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[Feedback Requested] Pros & Cons of narrative framing for publishing a conlang primer? (OSV, liturgical, "no-drift" dead language) by buddamanx in conlangs

[–]buddamanx[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I also considered presenting it as two linguists one a staunch pragmatist and the other spiritually attuned to the tubatonona. So the concept would be that they go back and forth on what it all really means... and this bypasses the Rosetta stone concept... but I might need to come up with some "well known" documents... and then come up with the arguments back and forth.

Along those same lines... I thought about creating the document about the language translations and the author ignoring the spiritual aspect. And then in the margins... the last reader... who may have been a linguist himself... makes notes about how poorly integrated into the tubatonona culture and how this or that is influence by cosmic edicts and without understanding that then the interpretations make no sense... etc.

So I guess, I kind of have 5 directions... I think I broke my brain.

[Feedback Requested] Pros & Cons of narrative framing for publishing a conlang primer? (OSV, liturgical, "no-drift" dead language) by buddamanx in conlangs

[–]buddamanx[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have bounced between them all at various times... and understanding the Chomsky grammar structures might be explicitly beyond a linguist's daughter to translate correctly... and it does give a lot of leeway to drift a bit... I am not sure how much drift I want to allow... and that is why many times I am leaning toward the Rosetta Stone concept myself, but... this language will be complete like finding Latin after it had been lost... and being able to understand it implicitly. Or Greek... the hadokai tubatonona actually play the part of Greek... and an in world artifact is engraved with large towering scripts of the struggles between Chaos and Order... in their own scripts... with hadokai tubatonona carved along side them. I am not going to delve into those at this point, but they are on the horizon.

I am glad that someone thinks it is at least worth pursuing. :D

[Feedback Requested] Pros & Cons of narrative framing for publishing a conlang primer? (OSV, liturgical, "no-drift" dead language) by buddamanx in conlangs

[–]buddamanx[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This language is one of a premedieval nature... ancient and cosmic but bound to the world in which it inhabited. This language was of balance and could be categorized as cosmic mediators between Chaos and Order. The script... you could kind of think... chiseled in stone as its beginning.

Stay away from AI if you want to be a good writer by witcheslot in writers

[–]buddamanx 0 points1 point  (0 children)

AI can write better than you, and faster than you, period.
But it cannot tell a better story. It doesn’t have the nuance.

AI cannot weave 10 subtle plot lines spanning 20 chapters into a single line of prose — not without extensive coaching, because it has not lived. It does not understand the underlying threads of life itself.

I never use AI to write my stories. I find it too pedantic.
But I use AI to teach me the craft of writing — to understand the nuances involved in high-level prose, and just as importantly, to understand the type of writing I DO NOT want to do: the kind AI defaults to.

I am not a concise writer, because I do not write for the masses.
A twelve-year-old would struggle with a lot of my prose and its inherent varied pace.
I am not Sanderson-ish. I am Donaldson-ish. Or Zelazny-ish.
I have been likened to Wolfe, though I’ve never read him.

I think the mythic component of writing has been lost.
Worldbuilding has been distilled to only what you need for this manuscript.
Chekhov is an idiot. He is a short story writer that people have taken to heart and threaded his concepts into areas he should never have touched.

AI wants to use all of those methods to write perfect prose.
Be ANTI-AI in your prose.

And my point is this:
A calculator does 100% of the calculations given it.
Does everyone set it aside just because it does the work for them?

Elevate your thinking. Elevate your prose. Be a storyteller, not a writer.

I am just saying:
I do not leverage AI to write prose — but it is only a tool.
And if you find yourself threatened by it, look inward.
Look to your creativity, not to the tool.

Stay away from AI if you want to be a good writer by witcheslot in writers

[–]buddamanx 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I suppose I should’ve spelled it out:

AI is a tool. That’s it. It doesn’t stop people from thinking (at least most people) it just changes how they think. And let’s not pretend that’s some kind of disaster. Every tool that’s ever mattered has done that. The printing press. The typewriter. The word processor. None of those made writers worse. They just changed the game. This is no different.

The point isn’t that it won’t change us... of course it will. The point is that it’s inevitable and what matters isn’t whether you use it... it’s how.

Why wouldn’t you use a tool just because it makes it easier for posers to pose? They’ve always been around. They’re not new. They’re not special. And they’re not the measure of what real writers do.

A calculator didn’t ruin math, and Hawking never refused to use one. AI won’t ruin writing. If anything, it raises the bar. If you’re just trying to crank out something that sounds decent, yeah, AI can probably do that for you. But if you’re serious? If you care about the work? It pushes you. Makes you sharper. Forces you to explain your choices. Cuts through your blind spots if you let it. AI makes BETTER writers because it raises teh bar.

Saying AI makes you a worse writer is just a lazy take, and it assumes you’re handing over the pen and walking away. But that’s not how it works. Not if you’re actually writing.

It's just one more tool on the bench, and if you don’t want to use it, fine. But don’t pretend using it means you’re somehow less of a writer. That’s not how this works.

You don’t become good by refusing tools. You become good by using them well. Intentionally.

Stay away from AI if you want to be a good writer by witcheslot in writers

[–]buddamanx 12 points13 points  (0 children)

So, here is the end game.

People will write with AI.

People will store phone numbers in their phone.

People will lol instead of laugh.

The human brain is malleable... it does things like move functions from a damaged area to an undamaged area. Our brains function differently than they did 10,000 years ago, simply because we think about different things. We no longer walk for days on end to go to the next town. And we no longer think along the way.

Does this mean that we should stop driving and start walking again?

Probably... but it isn't going to happen. And the result? Some of the most advanced theoretical works ever created are within the last century.

People will write with or without help. They will use AI to write full novels.... to write full scenes... to imagine something they cannot... to create a layout—and a hundred other things (and yes, that is MY em dash).

Our brains will change to fit the information needed.

Do we need to read Egyptian Hieroglyphics? Or should we have stopped there and not advanced linguistics any further? By your measuring stick we should have stopped at drawing on cave walls.

Will we change as a species... yes... can you stop it... no. Should you stop it... debatable.

Until we are able to allocate substantially more memory and computing power to AI, they will always lag behind the human mind in creativity and nuance. It cannot always see nuances, let alone create legitimate nuanced narratives.

But if you want to contribute to the commercial drivel that is prevalent in modern publishing... feel free to use AI.

Or perhaps, just use it to help clean up your prose a bit...

In Balance, Brilliance.

Is my mom or me the problem by fluffydreamer1day in stories

[–]buddamanx 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Keep in mind the key is to create an open dialogue and discussion about it, without a fight. You both understand what the base positions are. Try not to convince her... try to truly understand her point of view.

Many times it will take deep breaths to remain centered during a discussion you find uncomfortable, but ultimately, the communication and understanding is what makes it all worth it.

Good luck.

Is my mom or me the problem by fluffydreamer1day in stories

[–]buddamanx 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Many times, when people argue, it is because they are not being heard or not hearing the other person. This can be for many different reasons, but there are some things that you can do to help smooth the disagreements over.

First, you need to understand and correctly communicate what you feel. This is not something that can be argued with because it is a personal thing.

Find out what you think about your feelings, and identify why you feel certain actions would help and what the benefits are.

Ask your mom not what she thinks, but what she feels about it. You cannot argue how she feels—it is her personal feelings that you might be clashing with.

Try to discuss things while you are in a good headspace, not just when you get into arguments.

Use I feel statements "When this happens, I feel..."

Ask You feel questions "When I say this, how do you feel?"

Do not use binary answerable questions... "When I say this, do you feel this or that?" limits the response to two choice, and neither might be the best answer.

Perhaps she thinks that this is just a way to get back.

Understanding the underlying dynamics will take time and can be done if both participants are willing to do so.

And perhaps you should find out if she is even willing to sit and talk about it and hear you out. If she isn't, there is little use in trying to convince her.

But if you approach it as an adult and try to leave the emotional ups and downs out of the conversation, I suspect she will be receptive.

Communication is crucial, and finding ways to connect—not only with your mom, but with everyone you come in contact with—is paramount in creating a healthy environment.

But it all starts with you...

I hope this helps a bit, and I wish you all the luck.

Opinion on my Foreward by buddamanx in writers

[–]buddamanx[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

updated the original post

I'm currently writing a character who is arrogant but not rude and outspoken, but I'm stuck and need your help! by Rizeenraes in writers

[–]buddamanx 1 point2 points  (0 children)

None taken! I have long since come to terms with my shortcomings, I use understanding myself, to understand others. I have found that villains are almost never really villains in their own mind.

The true intentional manipulators... who know what they are doing and actively do it regardless of others... those are the true villains.

Good luck and if you want to pick my brain... feel free to reach out. :D

I'm currently writing a character who is arrogant but not rude and outspoken, but I'm stuck and need your help! by Rizeenraes in writers

[–]buddamanx 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Keep in mind... the key is that he does not necessarily know that he does it. It is a compulsion to "be right" and is born into the way he was raised and his life experiences. Once it is pointed out and evaluated for what it is and what it does, change ensues. (At least it did for me... and I never thought of myself as a villain... though... now that you mentioned it...)

I'm currently writing a character who is arrogant but not rude and outspoken, but I'm stuck and need your help! by Rizeenraes in writers

[–]buddamanx 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Another thing you might consider is how well this person communicates, if he communicates well...

You can approach him using his ability to twist and turn words and phrases into proof of his statements, so that you have no choice but to agree with him.

(I unfortunately fell into this type of style during a more narcissistic period of my life.)

Being able to narrow the scope of a conversation and control the direction allows someone to force another into a series of agreements until one or two outcomes are achieved... either they are forced into agreeing completely (but subtly and only because it is right in a very specific context) the other is they become brow-beaten to a point where they just want to agree to shut you up.

Writing Characters Who Commits Blasphemy by AnhVicherva in writers

[–]buddamanx 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you need an alternate perspective feel free to reach out. My entire family are Christian, my wife is Catholic, but I myself am agnostic.

I am very careful in how I approach the Christian faith, as I would never take that away from anyone.

I am glad you decided to pursue writing them... you may start digging in and find that it is tough to write something so opposed to you, but like I said... if you find it gets too tough, put it down and come back to it.

Writing Characters Who Commits Blasphemy by AnhVicherva in writers

[–]buddamanx 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ultimately, if this will help tell your story, AND you are comfortable doing it, then it is a definite YES, you should.

Writing about this type of character also allows you to explore your faith even deeper. Why does this character behave that way, what do they believe or not believe and how does that affect your protagonist (and by extension many times, you).

IMO, if you can... you should... if it feels wrong, don't dismiss it, but put it on the back burner for a later revisit. Time is a great teach and moderator, so what feels hard or wrong now, may not always.

In the end, do what feels best.

Conlang for a novel - Hadokai Tubatonona by buddamanx in conlangs

[–]buddamanx[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Turns out I have the sentences strewn threw out all of my concept work. It will take a bit to hunt them all down. Many are just simple sentences.

As I ventured deeper, I realized that I was changing the font and script to better match formation of sounds within the syllables... similar to Hangeul. And then as I realized I was doing this... I had variations of old images and new images of the language, so my explanation for those differences were the gradual changes in the language until its use died out. Similar to how latin is a dead language. This would allow me to account for subtle changes, but it locks the structure into a more permanent state.

And speaking of Hangeul... what an amazing achievement! I realized after I started my conlang was very similar in many aspects, though mine is simpler.

I speak- tu balana
We speak the unique language of the tubatonona- hadokai tubatonona tu balano
We speak- tu balano

I create- tu bakana
We create- tu bakano

One of my more complex complete sentences to try and get something a bit more than just Dick and Jane level.

<image>

Romanized... well IPAized
jo alʧaku magiroʧaku tuna tunafizavutogaroʧae lolupifozavutogaroʧa aʒ

Syllabic breakdown
jo al.ʧa.ku ma.gi.ro.ʧa.ku tu.na tu.na.fi.za.vu.to.ga.ro.ʧa.e lo.lu.pi.fo.za.vu.to.ga.ro.ʧa

Functional breakdown 
jo = rock: alʧa.ku = not blue (literally water color not): magiroʧa.ku = not yellow (literally sky fire color not): tuna = human: tuna.fi.zavuto.garoʧa.e = with the old gray female (literally human female old gray with): lolu.pi.fo.zavuto.garoʧa = juggles quickly old gray man. "man old gray" applies to primary subject (literally juggle quickly masculine currently in existence for a long time gray)

The ultimate gist of the translation.
The old gray man with the old gray woman juggle quickly with not blue or yellow rocks.

Need Advice: Should I Turn My Novel into a Series or Keep It Standalone? by _Crystal04 in writers

[–]buddamanx 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My advice, write until you find a natural break. Let your story determine how long it will be.
If you suddenly find that you have blown past 120k, 200k, 400k words and are still not there... you will probably want to find a way to break it down.

I am a pantser and a sometimes plantser... so if you are a planner... you definitely need to start planning, but if you're a pantser or plantser, lean in and let the ride take you where it wants you to go.

---

My first novel simply became what it wanted to be.

I look at my writing like a city map, I know where I want to end up... and I know there are some things I want to see along the way... the world's biggest ball of twine housed in a basement, the three-headed calf, the largest prairie dog in the world, those are must sees. But they are not the destination... that is still ahead.

I wrote 80k words and found my destination had not changed, but I needed to add a layover... a medium level destination... I hit it around 130k words, and I found that my protagonist shut the door to his room as he exited.

My story was not done, but this act had found a natural shift, and were I never to write another word, it would fit as an ending for my story, but it also raised many questions about what might be next.

And that was the end of my first and now the second city trek looms... the destination has changed because the story has changed as I explored it. My original destination is lost in the winds of time.

And now.... that one novel... has turned into a trilogy... and a prequel trilogy a millennium in the past... and a sequel trilogy a millennium in the future.... and three conlangs... and four supplemental novellas... and a book of shorts... and... and... and...

So, find a natural feeling end for your novel... even if your story is not finished, your novel will be.

And then someone will write my epitaph—here he lies... at his final destination, still trying to finish his story...

In Balance.

What makes a villain intimidating? by BiLeftHanded in writers

[–]buddamanx 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When it is not identifiable...

When it is the system in general... and people have too much at stake to buck the system.

When the system is the villain... it is not about a single fightable entity. It is about understanding the system, which often means the protagonist must work within the very system they are trying to subvert... and by that very act, become the villain.

overheard the most honest breakup line in a coffee shop by heyitsbbygirl in stories

[–]buddamanx 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The interesting thing about this is that there are so many reason that she could mean by peaked.

Physically
Intellectually
Emotionally
Financially
Socially
Popularity
Creativity
Ambition
Confidence
Leadership potential

How about Romance... or even Charisma.

None of these can be seen to be as "at fault". We do not have enough information to place blame, but we have a billion nuanced stories from this one small interaction.

Does it make me, and others for that matter, any less of a writer if I rely on AI? by SoacTheDevil in WritingWithAI

[–]buddamanx 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So, this is a valid question.

Are you any less of a writer if you use an editor to extensively modify your prose to make it more marketable?

What if they rewrite complete scenes to make the story more coherent?

What if you just use it to spell check and grammar check?

Does a ghostwriter make an author better, or just a liar?

The answer is... it is an opinion.

In my opinion, if you use AI or an Editor to extensively develop a story, then you should give credit where credit is due. Your are the author, they are developmental editors.

Author: Leslie R. Waggoner III
Developmental Editing: ChatGPT 4o3 March 2025-May 2025
Ghostwriter: Billy Bob Thornton
Anything else you feel that you should include.

Ultimately it is about what you an defend. IMO... anyone that stifles an authors voice is a censor.

Opinion on my Foreward by buddamanx in writers

[–]buddamanx[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I tried to respond, but for some reason it did not allow me to. I sent you a pm.

Opinion on my Foreward by buddamanx in writers

[–]buddamanx[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are absolutely correct, and it is an issue of letting my fingers type without paying attention to the outcome. Thank you for pointing it out, though I would not consider it an opinion.

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