State of things - Supplemental · 3:45am Dec 6th, 2019
Progress is still the same with both Keepers of the Crag and Further Findings of Close Call.
This post is more about the Teapot Tales. First some background knowledge, then reasoning behind this post, followed by a question on presentation as I am of two minds on this.
So, let us begin. I have spent part of the day doing some early planning work on the post Arc 2 short stories as well as what is becoming the bones of Arc 3. Until now, I haven't really considered Arc 3 as a major thing. That is because there is a lot of work to do in the lead up to it. I know that Arc 2 will not give all the answers to things people want to know, even though it is yet to be written. As such... Arc 3. The biggest problem with figuring out Arc 3 is I know what the main conflict for it is, I just don't exactly know how the characters are going to react yet.
I have even added a few things to the progress box on the right side of my user page as a result.
Why am I bringing up Arc 3 when I have only just completed Arc 1 and have so much else to do and why does it relate to the previous blog post?
Well, it relates because of setting up the structure of how I want to present the rest of the story. Knowing what happens in Arc 3 will give me a clearer view of whether or not to break everything up into their own little story groups for submission.
One of the biggest problems when looking at the whole story, without Arc 3, has been that not everything is truly about John or her actions, making it difficult to attach everything directly to A Deer Named John. Arc 3 would bring the story back to a particular element of John which would also cause a massive rift in the group, yet still allow the others to have their time. I'm just struggling a little to figure out exactly what is to happen so far out ahead of me at the moment in the story as I know elements in the preceding Arc 2 and two short story compilations would have major impacts on Arc 3's character reactions and relationships.
Character-wise I have a vague path laid out before Jacob. I also have a pretty solid end goal for Schmidt. I know a fair bit for John as well. The problem lies with Jackie and William. I just don't know the full direction for those two. And Boo is a little reliant on them for her direction as well. So that is half the core group not having any real path in my head yet after Arc 2. I really need to figure this out.
So, the presentation question:
In the last post I raised the options with regards to how to present the story submission-wise from here on out. After coming up with the through line for the first short story compilation, I can now rule out posting each short as its own submission. This leaves the following options:
1 - Attach everything to A Deer Named John into one monster file and re-categorise everything with Arc 1/2/3 or Story number before each title depending on where the chapter lands in the overall scheme of things, or
2 - Submitting them as their own groups individually: Arc 1, Compilation 1, Arc 2, Compilation 2, Arc 3, Proposed Ending point.
I would truly love feedback on this. Simply picking one or two will help, though extra thoughts would be very helpful indeed.
Truly stuck between the two,
Tael.
P.S. - Spot of Tea, Change for Me! will still not be attached. I actually like the comment Mix-up put referring to it as a pilot episode and am now thinking of it in that way.
I believe you should stick with option #2. While I understand the arguments towards keeping it in a single submission, I feel like the way this story's been growing and developing partitioning it that way would work best.
Put everything in one story
I agree with mosanted that option 2 works best.