Arts & Humanities Interested in writing? me to!

[adelaidecrows]

Hello fellow writers.

Be it for leisure, poetry, music, travel or writing your novel. I am looking to hit up others to establish a network where we can share our work, get feedback and discuss ideas that can better our writing. If anyone is also interested, im keen to participate in writing activities as well.

A bit about me.

I have been 3 years into the writing of my novel. (85K words), finished my draft and going through the long and arduous re writes and editing process. I've also started work on a second novel even though I'm yet to submit my first one.

Anyway,

All welcome, hope to hear from you.

 

[Engimal v3]

What's it about? Give us a rundown!

 

[adelaidecrows]

What's it about? Give us a rundown!

I appreciate the interest. To put it simply its an Action / Adventure book.

A major city is left to decay after mysterious pandemic wipes out the population, there are survivors but the government actively shuts all access and closes the city. Set 20 years later, a group of college students decide to explore the city to get answers and sneak in. They immediately regret it and have to fight for survival.

It is not a zombie book. That I can assure you.

For those fearing a pandemic book, it really isn't. And its not a covid replica type scenario or anti government. Its focus is mainly exploring the conspiracy of the situation, the truth and what the students encounter upon entering the area.

At 85k words I am thinking there will have to be a second part to the story because I'm not even close to reaching a satisfying conclusion.

 

[Purple7x08_24]

I appreciate the interest. To put it simply its an Action / Adventure book.

A major city is left to decay after mysterious pandemic wipes out the population, there are survivors but the government actively shuts all access and closes the city. Set 20 years later, a group of college students decide to explore the city to get answers and sneak in. They immediately regret it and have to fight for survival.

It is not a zombie book. That I can assure you.

For those fearing a pandemic book, it really isn't. And its not a covid replica type scenario or anti government. Its focus is mainly exploring the conspiracy of the situation, the truth and what the students encounter upon entering the area.

At 85k words I am thinking there will have to be a second part to the story because I'm not even close to reaching a satisfying conclusion.

This is AI of your summary

Title: “Echoes of the Forsaken City”

---

The Forsaken City stood as a haunting relic, its once bustling streets now overgrown with twisted vines and choked by silence. Twenty years had passed since the mysterious pandemic swept through, leaving behind a desolate landscape and a city abandoned by hope. The survivors, if any remained, were hidden away, their existence a secret closely guarded by the government.
But secrets have a way of unraveling, especially when curiosity and desperation collide. And so it was that a group of college students, fueled by equal parts curiosity and rebellion, decided to breach the city’s forbidden borders. They called themselves the “Echoes,” a name whispered in hushed tones among the few who dared to remember.

---

Chapter 1: The Forbidden Expedition
The Echoes gathered at the outskirts of the city, their backpacks heavy with supplies scavenged from the outskirts. Their leader, Maya, traced her fingers along the rusted sign that read “Welcome to Forsaken City.” The irony wasn’t lost on her—the city that once welcomed millions now rejected even the bravest souls.
“Remember,” she said, her voice barely audible above the wind, “we’re here for answers. Whatever happened here, we deserve to know.”
The others nodded, their eyes reflecting equal parts fear and determination. There was Jake, the engineering prodigy who believed in logic even when faced with the illogical. Sarah, the artist who saw beauty in decay and danger. And then there was Liam, the former soldier whose haunted eyes held more secrets than the city itself.

---

Chapter 2: The Whispering Shadows
As they stepped over the crumbling threshold, the air thickened with memories. The Echoes moved cautiously, their footsteps echoing through empty corridors. The walls bore witness to graffiti—messages of love, defiance, and despair. The pandemic had silenced the voices, but the shadows whispered.
They found remnants of life—a child’s doll, a shattered windowpane, a faded photograph of a family frozen in time. Each discovery fueled their determination. Why had the government sealed the city? What had they hidden?

---

Chapter 3: The Unseen Enemy
The first night was the worst. The Echoes huddled in a decaying apartment, their flashlights revealing glimpses of the horrors that lurked beyond. Strange sounds echoed—the shuffle of footsteps, the scrape of claws against concrete. Something watched them from the darkness, unseen yet palpable.
Liam sharpened his knife, his jaw clenched. “We’re not alone,” he whispered. “There’s something out there.”
Sarah’s paintbrush trembled as she sketched the twisted skyline. “Maybe the pandemic didn’t take everyone,” she said. “Maybe it changed them.”

---

Chapter 4: The Fight for Survival
The days blurred into weeks. The Echoes fought hunger, fatigue, and their own doubts. They encountered other survivors—desperate souls who had adapted to this new world. Some were allies; others were threats. The city had become a battleground, and the Echoes were caught in the crossfire.
Maya’s resolve wavered. “We should go back,” she said. “We’ve risked enough.”
But Jake shook his head. “We’re close,” he insisted. “The truth is here.”
And so they pressed on, deeper into the heart of the forsaken city. Answers awaited them—answers that would shatter their illusions, rewrite history, and reveal the darkest secrets of all.

---

Epilogue: Echoes in the Wind
The Forsaken City would never forget the footsteps of the Echoes. Their names would be etched into its broken walls, a testament to courage and folly. As the wind carried their whispers away, the survivors would wonder: Did they find what they sought? Or did they become echoes themselves, lost in the city’s haunting embrace?
And somewhere, hidden in the shadows, the unseen enemy watched—a silent witness to humanity’s relentless quest for truth.

---

Note: The Forsaken City is a fictional creation, and any resemblance to real places or events is purely coincidental.

 

[adelaidecrows]

This is AI of your summary

Title: “Echoes of the Forsaken City”

---

The Forsaken City stood as a haunting relic, its once bustling streets now overgrown with twisted vines and choked by silence. Twenty years had passed since the mysterious pandemic swept through, leaving behind a desolate landscape and a city abandoned by hope. The survivors, if any remained, were hidden away, their existence a secret closely guarded by the government.
But secrets have a way of unraveling, especially when curiosity and desperation collide. And so it was that a group of college students, fueled by equal parts curiosity and rebellion, decided to breach the city’s forbidden borders. They called themselves the “Echoes,” a name whispered in hushed tones among the few who dared to remember.

---

Chapter 1: The Forbidden Expedition
The Echoes gathered at the outskirts of the city, their backpacks heavy with supplies scavenged from the outskirts. Their leader, Maya, traced her fingers along the rusted sign that read “Welcome to Forsaken City.” The irony wasn’t lost on her—the city that once welcomed millions now rejected even the bravest souls.
“Remember,” she said, her voice barely audible above the wind, “we’re here for answers. Whatever happened here, we deserve to know.”
The others nodded, their eyes reflecting equal parts fear and determination. There was Jake, the engineering prodigy who believed in logic even when faced with the illogical. Sarah, the artist who saw beauty in decay and danger. And then there was Liam, the former soldier whose haunted eyes held more secrets than the city itself.

---

Chapter 2: The Whispering Shadows
As they stepped over the crumbling threshold, the air thickened with memories. The Echoes moved cautiously, their footsteps echoing through empty corridors. The walls bore witness to graffiti—messages of love, defiance, and despair. The pandemic had silenced the voices, but the shadows whispered.
They found remnants of life—a child’s doll, a shattered windowpane, a faded photograph of a family frozen in time. Each discovery fueled their determination. Why had the government sealed the city? What had they hidden?

---

Chapter 3: The Unseen Enemy
The first night was the worst. The Echoes huddled in a decaying apartment, their flashlights revealing glimpses of the horrors that lurked beyond. Strange sounds echoed—the shuffle of footsteps, the scrape of claws against concrete. Something watched them from the darkness, unseen yet palpable.
Liam sharpened his knife, his jaw clenched. “We’re not alone,” he whispered. “There’s something out there.”
Sarah’s paintbrush trembled as she sketched the twisted skyline. “Maybe the pandemic didn’t take everyone,” she said. “Maybe it changed them.”

---

Chapter 4: The Fight for Survival
The days blurred into weeks. The Echoes fought hunger, fatigue, and their own doubts. They encountered other survivors—desperate souls who had adapted to this new world. Some were allies; others were threats. The city had become a battleground, and the Echoes were caught in the crossfire.
Maya’s resolve wavered. “We should go back,” she said. “We’ve risked enough.”
But Jake shook his head. “We’re close,” he insisted. “The truth is here.”
And so they pressed on, deeper into the heart of the forsaken city. Answers awaited them—answers that would shatter their illusions, rewrite history, and reveal the darkest secrets of all.

---

Epilogue: Echoes in the Wind
The Forsaken City would never forget the footsteps of the Echoes. Their names would be etched into its broken walls, a testament to courage and folly. As the wind carried their whispers away, the survivors would wonder: Did they find what they sought? Or did they become echoes themselves, lost in the city’s haunting embrace?
And somewhere, hidden in the shadows, the unseen enemy watched—a silent witness to humanity’s relentless quest for truth.

---

Note: The Forsaken City is a fictional creation, and any resemblance to real places or events is purely coincidental.

The power of AI, sadly its already better than my book. lol

But the reason its not that good for novels is I think it lacks a human element. It doesn't understand feeling and emotion so it doesn't word it properly.

Do you write?

 

[Purple7x08_24]

The power of AI, sadly its already better than my book. lol

But the reason its not that good for novels is I think it lacks a human element. It doesn't understand feeling and emotion so it doesn't word it properly.

Do you write?

I tried but I don't know how to articulate my words in a story that is interesting and one that captivates the audience. I also lack the knowledge of the various components of story writing.

AI is still very limited. I write lots of AI generated stories on SFA. They all mimic the same leading paragraph and building structure with a positive message through any despair.

It's also hit and miss and rarely generates exactly what you're looking for.

 

[adelaidecrows]

I tried but I don't know how to articulate my words in a story that is interesting and one that captivates the audience. I also lack the knowledge of the various components of story writing.

AI is still very limited. I write lots of AI generated stories on SFA. They all mimic the same leading paragraph and building structure with a positive message through any despair.

It's also hit and miss and rarely generates exactly what you're looking for.

I understand that. It took me lots of rewrites just to word some sentences well enough to create a draft. So it takes a lot of work.

AI I think can work with simple stories where detail, emotion and feeling aren't really needed. Like kids stories. AI is lazy and I hope people don't use it. Its a skill remover tool.

 

[Purple7x08_24]

I understand that. It took me lots of rewrites just to word some sentences well enough to create a draft. So it takes a lot of work.

AI I think can work with simple stories where detail, emotion and feeling aren't really needed. Like kids stories. AI is lazy and I hope people don't use it. Its a skill remover tool.

It often uses words like Tappestry

Here's most of the stories I generated for fun

Search results for query: *

www.bigfooty.com

 

[Purple7x08_24]

“Whispers of Time: Lucas’s Labyrinth”

Day One: Lucas’s morning ritual was a silent symphony of simplicity: two eggs, sunny-side up, glistening like morning dew; two slices of bacon, sizzling whispers of a day beginning; toast, buttered and crisp, and a glass of orange juice, the liquid sunshine of his routine. He boarded the train, a vessel of sameness, where every face was a mirror of the next. Lucas worked for the tech company Zapple packaging the new I5a. But today, during his daily commute a woman stood out like a colorized frame in a black-and-white film. Her hair, a brunette cascade, was a timeless homage to Audrey Hepburn. Her dress, a floral tapestry, swirled around her as if she danced with the ghosts of the '50s. Lucas approached, their eyes met, and smiles were exchanged—a silent conversation in a world of monotones. The song “True” by Spandau Ballet began to play, a nostalgic anthem that seemed to narrate their connection. "Ah ha ha ha ha", Yet, as the line “Why do I find it hard to write the next line” played, the train derailed into darkness, and Lucas awoke to the stark reality of his alarm at 8:31 AM.

Day Two: The café was a haven of aromas, where the scent of roasted coffee beans mingled with the sweet fragrance of pastries. Lucas found the lady there, her presence an elegant disruption to the café’s harmony. They shared a coffee, two cups forming a bridge across time. Their conversation was a dance of words, each sentence a step closer to understanding. But as the song’s haunting question “Why do I find it hard to write the next line” filled the air, the café imploded into a void, and Lucas was once again greeted by the morning’s relentless call.

Day Three: The park was a tapestry of green, a rare deviation from the city’s grayscale. They met amidst the laughter of children and the rustling of leaves. Hand in hand, they danced to the rhythm of “True,” their movements a silent rebellion against the mundane. But as her form turned to ash at the song’s plea, Lucas was left alone, the park fading as he awoke to his unchanging world.

Day Four: By the river, the sunset painted the sky with strokes of fire and gold. They paddled in a small boat, the water reflecting their shared moment of serenity. The music played, a familiar soundtrack to their fleeting happiness. As the boat disintegrated beneath them, Lucas drowned under the weight of his dreams, only to resurface in the reality of his bedroom.

Day Five: The street was a river of people, all flowing in one direction. Lucas and the lady collided in a whirlpool of fate. They spoke of dreams and reality, their words heavy with the burden of repetition. As the music started, Lucas’s shoulders slumped in resignation, and the world around them turned to dust, signaling the start of another day.

Day Six: Amidst the autumn leaves, they found solace, her laughter a melody that challenged the silence. Their embrace was a warm refuge, but as her body melted into the golden leaves, Lucas was left clutching at the fragments of a dream.

Day Seven: The ice rink was a crystal expanse, a place where they could glide away from the world. Their breaths formed clouds of hope in the cold air, but as the ice cracked under the song’s refrain, Lucas plunged into the cold depths of his recurring nightmare.

Day Eight: The building was a hollow shell, echoing with the absence of life. She was there, a beacon in the emptiness. “Stay,” she whispered, but as the pixels of reality began to distort, Lucas was pulled from the dream once more.

Final Scene:

Seeking answers, Lucas consulted his psychiatrist, who revealed the shocking truth: Lucas’s reality was but a dream. Refusing to accept this, Lucas shattered the pill meant to end his torment and fled, the world disintegrating in his wake.

In a desperate search for the lady, Lucas found himself before a bright door. “Who are you?” he demanded. “Lucas, say my name!, say my name” she urged. Lucas, growing frustrated screamed "I don't know", The lady repeated, "Say my name Lucas, PLEASE SAY MY NAME". With the world collapsing and Lucas standing on the last fragments of his reality, Lucas shouted,

“I-S-A-B-E-L”

and the song continued, revealing the truth.

“I want the truth to be said, I know this much is true, I know this much is true.”

Lucas awoke, not to the sound of his alarm, but to Isabel’s tearful eyes. He had been in a coma, his truck submerged in a river, but Isabel never left his side, playing their song in hope.

In a lighthearted fading scene, Lucas recounted his dream to Isabel, who playfully inquired, “What was her name?” with a smirk.

FIN

 

[Sleezy]

Hello fellow writers.

Be it for leisure, poetry, music, travel or writing your novel. I am looking to hit up others to establish a network where we can share our work, get feedback and discuss ideas that can better our writing. If anyone is also interested, im keen to participate in writing activities as well.

A bit about me.

I have been 3 years into the writing of my novel. (85K words), finished my draft and going through the long and arduous re writes and editing process. I've also started work on a second novel even though I'm yet to submit my first one.

Anyway,

All welcome, hope to hear from you.

Hey mate, well done on getting through that first first draft! It really is an achievement.

I'm on the third draft of my first novel (with two other first drafts in between, a couple of writing courses and a bunch of short stories too). The difference in quality between those first chapters i wrote (eww) to now is stark. So keep plugging away - it doesn't really get easier, but you will get better.

Have you read Dahlgren, by Samuel R Delaney? If not, it might be a useful reference for you. It's very literary, and a bit of a slog if I'm honest, but it is about the people who still choose to live in a condemned city that the rest of the world is just choosing to ignore. Might spark a few ideas at any rate.

There are a few other writers on the port board, I'll see if I can dig them up and direct them here. I started a writing thread but it kind of petered out with only a few of us. Maybe I'll resurrect it haha.

 

[FreoGirl]

was the topic title a typo or deliberate?

 

[Sleezy]

If there's anyone keen for a fun flash fiction comp with no stakes, then furious fiction just opened.

I've been doing every month for about 3 years, and have learned a lot about a) writing quickly based on a prompt and b) fitting what i want to say into a limited number of words.

Plus, it's fun.

Furious Fiction | Australian Writers' Centre

A new FURIOUS FICTION challenge goes live on the first Friday of each month. Sign up to the Fan Club to be notified!

www.writerscentre.com.au

 

[fake tyrone]

I'm a bit of a writer and have about 4 manuscripts on the go so to speak (never spoken to a publisher or agent or anything like that). I've got one around the 110,000 word mark, another around 89,000 (prequel to the 110,000 manuscript) one around 24,000, and another much smaller one that is about 1,000 (supposed to be a sequel to the 110,000 manuscript).

I find writing to be extremely arduous and am much more of a character-driven writer than a plot-driven writer (I really don't have the creativity to come up with a plot that is complex or exciting). I do enjoy the worlds I create and at this stage don't even care if I ever get published, although that has been a goal of mine for many years now (I'm very lazy though).

I also write poetry on a wordpress blog from to time, but to be blunt, most of my poetry belongs in the bin.

 

[Sleezy]

...most of my poetry belongs in the bin.

I can relate to this, lol.

I can also relate to the multiple unfinished manuscripts. I have 3:

• A corporate thriller that is 70% way through its third (and hopefully final draft)
• An epic fantasy that weighs in at a whopping 300,000 words that is so big I don't even want to think about how long it's going to take to get into a publishable state
• A science-fiction that clocks in at about 80,000 words that I wrote over summer. Planning to submit it to the Richell Prize in a month or so, see how it goes.

What are yours about? Got a favourite?

 

[Sleezy]

The Richell Prize

The Richell Prize for Emerging Writers

www.hachette.com.au

 

[fake tyrone]

I can relate to this, lol.

I can also relate to the multiple unfinished manuscripts. I have 3:

• A corporate thriller that is 70% way through its third (and hopefully final draft)
• An epic fantasy that weighs in at a whopping 300,000 words that is so big I don't even want to think about how long it's going to take to get into a publishable state
• A science-fiction that clocks in at about 80,000 words that I wrote over summer. Planning to submit it to the Richell Prize in a month or so, see how it goes.

What are yours about? Got a favourite?

The three related manuscripts are fantasy stories of the vampire variety. I mostly grew up reading realistic fiction and so have tried to write something that reflects both fantasy and reality. I like to think my story is a bit more gritty and diverse in terms of its characters than most vampire fiction and have tried to channel the horror that Dracula really inspired as compared to Twilight. My work is heavily inspired by a series called Department 19, which is a series of vampire novels that combined fantasy with sci-fi that I had the pleasure of reading as a teenager (although my writing has no sci-fi elements). I began working on the longest manuscript when I was 17.

The 24,000 word manuscript is my attempt at Australian contemporary literature, which is something I got into in my early 20s. It covers the story of a young bloke about 19 years of age as he navigates early adulthood and is set about a year or so after he graduates high school. I like to think it examines toxic masculinity and what it means to be a young man these days. This is the one I've currently been working on the most as I've been finding it quite enjoyable lately.

Also, props to you for writing a 300,000 word epic fantasy. I got into fantasy a little in my mid-to-late teens and early 20s (The Kingkiller Chronicle, The Lumatere Chronicles, a bit of A Song of Fire and Ice and The Gentleman Bastard Sequence) and it certainly takes a lot of effort and attention to detail to create a strong world where the reader feels completely immersed and compelled to keep reading. How long have you been working on that for?

 

[Sleezy]

The three related manuscripts are fantasy stories of the vampire variety. I mostly grew up reading realistic fiction and so have tried to write something that reflects both fantasy and reality. I like to think my story is a bit more gritty and diverse in terms of its characters than most vampire fiction and have tried to channel the horror that Dracula really inspired as compared to Twilight. My work is heavily inspired by a series called Department 19, which is a series of vampire novels that combined fantasy with sci-fi that I had the pleasure of reading as a teenager (although my writing has no sci-fi elements). I began working on the longest manuscript when I was 17.

The 24,000 word manuscript is my attempt at Australian contemporary literature, which is something I got into in my early 20s. It covers the story of a young bloke about 19 years of age as he navigates early adulthood and is set about a year or so after he graduates high school. I like to think it examines toxic masculinity and what it means to be a young man these days. This is the one I've currently been working on the most as I've been finding it quite enjoyable lately.

Also, props to you for writing a 300,000 word epic fantasy. I got into fantasy a little in my mid-to-late teens and early 20s (The Kingkiller Chronicle, The Lumatere Chronicles, a bit of A Song of Fire and Ice and The Gentleman Bastard Sequence) and it certainly takes a lot of effort and attention to detail to create a strong world where the reader feels completely immersed and compelled to keep reading. How long have you been working on that for?

Cool, very cool. You said you were more character driven than plot driven. Does that mean you're more of a discovery writer than a planner?

I started out planning, and have found myself discovery writing more and more. Sometimes i know where i'm trying to get to but don't know how yet, and sometimes i don't even know that. I just start at the start see where i end up. The only problem then is all the fixing up you have to do once you figure out what the story is going to end up being, haha.

It took me about 18 months to get the first draft of the epic fantasy out onto the page, though i'd been planning/researching/imagining it for about a year before that.

My first novel took me about a year to draft, six months to get it as good as i could back then, and then another 6-8 months to rewrite a third time now now that i have levelled up a bit.

What are your plans with your writing? Just happy writing, or thinking of getting published?

 

[fake tyrone]

Cool, very cool. You said you were more character driven than plot driven. Does that mean you're more of a discovery writer than a planner?

I started out planning, and have found myself discovery writing more and more. Sometimes i know where i'm trying to get to but don't know how yet, and sometimes i don't even know that. I just start at the start see where i end up. The only problem then is all the fixing up you have to do once you figure out what the story is going to end up being, haha.

It took me about 18 months to get the first draft of the epic fantasy out onto the page, though i'd been planning/researching/imagining it for about a year before that.

My first novel took me about a year to draft, six months to get it as good as i could back then, and then another 6-8 months to rewrite a third time now now that i have levelled up a bit.

What are your plans with your writing? Just happy writing, or thinking of getting published?

I don't plan at all, which probably presents some disadvantages when it comes to devising a plot and a meaningful story arc.

Publishing is the ultimate goal, although I've been telling myself that for over a decade now. I think at this stage I want to give publishing a shot but if it doesn't pan out, then I'm quite content just writing as I go and enjoying it purely as a hobby.

Should my ego really need it and no publishers want to take my work, I can always vanity publish

 

[FreoGirl]

This is AI of your summary

Title: “Echoes of the Forsaken City”

---

The Forsaken City stood as a haunting relic, its once bustling streets now overgrown with twisted vines and choked by silence. Twenty years had passed since the mysterious pandemic swept through, leaving behind a desolate landscape and a city abandoned by hope. The survivors, if any remained, were hidden away, their existence a secret closely guarded by the government.
But secrets have a way of unraveling, especially when curiosity and desperation collide. And so it was that a group of college students, fueled by equal parts curiosity and rebellion, decided to breach the city’s forbidden borders. They called themselves the “Echoes,” a name whispered in hushed tones among the few who dared to remember.

---

Chapter 1: The Forbidden Expedition
The Echoes gathered at the outskirts of the city, their backpacks heavy with supplies scavenged from the outskirts. Their leader, Maya, traced her fingers along the rusted sign that read “Welcome to Forsaken City.” The irony wasn’t lost on her—the city that once welcomed millions now rejected even the bravest souls.
“Remember,” she said, her voice barely audible above the wind, “we’re here for answers. Whatever happened here, we deserve to know.”
The others nodded, their eyes reflecting equal parts fear and determination. There was Jake, the engineering prodigy who believed in logic even when faced with the illogical. Sarah, the artist who saw beauty in decay and danger. And then there was Liam, the former soldier whose haunted eyes held more secrets than the city itself.

---

Chapter 2: The Whispering Shadows
As they stepped over the crumbling threshold, the air thickened with memories. The Echoes moved cautiously, their footsteps echoing through empty corridors. The walls bore witness to graffiti—messages of love, defiance, and despair. The pandemic had silenced the voices, but the shadows whispered.
They found remnants of life—a child’s doll, a shattered windowpane, a faded photograph of a family frozen in time. Each discovery fueled their determination. Why had the government sealed the city? What had they hidden?

---

Chapter 3: The Unseen Enemy
The first night was the worst. The Echoes huddled in a decaying apartment, their flashlights revealing glimpses of the horrors that lurked beyond. Strange sounds echoed—the shuffle of footsteps, the scrape of claws against concrete. Something watched them from the darkness, unseen yet palpable.
Liam sharpened his knife, his jaw clenched. “We’re not alone,” he whispered. “There’s something out there.”
Sarah’s paintbrush trembled as she sketched the twisted skyline. “Maybe the pandemic didn’t take everyone,” she said. “Maybe it changed them.”

---

Chapter 4: The Fight for Survival
The days blurred into weeks. The Echoes fought hunger, fatigue, and their own doubts. They encountered other survivors—desperate souls who had adapted to this new world. Some were allies; others were threats. The city had become a battleground, and the Echoes were caught in the crossfire.
Maya’s resolve wavered. “We should go back,” she said. “We’ve risked enough.”
But Jake shook his head. “We’re close,” he insisted. “The truth is here.”
And so they pressed on, deeper into the heart of the forsaken city. Answers awaited them—answers that would shatter their illusions, rewrite history, and reveal the darkest secrets of all.

---

Epilogue: Echoes in the Wind
The Forsaken City would never forget the footsteps of the Echoes. Their names would be etched into its broken walls, a testament to courage and folly. As the wind carried their whispers away, the survivors would wonder: Did they find what they sought? Or did they become echoes themselves, lost in the city’s haunting embrace?
And somewhere, hidden in the shadows, the unseen enemy watched—a silent witness to humanity’s relentless quest for truth.

---

Note: The Forsaken City is a fictional creation, and any resemblance to real places or events is purely coincidental.

AI is going to be a massive problem with essay writing. Universities are already trying to find ways to recognise it and clamp down on it - good luck!

 

[FreoGirl]

I've often been told to become a 'writer', but lack the confidence. I studied journalism at Curtin Uni and had a few things published in their newspaper. I was offered a cadetship with The West and Westside Football when I was younger, but bailed.

On top of journalism, I studied history and international relations at Curtin. I have just completed Travel and Tourism at Torrens University. In all of my courses I have achieved high marks because of my writing skills.

To write a novel or other project takes a lot of courage and self confidence.

 

[fake tyrone]

I've often been told to become a 'writer', but lack the confidence. I studied journalism at Curtin Uni and had a few things published in their newspaper. I was offered a cadetship with The West and Westside Football when I was younger, but bailed.

On top of journalism, I studied history and international relations at Curtin. I have just completed Travel and Tourism at Torrens University. In all of my courses I have achieved high marks because of my writing skills.

To write a novel or other project takes a lot of courage and self confidence.

Writing is such a personal and private thing for me, so on the one hand I can keep it hidden from others and avoid exposing myself, but on the other hand, I majored creative writing in my undergrad, so was forced to share my creative pieces with strangers for feedback. It certainly can be difficult to share your work with others, especially when they provide negative feedback. I had one classmate announce to the class that a script I had shared was 'stupid' and that it reminded him of a Seinfeld episode (I think he intended this reference to be an insult). While that was a bit jarring, I took it as a compliment as it was indeed loosely inspired by Seinfeld. After implementing the more constructive aspects of his feedback, I ended up getting an HD for the assignment, so ultimately everything panned out.

I guess the experience of sharing my work at uni has steeled me a bit, but I also remind myself that a written piece is not necessarily a reflection of the writer as a person (although it could very well be that). I think I've learnt to separate the novel from the novelist, so to speak.

I think the question for you is, do you have something to write about? Because if you do have an idea or a dream, then there's nothing stopping you from putting that pen to paper. You are a writer the moment you put words on a blank page, and should you ever want to display your work, you could always go under a pen name.

 

[Sleezy]

I've often been told to become a 'writer', but lack the confidence. I studied journalism at Curtin Uni and had a few things published in their newspaper. I was offered a cadetship with The West and Westside Football when I was younger, but bailed.

On top of journalism, I studied history and international relations at Curtin. I have just completed Travel and Tourism at Torrens University. In all of my courses I have achieved high marks because of my writing skills.

To write a novel or other project takes a lot of courage and self confidence.

I couldn’t really tell you where the drive to write came from for me. I have kind of a similar background. I enjoyed writing stories when i was younger, but then just kind of stopped. I wrote for uni (philosophy) and then work (engineering), and my ability to structure and flesh out an argument has been a strength for a long time.

Then in 2019 I read American Psycho (great, very disturbing book. Will never read again haha) and something about it made me want to write something of my own.

I think it helped that at the same time my parents, and my girlfriend's dad, were also dabbling in writing creatively, so we started a little writing group. Then the pandemic happened and there was nothing else to do, so I kind of just finished what i'd started. It wasn't very good then, but it is pretty good now. Probably because I've written about 500,000 more words since then, and redrafted it twice.

I'll echo fake tyrone here and say you can only start, and if it sucks that's okay. All first drafts are shit (well mine are anyway). What's important is saying what needs saying, even if it's just for you.

 

[Purple7x08_24]

AI is going to be a massive problem with essay writing. Universities are already trying to find ways to recognise it and clamp down on it - good luck!

I think identification gets easier the more essays someone submits. Everyone has an unique writing style and all it takes is someone to submit their own work AND that of AI and it becomes obvious. I've distributed AI stuff here, and so have others and it's somewhat easy to tell when people use it. There are typical sentence structures and the style of writing lacks a human element.

There are also particular words that are often used.

Stories always seem to start the same and have a less than unique feel.

Title: “The Starbound Chronicles”

---

In the quaint village of Eldermoor, nestled between ancient oaks and rolling hills, lived a curious boy named Finnian. His unruly mop of chestnut hair and eyes the color of stormy seas hinted at the adventures that stirred within him.

One fateful morning, as the sun painted the sky in hues of apricot, Finnian discovered an old leather-bound book in the attic. Its pages whispered secrets of distant galaxies, forgotten civilizations, and shimmering stardust. The title read: “The Starbound Chronicles.”

 

[Sleezy]

Found out about this today if anyone feels like dusting off an old manuscript:

The Australian Fiction Prize - HarperCollins Australia

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

www.harpercollins.com.au

 

[raskolnikov]

I'm writing my PhD at the moment, which I eventually hope to turn into a book.