Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Critique.
On a fateful November night
(I was writing this for the "Self-Editing Epiphany"-Challenge, only to in the end realize in the end that there was a 1.500 words limit to it, and this has more like 3.800 words. Since today is my birthday and I won't have time to shorten it, I'll just publish it anyway now. I hope you like it!)
By Niklas Baumgärtler10 months ago in Critique
“What about Nicole?”. Honorable Mention in Self-Editing Epiphany Challenge.
My graduate thesis is a memoir. The epigraph reads, "For me and you." It's the story and backstory of my marriage and divorce and its aftermath, offered as raw data, in case my kids want to analyze it some day.
By Nicky Frankly10 months ago in Critique
Feeling a God Cry. Runner-Up in Self-Editing Epiphany Challenge.
In the excerpt below the enslaved servant of the Goddess Elyria, the warrior-scholar Baj Expatrianis asks the Goddess why she would not accept a mortal female as an acolyte nor take one as a forced servant.
By Everyday Junglist10 months ago in Critique
HERMANN HESSE : SELF- UNDERSTANDING AND ENLIGHTENMENT - ALEXIS KARPOUZOS
Hermann Hesse’s works often explore deep philosophical themes and the human quest for self-understanding and enlightenment. His writing draws heavily from Eastern philosophy, Jungian psychology, and Western existentialism, creating a rich tapestry of ideas that challenge and inspire readers. Hermann Hesse’s philosophical exploration in his works offers profound insights into the human condition, emphasizing the importance of personal experience, the integration of dualities, and the interconnectedness of all life. His writings encourage readers to embark on their own journeys of self-discovery, recognizing that enlightenment is a continuous, evolving process. Here, we’ll examine some of the key philosophical elements present in his most famous works.
By alexis karpouzos10 months ago in Critique
Navigating Creative Risks: A Journey Through Literary Experimentation
In the quietude of a moonlit night, she wandered through the labyrinthine streets, her heart echoing the rhythm of unspoken words. The city, a breathing entity, whispered secrets in languages long forgotten. Shadows danced around her, casting elongated figures that seemed to beckon her forward, deeper into the unknown. She felt a strange comfort in this dance, as if the shadows were old friends, guiding her through the maze of her own thoughts.
By Alain SUPPINI10 months ago in Critique
The Biggest Obstacle
Incident Report Albien Institute October 26th, 2033 14 hours since the incident Let the record reflect that my ability is not without flaw. It does not make me omniscient. I am no god. Although some of the people in this report appear awfully close to one. I have done my best to imbue this report with as much of my ability as I can, but even I cannot see into everyone’s mind. As previously stated in my personnel file, I cannot see memories unless presently thought about, and my ability only allows me to see perspectives after I meet the person physically. Seeing through a person’s perspective usually distorts fact with bias and emotion, but where objectivity failed us during our attempts to secure the asset, subjectivity perhaps will fill in the gaps.
By Samantha Smith10 months ago in Critique
The Path of Hearts or Pentacles
“Hey man.” Warren grabbed the forearm of his friend Matt, who was the beer bearer for the 40th birthday party. “So, what’s on tap tonight?” queried Warren. Always proud of his artisanal beer, Matt was keen to explain his choice of hops and malts to anyone willing to listen. He had pursued his dream and had landed on his feet, as head brewer for a local pub. He was always pleased to strut his stuff. As they spoke other friends celebrating their spring birthdays joined the party on the last day of May, 2025.
By Katherine D. Graham10 months ago in Critique
REVIEW - King Castling (Directed by Dale Loon & Catalina Cardenas)
The 'Royal game' or 'mind sport' known as 'Chess' has become a classic plot device for movies ever since Ingmar Bergman's 1957 classic The Seventh Seal, and has featured prominently in numerous flicks ever since, including From Russia with Love, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Blade Runner, X-Men, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows to name but a few - and now there is a new movie to join their ranks.
By MegaFlix Movie Awards10 months ago in Critique
Experimentally Lost. Runner-Up in Self-Editing Epiphany Challenge.
Sometimes, I think it's great to challenge convention. However, sometimes being TOO experimental can fall flat. The picture from the header is taken from a story I wrote called "Noted (First Draft)." Contrary to the piece's title, the story was completely finished. But it was a story told through a play on using Microsoft Word's editing software (Track Changes). The comments on the side were meant to add an extra layer to the story through having "notes" on the action - so, the notes added for the reader a glimpse into the author's (my) thought processes on the story itself. It was a commentary on a commentary, so to speak.
By Alison McBain10 months ago in Critique
Not The Editor I Wish To Be . Runner-Up in Self-Editing Epiphany Challenge. Top Story - April 2025. Content Warning.
I am by no means a professional editor. All I can do is alter what I’ve written until my eyes see it has something which isn’t a disaster. So, what I do now, don’t just take it with a grain of salt – take it with the whole damn salt farm!
By Euan Brennan10 months ago in Critique
The Diplomat (2025) Movie Ending Explained – John Abraham’s Spy Thriller Breakdown
There are still many questions in The Diplomat movie which have been smartly left in the movie and have not been fully explained, such as Tahir traps Uzma and takes her to Pakistan, but what was the strong reason behind luring Uzma and taking her to Pakistan, which was not explored properly in the movie.
By Ayush Verma10 months ago in Critique
