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Posted: 8/10/2025 6:37:55 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Eastbound30][Edited]
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Hi everyone. I’m working on a post-apocalyptic novel series which I want more based in tactical realism. Stuff like CQB, solid functionality of firearms (and issues that would be faced in such a situation) and struggles of basic survival. A lot of fiction in this genre is more Hollywood based which is cool at times but I’ve always appreciated realism over the “cool factor” of running and gunning. The series will follow Jack, our protagonist, a civilian with just some basic firearms knowledge and training and some specialized training in CQB. I wanted to follow the transformation of a capable civilian who evolves over the course of 5 books to someone who is elite. I’ve attached the Google docs link to chapters 6 and 7 which are fine to jump right into. 6 is very character based and 7 is more tactical. I think these two chapters of this first book give a good overall impression of what I’m writing and aiming to write. I’d love to get feedback from you guys, how do he characters feel, the tension, the scenes etc. Anything is greatly appreciated! Chapters 6,7 |
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Chapters 6,7 Sorry, let me know if this works, if not I’ll attach it separately. |
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Hi everyone. I’ve written a revised chapter 1 and am sharing it here. I’d you have time, give it a read and if you like it, please feel free to share any feedback, good or bad! Low Ready: Chapter 1-Waiting |
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I like it so far. Characters and plot are believable and well-written. Corrections: the word you want for someone who is going to vomit is "nauseated", not "nauseous". A "nauseous" thing (sight, smell, etc.) makes you feel "nauseated". And watch for the stray unnecessary apostrophe - not every word that ends in "s" gets one: only the possessives, not the plurals. |
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Posting a little out of order but coming up on finishing the first draft of the novel before going back and revising each chapter one by one. Here are chapters 12 and 13 which are character driven, tense and lean a little bit on survival horror. For some added context, we have two different types of infected; runners and ferals. Runners are pack driven, their brains are deteriorated a lot more and are dangerous in large groups but otherwise predictable. Ferals on the other hand have retained more brain functionality, are clever and will hunt and even use deception tactics. I want the infected in my book to be a lot more dynamic than is typical. They're not zombies, they're not even dead. Any feedback of this unrevised first draft is greatly appreciated! I'm not so much focused right now on grammar, sentence structure, etc. Right now the goal is to get it down on the page and revise once its completed. So feedback on the characters and the feel etc is really what I'm after. Did it feel engaging, did you enjoy reading it etc. I should have the novel completed in October. I plan on writing a standalone novella for Anna in November before starting book 2 and I will revise book 1 once I start book 2. Chapter 12: Runners Chapter 13: Feral |
why, oh why GOD WAS I BORN IN CALIFORNIA..
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Just did a quick glance at what you've posted. The basic premise might work, but without seeing the rest of the draft it's somewhat hard to give a solid bit of feedback. From what I've seen so far you'll need to polish and add to the descriptive elements, and dialogue. Work on pacing too. Punctuation and grammatical errors can be dealt with later. |
RIP Tamurand a damn fine Rhodesian Ridgeback 02-09-14
RIP Kaya, an equally fine Yellow Lab 06-08-2015
RIP Millie the Destroyer, AKA ShitTrumpet, WCCorgi 12-21-2015
NORCAL CALLSIGN: YODEL
Happy to be in ALASKA!
RIP Kaya, an equally fine Yellow Lab 06-08-2015
RIP Millie the Destroyer, AKA ShitTrumpet, WCCorgi 12-21-2015
NORCAL CALLSIGN: YODEL
Happy to be in ALASKA!