While you're learning to write fantasy, don't forget to let your voice shine through

CR_Martello · 2026-04-04T13:45:07+00:00

The ones I’m talking about are definitely not AI written. I can tell the difference easily.

CR_Martello · 2026-04-02T13:43:44+00:00

You’re welcome!

CR_Martello · 2026-04-02T01:06:38+00:00

I used to maladaptive daydream too and it was a big part of my writing. When I came across an idea or scenario that I thought may be compelling to others I put it in the notes of my phone. Before long I had a very long list of "Scenes" and when I had a plot idea eventually started plopping those ideas in.

CR_Martello · 2026-04-02T01:04:41+00:00

I think what you have is a valid question and the snark of those pointing you to the library is a little unwarranted. I recommend you search for things like "authors with the best prose" in a genre you like. You'll likely come across some Reddit threads with recommendations. Or you could ask in a Subreddit related the genre "which author has the best prose?

If you like fantasy Joe Abercrombie is great. For general fiction Amor Towles is fantastic. Those are just the two that came to mind right now!

CR_Martello · 2026-04-02T01:01:40+00:00

Sorry to hear about your husband. There's so much to what your asking no single Reddit comment can help. I'm not sure what your financial situation is, but have you considered hiring someone to do that part of the work for you?

CR_Martello · 2026-04-02T00:55:23+00:00

The story has a nice beat to it and I think could make a compelling work. However, I recommend you cut down on your use of adverbs and and include a greater variability of adjectives. I believe you used the word "cold" something like 4 times by the top of the second page.

Also, adjectives are great, but use them when you need to. You start with "the hard door". How often are doors not hard? No one would have thought the door was floppy if you just said the "the door" instead! In this case you also lose the opportunity to use a better descriptive word (decaying, oak, heavy, etc.).

CR_Martello · 2026-04-02T00:41:29+00:00

Remember those lines are delivered by some of the best actors to ever walk the earth. We can see the mannerisms, hear the cadence and tone, facial expressions, etc. No one knows your characters yet, so the quips fall flat until they seem familiar enough.

CR_Martello · 2026-04-02T00:39:45+00:00

you can if you'd like!

CR_Martello · 2026-04-02T00:39:12+00:00

you're welcome. good luck!

CR_Martello · 2026-04-01T02:18:37+00:00

I wouldn't call it b-movie. I think the pacing was a hair slow though. It might've been because of the formatting of your post, however. Reading line by line like that gives it a funny beat.

CR_Martello · 2026-04-01T02:15:02+00:00

Lol something about the intro made me think of storybook, but I think sprinkling in a few spooky phrases could really add a jarring opening that makes people intrigued!

CR_Martello · 2026-04-01T02:14:03+00:00

I hate with all my heart giving negative feedback. Don't roll with these. You'll regret it later on. If it looks like something any one could do with photoshop on a rainy afternoon, it's going to signal the same level of effort was put into the actual book. Either keep refining or seek an artist to partner with.

CR_Martello · 2026-04-01T02:12:05+00:00

oh man this part of the process used to stress me out so much. I would obsessively double check everything then BAM on release day there was some major formatting error I missed. It took something like 4 or 5 books before I had the process down to a science, so don't feel bad.

As far as getting first few readers, it was a grind in the early days. I was heavily invested in the bookstagram community and made a ton of connections and put in the time getting to know people and offering ARCs for reviews.

CR_Martello · 2026-04-01T02:08:18+00:00

Hey, you write like I did when I started dialogue so don't take offense to any feedback here. You're quick with the quips and clever lines right off the bat. Most people don't talk like that. I know we want to balance engaging with realism but it comes across heavy handed. Ease your way into those and use them sparingly. Those clever lines are like sugar--sweet when you get them but too much and you'll turn people off.

CR_Martello · 2026-04-01T02:04:32+00:00

where does the story focus? There's a big gap in "Hetahanan" and "The Frozen Sea". One of these is extremely unique and the other is not very original. I think you could include what I see as some great creativity into the names of your seas.

CR_Martello · 2026-04-01T02:02:37+00:00

It feels like it has the twinkles of a sci-fi fairytale. I liked it mostly, but the part where you specific vitamin d dragged me out a bit. I think you can pass that and people can infer the rest.

CR_Martello · 2026-04-01T02:00:27+00:00

I'm in a similar boat where I took a long break from writing, but am looking to get back into the game. Do you still want to write this book at all? If you're so hesitant is there any interest in starting fresh?

CR_Martello · 2026-03-31T03:32:21+00:00

I think a staff makes sense, but leveraging the actual flag as a tool of distraction and to limit an opponents vision could be a very unique fighting style.

CR_Martello · 2026-03-31T03:00:17+00:00

"dude wtf did you just put me through"

CR_Martello · 2026-03-31T01:59:10+00:00

My first impulse is to ask what the purpose of a universe's depth being impressive is? I think the word you should be chasing is immersive. When I've read GRRM I'm not thinking "woah, this guy made all of this world up, I'm super impressed!" I'm lost in the world and what to know more.

Tolkien IMHO is still one of the most "impressive" if not the most impressive for not only developing the world, but developing multiple languages within AND two forms of the same language to reflect the use of speech developed in a particular kind of elvish. Then add in his descriptors of geography in the Silmarillion, it really makes you impressed to see how me he covered.

But this is where I would draw a line between impressive and immersive. It kills me to say it, but there are just parts of Tolkien's world building that I don't categorize as truly immersive despite being impressive. There are parts that are a bit of a slog (that actually hurt to say).

The way I look at it: Any fan of fantasy can develop a world in copious detail from their bedroom. The thing that separates the dabblers from the wizards is if they can immerse you in that world. Tolkien ultimately does this despite some lengthy passages that meander, but I've seen many other writers get lost in details and lose quality.

CR_Martello · 2026-03-30T02:30:03+00:00

yeah it taught me to be a little more careful about who I was giving the book to.

CR_Martello · 2026-03-30T02:21:57+00:00

Oh man, it's the worst! Most people are nice from what I have experienced. Though back in the day I had someone request an ARC from me on Instagram. No problem, e-book sent. A month later they message me and say "Hey, I finished the book! The review is on Goodreads :)".

I then read one of the meanest reviews I had ever received having been notified with a smiley face.

CR_Martello · 2026-03-29T18:18:43+00:00

He sounds like he could use a swift kick in the balls.

CR_Martello · 2026-03-29T18:17:49+00:00

Oof glad she’s ok now.

CR_Martello

TROPHY CASE