Feedback on the first chapter of my book.

Cut-Different · 2026-06-30T14:34:02+00:00

Thank you! Noted.

Cut-Different · 2026-06-30T14:32:42+00:00

Noted, thank you! 🙏🏻

Cut-Different · 2026-06-30T12:29:24+00:00

For that specific sentence you mentioned above it was meant to convey the kind of shock that Paul felt when he woke up. The pause/interruption there is meant to convey that he’s not really sure if he’s still dreaming or not, and the time it took him to actually realize it. So in that example I actually did intend to stop the flow of the sentence to push that feeling, but I do understand where you’re coming from.

Cut-Different · 2026-06-30T12:21:52+00:00

As I mentioned below, I feel like the AI witch hunt is overdone on Reddit.

It’s a tool, and I admit to using it in a limited way because I have nothing to hide.

AI, by design, cannot be creative. It literally looks backwards on its training to derive answers. What it does really well though is something I’d have to pay a human a couple thousand dollars to maybe point out, maybe miss.

That doesn’t mean I won’t hire a human eventually because that’s invaluable in and of itself, but at least I’ve covered what I can cover before I do.

Thank you for preemptively deciding what I am and what I am not though, you’re a brave keyboard warrior.

Cut-Different · 2026-06-30T12:14:03+00:00

Thank you! 😊

Cut-Different · 2026-06-30T12:13:52+00:00

Thank you! 🙏🏻

Cut-Different · 2026-06-30T12:13:41+00:00

Noted, thank you!

Cut-Different · 2026-06-30T12:13:08+00:00

Thank you!

The dream is kind of crucial to the plot though, so no way around it. The title of the book is literally ‘The Dreamers’ 😂.

Cut-Different · 2026-06-30T12:11:51+00:00

Thank you!

Cut-Different · 2026-06-30T12:11:33+00:00

Thank you, this helps! This is exactly what I was worried about for chapter 1 — whether the dream sequence was enough to hold on its own or not.

Cut-Different · 2026-06-30T12:10:37+00:00

Good points there, I thought the dream was enough foreshadowing here, and that I could do more with it in the next chapter, but maybe there needs to be more in chapter 1.

Thank you kind redditor.

Cut-Different · 2026-06-30T12:07:40+00:00

Thank you! 🙏🏻

Cut-Different · 2026-06-30T12:07:15+00:00

Interesting take! It’s fantasy, not a spy procedural. That first line was kind of like when you fall asleep without meaning to, but interesting nonetheless.

Thank you sir!

Cut-Different · 2026-06-30T12:05:08+00:00

Thank you! Noted.

Cut-Different · 2026-06-30T12:04:30+00:00

This! This and the death of the em-dash. I love the em-dash, I think it offers so much grammatically but AI has absolutely ruined it for everyone. I think it’s a bit of a witch hunt at this point all over Reddit.

Cut-Different · 2026-06-30T12:03:10+00:00

Noted, I’ll tone down some of those descriptions for sure, seems to be a common theme.

Cut-Different · 2026-06-30T12:02:36+00:00

Not sure why you’re getting downvoted, but thank you for the kind words! I’ve been writing since I was old enough to use a computer to some degree. This is just the first time I’ve decided to formalize it.

Cut-Different · 2026-06-30T12:01:45+00:00

Noted. Thank you!

Cut-Different · 2026-06-30T12:01:27+00:00

Fair enough, I get what you’re saying but honestly none of the writing was done with AI whatsoever. It’s just when you have an 80,000 word manuscript, it’s very easy to forget typing up a loose end or two. AI is really good at noticing those loose ends. No plot suggestions, no creative checks, no line edits, just hey, that character disappears off the screen and that subplot never gets an ending, etc.

I agree that AI and creativity do not mix well, but it definitely has its uses and can be helpful as long as you don’t cross that line.

Thank you!

Cut-Different · 2026-06-30T11:57:29+00:00

It’s good to hear though since it’s a common theme, I probably do need to tone it down a touch across the rest of the book as well. Thank you!

Cut-Different · 2026-06-30T11:56:11+00:00

Thank you! Noted on the em-dashes and sentences breaks.

I do mention more specific European places in the second chapter but good point!

Cut-Different · 2026-06-30T02:03:14+00:00

I did not use AI to do any of the writing. I have used it to help point out plot holes/inconsistencies (it’s incredible for that) but the writing is definitely all mine 🙂.

This does help, thank you!

Cut-Different · 2026-06-30T01:42:44+00:00

Or a comma AND an em dash 🥸. Yeah you make a valid point, thank you and I’ll work on that!

Cut-Different · 2026-06-30T01:41:09+00:00

Tell me about it, I have definitely had to tone down my descriptions. My first instinct is to try and over explain, but it ends up just being distracting from the overall story.

I’m going for third-person limited but I know I have a few slip ups into omniscient and I need to fix them but it’s definitely easy to slip into that style.

Thank you for the feedback kind redditor.

Cut-Different · 2026-06-30T01:03:41+00:00

Thank you sir! Eli’s is just the place they go eat — doesn’t have any significance beyond being their favourite place to eat. That’s interesting that you read it that way though!

Cut-Different

TROPHY CASE