Where things stand with Midnight Rising and Feathered Hearts · 4:38pm Oct 3rd, 2021
Well, folks, I’ve been writing a lot over the past week, but I’ve been splitting my attention between the next Midnight Rising chapter and Feathered Hearts. The former was coming frustratingly slowly as I couldn’t seem to find the correct angle for it, while the latter was coming quite quickly. I was working on the next main story chapter and thought it might be ready within days.
As for why I was working on that, comments on the story were suggesting to me that I needed to get new chapters out sooner rather than later, given both the main and side stories had left off on cliffhangers and readers were chomping at the proverbial bit for more. To that end, I decided I’d work on it when I needed a break from Midnight Rising, which like I said was coming along only fitfully.
But there’s a reason I have prereaders, and there’s a good reason why every writer should have them--they can spot stuff and stop you from making a big mistake.
To make a long story short, I had 7200 words written on the next FH chapter, and had greatly enjoyed writing the all-new opening section, which showed the immediate aftermath between Marco and Gilda leading into a surprise scene that hit out of nowhere. I then showed it to AJ_Aficionado yesterday, who expressed serious concerns over it. Though deflating to hear, his points were 100% valid. Without getting into too many specifics, I was pushing things too hard in the main story and getting lost in the sexual weeds. I need to get to the Cloven sooner rather than later, and what I wrote, though I still love it, simply doesn’t belong in the main story. 
Fortunately, there’s an easy solution. The first 4000 or so words of that chapter will be saved for the side story where they belong, and where I can flesh out the scene properly. It will become the trailing chapter of a two-chapter sequence to describe the first (non-cider caused, consensual and freely chosen) encounter between Marco and Gilda followed by a bonus scene at the end where you get the first idea of what non-physical effects all that cider and fertility potion had on her--and by extension, on all of them.
As for the main story, that will resume with an edited section lifted more or less entirely from the older story. It will consist of Gilda writing her daily report later that night, reflecting back on the events of the day and wondering what trouble she might be in following. First contact with the Cloven is but two days--and two chapters--away at this point in story time. I pledge to reach it by the end of the year or sooner, especially since I’ll have three full weeks off before year’s end.
And that brings me to Midnight Rising. It took me a while, but I finally figured out the angle I’m going to use with Sour Sweet. I mentioned before I was basically trashing the old version? Well, this time around, expect her punishment to be both designed and carried out by a brand new visitor to the story; one who has been seen in both recently in Into the Storm and later chapters of Nightmare Night. I’m going to use this chapter to set up something for the ending of Nightmare Night--a temptation of a certain character that may win Midnight the day when it’s time for her to face off with Eclipse. 
The OC involved is not my own, but I have permission from her creator to use her. Thanks, AJA!
Oh, yes, and expect a bit of a science lesson in the coming chapter woven into all the sex. For whatever reason, I’ve been studying Black Holes a lot lately, and that’s going to show up. I made lava erotic, so the question becomes, can I make a singularity M-rated as well...? 
Anyway, that’s where things stand right now. Nothing new to report on the surgery recovery front; so far my apnea has not shown much improvement but I remain hopeful as inflammation remains, and my surgeon said it would take up to 8 weeks to realize.
I’m going to aim for draft complete on the latest MR chapter by midweek. I will continue to work on Feathered Hearts off and on, but as I had to move more than half the chapter from the next main story chapter to the side story, it’s going to be a week or two on that one.
More updates will follow as we get closer to release of either story, as always.
as a prereaders for 2 authors i can say it is vary fun to have input on a story and at the same time it can be hard to tell a author who has pored there hart and sole in to a chapter that this just wont work hear. but it is so fun to see a chapter come together.
take all the time you need to work all of the details out so your team is happy that thinks are right.
I can certainly understand following your muse where she leads. (That's why I haven't worked on stories for this account for months.
) As for the singularities... Yeah, it'll be interesting to see if and how you pull that off.
I know you wish to finish Nightmare series before Halloween but don't overwork yourself. I also know writing is your way to relax, but take it easy. Health before all.
... I have feelings I can not put into words.
To be honest, Sour Sweet chapter was one of my favourite; probably I liked Midnight being so hands-on her, but this seems very promising.
all in all good news i guess? getting a chapter on Eros by accident is great as well hehe
I would tweak this a bit though you're mostly correct. It's not that the romance shouldn't be explored but proper pacing is essential. And yeah, the M-rated stuff is better off in Eros. As for my input, I will only add that I made such input as both a prereader and a friend and I know all will come right in the end.
You're welcome!
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