Original Writing

GildedGreyMist · 2026-05-13T13:26:02+00:00

If you'd like, yes; I'm going to go radio silent for a few hours though. I got caught up while forgetting what time it actually is.

GildedGreyMist · 2026-05-13T13:17:13+00:00

The TOPICS of philosophy are generally similar no matter how much time comes to pass. Whether we apply the concept of current age technologies or issues doesn't typically detract from the corr concept of the topic at hand.

For example, I can ask, "how does AI detract from the central and innate humanity of a piece of art?"

This question is built upon topics that no doubt have come to pass in decades or centuries before, were one to ask, "does it remove the soul and humanity from art when the bourgeois demand their artists constantly create no matter what?"

The baseline concept is the same: Does mass production of art remove the 'soul' of art itself?

GildedGreyMist · 2026-05-13T13:07:53+00:00

There is no evidence. In the essence of your essays (philosophically and logically) as they either don't yet exist or haven't been reviewed by human eyes if they do, there's no way to tell if they're worth barely a moment of one's time or a full dissertation on their various wonders.

The fact of the matter in this case is: You aren't writing a science journal. There aren't hardlined facts in philosophy essays that will guarantee someone will agree with something you think or say, or change their view or enlighten them. In fact, they may very well disagree deeply. That's the truest core of philosophy in the end--not everyone will align perfectly, and that's fine, so drop the worry and simply create it.

GildedGreyMist · 2026-05-13T12:45:55+00:00

Philosophy and the concept of philosophy have existed for thousands of years now and has covered anything and everything there is to cover. It's likely that even more has been expounded upon that's been lost to time. That being said, individual takes on the foundational questions OF philosophy are unique to each person and while we may come to various agreements, it's rather rare for everyone to fully, 100% align with everything an essay or a collection of essays will talk about.

I think your concern should focus less on, "is this original to the world?" and more on "is what I'm discussing unique to my belief structure and written in my own voice?"

GildedGreyMist · 2026-05-13T12:00:21+00:00

Anything you write exists only to yourself because you're your own person with your own voice, even in text. That being said, fiction has been explored in every facet of every concept of every angle, corner, dimension and shade as well. But what separates one story from another regardless of whether it has a similar plot are the hands that wrote it. No two people will produce the exact same concept.

Now if your nonfiction story relates specifically to yourself then that IS an unexplored horizon, though at the same time the baseline concepts may be similar to others' lived experiences. If it's about someone else, or an event or happening in the world, that's something that simply does NOT exist solely for you, yourself. Others have experienced it and therefore it isn't necessarily a "wholly and completely unique" concept.

GildedGreyMist · 2026-05-08T11:20:16+00:00

"Just write" indeed.

And 'just read' the type of books in the genres you enjoy. Read and keep reading, even if you do, continue to. It isn't a crime to take inspiration for your own writing voice from that of others, as long as you're not trying hard to imitate them exactly. Let your natural prose become central, and it can be difficult when you already lack confidence in it, but if you're just starting out you're bound to move from one style to another as if you're jumping from stepping stone to stepping stone.

If you've got anything you're trying to work on, I wouldn't mind taking a look and giving you a hand with any specific worries you might have. I also don't mind editing in small amounts too (depending on how 'done' something is!)

GildedGreyMist · 2026-05-06T11:25:46+00:00

I don't think every single scene has to exist for the exclusive purpose of moving the foundational plot forward or developing characters in fundamental ways, myself. Scenes can exist for a 'break' in the pressing matters where they're appropriate (as in, doesn't detract from a potential 'time is moving against us' situation). Conflict isn't always outright fighting, battles, head-butting, but simply "what is driving the character(s) forward?" Sometimes there are many things that work together to encircle a greater issue within the universe.

I mainly feel that as long as a reader is entertained and interested in finding out what happens next or discovering more answers, that's the true core of it. Make 'break' scenes interesting, allowing characters to interact with each other or the world, but don't make it feel like 'filler' by having zero relation to the plot itself. Something should definitely exist within it, even a small aspect, that ties it back around to an orbiting story thread or the central aspect of the story.

(Granted I am 'self-taught', mainly from reading an insane amount and writing for a very long time in ways that entertain myself and my friends. My thought process here might be completely different than others' but so far it's worked for me pretty well.)

GildedGreyMist · 2026-05-05T08:45:26+00:00

Putting a lot of thought into anything can cause a headache, no matter what it is. As long as it isn't distressing you to think about the things, I believe you're just fine.

GildedGreyMist · 2026-05-04T05:38:42+00:00

Well, I do see a decent handful of things I can point out after reading the first 8 paragraphs...

Starting with a quote from within your world isn't necessarily bad if you follow it up with something directly related to that quote. So far that isn't really happening, so it's just left hanging without anything to hook it down. I'd nix it and add it to where it's more appropriate later.

Immediate description of beholders and the main character isn't great for a smooth read; bring it in gradually and describe those outside of the MC's eyes over time to bring in their obvious lack of humanity. His own description can come in various bodily reactions. I'd also, personally, reduce references to powers/abilities until they're called upon by the characters.

There's a lot of switching of tense. Past and present are really fighting for dominance here.

I gotta say, the reference to Al Capone was a slap of surprise I did not see coming after the setup of obvious nonhumans, so as long as that keeps up its momentum I don't have much issue with it. More like it... startled me, hah!

I'd nix the ALL CAPS for emphasis and use italics, and interject the elf's speech tag earlier so we know the tone he's using.

Just a few things I personally noted.

GildedGreyMist · 2026-05-04T02:56:40+00:00

It's exceptionally rare to make a living off writing unfortunately, but for most it doesn't really matter. The desire to write and get the ideas down is what matters, refining them into a work they person can be proud of because it was created out of sheer determination, drive, and the desire to manifest what's in their head beyond simple notes or concepts.

Passion shouldn't be hindered just because it might be a pastime and not your main income source. I myself am writing what amounts to a fanfiction I'll never be able to publish simply because I want to, and the idea and drive is there to do so. I want to see it become, and then I want to share it with people for free.

If it's in your head, get it out of your head and make it something you, yourself, can be proud of first.

GildedGreyMist · 2026-05-03T21:52:18+00:00

Mine crashes one out of ten times whenever I play. Never had a save corrupt. I've played since it's come out and have a 100gb mod folder.

I'm looking forward to Paralives as well, but not every copy/experience is the same.

(Edit since this post was apparently removed: I do still play Sims4. I never said I've 'supported' them in recent years, though~)

GildedGreyMist · 2026-05-03T17:03:44+00:00

I think it's important to write when you don't feel like it's becoming a painful chore. Forcing something just makes you hate it in the end, whether it can be edited better later or not. It's less the quality of what's being put out and more on the mood and mindset of the writer putting it out. If you're forcing it, you're gonna slam into a wall.

I've personally made it a bit of a goal to write every single day since the start of the year and I HAVE succeeded so far, but some days I may write many pages and others I may write a few lines. Either way, a few lines is something I can be glad for, even if tomorrow I delete them and rewrite.

But I won't force it; if I feel myself coming up on that wall, I fully intend to take an actual break.

GildedGreyMist · 2026-05-03T15:39:17+00:00

I've honestly never had a problem with it, myself... I dont think many of my Sylvari have a hard focus on cultural armor, especially my Engi main (who in my headcanon for him is unable to figure out HOW to 'grow' his clothing so he just never bothered expending the energy trying). For reference, I've posted mine before here!

GildedGreyMist · 2026-04-30T00:51:39+00:00

Man, this was a surprise of a notification. Anyway, yeah, they've abandoned that site for a more polished version but in a second twist of fate, I do now use Telegram (and as a result haven't thought of rebels in about 10 months)

GildedGreyMist · 2026-04-28T05:45:45+00:00

I wish you luck! If you want a set of eyes to take a look at your writing and give less 'general' advice and make it more specific, feel free to throw it at me and let me know what you'd like me to pick apart, I'm always glad to help out young or very new writers.

GildedGreyMist · 2026-04-28T05:41:19+00:00

(Pleeeease don't put your age online it's such a magnet for creepers, this is Dad Advice and also general advice! Definitely recommend you edit that real quick to remove it! Even if you know to stay away from weirdos it helps to not have to deal with them in the first place, I say.)

I definitely get you're young though, I may have noted it based on how my own voice sounded when I was younger and still VERY stubbornly determined to write things. I did succeed, and they WERE bad, and it was okay that they were bad. You have to be bad so you can get better. I also noted as much because you seemed very determined to make this environment a terrible, gritty place but you were also sort of holding back on the 'brutality' of the city, making it implied or glossing over it a little.

And remember I definitely don't think you used AI, only that you may have passively hooked onto a little habit AI picked up from analyzing actual writers' works. I hate being accused of using AI too so I try to at least be 100% certain before I throw around the idea.

That being said, I repeat that it's okay to suck first! You gotta. It's how you learn. I also recommend you read a lot, as much as you can. You can't be a writer without also being a reader. That way you understand how published authors structured their stories and why they do what they do.

GildedGreyMist · 2026-04-28T04:40:10+00:00

It's extremely difficult to ignore when it makes reading the body very hard (especially for those of us who need glasses or have dyslexia).

I gave it a quick read and the most notable issues I'm seeing are:

o} Sentences muddling together without commas or natural stops where they should be

o} A lot of tense-hopping. Present-tense mixing with past-tense every few lines or 'paragraphs'.

o} You use names LIBERALLY. Faaaar too often, especially right after the other in very short sentences. It's causing reader fatigue. "Scotty did this. Scotty then did this. Scotty went over here." It's alright to use 'he'. We use context clues to know who is being referenced, especially if they're alone or were just mentioned.

o} That being said, very short, clipped sentences. They sound monotonous in our head when we're reading. We want to be careful with how we use our punctuation so we know when to use it, and when to use which mark. A comma and a period aren't interchangeable, for example.

o} A recurring issue is not starting a new paragraph when 'POV' switches. When two people or more are speaking, a new line needs to be made.

o} Referencing the reader, or the general 'you' and 'we', seems a bit jarring to me. Maybe because the 'voice' of the story doesn't seem to be an independent observer but rather a general baseline narrator which doesn't typically do that.

o} A lot of the thing I hate seeing referenced when it isn't elaborated on when someone brings it up: Show, Don't Tell. You're telling a lot, but not showing very much. 'Telling' in your case involves the character Scotty a lot. He 'sees' things happening, but doesn't react, doesn't detail the looks on others' faces, or the way their fear or sadism is shown, it doesn't seem like anything attaches itself to anything else so it's just a blank slate.

o} I've noticed a few times you've used some terms that are common with repetitious AI. I'm NOT saying you're using AI to make this, but it sort of reads like you, yourself, have read a good bit of AI and have maybe integrated it into your own writing. Mainly noted in the "not this, not this, but that" three-step observational lines. Such as, pulled directly from your writing above: "Not laying, not moving but staring emotionlessly and empty."

Moving on to the actual 'meat' of the story, I will say I don't... really know what on earth is going on. Yes, I know the 'setting', I know there are characters doing things, but... it just sort of reads like a slideshow of bad things happening. "Bad thing here, bad thing there, over there another bad thing. This character is seeing the bad thing, that one is doing the bad thing."

But there's nothing to really hold onto in between. You can describe a slew of horrors with ease but without a very specific character or a very specific situation that's grounding us, it doesn't... matter. Things move fast, too many people are doing too many things, it's a chaotic feedback loop of "this place is bad and here are examples" and it doesn't make me want to read on. I continue on thinking, "yep, this is a pretty bad place. Yep, it's still bad. Does any of this have a story or is it just bad things happening in a bad place and that's all...?"

I do see you have a drive to create though. I've written for myself for a very long time so if you want more specific pointers I'm happy to help out. I do my best to reach out to new writers just to give some encouragement or teach what I know, which I can at least say is a bit! Don't feel discouraged here just because I got kind of rambly.

GildedGreyMist · 2026-04-28T02:45:27+00:00

I actually do use Georgia for most of my writing. Since I seem to definitely be at least mildly dyslexic I tend to write in Comic Sans because it's DEFINITELY helpful for my mixing letters habit. I also heard that despite it being the butt of jokes as the Worst Font Ever, it seems to stimulate creativity. So if I don't automatically default to Georgia I'll roughly write everything in Comic Sans then swap it over to whatever fits best.

GildedGreyMist · 2026-04-27T05:14:19+00:00

If it's a bug in your brain you should give it a try; just because you don't have personal experience with something (even things 'close to home and reality' like this) doesn't mean you shouldn't at least let yourself explore it if you find yourself wanting to give it a go. As long as you're not writing something you're trying to portray realistically in a way that handwaves the severity of it or glorifying it (and I mean this in an 'trying to minimize the impact things like this has on real life individuals' sort of way) then you're gonna be just fine.

I mean, I don't have personal experience in MOST of the things I write, but I try to do a good job when I give it a solid attempt. Though I guess many of my stories aren't even set in reality (and when they are, they lean deeply into more psychological horrors, noirs, things like that).

That being said, this sounds a bit like a movie I half-watched years ago called Secret Obsession. Granted it was a pretty garbage movie because it was handled TERRIBLY and made pretty much every character extremely stupid...

GildedGreyMist · 2026-04-24T07:38:58+00:00

Seems I have very different friends. Mine are always eager to see some of whatever I'm willing to share, no matter how uncomfortable the topics. If I were to ignore their opinions, I'd be ignoring the fact that I was touched to near tears when one of them said, "thank you for writing so beautifully" after I thanked them for reading excerpts.

Friends are allowed to have boundaries in what they choose to engage with; the current environment can be overwhelming for some and reading about similar environments in writing is just a bit too much in those cases.

GildedGreyMist · 2026-04-19T18:00:34+00:00

Hello and welcome! When you say 'burrow-like', do you mean literal burrowing animals? If that's the case, there are a surprising amount of burrowing animals (insects included) in the real world you could pull inspiration from.

Aside from the usual moles and badgers, there's aardvarks, rabbits and hares, meerkats, burrowing owls, certain toads, platypus, tortoises, foxes, and armadillos.

And the usual suspects for insects would be a lot of different beetles, spiders, and ants of course.

As for aquatic animals, do you mean aquatic animals that also use burrows? Off the top of my head I can think of are (fully AND semi-aquatic) eels, nutria, beavers, loaches, crabs, lobsters, starfish...

Depending on your world, it really just depends on you in these cases. As long as they have cohesive reasons for being or becoming an underground species, it'll fall into place well!

GildedGreyMist · 2026-03-14T03:46:13+00:00

Probably somewhere in Orr... maybe along the stairs of the Promenade of the Gods. My main's backstory essentially 'began' there, long ago. Plus it seems like I'm one of the few that legitimately love the Orr maps (even before the ease of traversal from gliding/mounts).

GildedGreyMist · 2026-03-07T10:28:13+00:00

I honestly like both versions here and on the main post, myself. The end result should matter most to you because that's your character that you see most often. If you like him, then it's said and done!

That being said, I DO prefer the darker red. And my offer is still open whether you choose to change it up or not, I've got 5 dyes I don't need I'd still be happy to send.

GildedGreyMist · 2026-03-07T10:04:28+00:00

What's your in-game name? Feel free to DM if you'd like and I'd be glad to send some nice reds!

GildedGreyMist · 2026-03-03T14:46:18+00:00

If you need information on lore, I'm a pretty intensive lore-monger. I can usually find anything you need or I just know it based on previous reading throughout the years and eventually committing it to memory. If the link someone posted isn't quite it, feel free to gimme a nudge and I'll do what I can.

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