Fiction
If Great Dead Writers Were on Facebook - 4
I have sent out small tips to everyone who submitted a story to my unofficial challenge from the third installment of these series. If you didn't get your tip (I'd wait a little to see for it to show up, though) please let me know. The challenge was announced here:
By Lana V Lynx4 months ago in Critique
If Great Dead Writers Were on Facebook - 3. Top Story - August 2025.
I have started these series with the Russian writers and then thought why should I have all the fun alone (thanks to Raymond G. Taylor for the idea to turn this into an unofficial challenge!). So I'm opening it up for others who would like to see if they can bring dead writers into the modernity through their imagined Facebook or other social media posts.
By Lana V Lynx5 months ago in Critique
Retro, Risqué, and Remarkably Relevant: Netflix’s "Aema" Makes History Sizzle
Netflix threw us a curveball this summer. On August 22, 2025, the streamer dropped a gem... a historical comedy-drama rooted in one of Korea’s most controversial pop-culture relics: Madame Aema. For the uninitiated, Madame Aema was a wildly popular and scandalous series of erotic films that exploded in 1980s Korea, sparking debates on censorship, morality, and who gets to control women’s stories.
By Sara Yahia5 months ago in Critique
If Great Dead Writers Were on Facebook - 2
In my first story of these series, I've tackled five Russian writers. Since there are a lot more, some of whom might be less known to the English-language readers, I wanted to do another installment. As a reminder, the Facebook art here is generated by MAIK (My AI Kompanion, as I call it) showing off its improved capacities as ChatGPT-5. So, here's some more Russian writers' imaginary posts on Facebook, with an explanatory setup:
By Lana V Lynx5 months ago in Critique
Vanessa Kirby Breaks Bad in "Night Always Comes"
In a cinematic moment where thrillers are often dressed in glossy action tropes, Night Always Comes strikes a rawer note, placing Vanessa Kirby at the heart of a story as much about America’s crumbling safety nets as about a woman’s descent into crime.
By Sara Yahia5 months ago in Critique
Red Moon And Killer Wolves
Red Moon And Killer Wolves Under the red moon the forest changed. Trees leaned as if listening. The wolves came, their fur dark with shadow. They did’nt growl, they did not run. They walked slow, eyes fixed ahead, as though something unseen pulled them forward. In the village a single lamp still burned. A woman stepped outside, looking up at the strange sky. She never saw them reach her. One moment she stood breathing, next the ground drank her silence. The wolves kept moving, leaving nothing behind but blood in the dirt and the heavy pulse of the moon above.
By Marie381Uk 5 months ago in Critique
If Great Dead Writers Were on Facebook - 1. Top Story - August 2025.
I've had a great (in my humble opinion) idea today: What if the great writers from all over the world before the Internet's time had Facebook accounts? What would they write about? Would they probe or crowdsource ideas for their novels, short stories, and plays? Witness events that could give them food for thoughts and plots? Boast about their new books just published?
By Lana V Lynx5 months ago in Critique
The Ultimate Guide to Types of Kitchen Cabinets: Styles, Materials, and Features
Kitchen cabinets are the backbone of any kitchen design, combining functionality with aesthetic appeal. Choosing the right type of kitchen cabinet can transform your space, enhance storage, and elevate your home’s value. With countless styles, materials, and features available, understanding the options is key to creating a kitchen that suits your needs and taste. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the various types of kitchen cabinets, their materials, styles, and features to help you make an informed decision for your next kitchen renovation or build.
By handy maneshon5 months ago in Critique
Atlético San Luis vs. Cruz Azul: A Deep Dive into Two Mexican Soccer Giants. AI-Generated.
Introduction Mexican football, known locally as fútbol mexicano, boasts a rich history filled with passionate fans, legendary players, and intense rivalries. Among the many clubs that have contributed to this vibrant tapestry, Atlético San Luis and Cruz Azul stand out for their unique stories, passionate fanbases, and competitive spirit. This article explores the histories, achievements, and current standings of these two clubs, highlighting their significance in Mexican football.
By Trend Vantage5 months ago in Critique
The Gift of Insight
The Gift of Insight How Constructive Critique Builds Growth, Confidence, and Mastery Sasha adjusted the light above her easel, squinting at the canvas that had consumed her weekend. The colors felt right. The brushstrokes were bold. Still, something about the composition felt... off. Art school had taught her technique. What it hadn't prepared her for was the silence that followed when she finished a piece. Friends gave her polite praise. Her social media posts gathered likes, but no substance. What Sasha needed wasn’t approval—it was perspective. So when her mentor, Miguel, offered to give her feedback, she hesitated for only a second before accepting. Miguel had a reputation. He wasn’t cruel, but he was honest. Students often joked that a Miguel critique left you thinking harder than an exam. But those same students returned to him again and again, their skills sharper each time. They met in his small studio the following afternoon. Sasha leaned her canvas against a brick wall, trying not to fidget. Miguel looked at the painting for a long moment. Then he smiled. “You’ve got great energy here,” he began. “Your use of contrast draws me in, and that layering in the background—it’s working well.” Sasha exhaled. Praise felt good. But she waited, sensing more was coming. “Now,” he continued, “can I show you something?” She nodded. Miguel picked up a small mirror and held it in front of the painting. “When you look at your piece in reverse like this, do you notice how the left side feels heavier?” Sasha tilted her head. He was right. The composition, once vibrant in her eyes, now seemed lopsided. She had been so close to it, so invested, that she hadn’t seen the imbalance. “That’s one of the hardest things about creating,” Miguel said gently. “We get attached. But critique helps us step outside ourselves. It’s not about tearing down—it’s about seeing clearer.” As they talked through other parts of the piece—color temperature, line direction, emotional tone—Sasha began to scribble notes. Miguel never told her what to fix. He asked questions, offered observations, and left space for her to make her own decisions. By the end of the session, Sasha didn’t feel defeated. She felt empowered. --- The next few weeks, she made a point to invite more critique—from peers, professors, even her younger brother, who, to her surprise, had a sharp eye for visual storytelling. What changed wasn’t just her art—it was her attitude. She began to separate herself from her work. A critique wasn’t a personal attack; it was a generous offering. Each comment, even the ones that stung at first, carried insight. When given respectfully and received openly, critique became a conversation—one that made her better. One afternoon, she watched a fellow student, Cara, struggle through a harsh group review. The feedback, though valid, had been blunt. Cara looked deflated, her voice tight as she defended each choice. Sasha waited until the session ended, then approached her. “I’ve been there,” she said gently. “Want to grab coffee and talk through your piece again? Just you and me?” Cara agreed, and over warm mugs and quiet conversation, Sasha offered the same approach Miguel had used with her—encouragement first, then thoughtful questions, observations, and space to reflect. When they returned to the studio later that week, Cara’s piece had transformed. “You helped me actually hear the critique,” she told Sasha. “I didn’t feel like I had to defend myself. I felt like I could explore.” --- By the end of the semester, Sasha’s work had reached a new level of depth and clarity. She still had doubts—what artist didn’t?—but now she welcomed feedback. She even started a small critique circle, built on trust, kindness, and curiosity. What she had feared—judgment, rejection—had turned out to be the very thing that pushed her forward. Critique, she realized, was not a test of worth. It was a tool for growth. Like pruning a plant, it might seem harsh in the moment, but it made room for stronger, fuller bloom. And in that spirit, every time she picked up a brush, she did so not with fear, but with confidence—knowing that insight, when given with care and received with openness, was one of the greatest gifts any creator could receive.
By Muhammad Saad 5 months ago in Critique
