Sunspots

Good evening world and welcome to another pointless update. I'm writing to let you all know that I still think about Sunspots, very often in fact, and the only thing I can offer is the promise that I haven't entirely lost hope.

My writer's block extends far beyond that story, however, as I am entrenched rather deeply (emotionally at least) in two other major stories and they are as stagnated as Sunspots. The only thing we have going for us is like I actually LIKE Sunspots, while the others are untested and just.... ugh.

I'm also writing to give a bit of an update in my life: I finished graduate school in December and walked right into my dream job by the middle of January. I am employed full-time for the first time in my life and realized some very serious career and life goals in the space of a few weeks. To say I'm still reeling is an understatement. My job is fantastic but the standard to which I have to hold myself at the institution that I joined is taxing...

The OTHER bit of news is that I am attending Dragon*Con this year in Atlanta, GA. I have never been to a convention before, never mind one on this scale, and will be attending with one of my closest friends in Grand Style. If anyone else is attending and would like to meet up and be nerds together, leave a comment! I'm going as an Altar to Gaius Baltar (lol Battlestar Galactica) and can't wait.

So this is a whole lot of nothing, I realize, but it's better to say nothing than to exist in silence.

Wishing the very best to all of you,

Valerie

*slaps you on the back really hard like your obnoxious Uncle at Thanksgiving*

I bet you were all surprised by THAT Chapter Alert. No one was more surprised than me. 95% of that has been lingering as the Unfinished Chapter 20 for four months? So I spit-polished it and sent it out into the world.

Whaaaaaaaat.

See those short sentences, that white space, the utter lack of contextual description? That's what my writer's block looks like. We're lucky, I guess. Maybe one day this spring will run freely.

( 20 - A Low Simmer )

I have been grossly irresponsible, especially considering the emphasis that I have placed on this community and you readers, and now I am remiss.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with much regret that I now finalize what you've all probably assumed: that Sunspots is on a very seriously extended, and possibly permanent, hiatus.

The reasons for this are many, but the reassuring aspect of this rather depressing post is to say, I have not stopped writing... the problem is, I'm willing to write just about anything OTHER than Sunspots right now.

In fact, certain members of my friends and extended family are now actually worried about my health, because in the last six weeks I have written roughly 142,000 words.

Which is Sunspots + another 27% of Sunspots... in SIX WEEKS.

I have no idea what the future holds, beyond the publishing of this next story (which is, for those of you who might be curious, a J/D Stargate story)... but I want to come back to where I started... eventually.

*sigh*

I keep you all in my thoughts more often than you can know. A year ago I was a girl with a hobby, now I am a writer, and I consider myself that way and I'm suffering in all the ways writers suffer. It is for you, and for this reason, that I say that Sunspots is NOT dead, not really.

But what will it take to resurrect it? I don't know. I can tell you, it sure as hell isn't happening until I can GET THIS FUCKING STORY OUT THROUGH MY FINGERS!

Yours,

Valerie

... who's really up on the story? I mean, who's read it recently or is really up to speed with what's going on? I need to discuss outstanding issues.

Let's brainstorm.

For the last few minutes I have debated with myself whether or not I should post this entry to sunspots_ha. It is in fact lifted verbatim from my personal RL journal, and is written with much candor. I debate including it here because I don't want to upset anyone, but at the same time, honesty is usually best. Please read it, and offer me anything you can think of, even if it's just encouragement.

-----------------------------

I have written, thought, and spoken at length about the world of fanfiction for many years. I have intellectualized it, made fun of it, partaken in it and read it for what I now believe is upwards of nine years. Over the last single year, however, I have asked myself one very important question, and now (in response to an innocent yet very significant question asked by jammyjar ) I am going to explore it with all of you:

Why Superman?
or
( The ambiguous future of Sunspots )

It is with great pleasure that I announce that Sunspots won the following three categories in the 2008 Superman Movieverse Fanfiction Awards! Thank you to all who nominated and voted for this story, as I take great heart in your interest and praise. Congratulations to all the winners, and I'll see you next year!

I am flattered and pleased and really quite taken away by the fact that I am here to announce nine final ballot nominations for Sunspots.



( The nominations )


THE FINAL BALLOT!

You can vote until JULY 14, 2008 at NOON, EST (USA)

It is my pleasure to announce that this story has been nominated in 10 categories of the Superman Movieverse Fanfiction Awards! It made the ballot directly in 7 categories, and is now up for the run-off vote in 3. Click below to see where these nominations fall and remember to vote in the run-off! I will announce the results of that here and then encourage everyone to vote.

I began to get interested in the SR universe just as last season's voting ceased. I remember talking to htbthomas (who was my first fanon friend) about daydreaming about making the nominations "next year" (which felt so very far away). All this time later I am flattered and grateful to receive your nominations now. Thank you very much to all my readers and reviewers, betas and supporters. I would not be here without you.




( Sunspots Nominations )

Run-Off Ballot!

( Chapter 19 - Apollo Pythios )

Now, I'm not sure what readers tend to think of authors who offer themselves up, whether or not it is a sign of hubris, but recently I was reminded that I really want to do this:

I am offering a ficlet to everyone in this community. But, in the Sunspots universe to date...

So you can pick any reference, any moment that you are either curious about or would otherwise like to see fleshed out. The only caveat is that I might veto a suggestion that a) I really want to save because it's important to the future and/or b) even if you want a spoiler, and even if it isn't a spoiler, I am not confidant in writing yet. There's some shit I just haven't thought out yet, or I don't know how it will play out.

Otherwise, pick anything. Whatever I create as a result will be considered canon to the story. I will post non-spoilers here in the community for all to share.

:)

( This doesn't have to anything to do with anything )

But it is one of my favorite parts of the whole story, a moment that came out exactly the way I imagined it.

( Chapter 19 Teaser )

Nominations for the 2008 Superman Movieverse Fanfiction Awards are officially OPEN! I encourage you to nominate your favorite stories, moments, and authors in this fun, community event.

Please read all rules and policies out of respect for the competition mods, and NOTE: you do not have to be an LJ member to nominate OR vote, but please do sign your comments!

Let the games BEGIN!

I know nothing of Superman canon, beyond those things that pop culture and limited exposure to the TV shows and movies has afforded me. That being said, I greatly enjoy re-writing certain aspects of the Superman Universe which are obviously in direct opposition to the canon, but that reflect my creative mutilations. The problem is, I'm sure this annoys (perhaps only grates) some readers...

The other problem is, I often find myself yearning to know certain things, and come up against a MASSIVE WALL OF INFORMATION OVERLOAD, because holy crap, a well established comicverse as old and varied as Superman is like trying to learn a new language.

SO, I have a question for canon savvy readers:

Is there a standing policy or canon discussion on the dissemination of sensitive information regarding Superman, i.e. can the Department of Defense or UN step in should the press be ready to publish harmful information... like I dunno... a massive find of Kryptonite?

If not, are there any Constitutional lawyers in the house?

IT'S A SEAPLANE!

*explodes*

One thing I was really trying to avoid in this story was the easy way out with Richard. I think I've mentioned my disdain for the 'six months after Lois left Richard...' approach. This being said, I really think I fell into my own distaste, so here's a poll I really need  and want your honesty on:

PLEASE vote in this one, I take this especially seriously because I think it's a major weak point in the story. I would rather the whole world SAY I am transparent than simply think it; you must sincerely voice the impression this plot device leaves on you. If the poll does not manage to reflect anything close enough to how you feel, please as always leave comments!

 

 

( Chapter 18 - Angles and Planes )

Okay, if I have to stare at Chapter 18 any longer I'm going to scream. These chapters get me SO FRUSTRATED.

Point is I'm calling for a beta read. I'm speaking generally to the community rather than to some of my tried and true think-tankers because I'm not sure where everyone is in life and love right now. As I drift in and out of this world I can feel the zeal for Sunspots fading in the immediate, so I don't wish to put anyone on the spot. So, this remains an open invitation.

I will email (or Share, if you're on Gmail) the unfinished Chapter 18 with a few points of interest/problematic shit noted in red. Give it a read, let me know what needs changing, give me any and all impetus to get this DAMN THING OUT OF MY GOOGLE DOCS AHHHHHHH! All I'm really looking for is anything... I write this stuff in silence, without anyone to really talk to about it (my fault mainly, I guess) but sometimes I really do need a kick.

Obvis, this will spoil the eventual posting of Chapter 18 for you. If you're cool with that Inquire Within (leave comments w/ email address).

Now I don't want to get all excited over nothing but WOOOOOOOOO BREAKTHROUGH!

I'm stuck in that same damn scene in Chapter 18 that I pushed back from Chapter 17 because it represents some Major Shit. We've talked about it:

http://community.livejournal.com/sunspots_ha/11440.html

The good news is that after reading your comments I have struck upon a train of thought that is currently snowballing in a stream of consciousness...thing. What I'm really doing, I've realized, is plotting out the logic of Act II.

( A look into my inner dialog with minor spoilers )

Now I know these "hey guys got nothing for you here's some news PEACE OUT" entries are a little frustrating, but, I'm working on it. I am utterly frustrated with myself AND the creative process.

Two quick questions:

Well, I'm playing around with Chapter 18 and amidst the actual writing I have a little personal brainstorming/debate going on with myself and you're welcome to join in! because frankly, we need to stir this pot. As usual, minor spoilers... not PLOT based, just...

( Itty bitty character spoiler )

SO, for those of you who did not know because I honestly can't remember if I announced it here, I am back from my 18 day sojourn to Europe. I got the flu on the plane home and WANT TO DIE!

Unfortunately, while away my imagination was only on my Gargoyles universe, and even worse is that I did not formulate even one single usable idea for THAT fandom, never mind any brainstorming for Sunspots. But, I'm totally in the mood to write and the SR universe is my priority.

Fun news is that while I was away Paloma was kind enough to create two posters for this story! I will only link to the one she is most satisfied with:

Poster!

Now, besides the awesomeness that is the fuzzies that comes with fan art / appreciation, the FUN part is coming up with a tagline for the story. What do you think we should do? All nominate one? Each pick a favorite line from the story? Should I do all the taglining? Can you point me to other taglines for other stories or tell me your opinion on the concept?

Whichever way I want a whole bunch that we can all vote on... what do you all think?

Holy shit I need to go to bed. But I worked on this and it hasn't gone through Edit III yet annnnnd the formatting is messed up but it's still pretty cool.

It is very much a rewrite... I think. Anyway, the contrast is very stark so if you have the time or the curiosity give 'em both a whirl. Either way, let me know what you think! You people are my lifeblood. I am very excited to have rewritten Chapter 2.

[edit: Chapter through Edit III and Complete/Posted]

New Chapter Two!

( Old Chapter Two )

I am writing to declare that beginning tonight I will finally, finally begin the Chapters 1-3 edit.

A few people have heard this rant already, but I hate Chapters 1-3. One is definitely less of a problem, and I will probably change very little about it, but 2 and 3 have GOT, GOT to go under the knife.

Recently with the story getting bumped up at ff.net because of Chapter 17 PLUS the fact that I realized that my RL friends haven't been reading novel-length stories on a screen for the past eight years and so I started handing out hard-copies (141 pages, two columns, at 11pt in Word) I have had to give the 'wait until Chapter 4' speech. I HATE THE 'WAIT UNTIL CHAPTER 4' SPEECH! How many times am I going to say, oh man yeah, I really want you to read my story but...

My BFF4EVR Heather read Chapters 1-3 at a Starbucks with me yesterday and I freaked out. Those chapters were literally written in one shot. I sat down and let the story pour out of me, high out of my mind over the course of like two nights last July. I hadn't written fiction in ten years. COME ON!

Chapters 1-3 are word heavy, full of inconsistency in both style and narrative, and just laggingly drudgingly intense. The point is of course to catch the whole world up with our characters for the past three months (Sunspots starts about three months after SR) and set up our character's mental and real state of being. It's just too freaking much, though, and I hate it. All I see are thick blocks of black text, line after line of the exact kind of shit I usually let my eyes rake when reading.

REWRITE! Just shut up and do it right, take down the nuclear fallout warning at the top of Chapter 1 and most importantly, re-edit in time for your European vacation so the Boy can read the true story while you're away.

This declaration comes from the fact that Chapter 18 is about half-finished, and I feel like I can relax.

Ack, it didn't occur to me to mate this in the last post, and since a vote or two has already been tallied this gets to be all redundant instead.


Poll #1146776
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All

And this conversation should be about...

"Something" relates to the Story Arc
"Nothing" relates to the every day essence that I like to imbue this story with

So I have an open hole in Chapter 18 that's just begging for a conversation, and in the last batch of reviews someone mentioned that they wanted more dialogue between two particular characters. Who would you like to see have a one-on-one conversation? You can select more than one, but don't select everyone or else this will be a long and pointless chapter.


Poll #1146767 Dialogue
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All

What conversation(s) would you like to happen?

GENERAL FYI: At all times, and in all dimensions (maybe), the most current and what I consider to be the canonical version of this story is the one hosted at ff.net

Chapters here, if they even exist, are usually not corrected/updated/fiddled with as often as those on ff.net. I INTEND to remedy this, but for your re-reading pleasure always know that THAT version is THE version.

Even the Chapter 17 here is different! Yeesh. One day my friends... a repository....

Well THAT update needed to happen, didn't it? GOD! How did that feel?

A few things about Chapter 17, now that I have apparently broken out of my writer's block and am enjoying myself:

Did anyone notice the complete lack of the entire scene I kept alluding to as being the soft spot? Not a single thought about father-son parentage issues, save the reflections on changing his image. In fact that whole scene got pushed to Chapter 18 and thank the good universe for it! It's complicating my story line, however, because that scene should still happen today (this is the 8th calendar day of this story, as we began on a Tuesday, yesterday was a Tuesday with the tequila, and now Lois is suffering through her hangover on a Wednesday... Clark's paint has been dry one week). In place of the father-son scene was everything that happened post-Perry's office, including Lois yelling at the Bullpen and looking at the pictures. Those scenes were, interestingly enough, written just the other day and in one draft. I love it when that happens.

SO, that being said, we need to talk about the dressing room.

Some people are confused, and I attribute this to two things:

1) long update time. I'm going to assume that without the memories of Clark's recent episodes right up in the front of our minds (he did just set a tree on fire last night) that this scene doesn't make any sense and seems very sudden. That's cool.

2) the narrative style I take on when writing "insanity." See, that's a toughy, and I'll tell you why. My senior paper in high school was all about developing narrative styles that match the mental degradation or recovery of a main character. I compared Cuckoo's Nest, The Bell Jar, and Girl Interrupted, drawing parallels between the breakdown and fractured nature of sentence and paragraph structure and mental state. I am literally trying to express in structure what is happening in mind, and I probably suck at it. We're going to need to work on this people, because omg, it is NOTHING but downhill from here.

So, for your consideration, the new and the old versions of the Dressing Room Scene, let me know what you think if you think anything at all:

( Dressing Room - Two Takes )

Okay. ff.net is not letting me post, and I just want this here. I will write an introduction when I calm the f down:

There is so much to be said that I have nothing to say.

The crux of it though, is that Sunspots is not dead, despite the memory and particulars of it being far removed from all our minds. I myself have forgotten most of this story, and had to pick up threads that had unravelled in my mind. Yeah, it took a long time. Damn I'm sorry. So, if you feel like it, do some re-reading.

But as I went through my notes and outlines I realized that there is promise here, if we can all manage to wait for it.

Read, and tell me if I'm wrong.

Boo-yah.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

( Chapter 17 - In Character )

I am a living mess.

YOU STONED BITCH! YOU JUST SAVED the WRONG file in the WRONG place and transposed your incomplete Gargoyles story on top of the edited FINAL DRAFT of chapter 17 and now you have to edit ALL OVER AGAIN DAMNIT! It was being uploaded to ff.net! DAMNIT!

If you see this and hang on awhile, MAYBE I CAN MAKE MY WORTHLESS MIND WORK!

Holy crap guys, Chapter 18 is like half a scene and two edits away from being done. Like it might get posted TONIGHT. What the hell happened to me last night? Whew! *looks around* Well, let's see, I woke up at 1 in the afternoon and couldn't remember my name...

jammyjar  has reminded me of the small tidbits and unused scenes that I used to post for this story, so I dug around and found one. This is what the drinking game scene originally looked like, and it was set a little later in the story as you can see by some of Clark's thoughts. I drew on this scene very heavily for the drinking game, and will probably incorporate some parts of it later. That being said, reading it will not be a spoiler in any true sense:



( Drunk... on a Tuesday )

I always meant to explain this line from Chapter 16:

There was many a conference and father-son weekend that found Lois on the other side of town on a couch that wasn't hers with a headache that she deserved and (maybe) the inconsequential inability to pass a drug test for the next few weeks.

My Lois, before Jason and in the very "wild days" that I keep referencing, probably smoked in addition to drinking. And by this I mean *whispers* the marijuana.

What's funny is that even though that will never make it into the story I have G-rated it TO MYSELF, and I'm the AUTHOR, because in my heart of hearts, despite my personal feeling on the matter, I know Lois indulged in cocaine. This, of course, is wholly gone from her life, but I wanted to clarify for those of you who may think that I'm writing Lois as a bad mother that the line above is a reference to being in a place with smoke, not necessarily smoking (although I'm sure she'll go back to it once Jason's older). It is a series of very serious suppositions on the part of our shared moral culture that a good mother cannot smoke the occasional joint, and so I am shying far, far away. As it is I may be in for it.

My point: that line is meant to reference those crazy nights and the situations she finds herself in, not necessarily the activities she participates in.

As far as her character history, Lois did in fact find her way into a few high class bathrooms with a few mirrors and razor blades, never going so far as to indulge past the occasional whim. Why? Because I just can NOT convince myself that it was any other way. We will revisit that place, but not that action, in a chapter I am very much looking forward to: Candor.

[edit: this concept is not essential but somehow very important, if you feel it's hard to digest, please read through the comments and leave one yourself, it's fun to debate for me]

Edit:

Somehow, the BEST way for me to put this forward because I can tell this is disjointed is... Sherlock Holmes. Crazy, socially impossible, unapologetic arrogant genius... who had a pretty nasty drug habit. Lois = Sherlock Holmes... especially as portrayed by Jeremy Brett. Weirder still?

I am re-reading Sunspots because frankly, I've forgotten it, and is it bad to say that DAMN Handshakes is an awesome chapter? That was awesome! Did I write that?

I am hesitating not only with the Clark re: Richard/Lois scene (although re-reading has reminded me of a few keys things: Clark has already expressed jealousy in varying ways three times and has twice reminded himself of the time he spent with Lois immediately preceding when he learned about Jason)... but with my descriptions. I take great pride in the hundreds of details I now see fill this story, and while the dialog is fleshed out in the next chapter, there is almost none of those little ancillary notes about the wallpaper and the dust in the corners.

This is, more than even the plot, the most mentally taxing part of this story for me, because I literally construct rooms in my head and then single out what I would normally notice. It's also those little bits about the way people speak and the emphasis on words that you need to reference so you can hear the characters. DETAIL SUCKS. I feel like a Dutch painter.

That being said, I remember that my attention to detail comes best when in a certain state of mind. I guess I have an appointment to make.

...with A Pimp Named Slickback? hahahaha omg it's 4:30 wtfbbq.

First of all, Sunspots is not dead. Some of you know that I'm knee deep in another fandom right now, mainly because after weeks NAY months of stagnation my mind finally went back to a place that it has always belonged, and I am currently enjoying my first and only OTP in LIFE....

Goliath and Elisa. Yeah, from GARGOYLES.

....wow.

Basic nerdness aside, I want to tell you that this story is not dead and that it may be up to you to help me revive it. See, what you don't know is that I've stagnated this long over ONE scene, one scene that is so important that I can't move on with the story until it's settled.

One of my main goals with Sunspots was to accurately portray events, feeling, and dialog based on a logical progression of the plot of SR... with that in mind I have dealt with Superman/Lois re: Jason, Richard re: Superman/Lois, Richard re: Lois/Clark, and some Perry re: Lois.

What am I stuck on?

Clark re: Lois/Richard

Here's how you can help:

Taking the following as givens (memory kiss does exist, Richard doesn't question his parenthood of Jason, Lois had no reason up until the yacht to question Jason's parentage) how would YOU react, AS CLARK, had you the memories? Think of it: Superman sleeps with Lois, Lois forgets, Superman returns, Lois has a child. Now, the time-bomb that is the female womb and the LACK of any suspicion means one thing to Clark: Lois and Richard were obviously together sexually in the same timeframe.... AND they stayed together afterwards. Remember, my Lois is a damn strong woman, and what does it mean that she would stay with Richard? Well, Clark reasons, she must have already known him? WE know it was a one-night stand, because I wrote it that way... but what does Clark think?

I don't know.

Hence, no story.

Run with it.

Wanted:

Critical Reader

Position:

Reads selected chapters, scenes, and moments (past and future) and tells me (harshly) if I'm being typical and/or cliche in my dialog and set-up

Qualifications:

Has read a shit load of fanfiction (not just SR fiction), has an eye and a preference for the "different", has a well-developed understanding of fellow humans, hates scripted dialog

Apply within. There will be one interview question (the same question) for all interested parties. I'm silly.


Wanted:

Freelance critics

Position:

At their leisure goes back and finds, or remembers already, the worst scenes in Sunspots.. scenes that felt forced, dialog that didn't make sense, assumptions that were illogical, character developments that went off a lil bit, imagery that was inappropriate

Qualifications:

Anyone is welcome to this, in fact I BEG YOU, but also I would be very keen to hear from people who found Sunspots after it was begun and read say, at least 7 chapters straight in a row, rather than hanging around for updates.

Comment within.

 

Wow.

I SUCK.

Here's a little something to hold you over, and it is, in fact, a very tiny piece of dialog that never-the-less is one of my favorite scenes in the whole story, never mind the upcoming chapter:

( Chapter 17 Teaser )

*cracks knuckles*

DON'T PANIC! I AM HERE!

*crickets*

Yes, hello, and a Happy New Year. I am here to tell you that

1. Got new laptop for Christmas = more writing
2. Semester is over, full twenty something days worth of "clear mind"
3. I read every single comment from my previous post despite not answering each one, as is my usual custom, and they were very heartening. Thank you.
   
4. My writer's block is such that if I am upset with one scene I cannot bring myself to write past it. As of right now I am upset with the first scene of what should be chapter uh.... uh.... *checks* What friggin chapt-- SEE THIS HAS GOT TO STOP!
5. I am re-reading every chapter and every piece of scrap paper I have on this story in order to get back in the groove
6. I cannot stop thinking about this story (mostly future scenes that I must work towards) and the closest thing I can liken it to is having cocaine in the house and no time to do it

Sigh. Okay. Flighty post, I know. Progress MUST HAPPEN.

I invite you to say.... something. Like, ask a question or something, get my head back in a Sunspots place. Too bad no one thought to get me SR for the holiday, that might help. Somehow I don't think watching Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny helped. Maybe if I too pray to Dio...

I know I haven't even piped up here recently.

I have writer's block AND final projects.

I am worried about the future of this story, not so much for fear of not completing it, but fear of no one caring by the time I do.

I KNOW you're all going to say that you're still here and quality out-weighs all... but I am convinced that readers fall off at a square factor... like light in the fog.

Then again, maybe I do fear not completing it.

( MAJOR future spoiler (beware!) I mean then again it might not be that big of a deal, who can tell? )

And a Happy Thanksgiving!



( Chapter 17 Teaser )

Hello everyone!

Chapter 17 is written... in my head... which is good.

I'm here, though, to invite a round table discussion on a bit of controversy...

You see, there is a plot point (a flashback point rather than a moment in our "current" storyline) that has been bothering me. I am locked in a debate with myself as to whether or not I should include this bit of information, and I would like to present the idea and invite discussion.

You see... it's not a vital plot point.. it isn't an important scene or a bit of necessary dialog, it is purely character exploration which means it can be excluded... but... well.... read on if you choose.


( WARNING: When I say controversial, I MEAN controversial (spoiler) )

You may of course have already seen the e-mail in your boxes but...

15 - Handshakes (external link)

16 - Inherent Vice (external link)

Well, here we are at 3am, I have once again been editing/writing for 4 hours, and we're at 13,000 words and STILL, no chapters.

Those of you who glanced my RL journal today will know why.

I really thought I would be able to to it, but too much looms for tomorrow for me to spend anymore time on it tonight.

*le sigh*

Well, I just couldn't do it, at least not tonight. I've been editing/writing for 4+ hours, it's 2 am, and I have a lot of schoolwork to do tomorrow.

So, it's cool, I'm not moaning and groaning and I know you all understand, so, awesome. I have every intention of posting at some point on the 29th if not early Tuesday morning.

We're also looking at about 11,700+ words for the total update, when it happens.

*yawn*

( Substantial Chapter 15 - Handshakes teaser (spoiler!)  )

( Substantial Chapter 16 - Inherent Vice teaser (spoiler!)  )

*looks at clock*

*runs away*

Good news!

I'm making whatever Chapter 15 was Chapter 16

Whiiiiich means I'm writing 15 from scratch again. BUT THIS IS GOOD. I am re-inspired. You'll see it sooner than you think.


( NEW Chapter 15 Teaser )

I wrote a little today.


Woooo.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! *slaps herself around*

Okay.

Three plus weeks is unacceptable.

Here's the deal:

Chapter 15, as it exists right now, is in Phrase II of writing, and is almost completely bare bones. It is lacking key dialog, has almost none of the key descriptive paragraphs that I personally love about my writing and is even missing whole chunks of scenes. It is a hodge-podge of completed moments interspersed between half-fluid and half-formed ideas swimming through time and without clear direction.

So, WHO WANTS TO READ IT?

I suggest this in some wild attempt to get my sorry ass on track. I offer the chapter in its quarter-formed state in order to foster questions, plot ideas, collaboration.

Those who are interested can either leave their e-mail address in comments or mail me at sunspots.ha@gmail.com in order to request the file. If you have Gmail, that is cool, as the chapter is a Google document and I can Share you.

You'll see my style at its most behind-the-scenes and will bear witness to what I think is a terrible chapter. And I'm not even sure what I'm looking to get out of this. I'm just hoping someone will be like, wtf? what are you trying to accomplish here? Or suggest stuff, like, this fight isn't going in the direction it seems it should... and personally, I think the Community Lurkers are brilliant, interested, and on the same frequency I am.

SAY ANYTHING! I'M DESPERATE!

[edit: And if people collaborate with me and I get into Phase III I'll post it here so we can start a roundtable. Boo-yah.]

*pulls herself up out of a ditch*

Okay. Really bad week. Really working on it. Random conversation with friend shed light on new approach to Chapter 15. I promise it's coming.

*lowers herself back into the hole*

(soft whimpering)