C.H. Darkstrider: Blog

So, after much consideration, and several suggestions, I have decided, on this site at least, to start posting my notes and ramblings about my work here, instead of with my story. So, here it is.

Four weeks since chapter 9 hit. I know, it was a bit slower than I'd like it to be, but for a busy man who doesn't write full time, trying to get this done over the holidays, what can you do? Anyways, I'm happy that I at least got this sucker cranked out before I got past one month.

Had a good deal of fun writing this one and it turned out much better than I hoped. For everyone who thinks that writers need to get stuff out chop chop, just remember, Tolkien took 12 years to write Lord of the Rings after he wrote the Hobbit. I never rush my work, or I find that the quality of it suffers. Saying of which, a good deal of suffering and such does happen in this chapter, and I was pleased the way it finished.

I wanted to end things on less of a cliffhanger note this time and more of a happy reunion! It is always a joy to write chapters like this, where people pull through a trying bit of adversity and hardship. With everything that's happened, I feel a slower pace for the next chapter or two is warranted.

With so much going on and the support and feedback that I've been receiving from my many fans and followers, count on more chapters to be coming soon! Especially since the end of the vote will arriving once Wings of Fire Chapter 4 drops on my Patreon!

Anyways, thank you for taking the time to read my work and I do hope that you've enjoyed it! I'm open to constructive criticism and will seriously consider any suggestions made about various story arcs. Please feel free to rate and comment on my work down below. If you like what I write, don't be afraid to follow and share, though your views, ratings and comments are quite enough for me.

In the meantime, this is SwirlingJedi, signing off to grab a beer and some quality time with the wife! ;) You will attain whatever you most desire, as long as you believe in yourself. Cheers!

So, I need to go and say this, as it has been on my mind for some time now. I understand that people want me to produce work at a faster pace than what I currently do. But the fact of the matter is that I don't write full time!

I would like to, which is why I have my Patreon page up, in the hope that I will be able to write full time. I know that my readers want more now, but the fact is that I work all day, in a machine shop, which doesn't allow much, if any time to write.

Although I wish I could stay at home all day and write, that's just not in the deck of cards at the moment. For those who may a bit skeptical of that, here's a quick breakdown of my usual work day.

I'm up at 6:15AM, prep lunch, eat breakfast & out the door by 7AM. Arrive @ work by 7:25, start work by 7:30 & work until 4:30PM. Leave work and head home @ 4:35, arrive home @ 5:30-6 & eat dinner. Be a husband and father, while making time to try to write and in bed by 11-11:30PM. That is my general work day, in a nutshell. I don't mean to come across as a whiny little shit, but that's the long and short of it.

Don't worry, as I have every intention and motivation to keep writing my stories! I am especially motivated when some of my readers, are kind enough to say that I am in the same league as the mighty Tefler! To me, that is a HUGE compliment and thank you to those who think so! I may not have the same level of freedom as he does currently, but will get there.

I don't vent very often but I do sometimes need to get things off my chest. I'm glad that I at least have readers, fans and followers who are willing to hear me. Thanks for listening.

So, I have been turning a few ideas in head for the last couple of days and have come to a decision. I will now make my primary focus, two of the four stories that I currently write.

I'm not worried about burnout, like some of my fans have mentioned (thanks for your concern!). I just need to remember that not everyone is capable of processing and remembering 4 different stories at any given time.

Worry not, as I am not abandoning the other two stories. They will be relegated to my secondary focus, so progress on them will continue, albiet at a slower pace.

Which of these stories will it be? Well, that all depends on you, my followers and fans! Your votes will determine which stories become my primary focus! The voting for these tales will begin immediately!

How will this be done? Simple. The stories will be divided into two categories; Science Fiction and Fantasy. In the Science Fiction category, we have Project Prometheus and Beyond Sight. In the Fantasy category, we have Gaia's Champion and Wings of Fire. Cast your vote for your favorite story in each category by commenting below. You may pick one story from each category, but not two from the same category.

Also, I have decided to give each story a fair shake by writing to chapter 4 for each story. So, when I reach Wings of Fire, I will also do a double chapter for that story, so as to give everyone a proper view of the worlds that I have created. Voting on this will continue until Wings of Fire Ch. 04 arrives and has been up on my Patreon page for at least a week!

So, if you want to see your two favorite tales continue as the primary focus of my writings, vote! May the odds, ever be in your favor!

Wings of Fire Ch. 02 has arrived on Patreon and the voting is closed! The votes from here and the various sites are in and have been tallied! The winner for this rotation's extra chapter is none other than Project Prometheus! Congratulations to everyone who voted and got what they wanted for this story rotation! If you voted and your story didn't win, don't worry, as there will be more chapter votes to participate in and hopefully, more people will vote with you when that happens;)!

In fact, I have decided that in the next chapter vote, there will be a new kind of twist to occur for the vote! What will that twist be? Well, you'll just have to wait and see what exactly I have in mind! *rubs hands together evilly* Thank you all for your continuing support, as I keep on going in the hope that I will be doing this full time in the very near future! And thank you, everyone, for participating and I hope that you all continue to enjoy the journeys that I am creating for you!

I am nearing the finish of Wings of Fire Ch. 02 and that means that the chapter vote will close the moment it is finished! For anyone and everyone who has read my stories and wants a second chapter written of their favorite during this rotation, vote now! The moment my latest story chapter lands on my Patreon page, no more votes will be counted! If haven't already done so, cast your vote with a comment on my blog or your favorite story! The winner will be announced within the next day or so!