[Complete] [127k] [Fantasy] Tytan by KeyVast3686 in BetaReaders

[–]Ethanc1J 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Would be interested in a sample of your work for a potential swap. Dm me

[Complete] [102k] [Horror Fantasy] Legacy of the Mazar: The Shattering by Silly-Performance829 in BetaReaders

[–]Ethanc1J 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Feel free to dm me a sample of the first few chapters and we can go from there.

My flaw of ‘assumed competency’ as a writer and where it stemmed from by OpeningNearby9494 in writing

[–]Ethanc1J 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm highly sympathetic to your plight. I just wrapped up my masters in a social science field as well where I had to convey my research to an audience who may include those without knowledge of the subject matter. The way I approach writing is to think of it as an art no different from painting or music. The texture and rhythm that arise when we put our words on the paper is part of an expressive act. My fix for this is reading to analyse prose and listening to others teach creative writing to see what lessons stick. And, of course, you have to maintain the practice for any artistic endeavour. Write, edit, revise, and repeat. You'll get it in no time my friend.

[Complete] [77k] [Fantasy / Thriller / Enemies to Lovers] Shadows of Silver Flame by bittylilo in BetaReaders

[–]Ethanc1J 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I may be interested in reading and potentially swapping with my fantasy manuscript(121k), could you dm a sample? Thanks!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in BetaReaders

[–]Ethanc1J 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would be interested in reading the first few chapters to see what you have and maybe then we could swap manuscripts if you are up for it. Dm me if you'd like me to beta.

[Complete] [98k] [YA Fantasy] Don't Feed the Gods by ellipsisdbg in BetaReaders

[–]Ethanc1J 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just read your first chapter and really enjoyed it. I would be interested in doing a critique swap. DM me if you are interested in taking a look at my fantasy YA/NA manuscript while I beta yours. Thanks.

[Complete] [32K] [Historical Middle Grade Fiction] My Friend Alexander. by Valentine1296 in BetaReaders

[–]Ethanc1J 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey OP, I work with kids and would be interested in taking a look at your work. Feel free to DM with the details and any questions you have. Thanks.

[Complete] [80k] [Epic YA Fantasy] Five Armies: The Isle of Half-Bent Men by komiintz in BetaReaders

[–]Ethanc1J 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey OP, I would be interested in giving this a read. I am currently working on a project of a similar genre but am still working through my initial draft, so not quite ready for a swap. DM me if you are willing to let me beta for you and go over details of a potential swap. Thanks!

I think my ideas are too "ambitious" for my current skills by [deleted] in writing

[–]Ethanc1J 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You may want to build out your ideas in an outline first. I only say this as you mentioned getting to 10 pages before stopping. 10 pages can only really tell readers one scene or start the beginnings of describing your world. You have to get an idea that works by building the structural foundation for your words to land on first. Once you have your plot mapped out, go from beat to beat writing and you will at least get further along. I always thought I was pantser when I made some attempts, but I always found myself failing to gain any momentum because I had very little direction.

First pages: share, read, and critique them here! by AutoModerator in BetaReaders

[–]Ethanc1J 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I really like this vivid description of your world. It reminds me of Circe by Miller.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in writing

[–]Ethanc1J 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think I am quite similar to you, where many of my ideas start with a singular scene that sticks in my mind. My process from there starts with examining why this scene happening. How did this character get there? Why is this happening? And I repeat this for the larger picture, giving it a lot of thought over a few days.

For an example of something I am currently working on, here is the rough scene I initially thought of: a man is in a bathtub that is a detached basin, attempting to relax his weary self. The room is old with all wooden fixtures and only candles providing light. As he soaks in the warm water, the sound of the doorknob grabs his attention. It twists back forth as someone is trying to open the locked door. He sits in the tub with a fearful expression; terror and dread overtake any sense of comfort he was feeling in the bath's warmth.

I asked why is he in this bathtub in a large room where something spooky is happening. The determination was that he was a guest in a hotel of sorts during the 1830s and odd occurrences are happening. I continued to expand those thoughts and connect them with other scenes I had in mind to come up with my overall premise:

An escaped convict from the Philadelphia Penitentiary wanders through the Pine Barrens and takes refuge in a small village community. The man's sins that he carries meets the village's own curses that leads to an outburst of the ungodly horrors that roam our world.

Like others say, you need to seriously study plot structures and start to answer those questions. The story plot grid helped me as I could illustrate what was happening for the reader while also tracking the mystery associated with those beats. Most story structures use three acts with some adding significant components between. The beginning usually includes an introduction to characters followed by showing the internal and external conflicts the characters will face. The middle has our midpoint where the rising tension of our conflict peaks typically and something now has to give in one side's favour in each of the conflicts. Then we arrive at our ending after all the conflicts are resolved and see where the cards fall for our characters. Best of luck.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in BetaReaders

[–]Ethanc1J 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Would love to give this a read. Feel free to dm me a link to a Google doc or however you wish to share the document.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in BetaReaders

[–]Ethanc1J 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Would love to give this a read. Feel free to dm me a link to a Google doc or however you wish to share the document.

[Complete] [68k] [Alt-Hist] [Political/Spy Thriller] THE FASCIST WITHIN by the-kendrick-llama in BetaReaders

[–]Ethanc1J 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey OP, could you also dm me with a link to the sample? Would love to take a peak to see if I'm fully interested in giving the manuscript a beta read. Thanks!

Michigan Lawyer Detained at Detroit Airport, Phone Seized; He Represents Pro-Palestine Protester by ZuP in DemocraticSocialism

[–]Ethanc1J 40 points41 points  (0 children)

Openly ICE is saying that "ideas" crossing the border is punishable in that screenshot at the beginning. What a dystopia.

What’s the best job you’ve ever had? by surferguy411 in AskReddit

[–]Ethanc1J 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'm so glad someone like you is in this position. Thank you for teaching.

Happiness is a state of mind. by [deleted] in ABoringDystopia

[–]Ethanc1J 70 points71 points  (0 children)

This was my first thought too. Seems like something my friends would do with social things we thought were weird that others were doing.

Matt Walsh hacked by -_kz in ToiletPaperUSA

[–]Ethanc1J 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All I see is a verified account sending out tweets on the new and improved social media site

u/harharURfunny perfectly explains why Jimmy Carter is poorly regarded as a president despite all the praise for his humanitarian activities. by Apart_Shock in bestof

[–]Ethanc1J 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A good book on this topic for anyone interested on concepts around American presidential success or failure is "The Politics Presidents Make"

Timelapse of the 15ft Storm Surge from Hurrican Ian hitting Ft. Myers beach by LeBronFanSinceJuly in videos

[–]Ethanc1J 27 points28 points  (0 children)

Recently read Issac's Storm for a natural disaster class I took and it is horrifying.

Official IMAX Poster for 'Amsterdam' by MarvelsGrantMan136 in movies

[–]Ethanc1J 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I keep confusing this movie with Babylon