C&C release awaiting one more finished preread... · 5:44pm January 8th
It's looking pretty polished by now and coming in not far short of 13k words, though I keep tweaking it here and there. Even once the preread is in, there'll be a one-day delay so I can create the T-rated version of it. I don't like to do that until I'm satisfied the main R-rated/M-rated version is finished, in order to minimize edits or changes that would otherwise have to be done to two versions of text instead of one.
All other prereads to this point have been very favorable. The M-rated content itself is mostly but not entirely due to a recap of the Eros arc, which this time Gilda fully remembers. There's also at least a little additional adult action here, though most of it is only implied, and all of which will be excised for the T-rated version. And don't worry, those of you who only read the latter—there's plenty of stuff in here outside of that, as the recap isn't just about sex, but what the Changelings revealed of their culture, outlook and history.
As a reminder, this chapter marks the start of a new story arc and buildup to another major combat climax. As such, it's laying the groundwork, and so will the next chapter, where I'm going to go full Firefly. By which I mean, I'm going to create a series of campaign and battle maps as Gilda attends a Council of War with the Tribune, where's she caught up to speed on the greater situation the Kingdom faces, including what parts of Aresia (and elsewhere) the Cloven have already captured and corrupted.
It was something I did for readers occasionally back in my Firefly stories to let them see the progress of the war and action in individual battles. Though unquestionably a lot of work to create in Photoshop, they impart a lot of information and were very well-received. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and that's certainly the case with a well-drawn graphic or two.
Best guess on when the chapter will be released is Wednesday or later. I'll probably give notice that it's coming the day before. After this, I'm heading back to Eros to get another chapter or two of the new arc ready. Then I have to fulfill a promise to hit Midnight Rising again, though as always I reserve the right to change my mind if it turns out that I'm not in a mood for clop.
Looking forward to the next chapter
There is quite a bit from the original story left, I guess the bonding with the griffon cups and the duel for their safety will still happen later on like in the original version before you started to drastically improve on it?
Or the scene where a heavy cloven egg transport comes Arnaus way?
Have a great week, see you
👍
Getting there 👍
5762799
Good to know! I’ll try to get it out sooner rather than later.
Yes. I plan to start incorporating original story content again in the next chapter. As for what I’ll include, it’ll be what I consider the main plot points of the original, including but not limited to the duel and a couple of the engagements with the Cloven.
I don’t recall that, so maybe I better reread the original again.
See you in a few! And I know I’ve been very bad about answering your comments of late. I’ll try to address that going forward.
5762807
Barring the final preread turning up major issues, it’s 99.98% done at this point except for creating the T-rated version.
This is my favorite chapter of C&C in a while. It really feels like the old-fashioned shenanigans of Feathered Heart. It deserves a longpost once it's posted.