INtrinSicliValud: Blog

It’s been a busy couple of weeks. Behind the scenes, after traveling along several wheels of pain, I’ve built a website. Today I cast it to the fickle winds of the interwebz tubes. As such, I’ve updated my profile and SOL page with the address.

The new site has links to all the places, including my Discord server to chat, Ko-Fi to support my feeble scrawling efforts, SOL to find those muse-driven scrawls, and Bookapy to support both me and SOL. In addition, I’ve included commissions info for those seeking a more personalized experience. So one location “to rule them all” as it were.

At this point, I won’t be posting anything on it that’s not available here on SOL or for sale on Bookapy. Indeed, as I’ve noted, links on the site point here.

However, as “The Ring Saga” and “The Immortal” worlds expand, I expect to host those stories on my website besides here on SOL, but time will tell. This is all quite new to me. Oh, and there’s no blog either, since I use Discord daily, sometimes hourly, and will still post here on occasion.

I’ve submitted Chapter 19 for posting. Aiden and Mrs. Davis attend a birthday party. How cute.

In response to a Discord query from a reader about the update process, I pushed out the following:

“And just to give everyone an idea of scope when I talk about the upgrades to “Aiden and the Ring,” here’s what I mean. My earliest draft had 104k words. It is now at 170k words and I’ve just completed the rewrite of Chapter 23 of an estimated 43 chapters. So mo’ better wordz, but it takes time.”

Considering “The Immortal” is in worse condition, I think we can all agree rewriting both was melting my brain. I’ve learned my lesson—only post the first chapter when the last chapter is formatted for SOL, i.e. ready to go. My other stories used that process.

The bottom line is that I’ve slow-rolled everything but the short side stories for Supporters and commissions to focus on Aiden.

Stay tuned.

Nowadays I’m far more active on Discord, but I’ll try to synopsize on SOL as time permits.

Let’s see, I’ve been busy since I returned from vacation. Now that I’ve paused “The Immortal,” I’ve been focusing on Aiden’s little adventures, and things are moving along nicely. After updating two chapters, they became three. Why? Because when I wrote this damned thing, I didn’t know squat about pacing, chapter structure, or any technical aspects of displaying the written word. On the flip side, as I scour future chapters, I will gut or eliminate many of them. Anyway, Chapter 19 will be posted here next week. Concurrently, supporters will gain access to Chapter 20 in the Supporter Area on Discord.

Along with updating “Aiden and the Ring,” I’ve had some flex time to continue drafting the first story for a new character that I mentioned in my last blog. Earlier this week, I completed the structure and polished all the character/location details. More details are available for supporters on Discord.

Over the weekend, I exercised my darker side and wrote a filthy, naughty, personalized story for a supporter. Lots of great fun working on something that would get slaughtered here by trolls. But the reader loves it as does their SO, so we’re all happy.

Oh, and “On My Own Terms” should be available on Bookapy shortly. It’s the first in a series chronicling the game in which reformed (sorta) slut Naomi and her uber-boss Ryan find themselves. He thinks he’s making the rules, but we know better, don’t we? It’s a fun little story and I appreciate those of you who toss a couple of bucks to add it to your collection. Since the basement where I write was getting a bit too soupy, I had to buy a dehumidifier. So every doubloon helps.

Once again, thanks for all the feedback! Especially those of you who pop in and drop a note on Discord. You don’t have to be a supporter! I’ve got it open while I write, so it's wonderful to have a chat or just answer questions about upcoming titles, writing, or my processes. Don’t be shy.

May the Fourth be with you, always.

I’ve submitted Chapter 18 of “Aiden and the Ring” for posting. Aiden and Kendra spend some quality time in the park and she reveals her darkest secret. Chapter 19 is also now available on my Discord for supporters.

Now that I’m back and have gotten most of the beach sand from my clothes, I’m plugging hard on “Aiden and the Ring” while also continuing to scope out the work needed for “The Immortal.” So fear not, Jim is never far from my mind.

Oh, and as of the 30th, the poll closed for the next major story. It’s a tie: “Aiden Ascending” and “My First Gig.” So…. Hmm, I guess I’ll work both. There’s enough muses to go around.

Before I took my holiday, I posted two short side-stories for supporters on my Discord server. At the end of the month, I’ll be placing them for sale on Bookapy. They’re short, so think inexpensive and any proceeds support both the site and my future writing. The first one describes what happened to Mi right after she left Iakovos. The other provides a glimpse into the life of the previous ring “owner” and explains how it ended up in the muddy, rain-swept field.

Sequels to both will most likely be forthcoming as I rather enjoy the characters and their situations. Think more of a pleasant treat every once in a while, rather than a planned story arc. Embrace the chaos. Once completed, they’ll also be up for supporters on Discord and placed for sale on Bookapy month later.

Oh, and I’ve posted a sneak peek and draft cover for supporters on Discord of the first of an upcoming series of shorts and novellas tracing the rise of a rather talented young man.

And a special shout-out to those of you who’ve been kind enough to buy my works from Bookapy. You rock! Not only am I ever so very grateful for the extra income, but every purchase supports the site to boot. And folks spending hard-earned cash reinforces that I may actually be a sorta, kinda okay writer. Not the best, by far, but good enough that you find my works entertaining. And that to a new writer, dear readers, is utterly priceless. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

And I’m sad to say goodbye to them all. Damn, I do love my characters. Sigh. This morning, I submitted the last chapter of “My First Fan” for posting, bringing Devin and Rachel’s “romance’ to a close. Can I call it a romance? Hmm. Also, Jenna and Mark Atwater? Romance? I’ve always wanted to place interesting characters in unusual situations and see what happens. While I love to plan and scribe steamy sex scenes, without enticing context and meaningful impact on the characters, it’s just bumping uglies.

Hence, the first challenge was to develop interesting characters. Behind-the-scenes snippet: in the original drafts, Mark’s character was nameless and possessed no back story. I rather think it worked out for the better. There’s already much more about Rachel and her husband, Greg, in the sequel. Ditto for Mark Atwater.

Second, to do this story justice offered a new challenge, building and running two concurrent fleshed-out tales within one story. Baby steps. I’m sure the more experienced writers out there are laughing. Oh, and write them both so they are at least mostly sorta believable.

For those of you kind enough to purchase it on Bookapy, my eternal gratitude. The funds I earn get turned into muse-generation stuff, and help support the site. Please note that I restored the original longer paragraphs for the ePub version.

Anyway, I’m so glad the story, one of my oldest, was so well-received. I’m continuing development on the sequel, “My First Gig.” Although it’s neck and neck with “Aiden Ascending” in the poll for my next story and its priority may slide. The poll, accessed via #concept-development on my Discord server, ends 30 April.

Right, taking some time off to relax on the beach for my birthday. 21 again! See you all in May for more of “Aiden and the Ring.”