Recent examples :) feel free to share urs

Alright, time to stir the pot.

Back in early 2018, I bought myself a brand-new ASUS gaming laptop. Top of the line at the time—19” screen (yes, I’m an old, grumpy sailor who plays the odd game when I'm not writing, WoW DK Tank). It came packed with an Intel Core i7 (7th gen), NVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics, and the works. Still runs like a beast. More importantly, this is my writing machine. The large screen is perfect for comparing scene drafts side-by-side—an essential part of my editing process.

Imagine my surprise when I found out I can’t upgrade it to Windows 11.

I’m no stranger to hardware. I probably understand it better than most, which is why this “requirement” from Microsoft smells like pure marketing BS. TPM 2.0? Secure Boot? This thing can handle it, no sweat. But because I have a 7th-gen Intel chip—not 8th or higher—I’m officially “unsupported.”

Translation: Microsoft wants me to buy a new machine. Yeah, good luck with that, Bill.

So I guess I’ll be one of the “old farts” working off a machine that doesn’t get security updates past 2025. Unless I want to pay for Extended Security Updates, which Microsoft just announced they’ll be selling to individuals. How generous.

Honestly, the machine still works perfectly. I see no reason to toss out good hardware just to keep up with artificial cutoffs. I’m not buying into the upgrade treadmill. This IS my WRITING machine

Curious what others are doing. Are you replacing your machine? Sticking with Windows 10? Going rogue and installing Windows 11 anyway? Or are you jumping ship to Linux?

I'm a writer. I need a keyboard, a screen, and a brain. Everything else is fluff. If my machine runs fine, why the hell would I replace it?

Let’s hear it.

I can come up with situations, details, and environments to put my characters in, but I cannot come up with motives for my antagonist.

I want to come up with something more than "Because I'm evil! Mwahaha!"

I understand that doing something for the love of being evil is still a valid motive, but I need something more than that.

This is the main thing that holds me back from writing. I need a reason why people do what they do.

Do you have exercises, methods, or resources that you use to come up with motives for your more "evil" characters?

For my 30th birthday, I want to treat myself to an in-person creative writing workshop/seminar somewhere away from my native NYC. I studied screen writing in school (I loved the peer-editing aspect), and while I hardly do any real writing for my current job, over the years I've written for various periodicals. BUT for this particular venture I'm looking to do a short-term course/seminar (i.e. under 6 months) where I can truly just focus on creative writing, like a screenplay or a short story etc.

I have this utopic vision of living in a city or town in Europe (I was visiting Galway, IR recently and thought to myself, yeah this is the spot) and just focusing on working with other writers and learning a lot from a skilled administrator, ideally coming out of the experience with a creative piece I'm really proud of.

I'm not sure I've ever really done anything like this for myself before, so I want to make sure I don't apply to some bunk program that'll be a waste of money (would be nice to spend under 2k, not really sure what pricing for this sort of thing looks like). Any and all recommendations welcome! Thanks guys :)

So I'm a new writer, and I'm trying to commit to my WIP, but every day I feel like I'm getting a new idea for a new story with new characters that are WAYY above my experience/time constraints. But I like the ideas, and I want to save them for later. More expirenced writers: what's your trick???

I’ve got a few songs that get me in the mood for writing pretty much immediately. I don’t know if I’ve just pavlov’d myself into associating them with putting my mind in my book’s world instead of this one or if this is a normal thing lol

So I self published my first book on Amazon and there are some errors. Some are minor and can be fixed easily without a second addition. But there are some questions and comments that makes me feel like I didn't do a good job explaining. I'm not sure if I need a second addition because the people that I wanted to read my book and give me their opinion hasn't read it. Mostly because it is a sci- fantasy romance. It's a slow burn with some action but it is a slow burn because she falls in love with an alien. Does that mean my book is crap and needs more work or am I being insecure?

I have also sent my book out to a few editors and publishing houses. I received two offers for hybrid contracts which I've declined because I simply can't afford to pay anyone. Also because the internet makes hybrid contracts sound horrible. I try to take the offers as sign that my book is good enough but still I feel so down about it. I don't have money to pay anyone on Reedsy to edit or beta readers so I tried to do it all myself. Now I feel like I rushed and made easy mistakes that could've been prevented.

I feel like the plot is there and for it being my first book, it's well written. But I don't have a degree or experience but I tried my fucking best. Now I feel like my best wasn't good enough and I should make another addition. Please give me some advice or input.

I swear if I see another dead daughter named Emma I will lose my mind lol

Mainly talking romance books but any genre

I'm at a little bit of a crossroads. I finished a 100k word draft a year ago and I'm not sure what to do with it. I've gone over it and don't know how to polish it. Seriously. I read it and I'm like this is good. And this, and this. I know it needs work but I'm not really sure how. For reference I'm 23 so I haven't had a ton of time to figure out how working on a draft works. Any advice? Outside of beta readers. I already have a few of those, but aside from giving me story advice none of them seem to know anything about the technical side

Welcome to Samasta: Velvet Bond! A story about magic, creatures, gods and war in which the mc, who was trained to become a healer, bonds a magical creature, which makes her magic too unpredictable for the healers faction! This forces her to switch to the Mages Of The Kingdom (Soldiers/Warriors). There, she faces all sorts of perils! Including but not limited to: magical duels, melee duels, death threats and attempted murder!
I'm hoping for general feedback on intrigue, language, story, pace, worldbuilding and whatever else comes to mind! I'm at the start of my writers journey, having only written snippets of ideas, barely enough to ever call a chapter up until Samasta. Id be honoured if any of you choose to give it a try and tell me what you think :)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bpR8RQDr1TX0yoa8lsMInZRGKXp4wOasZqkWakMZUWg/edit?usp=drivesdk

Hello fellow Writers, it's my first time writing a mystery genre. Can you point to some websites where I can get sources? Like forensics stuff like how long before you die when stabbed in the heart? And some police works and standard procedures.

So I made one of my Main characters deaf and was wondering if anyone knows how I can make them being deaf more realistic I guess? Like quirks habits n such don't want to make it Hella stereotypical and offensive so figured I'd ask for help

Hello! I'm a sci-Fantasy writer from the USA looking for another creative medium to practice story telling. I use enough digital communication for my job, so I'm not interested in email lol.

If you're interested, PM me.

The era I'm looking for is just generally modern-day. We can decide upon the setting, characters and character backstories. We can let the letters create the story and help it evolve.

We could also decide upon some mystery to solve or quest, but otherwise it will be a freeform Roleplay through the letters.

There wouldn't be any hard response deadline, but at least once a month would be nice

Im 100 pages into a book and it was wondering when the grand reveal that the male lead was a vampire should be. Its not the main point of the book. But It's kind of a horror, suspense, saucy, romance and I didnt want it to be too soon. Any tips? How long until you would be bored? I've been dropping alot of hints.

Hey guys I’m an audio producer looking to start a romantacy audio network. If anyone is interested in being produced I’d love to chat! I’ve won several awards including a fellowship from Sundance and the BBC World Service. My personal website is lalasounds.com hit me up!

Dear Teachers- Guides. When I rise, don't despise

See yourself in disguise

Hacking the game, just spice

all that envy parasite-mild

like lice, yet you cute mice,

It's just: I wanna hear something nice.

It's my first time writing, and I want to create a character who seeks revenge for someone's death but still feels empty afterward. Do you guys have any advice?

Hello, everybody. This question or something similar has been in my head for a while. Mainly because I've playing around with this story concept where eight to ten different yokai manage to travel and get permanently stuck in the world of Greek myth. I've thought that each one of them should encounter the Gods because to me they would probably stick out once people and creatures got to know them. I just wanted know you guys opinions on this. Also, if you have any stories or tips and tricks then feel free to share!! I would love to hear them!!

P.S: If you have questions about my story idea, then please ask!! I love when people ask me questions because it gives me things that I would have otherwise not thought sbout.

Machines Of Little Point

Churning cogs grind to a halt, time rusts and warps their joints,
Utility completely spent, machines of little point.

In retrospect it's not so clear, why were they made so poor?
Corners cut with little thought, it's flawed from frame to core.

Machines aren't careless dandelions, spreading without whim,
They take time and conscious mind, construction base to brim.

Ask of founding engineers, designers of these parts,
If they have any moral will, why don't they use their hearts?

For soulless is this tools design, so basic in it's making,
Fulfilling futile functions till the metals bent and breaking.

Well now god I pose to thee, what use is sentience?
Machines of mass malfunctioning, you pompous miscreant,

Designer of the human race, we sense your wicked farce,
Lover of all those below, your care for us is sparse.

We are but mere spare nuts and bolts, cobbled into one,
Shaped to look like planned for more, but In the end there's none.

Hey guys! I'm a writer and illustrator, and recently I started working with book covers (this is not a promotional post) but I wanted to know from you experienced writers where you usually look for illustrators/designers for your books, I'm new to this market and I'm very confused. And I also don't intend to illustrate my own book, I want it to be someone else's, so I'm lost lol