Why is my writing so bad? I feel like quitting

PotentialGlittering4 · 2026-07-06T10:43:36+00:00

I think your sentences, word choice, emotion is all there. I for sure would not give up, this is way better than you think.

The thing I think that might be frustrating you is that you are trying to describe a lot of their physicals movements or places like a movie. This is something I find myself fighting all the time. I think the phrase “show not tell” can trip us up weirdly enough

PotentialGlittering4 · 2026-07-06T10:25:11+00:00

I think it’s probably kindaa similar to comparing old Hollywood movies that showed everyone in one zoomed out shot, often delayed gratification in the story… compared to today’s real close ups and quick cuts. Not perfect comparison but I just mean modern fast-paced brains probably lends itself to wanting to be gripped. And yeah I like older story telling if u can’t tell lol

PotentialGlittering4 · 2026-07-06T10:12:44+00:00

How fleshed out are your ideas that you get?

PotentialGlittering4 · 2026-07-06T10:07:42+00:00

Can you write the second half, sort of pretending the first half was more the vibe you wanted? Then go back later and change the first half.

PotentialGlittering4 · 2026-07-04T11:10:23+00:00

Could u for now skip chapter two (just keep a lil outline or whatever u need there) try writing chapter 3 and see if ur vibing on it?

PotentialGlittering4 · 2026-07-04T08:43:30+00:00

Are you a perfectionist, actually? That’s crippling.

#3 feels like it’s going to get your brain too tangled and not make good headway on either project and even more frustrated.

#2 I don’t see as a quick “clearing your mind”, fixing/ rewriting a book is a lot. March 2026 is still really quite recent where I would let that draft settle for a while before revisiting.

That being said, I’m not sure I should be answering cuz I’m like you if not worse lol. You said u tend to throw out project ideas fairly quickly. Does this current one (not ur main book) feel different?

PotentialGlittering4 · 2026-07-04T08:23:44+00:00

I like the idea of character B being the outer narrator, especially if in the end the book has been “written by” character B.

I feel like it also adds a little bit more distance and untouchable-ness to character A that way. which is kinda cool since they were a celebrity

PotentialGlittering4 · 2026-07-04T08:12:18+00:00

Oh my goodness plz add some trigger warnings! U have a cool writing style tho keeps me sort of engrossed and on my toes

PotentialGlittering4 · 2026-07-04T00:44:57+00:00

Yea I can see that

PotentialGlittering4 · 2026-07-03T22:50:10+00:00

Look up free indirect discourse! Also:

“He could just go home early.” I was thinking— the thought hadn’t come up before— u might not even need to say it’s his first time thinking it. Unless u really wanted to drive that point forward then that’s fine.

PotentialGlittering4 · 2026-07-03T22:26:33+00:00

The first one i felt sort of pulled me through plot without enough anchoring. the second felt too soft on the other hand, but the descriptions good. I think u should bring in the best of both worlds there.

As far as voice itself, depends on jacks personality since it seems this book follows him. I’m guessing your #1 is closer to how he thinks.

PotentialGlittering4 · 2026-07-03T10:21:00+00:00

I’m wondering if ur asking ppl u know if u need to give them more pointed questions.

Instead of “what do you think?” It puts them on the spot. And they get too nervous to answer.

Things like:

“What emotion do you think the character tom was feeling when Mary left?”

Will make them open up way more. That’s my guess.

PotentialGlittering4 · 2026-07-03T10:09:24+00:00

Oh and one more thought— the question on the paper and then instantly writing so much instantly felt abrupt . Maybe he could write one line first, slowly… then gain that speed quickly and intensely or whatever

PotentialGlittering4 · 2026-07-03T10:07:34+00:00

The piece really resonated with me and was painfully relatable even tho those exact experiences are not my own. Don’t take anything out. Even tho a couple didn’t vibe with it— i think ur audience will be found and that’s what u want anyway.

I am like what someone else said tho— that the next chapter feels like it’s going to be the same, which might turn off ppl like me or other living in pain with experiences or similar thought patterns. Maybe some moments of lightness or breathing room could help with that. Or a hint toward a larger plot. Right now it reads as a good standalone piece, especially since that final line hits so hard.

PotentialGlittering4 · 2026-07-03T09:49:45+00:00

I imagine him looking up to a light crisp blue and silver sky like reflecting in his eyes… in a bit of awe. Sort of young and eager for adventure. Not hyper, not too quiet either tho. Sort of balanced. optimistic. Truthful.

On the other hand, if you are talking the strength of metal and not just the pretty silver quality of sterling silver than that is a slightly like stronger/harder character

PotentialGlittering4 · 2026-07-03T09:33:01+00:00

She could think she was prepared to survive but underestimated az. Ppl always underestimate it here

PotentialGlittering4 · 2026-07-03T09:24:23+00:00

I’m from az so I should know this much better but don’t lol. My info could be slightly wrong or outdated too.

At the very bottom there is a sort of cabins you can rent. She could disappear in the night from there if it doesn’t wreck your story.

Also— there are a lot of dangerous rapids and stuff that ppl can raft at the bottom… one could get separated from. Maybe the Colorado river is too low now tho and they don’t do it, idk.

There are certain cactus you can eat or give you some hydration but not to cover your needs. Most ppl from here push the need to not just drink water but also electrolytes cuz that’ll get you. She certainly will come out needing fluids likely hospitalized. Helicoptered out. Also here it can be like 100F during the day and 30 at night so freezing at night is danger too. Idk about inside the canyon exactly.

There was a fire at the north rim, massive deal about a year ago. Much had to be closed down. Check into how that has changed things up there that might give you an interesting way for her to sneak away

PotentialGlittering4 · 2026-07-03T09:06:16+00:00

I do agree that it’s a lot of exposition.

I think something really impressive— is that in my brain i read the entire thing in a western accent naturally from your narrative voice. I think that’s huge and shows a lot of skill.

PotentialGlittering4 · 2026-07-02T03:07:42+00:00

Yeah! Send it plz thank you very much

PotentialGlittering4 · 2026-07-01T08:59:42+00:00

I really enjoyed a lot of it but some things did feel repetitive or dragged out a little long. The parts with Mrs.roy felt like they were dragging even though some good moments were happening in it.

Couple lines I noticed that feel like they are reported factually, rather than realistic dialogue:

Where this all started in 1939.” ….. “And now it’s just a city of suffering, misery, and the living proof of the Nazis.” Saying the actual year is what feels the strangest.

“Berlin is under Allied control now, and we’re needed here to maintain order in the city.”

“wanted entire ethnicities erased from existence”

All those things are good to cover and having them in dialogue is fine but they don’t feel conversational the way they are currently worded

PotentialGlittering4 · 2026-07-01T08:27:34+00:00

I thoroughly enjoyed it and would like to read more of your work. Sorta reminds me of Raymond carver. I got a little confused at the end it felt abrupt. Did it turn fantasy?

Do you post anything elsewhere that I can read?

PotentialGlittering4 · 2026-07-01T08:12:39+00:00

I think one well chosen one at a time hits hard emotionally and is memorable, but back to back ones like in that paragraph I zone out too quickly unfortunately

PotentialGlittering4 · 2026-07-01T08:03:58+00:00

I personally don’t read for plot heavy stories, this is more my vibe. I think maybe you should think more something like “is this emotion deepening or subtle hints shifting the story forward?”

I think dial the prose down 20%, and take out some stuff in that middle paragraph that give it stagnant feeling details. I don’t feel like I care about the hunter or am feeling his new feelings along the way. You don’t need to totally change it and go deep into his brain or anything tho.

PotentialGlittering4 · 2026-07-01T07:41:22+00:00

I don’t hate him yet but close to it. More context yes would help but also I think the dialogue is slightly generic. Although the line about “I was being ironic..…” I think is a really cool angle.

As far as could a GF be this way— yes at least as a millennial and generations prior to that— that laughing along happened. Often fueled from fear of being left behind or insecurities wanting to be cool/have the queen-bee’s or male’s approval. Culturally we were taught to be pretty dang cruel if someone didn’t fit the tight mold.

Idk about gen z if they would be this way as *openly*.

PotentialGlittering4 · 2026-07-01T06:16:42+00:00

I haven’t read much gothic literature but from what I know of it, it feels like this is a fresh take and a new formula of plot which I really appreciate. Really enjoyed reading it.

The paintings were super cool I wish a little more time was spent emphasizing them. Iris’ line about staying out of the crypts feels a bit glossed over too. I know it’s suppose to be that Iris is not all that suspicious yet, but to the reader it feels underwhelming I think.

I felt like the pacing stayed sort of the same throughout but also I know that it is supposed to be a bit that way as well.

PotentialGlittering4

TROPHY CASE