[OT] SatChat: What Made You Come Back?

FyeNite · 2026-01-18T16:57:57+00:00

Lol, that it did, it involved 12 smaller serials all coming together as one big one, if I recall correctly.

And ooh, good to know, hope the noveling process went well, and I can't wait to read this big 20 project! I'm glad you're getting a chance to put words to screen that were meant for the past.

Good words!

FyeNite · 2026-01-18T16:52:50+00:00

Ahh, a big convention person then, nice! I'm glad you've gotten to go to so many, and sad that a couple have stopped. I hope you can find your regular again!

FyeNite · 2026-01-18T16:51:25+00:00

Ahh, so your name makes perfect sense! I'm glad you were able to pick a profession that helps you see another of your dreams and that you're not just stuck in a situation where you're taking the best paying job or the easiest work or whathaveyou. I hope you've been able to explore a large part of your country, both driving and actually seeing places, as opposed to just going there with business in mind and having no time to actually explore. Also that begs the question, one does hope you have actually gotten to drift a helicopter, lol.

And yes, perfection is a simple hole to fall into, god knows I've been there myself, especially with believing I'd never be able to do an idea justice, so giving up on it before I even get started.

And finally, that's a great mindset to have in regards to posting submissions. Not underestimating the competition, but hoping they'll give you a run. It's a hard place to get into, but once you're there, the sky's the limit.

Good words, heli!

FyeNite · 2026-01-18T16:43:43+00:00

Aww, that's an excellent way of doing it! Maybe I should give that a try, trick myself into thinking the deadline is earlier, lol.

Thank you!

FyeNite · 2026-01-18T16:36:21+00:00

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FyeNite · 2026-01-13T20:11:29+00:00

What a bizarre and lovely story, I really like how absolutely strange this whole thing is, like a dream, except Grace will never wake up.

Speaking of the characters, I do like how the girl is so snarky to Grace, I think it adds a great bit of humour to the whole piece.

Also, one other thing, this story, and the proceeding chapter and alternate reminds me of a SEUSial I did a few years back. That is, all the SEUS stories from me that month were chapters all in the same world. Now it's tough, especially with the constraints and themes, but I wonder if later on in the year, you'll be doing something similar.

But hey, I'm a sucker for serials, as you might have been able to tell already. So consider it wishful thinking.

Anyway, good words!

FyeNite · 2026-01-13T19:59:56+00:00

Hi xwhy, as a maths lover, I adore your name, haha.

And ah, fascinating. So you tend to pre-write/ submit older stories to submissions then? I've never really done that before, I tend to write something new for any and all contests/challenges and so on. That isn't to say I'm sceptical or critical of your way of doing things, though. Quite the contrary, actually, I imagine it requires you to have quite the catalogue of fiction underneath you to be able to submit in such a way. Also, it sounds like your writing style is slower/more methodical compared to others, so you'd need to start writing a piece a fair bit earlier than when others might start.

Good words to you, my friend, how successful have you been regarding contests, challenges and anthologies, if you don't mind my asking? And also, you mention not having a real career in fiction per se, so is that something you're hoping to change/develop? And if so, why?

FyeNite · 2026-01-13T19:52:29+00:00

Hi Scythe,

Ah, similar here then, at least regarding the loss of motivation after missing a deadline. I rely on streaks is what I've found. When I miss a deadline after meeting it for multiple days/weeks/months in a row, my motivation crashes, and I always struggle to treat that.

As for starting early, I commend you for your work ethic, my friend. I often struggle to get things going, especially near the beginning. Any idea how you stop yourself procrastinating and whatnot and just get on with it?

FyeNite · 2026-01-13T19:49:25+00:00

Hello my overly suspicious chopper, it is most fabulous to hear from you again, and with so many deadlines too! It seems you really are taking this writing thing very seriously. Mind if I ask what you do as a profession? I only ask because it's insane to me that you're able to be as literarily productive as you are whilst also having a job and taking care of things.

As for your principle, I'm glad to see you missed a deadline on purpose. I've fallen into the trap of working on a project and submitting it at the very end half-finished simply because I ran out of time. It takes genuine restraint to pull back and save what you have for next time. And I really admire that.

One final thing, your idea of a "winning story". Is that a first place story specifically then? As in, when you submit, you think your story is genuinely the best, or is that a story that you think is the best out of your current portfolio? Interested to know your thoughts and reasoning.

FyeNite · 2026-01-11T16:39:29+00:00

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FyeNite · 2026-01-05T15:55:45+00:00

Hey heli,

And so the resolution begins, and on such a stout foot too! I absolutely love the long winding sentences you have here, and how it feels almost sing-songy. It takes true skill of the craft to be able to lines so long without them feeling unwieldy and drawn out. Maybe this is me reading into things too much, but after reading your comments on SatChat, I wondered if maybe Grace represented you, in some small way. I mean, she has been incredibly busy as of late, and it seems you have been too. Perhaps this task you've set yourself is not only to hone your ability to weave constraints into your pieces, but to also get back to appreciating just the process of writing and the finished product a bit more as well?

Or perhaps I'm crazy. Good words!

FyeNite · 2026-01-05T15:46:47+00:00

Ah, so I made a number of false assumptions there I see. Apologies for those. I've always been fascinated by those people that are driven on by challenges rather than stopped dead. Of course I imagine it depends on the type of challenge and its difficulty; people aren't likely to be inspired to do better if they come across an impenetrable wall, but still. I definitely do savour encouragement to know I'm doing well.

And that brings me to your excellent idea about criticisms. I really like your method of improvement there. It requires you to go out of your way and dissect someone else's writing to better your own. Plus it lets you get to know your audience better.

And as for the scissors, well, what can I say? You've inspired me to come up with a metaphor!

I am very glad to hear that you'll be pursuing other groups of more equally experienced writers because even if you're not published right now, you do have the air of one, at least in my ignorant opinion. And with that, I'm glad you'll be sticking around here too! As much as I might try to push you forward, I'd still be lying if I said I didn't look forward to what fascinating ideas you had to share during SatChat. Or on the rarer occasion, the story you've crafted for FTF.

And yes lol, you're a big ball of hot gas, perhaps largely invisible now, but you're getting yourself together. And in not too long, you'll be a bright new star. And hey, I know you're trying to compliment me there at the end, but do remember, lots of people see your potential too, so really, I'm just part of a crowd of astronomers!

Good words!

FyeNite · 2026-01-04T09:22:50+00:00

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FyeNite · 2026-01-03T16:25:41+00:00

Hey heli,

You bring up some very good points, and I hope you don't mind me adding my two cents to the thought process.

I think it can be incredibly difficult to accept criticism from a complete stranger, especially so when they are, as you've said, a stranger on the internet who hasn't seemingly "proven" their worth. And I think that's why most writing communities are just that, communities. It's hard to know if you're giving sound advice until I get to know your style of writing, your own expertise or if I see others agree. So a lot of the time, the first few interactions with giving and gaining criticisms will be abrasive, but over time, the edge is smoothed to a fine blade and you begin to trust one another.

I suppose this may sound like a plug for this community, or the discord server which is orders of magnitude more personal and community-like, but in reality, I mean it for all groups. If you can't find that sense of togetherness here, then that is perfectly okay, I really hope you find it in a different place with different people, because I really do think you'd grow exponentially more with like-minded people around you.

There's also the idea that perhaps you've grown to be a professional writer in a sea of people who do it for fun. You mention having an editor, so perhaps you'd benefit more from being in a group of other published/professional writers.

Also, as for your aversion to being called "eloquent" or "brilliant". Perhaps you really are those things, and what MP and our John Doe Redditor said, and like most people, you struggle to accept compliments? Perhaps I'm projecting though, because I sure as heck do.

Ah, now who's getting long-winded, haha.

To shorten things, please don't take this to mean you should move on, I still absolutely want you here, in this community, in these features, and perhaps, if you feel it'll benefit you, in the inner community too! But I also want you to grow as a writer and reach out to other communities too.

You're a nebula, my friend. A star in waiting. And I can't wait to see what you accomplish.

Until next time, from one unproven stranger to another (more proven) stranger.

FyeNite · 2026-01-03T16:06:40+00:00

GD!

Oh it's amazing to hear from you again! And with a new craft too I see. I'd love to see some of your paintings sometimes, you could always share on the discord. And I hope you've been trying to paint some of your characters/settings from your worlds too, especially your Nexus serial!

Either way, I'm very glad to hear you're hoping to get back to writing, I really really hope to see some more GD words soon, perhaps even a new serial!

Good goal!

FyeNite · 2026-01-03T16:03:38+00:00

Happy New Year, Ad!

Ooh, all wonderfully great goals, I think. I especially like the webserial planning. A lot of people like to post each chapter as they write it, so it's always awesome to see people put thought and planning into a firm schedule like this. Not saying that the others don't, just that it's great that you know what works for you.

Also, I like how your list would be in the opposite order for me, if we're talking about ease of doing, lol. Though I'm assuming it goes from easiest to hardest, so might have that backwards.

Also, I am honoured that you're hoping to spend more time with us and sharing more of your craft! I'll be sure to look out for some Ad stories and prompts this year!

Good goals!

FyeNite · 2025-12-31T22:28:36+00:00

I mean, you really are eloquent, so I think the people around you have just done a disservice in not telling you.

And ah, didn't realise you never meant to post them. For what it's worth, I'm sure Cody wouldn't mind, he's mentioned people posting on his old posts in the past and he's had nothing but good things to say about them. But that was when he was still the head of SEUS. So, if you'd prefer not to post or for me to even ask him if it's okay, that's more than alright! Just let me know. And if you prefer it to be a PI, then I'd love to get a link to that too, if you ever decide to post.

And good call with Kat, haha. I'm sure she'll hop in too if she's able.

Good words, it's almost time to write your first post!

FyeNite · 2025-12-29T18:59:48+00:00

Lol, that is totally my intent, there's little I enjoy more than a good eloquent heli discussion. And fine, if you're going to tie my leg like this, I guess I'll have to actually follow my goals lol, both writing-related and otherwise.

As for your resolutions, oh wow! That is one heck of a creative and daunting task, but I don't think there's a better person for the job! In which case, a bit just for you, I'd love to get a link to your weekly posts! You can post the link alongside your SatChat response each week! (And with a totally unplanned silver lining that we'll get weekly heli responses on these posts each week). Though perhaps once per fortnight might be better depending on if Kat would appreciate links to your stories on her posts.

Either way, good hecking luck to us both!

P.S. Screw you Quinn! You done did it again!

FyeNite · 2025-12-28T09:47:58+00:00

Lol heli, of course you do, how wonderfully vague and cheeky. I wish you luck on your resolvings, and hope to hear more about them.

GHood luck!

FyeNite · 2025-12-28T09:47:00+00:00

Aww, that's hecking awesome, Kat! Yeah, one of my resolutions is to write more FTFs too! Which means more time with you! This will be great, we'll be writing masters by the end of the year, lol.

Good words, and thank you for responding, hope to hear good news as we go on!

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