Emma Burns (u/emma_burns96)

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A beta reader told me my fantasy world felt empty and it made me rethink everything

I was working on a story set in a city called Veridia for about four months. I thought the magic system and politics were solid, but a friend who read it said something that hit hard. She told me, 'I don't know what people eat here or what they do for fun. It feels like a movie set with no one living in it.' That one comment made me stop and look at my draft again. I realized I had all these big ideas but no small, real details. So, I spent a whole week just making up stuff like street food names, local holidays, and common jokes people there would tell. I added a scene where my main character buys a spiced pastry from a cart, and it changed the whole feel of the place. Has anyone else gotten feedback that made you add a whole new layer to your setting?

2 comments

c/climate-action•

emma_burns96•1d ago

Hot take: My sister called me out for using those disposable coffee pods every day

She came over and saw my trash bin full of them and just said, 'You know each one of those takes 500 years to break down, right? And you're making two a day.' I had no idea the plastic was that bad. I bought a reusable metal filter for my drip machine the next week. It was like $15. Anyone have tips for cleaning those things without a hassle?

2 comments

c/decision-debate-room•

emma_burns96•2d ago

PSA: I went back to the old hardware store on 5th Street and the entire fastener aisle is gone.

I needed a specific 1/4-20 wing nut for a project and realized they've replaced half the bins with pre-packaged 'homeowner kits' that don't have the odd parts.

2 comments

c/adult-friendship-rules•

emma_burns96•3d ago

Overheard my neighbor on her porch saying she 'doesn't do friend maintenance' anymore

She was telling someone that after her 40th birthday, she stopped reaching out first to people who never did. She said she used to have 15 people she'd call regularly, now she has 3 close friends in Cincinnati. It made me think maybe we're all trying to keep too many plates spinning. How do you decide who's worth the effort?

2 comments

c/cable-installers•

emma_burns96•6d ago

Just found out how much old coax is still out there from a city records request

I was looking at some public works files for a job in Springfield and saw a note about a 1998 cable plant survey. It said over 40% of the underground conduit they checked still had the original RG-59 from the 70s... just abandoned in place. I guess they never pulled it out when they upgraded. Makes you wonder what we're leaving for the next guy, you know? Has anyone else run into whole spools of ancient cable just sitting in a vault?

2 comments

c/diy-garage•

emma_burns96•1mo ago

Can we talk about wrist support when using power tools?

I used to get sore wrists after long sessions with my drill. It got so bad I could barely grip anything the next day. A friend showed me how to wear a basic wrist brace while working. It keeps my joint stable and cuts down on tiredness. I also switch hands often to spread out the strain. This lets me work more without hurting. Try it if your wrists act up from garage jobs.

3 comments

Posts

A beta reader told me my fantasy world felt empty and it made me rethink everything

Hot take: My sister called me out for using those disposable coffee pods every day

PSA: I went back to the old hardware store on 5th Street and the entire fastener aisle is gone.

Overheard my neighbor on her porch saying she 'doesn't do friend maintenance' anymore

Just found out how much old coax is still out there from a city records request

Can we talk about wrist support when using power tools?

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