Night Shift: Prequel update · 9:38pm May 15th, 2015
I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is that yes, "Monsters" is happening. In fact, it is almost done. The bad news is that it's been delayed; delayed by that thing colloquially known as "real life," among other things.
I really, really wanted to do this blog with all good news, but alas, the fates have willed it shan't be. I was really pushing for a release as early as, say, two weeks from now, but as things stand that in all likelihood won't be the case. But I know I haven't been updating you guys with any regularity, so this is me making up for that.
Where is Monsters now?
There will be 13 chapters in total, spanning around 100k words. So that's almost Night Shift's length -- fitting, wouldn't you think? I've got 11 of those chapters already drafted, and the 12th about halfway done. That's the good. What's bad is that, just like with Night Shift, I'm having trouble wrapping up the story in a satisfying fashion. No matter what I try, it just doesn't feel right. One iteration is too boring, another loses the "spirit" of the fic as it were... it's a nightmare. Normally I could write one chapter a week if I really set my mind to it, but this one has had me stumped for two weeks now.
And of course, then there's the fact that exam season is coming up, which frankly isn't helping my already hectic writing schedule. (Hectic not necessarily because of my life otherwise, but because I'm a lazy f
k.)
In addition, just as I'm working on chapter 12, I'm beginning to realise that an entire plot thread flat-out doesn't work. Not the way I want it to work, anyway -- and it'll take some serious revamp of a number of characters and at least half a chapter to fix it. And even then it might not work. I don't know, can't know 'till I try it, right? Point is, it'll take time. But that's exactly the reason I'm not releasing chapter by chapter: so I can fix issues like this. Hopefully I'll be able to deliver a better story as a result.
So when is it coming?
I'm terrible with deadlines, in case that hasn't been made obvious to you yet.
What needs to be done (in order of most important to least important):
-Draft the final two chapters. (That's harder than it sounds.)
-Revamp that one plot thread and its characters.
-Possibly redo the finale again.
-Meticulously edit all 100k words looking for typos and improving prose.
-My exams.
Adding it all up, I can say with about 84.37% certainty that "Monsters" is coming soon. "Soon" does not imply any particular date, time, decade, century, or millennia in the past, present, and certainly not the future. "Soon" shall make no contract or warranty between the writer and the audience. "Soon" will arrive some day, the writer does guarantee that "soon" will be here before the end of time. Maybe. Do not make plans based on "soon" as the writer will not be liable for any misuse, use, or even casual glancing at "soon."
Hang in there.
I was starting to wonder where you'd gone off to. Glad to see you haven't fallen off the face of the Earth. Sucks when that happens.
It's happening!
This news almost makes me wonder if there was something that I, your loyal editor, was supposed to be doing. Hmm.
Hmmmmmmmmm.
Nope, can't think of anything. You keep hanging in there.
So is this going to be a sequel?
Somehow I feel like exams should be at the top of that list. . .
Good luck with the exams! Please focus on them first.
It is nice to hear that you're already 80 percent done with it and work experience tells me that it will need another 80 percent to reach 100, so don't worry, you're right on schedule.
More dark and spooky monsters on the horizon? Aw yeah.
Knowing that it's still coming makes me happy enough.
Go at your own pace, and I'm sure you and every one of us will be satisfied with the end result.
Patiently-but-slightly-impatiently Waiting.