Well, I got Part 6 up and Part 7, being more character driven, is already proving easier to write.

I’m reminded that all stories have their parts that aren’t necessarily fun.  After all, there are some aspects of a story that have to happen, even if they don’t feel overly interesting or engaging.  I admit, such story beats are not usually the big battle that the story has been building towards but the point stands.  If a novel was all the most interesting parts it would lack the proper flow of a story.

However, I think it’s worth remember that even when that is the case there’s aspects of good storytelling that can be accomplished.  Expansions on the setting and on the background of characters, and their growth, can occur.  In the case of Part 6 of End of War, we got to see many aspects of Airka in play.  Her dedication, her love of her allies, the violence that she is capable of.  These were all things shown to one degree or another in earlier segments  but Part 6 saw them in full force.

There’s an adage in writing fiction that if you’re going to describe the sword above the fireplace then that sword have better be used by a character later on.  In truth it’s not that simple.  What that sword says about its owner may very well be justification enough for its existence.  However, it does reinforce that even in scenes that seem like they are just being completed to get from one important moment to the next there is still an opportunity to complete some character growth, to add some background or context.  Finding those moments helps to strengthen your writing, done well it can add proper pacing and breath to a story or create a moment that will add depth on a reread.

The point is seeing that even the parts of a story you may not enjoy  writing can be valuable moments, even if they aren’t moments that crack open the world with their excitement and stakes.

End of War will come to a close this Saturday.  After that, I’m planning on doing a reflection of the series which I think will be a good exercise.  Then I think we’ll return to some Keto and Quartes stories for a time.  As noted last week, I’m working on some lore articles to help expand Illithiust and add some useful context to the stories.  When Airka will return I’m not entirely sure.  I can promise you that she’s an important character in the novel I’m working on but our Soldier and may return to her outside of that larger tale.

I do have a question before I go this week.  I have thus far avoided sending out emails notifications when I post these weekly check-ins.  The emails have seemed to me best used only when posting a story and I also didn’t want to run the risk of flooding inboxes and becoming unwanted.  However, I am finding that I’m enjoying these weekly posts and would be curious on any thoughts on if they should be included in the email notifications.  So, what do you think?  Feel free to comment below or shoot me an email at Feywarrior@hotmail.com.

Go forth and do good things.

Sean