Some of you know I'm going through personal family drama right now. Getting myself in the mood for writing B&S has been tough, but I've been working on the next chapter, which is the final chapter of the current story.
I decided to talk about some of the stuff I've been thinking about.
Firstly, doing those chapters takes a lot out of me. Unlike - I guess - a lot of the fiction writers here, I don't just copy/paste pre-existing material, I write each chapter from scratch. And it's not just the writing part, a lot of planning goes into it. I need to know what's going to happen two-three-four chapters later before writing a single chapter. Some things do change, yes. For instance, Gwen/Alexa was originally not going to be a major character, but I started liking her so much, got a ton of ideas for her, so I decided to give her a larger role, and currently she's becoming one of the main characters.
So, it's a time-consuming process.
To ensure quality for each chapter, I've decided on a weekly schedule.
Meaning that I'll post a chapter once per week. I will make those chapters longer, too. I've been doing 2000-3000 words per chapter up to this point, but I think I will aim at writing at least 4000 words for the weekly chapters.
I can write the chapter throughout the week, ponder on it, plan on it, give it some time and thought. I believe this will lead to better quality.
I know I'll never have a ton of readers, I realize this is Steemit, a lot of people don't read or care - especially not fiction - but I still really enjoy the story, the characters, I have plans for where to take them, I'm excited about those plans and fully intend on giving those twists and turns for the few who have invested their time into reading what I've produced.
It really means a lot to me on a personal level that even a few people have really put in the time to go through the story that I've created. Creating a story, your own characters, etc. is really personal and I find it very cool to have other people give it a try.
Some people have asked for a summary post for what's taken place so far, and that's coming up.
The story is - and is getting even more - convoluted, and that's by design. It's always been something of a dream of mine to create a story that's very complicated with lots of twists, turns, characters switching sides, all that crazy stuff. But in the end, you go: "Okay, so that's why that happened, now I get it!"
I'm also aware that not everybody is a fan of that sort of storytelling, but it's what I do, and I won't spoonfeed everything the moment it happens. You need to be patient and see where the story goes.
The way the story works is sort of like seasons of TV shows. Black and Silver is the second "season" of a larger story, the first being Black Dawn that I wrote last year. I have already outlined the main story and big moments for the third "season".
For those of you who haven't checked it out, the story has a lot of guns, explosions, conspiracies, corrupt government officials, all that good stuff I love so much.
The long chapters are sure to turn away a lot of people, but I decided what the hell. I'll just write for those who care. And I'll try to reward them with a good story.
I actually dislike the fact that so much of the fiction here on Steemit is 200-500 words per chapter.
To me, it comes across as the person attempting to stretch the story as long as he or she possibly can just to milk the votes.
Because I'm so thankful for everybody bothering to give a shit, I want to work hard for them.
One other thing to note is that the structure of the story is like this:
There is a larger, overarching story in the background, while each "season" has an individual story specific for that "season".
This is done to possibly grab some new readers and not make them feel too isolated. But, as I said, the story does get convoluted and perhaps hard to keep track of. But thankfully, I have plenty of notes!
So, expect to see a post in the near future explaining what's happened thus far.
I derive enjoyment out of putting Adam through hell, so you can expect a lot more of that in the future - though, not infinitely, since the story does have a definitive endgame where everything is leading to.
But it's a ways away.
Also, here's a piece of trivia to cap things off:
Originally, I was going to write a story that would have taken place during the tail end of the Cold War, involving the characters of AJ - Adam's father - and Simon Silverman. I had it mapped out and ready to go, but then got inspired to write what turned out to be Black Dawn, featuring AJ's son Adam.
The fact that I've had it in my head the entire time what took place between AJ and Silverman has given me a strong backstory to build from - and I'll definitely write the story in its entirety as a "prequel" of sorts. At some point.
The final chapter of the ongoing story will be posted "soon".
well, i'm sure you don't want me to do it all out here in public, on the chain and whatnot but... SQUEE!!!
You and your intricate, twisted plot lines, your fascinating characters and - this part is like, the greatest part for me - LONG chapters... you're speaking straight to my soul, Schatt!
Thanks for the update, all the love on the family/personal drama, can't wait to read it all soon!
xoxo, b.
Yay! Even if it's just a few readers, it's worth it to me.
:soon:
:soon:
Too :soon: ?
That's what she said, ats.
#facts
I am not a novel or fiction writer, but I have to write business documents.
Based on that experience, I would suggest some structure and layers to your posts.
I have learned to speed read and with structured documents, it allows one to determine if s/he wants to read the whole document or just a selected sections or paragraphs.
In your first paragraph, what is "B&S?"
And,
What does that tell the reader?
You then jumped to:
talking about how other fiction writers write shorter pieces than you do, fine ...
Okay, what is the point? It takes time to write a long chapter / post and it will take time to read as well. Is that encouraging readers like me to re-visit future posts?
You continued to rant (respectfully) ... and then:
At this time, I was thinking, help me use my time wisely and give me some structure, pictures, and layers so that I can decide quickly what I was reading and if I want to read sequentially or jump around.
This one, I gave up after just a few sentences.
Respectfully yours ...
I lost interest in your comment after you wrote:
Writing a business document is nothing like writing fiction...unless your business document is a pyramid scheme or some other scam.
Even though I lost interest in your comment, I kept reading it (regretfully). I found it to be pretty pointless. What exactly were you trying to achieve here? You're critiquing an update - something that was titled "...and Random Thoughts."
I mean...WTF? Were you just really bored? Was this a poor attempt at humor? Is English not your first language? Are you a bot? Should we captcha your future comments?
So confusing...
With that, I'll disappear as free speech is not welcome here and you guys can crush me if you feel like it ...
There is no need to be rude considering the weight that you carry ...
ciao ...
No one crushed you. We just critiqued your criticism, which honestly seemed really random and out of place. You were deconstructing what was a free flow off the cuff update, not an "article".
The points you made about speedreading, formatting, etc. are valid when it comes to serious articles, but now you were like a guy in a movie theater tearing apart a comedy for not being serious enough.
I did not say it happened:
I did feel chills in my spine being talked down by a whale and "disciplined" or told that I don't belong just for some casual comments and suggestions - right or wrong.
I do not deserve to be called directly or by inference:
If you feel chills go down your spine when someone disagrees with you on the internet, you may be able to save a few bucks on internet bills because it may not be your thing.
Isn't that a way of saying get lost?
My comment is a figure of speech and an exaggeration only.
Even if a heavy weight "crushed me" by flagging me with such a large SP, it won't hurt me physically or financially, so, I was just saying it to make a point.
But, I get confirmations, time and again, that criticisms are not welcome here ...
Now you’re coming with the drama?
For the record: free speech is welcomed here. Your stupid, completely out-of-place critique of this post isn’t “welcomed”...by me.
If you’re going to make random, inane critiques about obvious and clearly stated “random thoughts” posts, then you shouldn’t be so sensitive about the feedback/criticism you receive in return. You may not have asked for my critique...just like nobody asked for yours on this post. But it happened, so there it is.
Whining about “being crushed” (which didn’t happen...yet), rudeness, “feeling chills,” or “being told” that you “don’t belong”...seriously...what are you - a girl or something?
You offer a critique and you got a critique in return. Suck it up. Stop crying. And if you can’t handle it, then take @schattenjaeger’s advice and unplug from the internet, especially if you think that social media criticism should only be a one-way street. Either grow a set or maybe stop randomly critiquing shit. As I stated in my first comment - your comments made zero sense on this post anyway.
Maybe your speed reading isn’t as good as you imagine it is? I hope you didn’t pay for the lessons. You may know how to skim the words, but it appears that your comprehension is severely lacking.
you scared me silly, yikes ...
Hah, ookay. This was intended mostly for the people currently reading my story. Not so much for new people.
But to answer your points.
"B&S" is Black and Silver. The name of the story, mentioned in the title of the post.
...That I've been working on the next chapter? It's been a while since the last chapter, so I wanted to tell my readers that the next chapter is coming, despite my family drama.
I mentioned that the chapters take a lot out of me, which is why I decided to try a once per week schedule, so I can ensure that the chapters are good and don't suffer due to burnout.
The intent isn't to get a ton of readers. I even state in the post that I do this for those who do read. I want to reward them. Like I said, doing shorter stuff might get more readers, but I'd feel like short-changing the more dedicated readers, and I want to focus on them. Solid "business plan"? Probably not, but that's not what this is about.
That's because the post was never meant for you. It was meant for those followers of mine who read the story.
Okay - fair enough - it's your post and you can write however you wish. I am just commenting stating my surprise at the lack of structure and layering of the post even if it is an FYI to existing readers ...
This wasn't an "article". I have a ton of those and I do know how to write. This was just casual free flow where I state a few things.
My readers aren't five years old.
And by the way, it's an FYI.
I like the way this post is written, as I have followed this blog and this story and was able to understand the author from word 1.
I think it's important to realize that reading and writing fiction is very, very different than 'business documents' and should NOT be structured the same way.
Furthermore, readers looking for the type of 'structure, pictures and layers' you are requesting aren't the kind of readers this blog or this story are written for.
Having said that, I'm certain you will find some writings to your liking on Steemit! There are all sorts of great posts out there!
Respectfully my own damn selfs,
b.
I have been told by three heavy weights that my comments are not welcome and to get lost.
I am gone unless I need to respond to any future comments.
Sorry for intruding the "no disagreement zone".
No, you weren't. I just said your criticism for this particular post was random and out of place. If you want to critique some of my more serious articles, by all means, feel free.
But this was more in the veins of a "Facebook status" than anything. Just a heads up.
i just read through what these 'heavy hitters' said and I don't get the same feel as you seem to have gotten! Seems to me that others were just saying the same thing I did, that we disagree with your criticisms, and here's why... not at all that your comments are not welcome!
This, coming from a heavy weight, is not intimidating or rude?
Oh. well, in the same vein that your comments could have been construed as rude, that guy has his own style. It's a rude and intimidating style, but his actual words weren't actually mean.
Believe me, I have read him when he's being mean, and that's not it, lol!
;)
Those questions were a reflection of my complete astonishment at your utter lack of comprehension regarding what this post admittedly is. And...big surprise...you didn’t comprehend my comment either.
Is there a coffee table version in the works or have you not planned that far ahead yet?
Not as of right now. I've never considered this a "book", but merely a story. I'm not really sure what it is, to be honest. I do format the story to fit an internet site. And what I mean by that is that it's not that descriptive because I want to keep it fast-paced enough to move forward every chapter.
Though maybe I'll make the chapters more descriptive in the future with the new schedule since the chapters will be longer.
Soon is good. Well, in this case it is. Not per se in general.
This is a factual statement.
Gotta love factual statements!
They’re my favorite kinds of statements!
I like statements, too!
I love the length of the chapters. I find a lot of the short pieces that some authors are putting out on steemit annoying ...I find it very frustrating and I tend lose interest in them after a while. Nothing much gets to happen in a couple of short paragraphs.
I agree! It’s so hard to get engrossed in a story when it takes 50 chapters to get anywhere.
But some of the people who are on heavy autovotes do it, so they can milk the votes. That puts me off, as well.
I could have stretched out Black and Silver to 100 chapters easily.
Oh definitely, and I am really glad you didn't. I really hate when the story starts to become interesting....and then abruptly finishes without a proper cliff hanger. Then I read the next chapter which waffles around the previous one. The chapters are way too short, they don't really succeed in drawing one in..they are over before they have really started; more like a couple of paragraphs.