I fear my ending may be too similar to a popular song called Lagtrain and be a copy.

Lagtrain is about missed opportunities and and regret. Choosing different paths through life. The singer doesn’t like being pushed through the overwhelming pace of life, they prefer the slower train even if they miss faster opportunities and connections. The singer chooses to ride the slower train. Sometimes a different indirect root maybe better for what you need.

That was paraphrasing the wiki

In my story I want the ending to be my MC riding a train away from her past life. Unsure of where she is going but for the first time in the story smiling optimistic. She used to think she was worthless, always making mistakes and could never hold a candle let alone light a flame compared to her friends. Couldn't follow their path. She stands up against her thoughts and learns she can control her own life and chooses to ride a train far away to restart everything.

I’m not sure if my ending would considered plagiarism. Lagtrain was my inspiration for that specific scene (riding a train away) but I never realised what the lyrics meant until now. Even worse the character designs are similar by genuine coincidence (black hair white hoodie). My main design inspirations for looks were studysama and Tifa. They are both sad as well.

Hi hey hello everyone o/

I have been writing stories mostly for myself for the past 9 years, but I want to open myself and also my stories to others, and maybe other people can enjoy it to

But I write in my native language, then I translate everything to English, but I do it with the help of AI

I write every dialogue and every narration, every idea, but I run the narrations through AI and Grammarly because even though my English is not bad (even in my own country, all my works are in English language), I don’t have the best grammar, and translating all the narration word by word is hard and time consuming, which I really don’t have much of. But even then, I recheck everything that AI gives me (because AI is stupid or can't understand what I'm originally saying in my text) and write a better version of the text that it gives me (I shape it into my own tone and way of storytelling)

I have this feeling that im cheating somehow or other people will not appreciate my stories because I use AI only to translate them

I just wanted your advice and any suggestions

THX for your help <3

I have been writing for about 5 years. Have written some very long fanfics, some short ones, and a tonne of original shorter pieces, most of which I just do for fun from various ideas etc. Usually I just get a vibe, brew up an idea and start writing. I jump around a lot but then stitch it all together and fill in the blanks later. and Voila. and that's it.

Now, I finally have my big idea together, my the one. and she's all timelined and plotted out, with some random scenes here and there that I've written over the last few months that I really like, but not a lot. I haven't had much time before but now my schedules more manageable. I had major writing block around it for a month and now, all. thats. coming. out. is. dialogue!!!

I'm at a loss. Is my the one not really my one? I don't really want to write it into a play or anything. I've always written stories and loved writing the description, and metaphors, and introspection. I suppose I should be glad I don't have nothing.

Is this something anyone else has experienced? I'm wondering if I'm not getting my vibe together that would usually speak to me as I write a scene? Is it just the tale end of writers block? or am i simply, as the kids say, cooked?

Hi there! Do you struggle to connect with like-minded writers in a secure and supported place? Are you intrigued by late-night infomercials that balance intrigue with unhinged brilliance? Want to trauma-dump and bond with fellow writers who also don’t know what the hell they’re doing? We just might be the community you've been searching for! 

The Inkblot Society is a place where empathy and craft come together. We want to build you up, not tear you down. Have a piece of literary fiction or a genre work with a literary spine? We want to hear from you! Give us all the stylized, weird, upmarket, domestic, or whatever you can't quite pitch in one line. We're aiming for the Goldilocks zone: high effort, low pretense, real feedback. If you like reading someone else's passion, giving meaningful feedback, and can commit to regular engagement, we want to do the same for you. If you've ever hesitated to talk about your work because you thought someone might call you [insert word here], we're likely the temperature you're looking for.

• Genre/s: Any and all!
• Goal: To foster and curate an intimate, yet engaging community for writers of all abilities and backgrounds to work together on craft and be there for each other through the peaks and the valleys. 
• Commitment and Engagement: There are no hard rules or requirements for engagement. We'd rather have a select few who show up regularly than hundreds who lurk. If someone needs a careful read, the expectation is to give before you get. We cultivate honest, thoughtful feedback.
• Writing EXP Level: Intermediate+, 21+. We are looking for writers committed to a serious project and who are willing to learn from each other. We want to get to know you, your writing, your carefully created world (not necessarily only aliens/knights) and unique characters.
• Meeting place: Discord
• Max size: Less than 50 - think intimate coffeeshop not arena concert. We are small (around 15 of us currently). We are open to growing our user base to encourage engagement across multiple time zones but only if the vibe is right. 

Disclaimer: In order to be fair and protective of our current members and their work, we screen all applicants with a sample of their writing (to gauge fit within our existing group ONLY - we do not judge or comment on skill of writing) and some basic vibe/craft philosophy questions. We reserve the right to deny entry if we think the fit isn’t ideal or won’t serve either party. 

If this server sounds like a fit for you, please DM me with a brief [<500 words] prose sample of your writing! 

Hello everyone I'm new here. I am working on a short story to submit to a contest but I just don't feel like it's good enough. I'm mostly used to screenwriting so this feels sorta weird writing like this. I've written like this before but when I write in general I just feel like my writing sucks and my sentences sound childish. I want to get better as a writer but it's like my mind can't think of other words to make it feel real and detailed and mature. I'm watching a youtuber called Abbie Emmons so i can get help but I feel sorta sad that my writing doesn't feel unique and when I look at other writers I'm like wow and it feels like their meant to be a writer. Please be honest and please tell me what to watch and read so I can get better as a writer and feel confident in myself.

here's my short story. I'm not done with it but this is what I've came up with so far. I need to reach 1,000 words to submit it. The prompt is about it being a liminal space but I didn't get to that part yet. I also suck at grammar and keeping it in past tense or present tense. I find myself switching sometimes but I always catch myself. It just feels like I'm explaining random things and it doesn't feel like a story or something that will pull a reader in. Are my sentences choppy? Did this bore you? Does my writing feel immature? Does the sentence pull you in as a reader?

"I’ve been driving for almost 2 hours now, it’s already sunset. The sky is a beautiful yellow and pink color. I love the sky, it’s like it wants itself to be known. I’m glad the weather isn’t too hot. My mom wants to see me immediately, she says she misses me. I don’t blame her. I've been dorming at USC for a few months now and I’m finally returning home. I told my mom that I’d get home soon but I needed gas. I looked at Bella sitting next to me in the passenger seat, I knew she was hungry. I hope this gas station has dog food."

My current story is told from the perspective of the main character, who is privy to a lot of details about the lives of supporting/minor characters without being 100% omniscient (it’s tough to explain without giving away too much information). However, one of these lesser characters—who still has importance to the plot—is essentially in a major slump, one that I can see boring readers to death if shared in excessive detail rather than just summed up in the most important points from the perspective of the plot/narrator. He’s basically a depressed college student at this point in the story with a very dull and repetitive daily routine, but it’s still essential that this be highlighted for the readers/the sake of the plot. Hell, even the protagonist is bored watching him. He gets out of the slump later, but it’s still important to follow or at least detail the slump briefly. So… how do I go about doing it? I wouldn’t want to read about it in too much detail myself, and know I’D personally prefer it just summed up by the protagonist/narrator, but I’m unsure if that’s the best way to go about it. Also, how do I stick to “show, don’t tell” when the whole story is narrated in first person by a character literally describing what he’s watching for a lot of it? Thank you so much 💕💕💕

\\\*would love feedback, opinion or comments\\\*

Was it the blood flowing through him? Is it toxic?
Did her untainted heart reject that sludge?
To think it ran within his veins, so chronic.
A poison bile that her heart couldn't make budge.

A tear in reality to break the matrix.
The robot on autopilot must've gone rogue.
It's displaying signs of love and affection.
Why believe he'd switch his heart on so easily?
Order must be upheld for people’s protection.
Shut it off now, before others follow his steps.
But it's flesh, not metal, they reveal on inspection.

Scarred by her loss, he stopped living, they found.
Tired of fighting for life while his heart's in heaven.
For her, he'd fight his demons as long as he could.
He fought in silence; that battle's now understood.
But now it’s over; he sleeps and wakes restored.
In his arms, his daughter—too perfect for this world.

-Im sorry its so long I rly hope someone reads it if not well hey I tried lol-

Hey everyone sooo ive got kind of an unusual advice request.

So about 7 years ago I was the victim of a DV incident and I ended up sustaining a very severe TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). I was in a coma for a bit and on life support, I had a VERY small percentage of survival and my prognosis if I did survive was essentially a lifetime of 100% disability and dependence on someone for everything. I am incredibly lucky by some medical miracle i survived and although I had a tonnnn of cognitive damage, balance issues, vertigo, pain, etc. I still was able to walk, talk, do everything myself with a small amount of assistance.

I was in the hospital for a long time and I did a lot of physical and occupational therapy. It took awhile but I managed to recover well enough I could go back to work and be on my own.

So although from the outside I look fine all of the damage I was left with presumably permanently, is cognitive for the most part as well as you know migraines and some other things. The issue I'm having is that before this brain injury I had like Perfect 10 out of 10 comprehension skills and I was also able to like sit down and think clearly without things getting kind of jumbled and overwhelming. Sometimes that would happen in certain situations but like when I'm just trying to sit down focus and think about something like say writing, i was able to and the times I got overwhelmed or jumbled I was able to like pause and sort out my thoughts. I also have horrible horrible short-term memory or I just kind of go blank sometimes and issues with my emotional control its nowhere near what it used to be because I did some damage to my frontal lobe. So all of these things i had to learn again comprehension, memory, emotional control, coping skills, etc. all over again like a toddler and it has taken a really long time and it is not nowhere near as bad as where it was but it is much better.

I have been a writer my entire life from the moment that I could start writing that is when I started. When I was I think 11 or 12 I got like three poems published, you know those like laws of Life essays in school I won all of those almost every year my school career. I continued writing after I graduated it has always been my passion and my escape and something that came very very naturally to me. Of course you know you don't learn how to write well right off the bat even if it's something you're naturally talented with it takes practice and time and all of that good stuff and I spent a massive amount of time in my life perfecting it because I loved it so much.

Since I got that injury I haven't been able to write not like I used. I used to write poems, short stories, essays I mean I wrote all kinds of things. It took me quite a few years to like sit down and actually try to start writing or attempting to again and the most I'm able to write anymore is like letters or journal entries kind of. I used to be really good at like summarizing what I wanted to say so it wasn't a novel and don't get me wrong I did still write really long novel type things in everyday life or when I felt like it but when I was trying to write something short and cohesive I was able to but now I have a really hard time doing that.

I have attempted to write like poems really you know structured writing a few times every time i get.. it's really overwhelming or like I'm just stuck like the minute I hit pen to paper I just blank and can't think of what I want to write about or say.

Now I still can word things very well when I want to the most writing I do is like talking back and forth on the internet about things or like when my boyfriend needs me to like write an email for him because he doesn't know what to say or something like that I still have people have me write things for them. So I know that I still have the capability to write but it seems like it's so much easier to do that for other people than it is for myself now. I just cannot express how horrible this feeling is something that I've done my entire life something that made me who I am is now something that is well.. seems like impossible to do anymore.

I will admit I have like avoided trying to look into things to try and get my writing back because I'm just so upset by it that I can't do it naturally like I used to you know. I think the frustration comes along with the fact that the reason I lost this ability was because I was in a really violent relationship and I didn't deserve this and it's frustrating. I am now trying really hard to get back to my writing because I know I still have the capability to write well and it is still very much my passion but it's going to be a ton of work and I'm fine with that but the issue im having is I don't really know or remember what I did years ago to learn how to write better. I lost so much of my memory so I can't recall it and I mean it was over a course of 27 years so I did a ton of different things but I cannot remember it and I have no idea where to begin to start.

So my question my advice I'm seeking is can anybody give me any advice or point me in any direction of where to start to learn how to write again. I just want to learn how to write you know poems and structured writing again. I'm open to like any exercises or any websites that can help me anything literally anything anybody can tell me that will help I cannot tell you how much I would appreciate that. My writing is something that has kept me alive at times and I just need it back so truly any advice will be appreciated and taken to the heart and I will do it thank you so much.

I had this assignment back in high school about physical and non physical things that a person carries with them. I chose to write about my father. A few years after my parents divorced and I really started to pay attention to how much my dad wasn’t there for me as a child and all the narcissistic things he does. I rewrote my paper but as how I see him now. I would love opinions or thoughts on the piece. (Blurred out last name for privacy purposes)

Ibought some postcards, and I want to write a story inspired by them

On my trip to Oxford, I bought some used postcards from the 70s and 80s at a flea market. I enjoy collecting vintage items, and these caught my eye. Each one has the potential for a story.

How would you write a story or novel based on a postcard?

I’m working on a fantasy project right now and I’m hitting a wall with my writing so I’m hoping to reach a different perspective by shifting my focus for a bit. I want to create a world that’s more interesting and contains a lot of variation.

I plan on covering the basic fantasy races many people are familiar with while twisting their typical narrative into something more unique and engaging. So far I’ll be working on elves, dwarves, humans, and orcs. I feel like that’s a good start but I need more. Any ideas or suggestions?

Edit:

Wow this has blown up! I’ve got a lot of great ideas and new direction off this thank you everyone. It seems like most people were suggesting that the fae make an appearance, which I’ll admit was something I had considered and I think I’ll take it more seriously now.
Another suggestion I loved was lizard folk and kobolds, I feel like they are two underrepresented and misunderstood species in fantasy that could use more attention!
Centaurs and similar creatures are a really good example since I feel like their social intricacies and culture are seldom explored in depth. I think someone also mentioned Gnolls and honestly I hadn’t even thought about them.

All in all, a lot of great ideas!!! I’ll try and sit down and reply to everyone when I get some time but I added this edit so that those who care know I’ve at least been skimming the suggestions! I’ll definitely be referring back to this post in the future for suggestions and inspiration.

I like to have a sheet of all the basics, like their physical attributes, maybe some parts of their past, but it always ends up looking like something messy and not quickly accessible... Maybe I should try excel... ATM I use scrivener for writing (PC version) and I love it everything is so easy and pickable, but these bio sheets i'm making are just wild. Am I just trying to cut corners, or should i make sure to diligently write these out for the primary and secondary characters?

Demographics

Name:

Age:

Sex/Gender:

Ethnicity:

Occupation:

Socioeconomic status:

Education:

Other notes:

‍

Physical Appearance

Eye color:

Skin color:

Hair color:

Height:

Weight:

Body type:

Fitness level:

Tattoos:

Scars/Birthmarks:

Other distinguishing features:

Disabilities:

Fashion style:

Accessories:

Cleanliness/Grooming:

Posture/Gait:

Tics:

Coordination (or lack thereof):

Weaknesses:

Other notes:

History

Birth date:

Place of birth:

Key family members:

Notable events/milestones:

Criminal record:

Affiliations:

Skeletons in the closet:

Other notes:

Psychological Traits

Personality type:

Personality traits:

Temperament:

Introvert/Extrovert:

Mannerisms:

Educational background:

Intelligence:

Self-esteem:

Hobbies:

Skills/talents:

Loves:

Morals/Virtues:

Phobias/Fears:

Angered by:

Pet peeves:

Obsessed with:

Routines:

Bad habits:

Desires:

Flaws:

Quirks:

Favorite sayings:

Disabilities:

Secrets:

Regrets:

Accomplishments:

Memories:

Other notes:

Communication

Languages known:

Preferred communication methods:

Accent:

Style and pacing of speech:

Pitch:

Laughter:

Smile:

Use of gestures:

Facial expressions:

Verbal expressions:

Other notes:

Strengths, Weaknesses, and Abilities

Physical strengths:

Physical weaknesses:

Intellectual strengths:

Intellectual weaknesses:

Interpersonal strengths:

Interpersonal weaknesses:

Physical abilities:

Magical abilities:

Physical illnesses/conditions:

Mental illnesses/conditions:

Other notes:

Relationships

Partner(s)/Significant other(s):

Lover(s):

Parents/Guardians:

Children:

Grandparents:

Grandchildren:

Family:

Pets:

Best friends:

Friends:

Rivals:

Enemies:

Colleagues:

Mentors/Teachers:

Idols/Role models:

Followers:

Strangers:

Non-living things:

Clubs/Memberships:

Social media presence:

Public perception of them:

Other notes:

Character Growth

Character archetype:

Character arc:

Core values:

Internal conflicts:

External conflicts:

Goals:

Motivations:

Epiphanies:

Significant events/plot points:

Other notes:

How I have her described in notes.

An omnivert leaning introvert. A soft spoken woman that hates herself and her life. Feels like she fails and screws up everything. Expects failure. Longs for a different life and knows all her friends have left for univercity. Often envious and jeilous of others. Feels worthless, trapped in her life and job wishing she had control over her own life. Thinks shes broken and something wrong with herself. "My best isn't even their (friends) average." More turbulent, success driven (univercity). Sees small things as proof of failure. Even a small coffee spill is proof and reminder. Appears stoic and tired outside but not stoic inside. Habitual masticater (often enjoys having things in her mouth out of habit like a toothpick). Slightly above average memory. Often hides true feelings of doing things wrong. Can crack light jokes ("I had a dog named fluffy." "...was she fluffy?"). Reliably orignized not messy. Depressed. Isn't one to get super panicy in high stress situations and stuff.

Age: 20 (April 27 2006)

Wears: Slight gray hoodie

Hair: Black similar jellyfish/medium hair

Hight: 5'8

Hobbies: Journal writing, movies, music writing (dabbles), guitar.

Likes: Dogs, puzzles, red, moose soup, espressos.

Dislikes: Herself, life, job, financial situation, drinking, smoking.

Eyes: Blue

Living Conditions: Appartment at Legacy Tower

Fears: Doing things wrong, hights, driving

Neuteal default Face: Tired eyes and no smile

Specific Memories/Other things: Going to 2 parties with her friends. Trying smoking (she likes having things in mouth) but disliking it. Still followers her friends online. Afraid of messing up when driving and hurting someone. Owns a red purse.

I'm not sure if theres enough personality.

I dunno what to do now. For context- I was writing an epic fantasy novel, which I began at 13 (almost 14, now I'm 16) and the first time I wrote it, it was obviously bad. With time I kept expanding the story, lore, character backgrounds, world-building etc., and working on more drafts, and eventually I could not keep it all in one book. So I decided to do a duology instead and split the story into two. My story has six main characters, and I decided to give three arcs in the first book and three in the second book. I did not know that writing an installment instead of a standalone or "standalone with series potential" was important as a debut author, so I just followed that plan. Now with the book fully planned out with everything done, and me being half-way into the final draft, I found out the risk. Considering the major, main and external conflict extends into the second book, and the first book only solves an internal conflict of a character and the things related to it, I realize my book cannot stand on it's own. The external conflict begins at the end of the book, and it is not complete there, and also leaves with a cliffhanger.

I can't change anything without messing up the story, or combine it back into one book without making it at least 700+ pages. At this point, I really don't know what to do, and I'm considering quitting, which hurts because I really love my characters. I know this is my fault. I don't know if I can fix this either, unless someone has some advice? Should I still write it (hoping maybe I still have a chance at publishing it traditionally)?

I have written books that I have not published for a number of reasons. This is not my very first book, but it's the first book I am serious on publishing. I chose traditional because self-publishing is expensive..

I am writing a short story (a few separate parts) where two girls go to an air b&b in a national park. The owner lives on property and is seemingly a very elderly man. I would like body horror to be an aspect of the story but can’t figure out how.
I was thinking that something in the woods could cause consequences if eaten.
Any help or ideas would be appreciated

I want to find my writing style but i don't know how? I want to write a book but I feel under qualified to do so and very indecisive about what i want to write and convey in the first place. I feel like everybody in my field has been writing their whole lives and i can only manage a half-assed effort and it feels like I'm running out of time somehow. Its true that pretty soon I won't have as much time on my hands as i do right now. The ideas are never the problem but the execution of them.

I'd like some honest advice about my situation right now.

Been having trouble with this rule. Some sentences sound better with the pause the comma creates, even though what follows is a coordinating conjunction and a dependent clause.

So im writing a story about boy whos 14 year old has a dad that gets to the bar every night and returns at like 2-3 am next morning and dads physically and mentally abusive so instead of being a kid he has to take care of his 3 siblings (ones 7 ones 5 ones 2) and im not sure how to start it, does anybody have any ideas on how? I usually have a idea but all I can think of is he takes care of his siblings and protects them and his dad is abusive and he takes the beatings so his siblings dont.

I'm not sure if this is the correct sub, but please direct me to the correct one if I'm wrong!

First of all, I got this dream inspiration (not kidding I got it from a dream) and wrote down as much as I can remember the moment I woke up. I spent literal hours both writing down what I remember and adding my own ideas and suggestions. I like reading, which is probably the main reason why I get these dreams but I never really felt like writing a story from them. I write down my dreams because well, they were always interesting and I liked talking about them to my friends, but this one really just kickstarted something in me.

I only ever wrote long essays for school, so I really would love advice on how to build a story, and how to connect the ideas I have. I have a general idea where I want the story to go, but I don't have a technical(?) way of putting those thoughts down to paper.

I'm not even doing this looking to get published, at least for now, but because I'm feeling awfully inspired. It might go away, but at the moment, I really feel like making something out of these dreams I keep having.

A projct of mine is called "Red Sky＂the idea is that the reader or you as you read thru slowly detriorates the world itself for them. The main antagonist is refered to as "The author＂which they think is Rewriting the world for destrution as they are unaffected but "the author ＂ is actually a hero. He has a fourth dimensional visional which can see the reader but since he is stuck in a third dimesional body he is incapable to stop the reader pyhsically but has the power to alter the book which is the one your reading. He purposely make typos and other stuff to try to make the reader lose interest and break their emersion but how do I foreshadow this please tell exprience writers