Extended Progress Update: 24 November 2023

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.
• The votes are in for A's raccoon's name! 💛 Thank you for voting.
• Writing is continuing at a rapid pace! I'm getting into an incredibly dynamic section; it's like a mini-game within the narrative that's going to add lots of pages/options. It will be fun!
• Our next alpha drop is just around the corner! You could learn something intriguing about the obelisk. 🐍
• Book Two Snippet: A longer snippet that has Ms. Verner 💄 banter.

I'm glad that you all enjoyed weighing in on the different names for A's raccoon. I view it as a good sign that there was some spread as opposed to a few heavy-hitters; I like all of them in some capacity. The winner is: Huckleberry! 🦝 You will be meeting him next book with your MC and potentially their beloved(s) also getting a chance to react to this rather, hmm, unique pet.

Despite the holiday and a few birthdays, writing is still going at a rapid pace. 😁 I did take a brief step back (like a day or two, lol) to review the outline for a particular section that's dynamic. It's also missable, which is less worthy of italics or emojis; however, I know some of you will trigger it, so that coding will be well-spent! It introduces a mini-game as a way to learn more about a certain enigmatic someone instead of having a heart-to-heart or more open conversation because we all know Mal isn't great at these types of interactions. >.> Perhaps you will be able to puzzle out why that is. You can 'win', 'wash' (so get some points, but lose others), 'lose', or get a 'game over' sort of response from Mal if your MC goes 'out of bounds'. Adding this more reactive and responsive element will be more fun than a few question/answer pages with them. I'm excited!

Fun aside, the delivery and tension of Mal's information is important to uncovering more. 🌲

So, that's most likely what I'll be setting to work on after this publishes for you to read. Prior to this section, I was working on those more instanced RO moments I mentioned. Those are done.

Our next alpha drop is just around the corner along with a recipe from Mrs. Corvin. A quick heads-up that I've swapped the buttermilk biscuits for cornbread muffins since that seems more fall to me and matches better with November. 🍂 If anyone had their heart set on baking biscuits, let me know. (I'll either do two recipes in December or just shift A's ginger cookies to later on.)

I know the holiday season is drawing closer, so I hope you all have a festive time. 🥰⛄

[Spoilers Ahead!]

Here's an excerpt from Book Two:

"Nice place you've got here," you awkwardly remark. "Very grand and, uh, echoey."

"It is on the historic registry, so I would hope it's 'nice' as you put it."

You're surprised she took more issue with 'nice' than 'echoey' being used to describe the mansion. Ms. Verner's heels sharply click against the marble floor as she departs, each retreating clack helping you to relax some. It seemed like she saw through your attempt at small talk; however, she wasn't openly critical.

"It would have been worse had you said 'marbley'," R jokes. "You are technically correct though. I used to think someone was mirroring my steps in the halls… The echoes."

"Don't make it creepy."

R smiles mischievously before you both turn to face the others.

Writing the MC's conversations/barbs/banter with Ms. Verner is always interesting for me. Also, this underscores that the MC is venturing to so many interesting settings in the next book; it could almost make being trapped in an eerie town worth it? Uhm, maybe. 🤔 That's debatable.

Thank you again for all of your support and encouragement! 💚