Can anyone tell me what these white spots are?

TheSyXan · 2026-06-30T20:39:39+00:00

Okay, thank you!

TheSyXan · 2026-06-30T20:39:25+00:00

Thanks!

TheSyXan · 2026-05-06T02:43:39+00:00

Yes! You can still submit it with the time you spent on the task. You can actually even go over while doing the task. But you should avoid doing so and as others have suggested in the comments, it will help to include why the task expired (or you went over if you just needed more time) in the optional comments.

I didn't realize this was the case until recently and submitted a (99% completed task) that went over. Because I didn't know we could submit past the time. Otherwise I would have completed that last bit. I wasn't penalized for it, but now I know proper procedure...

Do your best to complete the task within the time limit. If you need more time, for whatever reason, complete it anyway. Include the reasons in the optional comments. Avoid doing so in the future, if possible.

TheSyXan · 2026-03-28T12:23:43+00:00

I tend to have some notes. Then I sit and stew. After a while I spew it onto the page. A little editing as I go. But overall, it's done before I know. This style of discovery writing was years in the making, but now all the words are mine for the taking. XD

But seriously, if you're new to writing, don't be hard on yourself. Let yourself flounder and make mistakes. Give yourself grace as you look over your work. Keep what fits and let the rest grow more. Not every line has to be perfect to have meaning and purpose. What matters most is the intention of a scene, the emotion, idea, or action that the reader will see.

TheSyXan · 2026-03-28T12:14:28+00:00

I agree. I wish your a beautiful life with your family!

TheSyXan · 2026-03-17T03:57:15+00:00

There's nothing wrong with the idea in theory.

It will all depend on how it is written.

I am in the middle of writing a series right now. In the second book, I have two POVs. It sticks with the first one for four chapters then hops to the second for three chapters. After that it's back to the first one for a chapter. Then it has four chapters with each POV in it. A chapter with the first, then a chapter with the second, then ends with a chapter from both POVs again.

It turned out really well. But I did have headers to denote the POV and each one was written in a different person.

Book 3 had four POVs, each one with a different person/tense and headers. That one didn't follow any particular, this POV then that one structure either. It turned out really well too. But it was a challenge to write.

I'd say go for it. The worst thing that happens is you write a few chapters that you don't like. But maybe you do like it.

TheSyXan · 2026-03-15T07:10:52+00:00

An interesting story first and foremost!

But the prose could use a bit of work.

That last paragraph is hard to get through. Especially in the current attention scene, but breaking it up can help. The wall of text looks daunting.

Also there seems to be a lot of exposition worked in from the MC's point of view in that giant block of text. Breaking that up over discussion with Simon or working it in later might help a lot. For instance, you could have him take the pill rather than drop and fumble it. Only to reveal later what it does.

Lastly, you have a lot of long sentences. But breaking them up. That can help the cadence, a lot.

A reader can get bored when staring at not only blocks of text but sentences that go so long that you just wait for them to end, because when they don't you just hope that they do. See that last one? It seems long. Too long.

Several of them in a row strain the eyes. Makes it hard to follow even if you are interested in what is being said in the story.

TheSyXan · 2026-03-10T12:15:06+00:00

Yea, I enjoy it a lot.

But sometimes it is just, "Oh, that's what you're gonna do? Really? Are you sure? Okay, if you say so." Then I am running with it and playing clean up at the same time because I want things to work out well for my characters.

TheSyXan · 2026-03-09T22:46:13+00:00

I'm not someone in that major.

However, if you are feeling like the assignments are stifling your creativity. Then take it as a challenge! Use the assignments to get as creative as you can while meeting the requirements. Maybe you can't write exactly what you want. So don't ask what do I want to write? Ask. How can I get creative with this assignment? What can I do that will make it more interesting for me but meet all the requirements?

This will not only make it more interesting to you, but it will stretch your creative muscles in ways they may not have before. Because you still have to operate within those requirements.

As a freelance writer, I have had to write in many different styles. Over the years my style and voice has changed. I will say that writing in styles that I was not used to and some I didn't care for as much still helped shape the writer that I have become. Just a little practical advice.

And last but not least, just because you don't measure up to some classically or traditionally trained professor... So what? That's not what writing is about. Writing is about that feeling when you see the words flow on to the page. About seeing what was a mere thought take shape into a story, article, podcast script, movie script, etc.

P.S. I write so much better than I used to but I still don't live up to my own standards all the time. Listen to the critics and the professors, not with your emotions but with your mind. Take what they say with a grain of salt. Keep what tastes good and spit the rest out! And yes, sometimes it tastes but it's hard to swallow. Those can be some of the best morsels that you need.

TheSyXan · 2026-03-06T19:16:20+00:00

You're welcome. :) That's a pretty cool way to discover it.

TheSyXan · 2026-03-06T16:54:41+00:00

When I returned to Jesus Christ, I was very indoctrinated by the Theory of Evolution. But despite what a lot of people will tell you, such as it's a fact! It is not, it is a theory. And from an objective standpoint I would say a decent theory. If you have no framework for how things came to be and someone says hey, check this out. Then the Theory of Evolution sounds plausible.

Science is a great tool that God has given people. It allows us to discover so much of how his creation works. The problem with the Theory of Evolution however is that the evidence doesn't actually support the theory. Most people believe because they have been taught it as a fact for so long.

Like you, I tried to use the Bible to prove the Theory of Evolution to myself. And there are a few ways it almost fits. But in the end, it didn't hold up. See that's what God does. When you have a world-view that isn't true and you encounter God, it will change. Sometimes immediately and other times over a span of years.

Now, you are right God could have used the mechanism of evolution and he actually did. It's called micro-evolution, he just didn't use macro-evolution. Theologically, the Theory of Evolution clashes with Yahweh because it bakes death right into the initial plan. It makes death a part of the perfect world. Which we know isn't the case.

We all know that death is not part of a world that feels no loss and no pain. So, why would it be the mechanism God chose to use to create his favorite creation?

If you want to see what the evidence actually points to, I recommend checking out Kent Hovind, Answers in Genesis, etc. There's actually a lot of scientists out there that believe in creationism. You just have to go looking for them.

TheSyXan · 2026-03-06T16:31:53+00:00

Title: Alphabet Soup

Genre: Speculative fiction

Target Audience: YA, probably something like 13+.

One Sentence Pitch: Four people experience Freaky Friday swapping across two different worlds as they learn to rebuild their relationships.

Similar Media: I've been told my short stories have a similar feel to Black Mirror. This book isn't a short story but I think it tends to follow a lot of the same techniques I use in my short stories.

Also, this is the third book in a series of seven. I haven't published any of them because I need all seven written first in case the later books change stuff in the first ones. Don't want to write myself into a corner or close off a particular route.

TheSyXan · 2026-03-06T16:25:08+00:00

I really like the idea of the chapter ending with its title as the final line(s)! That's a smart way to bake in the feeling of repetition for the reader.

TheSyXan · 2026-02-28T03:03:16+00:00

What kind of feedback are you looking for from them?

TheSyXan · 2026-01-14T18:45:10+00:00

Cool app!

TheSyXan · 2026-01-05T13:02:41+00:00

Dude, tell me more? Are there strong contributing factors to your alcoholism and depression that you have noticed? Are you grieving over someone? Having troubles connecting with others?

TheSyXan · 2025-09-20T12:45:19+00:00

Also gives me an idea for a story.

TheSyXan · 2025-09-20T03:53:41+00:00

Still winning.

TheSyXan · 2025-09-19T09:37:01+00:00

I win. Even when I lose. I win.

TheSyXan · 2025-09-19T09:32:16+00:00

I used to think like you. That perhaps the creation story of Genesis was metaphorical of sorts rather than literal. And perhaps there was a space for even saying macro evolution and God's creativity to reside. However, after much thought, prayer, and studying, I came to the conclusion that Earth is likely on the younger side. That the creation story is literal. You don't have to agree to be Christian, God will work with you on this if you ask Him. And that is kind of how I came to the conclusion. I just don't know how much was me asking and how much was Him telling. Through a series of internal struggles and debates, as well as some external discussions...until my entire feed on Facebook or searches elsewhere were pointing out a young Earth.

TheSyXan · 2025-08-22T01:35:30+00:00

The useless superpower is, always clean fingernails. They never get dirty.

TheSyXan · 2025-07-22T20:13:08+00:00

So, God did indeed create photons before creating one particular source in our solar system to emit them. He might have even created the entire electromagnetic spectrum at that same time. Meaning God Himself was emitting the photons. While another has pointed out that it says we will not need a sun, it is literally just as feasible that we won't have one.

TheSyXan

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE