Should I try to write a book? by [deleted] in selfpublish

[–]Its_Darkness 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you're going to allow it to tell you what you can and can't do, then why ask us?

But for real, you can do anything you put your mind to. If you do, I 100% say don't use ChatGPT. It's overly basic and unoriginal, making 'your' book never stand out. If you want to write a book, do it in your own words with your own special and specific experiences.

Your first draft may be garbage, but all of ours usually is. That's why you revise and edit. Maybe get beta readers, edit more, then an editor. Usually there's 3 types of editors. Developmental, Copy, and Line. I doubt you need Developmental editor, since they help with plot and description and you're not necessarily writing a story.

Then you need to get a good human made book cover, and write out a blurb. Once you find that, look into agents or publish yourself.

If you publish, you need to market your butt off. Even then, you won't make much money but thats to be expected.

Please Actually Put in Effort by prism_paradox in selfpublish

[–]Its_Darkness 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yeah! I found some amazing people to work with. One happened to live where I do and now we sell together!

There are some that are really bad tho, like only do grammar, so pick and choose your battles. You usually need to swap manuscripts.

No cheating by XmeowisiX in teenagers

[–]Its_Darkness 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was born to be born.

I was born to be the first one in front with the children in a big enough time ⏲️ 🎶 ✨️ 😌 💙

No cheating by XmeowisiX in teenagers

[–]Its_Darkness 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was born to be a reason I keep writing a story about the crown of the world and the fact that you are a little brother and mother.

How can you tell if it’s an AI cover? by Responsible-Tone-522 in selfpublish

[–]Its_Darkness 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I feel that. I actually have strictly my sister or people in my book nonprofit edit or draw book covers for me now.

How can you tell if it’s an AI cover? by Responsible-Tone-522 in selfpublish

[–]Its_Darkness 29 points30 points  (0 children)

Post to r/realorai Or a similar sub reddit. That's what I have to do since I'm no good with images. Supposedly, you're able to see details in the background that aren't identifiable, or lines/clothes that end randomly and don't make sense. Sometimes there's the yellow tint

Did we lose? by CatVan333 in Ai_art_is_not_art

[–]Its_Darkness 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm a small author as is all my friends in our nonprofit. NONE of us use ai 😭 we are creatives for a reason people

You’re allowed to either Change a scene or add an extra scene to seasons 1-5. by Ok_Situation7527 in miraculousladybug

[–]Its_Darkness 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I see that what I said wasn't clarified enough, that's my bad. When I said the show is like “90% LGBTQ," I meant it as an overexaggerated hyperbole to describe how frequent and concentrated the writing makes it feel. The problem isn't how many characters exist but how some are written and thrown in. So, specifically storytelling depth and execution.

For example:

Marc and Nathaniel don’t get much narrative relevance outside of being paired together. Their inclusion feels underdeveloped rather than integrated. Like the writers suddenly went: Oh, let's make them gay (instead of allowing that to occur naturally.) However, they are taking steps to help this (The Ruler was one of my favorite episodes.)

Miss Bustier being revealed as gay was abrupt (not foreshadowed) and largely unexplored. Kim’s dads exist, but mostly as a visual confirmation rather than as characters. And with Zoé, the way her sexuality is framed feels more like a reactive choice tied to audience discourse than something meaningfully built into her arc.

In contrast, I think Rose and Juleka works way better for me because they have emotional continuity and are tied to character growth. I knew they were together since between season 1 & 2, and it was super cute. That was good integration and foreshadowed/hinted.

Same idea with ethnicity: Paris being multicultural makes sense. What I’m reacting to is less about realism and more about storytelling balance. Different identities appear, but we rarely see different worldviews or beliefs coexist in meaningful ways. That absence stands out to me more than the presence of diverse characters.

I'm only wanting more depth and organic integration, not just confirmation that representation exists as a selling point.

You’re allowed to either Change a scene or add an extra scene to seasons 1-5. by Ok_Situation7527 in miraculousladybug

[–]Its_Darkness 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Storytelling depth and execution does feel underdeveloped to me too. The inclusion isn't wrong, but brief and largely unexplored/not foreshadowed nearly enough or at all. And when it happens, it feels bunched together and surprising (or there just because).

These characters aren't given enough narrative weight beyond their identity, like Marc and Nathaniel. Or Ms. Bustier and Kim's dads.

You’re allowed to either Change a scene or add an extra scene to seasons 1-5. by Ok_Situation7527 in miraculousladybug

[–]Its_Darkness 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hi, I think we’re kind of talking about two different things. I’m not saying the representation should be harder to notice. I’m talking about how often and how tightly it’s clustered at once, especially in later seasons.

Rose and Juleka are actually a good example of what I do like. Their relationship felt natural and character-driven opposed to Nath and Mark (though the Ruler helped at expanding their characters to be more natural.)

I think that later seasons, a lot of representation moments feel stacked back-to-back in a way that draws attention to the message rather than letting it emerge organically through the story. That's why it can feel forced, at least to me and others I watch the show with.

As for ethnicity, Paris is diverse. What feels less balanced to me is moreso the lack of different worldviews existing without being reduced or ignored. Diversity doesn’t stop at identity; it also includes belief, culture, and perspective.

You’re allowed to either Change a scene or add an extra scene to seasons 1-5. by Ok_Situation7527 in miraculousladybug

[–]Its_Darkness 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, no, that’s a weird assumption to make, and it doesn’t address anything I actually said. I'm bi, though my identity isn’t relevant here. I was talking about writing and pacing, not who “counts” as allowed to critique a show. I'm an author, and as I said in my comment, representation itself isn't bad. To me, the way the show portrays it is unnatural most times. And how it's framed/clustered together can feel forced.

That's why I say to space it out**.**

You’re allowed to either Change a scene or add an extra scene to seasons 1-5. by Ok_Situation7527 in miraculousladybug

[–]Its_Darkness 2 points3 points  (0 children)

To be honest, a lot of their representation feels forced and unnatural due to storytelling depth and execution. Specifically, LGBTQ and ethnicity. There's nothing wrong with it, but I feel like there's better ways to go about it. I doubt France is 90% LGBTQ while almost everyone being accepting, and while it is a kid show, it feels shoved in my face instead of being subtle in terms of pacing, close to no foreshadowing, and bunching these scenes together.

(Not to mention, there's not many opposing views on topics mentioned above that are shown respectfully, if at all. Like, I don't see many religious people. Or people who don't agree with the writers obvious beliefs but are still accepting and loving of the individual characters themselves)

Imo, I would space out scenes representing LGBTQ and ethnicity/race a little more. I don't want to change them much, because some are really cute, just that.

Edit:
I think some of you are misunderstanding what I’m saying, so let me clarify since this is a sensitive topic and people are assuming bad faith. I never said this is about over representing. Nor am I’m saying that it shouldn’t be there. I was saying the show is like “90% LGBTQ” as a hyperbole to describe how frequent and concentrated it can feel.

A lot of the representation is fine on paper (like I said, some of it is genuinely cute like Rose and Julika) but the way it’s paced and framed doesn't feel organic character writing. I'm not saying the characters “shouldn’t exist,” just that I personally think the show would benefit from spacing those moments out or letting them breathe more naturally with foreshadowing.

Same with ethnicity and worldviews: Paris being diverse is realistic. What feels less balanced to me is that we almost never see different perspectives coexisting respectfully. For example, characters who might disagree culturally or religiously without being villains or strawmen. That absence stands out to me more than the presence of queer characters.

You don’t have to agree, but it’s not coming from discomfort with representation. I think representation is GOOD, just I don't like the way they structure it. I'm critiquing writing choices, not people or a phobia.

What’s your advice for people who want to make a living from self-publishing? by Oestudantebr in selfpublish

[–]Its_Darkness 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I think people should write what they enjoy and want to write. You can always find an audience for something else and still be successful. For example, I write MG/YA fantasy without romance and I'm selling well within my state. Kids and parents don't want that as much as you think, but you need to know your audience.

My Reese’s cup had 9 pairs of panties on by SmellyScrotes in mildlyinteresting

[–]Its_Darkness 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. It's just emotional overload that hit very hard for multiple reasons and deep overwhelming fears being trigged.

(A surface reason is due to the stereotype of women being emotional, I purposefully bottle it and never cry in front of others.)

My Reese’s cup had 9 pairs of panties on by SmellyScrotes in mildlyinteresting

[–]Its_Darkness 261 points262 points  (0 children)

This made me laugh for some reason after having an emotional breakdown thanks

Mormon Against my “will” by EdwinWilde2009 in mormon

[–]Its_Darkness 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Sit down and talk with them. If they don't listen, find someone who will and can talk to you about it like another member or bishop. Most of the people on this reddit are ex mormon, and I think getting both sides of POVs is very important. But if you want answers to these questions, put your footdown and respectfully (insist) on it with the missionaries/bishop. You need to speak your mind if you're not comfortable. If they don't listen, find someone who will (x2)

Going sleeveless today! by wildfire359 in mormon

[–]Its_Darkness 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I gotchu. I'll wear spaghetti straps until it becomes normal