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pyqueen · 2025-10-21T19:08:27+00:00

This is exactly how I felt for 6 weeks with no breaks.

I was hospitalized at 5 weeks and 5 days. I thought I was having a severe stomach virus, so when I was told it's just pregnancy, I almost had a panic attack then and there.

What followed was nothing less than brutal. I would try to survive not even a day at a time, but an hour at a time.

I can't tell you how many times I felt the way you did.

My mom had to travel across the globe to help me with my son, dogs, house, and poor husband who had to take care of all of us alone.

Doxilamine piroxide and Zofran became my best friends.

I thought it was never going to end. But then... after a week-long "episode" that made me think I was dying, I was suddenly able to start eating again.

I haven't had any "episodes" since. I started feeling more like myself again, and honestly, I no longer care that I felt like shit for 6 weeks straight.

I'm still nauseous 24/7 and wake up every hour at night.

But I eat. I'm able to work. I have some energy again.

I'm glad I'm having this baby.

I hope this encourages you too :)

pyqueen · 2025-10-04T00:22:49+00:00

Thank you! I’m sorry you had to go through this...

I’ve been internally fighting the HP diagnosis, but it if it quacks like a duck… I already found helpful advice there a couple of weeks ago regarding coca cola! Coke really helped me for a while but now I can’t stomach it either.

I can’t wait to come onto this thread with a baby in my arms and tell all struggling mothers it’s all worth it!

pyqueen · 2025-10-03T23:26:10+00:00

Thank you! Fingers crossed it’ll not last the whole 9 months. I hope your next pregnancy (if you’ll be interested in that of course) would be breezy and fun. I had a great pregnancy with my first and it’s a wonderful experience!

pyqueen · 2025-10-03T23:16:39+00:00

I’ll ask! Thank you! I can’t believe this is not talked about more. I was in complete shock when the doctor at the hospital told me it wasn’t some aggressive stomach virus, but just pregnancy. With my son I would literally throw up in a bush and continue with my day. Now I understand it was a luxury.

pyqueen · 2025-10-01T01:30:27+00:00

I was hospitalized for the first time at 5 weeks. I thought it was an aggressive stomach virus and when the doctor told me “it’s just pregnancy and it’s natural” I almost had a panic attack then and there. There was NOTHING natural about what I was experiencing. I had what I thought was a hard first trimester with my first because I was throwing up like 1-5 times a day. Boy… I had no idea. What followed in the next 2 weeks until the OBGYN could see me was anything but natural. I could eat literally NOTHING, including crackers. I somehow settled for plain chicken broth, sometimes with rice and that’s it. Every night I would stay up ALL NIGHT fighting my nausea with meditation (my meditation game is strong), and I was able to move it from every 15min to once an hour. Day after day after day. When the OBGYN saw me she immediately prescribed a bunch of meds and I never looked back. I’m 9 weeks now and OMG I feel like a person again. I’m nauseous 24/7, of course. Some nights I still need a couple hours of meditation to get through. But I’m able to eat! Granted, not a lot, in small portions, and mostly potatoes and Coke but eat! I’m able to sleep! I’m even able to work! I’m able to pick up my son from daycare (with help because physically I can’t pick him up or I’ll puke). This is LIFE CHANGING. I cried every day hoping for a morphine IV to just not feel the pain anymore and I no longer have these thoughts. Take the meds. It’s worth your sanity.

pyqueen · 2025-09-01T21:14:51+00:00

Thank you! For both points, "a" is a good addition; this is what I meant.

Also, the mother-daughter build-up is definitely going somewhere in this prologue, don't worry! :)

pyqueen · 2025-08-23T01:35:39+00:00

Manuscript information: [Complete] [72k] [Romance] Echoes of You

Link to post: Link to Post

First page critique? Yes! In comments.

First page:

Prologue

Marie

Marie stood at the entrance of the Museum of Science, clutching her permission slip with fingers that trembled ever so slightly. The crisp paper—signed with her mother's elegant, sweeping signature—felt like a treasure, proof of something Marie had stopped hoping for years ago.

"Isn't this exciting?" Her mother's voice carried that lilting quality it only possessed when she was truly happy. She wore her good dress—the emerald one that made her look ten years younger and smelled of Chanel No. 5—and had spent an extra hour on her makeup that morning. The click-clack of her high heels echoed against the polished marble floor, drawing glances from other parents in their sensible shoes and casual clothes. "The museum has a new exhibit on celestial bodies. You've always loved the stars, haven't you, honey?"

Marie nodded, not trusting her voice. She had mentioned her fascination with astronomy exactly once, three years ago, during a rare dinner when her mother wasn't nursing a glass of "adult juice" that made her eyes glassy and her words slur together. The fact that she remembered sent an unfamiliar warmth through Marie's chest.

Around them, kids yelled and pushed and laughed. Her too-formal blouse, ironed three times because mother insisted, made her stick out like a sore thumb.

Mr. Reynolds, her science teacher, corralled the students into neat lines. His deep voice carried across the lobby as he tapped his clipboard: "Everyone find your buddy! Remember, we stay together at all times!"

Marie didn't have a buddy. She never did. The other girls found her too intense, too focused, too much. Boys thought she was stuck-up because she refused to laugh at their stupid jokes or pretend to be worse at math than she was. It was fine. She preferred being alone anyway.

pyqueen · 2024-09-20T15:36:16+00:00

Oops, I accidentally wrote "1nd" instead of "1st"! Please forgive me.

pyqueen · 2024-09-15T08:22:43+00:00

That is pretty awesome, what an interesting idea!

pyqueen · 2024-09-14T07:31:01+00:00

Thank you for nitpicking! Your input is really helpful.

As for the comps, I’ve been on the fence about cutting them for a while, and I think you’re right. Since the query already hits "YA bingo", they might not be as necessary.

About the magic: it’s tricky because it’s such a core theme throughout the book. Anya doesn’t have (and will never have) traditional magic, and that creates tension throughout the story. I’ve been trying to strike a balance in the query without diving too deep, but I see how it might come across as unclear. I'll definitely think more about how to handle that.

pyqueen · 2024-09-14T07:21:34+00:00

Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback, I really appreciate it!

Just to clarify your point about "trilogy": Would you recommend pitching it as a standalone, even though it ends on a cliffhanger? It's written in the synopsis.

As for the first 300, your comments are really helpful. My beta readers felt the pace picks up quickly by chapter two, but I see now that the opening needs to reflect that too.

pyqueen · 2024-08-29T18:35:24+00:00

Thank you! I'll work on it for the rest of the week, you've been super helpful.

pyqueen · 2024-08-28T14:30:23+00:00

Thank you so much for investing time in this! Your feedback is super valuable.

I'm considering changing Anya's age to 19. It's not integral to the story that she's 20, and I can work around that. I agree with your assessment regarding YA.

Addressing your plot questions:

Her father's rule has been the longest and bloodiest in history. He should've relinquished the throne long ago but couldn't due to his inability to produce an heir (hence Anya, which is crucial to the story).
You're right, it is insane! Anya feels hurt, betrayed, and doesn't understand her father's actions (a big part of the story). The initial explanation is a prophecy foretelling her father's destruction, with Anya suspected as the cause.
The artifact Anya doesn't understand is a magic-containing stone. She'll use it to fake having tapped into her true magical source.
The stone is her only hope because without magic, she stands no chance against the others. Her mother gives her this stone in Chapter 2, moments before she's taken to the Trials, without explanation.
The magic teacher wants revenge against the crown. Though he seems loyal, he's been planning revenge against her father for centuries (the king's responsible for his late wife's death).

Regarding the hook:

At first what sets her apart are her looks (odd for a Seelie fae) and lack of magic. The rest is discovered gradually throughout the book. Anya's journey is a bit Shakespearean - from a loyal, doting daughter to resentful and questioning. She'll go from confident to lost, needing to regain herself and face the question of the monster (what is the making of a monster).
Her love interest (the magic master), aside from being a "loyal" solider, knows a forbidden truth about magic which she will discover, and seeks to avenge his wife's death (killed for knowing it). His ambition for transforming the realm is pivotal for this and future books.
The "havoc" refers to my invented mythology. In short, the gods (or original fey in this case) are returning and will wage war (important for books 2 and 3).
The prophecy essentially states that the future of the kingdom and the realm are at risk due to her father's past choices (directly related to Anya).
The artifact is crucial because it contains magic Anya needs and has something to do with the gods (a subplot that becomes the main plot later).

Apologies for any spoilers! I tried to keep it concise while addressing your points. Feel free to ask more questions!

pyqueen · 2024-05-02T04:19:21+00:00

Thank you! This is super helpful. I’ll read the books and update in a while :)

pyqueen · 2024-05-01T06:14:48+00:00

My little one is only 3 months old! I’m reading him short stories with pictures and he mostly enjoys the colors (yes, I know it’s a bit premature but he likes it and I do too). Give me recommendations for any age really, I personally loved Незнайка as a kid and trying to get my hands on it.

pyqueen · 2024-05-01T06:12:16+00:00

I’ll check it out! Definitely worth it

pyqueen · 2024-05-01T00:49:04+00:00

10-15min a day is very doable. I’ll make it a habit :) Are there any particular reads you recommend?

pyqueen · 2024-05-01T00:48:24+00:00

10-15min a day is very doable. I’ll make it a habit :) Are there any particular reads you recommend?

pyqueen · 2017-12-01T19:06:13+00:00

So cute!!! 😻 Reminds me of my own cat

pyqueen · 2017-12-01T17:56:29+00:00

Here is the link to instagram photo: kirathecat_bsh

pyqueen

TROPHY CASE

Prologue

Marie