Plot Development
I've written a novella!
I've accidentally written a novella. Let me explain. I wanted to write a serialised story. Vocal lends itself to this very well with the way that you can publish instantaneously and my idea was to write a seven part story, releasing a new part every day over a week so that there was no delay between chapters and the momentum was always there. It seemed like a good length.
By Rachel Deeming2 months ago in Critique
My Self-Critique of My Writing Battle Entry (Part Deux)
This is a breakdown of my most recent entry into the Writing Battle that didn’t make it out of the peer judging round. I recommend reading it before you dive into my self-critique of why it doesn’t work because nothing says, “Hey go read this!” quite like leading off with, "Hey this didn’t actually place so it might not be very good!”
By Matthew J. Fromm3 months ago in Critique
Reflections on A Languishing Manuscript. Top Story - July 2026.
Years ago, I was president of a town’s writing group, but it disbanded. Ten years ago, a character appeared in my mind and poured onto the page, words frothing from my fingers like sudsy waves at the shore. My hip replacement cemented my decision to retire, and recovery meant long hours outdoors on sunny days with my aging dog. Her love and devotion grounded me. I finished the book that summer. Two years later, my faithful companion was gone, and the manuscript remained untouched, saved in a file that moved only when the computer did, still unseen.
By Andrea Corwin 3 months ago in Critique
A Love That Sits Immovable as Stone. Honorable Mention in Not Quite There Yet Challenge. Content Warning.
I have a backlog of stories of all lengths waiting for one reason or another - many over a decade old by now. One is more disappointing to watch sit than the rest, because it's simultaneously one of the shortest and most complete tales I have planned.
By Megan Baker (@thegothofsawpit)(@shadowsitheghoststrikebwr)3 months ago in Critique
Margaritas and Meltdowns
The sun sparkled on the turquoise water of the resort pool, light and shadow patterns dancing across the bottom of the shallow end. Mary Elizabeth poured herself another margarita from Mandy’s Rubbermaid pitcher resting inside her enormous beach bag and tried to call Josh again. She was dying to tell him that Mike and Mandy rented. It went to voicemail after a few rings. His phone was probably on the cart, so she’d try again in a few minutes.
By Harper Lewis 3 months ago in Critique
Truth or Dare
By the time the impromptu foursome made it to the green, the tension was tighter than a Delta blues combo in a New Orleans dive bar. Masie missed her birdie putt on purpose so that Ben could ask Josh for a truth instead of her. After Josh sank his bogey, she said, “Why don’t you ride with Marty and let Ben ride with me? Otherwise, I’ll walk the course.”
By Harper Lewis 3 months ago in Critique
The Birth, Dissection & Evolution of a Story Never Written
For as long as I’ve had the desire to entertain readers with creative fiction writing, I’ve had a mermaid tale in my mind, just dying to come to life. It started out as a simple story idea, but has gradually evolved into something much greater.
By Justiss Goode3 months ago in Critique
