story is yet another adorable animal pair. Just like last week’s coyote and badger, I immediately filled in dialogue to every movement. This one would be good as a live-action short, while the coyote/badger would make a great animated film. https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_5e4d9a95c5b6a8bbccb81fa9

Um…I think being able to read the plates is kind of important. https://www.npr.org/2020/02/18/807133008/ontarios-new-license-plates-have-a-problem-you-can-t-read-them

And in science news, some good news about the Coronavirus. https://www.livescience.com/coronavirus-spike-protein-structure.html

That’s all for me tonight. See you in seven.