Extended Progress Update: 29 March 2024

Hi Returning Visitors,

Key highlights of this update and reminders:

• My typical gentle nudge to remember to add my email address can be found here. It's important for the TFS character portrait inquiries and welcome message I promptly send out. Also, remember to check your spam folder and to reach out to me, if needed.

• I finished a chapter, but it's full steam ahead on the next one after my planning! 🍝

• There are some unexpected surprises in store for April, including some writings that will leave you intrigued. 👀 Our alpha drop is up next followed by our Content Schedule.

• Book Two Snippet: A peek at JR's protectiveness from the recently completed chapter.

Today's Extended Progress Update is a smidgen later than my usual time slot!

It's all B. Warrick's fault though. 🧡😳 I was too wrapped up in their delectable upcoming spicy writing, so I wanted to finish getting my ideas down for the initial draft of it. (Hint: the MC asks bestie R. Verner for some advice. What could go wrong or oh-so-right?) However, this is the perfect transition for what I've been working on! Most of you who have been here for a time know I prefer to direct my intense focus (Me 🤝 Mal) on one thing at the time. It's currently aimed at Patreon content, like the Bee writing I mentioned, along with finalizing our upcoming alpha drop. ✨

The drop will be sometime this weekend. I'm excited for you to read what's in store in Chapter 3! We will be getting more clues about Fernweh and this book's mysteries along with a potential scare or two depending on your choices. Not to mention chances to interact with your RO(s), but also your MC's connections, A. Corvin, Ms. Grendal or Judith, the TFS dog, etc. The variation in this one should invite replays by both romance route and choice to spy those big and small changes! 👀

However, once the drop is released and you're all lost in Fernweh (as you should be) and I'm mostly settled with April's content, then I'll be turning back to Book Two. Specifically, prepping for a chapter I feel we've all been anticipating. I have four words for you:

🍝 The Corvin Family Dinner 🍝

These words will grow into tens of thousands, I'm sure. This chapter is rather daunting because it has a lot of concurrent variation within it rather than how the RO excursions had variation in branches. For instance, your MC could have gone on a date with R. Verner or J. Corvin or one of the other routes during that evening period in Fernweh. It let me write contained experiences with variation inside of each one. With the dinner, something as 'simple' as the MC's arrival has different outcomes from if R. Verner comes (JR route) to how A. Corvin behaves to when Mrs. Corvin appears to why B. Warrick might be present. Basically, there are many moving parts on any given page! I can't wait to dig into this chapter; however, planning at a granular level is needed for this one. 🥰

Another quick example is meeting Huckleberry 🦝 and how you can imagine that changing based on who's present (RIP R), A's disposition and triggered crushes, and the MC's own choices.

My hope is that the dinner feels dynamic along with how this is about meeting the Corvins, learning some about J's backstory, and other plot elements that are necessary to TFS's series.

The chapter I finished is the one I mentioned in our last update. It took me a few days extra (to Wednesday) rather than finishing it before the new week dawned, but that's okay! I added more variation with Mal to account for how their romance tone can greatly differ based on their treatment by the MC.💔 So, I'll be with the dutiful Corvins relatively soon-ish, maybe in very early April? 💐

Again, our alpha drop is soon in addition to our Content Schedule, which will include hints about next month's content.

[Spoilers Ahead!]

Here's an excerpt from Book Two:

James and Reese

With a single glance, Reese communicates where he wishes for you to sit in the now unoccupied chair that's been pulled into the center of the living room. He's giving up his seat without any comment. You don't—

"I think you should sit down too…"

While James's phrasing is relatively open-ended, his move to flank the chair with Reese conveys a fact. He's being polite as ever, but also more protective of you from a place of care. You've always known this about him. Neither of them are budging on this, so you take your seat. "Thanks," you reply. "I didn't mind standing up."

"I minded," Reese easily disagrees.

Jane and Reese

With a single glance, Reese communicates where he wishes for you to sit in the now unoccupied chair that's been pulled into the center of the living room. He's giving up his seat without any comment. You don't—

"I think you should sit down too…"

While Jane's phrasing is relatively open-ended, her move to flank the chair with Reese conveys a fact. She's being polite as ever, but also more protective of you from a place of care. You've always known this about her. Neither of them are budging on this, so you take your seat. "Thanks," you reply. "I didn't mind standing up."

"I minded," Reese easily disagrees.

Jane and Ruby

With a single glance, Ruby communicates where she wishes for you to sit in the now unoccupied chair that's been pulled into the center of the living room. She's giving up her seat without any comment. You don't—

"I think you should sit down too…"

While Jane's phrasing is relatively open-ended, her move to flank the chair with Ruby conveys a fact. She's being polite as ever, but also more protective of you from a place of care. You've always known this about her. Neither of them are budging on this, so you take your seat. "Thanks," you reply. "I didn't mind standing up."

"I minded," Ruby easily disagrees.

James and Ruby

With a single glance, Ruby communicates where she wishes for you to sit in the now unoccupied chair that's been pulled into the center of the living room. She's giving up her seat without any comment. You don't—

"I think you should sit down too…"

While James's phrasing is relatively open-ended, his move to flank the chair with Ruby conveys a fact. He's being polite as ever, but also more protective of you from a place of care. You've always known this about him. Neither of them are budging on this, so you take your seat. "Thanks," you reply. "I didn't mind standing up."

"I minded," Ruby easily disagrees.

Double the fun and care from your JR beloveds! 💜

Thank you so much for your support and encouragement. 💚

Wishing you all a lovely and safe weekend!