The Writing Thread

[Doctor Placebo]

I don't really care for alternative WW 2 shit. It's been done to death. Excluding the works of Savoy featuring Lord Horror.

https://supervert.com/essays/horror-panegyric/motherfuckers-afreet-of-dachau

I'm not saying it shouldn't be done. I'm just saying use alternative WW 2 shit as a backdrop for another story.

Hasn't that been done to death too? There are countless "the Nazis won" stories. The Man in the High Castle, Fatherland, etc.

 

[Ughubughughughughughghlug]

Does anyone know how litigious the Zorro people are? Would they come after someone who self publishes a kids' book?

The idea I have doesn't even involve actual Zorro (two brothers dress up like "historic" characters and do vigilante things) and one of them just happens to choose a Zorro costume most of the time.

It may not be the same, but you can always make up a rip-off of Zorro.

I had this idea, an idle one, for a novel about American volunteers in the Syrian Civil War. It's inspired by the fact that Americans of various extreme ideologies have volunteered for all the different factions. You've got one to four characters: an American ex-serviceman fighting in the Peshmerga, an Antifa fighting in Rojava, a Jihad Johnny fighting for ISIS, and an Alt-Right edgy boy fighting for Assad. At some point their separate campaigns lead to them gloriously killing each other in a battle of American proxies against each other, who probably don't even know who they're shooting at.

 

[Secret Asshole]

Yep.

As a matter of fact, I intentionally want to subvert a lot of the played out zombie cliches.

If there are human villains, they're more along the lines of common looters and opportunists as opposed to a "humans are the real monsters" cliche, and I also want to avoid other cliches like "Not Using the Z Word"

The idea I had was that the story could be set in the late 90's or very early 2000's, back when the zombie genre was more or less dead outside of video games and a few direct-to-video Japanese movies, before 28 Days Later kicked off the first wave of the zombie fad (and Walking Dead more or less setting off the second wave that eventually killed the genre again)

One of the inspirations for this idea are the old PS1-era Resident Evil games, which explicitly refer to the zombies by name, because it's assumed that Romero-style zombie movies actually exist in the RE universe.

I always thought that was pretty clever on Capcom's part back then.


As for the "fictional movie" angle, I've also contemplated the idea of a "story within a story" where the framing story is a group of friends watching the movie in an old grindhouse theater that was able to narrowly survive into the modern day as a historic curiosity.

Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. It'd be tough to pull off, but just re-read house of leaves to get a feel.

On that note, I finally entered National Novel writing month. I decided that I wanted to do something silly to get me off the ground. Its actually fanfic because I'm rusty and there's really no better way to start.

I only put stuff on here I'm not planning to use anywhere else to avoid powerleveling too much, so here's couple of story concepts I'm probably never going to do anything with.

Everyone does the "What if muh Nazis won WW2" schtick, frequently using very questionable logic for how it happens, but what about an alternate WW2 where instead of just doing a bombing and withdrawing, the Japanese do a full blown invasion of Hawaii while US forces are still reeling? That would completely change the war in the Pacific, since Hawaii was a vital staging point for moving forces across the sea. At the same time, occupying Hawaii would put a lot more strain on already strained Japanese resources. This also might drastically change the US's war plan and thus alter how the war went in Europe, so it could easily be spun off into a whole series. Or it might change little about the war in Europe (if the US sticks to it's Europe first policy despite the more dire position in the Pacific) and end with a universe where the Empire of Japan survives but Nazi Germany doesn't.

Another idea I had is for a historical novel with a star crossed romance between a Catalonian POUM (the communists who were anti-Stalin, which led to them getting purged by the pro-Soviet communist faction) militia man and a member of the nationalist Sección Femenina in the Spanish Civil War. Basically Romeo and Juliet with two noble houses replaced by a political division and a few sword fights with full blown ultraviolent war and brutality.

Its kind of why this thread is so slow, writers are kind of cagey about their ideas getting stolen and if any idea from here hits it off, you're getting cancelled in ten seconds flat.

Hasn't that been done to death too? There are countless "the Nazis won" stories. The Man in the High Castle, Fatherland, etc.

You can always go Harry Turtle Dove and put Nazi Aliens in there.

 

[Fatrick Hamlinson]

I used to write nonstop in middle school, high school, and particularly in college.

I haven't written very much in the past ten years, but I did write a bit more in 2020.

Here's something I wrote up today. I know for a certainty that this will never be published anywhere but here.

Spoiler: Stolen Valor

Stolen Valor



There exists an idea of loyalty and liberty:

The idea of a land where such virtues tread boldly.

Alas, the idea of this land is only an idea,

Where those virtues exist in name only.



This idea was borne of heroes larger than life

Who strove to fashion a society from raw nature.

The land now is ruled by lesser creatures

Who do naught but deign themselves our Creator.



Perhaps I am too rash, too quick to judge.

These creatures have done so much more to this land.

They have sold it off like a whore to foreign masters

And lovers of liberty they have unmanned -



Through the wearisome blunting of our spirits:

By injustice of the courts and unlawful acts of lawmakers

To cage a society through lies and dread,

Not to mention the votes of dead neighbors.



Where is the spirit of revolution our forefathers held dear?

Where is that fortitude and loyalty they shared?

The hedgies stay rich, while the poor are robbed,

But that is not the worst theft that we have fared -



It is a raid on our collective spirit that has crippled us.

Now we only ever ask, “Is the game worth the candle?”

Once upon a time, Rome guarded its walls well, but now

Rome has embraced and glorified the Vandal.

​

Edit:

I've also started work on a book. I worked on this outline for four hours.

Spoiler

Genre: Looks like a High Fantasy at first, but revealed to be Futuristic Dystopia

Setting: New World

• Very primitive due to the social order that the Authority imposes
• Regression in technology and other advancements due to people being promoted in class based on their allegiance to the Authority and the social order rather than merit
• Class dictates your profession
• Set far in the future from now

Hero’s Goals in Chronological Order:

• Tries to fit in and figure out what’s inherently wrong with him
• Leads to realization that the society is wrong, not him
• Tries to fix society but fails
• Tries to start new society but fails due to subversion and irreconcilable differences in values, opinions
• Sets off on his own to try and survive with his family

Values the Hero Should Espouse:

• Loyalty
• At first to the social order and the Authority
• Then to his new group/colony
• Then to his ideals and his family
• Seeks to better himself
• Hero realizes he’s better suited to academic work, which is the province of the upper classes
• Intelligence
• Individualist
• Becomes self-reliant
• Forges new connections based on merit and individual qualities rather than social groups

Vices the Hero Should Struggle Against:

• Self-aggrandizement at the expense of others to own personal financial and social benefit
• Peer pressure to adopt behavior of others
• Apathy/fear of reduction in status that allows evil to continue
• “What can I do against such power?” and “What will happen to me if I rebel?”
• Diminishment of individual to promote herd behavior and compliance
• Government groups people according to what the government needs
• Punishment of exceptionalism to promote herd behavior and compliance
• Threats of being expelled from society (societal death) or actual death if noncompliant

Hero’s Physical Qualities

• Black with red stripes at first (ordered to dye it per government mandate) – after refusing to dye it, it grows in blonde
• Device to illustrate artificial tribalism and a way of instantly recognizing lower classes vs. upper classes
• Should dye have a negative effect on health to drive the point home?
• He never realized that he was a blonde
• 5’10” – need a way to illustrate height without resorting to feet-inches
• Brand on face in the form of a tattoo to insure that his status as a lower class worker is never forgotten?

Hero’s Pros and Cons:

• At first is deeply devoted to the social order and the Authority, but realizes it’s inefficiently run
• Naturally curious and loves to learn
• At odds with his desire to fit in (for the sake of safety) and his desire to be true to himself
• Loves to come up with theories and plans for change, but understands that he’s fighting a losing battle and loses all interest in helping his fellow man to change society
• The Hero writes a manifesto detailing the ways that the Authority and social order have failed society, but does not publish it out of resignation
• Is a hard worker, even though he despises his job
• Takes every opportunity to learn about history – loves stories
• Becomes jaded and suspicious – trains his daughter to suspect everyone

The Second Wife’s Pros and Cons:

• Resourceful and loves to learn
• Stubborn to a fault as concerns her sisters and brother, as well as her children
• Still believes that society can change for the better – believes in reform rather than a complete break from society
• Believes that everyone is the same as her – believes that everyone stands out in their own way and don’t or shouldn’t mind doing so
• Publishes and disperses the manifesto as a final “fuck you” to the Authority and social order prior to leaving for the wilderness with her daughter
• This manifesto aids in the eventual collapse of the Authority and social order
• Loves capitalism and the idea of hard work for an equivalent amount of pay
• Is incredibly industrious and a natural problem-solver
• Doesn’t understand innuendo and has no stamina for the Hero’s long talks about history and current events

Hero’s Allies

• Hero’s father is a charming man who tries to schmooze his way to a higher class: everybody but the Hero seems to like him
• Hero’s mother is a cold woman, but displays one act of compassion and love by saving her son from the Authority
• Forced into a loveless marriage where his spouse is from a higher class/group and abuses him
• Spies on him for the government
• He is trying for a child, but she is on birth control
• She is spying on him for the government so she can have a marriage to a man with a higher status
• Originally lumped in one group without much thought to his capability to do more
• Worker group/class?
• He finds out that he was grouped with that class because of his ancestors lost a war, and that being a part of that class is a punishment
• À la North Korea punishing political prisoners and their descendants
• Finds new group comprised of members from assorted other groups
• They group together based on thought processes, goals, etc.
• Attempt at hierarchical government
• One friend is from the upper classes and is therefore meant for more academic work, but longs to be outside and work outside
• This friend teaches Hero about the Western Canon (which is forbidden, as it’s written by the losers of the war and people the losers of the war admire) and the hard sciences
• One of their group is a spy for the Authority
• Attempts to sway hero into abandoning his quest, manages to get him to leave the budding new colony
• Ultimately strikes off on his own with a woman from a higher class who has never fit in with her class – her family thinks the Hero is scum and tries to sabotage their attempts to live on their own
• This woman is married at first to someone of a class below hers who has taught their children to hate their mother because she spouts off dangerous ideas (such as dismantling the social order and hire people to suitable positions based on experience and merit)
• He married her solely because she’s a class above him and wanted his children to ascend and to get favors from them once they assumed higher positions of power

Themes:

• Individual vs. Society
• Self-loathing (lower classes) vs. Self-love (upper classes) vs. Self-respect
• Merit vs. Nepotism/Favoritism

Authority:

• Created out of the absence of authority at the end of a long war
• Punishes the descendants of the losing side by relegating them to a lower social status with less access to necessities and luxury items
• Has replaced any and all other religions with a dedication to the Authority and social order
• Rewards their spies and propagandists with added benefits
• Enforces compliance with imaginary threats
• Can’t enforce their laws through technology because the people they raised into positions of power with regard to technology and security operations cannot perform their jobs correctly and have not maintained the technology and other advancements they have inherited
• What technology they do have access to and can use are restricted for the purposes of convincing the lower classes that they have magical powers in an effort to control them.
• Hence the idea that this book starts off as a “high fantasy”

Social Order:

• Claims that certain privileges are necessary rights for the upper classes
• Claims that lower classes would only abuse these privileges
• Based upon the outcome of a long war some time ago
• Descendants of the winners and their children are upper classes
• Descendants of the losers and their children are lower classes
• Ascendancy through the classes only allowed with proper marriage and services to the Authority (propaganda, spying)
• Even then, only their children will be allowed to “progress” to a higher class after they go through a series of “edifying” seminars and classes
• Propaganda is bright and colorful in an effort to appeal to children and it has the sinister effect of infantilizing adults and creating a dependency on the colorful cartoons
• Upper classes claim victim status, and state that the social order is in place to protect them from ever being victimized again

War:

• One side (the winners) had cried wolf and claimed that the other side (losers) had wronged them by stealing away their money, opportunities, etc.
• The winners were pathological liars who used their status as victims to take as much power away as they could from the losers
• The training the upper classes go through not only include indoctrination but also how to control the lower classes through indoctrination and less savory tactics (gaslighting, intimidation, murder)

The Catalysts for the Hero’s Change in Goals

• Has always lagged behind in special classes designed for the lower classes, and
• Notices that he is not suited for his job, as others are not suited for theirs – after a fatal accident caused by an unqualified engineer from the upper class, he brings this up to his supervisor, who reports him for insubordination to his superior
• Hero becomes disenchanted with the Authority and social order and tries to establish a lawful colony that still retains the idea of a meritocracy and with as much liberty given to each citizen as possible – however, ideological differences, Man’s innate greed, and subversion by a spy foil this attempt

Here's a quick plot outline thus far.

Spoiler

Plot:

• Setting: Primitive society in which Hero is a day laborer – works in construction and is the best at his job, despite loathing it. His social class has dictated his profession. The upper classes are portrayed as victims and claim that if the lower classes were permitted more freedom, they would abuse it to spite the upper classes. The upper classes indoctrinate and control the lower classes using media and a variety of “sticks” like intimidation, gaslighting, and executions, while their only “carrot” seems to be the potential for a lower class citizen’s child to become upper class. The Hero’s mother is a frost piece, and the Hero’s father is an amoral charmer whose only goal is to ascend his social class. Hero’s wife was arranged for him, and is spying on him: she hopes for a marriage to a man of a higher class, and does not want to become impregnated by the Hero.
• The hero notices that he is not suited for his job, as others are not suited for theirs – after a fatal accident caused by an unqualified engineer from the upper class, he brings this up to his supervisor, who reports him for insubordination to his superior
• Hero gets arrested and tortured – he is kept captive by the Authority to try and determine what went wrong in their conditioning of him before they dispose of him.
• In testing his mental acuity, they reveal how they established the Authority and social order to trick the lower classes into subservience and surrendering their autonomy
• Hero’s mother convinces Hero’s father to charm the prison guards into letting them see their son and she causes a distraction, allowing her son to escape – she gets killed, and the father is tortured until he gets a stroke – he lives out the remainder of his days working for a factory producing cheap plastic toys based on a popular children’s show (propaganda)
• The hero attempts to establish a new colony/government, one based on reason and justice with equality in mind. However, due to various officials of said government abusing their power, as well as philosophical differences and sabotage by a spy, the hero leaves the newly-created colony.
• The hero leaves with his second wife and they depart for the true wilderness
• The Hero and second wife met earlier because the woman’s husband knew the Hero’s father and they were good friends with each other
• The woman remembers the Hero and decides to leave her husband and children
• The Hero and the woman have a child who becomes more like the father than the mother – the Hero doesn’t think anything of the child before she was born, but after she’s born and he realizes that she is a person he can eventually talk to and impart the information he’s learned, he’s thrilled
• The Hero and woman travel back to the society because their daughter gets ill – the unqualified doctor who sees the daughter insists on a risky operation based on a hunch rather than any diagnostic signs of a particular illness – the Hero refuses while the woman accedes, and when the doctor threatens to report the Hero and get their child taken away from them based on “neglect and abuse” of the child, the Hero and wife run away with their daughter - the daughter gets better as soon as they leave the society
• The woman falls prey to her love for the family she was born into and reveals the Hero’s location to them while she is in society
• The woman’s family rats out the Hero and his family: the Hero is killed trying to protect the woman and their child.
• The woman is wholly repentant and cuts off all communication with her family.
• The woman and child make their way deeper into the wilderness.
• The woman and child find others who are living out on their own too, much to their surprise.
• The woman and child establish a barter system with these others who live out in the wilderness.
• The Authority and their social order eventually collapses completely into anarchy
• Some citizens die in the riots.
• Some citizens attempt to build a colony with an established hierarchical government like the Hero did.
• Others move out to the wilderness to join the barter system there.

 

[Burt Ryan]

Oh man, finally a thread for me.

I am planning to start writing my first collection of short stories. I have a notebook full of notes, character drafts, story prompts and details about the real life world I'm placing these stories in.

I just need to cut for myself 3-4 hours on a weekend and just write non stop, not caring about grammar and whatnot.

 

[God of Nothing]

Medieval Hogwarts but magic actually has rules.

 

[Local Degenerate]

What do y'all think about 'submission calls'? Like, some magazine or small publisher putting out calls for you to send them 3000 words for 75 USD kinda thing,

I figure they'd be a good way to break into the industry, get my name out there, and make a little scratch on the side. But I've heard nothing but shit on them.

If nothing else, give me a deadline and some new prompts.

 

[BrunoMattei]

What do y'all think about 'submission calls'? Like, some magazine or small publisher putting out calls for you to send them 3000 words for 75 USD kinda thing,

I figure they'd be a good way to break into the industry, get my name out there, and make a little scratch on the side. But I've heard nothing but shit on them.

If nothing else, give me a deadline and some new prompts.

It's worth a shot but usually the publisher never follows through or gets back to ya'.

Don't even think about getting new readers but making connections is more important.

 

[Cloacan]

I've also started work on a book. I worked on this outline for four hours.

the Hero is killed trying to protect the woman and their child.

I'd replace the woman with a penguin. I'd replace all women with penguins, if I could, but for you, you especially, should replace your women with penguins.

• The hero leaves with his second penguin and they depart for the true wilderness
• The Hero and second penguin met earlier because the penguin’s husband knew the Hero’s father and they were good friends with each other
• The penguin remembers the Hero and decides to leave her husband and children

Not bad yeah?

 

[Commissar Fuklaw]

Oh man, finally a thread for me.

I am planning to start writing my first collection of short stories. I have a notebook full of notes, character drafts, story prompts and details about the real life world I'm placing these stories in.

I just need to cut for myself 3-4 hours on a weekend and just write non stop, not caring about grammar and whatnot.

Ain't nothin to it but to do it. You can't polish a blank page.

 

[Burt Ryan]

Ain't nothin to it but to do it. You can't polish a blank page.

I am just about to set my first time / words limit and fucking write something. I'll aim for 2500-3000 words or 30 minutes time, just to get warmed up. People suggesting me to set 1-2 hours and I don't know how fast I can get burned out or distracted, I'll start with a first basic step and go on from there.

 

[Commissar Fuklaw]

I'd suggest you block out a couple of hours and just write until you're done, that way you don't have any worries about running out of time and you can find the answers to those questions.

When I first started seriously writing 4 years ago, I was looking into what other authors days were like and I came across King and Sanderson's which helped me the most. King says he does (or used to do) 2000 words in one go over about 6 hours. I said to myself 2000 words a day is a good goal to go for. The problem was when I tried it, I got burned out. I can only do maybe 1-1.5 hours and then my mental well is drained and I have to take a break to recharge. That's when I found out what Sanderson does. He has two 4 hour writing sessions with a break in between. I gave it a try and found it works really well and I could easily do 1000 words in an hour. Even more if I'm inspired. So now I do a session in the morning and then have a 6-8 hour break where I do something else and then another session. It's all about figuring out what works for you. Eventually you'll understand your mind so you can tailor your environment to be productive and know what your capabilities are. For example I enjoy listening to a playlist of instrumental post-black metal, blackgaze and post-rock when I write. That helps me get into a flow state. I also use Wordgrinder which makes it hard to stop and go back and edit instead of soldiering on.

Also if you're in a busy house and not writing alone, explain to everyone to leave you the fuck alone. There's nothing worse when you're trying to be productively creative and someone bothers you, even if they think it's something really minor it can set you back hours or even for the day.

 

[Erwin Rotten]

Saw a massive fight on Twitter the other night and wanted everyone's take here on the subject.

Some indie writers are worried that the "hobbyists" who try to sell, but throw out garbage to sell poorly, are giving a bad name to the indie scene. There is no standard for self publishing, so there is no barrier to prevent such garbage other than self control.

One side says "don't upload garbage" and the other side says "I write for myself and am doing this as a hobby."

Feel free to give an opinion about any aspect within that subject. However, I find a lot of problems with this kind of thing because:

1. We can't say what's garbage if we don't say what's quality.

2. The hobbyist who tries to sell to "themselves" is an obvious idiot who's lying to everyone since they're putting a price tag on their work.

And no, saying "it's for anyone who wants to read it" is not an answer either. That's like making a bowl of fried worms covered in mayonnaise and going "well, I don't know who'd like it but it's for anyone who'd want to eat it."

 

[BrunoMattei]

Saw a massive fight on Twitter the other night and wanted everyone's take here on the subject.

Some indie writers are worried that the "hobbyists" who try to sell, but throw out garbage to sell poorly, are giving a bad name to the indie scene. There is no standard for self publishing, so there is no barrier to prevent such garbage other than self control.

One side says "don't upload garbage" and the other side says "I write for myself and am doing this as a hobby."

Feel free to give an opinion about any aspect within that subject. However, I find a lot of problems with this kind of thing because:

1. We can't say what's garbage if we don't say what's quality.

2. The hobbyist who tries to sell to "themselves" is an obvious idiot who's lying to everyone since they're putting a price tag on their work.

And no, saying "it's for anyone who wants to read it" is not an answer either. That's like making a bowl of fried worms covered in mayonnaise and going "well, I don't know who'd like it but it's for anyone who'd want to eat it."

My response:

It doesn't matter.

 

[Erwin Rotten]

My response:

It doesn't matter.

I think it matters for both sides because the hobbyists should not sell if it's really a "hobby". I don't care about the "it makes the rest of us look bad part" only the consistency of either argument and how the hobbyists are usually some kind of postmodernist who tries to ruin other people's art in order to claim their garbage is on par with something like a classic.

It's the self destructive nature that I'm against.

 

[Aztec Death Squad]

Some indie writers are worried that the "hobbyists" who try to sell, but throw out garbage to sell poorly, are giving a bad name to the indie scene. There is no standard for self publishing, so there is no barrier to prevent such garbage other than self control.

One side says "don't upload garbage" and the other side says "I write for myself and am doing this as a hobby."

Feel free to give an opinion about any aspect within that subject. However, I find a lot of problems with this kind of thing because:

1. We can't say what's garbage if we don't say what's quality.

2. The hobbyist who tries to sell to "themselves" is an obvious idiot who's lying to everyone since they're putting a price tag on their work.

And no, saying "it's for anyone who wants to read it" is not an answer either. That's like making a bowl of fried worms covered in mayonnaise and going "well, I don't know who'd like it but it's for anyone who'd want to eat it."

It's entirely ego. This "I made it for myself uwu you don't have to like it" attitude is just a way to shrug off criticism, and even self-publishing is still publishing, which is a shiny word that people like put on their resumes (though for the same reasons you pointed out it is losing its value). These people want all the prestige of the establishment without the skill or effort.

If you want to make something for yourself but still feel compelled to share it for some reason, just post it online. And on the Internet you can find someone who likes whatever you're doing. Try Wattpad, Royal Road, fan fiction sites, make your own neocities page or wordpress blog. There are ways to generate revenue from these sources, so the money argument falls short, especially when you consider most people skipping the slush pile do so by paying vanity publishers. I think indie literary magazines also have the chance to become more prominent because of how unregulated the current market is.

There are ways for writers to put their money where their mouth is, but the draw towards traditional publishing shows their intentions aren't really to "write for themselves" but to stroke their own egos.

 

[BrunoMattei]

It's entirely ego. This "I made it for myself uwu you don't have to like it" attitude is just a way to shrug off criticism, and even self-publishing is still publishing, which is a shiny word that people like put on their resumes (though for the same reasons you pointed out it is losing its value). These people want all the prestige of the establishment without the skill or effort.

If you want to make something for yourself but still feel compelled to share it for some reason, just post it online. And on the Internet you can find someone who likes whatever you're doing. Try Wattpad, Royal Road, fan fiction sites, make your own neocities page or wordpress blog. There are ways to generate revenue from these sources, so the money argument falls short, especially when you consider most people skipping the slush pile do so by paying vanity publishers. I think indie literary magazines also have the chance to become more prominent because of how unregulated the current market is.

There are ways for writers to put their money where their mouth is, but the draw towards traditional publishing shows their intentions aren't really to "write for themselves" but to stroke their own egos.

I don't disagree entirely. A lot of people just like physically owning their book and it's a backup in case Amazon or whoever decide to cancel your ass. There's a level of vanity to it but you could say that about anything. The problem -like you said- is when they pay their way to get notice, reviews and all that and get on the NY Times best selling list like Lindsay Ellis.

 

[Shaneequa]

Once upon a time, deep in the heart of New Zealand, there was a magical place where Kiwi birds and kiwi fruits lived together in perfect harmony. This enchanting paradise was known as the Kiwi Farms, and it was nestled between the lush, rolling hills and the sparkling waters of a nearby river.

The Kiwi birds that called the Kiwi Farms home were a mischievous bunch. They loved to play and frolic among the vines of kiwi fruits, and their laughter echoed throughout the valley. These cheeky birds were known for their games of hide and seek, using their unique and stealthy ability to blend in with the kiwi fruit vines.

Slobbermutt, the farm's loyal but silly-looking dog, was responsible for keeping an eye on the Kiwi birds. He was a big, pooch with a slobbery grin that was perpetually plastered across his face. His drool often dripped onto the ground, creating miniature puddles wherever he went. Despite his goofy appearance, Slobbermutt was lovable, and the Kiwi birds adored him.

One sunny morning, as the sun peeked over the horizon, the Kiwi birds began their day with a mischievous plan. Today, they wanted to play the ultimate prank on Slobbermutt. They decided to use the ripe kiwi fruits to create an obstacle course and challenge the clumsy pup to navigate his way through it.

The Kiwi birds got to work, using their beaks to arrange the kiwi fruits in a zigzag pattern, with some placed precariously on top of each other. The course was complete with a finish line made from a vine of kiwi fruits. They all giggled with excitement as they imagined Slobbermutt's hilarious attempts to complete the course.

Slobbermutt, who had been snoozing under a nearby tree, awoke to the sound of laughter. He wobbled to his feet and saw the obstacle course before him. The Kiwi birds chirped and encouraged Slobbermutt to give it a try. The slobbery dog wagged his tail and, with determination in his eyes, accepted the challenge.

The moment Slobbermutt began the course, the Kiwi birds cheered him on from the sidelines. He stumbled and slipped through the kiwi fruit obstacles, his fur getting caught on vines and leaves. His drool splattered everywhere, making the course even more slippery than before. Despite the difficulty, Slobbermutt pressed on, a big, slobbery grin on his face.
As Slobbermutt neared the finish line, he tripped on a kiwi fruit and tumbled towards the finish line. He and the vine collapsed in a heap of laughter and fruit. The Kiwi birds erupted in cheers and applause, praising Slobbermutt for his bravery and persistence.

As the sun began to set, the Kiwi birds and Slobbermutt gathered together, sharing a delicious feast of ripe kiwi fruits. They laughed and reminisced about the day's events, their hearts full of love and joy. It was a day they would never forget, and the bond between the mischievous Kiwi birds and the clumsy, slobbery Slobbermutt grew even stronger.

From that day forward, the Kiwi Farms was filled with even more laughter and love, as the Kiwi birds and Slobbermutt continued to create happy memories together in their magical, kiwi fruit-filled paradise.

 

[SpinelessArtist]

Hey, didn't know what other thread to direct this to, but I just wanted to share something I've noticed. Very much powerleveling here.

I basically can only write when I'm feeling miserable. I feel like inspiration only comes when I've lost hope in my future or when things are out of my control. I like writing poems as a hobby (still an amateur) and I feel like this passage I did summarizes my thought process pretty well:

Spoiler: Bad

The constant urge of belonging,

Persistantly drives me foward.

But it weakens me with every breath.

Every ambition I take on is a step back.

With every goal I tally the need gets more

Meaningless, and wants higher,

The prospect is failed, the goal is impossible.

Bundles of wishes to be and to have desires,

Stuck at inaction,

Culminate into the talentless,

Useless, utterly hopeless me.

Anyways, now that life is good and I can say that I'm genuinely ok, I just wanted some advice on how to describe these bad feelings since they seem so far away from the present now. Nabokov and Erich Maria Remarque write the feeling of disconnect from reality and soul perfectly, and I kinda want to emulate that. No need to respond, just wanted to get it out :^)

 

[BrunoMattei]

Hey, didn't know what other thread to direct this to, but I just wanted to share something I've noticed. Very much powerleveling here.

I basically can only write when I'm feeling miserable. I feel like inspiration only comes when I've lost hope in my future or when things are out of my control. I like writing poems as a hobby (still an amateur) and I feel like this passage I did summarizes my thought process pretty well:

Spoiler: Bad

The constant urge of belonging,

Persistantly drives me foward.

But it weakens me with every breath.

Every ambition I take on is a step back.

With every goal I tally the need gets more

Meaningless, and wants higher,

The prospect is failed, the goal is impossible.

Bundles of wishes to be and to have desires,

Stuck at inaction,

Culminate into the talentless,

Useless, utterly hopeless me.

Anyways, now that life is good and I can say that I'm genuinely ok, I just wanted some advice on how to describe these bad feelings since they seem so far away from the present now. Nabokov and Erich Maria Remarque write the feeling of disconnect from reality and soul perfectly, and I kinda want to emulate that. No need to respond, just wanted to get it out :^)

There's no real definitive word. Some call it scars, others call it the path, but it has many names. I always think of this Mr. Show sketch regarding that:

Unfortunately there's not much of a market for poetry. But it's good to write that for obvious reasons and just to keep writing. A very good friend of mine equates writing to an act of self-exorcism and your best bet is to keep writing until you get everything out. But thanks for sharing it. Never share something like this with assholes and that can include family.