Character Development
Self-Editing Epiphany: A Creative Odyssey
Writing is a tightrope stretched over a chasm of doubt—every word a step, every edit a glance backward to see if you’ve fallen. It’s a solitary act of courage, where the writer spills their soul onto the page, then turns a ruthless eye on the mess they’ve made.
By Ramesh Mahato 11 months ago in Critique
Dissecting Frog Songs. Runner-Up in Self-Editing Epiphany Challenge.
For the Self-Editing Epiphany challenge, I’ve decided to revisit my “Frog Songs” story. It’s a story which taught me the importance of reading aloud as I write, because reading aloud helps me hear the focal point of the story. When I first read “Frog Songs,” at my local library's open mic night, it made me realize how dreadfully boring it was because it lacked a clear focal point.
By Judah LoVato11 months ago in Critique
A Moment On My Soapbox. Runner-Up in Self-Editing Epiphany Challenge.
Pulls out soapbox. History never repeats itself, but it loves playing a good cover. When we cease to understand, and only imitate, we doom ourselves and others into repeating the same chords, the same notes, eventually writing off a cover as a different song entirely.
By Matthew J. Fromm11 months ago in Critique
What goes through the mind of an empty envelope?
Humans! Aah, the notorious ones gospelled with the prowess of pouring their hearts onto the folds of power, of unleashing the confinement of unsaid pain through the enigmatic flair of woven syllables through the crevices of their glistening minds.
By Hridya Sharma11 months ago in Critique
A Writer in Paris . Top Story - March 2025.
A writer in Paris. Do they exist? How does one even get such a title.Or is it just an ‘instagram vs. reality’ fictional character, in a fictional world, Sex and the City type-thingy? It’s got to be a monologue or some sort of identity crisis that someone coins themself within their mind to make them feel like their craft is of great importance -right?
By Natasha Collazo11 months ago in Critique
Unearthing the Horror: A Self-Editing Epiphany on “Serpent’s Dominion”
"Serpent's Dominion" explodes onto the scene with an atmosphere so charged it nearly burns the pages—every inch of the island thrums with violent, sinister life. The ground rumbles ferociously beneath his feet—a deep, malignant heartbeat pulsing from the island’s core, as if the very earth were a ravenous beast preparing to strike. This opening salvo not only drags readers into a vortex of relentless impending doom but makes them acutely aware that every tremor is the foreboding drum of a monstrous force lying in wait.
By Jason “Jay” Benskin11 months ago in Critique
You Turned the Page, Didn’t You?
Introduction In the novel I’m writing, boundaries are porous. The Reader is not a passive observer, but a participant. The story doesn’t merely unfold; it listens, responds, and questions its own existence. At key moments, I employ what I call Meetings of the Minds—conversations between characters, but also with the Reader, whose voice becomes entangled in the exchange.
By Stéphane Lallée11 months ago in Critique
Raw to Remix- 53 & Me. Runner-Up in Self-Editing Epiphany Challenge.
The crows have landed, I see imperfection. Fifty times around the sun plus three more to rub my nose in it. Love yourself, they say, age with grace. But celebrities don't, so why should I? Botox and fillers- a facelift will do. Don't take age lying down, invoke skin resurrection. "You look good for your age." What the hell does that mean? Under eye bags, a deep forehead wrinkle leaves no secrets on my face. Social media spites me and forwardly invites me: To challenge Father Time with "Yeah, I'm about to get mine." Creams, potions, and diet, already tried it. So, I'm about to go in for hand assisted fixes and take a page from the famous. If you ask me later, know I denied it. This is all natural, don't you see; me at 53!
By Marilyn Glover11 months ago in Critique
The Cost of Character
For the sake of all those involved, either personal or extra personal, names of this tale must remain masked in anonymity. At the tender age of ten, I was swept up in the desire to become a writer. I have always loved the study of english as a language. I feel a true rush of pleasure when I can hear words practially sing off a page. I can see life form from blankness. The only limit a writer has on what they can bring to life on a page, is their own imagination.
By Noelle Spaulding 11 months ago in Critique
