Keep Writing

Reflections on love, lust, and limerence—an essay inspired by Sally Rooney's Intermezzo

Hi everyone. I'm trying to improve my writing skills :) I love the idea of writing whatever comes to mind with as little editing as possible, so I sat down and wrote as short reflection on a wonderful book I've been reading. Any feedback on my writing style would be super welcome, and I hope it makes you want to read Wintering - I'm really enjoying it.

Katherine May draws a unique parallel in her book ‘Wintering’ between the coming of and living through the winter months, and those liminal times in your life – when a gap opens up underfoot and swallows us whole. It’s never clear when such a gap appears to steal us away, and how long exactly we’ll spend in the liminality we fall into, and most of us claw at the walls in an attempt to scale up and out, back into the warm light of day – how things used to be. Katherine’s book is an account of how she learned to see it more as a wave to ride than a locked room to break free from. Her ultimate message is an argument to reframe it, or to see it for what it really is; not as a bleak, timeless realm devoid of hope and light, but of a necessary state we all find ourselves in at various points in our lives, and that this realm offers its own medicines for those who care to look. These seasonal and spiritual changes Katherine refers to as ‘Wintering’ – aptly a verb to articulate its ephemeral nature – serve much in the same way a good night’s sleep does: while a deep and peaceful sleep purges metabolic waste and toxins from our brains, a wintering can offer a more spiritual cleanse; a hibernation after a hot and unrelenting summer; a mirror held up in front to break our blind and frenzied sprint towards a goal we’ve long forgotten; a beloved teacher from our school days with a soft voice, reassuring smile and placations to calm our nerves.

Had a dream last night where I was on a road-trip and ended up randomly dropping into an alternate dimension, this short story is pretty much the backstory for how that dimension diverges from our own and is about 1/3 straight dream, 1/3 the random oddly detailed lore dump my brain gave me when I woke up (anyone elses brain do that?) and 1/3 creative writing to fill in the gaps. I'm not even am ameteur but I hope you guys find it interesting.
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At the end of the second great war the Manhattan project had yielded few results, though the allies would go on to win the war the power of the atom would never be harnessed for warfare. Yet deep bunkers in Germany would reveal research on a phenomena known as astrological manipulation; the effect was weak, almost a parlour trick, the sun could be turned dark or the stars made to shine brighter but only from the perspective of a small area and only for a few minutes. Fascinating to the theoretical physicists of the world but barely of note to nations in the midst of post war reconstruction.

It would not be until the 1960s that those physicists would finally attain a shaky yet certain grasp of the phenomena. Project Argus took 20 years to construct, a joint project between the United States and Great Britain, part arcane circle and part particle accelerator the enormous construct spanned 200 miles of Atlantic ocean, suspended from thousands of floating stabilization platforms. World War 3 would begin on January 5th 1980, and end with at the same no and total casualties on all side on January 6th 1980.

The goal of project Argus, the total hegemony of a united British and American empire, was to be attained by demonstration of absolute control of the sun itself, and yet such perceived control was wholly illusory. The sun would darken to a cold cinder, never to return.

By the end of 1981 desperation would truly set in all thoughts of conquest cast aside in the name of survival, great furnaces churned dark smoke into a darker sky attempting to provide light and heat to those remaining inhabitants and the precious grow houses that sustained them. On December 9th, now known as the day of the red star, Argus would awaken once more from its slumber; Those survivors of the original test, those rescued from summary execution by a now unknown yet foresighted officer would do everything in their power to light a candle in the dark.

On the day of the red star Jupiter would burn, a feint candle in the dark. Daylight earth would not see again yet the feint red light of day was as a nova after 2 years of darkness. Life would cease its gradual retreat into oblivion, though much changed and much diminished it would cling on in the twilight. Some few plants were able to subsist in the gloom and so sustain what little life was left. In the cites those who had survived the apocalypse would now dwell forever in twilight.

Sorry if this isn't relevant here but it's the only place I could thing of posting this

I'm looking to make manga of my own in the future but I'm still slowly learning to draw in my free time and am still a long ways to go before being able to draw.

But I've been writing down every story idea thats popped up in my mind instead of letting them dissappear but it's getting to the point where it needs to be organised

The features I want in the software are

• Has to support Windows 11
• Must be free, preferably open source
• Allows hyperlinking to other documents
• Has the ability to tag documents
• Has folders or categories

I've been using this site for over a year every time I get stuck on a subject.

What free, online tools do you use when you're stuck on words, descriptions or motivation? Powerthesaurus.org is one of my favourites because it does phrases as well. I know there's a paid version, but I haven't used it.

Share your links and tips.

I wrote this as an exercise in creating a specific atmosphere, focusing on sentence length and structure. I found this interesting excerpt discussing "writing music" from Gary Provost, and thought I'd give it a try.

What sort of atmosphere/vibe do you get from this story? Let me know to help me improve my writing! All feedback is appreciated.

I find myself often putting small details into my stories that come straight from my life experience: a car model, a location, a reference to a book or a movie... small details that make the story feel more connected and help me dive into it.

Do you do this as well? And do you keep those things in your work or do you anonimize or erase those little details, when you give others your work to read?

Since I got so many updoots on my proposed writing competition the other week, and no response neither positive or negative from the mods, I've decided to go through with it. Write in the comments below a short story, essay, or piece of poetry based on the prompt "Echos in the dark". The winner will be determined by whoever has the most updoots within 7 days. I'd highly recommend you start writing straight away to get the most eyes on your work. I too will be writing something for fun, but won't be included as a possible winner.

The winner of the competition will be announced in a separate post, either just winning bragging rights, or will get a shout out to any social medias or websites they're working to promote.

It's called CORPORATE DRAGON SLAYER or: Writing Is Punk Rock

I was thinking about how to bring a bit of life into this community, and I was thinking that a weekly writing competition would be great. Perhaps instead of just short stories, we could include a further focus on poetry, short essays, and of course still including short stories. I think the prompts could be less restrictive than those on r/writingprompts over on Reddit and similar communities; instead they could be things like "Gaza-Israeli conflict", opening the floor to poetry, essays, commentaries, or short stories. Would love to see your prompt suggestions.

Furthermore, how would the voting go? Perhaps the mods could help with that, perhaps it could be based on the Lemmy voting system? This has been the most difficult part for me to figure out so far.

In place of a cash prize (I'm broke), I think a shout out to any websites, social media pages, or just your Lemmy account right here could work as a prize.

Would love to see what you guys think: prompts, choosing winners, a larger platform for shout outs to make the prize more enticing.

There are very legitimate concerns that AI can be used to replace content created by human writers. In the meantime, writers are being employed to help train the AI that may one day replace them.

My September Month’s Medium Stat: Revealing All Ins & Outs and My 5 Key Takeaways — Let’s Learn the Secret!

https://medium.com/@ravinimbus/my-september-months-medium-stat-revealing-all-ins-outs-and-my-5-key-takeaways-let-s-learn-b2bdb2c96f15

#medium #writing @PinkHatHacker @medium @medium_blog @writingcooperative @keepwriting

In bed? Cafe? At a desk? Do you bring snacks? Write caffeinated? I'll usually have a coffee and write for an hour before I get too jittery and I'll do some physical exercise. It's an okay schedule considering that I'm still in school.

Used WordPress.com to make the website, wasn't the worst experience. I'm going to get the pro version and buy myself an actual domain soon enough, but it's been fun sharing my stuff online in any capacity. Constructive criticism is encouraged and appreciated!

I'm self publishing a novel, releasing chapters as I write and edit them. The novel is a sci-fantasy influenced by JRPGs, 90s anime, Ancient Greece, and cyberpunk stuff like Samuel R. Delany's Nova. It's fairly derivative, wearing influences on its sleeve.

I've always wanted to write a novel, so I pulled the trigger and decided to Just Do It™. It has been a great learning experience thus far. I've released two chapters, and plan to keep releasing chapters between other projects I'm working on.

If you read any of it, please let me know what you think. I am kinda soft when it comes to my work, so if your feedback comes off as passive aggressive, meanspirited, insensitive, etc. I'll likely just ignore you.

I don't know if it's an effect of growing up or an effect of growing up during these trying ass times but sometimes it feels like that spark of creativity is gone (or at least incredibly diminished).

Went back and read one of my older stories from a few years back and I gotta say, it's striking how entertaining and creative I found it, and when I think to anything I written recently, it's depressing how dull/uninspired it is.

I'm a writer who enjoys crafting stories that delve into unusual, niche, or unconventional themes. Lately, I've been struggling to balance my passion for esoteric writing with the desire to find an audience that appreciates and engages with my work. I wanted to reach out to see if anyone has advice or experiences to share regarding this dilemma.

Challenges I'm Facing:

Finding the Right Audience: While I know there are readers out there who would appreciate my themes and storytelling style, reaching them has proven difficult. I often feel like my work is too niche for mainstream platforms.

Balancing Art and Accessibility: I don't want to compromise the integrity of my stories, but I also want them to be accessible enough to attract readers. Finding this balance is a constant struggle.

Marketing and Promotion: Traditional marketing strategies seem ill-suited for my kind of writing. I'm looking for creative ways to promote my work and connect with potential readers who appreciate esoteric themes.

Questions for the Community:

Have you written esoteric or niche stories? How did you find your audience? What strategies have you used to balance artistic integrity with accessibility? Do you have any marketing or promotional tips for unconventional writing? Are there specific platforms or communities you recommend for writers with niche themes? I appreciate any insights, experiences, or advice you can share. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I look forward to hearing from you!

The Galactic Ecosystem: A Microcosm on My Arm

Imagine, if you will, that a small section of your arm has become the prime real estate for a variety of extraterrestrial life forms. While it may sound like the beginning of a science fiction novel, the diverse inhabitants of this microcosmic universe are more fantastical than one could dream. Herein, we explore the lives of five different kinds of extraterrestrials that might be calling your arm their new home.

1. The Luminian Lumisprites

First among these alien inhabitants are the Luminian Lumisprites, tiny bioluminescent beings that hail from the distant planet of Glimmera. Each Lumisprite is no larger than a grain of sand, yet they possess the extraordinary ability to emit a soft, glowing light. These beings thrive on the natural oils of human skin, which they metabolize to produce their luminescence. At night, when the lights are off, you might see a faint, ethereal glow emanating from your arm, like a living constellation. The Lumisprites communicate through patterns of light, creating intricate, ever-changing displays that tell the stories of their distant homeland.

2. The Sporellian Fungusfolk

Nestled within the fine hair follicles are the Sporellian Fungusfolk, a symbiotic species that resemble tiny, mushroom-like creatures. Originating from the fungal forests of Sporellia, these beings have a peculiar way of life. They feed on dead skin cells and in return, they secrete a soothing gel that promotes skin health. The Fungusfolk are master architects, constructing elaborate mycelium networks that help regulate moisture levels on your skin. If you ever feel a slight tickling sensation, it’s likely the Fungusfolk hard at work, maintaining their underground cities.

3. The Micronautic Mariners

In the creases and lines of your skin live the Micronautic Mariners, a diminutive race of aquatic beings. These tiny creatures come from a watery world known as Oceanea Minimus, where they navigated vast oceans in microscopic vessels. On your arm, they’ve adapted to the sweat and natural moisture, using it as their personal seas. The Mariners have built tiny boats from keratin and traverse your skin like sailors of old, mapping every inch of their new, expansive ocean. Their society is rich with nautical traditions, and their tiny, high-pitched sea shanties can occasionally be heard if you listen very, very closely.

4. The Nebulon Nomads

Drifting just above the surface are the Nebulon Nomads, ephemeral beings made of interstellar dust and energy. These nomadic creatures are almost invisible to the naked eye, appearing as slight shimmering distortions in the air. Originating from the swirling clouds of the Nebula Nox, they are drawn to the electromagnetic fields generated by the human body. The Nebulon Nomads travel in wispy clusters, perpetually in motion, absorbing stray electrons to sustain themselves. Though intangible, their presence is known to enhance the natural electrical signals in your nerves, sometimes resulting in spontaneous, tingling sensations.

5. The Quarkian Quantumites

Lastly, deep within the atomic structure of your skin cells reside the Quarkian Quantumites, entities composed of subatomic particles from the quantum realm of Quarkos. These beings are not bound by the physical laws of our universe and can exist in multiple states simultaneously. The Quantumites are responsible for occasional, inexplicable phenomena such as the sudden disappearance and reappearance of small objects around you. They communicate through quantum entanglement, sending instantaneous messages across vast distances. Their presence is a constant reminder of the mysterious and interconnected nature of all existence.

Conclusion

While the notion of extraterrestrial beings inhabiting your arm might seem outlandish, it offers a whimsical perspective on the unseen wonders that could exist just beyond our perception. The Luminian Lumisprites, Sporellian Fungusfolk, Micronautic Mariners, Nebulon Nomads, and Quarkian Quantumites each bring their unique qualities to this microscopic ecosystem. Whether they are real or merely figments of an imaginative mind, these creatures remind us of the infinite possibilities that the universe holds, even in the most unexpected places.

As we ponder the lives of these extraordinary beings, we are invited to view our world with a sense of wonder and curiosity. For who knows what other mysteries might be hiding in plain sight, just waiting to be discovered? 🌌✨👾

I deceided to join Medium and start sharing stories. I am starting with some short stories that I have started to write. The Fifth Wheel is my frist. Thank you for reading my post.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/14812704

a short story / black comedy i wrote about gaming addiction and the value of digital treasures

if you read it, let me know what you think.

(written with over 70 footnotes that add context and flavor to the '90s-00s setting. some of the footnotes are paragraphs long. the footnotes are not necessary to understand the story as they function more as a way to break the third person perspective to provide context & personal stories around the various 90s-2000s things that pop up throughout the story. NOTE: if you read on the site, you can click a footnote number, then click the arrow after the actual footnote to take you back. you can also skip the footnotes entirely if breaking up the text takes you out of the story too much.)

i run a gaming blog that is more like a creative writing blog. i just published this essay. the essay's main theme is nostalgia and living-in-the-past told through personal stories.

if you read it, let me know what you think. thanks.

Do you struggle to write every day? Come join an accountability team and compete for the prize of most consistent writers!

Here's how it works:

1️⃣ Reply to this message seeking an accountability partner, or reply to another user's request. Each team must consist of exactly two members.

2️⃣ This coming week, keep track of the number of days you have spent at least fifteen minutes working on your book, blog, or other writing project. The number of successful days is your score.

3️⃣ Add your score together with your partner's. The maximum number of points a team can earn is 14.

4️⃣ Next week on Sunday, a new announcement will be posted. One member of your team must reply with the team's score. Be honest. If you lie, your pants will spontaneously burst into flames.

5️⃣ The team with the highest score will be declared the winner! In the event of a tie, the winning team will be chosen randomly. Remember, the goal is not to write a million words. Rather, the goal is consistency—writing every day.

🎉 Prizes! 🏆

Bragging rights

Becoming a better writer

Two links of your choice (one from you and one from your partner) will appear at the top of next week's announcement.

This week's competition will run 1/14 - 1/21.

Happy writing!