Hunger's Bite Is Out!

If you ever make a taglist, feel free to add me to it!

Master Post of Neon Ash

Chapter 1 - Jesse Survived.

Chapter 2 - Lira Cried.

Chapter 3 - Jesse Slept.

Chapter 4 - The Protest.

Chapter 5 - Mysteries.

Chapter 6 - Hope.

Beta Reader Call!

I am currently polishing up the third draft of my portal fantasy novel, A Song in the Wilderness, which means it's finally time for one of my favorite parts of the writing process: beta reading! I have already reached out to a couple of regular readers, but I am in search of two or three more beta readers to give me some fresh eyes on this story.

Have you always wanted to try beta reading but don’t want too much pressure? Do you need more reading material to while away the sweet summer hours (or cold winter nights, for my Southern Hemisphere friends)? Are you eager for a chance to take a red pen (literal or otherwise) to someone else's writing? Do you want a quiet, character-driven story about faith, duty, and sacrifice? This might be the project for you!

Note: Responses must be submitted by May 12th.

*If you are interested in reading this story but don't want the pressure of formal beta-reading or if the deadline doesn't work for you, please see my note near the bottom.*

A bit about the story:

More than ten years ago, Paige tripped through a portal and ended up in a different world—with no way to get back. She arrived with nothing but the clothes on her back, a kitten in her pocket, and strange new powers that nearly destroyed her before she learned how to deal with them. The people of this world taught Paige to survive. Like her, they have had to eke out a living on the far side of their own apocalypse, carving out a tenuous peace in a world ravaged by war and disease. Over the years, many of those people have become her friends, and one of them hopes for something more. But Paige doesn't want more. All she has to live for is the hope that one day she will find the answers she seeks. All she wants is to go home. And then everything Paige has come to know about this world changes in a moment. The high king of the northern clans is dead. War is brewing across the desert. Paige's friends are looking to her, with her strange Traveler's gifts, to help them survive. Paige has no desire to be drawn into this conflict. Instead, deciding she has nothing to lose, she makes a desperate gamble. That gamble takes her into the wilderness, where she finally learns just how much she must give up in order to gain the one thing she wants most. A Song in the Wilderness is a portal fantasy about learning to live on the other side of your own apocalypse. "This story broke me. I am completely at its mercy." - My sister

Estimated word count: 85,000 words (roughly 330 pages in standard book format; around the same length as Persuasion, The Secret Garden, Sabriel, The King of Attolia, and Cinder)

Note: This is not (in my opinion) the kind of story I typically write. There is very little action. The plot is character-driven and is heavily introspective, examining faith, responsibility, and relationships of all sorts. Outside of events that cover three or four chapters, there's no clear antagonist. Where it does align with my usual writing is in themes of grief, sense of place, and hope.

Project tag on tumblr (mostly spoiler-free)

What I need from my readers:

Open, honest feedback about:

Plot/story structure: Does it make sense? Is it compelling?

Characters: Are they consistent and realistic, with clear motives, believable choices and actions, and distinct personalities?

World-building and writing style: Is it concise, or is it simply swimming in exposition? How is the pacing? Also, exactly how much attention should I put on transitions from one scene to the next?

With this being a third draft story, my main concern right now is the overall structure of the story. I need to know what works, what doesn't, and what needs more attention in the next round of revisions. Whether you prefer to leave editorial or reactionary comments, line-by-line or in summary, so long as you can point out the story and writing issues that stand out to you, we’ll get along just fine. You do not need to have prior beta reading experience, just a willingness to read critically and offer honest feedback.

Note: If at any time you decide, for any reason at all, that you won't be able to complete this beta reading project, you only have to shoot me a message to let me know. There are absolutely no hard feelings. I've been there.

Dates and things:

This project will run from May 17th to June 30th. You can read the story at your own pace any time within that time frame, but I do ask that you have the project completed and your notes submitted by June 30th.

I will have a questionnaire for you to fill out at the end of your reading. Additional notes can be in-line comments in the document itself or in a summary either emailed or messaged to me--whichever and however much works for you. I am open for messages if you randomly decide you want to discuss details with me. (PLEASE talk to me about my writing! It's my favorite thing!)

Most of my readers prefer to work in Google Docs for the convenient comments feature, but we can look at other options if necessary.

If interested:

Complete the reader request form here by Monday, May 12th! Note that there is a link on the first page to the prologue and first chapter, so you can get an idea of my style and make sure it works for you.

If I get enough readers before the 12th, I will consider closing requests for now.

*If you are interested in reading this story but don't want the pressure of beta-reading or the deadline, please feel free to still contact me! Either I can still add you to my list, but for a more casual reading of this third draft, or I can put your name on the list for the fourth draft (date TBD, hopefully around August or September).*

A bit about the writer:

I'm a 30-something office admin by day, spec-fic writer by night, and hapless backyard gardener when the mood strikes me. Most of my stories start out as a "what if?", with characters piling into the clown car as soon as I have a vague setting worked out in which to answer the pivotal question. My least favorite step of any writing project is the rough draft. In writing, I try to follow Jane Austen’s philosophy: “My characters shall have, after a little trouble, all that they desire.” Most of the time I manage it.

My writing trademarks according to my writing group are: forehead kisses, protagonists with a martyr complex, way too many side characters, good dialogue, “repressed Victorian romance plots”, keen examinations of grief, and just a pinch of MelodramaTM.

You can find samples of my writing right here on tumblr:

Zenith Station (sci-fi short story collection, always ongoing)

Or on Dreamwidth:

The Tides That Bind (low fantasy, last completed novel)

I adore this. You perfectly took symbolism and imagery associated with the heart that would usually be framed as comforting, and distorted it in a way that gave me chills. This poem felt extremely powerful because of that, and I love the haunting imagery you've created here.

Cracks are in the molding of the drywall

where my fingers push in the heart

I'm tired of holding

The squelch it makes when it hits the ground

notifies me of my failure and makes my voicebox

attempt to imitate that horrifying sound

My knees slip in the flood of red from it's exit

And I fall in time with it's beating

Gorey giggles bubble from my mouth

when I end up landing face to face with it

Realizing that this is karma's dealing

Speaking of, tempted to make a community myself, but since I have a variety of unconnected works, I have no idea what that would be a community for. Kind of reminds me of the idea I had to try and get myself posting again, mainly making like, a sort of dating sim kind of group of characters to play around with.

Y'all want me to make object head people for you to kiss? SFUIHSFU

Writing Update 5/15/2025

Hi hi! For the most part, I've finished the hero side of the worldbuilding. I mostly just have to think of more holidays. Anyways, here are the categories of heroes for anyone interested (keep in mind this is a draft that needs more polish):

Commons - Heroes that represent common hopes and dreams.

Pinnacles - Heroes that represent hopes that are achievable, but need a lot of work to become reality, and depend highly on the direction of the future. This can include heroes that represent concepts like world peace or futuristic technology.

Ambitions - Heroes that represent hopes and dreams that are more personal, such as hopes for one's family, personal goals, and so on.

Unattainables - Heroes that represent human desires or dreams which can not be attained. Some are obvious like those based on things like flying or shape shifting dreams, while others are more abstract and connect to humans attempting to disregard their humanity.

Tag list: @aweirdshipp, @floofyboi57, @aralithmenathere

Does anyone know a name for lamp shades with this texture, or how to describe that?

Source

"I know adverbs are controversial, but "said softly" means something different than 'whispered' and this is the hill I will die on."

Call For Alpha Readers

The time has come to send my baby into the unknown and let it be perceived.

I am in search of ALPHA READERS to read and give feedback on the second draft of my manuscript.

The Tomb’s Whisper is a new adult fantasy that you can read about here.

The Details

You will be given access to my complete manuscript and a list of questions to guide your feedback.

I am looking for a one month turnaround for a 70k manuscript, but I can be flexible on deadlines as long as there is open communication.

In return, I am willing to offer my services as alpha or beta reader, or read and comment on a piece of your choosing.

What I Need

Detailed feedback on pacing, plot, character development, character dynamics, and overall impressions.

What I Am Not Looking For

An editor. This is a second draft, grammar and structure will be iffy in places and we all have to live with that.

Reviewers. This is a second draft and my first ever novel-length work. I am not claiming to be Brandon Sanderson.

If you are interested, please fill out this Google Form to sign up! I will reach out to everyone personally to confirm details.

Throwing the tag list on here in case you want to spread the word: @outpost51 @writernopal @avrablake @writingrosesonneptune @theroseempress (please ask to be +/-)

behold, honse

went through a lascaux horse phase and the results are uhhhh *checks list* bumper stickers, bookmark, sticker sheet, and die cut sticker

[shop] - honses will be released into the wild on May 3 (2025)

Love the idea of having a diary for a character, and this is so beautifully written!

5/2

The death of winter is the birth of spring. There’s a certain melody to spring that I can’t quite capture. Is it the hum of the insects leaving their hiding spots I’ve not yet found? The chirps and caws of the animals greeting the still frigid morning? Or could it be the wind that no longer bites at my skin with a deathly cold but instead carries new life: seeds. The scenery is foreign to me now. I had grown used to the blank, muted world, where only the orange from the flames in my hearth broke through the colorless world. Spring comes every year, and yet, I grow no less used to this continuing cycle of life. I am always surprised by the way life continues after tragic deaths.

This book had sat on my desk, untouched for months. It had gathered a thick layer of dust. I stared at it many nights, knowing I had much on my mind. Still I did not write. I have grown comfortable speaking in my own head. Holding the pen is uncomfortable, the ink drips in the pages as I hesitate with my words. I will write, and need to practice what I am not used to. Before I had learned this skill I was ashamed of my incompetence. And yet, having now learned, I find many excuses not to write. My friend would find this humorous. I know that very well. But I love to see his laugh.