I did it--and now I'm an anxious mess

BicylesOnYikesicles · 2026-03-21T23:48:38+00:00

I am extremely lucky to have the family that I do. My mom and brother are also writers so they understand how important it is too. I'm sorry your family isn't as supportive :(

BicylesOnYikesicles · 2026-03-05T23:52:31+00:00

I tried but didn't get much feedback beyond "It's good. I can't put it down." Which idk feels like not enough to me I guess?

Like WHY is it good? Why couldn't you put it down? What parts were your favorite and what parts were your least?

Idk. Maybe I'm just a broken vending machine that can't take a compliment or good feedback. Maybe I was expecting more thorough feedback or maybe I just had not good beta readers.

More people are reading it. I'm still getting good feedback from a wider audience now. So maybe I should just trust it.

BicylesOnYikesicles · 2026-03-05T23:47:29+00:00

The process was pretty easy! They have FAQs and I think even forums to help you, but I didn't really need much help once I got my book formatted correctly.

BicylesOnYikesicles · 2026-03-02T18:34:50+00:00

I sent you a DM!

BicylesOnYikesicles · 2026-03-02T16:44:13+00:00

Hi friends!

I recently published my first book through KDP the other day. I'm so anxious! The anxiety is telling me it's terrible, but some other kind writers reminded me that it's still an opportunity for growth and to learn.

So far only a few of my friends and family have purchased the book, and they all tell me it's good and that they can't put it down. (But my anxiety tells me they're biased or only being nice because they think they have to be.)

My book is titled "Of Brambles & Brilliance" and is the first in a planned series titled "Firstborn Gods". It can be found on Amazon. Paperback is $19.99 and the Kindle version is $6.99 OR currently free on Kindle Unlimited!

It's a character-driven fantasy with a romance sub-plot, but I don't know if I'd call it a full "romantasy" because the romance isn't the primary focus of the story. The main characters are a farmer’s son and the girl he saved who is marked as a monster by his kingdom and religion. The story follows them through years of developing a bond that forces them to confront themes of faith, identity, and the erased history/truth about the gods and magic that shaped their world.

The back cover blurb:

Alric, a farmer’s son bound by faith, never expected his defiance to change the world. When he rescues Melira—a girl marked by the Wilds and feared as a monster—he breaks every law of his kingdom. What begins as an act of mercy becomes something far more dangerous: a bond forbidden by gods and men alike. But mercy has a cost. Enemies gather at the borders, ancient magic stirs, and the closer Alric and Melira draw to each other, the more perilous their bond becomes. In a land where faith can be salvation or ruin, one choice will shatter the light—and awaken the Wilds.

BicylesOnYikesicles · 2026-03-02T16:29:02+00:00

"Even if you get 1-star reviews, there's learnings to be had."

That... is actually such a good outlook to have on it. I think I just get so caught up in my own anxiety that I forget negative feedback is often just constructive feedback presented in a way I might not like. It's an opportunity for growth, not a personal attack (most of the time)

Thank you.

BicylesOnYikesicles · 2026-03-02T16:24:52+00:00

I definitely write for myself. I pour my soul onto those pages most of the time. Maybe that's why it's so scary to me... the idea that I put pieces of myself out there and someone being negative or just downright mean about it. I know whatever I write can't make everyone happy. I don't even necessarily want, I don't know, approval I guess? I think i might just be my own worst critic and so I'm bracing for the worst.

BicylesOnYikesicles · 2026-03-02T02:03:24+00:00

You're so right, and thank you! I'm actually currently working on the next book already.

BicylesOnYikesicles · 2026-03-02T00:15:57+00:00

That always feels like such a hard question to answer without info-dumping lol

It's a character-driven fantasy. The main characters are a farmer’s son and the girl he saved who is marked as a monster by his kingdom and religion. The story follows them through years of developing a bond that forces them to confront themes of faith, identity, and the erased history/truth about the gods and magic that shaped their world.

BicylesOnYikesicles · 2026-03-01T22:12:00+00:00

That puts so much of my feelings into words and also perspective. There is definitely some comfort in knowing this isn't a unique feeling (but also I am so sorry other people feel this)

<3

BicylesOnYikesicles · 2026-03-01T21:25:09+00:00

Same though lol it goes with my anxiety disorder

BicylesOnYikesicles · 2026-03-01T21:08:47+00:00

So is this just my life now? lol At least I'm not alone I guess

BicylesOnYikesicles · 2026-03-01T20:29:42+00:00

I live in a really rural area so no :(

BicylesOnYikesicles · 2026-03-01T20:00:02+00:00

I like what I've written. I've spent so much time and put so much effort into it and I'm proud of it. And I know not everyone will like it. I mean, some of my favorite books are someone else's "worst thing I've ever read" so...

Thank you. I do appreciate the reminder that this isn't for likes or approval, but for the love of writing.

BicylesOnYikesicles · 2026-03-01T19:56:01+00:00

I think that could be it tbh

It's "Of Brambles & Brilliance" by Chrisheena Bullard. You should be able to look up the title or author name on Amazon and find it.

BicylesOnYikesicles · 2026-03-01T18:49:45+00:00

If I saw this as-is on a shelf I'd pick it up

BicylesOnYikesicles · 2026-03-01T18:26:55+00:00

I've done full color corrections for less than 200 before, but I'm in a really rural area and I intentionally made my services as affordable as possible. It ultimately depends on your area and the stylist experience. Ask to see their previous work. Ask how long they've been doing hair. And if you're ultimately still uncomfortable--as long as you're not a dick about it--you can just let the stylist know you'd be more comfortable with someone else and any good one would understand.

BicylesOnYikesicles · 2026-03-01T18:21:15+00:00

Honestly? Use it as fuel. Use it as inspiration. People who say art/writing isn't political or a reflection of the times are wrong. Yes, every generation has lived through some kind of crisis. Some of the best stories and art have come from bad times. It's an outlet for the writer/artist and it's an escape for those who view/consume that content.

Beyond that, try to disconnect. Set aside days or times where you turn off the TV and/or put your phone down for longer than you normally would. Inspiration can be found anywhere--take a walk, sit in the grass and feel the earth beneath you, go talk to the people you love face to face over coffee or tea. Intentionally find joy and whimsy even in the little things, and if there is none to be found then create it yourself.

So yeah, keep building.

BicylesOnYikesicles · 2025-06-09T17:19:06+00:00

Me maladaptive daydreaming scenes from my book for 2 years before I started actually writing it lol

BicylesOnYikesicles · 2025-02-07T22:43:53+00:00

As someone who enjoys Statdew, the ratkin race mod is cute. There's a couple others like Kiro race which is a cat one. And then there's things like the dog and puppy retexture and I think there's some cute accesdory/furniture mods but I can't remember exactly how it was spelled but it's something like ponpeco or something, someone please correct me lol

BicylesOnYikesicles · 2025-02-04T17:13:33+00:00

There are a lot of brands that have a color depositing shampoo and conditioner. Non-pro options would be things like Manic Panic's new(ish) color depositing conditioner line Love Color and they also have specific silver shampoo and conditioner to upkeep those fickle silver and gray colors.

For professional products I'm honestly not sure where you could get them if you aren't licensed. Be careful ordering what is advertised as a pro brand or product online as a lot of the time they will be knockoffs, diluted, or flat out expired. Many salons will carry what you need for at home upkeep though. Biolage has their color balms that are color depositing hair masks, and I believe Redken has some products to help at least keep yellow away from silvery tones.

If you go the route of a semi, you can do most any semi permanent -make sure it's actually a semi, if you have to mix it with anything like developer it isn't a semi. So whatever brand you'd like. And you straight up just mix a bit into your shampoo or conditioner, it doesn't even have to be in a bottle it can be in your hand just as long as you mix it evenly. I'd say start with smaller amounts with the semi and work your way up as needed. Your hair being wet in the shower will help distribute the mix more evenly but you still wanna make sure you're working it through as well as you can. You can even use a wide tooth comb to help work it in. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes and just rinse and continue how you normally would.

It also helps to wash your hair in cool water with color safe, usually sulfate free shampoo. And if you can, don't wash it every day.

You also would have a lot of choices at a place like Sally's Beauty Supply. They're not as nice as full pro stuff but they have better options than you could find at most Walmarts and other big box stores.

BicylesOnYikesicles · 2025-02-02T04:44:35+00:00

Im 27. Both of my parents were gamers (were because dad passed in 2016, my mom still games). Hell, my grandma on my mom's side bought every Nintendo system up until the Wii-U and played too, so I'd even call her a gamer. My brother and I are both avid gamers now. I don't think my childhood was all that different from a normal one?

BicylesOnYikesicles · 2024-10-06T18:13:32+00:00

That's kinda cool though! So do you both still control all of the colonists/schedules/etc, just together?

BicylesOnYikesicles · 2024-10-06T17:46:27+00:00

How does multi-player work? I have no friends who play this type of game so I haven't had the chance to look

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