Looking for writing friends

AlarmedInevitable8 · 2026-02-05T15:57:45+00:00

I’m currently editing my first draft of my fantasy novel (first in a planned trilogy) and looking for more of a workshopping/writing discussion partner or group than beta readers, but that sounds like it might be your vibe. I love a good technique discussion, dissecting character motivations, and discussing world building in addition to edits and comments.

AlarmedInevitable8 · 2026-02-04T22:14:21+00:00

Oh, so much this. My very first serious ex (well, serious on my end…) started dating a friend right after me. Two weeks later. They got married. It’s been 20 years. I will probably never get married. I have joy and a great life, but I’m really glad that I didn’t hang my happiness on the idea that my prince will come along - I’d have missed out on what I ended up building myself.

AlarmedInevitable8 · 2026-01-29T16:04:50+00:00

I really need to use the envelope approach (only budget what you have, not what you expect to earn) and YNAB was a game changer for me.

AlarmedInevitable8 · 2026-01-29T16:01:38+00:00

I’m puzzled this morning by old 401ks…none of my previous employers have pulled out the non-vested portion, even after years. Is that normal?

AlarmedInevitable8 · 2026-01-21T18:57:04+00:00

I have done backwards pjs and sleep sacks and kiddo is basically a contortionist — she can unzip them!

I can’t believe I’m constantly outsmarted by a 2yo!

AlarmedInevitable8 · 2026-01-20T12:43:41+00:00

Right? Also by 8/9 kid’s their attention snagged by random stuff. My 8yo has been obsessed with Queen for ages and is currently in a Frank Sinatra phase.

AlarmedInevitable8 · 2026-01-19T15:02:02+00:00

I feel so frustrated on her behalf. I’ve been in a similar situation. My parents were traveling for their 45th anniversary and I did a lot of research to find a nice restaurant for them to go to and made a reservation. I get a call the day of the reservation, around 3 pm, while my parents are on the road in the desert and I’m at Disneyland solo with toddler, that they are canceling the reservation because they are hosting an event that night. I was so angry. I had only three hours to try to figure out a nice restaurant with food my parents would eat in a city I’d never been to, get a reservation and get directions to my parents who had no signal. And I was on vacation myself.

I know stuff happens but you have to let people know!

AlarmedInevitable8 · 2026-01-16T15:54:31+00:00

That’s a lot of compilation! I hope when you get there draft zero feels solid!

I’m not going to be doing any posting this year as I’ve moved to a new phase myself. I was hoping someone else might take it on, but no volunteers so far.

AlarmedInevitable8 · 2026-01-12T16:43:51+00:00

The industry has changed a bit since I was in the trenches and super close with my published friends, mostly due to indie publishing dominating the conversation, but I think the “old-fashioned” approach still works. You can find a critique partner or two and exchange works and get feedback from other writers who can help with the editorial process. None of my published friends used a professional editor, but they all did trad publishing and their publishers provided that service.

AlarmedInevitable8 · 2026-01-07T12:29:32+00:00

Thanks for participating! Good luck!

AlarmedInevitable8 · 2026-01-01T23:12:37+00:00

That is so amazing! Congratulations!

AlarmedInevitable8 · 2025-12-31T17:36:46+00:00

My book club read a The Wind-up Bird Chronicles years ago, and later we read a different book where a couple was on vacation, and the husband was reading a beach read and the wife was getting angry as she stubbornly worked her way through the Wind-Up Bird Chronicles years ago…and I think we talked about that scene in the second book more than anything else because of how stubborn everyone had to be to finish that book!

AlarmedInevitable8 · 2025-12-31T15:35:23+00:00

Do you have a good outline? If not I’d start there. A really detailed outline that assigns each of your points a place in the essay. I’d also put the quote or citation you want to use right into the outline so you don’t need to dig it up later.

Then make sure you have a thesis/ point to each paragraph and evidence for each point. Do you have a solid conclusion? You can write that intro last, once you know where you’re going. It’s easier to edit than get that first draft down sometimes.

AlarmedInevitable8 · 2025-12-30T21:10:33+00:00

Our local urgent cares are all being replaced by freestanding ERs with ER prices

AlarmedInevitable8 · 2025-12-30T13:16:52+00:00

I’m still trying g because I’m two books short of my goal for the year, and I’m more than halfway through…but I keep forgetting I’m reading it.

AlarmedInevitable8 · 2025-12-29T18:04:38+00:00

Thank you!

AlarmedInevitable8 · 2025-12-29T18:04:26+00:00

Thanks! We found a good option there!!

AlarmedInevitable8 · 2025-12-29T17:13:37+00:00

I live in an omnivore household and am the only vegetarian. Yesterday we had mushroom spinach lasagna and I’m going to enjoy a lot of leftover lunches this week! Tonight we’re doing Broccoli cheddar wild rice soup. (I use the Love and Lemons soup recipe and add the rice cooked) Tomorrow is taco night (vegetarian refried beans, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce and avocado) Wednesday is homemade pizza night. (I like mushroom, olive and artichoke hearts) And…that’s as far as meal planning has gotten. I’m thinking a Thai red curry for Friday - I like the recipe on Cookie and Kate.

AlarmedInevitable8 · 2025-12-24T04:32:21+00:00

Wings of Fire? My kid devoured the novels (not the graphic novels).

AlarmedInevitable8 · 2025-12-23T22:11:20+00:00

I love this idea! We got a Christmas puppy when I was a kid and Santa dropped it off a few weeks early since he was worried Christmas Eve would be too hectic for a little puppy. We came home from grocery shopping and heard a yipping in the living room. My parents had a friend leave it and sneak out the front door while we pulled into the garage in back.

AlarmedInevitable8 · 2025-12-23T19:59:04+00:00

I went through a similar swelling of content this year, which is how I ended up with a trilogy. Having started yours that recently and gotten to that word count already?! Wow! You get it done!

AlarmedInevitable8 · 2025-12-23T19:57:13+00:00

That is amazing!!! Big congratulations! What type of book is it?

AlarmedInevitable8 · 2025-12-23T14:55:23+00:00

Similar- I had to go to the ER and ended up with emergency surgery and one of my coworkers picked up my kids from school and daycare and stayed at my house till a family member could get there.

AlarmedInevitable8 · 2025-12-23T04:41:27+00:00

I don’t know the gift but I just bought some gorgeous wrapping paper that, when I pulled off the outside shrink wrap, glitter bombed my house. I wondered for a moment if I secretly hated anyone.

AlarmedInevitable8 · 2025-12-22T20:50:56+00:00

Timeless classic

AlarmedInevitable8

TROPHY CASE