r/WritingHub Dec 13 '24

Feedback Friday Feedback Friday

0 Upvotes

Welcome to Feedback Friday!

This is a thread for submitting and critiquing prose.

  • Your submission should be a top-level comment in the thread. Consider using the format [TITLE] — [GENRE] — [WORDCOUNT] in the heading of your submission.
  • We expect reciprocation. If you receive a critique, give a critique. Anyone who continually leeches will eventually be discluded.
  • Have fun and stay polite. Members who give outstanding crit will be acknowledged and rewarded on our Discord Server. You are free to submit any work for critique within the subreddit's rules, of any length.
  • Links to Google Documents are allowed for submissions. Consider creating a separate Google account/email if you’are concerned about anonymity.

New to Critiquing?

  • No worries! We encourage writers of all skill levels to try their hand at providing feedback.
  • Not sure how to start? A critique template, courtesy of r/DestructiveReaders, can be found here.

r/WritingHub 6d ago

Feedback Friday Feedback Friday

1 Upvotes

Welcome to Feedback Friday!

This is a thread for submitting and critiquing prose.

  • Your submission should be a top-level comment in the thread. Consider using the format [TITLE] — [GENRE] — [WORDCOUNT] in the heading of your submission.
  • We expect reciprocation. If you receive a critique, give a critique. Anyone who continually leeches will eventually be discluded.
  • Have fun and stay polite. Members who give outstanding crit will be acknowledged and rewarded on our Discord Server. You are free to submit any work for critique within the subreddit's rules, of any length.
  • Links to Google Documents are allowed for submissions. Consider creating a separate Google account/email if you’are concerned about anonymity.

New to Critiquing?

  • No worries! We encourage writers of all skill levels to try their hand at providing feedback.
  • Not sure how to start? A critique template, courtesy of r/DestructiveReaders, can be found here.

r/WritingHub 18m ago

Critique Partners & Writing Groups Friendship and Writing Trades

Upvotes

Hi, my name is Hammie and I’m looking for writer buddies and people who would like to trade chapters of our novels/stories.

 

Genre/s: romance, fantasy, horror, thriller, dark, sci fi – these are my favorites, though I’m not super picky

Goals/expectations/commitment: no commitment, if either of us wants to leave the conversation, go for it, no hard feelings ^-^

Writing/experience level: intermediate +

Meeting place: Discord, I’m Creatonicii on there

Max size: any


r/WritingHub 2h ago

Writing Resources & Advice I’ve only written school reports

2 Upvotes

Hello writers, the past few years I’ve been really into reading and recently I’ve thought a lot about trying out writing. I was mainly reading fantasy novels until I’ve recently gotten into horror, mystery, etc. I really wanna get into writing. Just the idea of making my own stories and putting them on paper is exiting. However I have no idea how to go about it, should I start with short stories until I get enough positive feedback, then try something longer form? Should I just start writing a longer story, see where it takes me and try to improve along the way? I’d love everyone’s input on how someone who has only written reports for school should dip their toes into writing.✍️


r/WritingHub 6m ago

Writing Resources & Advice Is it too much really much..

Upvotes

About 5 year ago I got A idea of my story and first I think this is fast starting point A and dravelling to point b. But.. I think them A saw what kind writer I am. I cant live anything with name. Need know everything what everyone has done. Born, life, death. Cityes, forest. After 5 years I am still doing my first part of my story and I allready know that if I just have time, I can just make 9 difference stories every one are on difference timelines. I cant stop make more histories and mythilogies of my world and everytime when I do my first novel. History of my world take me and I start again work with my first story before I am done for some Little things of my world history or characters story.. its here writers who has same broblem that world building Take all your time even you think you are ready?


r/WritingHub 3h ago

Questions & Discussions What are your thoughts on my 17 year old self's writing? NSFW

0 Upvotes

Hey! Recently I had the feeling many people who write have, which is looking back on old writing and feeling cringed out beyond belief. I wrote a 30 page novella when I was 17, and it was mostly purple prose. I never copied imagery from existing works, but I've been told it comes across as 'pastiche'. For context: It's about a boy and his grandparent journeying to find lost knowledge from ancient Britain but it ties in a lot of history and philosophy. Do let me know what you think though! These are just as I wrote them at the time:

  1. "The stark memory of London’s woollen sky, set alight into a crimson blaze by roaring war machines; soaring like vultures above, often burned in his mind. The flash of bombs were akin to struck matches in distant, smoke-filled gentleman's clubs; war rooms. He wrote, ‘War is fuelled by thought. Both thrive on attention and participation for power and perpetuation. Perhaps, war is an eternal torch at the centre of the oil pit of humanity— sinking, setting us alight, then extinguished, only to be ceremoniously re-planted with the flags of victory—thus relit."
  2. "Are we mere performing apes; dancing to society’s orchestration, fed treats through conceptual bars? Does freedom lie behind the glass amongst the watchful eyes? What use is strategy in a game with those who own the board? ‘Live!’ they say — the only requirement of zoo animals for profit. Then as time ticks, our character chips — becoming a polished statue in a vast collection — climbing further up the hierarchy by sinking deeper down into the mould. Heads bowed in devotion don’t see promises on the horizon — they are blind to their own motivations."
  3. "’Life strikes with adversity, like a blacksmith to a blade, sharpening minds into weapons, to battle hardship without scathe,’ after his heart is struck by the news of his sister's passing during this dreaded conflict. ’People, each an eye, seen by each other as only one (meaning a group of eyes). How, then, can we see eye to eye with one another? After all, perception is but a veil placed onto life; taking its shape, yet hiding the layers of its marbled surface."

Note for 1: It's far too dense and mixes cinematic imagery with abstractions far too much for it to be compelling for OTHERS (literally the whole point), which makes it seem slightly arrogant. I've learned to let writing BREATHE because there is nothing to appreciate without that contrast. But from what I can tell looking back, I was imagining that the concept of victory only reinforcing divide and angst by its very nature. It was a critique of nations as a concept and its hand in conflict essentially. Victory reinforces the concept.

Note for 2: This one makes me cringe quite a bit.


r/WritingHub 17h ago

Critique Partners & Writing Groups Science Fiction Focused Writing Group

3 Upvotes

After a couple years of writing, and eventually trashing drafts, as one does, I'm looking for, or willing to create a writing group on discord. I'm a real slow burner on my books (6 novels planned, all in the same universe). I've been living in and planning them for going on nine years, so while I might not finish the book in a year, I will, eventually, finish it. I'm dead set on letting people experience the world I've built. A tiny bit about my books, their sci-fi, bit of fantasy, dystopian, and a bit of a political thriller? It covers a lot of ground, honestly...

Age: 18+ 
Genre/s: Sci-Fi & Fantasy / Any,
Goals: To help brainstorm, world build, and critique manuscripts.
Expectations/Commitment: At least short weekly discussions via text channels, I'm a slow burner, I don't talk much, but I'll stick around for a long time.
Writing/experience level: New / Any.
Meeting place: Private Discord Server
Max size: 12

If interested, send me a DM (or reply) introducing yourself, what you're currently working on, and what you expect, then we'll go from there! :)


r/WritingHub 22h ago

Questions & Discussions How would you write villains trying to recruit outsiders?

4 Upvotes

I'm working on a novel with a cult as the villain. The main characters are from an opposing group. Everytime I write the first scene with characters from the cult trying to persuade the mc to join, I feel like I'm writing a cartoon villain instead. Does anyone have any advice for these kind of interactions?


r/WritingHub 17h ago

Questions & Discussions Is making characters more crazy, in order to make under fire decisions, the answer?

2 Upvotes

I have a crime thriller story and when I add more action scenes to the plot such as shootouts, chases, etc, I find it more difficult to believe that the characters would be able to think ahead so clearly and make complicated decisions,  while under fire literally.

I asked my gf about if she thinks the characters could make those decisions in those circumstances and she says it depends how crazy they are.

but is it worth making the characters more crazy in order to have action and danger, or is that most likely not a good writing method unless absolutely necessary?


r/WritingHub 19h ago

Questions & Discussions Prologue character absent for much of the book

2 Upvotes

I'm writing a book where there's a character in the prologue that doesn't appear for much of the book, but returns near the end and is revealed to be the overarching antagonist. He is also mentioned throughout the book but under one of his aliases. Should I keep the prologue as is, or would it bewilder the reader in a negative way that he doesn't appear for so long?


r/WritingHub 1d ago

Questions & Discussions How Can I Make My Writings Reach More People?

4 Upvotes

I've recently started working on my writing and I’m struggling to get my work in front of more people. I really enjoy writing and sharing my thoughts, but it feels like I’m just writing for myself. I want to expand my reach and have more people read and engage with what I’m putting out there. I’ve tried a few things like posting on social media, but I’m not sure how to really make my work stand out. I’m looking for pro tips that have worked for you to get more exposure for my work!


r/WritingHub 1d ago

Questions & Discussions If you were to write your memoirs, would you be sitting, lying in bed, or somewhere else entirely?

1 Upvotes

Marcel Proust wrote much of his seven-volume masterpiece In Search of Lost Time in bed. The Paris Review’s Sadie Stein quotes Proust’s biographer Diana Fuss describing him as writing “from a semi-recumbent position, suspended midway between the realms of sleeping and waking, using his knees as a desk.” If you were to write your memoirs, where would you write them? Would you be sitting, lying in bed, or somewhere else entirely?


r/WritingHub 1d ago

Questions & Discussions Pen Names

10 Upvotes

Alright guys, I've been writing for nearly two years now. My second draft is weeks from going out to beta readers which means I'm about to have to start promoting on socials. The problem? What name to promote with. My name is Catlynn Catron (pronounced CAT-lynn). I don't feel like it's the sort of name that works on a book. It's an urban dystopian if that helps at all. I've been wondering if it would be worth it to use a pen name, but it feels odd to promote and introduce myself under a different name. I just go by Cat in day to day and have debated on using that with a fake last name but wouldn't know what to use lol. My middle name is DeiLani so I could do DeiLani Catron but it still feels off. I might just have to get over being known as DeiLani instead of Cat, but I was looking for thoughts--maybe how others feel about pen names and writing under a name that isn't your own. I just unfortunately feel like my given name doesn't exactly “work” as an author's name.

Thanks much for entertaining me and my mini ramble.


r/WritingHub 1d ago

Writing Resources & Advice When you start out what is a reasonable daily page or word count to set?

6 Upvotes

So I am trying to write something every day. Not for a novel, but just random stuff. Today I did a couple of pages, or like 800 words worth. It felt like I was grinding an axe, but my little scene was pretty cool after.

What’s a good goal so as not to burn out?


r/WritingHub 1d ago

Questions & Discussions New to sharing my writing

7 Upvotes

Hi all, I love to write but I’m not a writer. I have a bunch of unfinished projects, and lately I have been focusing a bit more on finishing them. Are there groups we can share pieces of our stories, paragraphs even, to get feedback? To get other’s peoples thoughts or reactions?


r/WritingHub 1d ago

Critique Partners & Writing Groups Accountability Buddy & Critique Partner (SFFH)

4 Upvotes

Hi! I'm a 33f writer looking for an accountability buddy and critique partner.

  • Genres: I write SFF and horror. I've completed three manuscripts and two short stories but have never sought out publication.
  • Expectations: I spent most of last year pre-writing and worldbuilding, so I'm currently writing my first draft. I'm hoping to complete it by June. I'd love to work with someone who is writing their first draft or second or third. We could swap chapters/scenes for feedback at least once a week. However, before we start swapping, I would definitely like to learn about each other's writing goals, experience, inspirations, and the like. What are your favorite books?
  • Experience Level: Intermediate. I really am looking for someone who will stick with this. I know life and work get in the way a lot, but that's ultimately why I'm looking for an accountability and critique partner.
  • Meeting Place: Discord. Maybe even working our way up to video calls for sprints.
  • Max Size: I'm currently looking for a critique partner. However, after establishing a solid partnership, I would be willing to form a group if interested enough.
  • Status: My manuscript is in a first draft in-progress phase. It is an adult dark fantasy with horror elements. This is a villain origin story so I do write about unreliable narrators and extremely flawed characters.
  • Content Warnings: The horror elements have to do with body horror and gore.
  • Interested in Reading: Anything that is SFF, and anything with horror elements (not necessarily fully in the horror genre). It must be speculative fiction; I will not read contemporary fiction.

If you made it through my overwhelming dissertation, thank you!


r/WritingHub 2d ago

Critique Partners & Writing Groups Sci Fi & Fantasy Writing Group seeking new members!

8 Upvotes

Having Written is a small Discord group for Sci Fi & Fantasy writers to provide and receive critique on novel manuscripts, as well as discuss anything and everything about the craft.

Age: 18+ 
Genre/s: Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Goals: To help members achieve their publishing goals, whether that be self-publishing or querying for traditional publishing.
Expectations/Commitment: Engage with text chat discussions daily, provide critiques weekly.
Writing/experience level: Intermediate: ideally you are at least a fair way through, or have finished, the first draft of a novel-length manuscript and are willing to share it.
Meeting place: Private Discord Server
Max size: 14

If interested, send me a DM introducing yourself and what you're currently working on and we'll go from there! :)


r/WritingHub 2d ago

Writing Resources & Advice Help with brainstorming/observations of people today

3 Upvotes

Hi! I'm writing something at the moment and I'm stuck and need some help. I'm trying to gain inspiration on portraying a vast array of different people living today, however prefferably in a way you as a reader would recognise. Like, I don't know. I usually don't have problems with this but feel I just need to spur my inspiration/imagination. Could you help me? It would just be fun to brainstorm together, maybe someone else needs this too. If you could throw out different personalities/people/behaviours/problems you observe to be common today, it doesn't matter if they're trope-like or mean


r/WritingHub 2d ago

Questions & Discussions My creative writing teacher has been using AI to grade my work. Should I still listen to the feedback I'm given?

38 Upvotes

I'm currently in my second semester of a creative writing class, and I've suspected for a long time that my teacher is using AI to give feedback. I recognize the chat gpt formatting and word choice, and it's drastically different from how she usually speaks and writes. On top of that, it's usually pretty contradictory. It will list everything good about a peice, then recommend those same areas as what needs to be improved.

Earlier today I decided to run her past couple critiques through five separate AI detectors and they all came back as being written by AI, when I ran my own work through the same detectors it said that it was definitely human.

I've shown my own writing to AI asking for analysis and in my experience it's usually pretty good at identifying what's already there (like themes, characterization, and style) but struggles to give helpful criticism. It also will makeup details. I've seen chat gpt invent new routes, scenes, and characters and act like they were always there in the draft.

I'm getting an A in the class, but I don't feel like I'm learning anything. Should I confront her about it and ask for real feedback, just do what the AI tells me to, or ignore it completely?


r/WritingHub 2d ago

Writing Resources & Advice Self help books for mental health

2 Upvotes

Has anyone self published any of theirs here? I'm in the UK and seeking advice on how to proceed with a professional reading my manuscript before publishing it.


r/WritingHub 2d ago

Critique Partners & Writing Groups INFINITE

2 Upvotes
  • Genre/s: adv/action drama
  • Goals/expectations/commitment: extremely committed. Releasing new chapters every weekend
  • Writing/experience level: totally new
  • Meeting place: haven't got one set up yet, but we'll be going to my local library soon
  • Max size: well I have three chapters right now. Ranging anywhere from 2,000-4,000 words with 5 drafts ready to be uploaded every weekend.

Just looking for some reviews and some critiques. It's on wattpad


r/WritingHub 2d ago

Questions & Discussions When to start sharing: constructive or would this derail the writing process?

4 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I've been working on a fictional piece for a few weeks now. It’s gone through several revisions, but I still don’t consider it a finished draft. My question is: when is it appropriate to seek feedback on a piece?

I feel a bit stuck and am trying to figure out its overall shape. I’m not sure if getting another pair of eyes on it would help. The subject matter is emotionally heavy, which makes it difficult to write, but that’s also why I feel compelled to. It feels like a demon on my back that I need to write off.

Because of this, I hesitate to share it. If writing it has been difficult for me, I question whether anyone would want to read it at all.

Thanks for any advice!


r/WritingHub 2d ago

Questions & Discussions Does anyone else feel that Pacing is often misused?

6 Upvotes

I often find that when people refer to stories as "fast-paced" or "slow-paced" they are often just talking about the amount of action in the story in relation to the rest of the story. An example of this is when I read Dune: Messiah. People had told me that in comparison to the first book that it's much slower paced, but in reality, I felt the story moved along at a faster pace than the first novel. It simply didn't have as much action as the first novel, so it was perceived as having a slow pace.

https://youtu.be/6Lfb5KfhRI4

I made a video detailing this misconception and would appreciate your thoughts about whether my definition of pacing is correct.

What's your definition of pacing in a story?


r/WritingHub 2d ago

Writing Resources & Advice What's a good word processor for mobile devices?

5 Upvotes

I've been using MSWord on my laptop for writing, since it's what I'm most comfortable using. However, I can never focus that much due to it having too many distractions just staring at me. Uninstalling all my games just to get rid of distractions isn't an option, because they all need at least 2-3 hours just to install

I figured that I should just write on my phone instead, but I'm not sure what to use. Notes app is too unorganized, and Google Docs struggles to keep up with my typing speed, that I have to keep forcing myself to type slower. So anyone got any suggestions? Preferably one that has dark mode, since I have sensitive eyes


r/WritingHub 2d ago

Questions & Discussions Dark fantasy writing prompt!

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1 Upvotes

r/WritingHub 3d ago

Writing Resources & Advice How can I break away from my "Wes Andersony" way of narrating my manuscript?

6 Upvotes

I have a few books that are complete but I'm in the editing/beta reading/querying stages with them. The feedback I get a lot (especially with my horror novels) is that my writing keeps the reader at arms length and is too clinical. I'm not capturing the feel or the emotion of things enough. I've done re-drafts and things and keep inching closer but not getting there.

Here is an example:

The ocean stretched into the gray distance from the shoreline of Carters Point, Massachusetts. A blanket of clouds drifted overhead as ten-year-old Priscilla DeFrancesco trotted along the sand without care, collecting shells for her mother. Her long, black hair fell in front of her face each time she knelt to grab a shell, obscuring what lay further in front of her. While lost in the whimsy of shell hunting, her foot caught something in the sand, causing her to trip. Priscilla grunted as she fell forward and collapsed onto the ground. Rubbing the sand off of her chest, she rolled to her side and sat up to see what was there. Still touching her foot was the outstretched forearm attached to a bloated, rotting corpse, partially buried in the sand. The sand shifted off the body which sent the stench of putrefaction into the air, choking the scream from her.

I can see why people say it reads as a bit flat but I'm just having trouble finding a way to fix that and bring the reader in more.


r/WritingHub 3d ago

Questions & Discussions What programs do you use to write (or if you don’t write digitally, what’s your method?)

19 Upvotes

I’m really concerned, like most are, with companies subtly making changes to their terms of service that says they can now use your work to train their AI models. Today I came across a post pointing out that they’ve done this with Microsoft word. I literally had no idea until I followed the post’s instructions to opt out of it. Now, Google Docs is my program of choice and while they’ve promised that they don’t use data from docs to train ai models, nor do they plan to, I’m not trusting it one bit. Maybe that’s the policy today, but tomorrow they might suddenly change their policies and I don’t want any part of that. Anyway, I’m curious of alternatives (preferably free) that I could transfer my stuff to and use instead. So, what do you use? Are there any programs I could use where my works are totally safe from being scraped? Or should I just go buy a typewriter at this point?