Next week (and beyond)

The serial is going to take a break next week, but there will still be a full-length post! The August 8th post will be an article about the setting—how it morphed from a shared world on a role-playing forum in the mid-2000s to now. Since August this year has five Wednesdays, not the usual four, it’s kind of a bonus post. Also, it’s going to be free to everyone.

I don’t know if I’ll do this every five-Wednesday month, but…okay, I’ll let you in on a (not so) secret. True slice of life is new to me, and for reasons that might go in another “bonus post,” I suspect that “slice of life” and “novel-length serial” are at odds with one another. Either you’re writing a series of individual, true slice of life vignettes that all effectively stand alone, even if together they form a loose arc, or you’re writing something longer that needs a semblance of structure. What I’m writing here is, in the final analysis, a romance, and romances need structure just as much as any other genre. While I may not be outlining, I’d like to start putting signposts along the path for myself so I don’t unintentionally wander off the path. (Intentionally wandering is okay, though.)

As it turns out, Chapter 6 is a great point for an intermission: Autumn and Saida met, had a clear initial spark, and are clearly intrigued by one another…but they’re literally in separate worlds now. And, Saida’s work challenges incline her to stay in Stravell and keep her nose to the grindstone. How is that going to go over with Autumn when they see one another again?

Thanks to all of you who are along for the ride so far. If you like the serial, please let me know (even if it’s just by clicking the like button on the post), and don’t be afraid to leave comments or questions. Also, if you like it, let other people know!

See you again in a few days!