I want to buy my friend some books to help him kickstart working on a novel. I'm going to get him Save the Cat! and Artist's Way, and maybe some Joseph Campbell. What are some classics in this genre, and what do you recommend? 

 Comment 4 on this post is an excellent take on preferred pronouns.

https://www.butterfliesandwheels.org/2023/how-to-refer/ 

 I'm perhaps unreasonably excited that a new local restaurant has opened that makes my favourite Chinese treat - trying to figure out when I've got time to get over there to try it. 

 I'm attending a major climate conference this week - 107 speakers from 57 countries - in a very 'woke' city, and so far I have not seen one genderspecial nor have I heard any performative gender bullshit from any of the speakers - only thing that's set off my alarm was a reference to the 'politics of hate' and that can mean a few legitimate things. Waiting for my chance to ask an XR person to explain 'FINT' - but I guess if they don't start something I won't. Pretty good female representation though there are still too many men talking. 

 Am reading Stephen Baxter's SF novel Flood and thinking it's a bit out there...then reading the news about NYC. So ok maybe not. (I will mention that the Thames Barrier was evaluated in 2003 and determined to be viable at least until 2030...which is actually getting close.) 

 Seriously weird list. I'm not quibbling with it, it's just a weird list.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/09/medieval-city-of-wells-named-as-uks-top-tourist-destination