Update

[serai]

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So, still wrestling with Zeke about that chapter - it's slow in coming. I'm getting a tad impatient with this idea of holding chapters back, frankly, because I keep getting little flashes of ideas that could become full chapters, but am losing the impetus because that makes it look like it's going to take longer to write this thing than I thought, and I've discovered I'm crap at continuing without outside encouragement. So I've decided to start posting stuff I already have written, at least the parts that aren't already marked for inclusion at a specific point. This thing is pretty tumbled and jumbled in its structure anyway, and having them pile up is starting to interfere with my sense of how to release them. So what the hell.

One thing I've been concerned with is placement in the timeline. Since the chapters do bounce back and forth time-wise, I've been trying to write in details or mentions that clarify when the bits are happening (weather being the most obvious way to do it since Ohio is a part of the country that has pronounced seasonal changes). But I'm wondering if it's a strain to try and guess the time placement as a reader. Opinions? I'm thinking I should just include a month/year indicator at the beginning of each chapter to make things easier. It wouldn't bother me to do so. It just hadn't occurred to me before. What do you guys think?



P.S. I do want to give a shout-out and OMG THANKS to danae_b and aliensouldream, who've done some pre-reading and given me pats before posting some of what's gone up (and what's coming). It's really helped to make sure I'm not stepping on my own toes or writing anything completely WTFRUDOING?? Love and hugs!

Comments

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

I'd be glad if you posted whatever you have whenever it's ready to be read. Sometimes you just have to tell the story the way it comes to you.

[serai1.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I agree, thanks! It's been an interesting try, but doing it this way isn't working for me. My output has slowed considerably since I stopped posting the bits I'm writing. (Though it's still going, which amazes me.) I've already decided how to structure the ending, but what's in between is still filtering in and shaping itself willy-nilly. It's fun! Now I have to decide if I'm going to write all the way to the end, and have whatever else comes out as separate fics that are related, or keep the ending back until the thing has exhausted itself and there's no more left to write. Which could be, you know, years, considering the timeline spans three decades, and I still have no idea what Zeke's been up to all that time.

Does the date thing seem important to you? I'm back and forth about it for me, but like I said, it would be no skin off my nose to be clearer about it. :)

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

I'm not too concerned about the dates. If it's important to set the scene, then it's relevant, but most times, it isn't.

If it takes too many years, I may not get to read the end, but you have to do it the way it feels right to you. I'll just enjoy the ride, wherever it takes us.

[serai1.livejournal.com]

LOL, I really don't think I'm going to keep holding it off that long. It's a thought, but honestly, I can't see how I could fill up all that time. For this story, at least, I'm thinking I've got at the most another dozen chapters, maybe a few more if they jump up and yell I'M HERE like that fic about Erik did. If anything appears after that, it'll be an ancillary fic. Plus, I've got ideas for a few things that aren't a part of High Contrast, or are AU's of my AU, so to speak.

Damn, this is so strange and fun. I've never had to deal with these "problems" before! Learning a lot just from the process, let alone any actual writing. :)