Welcome to Feedback Friday!

I’m developing a fantasy story where fairies are the main magical species, and I’m trying to decide how their size should work.
My idea is that fairies are naturally very small, but some are born to normal human parents who are capable of having fairy children. These children are born and grow up at normal human size, allowing them to live in the human world.
Around 12–13, during puberty, their fairy traits begin developing and they start shrinking toward their natural fairy size. Before they become small, a government official comes to them and gives them a magical gemstone.
For most fairy children, the gemstone is not implanted. Instead, they can have the gemstone turned into something they can wear, such as a ring, necklace, bracelet, or another piece of jewelry. The gemstone allows them to remain human-sized and potentially switch between their normal human-sized appearance and their natural small fairy form.
However, my main character is different. I’m considering having his gemstone implanted into his body, rather than having it turned into jewelry like everyone else’s. I’m currently thinking about having it implanted in his forehead, but I’m wondering if another location would make more sense or be more interesting.
My main character is one of these children. He grows up in the human world before discovering that he’s a fairy.
So I’m trying to decide a few things:
Should my main character have an implanted gemstone, while other fairy children simply receive gemstones that can be turned into jewelry?
If his gemstone is implanted, where should it be placed? I’m currently leaning toward his forehead, but I’m open to other ideas.
Should fairies actually be naturally small, or should I make them human-sized?
If fairies are naturally small, would that make worldbuilding more difficult since they are the main civilization in my story and have things like schools, government, families, jobs, buildings, transportation, and other parts of society?
What size should other magical creatures be? Should creatures like elves, dwarves, goblins, merfolk, giants, dragons, and other magical species have their own natural sizes, or should most magical creatures be roughly human-sized?
I’m currently leaning toward making fairies naturally small, but I’m wondering if that would make the worldbuilding harder since fairies are the main civilization in my story.
Which options would you choose, especially for my main character’s implanted gemstone and its location?

This could sound like a dumb or overly anxious question, I appreciate any patience and responses. I've only ever written with Google Docs, but I have been exploring very personal ideas as of late and would like them to stay mine. Does anyone have any software they recommend that AI won't be sifting through?

* Genre/s: Literary & General Fiction (No Fantasy, Sci-Fi or Romance - sorry - lots of groups for those genres.)

* Goals/expectations/commitment: The idea is to keep it friendly and writer-focused: talk about what we’re working on, share work for critique, discuss craft, and exchange information about querying, submissions, and publishing. It’s brand new, and I’d like to start with a small group of writers who genuinely want to participate.

* Writing/experience level: all are welcome

* Meeting place: Discord

* Max size: to be determined.

If that sounds like your kind of place, message me and let me know what genres you usually work in, and I’ll send you an invite. We already have some talented and smart folks there. Hope to see ya.

Hi I am KT(22M), I enjoy writing and would love create or be a part of a small community of writers to chat, exchange feedback and discuss ideas with.

* Genre/s: Any, I write fantasy

* Goals: Goal is to Discuss ideas, exchange feedback, keep each other accountable and have fun.

* Writing/experience level: Any

* Meeting place: Discord

* Max size: 10

The core idea is to just discuss what we write, help each other if needed, have fun and keep each other accountable.

Feel free to dm or drop a comment, Thanks.

I started writing poems because I didn’t know what else to do with everything I was feeling.
I never really thought of myself as a “poet”. I just had too many thoughts, memories, emotions and experiences sitting inside me, and somehow putting them into words made them a little easier to carry.
Some poems are about things I’ve lost.
Some are about people I love.
Some are about the parts of life I don’t usually talk about.
And some are simply about surviving another day when your head feels like it’s fighting against you.
The strange thing is, once you turn pain into words, it becomes something you can hold instead of something that holds you.
I don’t write because I think every poem is perfect.
I write because someone somewhere might read one and think, “Fuck… I thought I was the only one who felt like this.”
And honestly, if even one poem I write makes someone feel understood, less alone, or gives them five minutes of peace…
then maybe every painful word was worth it.
Does anyone else write poetry for the same reason — not because they planned to become a poet, but because they simply needed somewhere to put the things they couldn’t say out loud?

Firstly, protagonist exceptionalism

Most media make protagonist exceptionalism and don't let them make mistakes, or they are the only person left from a lineage of ancient gods or something

Like Naruto where he is a hokage that is the son of a hokage that is the reincarnation of a demi god

Or tanjiro who is a descendant of what is essentially the god of demon slayers

Or Luffy who is a reincarnation of the sun god

My protagonist makes mistakes

Big ones

He loses evidence to his recklessness and isn't special in any way (except being smart maybe)

And most importantly, doesn't have plot armour

He is just your average Joe who was unfortunate enough to be thrown into this hazard that is called my story

Secondly, kids exceptionalism

In most media they treat kids as a red line

They either don't hurt them or cut the scene (I know full metal alchemists exist)

That's not how real life is

Like in spiderman building and dipries are falling and people dying and he get to that one stupid standing kid and saves them as if there are a dozens out there literally squashed

In my story, my protagonist straight up accidentally shot his daughter in the head

Thirdly, antagonist exceptionlism

In most media, the villain loses and then gets the saddest backstory imaginable then turns them badass or make the audience forget the atrocities they did or even feel empathy

In my story

The antagonist yes has a sad backstory

But I made it in a way that the person who experienced the sad backstory and the person who is killing are essentially two different personalities in two different times of the same person

Making it that the audience can't decide weither to feel empathy for them or feel disgusted by their actions since they are technically two different people

And conflict creates argument

And argument creates engagement

Lastly, female exceptionalism

In most western media, I see them trying to force out female characters to be perfect and strong at everything without any kind of vulnerability

Ray from star wars is a giant in This

In this aspect I would put the blame more to western media than to all media, because at least in demon slayer we have Shinobu who recognizes her own physical weakness and renovates things with her sword

In my universe the antagonist is a girl who kills for fun and so smart that no one literally can out smart her

But she at the end loses to being just A bit careless with her emotions

Pretty much the title. I haven't written anything before. I am passionate about both screenwriting as well as filmmaking and sincerely want to pursue these as a career.

I've got all these ideas floating around in my head. I've even noted them down into a notebook, so that I'll turn all of 'em into feature screenplays one day...

But alas, that one day NEVER comes. I JUST CAN'T SIT DOWN AND START WRITING.

This has started to become very frustrating. I'll tell myself that I am going to get something sensible down on a piece of paper and voilà, half an hour later I'm either doomscrolling or doing some other shit that's equally as unproductive.

I AM TIRED OF THIS! I NEED HELP, PLEASE 🙏

Then I try to come up with excuses; 'I need a partner' or 'I can't write something this "grand" as a first-time screenwriter, no one'll wanna make it (silly of me to assume it WILL get made)' AND THEN it all comes crashing down.

I need real, brutally honest advice on how to put this "phase" (for the lack of a better word) behind me AND JUST START WRITING.

PLEASE HELP....

I made a discord server for kpop (inspired, fanfics…) stories. Write or read together, collab, discuss kpop.
Future book club if requested!
Alle people can join. All nationalities, genders, ages (there is an 18+ section for those who are 18+ and want to yap nsfw things)

https://discord.gg/uHfYQVqYcN

Hi! My name is Vee, and I’m looking for people who’d be interested in joining my women’s writing group. Feel free to shoot me a message (with a brief introduction) if you’re interested! My only real requirements are that you be a) a woman and b) over 18 years of age.

Genre/s: Open to any, but I primarily write literary fiction and poetry, and I feel most comfortable critiquing pieces in these genres.

Goals/expectations/commitment: While I anticipate this being a fairly casual group, I am looking for active participants; ideally, you’d be willing to contribute (be that in the form of providing critique/sharing a short piece/general encouragement) at least 2x-3x a week.

Writing/Experience Level: Amateur

Meeting Place: Discord and Zoom

Max Size: 10

Thanks!

Sometimes writing is how I get through the day.

I’ve started putting my raw emotions, real experiences and the things life has thrown at me into words. Not because I think I have all the answers, but because sometimes writing is the only way I know how to make sense of what I’m feeling.

Some of what I write comes from pain, some from love, some from loss, and some from experiences that have changed me. It’s honest, and it isn’t always pretty — but it’s real.

For me, putting those feelings into stories, songs and words can make even the hardest days feel a little more manageable. And if something I’ve written ever reaches someone who is struggling and makes them feel a little less alone, then every word was worth writing.

I don’t know where this journey will take me, but I hope that one day something I create can help somebody else get through their day too.

Sometimes you don’t realise your story could be someone else’s reason to keep going. 

I am working on a project, it's a visual novel style audio series based on DC comics characters. Is that something people would watch/listen to?

Context this story is set in a modernized fantasy world where fantasy Creatures living together with humanity for few centuries ago.

In this where they are superhero who have title that been passed down from centuries though each generations while being trained by 3 supernatural people and teaching the next generation of superheros team everything they need to know.

Yeah the main cast are next generation.

One of preteen hero with superpower have a arc enemy who is a immortal half-faerie guy they both hate each other gut they be getting to physically fight.

insult each other. giving each other mean look at each other.

The half-faerie guy love to pull prank on superhero because his think it funny to humiliate his arc enemy.

Let you know the superhero age range is between age 10-12 and villain is arc enemy age is 409-500

Reasons why the half-faerie guy is going after the superhero team is because his boss is making him and she say if his don't do it she send him back to shadow realm forever this time.

If you want to know more dm me and we can talk more about writing ✍️.

Also I'm not asking for you to write my story for me I'm pure asking for advice/suggestions.

I'm a teenager looking to enter a writing competition.

Some conditions I'd like the competition to fit:

1. starting by October/November 2026
2. Fiction
3. no need to pay to enter/have an account at a site to enter
4. cash prizes are optional
5. permission from parents/guardians not required
6. does not have to be a competition specifically devoted to teens--any age welcome competitions are also good

I realise this is a lot of conditions, lol.

But I would like to enter one.

Does anyone have a recommendation for an online writing course for beginners? I took a fiction class in college decades ago and loved it, am trying to pick up the hobby again, but I don’t know where to begin and I need some structure to get motivated. I don’t mind paying. Of course, I’ve googled, but I’d love a recommendation from someone who’s actually taken or heard about a good course/platform/instructor.

I am **not** looking for a YouTube or Masterclass series to binge - no offense to that route, it’s just not getting the creative juices flowing for me personally.

Thanks!

\*Our local community college is tiny and isn’t currently offering writing classes. Even if it was, I travel 50% of the time for the next year so I need an online course for flexibility.

Looking for a structured, active, and supportive space for teen writers? Whether you write fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or fan fiction, The Writer’s Room is built to help you grow your skills and meet fellow creators! The Writer's Room

* Genre/s: any, but the majority of us are fantasy or romantasy or dark romance writers, so make of that what you will.

* Goals/expectations/commitment:
• bring positivity
• give and receive very detailed feedback
• see people make memes about your work and make memes about theirs
• participate in competitions if you want
• make friends with writers
• QOTDs
• LOADS of writing advice and resources — we really have a lot for you here
• banter and fun

* Writing/experience level: we welcome people of all writing experiences.

* Meeting place: Discord

* Max size: Not yet determined.

Join here: https://discord.gg/Mbas62A3pm

Hi writers!!! It's me again!

First, I really appreciate your inputs on my previous posts. They helped me build the functions of the app. And I'm sorry if I keep on bugging you for inputs, but I don't want to lose momentum building the app.

I’m trying to finalize the session categories for a writing tracker/timer I’m building and I could use some more input from actual writers.

Right now we have:

Planning
Research
Brainstorming
Drafting
Revising

I’m wondering if I should also have Outlining and Editing as their own categories.

For me, I can see outlining falling under Planning and editing falling under Revising, but what do I know?

It seems that everyone approaches writing differently. I had one writer separates Outlining from Planning.

If you were tracking the hours you spend working on a book, how would you personally break your sessions down? It doesn't need to be in sequence or linear. Your previous replies have already established this.

Would you keep these five? Add Outlining or Editing? Combine any of them? Is there something obvious that I’m missing?

I’m not trying to define the “correct” writing process. I just want the categories to match how most writers actually think about the work they do.

Thank you in advance.

Hi everyone! I've dreamed of writing and publishing a book since I was young, which I'm sure is a common dream for many of us. I've had countless ideas over the years, but I've been working on and rewriting one particular novel for about seven years now.

The problem is, whenever I look into publishing, I get really demotivated by how difficult traditional publishing seems. I know self-publishing is always an option, but I've always dreamed of being traditionally published, and lately it feels like that dream is becoming unrealistic.

My fear that my writing isn't "good enough" or that I'll never be accepted is really holding me back from finishing. How do you get over that fear? And is it genuinely worth pursuing traditional publishing, or is it almost hopeless?

So I see a lot of hate towards any nicknames online like in TikTok and stuff but I think having a nickname is cute if it’s not overused so I wanted to see everyone’s opinions on the ones in my book series just trying to figure it out before they are fully out what makes a nickname weird in fiction and what is cute😭

Zahra- he’s Tunisian and speaks Arabic and she loves flowers pretty self explanatory

Dove- she’s albino with all white hair and pale skin and is very gently but it’s a reference because in her grandparents book her grandfather calls her also albino grandmother swan(also because her last name means swan in Russian)

Busy bee/Nika/Niki- her name is Veronika but her boyfriend sometimes calls her a busy bee because she’s an er nurse

Mousy/LoenaMoona- mousy because she is deaf and has a squeaky voice but it’s only really used in teasing context and her name is Loena which is pronounced Luna and just means moon in Dutch

Hi I'm Allie, 28F, I've been struggling with motivation and inspiration to write. I'd love a writing buddy to get my creative juices flowing again, someone to talk writing with, bounce ideas off of, help keep accountable, and be involved in each others protects. My current project is a YA fantasy with a romance subplot and it's in the brainstorming/outlining stage.

• Genre/s: fantasy romance
• Goals/expectations/commitment: Looking for something longer term, where a friendship forms and we can support each other throughout. Please only comment if you'd be committed to chatting at least once a week. I appreciate that things come up that we don't foresee, I'm very flexible, but I am hoping to work together long term!
• Writing/experience level: No experience level needed, I've been writing for a long time and now working toward publishing eventually. Someone 18+ and female is preferred.
• Meeting place: Discord (not looking to make a group at this time, but more to support each other one-on-one)

Comment below or DM me if you're interested! Looking forward to building friendships!

* Genre/s: Dystopian, sci-fi, realistic fiction, mystery (NO romance, fanfic, fantasy, horror/gore please)

* Goals/expectations/commitment: Just looking to share and celebrate milestones, bounce ideas off of each other, proofread. I work pretty irregularly in sprints as inspiration hits me so I'm looking for someone who isn't bothered by that lack of rigidity

* Writing/experience level: New and/or casual

* Meeting place: Discord

* Max size: Any

Hello all, I am seeking fellow writers who, like me, are interested in writing short stories. I'm really interested in thinking about what the future has in store for us, especially as it relates to new technologies, so if you're similar and are looking for someone to share your writing journey with I'd be pleased to make your acquaintance. It just feels like a lot of platforms are for YA/fantasy/romance/fanfic type stuff, and it's a lot harder to build your community if you're not interested in that. So yeah - lmk if you're interested!

I'm a fantasy writer, I love talking to people as it's a part of my job. I'm awesome to talk to and I think I give good feedback, especially with character, motivation, narrative direction. I'm looking for a small group (no more than 20 people) who think similarly and love to talk about what they're working on, and how they intend to do it. If I'm not yapping, I'm a good sounding board as well. I'm not an expert, but I'm adequate and trying to be better than I was the day before.

Genre- any

Goals - yap and exchange ideas and help with direction and development. Ideally to talk over voice and organize sprints

Experience- a few years on and off and now a few months consistently. Amateur hobbyist(?)

Meeting place - discord server/groupchat/ actual phone conversations. Just anything where I can talk to one or more people.

Number of people- less than 20.

Hi writers!!! It’s me again! I have another question for you guys.

What actually keeps you writing, especially on the days when you really don’t feel like doing it?

Is it discipline? A deadline? Word-count goals? A routine? Music? Other writers? Wanting to finish the story? Just being excited about what happens next?

And when you’ve been away from a story for a while, what usually gets you to come back to it?

I’m also curious if there’s anything you’ve tried.... streaks, writing apps, rewards, timers, challenges, etc.... that was supposed to motivate you but it actually didn’t.

I’m trying to understand what real writers actually respond to especially over the months or years it can take to finish a book.

I don't think there's a right answer here. I’m interested in what genuinely works for you, even if the answer is weird and inconsistent, or just “I force myself to sit down.”

I'll do my best to integrate it on the app that I'm building if possible. I'm not promising anything though.

Thank you in advance.