What reddit channel can I go to to ask for critiques for my light novel project, where I won't be deleted?

I am currently setting my story in Baltimore, I have never been to the city. Any tips on doing a place justice that you have never been before. I've been heavily looking at Google maps and city websites to get the history of the place. But how do I make sure I make it believable that the characters have lived there for many years?

The city is but a setting and is not integral to the plot of the story but I still want to make the story feel authentic.

I chose the city as I needed an america city that wasn't as well known as New York or LA.

So love interests, most good books have them. Granted, there are some that can still be good without, but I always like me a good romantic subplot, or at least hints of love. Most works of literature including a romantic interest do it right to me at least, however there are some romances that I just don't understand, and they don't keep me invested. I think a common problem, especially with newer works and writers, is making a romance just too bland, or making the love interest just that: someone for the main character to love and nothing else. I don't know why, but having a love interest for the sake of it just rubs me the wrong way.

What I usually do is have the romance have stakes, not just that if this doesn't work out, the main character is heartbroken. For example, in 2 of my works, the love interest is also the host body needed for the villain to take power, and should the villain get to the love interest, it forces the main character to choose between killing the villain and their love, or forsaking the rest of the world because they can't bring themselves to do it. In another story, their romance starts out as the enemies to lovers trope, but there is a prophecy that if they don't fall in love something bad will happen. Personally, I think the implications for MY character relationships are pretty extreme.

So, I'd like to here from all of you on how you make your romance interesting, not just having it for the sake of it. Do you give them a purpose other than being a love interest? Does their love mean anything for the rest of the world? Is there an ancient prophecy speaking of they're love? I'd love to hear how you tackle making your romances more than 2 dimensional, but if not have a great day. :)

After two years of just working on the outline I am finally close to actually getting to the conclusion. I have made just the outline of events 45 pages on a Google Doc. I have also made a folder in Google Drive with names of countries, potential designs, power system, mythology, timeline, city names, a map of the world, characters.

It feels like I've been working on this for quite some time and I have finally reached what I consider the final arc. Although right now I have taken a break from writing as I want to have a clear mind before starting anything.

Also since I have been working on this for a little more than 2 years there are sections that have been abandoned. So I need to review the before I actually have a linear story.

It's far from perfect since I have little writing experience. I'm also not good at drawing so many of the designs I have aren't very good. But it's my story and it feels great to reach this point.

I am having difficulty writing in 3rd person pov about the main character. I want the readers to read exactly what the main character is thinking and to be in the character’s shoes but I have many scenes in which the MC is not present. Is it okay if i write in 1st person perspective and use a narrator in parts where it is required? Or should I go ahead and use the narrator for everything?

Anyone can procrastinate for a day or a week or a month, but I assume most of us in this sub do some writing every year. How many words of plot/story do you think you write in a year? Do you think that changes over time or has remained pretty steady?

For anyone who's tracked over a while, I'd love to hear more about the patterns!

So I got a question what is your guys system for keeping lore well organized. I feel like I’m so lost trying to find lore I have written in heaps of writing. Do you guys have a notebook of essential information and spelling (of words you made up for your novels) I would love to hear it.

If you write for fun and as a hobby, what does your writing time look like?

I don’t like the thought of setting you a strict schedule because I feel like what’s a passion/hobby will turn into a chore/job!

I’m saying that though I’m finding it hard to find time to write between, work, children and any spare time wanting to spend time with my partner. All of a sudden it’s bedtime!

What does your schedule look like??

When I write, I try my best to implement concepts and ideas that I haven’t seen put to paper yet, but it’s hard consistently catching lightning in a bottle with solid NEW concepts over and over again. It’s really difficult trying to be consistently creative and inventive, and having fresh ideas without succumbing to being formulaic is just a big hassle as much as I love trying for something brand new every time. I have a YouTube channel making skit videos running around 2 minutes long with rounded out story structure for context on where I’m mainly coming at this from. But applied to writing in general, which I’m also basing this personal sort of experience off of, getting that new concept is the first hurdle, then visualizing a plot that utilizes this concept properly, and finally writing the script (the hardest part). Rushed art can be good, but when I’m on a time crunch trying to get videos out quickly, I wonder if it’s worth it to put so much work and time into sitting down with a concept and workshopping it until it’s solid for so long. ——

If I could give a concept example: psychopath sharpening his mind for years doing a backbreaking task repeatedly with the sole benefit of putting himself through something beyond challenging to overcome any limitations, reservations, reactions to pain or hardship, and general aversion to doing hard things. Sharpening himself into a weapon basically, and after his time spent doing this he displays inhuman and impressive feats of resolve admired and feared by characters within the story, making them think is he really human? — now this concept exists already and has been done several times before, but put that concept into a non-horror/thriller/action setting and you might have a new feeling created and new unexplored ground to work with, leading to originality. ——

Regarding that last paragraph, getting a concept like that fleshed out within a new setting like that is possible, but very difficult if it hasn’t been done before since it feels like walking in the dark trying to imagine what would be the best option. It’s like you have 15 internet browser tabs open with parts of a map on each of them and flipping through to imagine the full thing. It’s just really difficult to do, but still possible. I’m just wondering if anyone else experiences anything like that with writing and trying to be inventive or if I’m just crazy lol.

thoughts

So I'm writing a novel where a character does something that he considers cheating, even though most people wouldn't, and I'm trying to figure out the mental gymnastics to get him to justify his own actions.

For context, his partner died about 6 to 7 months ago and as he starts dating someone he sees it as a betrayal and equivalent to cheating. I can't say I agree but that's his headspace so I need to figure out how people justify cheating on their partners because he needs to use that same logic.

Hopefully that wasn't too much of a stupid way to explain what I'm looking for but I'd love some advice/insight if you've got it!

I know AI is a very hotly debated topic, especially among creators, and i was wondering about the general opinion of the writing community on AI Assisted writing. I saw that NaNoWriMo faced major scrutiny after supporting such writing, and I was curious about how the writing community may feel about my particular use of AI.

There is much to be said about AI's stealing of art and writing, and those creators undoubtedly deserve compensation. I want to clarify I am not asking for discussions about or advocating for completely AI generated content, but partly AI assisted content, which I believe should be treated differently. I often feel like creatives make AI out to be completely evil instead of simply tools for bettering their craft, which I feel is ironic when the same creatives use similar technology such as Grammerly to assist them.

As a Dyslexic writer, I've often struggled with misspelling certain words, and about a year ago I began using ChatGPT to help with my writing process, which I felt was a major step up from grammerly.

My process begins as any regular writer; first, I'd complete a few pages or a chapter of a first draft, and then I'd read through and revise.

Pasting the paragraphs into Chat GPT, I'd put in a pompt like this above it : [ Fix and restructure the following paragraphs with better grammer and prose: ] Chat GPT usually gives mixed results, and I like to rerun the responses a few times, taking bits of rewording and phrases I hadn't thought of from each one until I'm satisfied with the result.

Here's an example of a paragraph before and after using Chat GPT:

BEFORE: Since the towns relocation in 1870, Old Liberty remained scarcely populated by corn fields, century old log houses, and rotting barns, with the population never exceeding 100 since. While initially successful after Thomas reaquired the home in 1909, the Windel family Farm produced less and less income over time, while property taxes and equipment costs became more expensive.

AFTER: Since the town of Liberty’s relocation in 1870, Old Liberty has been mostly forgotten, sparsely populated by corn fields, century old log houses, and rotting barns- its population never exceeding 100. Though the Windel farm initially thrived after Thomas reclaimed the deed in 1909, income gradually dwindled over the years due to rising property taxes and the increasing costs of farm equipment.

I'm wondering if this would been seen as unethical or stealing in the eyes of any writers, and if so, why? All I ask is for a respectful conversation, as I'm open to hearing pretty much any opinions on the matter. Thanks :)

EDIT: I should have clarified better that I do not do this for all my writing, but mainly when I'm having trouble figuring out why a paragraph isn't phrased or structured quite right, or to spellcheck. I do not copy and paste anything from Chat GPT, but take suggestions from the responses it gives me, like one would do with a tool like Grammerly.

Obviously, it's better to have a real person critique and edit your work, but ChatGPT allows me to quickly see an alternate way of phrasing something that gives me ideas or suggestions to improve in the future.

Hi! I recently started writing poems (I think they are really subpar). I need opinions on how I can improve it, is it good enough.

The poem is: Inevitable, yet invisible Death lures in the garden I hear knocks on the door Screaming to be let in But still, an ounce of breath lingers inside Let it be for now Until the air runs out like words in a crowded room Do not falter Better not move Just exist And when it fades Open up the door Let death be your friend Or your end

It feels like angsty-teenage ramble to me. Let me know your thoughts.

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.
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New to Critiquing?

• No worries! We encourage writers of all skill levels to try their hand at providing feedback.
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What are your opinions about them? For you is it okay to use ai to write your book especially if you always have writer's block?

Follow up question: Is it okay for you that someone uses ai for ideas but change it and write it their own ways?

Currently writing the first chapter of my novel, and I’m unsure whether to keep it as a psychological horror or dark fantasy. I have the beginning to end mapped out but I can’t seem to decide on a genre. I even wrote some comedic scenes and scrapped them, because nothing seems to fit. I’m getting frustrated with the writing process because I worry that I’ll forget the main plot idea I had in mind if I decide halfway through that “you know what? Let’s turn this into time traveling story,” instead.

Maya A poet known for her dark, heartbreaking verses, Maya is haunted by themes of love, loss, and redemption. Commissioned to write on resilience, she finds herself captivated by Damien's troubled story, and he soon becomes both her muse and an escape from her own darkness. Her love for Damien shifts her poetry, bringing out glimpses of hope and passion she’s rarely shown before. Cynical yet deeply empathetic, Maya’s intense bond with Damien draws her into a world of danger and passion that she can't resist.

Damien Cole Once a popular singer with a magnetic stage presence, Damien fell from fame, entangled in scandal and haunted by a life of violence and betrayal. His descent led him into dangerous criminal ties, leaving him a guarded, volatile man carrying both charm and deep-seated trauma. Damien is wary of Maya's questions but is drawn to her, finding solace and a rare sense of understanding in her presence. As he reconnects with love and vulnerability through Maya, his past threatens to tear them apart, culminating in a tragic pact to escape the world’s atrocities together.

I've written it on Wattpad , don't want self promotion but am curious if the story I have written is actually intriguing, plus I don't know how to promote the story Can someone assist me?

I think a lot of authors miss the point of having a website but from a marketing perspective you’re missing out on so much.

• you can upsell all of your other books in ways Amazon can’t do
• you can offer incentives for people to sign up to your mailing list which Amazon can’t do
• you can brand an entire page to feel like a story from your book… need I say more.
• and you can track all the data to retarget them at a later date

If you’re sleeping on websites, you might be sleeping on more sales and reviews just saying.

Still use Amazon to sell your books but please stop landing them on there and expecting them to buy right away!

• Genre/s: romantasy
• Goals/expectations/commitment: looking for a critique partner who is also in the drafting stage like me and would like to share chapters as we draft to give each other feedback/motivation.
• Writing/experience level: a writer in their twenties or older who is also hoping to publish their work.
• Meeting place: WhatsApp
• Max size: in the drafting stage.

While writing, I always notice that I tend to describe the elements of suspense and action to the point that it becomes boring. How can I balance this without losing the reader’s passion?

For me, when I'm stressed or super anxious, my creativity just...stops. I don't want to write. Period. I just...stop, make it through the day and reward myself with gaming and YouTube videos on what I like. Then I feel bad because I'm not writing.

I hope I'm not sounding like I'm complaining, just noticing that this is how my creativity acts when I'm stressed. My brain's all, 'Yup, no writing for me now.' Anyone else have this experience? How do you push yourself to write even when you're super stressed?

So I had this, what I thought was, a good idea. I decided to write my first fantasy heavy book. I have a solid outline, but one of my plot twists was going to be the humans with powers find out they're actually fae, and just thought that the pointed ears were part of the side affects to having abilities, like a mutation.

I recently saw a video where this guy was talking about having a plot twist that reveals that you characters are human is one of the dumbest things his ever read/watched. I looked over the comments and they seemed pretty mixed.

However, I'm now wondering if I should throw this out the window and I've been greatly stressing over it. Is it somethings that's frowned upon. I know this my first heavily focused fantasy and I shouldn't except to write a best seller, but I don't want to write something that's corny, annoying, or crappy, or all of the above.

So I came on here to see your guys thought and opinions.

Story Concept Introduction: I have a very vague idea of what my story is, but I hope to stimulate your interest. It has a lot to do with realms outside of our own and a battle on Earth between Belial (this is Satan, but my characters call him Belial to add uniqueness) and my main protagonist, who is an Ultraterrestrial (unlike Extraterrestrials, who are just beings from other planets, Ultraterrestrials are theorized to be beings from another layer or dimension of our world, interacting with us in ways that feel alien due to their elusive, possibly non-physical nature). The name of my protagonist is Raafahweh (a combination of Ra from Egyptian mythology and Yahweh, who is the God of the Bible). To understand it better, his name can be broken down into three syllables: Raaf-ah-weh.

Story Status and Focus on Feedback: But yeah, that’s the best I can say about what the story will potentially look like. Moving into the advice aspect, I know that there is a strong emphasis on secular writing compared to heavy religious symbolism, as well as a preference for story simplicity.

Request for Balancing Themes: So, what would be your best advice for balancing heavy religious themes while also respecting the beliefs of others? I strongly believe in and adhere to traditional Christian beliefs, which might easily offend those with a more secular perspective. Through a balance of secular and Christian ideals, how should I weave in my beliefs in a way that makes the plot interesting without offending?

How do you stop yourself from judging what you write. I cannot get myself to do it. Anyone going through this?

I can write the occasional clear, rhythmic phrase but struggle to keep the sense of flow. Most of my writing is blunt and plain when I want to create a sense of immersion. I'm autistic, for context.

Do you have any advice on how to create more beautiful description or just how to remain consistent?

My current plan is to read books with clear, beautiful prose and write down whatever strikes me, but I worry this is not good enough of a plan to improve and identify my weaknesses.

I try to engage the senses and filter everything through the viewpoint character's perspective but things still end up flat and rote much of the time.

Thank you for reading and have a wonderful day!

i have a short film class in which we were given the theme "water/raising awareness about water scarcity" the short film should be between 3 to 5 minutes and i cant come up with an idea that isnt too direct. can anyone help me come up with something more metaphorical while also keeping the theme of water and raising awareness about it? thanks in advance.

Genre: Memoir

Goals/Expectations/Commitment: My goal is to get a peer review feedback for my memoir, it shouldn’t take a day or more, just need some critique on my memoir.

Writing/Experience Level: High school senior or College student is fine.

Meeting Place: Online, chat is fine.

Need feedback for my memoir. My professor stated I could ask others for peer review, as long as they are good in writing.

Challenging issue in my memoir I think is: Lacks detail, poorly structured, too many short paragraphs, maybe confusing timeline but my whole purpose is just collection of memories and not really present time.

Unfortunately, none of my assigned teammates have posted their memoir and has not given me feedback.

Upcoming due project: Memo is based off the feedback we get from our peers, but that is missing for me.

I need someone who is good in writing (don’t have to be professional, should know what a memo and memoir is, grammar and spelling basics, can be a college or high school student, I do not judge).

Thank you!

Since it's election day in the US I was interested in hearing about what it's actually like working in government. For example, I had NO idea that government workers are prohibited from asking the same question to more than 10 people?? How do they get feedback??? Here's the interview with someone from the department of education under Obama if you're writing something set in DC or in politics.

Started writing a book in Obsidian but moved it to Word since there are some features that help me writing. I'm primarily looking to publish online for others and am mostly looking at Quartz, and Writebook right now. Which do you think is better or any other suggestions?