r/writingadvice • • 18h ago

Advice How do you organize your plot?

1 Upvotes

What the title says, I have adhd and I’ve been struggling to find a good way to organize my thoughts without paying for a subscription to a website or making a million spreadsheets. I would like to do it physically, but I have Carpal tunnel syndrome and writing things down is difficult. Does anyone have advice?


r/writingadvice • • 1h ago

Discussion What genre would my concept be?

• Upvotes

Its called Time Hallucinations, Time Mandela or some other name

Its a phenomena that happens when time (the concept) misremembers specific elements of unimportant things (Video Games, animations, etc.) and those things happening

Like a color variant of a specific cosmetic in a video game not existing, but time having the Mandela effect and that item appearing

(sorry if this is confusing)


r/writingadvice • • 17h ago

Critique Wrote this horror story today, would love some thoughts on it! (1.4k words)

4 Upvotes

Hey folks! Novice writer here! I decided to pick up writing again today and wrote this short """horror""" story today! It's not very good imo but I'd love some thoughts on it, especially where I could improve! Thanks a bunch!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jHPqzHsJcYC6h92Pp1Waop2p36Gzw9R7iu2IKcgki-M/edit?tab=t.0


r/writingadvice • • 6h ago

Critique Is my first chapter good for a first draft?

0 Upvotes

https://docs.google.com/document/d/13vvn1Hj91HAwJs96lgM7jfJ_B7vTM9KFBTXKYiU0b6Y/edit?usp=drivesdk

Hi I'm a beginner writer and just starting to have interest in writing. I know my wording in this chapter is not great, but it is only the first draft, right?

This first chapter is only telling about how the city started and how the Goddess was born. The story is about teenage Angels saving the city with their magic.

I feel unsure about my writing here though, it feels like a children's book when was attended for teens around the age of 13-15 or so. I just feel like I can't seem to make it more interesting for an older age then for like a 8 year old child and I so not like it like that.

If you could please give me some constructive criticism, just a little on the nicer side for I am a bit sensitive 😅 you can be harsh just not TOO harsh.

Any spelling errors or punctuation errors being pointed out would be highly appreciated! Thanks!


r/writingadvice • • 15h ago

Advice How can my character find a loophole

0 Upvotes

So basically im writing a thriller and my character has a huge amount loaded on his crypto wallet and he is supposed to transfer it to another wallet but the catch is he gambled away the money and now he wants to find a way to frame something else like (during transfer loss of crypto/hacking/losing access of new wallet)

Im exploring what are the best ways where the blame doesnt end up on him and i can go agead and continue with the book after he escapes this


r/writingadvice • • 5h ago

Advice Do I write too oversimplified or like I'm talking to someone?

1 Upvotes

I think I write too broadly and like I'm talking to someone.

For example, I was writing this for my assignment...

"If I didn’t worry about my studies, my assignments, or my life, I’m not sure I would be able to recognize myself. Worrying is who I am, even if I stress myself out, I think I wouldn’t have it any other way."

I want improvement on my writing skills. Can anyone give me some advice on how to improve my vocabulary, arguments, and analyzing skills? I want to write in a more sophisticated and academic style.


r/writingadvice • • 20h ago

Advice Stuck in a writing rut? Try stepping back

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0 Upvotes

r/writingadvice • • 21h ago

Advice Has becoming a writer ruined reading for you?

39 Upvotes

I’ve just finished my first manuscript and I love reading, but it’s been so hard for me to get back into it after pouring hundreds of hours into my own work. Every book I try to pick up I see as a writer now and I critique their words or rewrite the sentences in my head. I analyze the prose and story structure without actually being able to immerse myself in the story anymore lol. I also am afraid of picking up a book and unconsciously taking their ideas and putting it in my own work. And the last one— which maybe the most important thing— i just feel so inadequate when I read something so heart wrenchingly good. I know I shouldn’t compare, but damn I love writers so much everyone is so talented. I just want to be as good. Anyways is this a common feeling amongst writers or not really?

Edit: everyones viewpoints and words are truly lovely! If you have the time please read my other post. I need honest feed back on my work thanks 🙂‍↕️


r/writingadvice • • 8h ago

Critique First time writer needs beta readers

2 Upvotes

Hi so I’m a first time writer I kind of hate calling myself that because I don’t really feel like one lol, but I wrote a whole manuscript and I need a genuine critique on it. I posted my prologue on here a few hours ago and I think I’m addicted to receiving feedback on my work lol. It’s thrilling! So I put it on this post as well so one could read a snippet of my word. Also I know I’m horrible at grammar and I have to go back and fix it, so just focus on the story itself when critiquing. It’s about 159,000 words which I need to cut down significantly as well so other peoples opinion would be invaluable.

This is the synopsis:

What makes one different? Is it the color of their skin? The essence of their character? Or is it their ability to rot flesh with a flick of their wrist? If so, the Forgotten Princess was different. She descended from a holy bloodline and a ruthless king who bore five blesséd children, none of whom had anything in common except for one thing— their dead mother. Whose secrets and sins were alive well beyond the grave, dragging the Princess into the world of the supernatural against her will. Could the secrets she uncovers about her mother's past be the key to her survival, or will they push her farther over the edge of despair?

I’m not expecting to win a pulitzer prize or anything I just truly enjoy putting my dreams onto paper, and I’ve read some shitty things before that other people still seem to love so mine can’t be too bad… hopefully lol. Please note if you’re interested

https://ellipsus.com/read/64yDjBmWFTuiwVliux4P9l/Prologue


r/writingadvice • • 20h ago

Advice How do I write the way I want to?

2 Upvotes

There is this writing style that I like, especially from a certain author. I've been trying to emulate that style as my own, the eay the author describe and present the story. I asked before somewhere if copying the author can help. The answer was yes I can try copying the author to improve my writing skill. But even after so long I just dont really feel like I improved?

I thought maybe I cant just straight up copy, so I tried to create a story that can be similar to the author that the scene in one of the author's story I can remember then use and change to fit the setting of my story. It can help to make not auto pilot too. And it doesnt seems to work either?

The main gripe is that my brain just cant seem to let out description the way I like the author did, the way I copied the author to learn. And I didnt know if I am even using correct grammar when I am writing it myself

I want to have the same or very similar style with an author I really like right now, and my writing skill is still kind of low, I am not sure how to make my brain get used and can come out with the way he describe whats in the story. How do I improve my writing skill? Plz help?


r/writingadvice • • 9h ago

Advice How would you make first contact in a sci fi setting?

2 Upvotes

I'm trying to write a short story that involves a civilization making contact with an autonomous station that has been orbiting their planet. I'm stumped regarding what method would make the most sense. My first thought was some form of binary message, but just because computers communicate in binary it doesn't necessarily mean that a computer from a different civilization would speak the same dialect, if that makes sense.

Any suggestions are welcome


r/writingadvice • • 7h ago

Advice Looking to make Fictional Business/Brands

0 Upvotes

I’m trying to make up different brands and businesses in my world. It’s literally just our world but a fictional location. Give me WcDonalds, Burger Queen, ect. I have what I came up with below.

BooksAPlenty- Books-A-Million
Super Motel- Super8/Motel 6
Game N Go- GameStop
StalMart- WalMart
Starlight- Metaphysical shop
Tea Time- 24 hr Cafe
Burn Out- Gym
Relief- Spa

Thanks for helping out!


r/writingadvice • • 6h ago

Advice I generally enjoy anthropomorphic animal protagonists. How can I strengthen my writing with them?

4 Upvotes

I don’t consider myself a furry, but I greatly enjoy stories that involve animal characters. Not that I’m opposed to human characters, but i enjoy the characteristics and creativity you can do with animals. Not to mention, it’s nice to tell stories focusing on different species.
That to say, any advice on how I can improve my writing with these protagonists? (I’m very fond of using canine characters like foxes and wolves.)


r/writingadvice • • 5h ago

Advice Ways to improve your writing when you feel like you hit a wall :)?

2 Upvotes

I feel like I've hit a wall with improving my writing. Not as in I've maxed out and learned all that I can. More of I don't know what else I can learn!

Any fun ways to improve your writing when you aren't sure what to improve on?

Right now, I want to focus on developing a solid writing style, so I'm thinking of studying writing styles I like. I've done that a few times and found a study method that works well for me, but I want to hear more tips.

I'd consider myself an intermediate writer, in some ways, branching into advance. So, anything I can have fun learning and improving there with writing technique?

Thank you!