Zachary Holbrook

@duskflower I’d love to have you beta read. I have the the first draft about 85% of the way finished. For a while I’d thought I’d keep writing straight through the end, but I stopped drafting for a couple weeks due to a minor emotional crisis, and when I returned I found the flaws in my manuscript much more apparent. I’ve decided to focus on…[Read more]

@sarah-inkdragon Sounds interesting. Can I read it?

I’m fine with a different person writing each chapter, with the understanding that we’re writing solely for the fun of it and not trying to create a good or even remotely coherent story.

(This is for anyone who wants to read it) @samantha-pen @hgm_barnes18 @heather-drabant @kb-writer @inspirewrite @duskflower @kjames0813@ireneadler
@kari-karast @i-david
@donna-darling @kr-lalonde
@the-golden-light @jennythefaun
@bekah @samberg0
@naomi-sowell @misspenguin @mckinley @another_chance @fairfay @kori @writingwgrace @chloe @his-bard @ryow…[Read more]

Excellent writing! I enjoyed it. The only recommendation I have at the moment is to go into a bit more detail in the scene where the Heart Collector is chasing the Mortalidog. Intersperse Michael’s reactions with whatever the Mortalidog is doing (leaping across rooftops/dodging chains/darting through alleyways/whatever)

Two more: (both from the same series)

“I will never forgive that suit of armor!”

“To change the world, you must first change yourself.”

@jennythefaun The predictable part of the story was that the hero didn’t stay dead, which you can’t really change without making this into an entirely different story. But you have a lot more flexibility with the traveler’s character. Focusing on her reactions could make the ending of the story a bit more impactful.

Bread for the…[Read more]

The part of my epic fantasy novel where my protagonist is super depressed and mopes around all day instead of doing anything interesting. So a side character takes over the story for a while until she can discover some information that will give the protagonist a new plot goal for the second half.

Also, the rulebook for my fast-paced war game.

@jennythefaun

Answers to your questions:

1. No. Not in a bad way, at least. I always felt like the things that weren’t immediately clear (like why the stairs are stained with blood) were things you, as an author, had a firm grip on, and I kept reading to see how they would play out.

2. “Her body heaved with lung-scouring breaths” could be cut,…[Read more]

I’m not sleeping, I’m on a long journey to the world of Sakura, where I am caught up in a mighty struggle for the soul of the world and of one woman. But I will return eventually.

@jennythefaun The second one is from The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic

@emgc And your second is from The Mysterious Benedict Society (The first book in that series is the best)

Here’s one:

“I am not trying to deny the existence of the wicked; what I do deny is that their existence is an absolute and complete existence”

I’ll gladly edit anything my guild writes, but currently all my creative energy is pouring into my novel WIP, so I don’t think I’ll draft this story.

@ryowildfire

One thing that inspires me to keep writing is encouragement and advice from people who read my work. Your premise interests me, so I’m willing to read what you have so far and give some specific feedback.

I’m about 1/3 of the way done drafting my current novel, and although I’m satisfied with what I’ve written so far and don’t see any major problems, I’m losing enthusiasm just because I’ve been working on it for so long. Getting some insight and encouragement from other writers would be a blessing.

I’m also willing and able to critique others’ stories.