Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Critique.
Editing Like a Daredevil: How to Take Creative Risks Without Crashing
Are You Editing, or Just Playing It Safe? Ever feel like your writing is missing something? You tweak a sentence, polish a paragraph, and yet, the spark isn’t there. Maybe the problem isn’t your writing—it’s your editing. Too often, we treat editing like a cleanup job instead of what it truly is: an opportunity for risk-taking. What if you stopped seeing revision as a process of smoothing things out and instead, as a chance to push your creative boundaries? Welcome to the world of fearless editing, where breaking the rules, defying conventions, and making bold choices transform good writing into unforgettable storytelling.
By Alain SUPPINI11 months ago in Critique
How Did These Words Come Together?. Runner-Up in Self-Editing Epiphany Challenge.
The challenge Vocal sponsored a few months ago was to write a microfiction piece of 300 words that started with “There was only one rule: don’t open the door.” This seemed like something right up my alley because I love writing all things spooky and scary. I also couldn’t pass up this opportunity for an exact word count. I had to chop out some phrases and replace them with single words and carefully consider how I structured each sentence in each paragraph. However, I decided to include a real person, my son, and aged him. I had to imagine his life in the future as a blind man navigating the world. Here’s the first part of the story:
By Barb Dukeman11 months ago in Critique
The Meta of Writing
Writing about the process of writing is difficult these days because of two main technological advances: word processing software and AI. Editing on Word is much easier than the “old-fashioned” way of writing by hand and making editing suggestions in the margins as Shakespeare and Coleridge did. Most spellings are autocorrected, making that bit of proofreading almost obsolete. I edit as I write, revisiting my piece days later with fresh eyes. Using AI in original work is completely unethical. To approach this prompt, I had to write on paper. I chose the first part of the next challenge. I examine one sentence at a time.
By Barb Dukeman11 months ago in Critique
How HBO’s adaptation of The Last of Us set a new gold standard for video game storytelling
Few video games have left as profound an impact as The Last of Us. When HBO announced a live-action adaptation, expectations were sky-high. Could the series capture the emotional weight, intense storytelling, and immersive worldbuilding of the game? The result was a critically acclaimed success that managed to both honor and expand upon its source material. This article explores how The Last of Us translated from game to screen, analyzing its faithfulness, emotional depth, worldbuilding, supporting characters, and cultural impact.
By Bounty Hunter 11 months ago in Critique
C.I.A. Begins Firing Recently Hired Officers
The government cuts ordered by the Trump administration have hit the C.I.A. Some officers hired in the last two years have been summoned to a location away from the agency’s headquarters in Langley, Va., and asked to surrender their credentials to security personnel, according to three people briefed on the firings.
By Md Mirajul Islam11 months ago in Critique
Inter Milan vs. Monza: Match Analysis and Upcoming Fixtures. AI-Generated.
Inter Milan continued their dominant form in Serie A with a solid 2-0 victory over Monza on March 8, 2025, at the San Siro. The win solidified their place at the top of the league table, furthering their bid for the Scudetto.
By Silver Raven 11 months ago in Critique
Fallout: A Masterful Adaptation or Just Another Post-Apocalyptic Show?
The long-anticipated Fallout TV series, released on April 10, 2024, on Amazon Prime Video, has arrived with high expectations from both die-hard fans of the video game franchise and newcomers intrigued by its apocalyptic setting. Developed by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, the creative minds behind Westworld, the series promised to bring the rich lore, dark humor, and moral complexities of Bethesda’s beloved RPG to life. But does it truly capture the spirit of Fallout, or is it just another entry in the ever-growing catalog of post-apocalyptic dramas?
By Bounty Hunter 11 months ago in Critique
Backroom Cat Nap
THE 1ST DRAFT Warehouse Backroom Cat Nap “This is the stockroom warehouse where we keep our surplus. The most common items are stored up front. The whole place is basically a twisting tunnel of eclectic furniture. Most of the floor displays are directly for sale, but we keep extra stock in here. It’s primarily mattresses.”
By Amos Glade11 months ago in Critique
Judge reduces Adnan Syed’s sentence, allowing him to stay out of prison
Adnan Syed, the subject of the “Serial” podcast, will be allowed to remain free after a Baltimore judge on Thursday agreed to effectively reduce his sentence to the time he had already spent in prison.
By Md Mirajul Islam11 months ago in Critique
Aladdin: The Untold Journey of Magic, Courage, and Destiny
cent of spices filled the air and the sound of merchants haggling echoed through the narrow streets, there lived a young man named Aladdin. Unlike the tales you may have heard, Aladdin was not a carefree street urchin, but a clever and resourceful young man with a heart full of dreams and a mind sharp as a blade. His story, however, is far more intricate and thrilling than any fable could convey.
By Mosap Homa11 months ago in Critique
The Wavering Point!. Honorable Mention in Self-Editing Epiphany Challenge.
Original Excerpt The apartment pulsed like a living thing; radiator clicks a heartbeat, pipes creaking like arteries. Morgan hadn’t thought about this before today — today, before the letter came. Now everything felt intensified, everything felt conscious.
By Neli Ivanova11 months ago in Critique
