Good mornight!
I started this a little late, but I’m hoping to get this out before my deadline. I’ll talk a little about #9 today, but first, let’s take a look at the stats (nothing impressive, so don’t get your hopes too high).
Current Chapter (Unity’s Edge): 22 (Promise and Hope)
Pages: 411
Total Word Count: 143,560
Current Chapter (New World): 4
Pages: 51
Total Word Count: 20,180
It’s improving, slowly but surely! So much more than I ever thought I’d get to…
…especially since I finished the climax of the first story!
Yes, you all read that right! Book 1 of Hell/Doll’s (Unity’s Edge) is almost complete, and the final fight is all written out!! Except for a few lingering things that I wanted to clarify in the last few chapters, I am proud to say the Crush Squad’s first mission has come to a close. I think two more chapters beyond what I have currently will finish this Book out, and then I can start focusing on other parts of the project – Book 2 (which I already have some ideas for), New World (obviously), and one or two other Hell/Dolls projects I’ve been working on in the background.
I’ll admit that part of my falling off in these past few update diaries has been due to the amount I tried to take on for this series, but I’m not ashamed to say that I’ve been able to make steady progress despite my split focus. Some days I wasn’t able to write at all, while other days, I suddenly wrote 4,000 words between 10pm and 1am.
…It’s not the healthiest schedule, no, but I got to present something I love to do, and got to spend some time revisiting one of my passions. All in all, I’m glad I pushed myself this far. I realize now that this sounds very final, but rest assured: until my wrist breaks or my mind leaves clear thought, I will keep writing and imagining. I’m nowhere near done with the tales of Hell/Dolls, and I’ll gladly keep sharing it with whoever is willing to listen!
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Now then, I promised I’d talk a little about Chapter 9, so let’s get to it!
This chapter is mainly a reintroduction to what the team’s been doing during the four-week timeskip, focusing on Vincent and Simon. There are a couple of deeper conversations between some of the major players; the two aforementioned Crush Squad members, some hints from Regnah, and an ending revelation that is the world’s worst-kept secret… BUT WE’RE STILL NOT REVEALING IT UNTIL THE NEXT CHAPTER, OOOOHHHH!
Surprise, surprise; the next chapter is out.
This chapter was basically an excuse for me to have some words between our two co-leaders before they did anything too drastic, but also to show how much of a lightweight Simon is at drinking – did anyone notice that he didn’t finish his drink?
It also gave me a good excuse to give the team their first upgraded weapons, though if I can be frank, I still feel like this was rushed too much. One major combat, then a flashback, and then a timeskip… I’m starting to think pacing is something I’m bad at!?!
As much as I’d like to gush on this chapter, the gushing will have to take place next update, since that one has a better chance to gush; lots of fun parts that I had to rewrite a few times, and two or three that I really enjoyed writing.
Please keep an eye out for the next few chapters as well, #11 and #12, which will be released sometime before September. Honestly, up through Chapter 16 is probably good to come out now, but I like releasing them in pairs over time, since it gives me a chance to triple-check the wording and spelling, think of what I’ll talk about on the Update Diary, and anything I may want to clarify in later scenes (that last one probably won’t come up in this Book again, but we’ll see).
If you enjoy my writings, ramblings, or if you just like to watch my slow descent into madness, please leave me some change on kofi (marcosiasisif); it’ll help me subsist on the scraps I can find in the arctic desert. Especially the gas stations.
For now, please enjoy chapters 0 through 10, now available on this blog and Archive Of Our Own (AO3). I seem to be able to do these monthly updates with minimal issue, but I would still like to eventually do some more anime and game reviews… they just take a lot more careful planning and writing, since I appreciate all the work some companies put into their shows and games.
Aight, G’night!
-Marcosias Isif