It’s 2045 and fluorescent light is still making us look like corpses. Damn.
I’m intrigued by the premise of skills acquired from memories. It’s like the Matrix, but not only do you know Kung Fu, you know the trauma of a hundred battles.
I’ll keep reading for the promise of an epic timeline. I love how Dune spans millennia and The Three Body problem spans to the end of time.
Typo spotted, near the middle. “Elena blinked and suddenly {her} was there, subtly stepping between her and Lucas.”
This is great, awesome mixture of world building and putting us right into the story. I’m a huge fan of the dystopian vibes, excited to follow along for the journey 😊
Wow, thank you so much! I won’t lie, to me, dystopian stuff is intimidating to write (we have dystopian stuff at home!)—so this means a lot to me. I’m also excited for you to follow along! Welcome to the Night Shift. 🖤🌒
I'm into it! Reminds me very much of the old cyberpunks, but with a female protagonist, so I'm excited about that, excited to see how she'll resist. In late 2023, I suffered 2 weeks of delirium while I was hospitalized with sepsis. You convey her confusion and intrusive memories extremely well. Your hard work really shows. Pacing is excellent.
These kinds of compliments make me so damn proud. Research is my favorite part of writing; being complimented on anything that I “got right” is the best genre of praise.
Elena is unraveling, but it’s a controlled unraveling. Her mind is fracturing under memory incursions, yet she’s still running diagnostics, still showing up for work, still wearing the lab coat. There’s a haunting irony to her professionalism in the middle of a psychological collapse.
Thank you! And I love that that’s the detail that stuck with you!
I had thought about how history books never really talk about how peoples day-to-day lives carried on—changed but still moving. That’s kind of the inspiration I drew on when writing this!
Wowzers. This is so bloody good. How do you do it? So much story and so little (obvious) exposition and yet I’m there and I have all I need. It’s a lesson in writing. I’m hooked already.
Wow--okay. This is one of the sweetest comments I've ever received. I don't think that I can accurately put into words how much this means to me. Really--I've been thinking about it for many minutes.
Honestly, it's a lot of trial and error. I think I've gone through many, MANY beta-readers for this WIP; comprised of people who know me very well, and also read A LOT. I think that's the key to beta-readers. If you're able, get friends or family first. They won't be the best, but they know your voice; they're an irreplaceable asset. If you can't rely on them, look for beta-readers that READ. The one's that read so much, if you see them without a book or kindle, your first thought is; "are they okay???"
If that's not feasible, consider asking Jeffrey. He's a great editor. 💀
Jokes aside, other than that, I don't know if I have a great answer for you. Maybe I'll think of one later, when I'm done crying over this kind comment. Thank you again. 🖤
I find finding readers so hard. It’s why I’m here. So Substack can be my reader and I’ll learn what works and what doesn’t. And to learn from other writers too. So thank you. 🙏 I’m learning.
Great bedtime story ngl, your writing is impeccable ❤️
Wow, thank you so much. Seriously. 🥹 This comment means the world to me. I hope your pillow is the perfect temperature for a peaceful slumber. 🖤
It’s 2045 and fluorescent light is still making us look like corpses. Damn.
I’m intrigued by the premise of skills acquired from memories. It’s like the Matrix, but not only do you know Kung Fu, you know the trauma of a hundred battles.
I’ll keep reading for the promise of an epic timeline. I love how Dune spans millennia and The Three Body problem spans to the end of time.
Typo spotted, near the middle. “Elena blinked and suddenly {her} was there, subtly stepping between her and Lucas.”
Yeah, fluorescent lights will ALWAYS be the enemy to me. 💀
Just wait until you meet the cultists! They’re my favorite part—to write, at least.
Thank you for catching the typo! 🖤 much appreciated (I have no promise when I’ll get to editing 😅).
This is great, awesome mixture of world building and putting us right into the story. I’m a huge fan of the dystopian vibes, excited to follow along for the journey 😊
Wow, thank you so much! I won’t lie, to me, dystopian stuff is intimidating to write (we have dystopian stuff at home!)—so this means a lot to me. I’m also excited for you to follow along! Welcome to the Night Shift. 🖤🌒
I'm into it! Reminds me very much of the old cyberpunks, but with a female protagonist, so I'm excited about that, excited to see how she'll resist. In late 2023, I suffered 2 weeks of delirium while I was hospitalized with sepsis. You convey her confusion and intrusive memories extremely well. Your hard work really shows. Pacing is excellent.
These kinds of compliments make me so damn proud. Research is my favorite part of writing; being complimented on anything that I “got right” is the best genre of praise.
Thank you so much. 🥹
Wow! I liked that.
Thank you so much! 🌒
Elena is unraveling, but it’s a controlled unraveling. Her mind is fracturing under memory incursions, yet she’s still running diagnostics, still showing up for work, still wearing the lab coat. There’s a haunting irony to her professionalism in the middle of a psychological collapse.
Thank you! And I love that that’s the detail that stuck with you!
I had thought about how history books never really talk about how peoples day-to-day lives carried on—changed but still moving. That’s kind of the inspiration I drew on when writing this!
Incredible… I have questions, and also need more.
This is tense!
I love it!
Wowzers. This is so bloody good. How do you do it? So much story and so little (obvious) exposition and yet I’m there and I have all I need. It’s a lesson in writing. I’m hooked already.
Wow--okay. This is one of the sweetest comments I've ever received. I don't think that I can accurately put into words how much this means to me. Really--I've been thinking about it for many minutes.
Honestly, it's a lot of trial and error. I think I've gone through many, MANY beta-readers for this WIP; comprised of people who know me very well, and also read A LOT. I think that's the key to beta-readers. If you're able, get friends or family first. They won't be the best, but they know your voice; they're an irreplaceable asset. If you can't rely on them, look for beta-readers that READ. The one's that read so much, if you see them without a book or kindle, your first thought is; "are they okay???"
If that's not feasible, consider asking Jeffrey. He's a great editor. 💀
Jokes aside, other than that, I don't know if I have a great answer for you. Maybe I'll think of one later, when I'm done crying over this kind comment. Thank you again. 🖤
I find finding readers so hard. It’s why I’m here. So Substack can be my reader and I’ll learn what works and what doesn’t. And to learn from other writers too. So thank you. 🙏 I’m learning.
Sign me up to be one of your readers, friend! I can’t promise I’ll have time immediately, but I’d love to show my support in any way.
That’s so kind. Thank you.
I’m just here for the men who smell like pastries 🤤
I was feeling snack-ish. 💀
As per usual.