You've all probably been wondering: Is this story dead?

I've been wondering the same myself. The answer is 'no', but it's not alive either. Not yet.

Around the time I stopped writing I had started a new job and it was taking a lot of energy. Further sapping my strength was a serious of medical issues. It was getting harder and harder to manage even weekly chapters. Added to that, the story was getting more complicated than I anticipated.

As I wrote in an early author's note, this story was something I started to see if I could do it. Could I write stream of consciousness, dialogue and descriptions? Would I be able to convey the stories I make up in a written form? I only had the bare bones of a story when I started. Many of the characters were there, some of the events, but most was made up as I went along. Here's my original concept: Baby monster is the subject of the 'summon monster' effect from d&d. Gets into weird situations all over the multiverse while growing up on his own world.

It was supposed to be more of a collection of short stories with a main story to string them along. Arabella's world was part of the initial concept as a place where he could learn the things he wouldn't be able on his own world, but it was a minor thing, something to regularly visit but not dwell on too much. Instead, it grew into a story of its own.

The Dungeon, the fairy and Tarvinder were to be mentioned, not truly visited. Well, no need to mention how that got out of hand.

I knew I'd have to take a step back at some point and create a structure, as well as write the info about the characters down. I started out just remembering stuff, but as the story went on I started to forget who knew what or had done things. It was only going to get worse over time. Some of that is going to stay - characters forget things too, and I wanted that bit of 'realism' in the story. Really, how often have you read this in a story: "Thanks for your help. I know you introduced yourself yesterday, but I completely forgot your name". MCs often seem to have perfect recall for names and faces. But I digress.

I've put that off for a long time and I'm taking (have been taking) that time now.

As to why I've put it off for so long, well, it's a bit of a story since I realized it only recently.

I'll be honest, but not modest, I knew I'd have some success with this story. I knew how well-received monster MCs tend to be and I had some confidence in my writing skills. However, I had no idea it would actually get popular (Thanks for keeping me on the old trending for weeks! It was amazing!). It created some pressure as I wanted to live up to expectations, but that's not something I'd crumble from. What did it for me was actually the thought that I'd be able to turn a hobby into something like a job.

Sounds weird, right? It's why I never considered it until I read 'the subtle art of not giving a fuck' which has an example similar to this. I was afraid of success. It had the potential to turn my life upside-down, and I react really, really badly to things like that. Some people would relish the sense of adventure of such a venture into the unknown, but not me. I started to dread writing because, in my imagination, it was dangerous to my boring, but stable, life.

So what changed now?

Well, I got a stable job that doesn't require much of my energy anymore. If I want something interesting so I don't get completely bored and unhappy (again. It's why I started writing in the first place), I either need to advance, or find something else. I've got little in the way of formal education or diplomas (university drop-out due to personal stuff) and most of my experience doesn't lend itself well to more interesting work. I can make a fantastic sandwich, but that's not what most companies are looking for.

So I had a choice: Try to get better jobs and/or promotions with my low chances of succes, or get serious about writing and see how far I can take it. Not because I think I can take it to the top, but because it's interesting, fun and engaging.

This all coalesced after a talk with my mom. I say 'with', but it was mostly me rambling on about my life and realizing that yes, I really enjoy writing and I want to do more of it.

So, here I am. Please take good care of me.

So what's next?

The story as it is now can't continue. Sorry. Too many different paths and stories for me and many of the readers to keep track of. A rewrite is in order. The question is, what form it will take. I can leave this novel page up and do one of two things. One: remove all the chapters and start posting and writing again from scratch, or Two: leave the chapters and start over with a new chapter 1 - I'll add a preface with the link to the new first chapter to aid new readers and push them to the new official chapter 1. The other option is to start a 'new' novel entirely. I'm sure you've seen them around - '(novel name): rewrite'. I considered leaving the chapters and rewriting them one by one inside the existing chapters, adding new ones or deleting parts where required, but that idea filled me such dread about the complexity and sheer amount of thinking and work required, I dismissed it.

I'm going to delay a little to see what you all have to say as feedback, but the new chapter 1 will be planned for sunday the 1st of May. Might be delayed if the general request is to start the rewrite as a new novel, since it needs to get approved by the admins first. New releases will be on sunday evenings (CET), starting at once every two weeks. I'll see if I can crank it up later. The first chapter that will see big revisions should be chapter 4, which will give me the time to work on chapters in advance.

I'll make the suggestions helper available to make it easier to point out my errors and make suggestions for changes per chapter.

Other things that need to be done.

1: get original art for the cover. The current one uses material from the 3rd edition d&d monster manual. Wizards of the Coast is known for aggresively pursuing copyright issues, I'd rather not chance it. If you know an artist that you think can do a good job? Message me or let that person message me. As you can see in the current cover, I'm looking for something a little realistic, grim and/or dark, not cheerful cartoony. I've saved up considerably from my current job, so I'm certainly willing to pay for it (and credit the artist).

2: Set up Patreon. Not because I have anything to put on it, yet, or because I want to earn money right now. There will be only one tier at $1 and, at least in the beginning, you'll receive new chapters at about the same rate as RoyalRoad does. I just want to have it done and ready for if and when I'll actually have a use for it. I'm a Patreon noob, so if you have feedback and suggestions on that part, feel free to do so. Over time, I may ask for proofreaders.

3: Create or join a discord community. Not high on the list for now, but nice for AMAs and such. I may need help (read: 'I'm going to need help') with this part for sure.

Let me know your thoughts, comments and suggestions below in the comments and in the poll!

See you around.