I’ve been tickled by the way the storyline in The Propagational Library series has developed; it’s caught me by surprise several times, and I like how it’s grown in scope (as I see the whole thing, even what’s not actually written) beyond my original intentions. But if all goes well, the upcoming installment of the series — that is, the one I post this Saturday — will be the last. (Because each installment/chapter is a first draft, my progress in a given writing session can affect how well my predictions for it bear out, hence the uncertainty.)
And then, eventually, I shall have some decisions to make about the story.
As posted at RAMH, the whole tale will consist of thirteen chapters, comprising no more — probably — than 30,000 words. (This doesn’t count related material outside the story itself, primarily blog posts about it.) I can just leave it as it stands, of course, just as if it were any other series of blog posts. (At that length, it’s too short for publication in most media, and in any case I’d never submit it in its present rough form.) I can bundle up Part 2 for offline reading, just as I did Part 1, two months ago. I see no reason to remove any of the series for good.
But I can think of several reasons to put at least some of it behind a password-protected “wall,” after a decent interval of open availability. That’s probably what I’ll end up doing, in the hope that some day I’ll revisit The Librarian’s adventures, and fashion them into something longer, better written, altogether more complete.
I’ve started a couple other stories in the meantime, and I’d like to get on with them (and/or something else), but I need my Saturdays back for that to happen. So after this week, I’ll just let The Propagational Library sit for a little while. And let my subconscious stew about the story’s future…
…whatever that turns out to be.
marta says
What you’ve done is great. Okay. Granted, I haven’t had time to read most of it, but what I’ve read has stayed in my mind and I am going to read all of it soon. And it is a good idea. Do something with it!
John says
Thank you. I almost didn’t post this, because it could be interpreted as (a) “Please give me feedback!” and/or (b) “Hurryhurryhurry, step right up and read it now folks because it will soon be GOING AWAY!”… neither of which is it really saying. (You may have heard of a syndrome called writerly neurosis.)
You know how these reCaptcha things require that you sort of squint or look indirectly at the letters/numbers to figure out what they really are? Sometimes if you stare at them too long, the mind plays tricks on you and you begin to read them as inscrutable fortune-cookie messages from beyond. This, presumably, explains why I read the present his wrdshi as He’s word-shy. There couldn’t possibly be any other explanation.
Steve P says
Perhaps if you learn to move “thenward” you could do more than one project each saturday.
John says
Haha, right, thanks for the suggestion. It would also help if I didn’t have a corporeal existence at all; maybe then I wouldn’t need sleep so desperately!
Jayne says
Oh dear, I’m afraid I’ve fallen behind with the Library. (As I have with most things of late.) But, I’ll reserve time to catch up after I return from the boondocks of Maine next week.
Now. “I’ve started a couple other stories in the meantime…” Argh! How do you do it? I’m utterly amazed by how prolific you are. If I could tap into just one ounce of whatever it is you’re dipping into (what is it, The Fountain of Phrase? Lake of Lexeme? Pool of Prose?) I’d be quite satisfied. To be so anointed… ;)
John says
You’re in Maine?!? Boy, heading to northern New England — well, okay, ANY area of New England — now that’s the proper direction to be traveling in June. Have fun!
(The Library will be around for a while. Even if you travel to an adjacent universe, I fear. :))