Story Embers | Zee | Activity https://storyembers.org/members/zee/activity/ Activity feed for Zee. Wed, 20 May 2026 17:24:11 -0400 https://buddypress.org/?v= en 30 hourly 2 f66c3b112275518637119fa82f320dae Zee replied to the topic I've come back! in the forum Introduce Yourself https://storyembers.org/activity/p/91024/ Thu, 08 Apr 2021 17:42:10 -0400 Welcome back, @hollyknight22! Actually, I don’t think I was here when you were a regular before, so…nice to meet you!

I have a sister who plays the harp. Such a beautiful instrument!

]]> 0 824ab88493ab0c0c59cf3c4579645d7d Zee started the topic New Novel Giveaway in the forum General Writing Discussions https://storyembers.org/activity/p/91017/ Thu, 08 Apr 2021 04:01:57 -0400 Hello Everyone!

I’m pleased to announce the imminent release of my latest Dystopian/Romantic Suspense novel, “For Better and Worse.” Here’s a description of the story:

“Boris and Anna’s first baby is due any day, but the thought of raising a child in the war-torn city of Dor fills Anna with dread. Because Boris is so focused on keeping his…[Read more]

]]> 0 b4466db4c3119cf0a3ed554eb3606cd6 Zee replied to the topic Cultural quirks for Worldbuilding in the forum Fantasy Writers https://storyembers.org/activity/p/90955/ Tue, 06 Apr 2021 03:15:55 -0400 @rose-colored-fancy, that’s very interesting. There’s a formal “you” and a casual “you” in Persian, too…the formal “you” is just the plural form of the pronoun.

Actually I think it’s maybe more like “more intimate” vs. “less intimate” because kids generally address their parents with the casual “you”…and then have to be trained to use the…[Read more]

]]> 0 eabbf0d61de4da34c59cceb076a2dfc6 Zee replied to the topic My WIP Romance in the forum Romance Writers https://storyembers.org/activity/p/90954/ Tue, 06 Apr 2021 03:09:08 -0400 @melancholicwriter, to boil it down to the bones, a romance story is about two people either drawing closer together, or falling apart. In other words, the love relationship is the driving force of the story.

I may be wrong, but it sounds like the driving force of your story is not so much the relationship between the girl and the boyfriend who…[Read more]

]]> 0 3c13d771787b3b33bd248294a35c177b Zee replied to the topic Fantasy Worlds in the forum Fantasy Writers https://storyembers.org/activity/p/90937/ Mon, 05 Apr 2021 17:02:44 -0400 Interesting question…I don’t write fantasy, per se (no magic, wizards or dragons) but my current series does take place in an alternative history Southeast Europe. So the cities and provinces that provide the locations for the stories are made-up.

For the names of characters, I used names of Southeastern European origin for the majority…[Read more]

]]> 0 fd6deb8f587c6cad2f1afb6cad9ec5e2 Zee replied to the topic My WIP Romance in the forum Romance Writers https://storyembers.org/activity/p/90936/ Mon, 05 Apr 2021 16:47:22 -0400 @melancholicwriter, it sounds like you have a strong plot/story idea here, though I agree that the dark themes would be difficult to address well, even if–or perhaps particularly if–you have personal experience with this kind of situation.  However, I’m not sure that the story, as you described it, would technically qualify as a romance.

]]> 0 34ce73603a0d2e7f43e57cf2cd4817f9 Zee replied to the topic Character Art Exchange in the forum Art Discussions https://storyembers.org/activity/p/90711/ Mon, 29 Mar 2021 19:49:06 -0400 Great, thanks for the sketch, @erynne! King Hudson looks really young in that drawing, but I assume he’s around the same age as the Queen? Or is he supposed to be significantly younger than her?

]]> 0 90f676ae7168ba338233bd4562988ffc Zee replied to the topic Character Art Exchange in the forum Art Discussions https://storyembers.org/activity/p/90525/ Thu, 25 Mar 2021 14:52:31 -0400 Glad you like it, @erynne! My cartoon style doesn’t work for everyone, but I think for fantasy/Medieval-style characters, it can be kind of fun. If you want to share a sketch of the king, that would be great!

]]> 0 4e6fdac3416d4af147e179ce8bbe2321 Zee replied to the topic Character Art Exchange in the forum Art Discussions https://storyembers.org/activity/p/90483/ Tue, 23 Mar 2021 20:31:37 -0400 @erynne, here’s Queen Emery…she was fun to do! I hope you like her. I can easily change anything about the coloring if it doesn’t suit.

]]> 0 09de0e5b3dd5788824f4420ddcb191fe Zee replied to the topic What romances would you recommend? in the forum Romance Writers https://storyembers.org/activity/p/90410/ Mon, 22 Mar 2021 17:49:16 -0400 @jsclingman, if you’re looking for something in the comedy vein, Georgette Heyer’s Regency romances are super-fun. While they are not free of language, kissing, etc. it is definitely kept to a minimum. There are not inappropriate sexual scenes in any of the ones I’ve read.

While I have no claim to being an expert, I’ve done a lot of reading and…[Read more]

]]> 0 addabf3f8acbeeff8e7d044326fe3522 Zee replied to the topic Character Art Exchange in the forum Art Discussions https://storyembers.org/activity/p/90391/ Mon, 22 Mar 2021 02:23:49 -0400 Cool, @erynne! I’ll see what I can do with the queen, and if you like her, I’ll do the king.

]]> 0 fa9b103e59099db482c8c55a4496a215 Zee replied to the topic Cultural quirks for Worldbuilding in the forum Fantasy Writers https://storyembers.org/activity/p/90389/ Mon, 22 Mar 2021 02:16:13 -0400 Interesting topic!

In traditional Persian culture, people sit on the floor, but it’s not polite to stretch your legs out or point the bottoms of your feet at someone. It is polite to always offer tea and snacks, even if you know the guest isn’t going to stay…

Babies get bundled up so tightly like little cocoons (for warmth and safety) you can…[Read more]

]]> 0 83fe74bd2c304c2c7299eb57700eabd6 Zee replied to the topic Fantasy Names for people and things in the forum Fantasy Writers https://storyembers.org/activity/p/90314/ Sat, 20 Mar 2021 14:56:06 -0400 @kb-writer, I actually like most of these names as they stand. I think they work well for a fantasy setting…even “The Frozen Stopwatch” adds a little bizarre humor to a story that could have the potential to take itself too seriously…

For “Princelandia,” maybe something like, “The Confederation?” “The United Republics?”

As for character…[Read more]

]]> 0 9bd28845ba12cd10c77b4c48235b8340 Zee replied to the topic A Random Idea 2 (the "worst story" edition) in the forum Fantasy Writers https://storyembers.org/activity/p/90313/ Sat, 20 Mar 2021 14:39:06 -0400 My six year old son wrote (dictated) a story featuring a princess whose name was A Pearl! A Pearl! A Pearl!

]]> 0 f7c86a740ded3c4fe457171189071a26 Zee replied to the topic A Random Idea 2 (the "worst story" edition) in the forum Fantasy Writers https://storyembers.org/activity/p/90312/ Sat, 20 Mar 2021 14:36:47 -0400 @kb-writer, wow, that is hilarious! Sounds like it could have been one of those “so bad it’s awesome” stories.

]]> 0 a2819dbda3d003c8eab1caa222e0e87f Zee replied to the topic Introduce Your Story in the forum General Writing Discussions https://storyembers.org/activity/p/90297/ Sat, 20 Mar 2021 02:40:16 -0400 @joelle-stone, that’s great you have your very own illustrator! That would be a real advantage, especially when you’re trying to create art and covers for characters who aren’t young/blonde/Caucasian/conventionally beautiful, or all of the above. I struggled to find these “halfway there” images…and this couple was actually the easiest in the…[Read more]

]]> 0 22545039c173e9e957cba63a4930c95a Zee replied to the topic Character Art Exchange in the forum Art Discussions https://storyembers.org/activity/p/90294/ Sat, 20 Mar 2021 02:26:24 -0400 Hi, @erynne, sorry–for some reason I didn’t see your post until now. Just share a description of your character/s, as detailed as possible, and I’ll be happy to see what I can do. I’ve got a simple, cartoon-like style, but hopefully I can come up with something you like.

]]> 0 a6410a873ae15ac7ff59610a9c6639fd Zee replied to the topic Outline for short story in the forum Plotting https://storyembers.org/activity/p/90291/ Sat, 20 Mar 2021 02:09:41 -0400 I like the idea for your story, @beth20. I think it could be quite good.

A few thoughts/questions…

What’s the setting? I’m assuming ancient or Medieval times, due to the presence of an Earl, but may be wrong.

Why does Ashton live with the Malum Draco? Is he the son of one of the members, or is he someone they’ve kidnapped and plan to sell? If…[Read more]

]]> 0 7ebac52adfda3bd2b6b71802123483df Zee replied to the topic Thinking of Starting a Bog... Wanna Answer Some Questions? in the forum General Writing Discussions https://storyembers.org/activity/p/90178/ Thu, 18 Mar 2021 00:32:32 -0400 @joelle-stone, I use WordPress too, and am quite happy with it. It’s simple, but has everything I really need.

]]> 0 24b7da08fee0d2efa0b676e1e34e4201 Zee replied to the topic Introduce Your Story in the forum General Writing Discussions https://storyembers.org/activity/p/90148/ Wed, 17 Mar 2021 03:46:53 -0400 As usual, I seriously struggled to find photos of people who looked even remotely like my protagonists, (does anybody else have this problem?) but eventually came up with this.

Not too far off the mark, except Anna is a dark brunette and would not wear her hair this way, and Boris is a bit overweight…

]]> 0 76c08603fee018eb7836636b8b0a787d Zee replied to the topic Introduce Your Story in the forum General Writing Discussions https://storyembers.org/activity/p/90144/ Wed, 17 Mar 2021 02:50:25 -0400 I’m just now working on the official description for my latest novel, so this thread looks like a great place to give it a test run.

“Boris and Anna have been together barely two years, but newlywed bliss is already a distant memory. Their first baby is due any day, but the thought of raising a child in a war zone fills Anna with dread. Boris is…[Read more]

]]> 0 97dea2f644c7257c8702242e5c073dcb Zee replied to the topic Concept bouncing! in the forum Fantasy Writers https://storyembers.org/activity/p/90038/ Sat, 13 Mar 2021 15:06:38 -0400 Great thread idea, @backwardslivewriter…I’m going to be moving back into the concept-exploring phase myself soon.

]]> 0 1515c13ba3ef3ea324296595cc6dc3c3 Zee replied to the topic Looking for Beta Readers in the forum General Writing Discussions https://storyembers.org/activity/p/90037/ Sat, 13 Mar 2021 14:25:06 -0400 @taylorclogston, you know, I think the more technically correct term may be “New Adult.” And thanks for the encouragement! I’m happy to say that I’ve already found a few beta readers elsewhere.

]]> 0 dadc6b4c7e8e1e72f5b151deba3f872d Zee replied to the topic A Random Conversation about my Romance in the forum Romance Writers https://storyembers.org/activity/p/89714/ Fri, 05 Mar 2021 15:53:29 -0400 Well, @erynne, if your heroine dies, the romance certainly won’t go anywhere. While I can see how you could find some resolution to the other elements of your story, and still have her die at the end, but a romance aborted just before it gets off the ground would be even more disappointing (to me) than one that never really got started at all.

My…[Read more]

]]> 0 5a2c87263f408400f29fcd62a41dc589 Zee replied to the topic A Random Conversation about my Romance in the forum Romance Writers https://storyembers.org/activity/p/89680/ Thu, 04 Mar 2021 19:02:57 -0400 @erynne, it sounds like you have the bones of a fascinating story here–however, if your heroine dies before she gets married, I wonder why there’s a strong romance element in the plot at all. It sounds like the main story is really more of a family drama-type story, where the heroine has to come to terms with what she (accidentally) did to her…[Read more]

]]> 0 52406c56d24247357b9d29e874b2ee1a Zee replied to the topic Looking for Beta Readers in the forum General Writing Discussions https://storyembers.org/activity/p/89678/ Thu, 04 Mar 2021 18:50:53 -0400 So I won’t bump this again if nobody’s interested, but I thought there might be a few people here who would be but hadn’t seen it yet…

]]> 0 501b3c482e04120106cd5615e4ea194a Zee started the topic Looking for Beta Readers in the forum General Writing Discussions https://storyembers.org/activity/p/89197/ Thu, 18 Feb 2021 22:44:35 -0400 Hello Everyone! I’m beginning my search for beta readers for my next novel. It’s a romantic suspense novel, (a little heavier on the suspense than the romance) set in a fictional, somewhat dystopian environment–the war-torn nation of Sevia.

This book continues the story of Boris and Anna, the young Sevian couple who met and fell in love in Wrong…[Read more]

]]> 0 2cfdbf66c4b3e3d912ff346c7fe4230e Zee replied to the topic Character Art Exchange in the forum Art Discussions https://storyembers.org/activity/p/89106/ Sat, 13 Feb 2021 19:09:23 -0400 I did some character portraits for a few of you a while ago, but seeing as I’ve got some time on my hands…anybody else want a cartoon-style character portrait? Just let me know!

]]> 0 60da9e4e681f13326f5e07d40367368e Zee replied to the topic The Last Straw in the forum General Writing Discussions https://storyembers.org/activity/p/89105/ Sat, 13 Feb 2021 19:05:26 -0400 Good point, @morreafirebird! I think that’s really the main factor. You can start out as stupid as you like, as long as you grow…

]]> 0 d8a7e02afd98d59cdaa25d5da8437af3 Zee replied to the topic 2021 Goal in the forum General Writing Discussions https://storyembers.org/activity/p/89027/ Tue, 09 Feb 2021 18:54:43 -0400 I hope so too, @andrew. Thanks for the good wishes!

]]> 0 5833265b9e257ac7b928773f82f4b4f6 Zee replied to the topic Character most likely to... in the forum Characters https://storyembers.org/activity/p/89018/ Mon, 08 Feb 2021 14:47:53 -0400 Hmmmm, pretty much all my characters are too old to engage in food fights, but if somebody had a food fight or two in their past, it would probably be Desh, Dunya and Erkan’s younger brother.

Who’d be most likely to accidentally wear mismatched socks.,,or a shirt inside out?

]]> 0 ff93c895e6ae483179236e8ecd330d68 Zee replied to the topic 2021 Goal in the forum General Writing Discussions https://storyembers.org/activity/p/88985/ Sat, 06 Feb 2021 17:57:33 -0400 Thanks for sharing your goal, @andrew, and your story! This year I’m hoping to write two novels–finish the one I’m already working on, and do a new one, start to finish.

]]> 0 cf8f059612026360d83b84d5fb7c413b Zee replied to the topic The Last Straw in the forum General Writing Discussions https://storyembers.org/activity/p/88983/ Sat, 06 Feb 2021 15:50:07 -0400 Good answers, @arindown and @olivia. That was kind of what I was thinking myself, but nice to hear other people articulate it.

]]> 0 d0b6851381928b739b691e22fe8cd008 Zee started the topic The Last Straw in the forum General Writing Discussions https://storyembers.org/activity/p/88947/ Fri, 05 Feb 2021 17:23:38 -0400 So, I’m curious. You’re reading along, and the protagonist of the story keeps on making poor choices, and doing/saying things that leave you going “What?” How long before you lose sympathy with him (or her) completely and toss the book? What kinds of attitudes, actions, etc. cause you to dislike a protagonist, who, while not perfect, is meant to…[Read more]

]]> 0 be072eef820ce2cbef2390c3994bdf83 Zee replied to the topic Character most likely to... in the forum Characters https://storyembers.org/activity/p/88792/ Sat, 30 Jan 2021 16:38:58 -0400 In my WIP, Boris, my heroine’s husband, is the most independent…and stubborn to the point of being stupid.

Who’d be most likely to trip and fall while carrying, say, a tea tray? Or a big plate of food?

]]> 0 36d86409eb00673512878774dc138634 Zee replied to the topic Hello in the forum Introduce Yourself https://storyembers.org/activity/p/88791/ Sat, 30 Jan 2021 16:34:58 -0400 And welcome, @ribbonash! Like everyone has said, StoryEmbers is a fun place to meet like-minded people and learn.

]]> 0 e28f3b0be6a42ddd549734fd79734559 Zee replied to the topic Hello in the forum Introduce Yourself https://storyembers.org/activity/p/88790/ Sat, 30 Jan 2021 16:33:36 -0400 Cool idea, @kimlikesart Sounds super-challenging, too. Writing from the opposite gender’s perspective is tough. Adding to that an (I assume) relatively unfamiliar culture and faith, and you’ve got your work cut out for you. What inspired you to try this story?

]]> 0 bae6bb2a63436bfa1cfb00cc87dc93a5 Zee replied to the topic HELP my Character Wakes Up with no memory in the forum General Writing Discussions https://storyembers.org/activity/p/88698/ Wed, 27 Jan 2021 19:17:09 -0400 I remember as a child being so furious that I couldn’t remember roughly about an hour’s worth of a day’s events due to concussion that I cried. So I can’t imagine how disturbing and traumatic that would be to lose a lifetime’s worth of memories and experiences. While this kind of total amnesia can happen, as I understand it, it’s extremely rare,…[Read more]

]]> 0 023ff1c10c87be953ecc931bf8bf3dbc Zee replied to the topic Fresh Perspectives Appreciated :) in the forum Characters https://storyembers.org/activity/p/88129/ Mon, 11 Jan 2021 19:02:33 -0400 Well, it looks like you’ve got some great ideas so far, but if you want to make the animal sanctum play a key role in the story, what if you somehow tie in the endangered animal refuge with the memory experiments

Maybe Dr. Arrowood started on his quest to erase/replace memories because poachers keep on returning to the site and stealing the rare…[Read more]

]]> 0 6e607a7ea3bb33d5e6ba9459fb5f00b2 Zee replied to the topic An Introduction in the forum Introduce Yourself https://storyembers.org/activity/p/87964/ Wed, 06 Jan 2021 17:26:03 -0400 Welome, @charityl, and best of luck with all your writing projects, as well as your college work!

]]> 0 e4a80786ae540fe59cff29962932d829 Zee replied to the topic Book Description Feedback in the forum Fantasy Writers https://storyembers.org/activity/p/87961/ Wed, 06 Jan 2021 17:04:15 -0400 What about something like, “Carmadyne seems like every other peaceful seaside town. But everything changes at sunset. That’s when the Smilers come out to hunt.”

This description doesn’t include Wren, but if you wanted to, you could add her in, with something like, “Like every other human inhabitant of Carmadyne, nine-year-old Wren hides behind…[Read more]

]]> 0 e7c6d9f933ff967b325d13626fe66c98 Zee replied to the topic Character most likely to... in the forum Characters https://storyembers.org/activity/p/87960/ Wed, 06 Jan 2021 16:47:54 -0400 That’s easy–Anna’s brother, Radoslav. In fact, “I’m sorry” (without all the extra “so’s”) seems to be his favorite line. Used in the sense of an apology, rather than commiseration.

Who’s most likely to say “I miss you?”

]]> 0 68cc7a97cd72cdd5e8d123bdf58dc09e Zee replied to the topic Writing Romances With Lots of Standards in the forum Romance Writers https://storyembers.org/activity/p/87873/ Fri, 01 Jan 2021 17:40:31 -0400 Sounds like you’ve put a lot of thought into this @rebekah-elizabeth, but I have to wonder, since the story isn’t a romance, and thus the relationship between Kimberly and Carter is, at most, a side plot, I wonder if there might be a different way to show Kimberly’s lack of trust and fear of being hurt if she commits to a relationship? You might…[Read more]

]]> 0 e6c40244d514df837ed58c3148e12b53 Zee replied to the topic I'm Starting a New Blog Series--Want to Join? in the forum General Writing Discussions https://storyembers.org/activity/p/87872/ Fri, 01 Jan 2021 17:22:47 -0400 I don’t want to keep bumping this discussion if nobody else is interested, but just wanted to make sure that everyone who might be had a chance to see it. Please remember, I’m looking at at January 31st deadline for “Works in Progress” submissions.

]]> 0 ead32e1c0ad5b9c879c6487f3940f1a3 Zee replied to the topic Concept Feedback in the forum General Writing Discussions https://storyembers.org/activity/p/87867/ Thu, 31 Dec 2020 23:02:05 -0400 @joelle-stone, looks like you’ve got a pretty solid set of potential motives for your villain. Any one, or combination of them, could create quite a strong story for him, I think.

As for your protagonist, I think what you’ve got listed are less goals/motivations and more like what are sometimes called “inciting incidents” the event that forces…[Read more]

]]> 0 9ecf11a4c0eeaede305aebbabe1857fa Zee replied to the topic Revealing villain motivations? in the forum General Writing Discussions https://storyembers.org/activity/p/87866/ Thu, 31 Dec 2020 22:55:37 -0400 @rose-colored-fancy, sounds like you have a very complex story going. I’m impressed!

I wonder if part of the difficulty lies in the fact that the plot of your story is on such an epic scale, tribes clashing, royal rivalries, etc. Hakan might be the main villain at the back of all the other wars and villanies, but since he is out of the picture…[Read more]

]]> 0 ede00da3dfc68e5e081ce2efc870c1c4 Zee replied to the topic Book Recommendations?? in the forum Themes https://storyembers.org/activity/p/87797/ Tue, 29 Dec 2020 13:33:15 -0400 @epicaddie2, that’s an interesting question. I’d argue that any book has a message, whether the author necessarily intended it or not, but it’s not always a good or true one–and I assume that’s what you’re looking for. One book I thoroughly enjoyed as a child was The House of Sixty Fathers by Meindart DeJong. It’s more of a Middle Grade reading…[Read more]

]]> 0 45dc7086664801d81c886d69c22c1293 Zee replied to the topic Concept Feedback in the forum General Writing Discussions https://storyembers.org/activity/p/87796/ Tue, 29 Dec 2020 12:40:13 -0400 My personal opinion is that any story, however familiar or even borderline “cliche” can be great if it’s written well. It’s not the original idea that’s important so much as the original execution of a familiar idea.

That being said, I think your initial concept has promise, but I’d want to know more about it before I could pass judgement on…[Read more]

]]> 0 831dd03d1c2bbaae493879d8734a1f70 Zee replied to the topic Writing book summaries! in the forum General Writing Discussions https://storyembers.org/activity/p/87493/ Mon, 21 Dec 2020 14:54:15 -0400 What I’ve learned is that a good book summary includes three things–it introduces the main characters, the setting, and the conflict. You don’t want an in-depth discussion of any of these things (after all, most casual book browsers will move on after a paragraph or two) but just enough to raise questions in your potential reader’s mind that he…[Read more]

]]> 0 d57a1b7eb6fb86ec9ed40747f5669d2e Zee replied to the topic Let's Share our Websites in the forum General Writing Discussions https://storyembers.org/activity/p/87443/ Sun, 20 Dec 2020 19:27:47 -0400 Thanks for sharing, @epicaddie2. Going now to follow you. And I kind of have to wonder who EpicAddie1 is…

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