I would try to make the the building as if it were a hero. Set it to the same criteria, best example I've seen with an icon in the corner is a gun turret, icon shows up like a hero when you build one. Good luck. Um set research requirements and don't put the thing as target like a structure...
Maybe it is because your vocab is not bad, more like you don't have the odds stacked against you right now. You have a great plot but I think you need some incentive. And if you think that it is slipping away, don't. Just think of it as "I am not as good when I thought I reached my peek, I'll be...
Writing is like tea, it takes time to make it just right, not too hot, not to cold. Take your time, plan out character descriptions, places, etc. Then start to research on those places. After that if you still have writers block and don't have anywhere to start writing. Then just throw a few...
My guess for the top, gardient layres, smudging, wave filiter, smudge/spatter brushes. Bottom one is c4d, lighting, gradients, and I'm drawing the blank on the filter to turn a tiger that way. Lightning stocks, or could've used wave filter on the render.
It's ok, the text needs work and learning how to blend the render more is necessary. I do not see a light source. And the colors don't exactly match with the render.
Example, left hand side where the text is, is lighting. So find a light source, not necessary but it helps. :) Good luck.
ArmedCitizen is nice, the black and white is a simple and clean look but I find it a bit boring. Also it seems a bit too busy and the "White space." Which is actually black space I think is a bit much. I also think the lighting in the background is also "Too much." Smith_S9 gets my vote. Though...