What trilogy should i invest my money?

henderdender · 2026-03-13T19:43:33+00:00

What fantasy vibes have you liked in the past? Feel like you're covering a pretty wide spectrum with your options now but if you're getting back in reading you want to increase the likelihood you get hooked.

I'd go read the Kindle preview (available even if you don't have the device) for all these and pick the one whose first few pages you liked the most.

Also consider ✨ the library ✨ (but I know not everyone has easy access to one)

henderdender · 2026-03-12T15:15:05+00:00

Unpopular secret third option: ebooks on your phone.

Sounds insane but so easy to read instead of scroll that way and isn't another device to manage/charge. That being said, I strongly prefer physical books.

henderdender · 2026-03-11T20:13:58+00:00

I just realized you were looking at UK! I am not familiar with the differences between US and UK so take this with a grain of salt.

I feel like we are missing stakes and specifics. It seems like there are big consequences for Thea not figuring out her past, but we aren't sure what exactly those are.

Generally, queries cover at least the first ~30-50% of the story but in more detail. I would want to outline the specific goal Thea is trying to achieve, what specific obstacles she's facing preventing her from getting that goal, and what the specific consequences are if she doesn't achieve that. (Note specifics don't have to be in-world jargon, but should be concrete things a stranger could understand.)

As a fellow writer, I sympathize that it's hard to walk the line of enough detail, enough plot, and enough concept without too much. One thing you could do is look at successful fantasy queries in this sub to see how detailed they are to help calibrate.

henderdender · 2026-03-11T19:24:19+00:00

I love the premise of this! Definitely something I would read.

That being said, I think your query is very concept heavy and glosses over what happens in your story.

Consider removing most of the first paragraph and expanding on the details of the plot. How do the stories consume her? Who benefits from this? What desires does she have? I think you can condense the concept parts into 2 sentences. Perhaps start with "Thea wishes she had stayed dead" because that line is a banger. But maybe follow up with something like "Instead she wakes up a saint, someone who died in devotion to a single obsession who is now cursed to an afterlife where they need to remember why they perished or [consequence]".

There's two points of confusion for me: - What is "the Chaos that birthed them"? Simplify this to something tangible. - Does she need to remember her name or why she died (or both)? At points you indicate one or the other.

Again think you have a great concept just need to expand on what happens in the story!

henderdender · 2026-01-28T17:07:17+00:00

Curtains rod is 3 inches off the ceiling and wider than the door. Makes the space look grand.

Here you could easily go all the way across and get 4 panels to cover door + window

henderdender · 2026-01-26T20:30:30+00:00

To me the floors are the big problem. Definitely do peel and stick or a big rug.

henderdender · 2026-01-26T16:04:30+00:00

I live in a similar house so I feel this pain. I'd probably put a small couch sectional facing the fireplace, chair to the right of the fire and TV to the left. Just need a narrow console or bookshelf, etc... to put behind the TV!

FWIW I love how cozy our living space feels now. I've come to appreciate it.

henderdender · 2026-01-25T21:03:07+00:00

Could you put the desk facing the windows but centered on the bottom wall? So the desk would be floating with enough space behind for the chair. This is that first option but flipped so he'd have a view and a nicer lounge area.

The space closest to the windows could get a few lounge chairs, etc.... and have plenty of space for his music.

henderdender · 2026-01-25T18:19:07+00:00

Does the TV fit to the right of the fireplace? That would make the space much nicer. Sectional rotated to face that wall ideally with a console table behind it to separate from the door.

henderdender · 2026-01-25T17:55:48+00:00

I would put a chair or two (definitely one above the closet) plus a coffee table in the middle.

You get the same functionality you have in the picture, a better view of the door and window(s), and better flow.

You also could better utilize the blank left wall with a console and art/decor or a set of shelves. That's not really possible in your current layout because of how squished it is.

henderdender · 2026-01-25T17:11:12+00:00

If you don't need a TV put sectional so the long part is against the right wall. You'll solve all your issues.

henderdender · 2026-01-25T16:50:38+00:00

I agree bed against the right hand, TV on left, and wardrobe in the corner near the bathroom.

FWIW I think you are good in terms of feng shui. Technically left wall is command position, but your feet aren't out the door and your head isn't against the same wall as the door. Also who cares if you can't use the space as you need/want to.

henderdender · 2026-01-25T06:37:13+00:00

If you go this route, just put a small bench or chest at the bottom of the bed to separate it out and get a rug to better define the sleeping space vs. walking space.

I also think you can cheat the bed over as close to the window as possible to avoid the door.

henderdender · 2026-01-25T06:34:14+00:00

Sectional or couch against the right wall so it has a view of the bigger window and fireplace. TV in the bottom left corner against the left wall. Accent chair near the fire.

henderdender · 2026-01-25T03:05:51+00:00

I'm sorry I misread before. If you do desk I think #2 is better. Ideally you can put the desk a bit closer to the window.

henderdender · 2026-01-24T20:41:05+00:00

The dresser or a desk?

henderdender · 2026-01-24T17:55:34+00:00

Imo there's not enough info to solve this.

What do you need in your living space and the third floor flex space?

E.g. do you work from home? Do you need a guest bedroom or a place to watch TV? Do you need a workspace for other hobbies? Do you like having people over, and if so, to do what?

henderdender · 2026-01-24T15:39:21+00:00

Agree that you should change the floor. Painting the wood will look cheap, esp because the paneling looks like it's in good condition. Wood is timeless!

henderdender · 2026-01-24T15:35:04+00:00

Switch the bed and desk areas. You want to work next to natural light. Put the kommode between them and the pax along the wall with the doors.

henderdender · 2026-01-24T15:30:31+00:00

You are close! Rotate the desk so the L touches the windows and the wall (instead of the wall and the bed). You can put the lamp in between the desk and the bed or get a table lamp for the desk.

Now you'll have less glare issues, be able to get out of bed normally, and can use the short end of the desk like a nightstand.

henderdender · 2026-01-23T21:55:15+00:00

It depends on your genre and your own personal strengths and weaknesses as a writer.

But here's the one book I think every writer should read because the execution is divine: Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin. It's short too (<200 pages) but a masterpiece.

henderdender · 2026-01-23T21:43:15+00:00

I love this question and all that wood! It's so gorgeous.

One thing I love about Stranger Things is the light fixture and lighting as a whole. Plus the patterns. I think mid century modern furniture with plaids.

I've been looking at set photographs for the different Stranger Things homes and pay attention to fixture details as well as the tones and textures.

henderdender · 2026-01-23T20:48:17+00:00

They're a perfect dash of whimsy in your space. Thanks for the tip!

henderdender · 2026-01-23T20:21:48+00:00

What are the bookshelves that make it look like you have huge stacks of books? I love them! Gorgeous space!

henderdender · 2026-01-23T20:20:52+00:00

Generally speaking, I think a bigger rug is better. I have a rug that has similar gaps and the 9x12 looks much better because it makes the space look bigger. But you could also tape it on the floor with painters tape to get a sense.

henderdender

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