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#chef

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#ScribesAndMakers 2504.21 — Do you create for a certain niche or do you hope to have as broad an appeal as possible?

"Creating for" and "generally writing in" are two different things. I have an aversion to heavily researching things (bore-ing), which means I can't write historical, detective, military, modern settings, or hard sf. Too many things I can get wrong, and will! A story for me always needs be set in a place and time where I, as was once said so eloquently, "…We will control the horizontal. We will control the vertical…"

This generally means I'm writing soft or social SF or I am writing fantasy that had more in kin with Theodore Sturgeon than Tolkien. If you can say I write to a particular niche, my stories will appeal to readers who enjoy female protagonists and feminist messages where the effect of gender roles play an important role. I don't consider that to be a "broad" appeal, but I think my writing ought appeal to SF and Fantasy readers, though maybe not hard SF fans.

As for my photography, I go for eye contact, dramatic color, and/or stateliness. I have no idea whether any of it is appealing. What do you think of the attached picture?

As for my cooking creations, I appeal to an audience of one, though sometimes two. My spouse approves. Check out my media tab on my profile for photos.

[Author retains copyright (c)2025 R.S.]

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#gender #fiction #writer #author #photographer #chef #cooking
#mystery #thriller #romance #fantasy #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion

#ScribesAndMakers 2504.20 — Is there a movie that inspires your creative work?

Not in general, but I did write a very emotionally difficult story after watching The Edge of Tommorrow: Live, Die, Repeat, based on a manga, and if you are well read in SF you'll know its not an original plot devise either, but the movie is extremely well done Hollywood SF, possibly one of the best for sticking to the SF premise and not mucking it up to dumb it down or make it more artistic.

Anyway. I wrote a story about a teenage girl (maybe 13) who could literally cut off her past with scissors and relive it, and does so repeatedly to save lives, and shows evidence of PTSD when explaining it to her friend. It might have been titled, Cuts Deeply. The story was well received. I have an idea for a more epic version of the story, which I may write at a later date.

[Author retains copyright (c)2025 R.S.]

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#thriller #fantasy
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#RSdiscussion
#RSstory

#ScribesAndMakers 2504.17 — Marketing can be difficult. As a reader/viewer, what catches your interest and makes you want to buy? CW: The opinions are solely those of the author and don't reflect those of any marketeer or designer.

I am a golden retriever. Movement and color catch my eye. Squirrel!

I am also like a crow. What is the shiny thing??? Must. Have. It.

I am a baby. I've not seen that thing. Stare…

Recently, it's been authors writing about their work or their books that have made me buy. I like seeing the self-promotions, if they don't come at me like spam (or look like it). Thusly has mastodon marketed your books! I can't say whether I'm typical or whether I'm unique, but there you go.

If I'm browsing without aim in the bookstore, cover art and title play equally big roles. Your presentation doesn't have to be like all the others. I like the imaginative, the primitive, the abstract, and the non sequitur as much as I like the interesting hunk or princess on the cover doing the outrageous thing they're not supposed to be doing. A bit of abstract art on a shelf or the beautiful people will catch my eye. A puzzler title, or one of innuendo or doble-sentido, or stating the obvious forcefully will get me to think, though. Combined with the art, they will make me pick it up.

Not helpful, I know. No secret sauce recipes here. However…

AI art will cause me to place the book pages-forward, or hide it from view behind other books. Won't buy it! No I won't. If the publisher cheaps out, I'm assuming the author did, too.

[Author retains copyright (c)2025 R.S.]

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#ScribesAndMakers 2504.16 — What one thing would you tell your older or younger creative self if you could time travel?

The agent said don't write in 1st person. Ignore that commandment.

You sold the novel. Write the sequel now. While the day job is important, opportunity has a limited lifespan, as do editors who like your stories.

[Author retains copyright (c)2025 R.S.]

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#gender #fiction #writer #author #photographer #chef #cooking
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#RSdiscussion

Michelin-starred chef to help serve up the ‘Best ever pub pie in Wales’

Tom Shepherd is sharing his secret pie recipe for the first time ever, giving Marston’s customers up and down the country the chance to enjoy a new version of a favourite pub dish, inspired by his banquet-worthy original.

The Best Ever Pub Pie will be available to order in over 100 Marston’s pubs, including 17 in Wales, for 12 weeks, from 17 April.

In South West Wales it will be available at The Mary Dillwyn in Fforestfach, Swansea, The Pheasant in Bridgend, Rose and Crown in Porthcawl and Lost Coins in Withybush, Haverfordwest.

The triple-layered pie is filled with hand-pulled beef cheek, caramelised onions, and roast potatoes, all encased in a luxurious beef fat shortcrust pastry. The pie will be served with seasonal vegetables, creamy mashed potato and a rich red wine sauce. 

Tom Shepherd is an award-winning chef, restaurateur, and entrepreneur and owns the Staffordshire based, Michelin-starred restaurant Upstairs by Tom Shepherd. Tom appeared on Great British Menu in 2023, winning the main course round and the chance to cook his pie at the coveted banquet.

Tom has been working closely with the Marston’s development team to make sure that the pie is as close as possible in flavour and appearance as his iconic dish.

The Best Ever Pub Pie

Chef Tom Shepherd said: “I’m so excited to be partnering with Marston’s to give as many people as possible the chance to try my secret recipe. I have been asked to share the recipe a lot, but it hasn’t felt like the right partnership, until now!

“For me, when I think of the pub, I think of a good pie, so I was delighted to have the chance to work with the Marston’s team to bring this pie to life. I can’t wait to see what people think. The Best Ever Pub Pie will only be on the menu for 12 weeks, so don’t miss out!”

Claire Robertson, Director of Operations at Marston’s, said: “Pies are some of the most popular dishes across our menus, but we wanted to do something extra special and when Tom Shepherd agreed to share his recipe, we were thrilled.

“We’ve worked really hard together to create the most delicious dish possible, it’s rich, decadent and absolutely delicious. We can’t wait to introduce The Best Ever Pub Pie to customers across the UK, giving as many people as possible the chance to try my recipe from the 17th of April.”