I only listen to music that I could imagine some kind of storyline to.

I did write a short story inspired by a song, but it’s stupid so I won’t go into detail about it.

Personally, I wouldn’t mind spending 3 years doing an online program. That’s probably just my personality and circumstances, but I think if you’re able to work during the program that would good life experience. Cook your own food, manage your finances, do your laundry if you’re not already. In my mind, that kind of stuff is…[Read more]

Hello there! Like everyone else here, no, I have not done the Author Conservatory. HOWEVER, I do know and know of a several people who are doing it.

I highly recommend just taking the leap and filling out an application. You have no obligation to join the program after applying and you get a free 45 min. Zoom consultation…[Read more]

Oh yes Pollyanna! That was one of the first novels I read, and I enjoyed it then, but I haven’t read it since. I have a hunch my feelings toward it now would be quite different.

I haven’t read Elsie Dinsmore, but I’ve heard enough about it that I know I’d only read it for laughs. Or if I want to pull all my hair out. Probably the latter.

The Boxcar Children for me. I loved those books when I was younger, but now I can see how cheesy and simplistic they are. The characters are super perfect and bland.

I did read a hilarious Goodreads review for one of them though.

Regarding the government question, I think I’m agreeing with everyone so far. We should obey the government as far as we’re able–that is, so long as the government is not demanding we do something that violates God’s law.

Other times when one might want to disobey the government I think come down to Christian liberty. For example, the…[Read more]

Thanks Linyang! I’m interested in fantasy and slice-of-life–just stuff that doesn’t have the main plot revolve around romance (I don’t enjoy that in any medium lol).

What’s the mature content in those last manga? (I’m 18 truth be told, but I don’t enjoy gory violence or explicit stuff)

The only ones I’ve really heard of are Haikyuu, The Promised Neverland, and Fullmetal Alchemist, so if you have read…[Read more]

Hey! I’m Bethany and I’m just popping into say that your WIPs sound awesome, especially that little mermaid one! I also am working on a sort of reverse chosen one story.

I’ve read the Hunger Games trilogy and saw the first movie. I thought the movie was well-done and I’m glad most of the violence was off-screen ’cause I’m squeamish XD

Did you write that Waffle House story? Because if you did, I’d love to read it! It sounds so perfectly creepy.

I get most of my story ideas when I’m reading or just from thinking of concepts I want to try out/mess with. But just the other day I got the very faintest inkling of an idea when I was discussing birthdays with my friend…[Read more]

Echoing what Trahia said, I thought you were supposed to use alternatives for ‘said’ whenever you could. School really screws us over telling us we can’t use ‘said’!

Other than that, I can’t really think of anything else. When I first started writing, I had never seen books that had explicit multiple perspectives (like the kind…[Read more]

Ok, I hope I don’t make too many enemies from this, but I did not enjoy A Wrinkle in Time. I had such high hopes for that book. I thought it was going to be a cool sci-fi adventure story. Maybe it is to some people, but it wasn’t to me. So if I was rewriting (which I honestly kind of want to do), I’d make Meg way less whiny and…[Read more]

Yep, I’m an ancient history nerd too! I’m excited to see what you’re gonna do with your website. If it’s okay, can I give you a little formatting suggestion? On the blog posts, you indent your paragraphs instead of leaving a space between them. On most websites I see spaces between the paragraphs because it makes them easier to read. I…[Read more]

I like that quote–and that the poem made you think!

@kathleenramm

I’m glad you relate to this poem! While I didn’t write it about a situation like you’re describing, I think it’s cool that it has a few different interpretations. In fact, everyone I have shown it to has thought it meant what you’re describing. So maybe I’m good at…[Read more]

I didn’t make up the word “quintessence”–I’m pretty sure the Greeks did. It’s where we get the word “quintessential”.

I want to know more about this WIP too. If you find any new information on it, please let me know XD

Yep, ancient history is so cool! Most of my fantasy cultures are based on ancient or classical cultures. I just like the aesthetics better than any other time period.

Ooh, hmm, I get ideas from history all the time. Mostly it’s an interesting person I’d love to base a character off of, or some cultural or worldview conflict I could…[Read more]

Idk if I have any good tips on writing fantasy creatures, but I guess I could just say start with what you know and what you like. I love turtles and birds, so two of my races are a turtle/tortoise race and a bird race. Try mashing different animals together (Avatar: The Last Airbender is great at this, if you’ve ever seen…[Read more]

Yeah, I heard there are a lot of love triangles in Korra and that Korra herself is not as strong of a character as…anybody in ATLA lol. I’m guessing the answer is no, but is it possible to start watching Korra in season 2, or even season 4?

Who are your favorite ATLA characters? Mine are Wan Shi Tong (yeah, I know he’s obscure but I…[Read more]

by Bethany

I cannot say what I think

And I cannot think of what to say.

When my better judgment restricts

What my heart begs to convey–

I’ll pretend I didn’t hear you.

But I wish that I could tell you

And hear what you would say,

Yet I doubt I’d like your answer,

So I think I’ll go away.

This corner seems nic…[Read more]

I have a hard time getting honest feedback as well because my writing pals are too nice XD I guess the strongest criticism I got was that one character was being overdramatic? Which, he was. I don’t think I’ve really ever disagreed with critiques I’ve gotten, except when someone misunderstood something and critiqued based on that…[Read more]

Hey Kathleen! I really like Trench too. The whole DEMA lore is so cool. I honestly think there should be a movie, or at least a book.

That is so cool about your sister! Small world huh?

I definitely prefer the more cultural and personal side to history. But anytime I crack open my history textbook, I get so many ideas for plots…[Read more]

Unfortunately, I can’t tell you much about the one story since I’m still hammering out details myself (for every story idea I get, I get a thousand different plotlines for it), but the one character who’s being told he’s the Chosen One turns out not to be the Chosen One at all, the villain is masquerading as a good guy, and…[Read more]

Did you get my reply? It seems KP ate it. Maybe it got messed up when I tried to edit it?

@jodi-maile

Wow, it seems you know a lot of history! How did you get interested in Japanese history?

Electric bass is really cool! What kinds of stuff could you play on it?

I’ve been homeschooled my whole life and started taking…[Read more]

Thanks for your thoughts!

@devastate-lasting

First person peripheral? I actually did consider that for this story. That’s when the narrator is not the main character, like in The Great Gatsby?

@jodi-maile

I think I may just have to experiment and see which one works best. Because I can see how great it would be for the…[Read more]

Yes I’m on Story Embers! Same name. KP seems to be more active, so I thought I’d join.

The Emperor’s New Groove is a pure delight. I’d heard it was super good, and I was not disappointed.

Hey Kads! That’s honestly a really cool name; how’d you come up with it?

I have around three WIPs I keep tossing around in my head and they are

1) A contemporary YA about siblings, community, and issues in the church (I’m really passionate about this story but it’s VERY hard to write). This is the story though where I…[Read more]

Hey Kads! That’s honestly a really cool name; how’d you come up with it?

I have around three WIPs I keep tossing around in my head and they are

1) A contemporary YA about siblings, community, and issues in the church (I’m really passionate about this story but it’s VERY hard to write). This is the story though where I…[Read more]

I’m new here (my intro post is somewhere around here), but anyway, I have a question. I’m working on a contemporary story and I’m trying to decide whether to write in present or past tense. I know 1st person present tense is a very popular POV in YA contemporary (which is what my WIP is), but sometimes it comes off as…trite, I guess, to…[Read more]

I’m Bethany, or Bethania if you prefer to use the Latin version of my name. I read a lot and write too little, but I am trying to get better. When I do write, it’s poetry, high fantasy, or non-romantic contemporary because I am a miserable rock who hates love. I am a phlegmatic INTP, if that means anything (I…[Read more]