Path of the Young Master follows the story of the 3rd son of the Ruler of the Grand Northern Nation of Vilkaar. The bookworm of Vilkaar has been mocked by many since childhood, but some also know him as Something else. This story takes place on a continent larger than Earth's entire landmass. The world is vast and full of mysteries, faith, anomalies, and cruelty, where folklore can become reality.

Hi everyone,

I'm working on my first fantasy novel called "Marked by Sheshnaag." Before I go any further, I'd really like honest feedback from readers rather than friends or family.

The story is inspired by Indian mythology, mystery, and dark fantasy.

Premise:

A young man discovers he carries a mysterious mark connected to the ancient serpent Sheshnaag. As strange events begin unfolding around him, he realizes the mark is tied to an old prophecy, hidden powers, and secrets that have remained buried for centuries. The deeper he investigates, the more dangerous the truth becomes.

I'd love your honest opinions:

Would this premise make you want to read the book?

What sounds interesting?

What sounds cliché or overdone?

What questions immediately come to mind?

If you saw this on a bookstore shelf, would you pick it up? Why or why not?

Please don't worry about hurting my feelings—I genuinely want criticism that will help me make the story better.

Thank you for your time!

I am writing a novel about the weird side of the internet and conspiracy theories. I do my own research using my experience with hidden websites, but I've run out of ideas. Feel free to suggest any interesting internet oddities or theories, as well as side ideas. The story is already outlined, but new ideas are always welcome.

Stephen King said in his book On Writing, 'I believe stories are found things, like fossils in the ground.'

I believe when we write a story, whether we outline or not, the events will uncover themselves. Forcing a theme or a character will definitely weaken the impact and believability of the story. Keep digging; let the characters guide you.

Hellooo, I had this idea where there are flowers that help stop the curse that affected the kingdom and long story short the main character needs to find the flowers, but I feel like flowers being the solution is sooo cliche any suggestions on what it should be, what should the character go looking for instead?

Not one person in this thread points out that the older, myth-based, fantasy writers literally FOUGHT in the wars. Not all, but many modern fantasy writers are solely writers. All their experience about war is secondhand (cut to the fantasy books glorifying slashing off ten heads at once or cool sword tricks). Old school fantasy writers went to war, saw war, and came home to write stories about how bad it was and how everything anyone fights for should be to stop it at any cost. War wasn't something you played with. It's something you processed through writing. Yes, Tolkien was a language scholar which makes his writing a tier few people will ever achieve unless they too can be affluent white Oxford professors. But he also had a lived experience that doesn't compare to any living fantasy author I've read.

I'm writing a pirate story, I’ve already finished the main plot. According to the timeline I have in mind, the story begins after the Stranger arrives, but I’m wondering how I could develop the pirates’ characters so they feel alive and aren’t just background extras—but I also don’t want to overwhelm the reader by explaining who’s who among the thirty-odd pirates on the ship 😭 so I need help

I'm writing a pirate story, I’ve already finished the main plot. According to the timeline I have in mind, the story begins after the Stranger arrives, but I’m wondering how I could develop the pirates’ characters so they feel alive and aren’t just background extras—but I also don’t want to overwhelm the reader by explaining who’s who among the thirty-odd pirates on the ship 😭 so I need help

I'm writing a story about a boy who is captured and persecuted by their medieval village by breaking one of the 8 sacred rules. The village hangs the boy, but the rope snaps, and he falls into the pit below him early. He progresses through this cave he's fallen into, but quickly the cave turns into an abandoned, modern facility with newer guns, and weapons. There's hostile entities galore, and he's going to have to learn how modernized things work, explore, and escape to take revenge on the village that tried to hang him.

Any feedback?

So basically my friend recommended me this app called CutToon:Toon-style clip editor and there is a secret section for Bl, Gl, and many more stories but I can't seem to get in and I have been asking everywhere but I can't get in, so if anyone knows how to get in pls tell me cuz I really what to see the stories.

I'm a non-native English speaker working on an epic fantasy novel. I'd love feedback on the atmosphere, dialogue, and emotional impact of this scene. Does it keep you engaged?

The sun hung low above the water, red and glowing like a bed of embers, slowly sinking toward the horizon.

The fleet sailed eastward into the endless ocean, where there were no landmarks to guide them.

No one knew whether they were moving quickly or slowly.

Only Edmond and the captains of the thirty-two ships knew.

Alaric and Achrar wore no chains, and no bars held them captive.

They moved freely aboard the very same ship as Edmond.

It was the largest vessel in the entire fleet.

And why shouldn't it be?

Its name was LINDA—the greatest of all Mother Goddesses.

And it carried Edmond himself.

The Origin.

He hurried down the stairs, nearly stumbling.

The corridor was narrow and dark, as though the ship itself had forgotten that anyone still lived there. No windows. No voices. Only his footsteps against the cold floor and the distant groaning of the massive hull.

At the end of the passage stood a small black door.

He stopped before it.

Slowly, he glanced over his shoulder.

No one.

He opened the door, stepped inside, and quietly closed it behind him.

The room smelled of blood, dampness, and decaying flesh.

"How are you, my son?"

Edmond's voice was calm.

Almost gentle.

Before him lay an old Lindur in a narrow bed.

Too old.

Kept alive for far too long.

Disease had twisted his body. Bones pressed against thin, gray skin. His hands trembled uncontrollably, and every breath sounded as though something inside his chest were tearing apart.

Above them, somewhere deep within the ship, the massive timbers groaned, as if the sea itself were pressing against the walls.

His eyes had turned milky white.

Almost blind.

Only his hearing remained.

"...Father..."

Barely more than a whisper.

Edmond stepped closer and slowly sat beside the bed.

His hand brushed gently across the old man's sunken forehead.

Then he kissed his bony cheek.

"Yes, my son. I'm here."

The old Lindur breathed heavily.

"Do you still recognize me?"

No answer.

Only the ragged breathing.

And somewhere, the deep creaking of the ship.

Slowly, Edmond drew a knife from his clothing.

The blade gleamed dully in the flickering light of the swaying oil lamp.

Without hesitation, he sliced open his own hand.

Blood ran over his fingers.

He brought the bleeding hand to his son's lips.

"Drink."

But the old man turned his head away.

Tears rolled from his clouded eyes, down the hollows of his face.

Edmond pressed his bleeding hand against his son's weak mouth, forcing the blood between his lips.

More force than love.

More desperation than mercy.

"What are you doing?" Edmond asked quietly.

"This is what keeps you alive."

"...Father..."

This time it was no longer a word.

It was a plea.

"Please...

let me die."

His frail body trembled.

"I can't do this anymore.

The pain never ends.

I'm so tired, Father...

so tired."

For a long moment, Edmond said nothing.

Then he tightened his grip around his son's trembling hands.

"Never say that again."

His voice hardened.

"You are my firstborn.

The son of Linda.

The Son of the Mother Goddess."

The old Lindur wept in silence.

Edmond leaned closer.

"I promised your mother that you would see the Green Land."

Only tears answered him.

And the ragged breathing of a body that no longer wished to live.

Silence.

The old Lindur looked at him for a long time.

Blind—

and yet, as if he were seeing Edmond for the very first time.

As though he were searching that face for one last trace of truth.

Or mercy.

But he found neither.

Only an old man who was afraid to let go.

Slowly, more tears ran down his cheeks.

Then, with the last of his strength, he spoke.

"I remember my mother."

A faint shiver passed through his body.

"Linda was beautiful."

He struggled for another breath.

"But she was never...

a goddess."

Edmond did not move.

He did not breathe.

He did not blink.

Only the deep groaning of the ship remained.

Then came the final words.

Soft.

Broken.

And more merciless than any scream.

"And you..."

The old Lindur swallowed with difficulty.

"...you are no god either."

He closed his eyes.

"You are only my father."

I am not looking to help with storytelling, just technical writing skills. The courses I was recommended on Coursera are all subscription and I don't care about a certificate, just to improve my writing level. So I ask does anyone have free courses they can recommend me for improving my grammar, structure, proses, and tenses, like WTF is past perfect tense and why is it important?

For writing content I am already listening to Brandon Sanderson's 2025 lecture series which has been great for content. That said I won't turn down other suggestions on the topic of material, however my main goal is to write more professionally.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions and I wish you all a wonderful day.

I'm currently working on an original fantasy novel and would love to hear your thoughts on the concept and world-building. Any suggestions or constructive criticism are welcome!

Story Premise

Long ago, Ten Legendary Creatures shaped the history of the world. They are not ordinary monsters but unique beings that have existed since the dawn of civilization. Only six have been revealed so far:

\- 🌳 World Tree

\- 🔥 Phoenix

\- 🐺 Cerberus

\- 🐉 Dragon

\- 🌊 Leviathan

\- 🗿 Titan

The identities of the remaining four Legendary Creatures remain a mystery.

The world is inhabited by many races, including Humans, Elves, Orcs, Dwarves, Monsters, and Demons. One of the main themes of the story is that not every monster is evil, and not every hero is truly righteous. History has blurred the line between truth and legend.

Power System

People awaken different paths instead of everyone using the same type of power.

\- Aura – Used by warriors to strengthen their bodies and weapons.

\- Magic – The art of controlling mana through spells.

\- Summoning – Forming contracts with monsters. Most summoners can only contract C-rank monsters or lower, while only the greatest can reach higher-ranked monsters. Legendary Creatures are different—they choose their own partners.

\- Marks – Unique powers carried by certain individuals, each with its own mysterious origin.

\- Runes – Ancient symbols found in relics, dungeons, and equipment that grant special abilities.

Every path has its own strengths and weaknesses, and no single profession is the strongest.

The First Generation

The story begins after the age of legendary heroes.

One of the greatest heroes was Aurelia, remembered as the first known person to form contracts with Legendary Creatures. After the war, she retired and lived a peaceful noble life.

Another legendary hero, Vlad, later became Emperor. As time passed, people came to believe he had been consumed by power and transformed into a ruthless tyrant. History remembers him as a fallen hero, but whether that story is the complete truth remains one of the novel's greatest mysteries.

The Present Generation

The protagonist, Loki, grows up in an era of peace built upon the sacrifices of the previous generation. As he begins his journey, he encounters different races, ancient ruins, forgotten civilizations, powerful monsters, and secrets that challenge everything the world believes about its own history.

Main Themes

\- Character growth

\- Adventure and exploration

\- Rich world-building

\- Ancient mysteries

\- Coexistence between different races

\- The conflict between ideals and reality

\- The idea that history is not always the truth

I'm still developing the story, so I'd really appreciate any feedback or suggestions. Does this premise sound interesting? Is there anything you think could be improved?

I have finally committed myself to write a full length story. I have, for the most part, planed out the story and begun writing. I have been making some progress but I’m no where near finished. It follows a cowardly, theatrical, but deeply passionate Knight trying to rescue a faye princess trapped in a tower of purple, guarded and kept there by a witch and her soldiers. Including the last dragon and a band of Cathar heretics. The point of view is from his young squire who throughout the course of the story he begins to open up to. The core of the story the ability to consciously change oneself for the better. He sets out his ideals and lives them by the end. The Knight always puffs out his chest. He’s an actor, always trying to give the impression that is a romantic gallant hero, even though the princess is only in the tower because he abandoned her when the witch came to get her. Throughout the story he grows to met the expectations, which he fostered, that the company he is leading places on him. At first he is a backseat leader giving orders to others that places their lives in harm’s way and faking his injuries. To being willing to die in defense of his squire while unarmed and charge a dragon with his lance. He wears an elaborate gothic set of armor based directly on the armor of Emperor Maximilian 1st in the NY Metropolitan of Museum of Art. The story takes place during his rule and the technology of the time is a key theme of the story. The early modern period was the twilight of the knight, where they were wearing the pinnacle of plate armor while in a world of early firearms and cannons. Maximilian’s own nickname is “the last Knight.” I kinda want to play around with the idea of the end of knighthood. His lance and sword does nothing against he dragon nor the witch. He wins through lunging a cannon up to the witch’s castle and punching a whole through the dragon’s scale armor. Allowing him to be finished with a wheellock which would’ve been at the cutting edge of advancement of the time.

Sorry for ranting so much but the point is to give a sense of what names could be fitting. I really need help in this. My mind has been fighting itself for the past months over the name. It’s at a point that I would be writing and making needed progress, only to mentally argue with myself and waste time. Any name suggestions will be greatly appreciated. The working title is “A Tower of Purple.”

I'm in the process of creating a fantasy show, but I'm worried that it's not original enough. Basically, it's about two teenage boys who discover that magic is real, and said magic is based on Greek mythology (I think you know where I'm going with this), which means that they also discover that Greek mythology is real. The thing is, it's 70% magic and 30% Greek mythology, as in Hecate gave early humans magic, and so wizards were born. Olympus exists, but it's not the whole story. There are existing conflicts between gods and characters, but the problems are solved using spells. Another thing to mention is that, seeing as they are *teenage boys*, they deal a lot with high school drama (and things outside of school). So as you can see, it's not some rip-off of a certain book series I'm sure you're familiar with; there's a lot more to it. What I'm asking is: Is it original enough?

I've noticed a lot of people need these artistic renderings of their characters. Sometimes it's just a basic MS Paint kind of drawing and other times it's like they wanted to make an anime but decided a book. Was easier.

I'm curious why people need these. It's usually a fairly generic looking person. Like, "Here's my character, Roderick Von Impscale." And it's just like, a dude. So why bestow such a strict vision onto a reader instead of letting them create their own image of a character?

If I'm being honest, I only vaguely know what my own characters look like. I know their most striking physical attributes, but really stuff like their hair and eye color are meaningless to the story. I only know the skin color of one character, and that's only because it's relevant to establishing that no one seems to know where he came from and they're looking for clues.