Creative Progress Log 102 | The Plot Is Done, So I'm Writing a Novel That Wasn't Planned

The 102nd installment of my creative progress log, summarizing a week of work!

I am sorry for the sudden change in the publication time yesterday. I had plans scheduled for a while, but perhaps because I was busy with other things, I was slow to realize that I might not be able to publish it (sweat). I apologize.

By the way, the reason I postponed the publication was actually because I was playing a TRPG with some creative friends.
For a moment, I thought, 'If I finish it after I'm done, maybe I can make it in time?' but then I reconsidered, thinking, 'But it's a TRPG. What if something unexpected happens?' and moved the publication date to today.

It's a TRPG, after all.
There's a chance something unexpected will happen, right...?
And it actually did. Something unexpected happened, and it wasn't a dream.

I'm thinking of making a memo about this TRPG later, so please look at that for the details.
Since this is definitely going to be long, I'll skip it here.

If I were to talk about something other than the TRPG, the main reason I've been busy lately has finally settled down, so I guess the only thing left is that I let my guard down and got a headache.
It happened just as I thought, 'Now I can focus on the plot.'
A wave of fatigue hit me...

Humans just collapse if they try too hard, don't they?
It just reduces your own time. You should avoid being reckless as much as possible ( )

Now that I've warned myself, let's announce this week's creative progress.
Here is this week's progress↓↓↓

Progress Report

[Progress Detail 1] 'Year-End Coffee EP.3' Plot Completed

The plot for 'Year-End Coffee EP.3' has been successfully completed!!

It was actually finished on Friday, 7/31. Yay! It was super last minute, but I managed to finish it within July!
There were days when I lost to a headache and went to sleep, but I beat the deadline I set for myself!!!!!!

Sticky note plotting, is really great, isn't it...?
What I personally liked was that it's easy to swap scenes around.

'I want to insert a scene here... but I can't think of anything, so I'll leave a space for a sticky note for now and write the later scenes on a new sticky note' -> 'No, I don't actually need to insert it. I can do without it. Let me just re-stick the note I wrote earlier into an empty spot.'
Things like that can be done quickly and easily.

Also, by using mini-sized sticky notes, I can do things like, 'I want this character to say this here. Let me write a note and stick it on,' or 'This is where plot point 1 happens, so let me write a note and stick it on.'
I felt it was very easy to use because I could refine the plot while keeping the whole thing in view. It's easy to adjust the balance of the key points.

The downside is that I run out of sticky notes quickly...
I have to buy more every time they run out... even if I buy cheap ones from the 100-yen shop, the expenses add up...

Well, if I think of it as a necessary expense, it's on the cheaper side!
As a fan activity, it's on the cheaper side!

Also, my handwriting is genuinely terrible, which is a problem.
When I looked back at what I wrote while sleepy at night, it was just scribbles that looked like worms, and I couldn't read it at all. Write so it's readable.

I've always thought I want to have better handwriting (distant look).
Maybe I should buy a workbook or something and practice. It wouldn't hurt to have nice handwriting.

[Progress Detail 2] Studying Character Arcs Part 2

I started studying character arcs last week.
I've somehow managed to keep it up this week as well.

The book I'm reading is still this one right here↓↓↓

Now, don't go saying things like, "Aren't you reading kind of slow?"☆

W-well, you see, I'm taking all sorts of notes in my notebook while I read, so it's incredibly slow...
So I can't help it... *sob*, and don't say "Are you making excuses?" either. My heart is made of tofu, you know! (crying)

By the way, I'm currently reading Chapter 2, "The Flat Arc."
It's about a type of character arc where the protagonist doesn't grow or change.

In the Michinari Bunko novels, Toshi-chan from "Toshise Coffee" fits this description.
"Toshise Coffee" just has a different narrator for each episode, but the actual protagonist is Toshi-chan (in fact, the afterstory in the booklet version focuses on the Toshigami side, including Toshi-chan. Toshi-chan is the lead in that one).

In a flat arc, even though the protagonist doesn't grow or change, it's still considered a "story of change" in the sense that the world changes because it is influenced by the protagonist.
So, this is also a type of character arc.

Toshi-chan also fits the flat arc model if you view the narrators as the world, since in the main story, his presence and the coffee he brews encourage the narrators to grow and change.
He himself doesn't grow or change at all in the main story, after all.
Actually, I wanted to make him a character who gives you a sense of security, like, "Everything will be fine once this guy shows up," so I don't think any further growth or change will happen.

............Well, that's only in the "main story," though.

Because, you know, this novel also has an "afterstory."

[Progress Details ③] Writing the prequel for the Dark Attribute Boy

I don't know what I was thinking, but I'm writing the prequel for the Dark Attribute Boy.

Yes, that's right, the ideal Dark Attribute Boy I talked about in Creative Progress Log #100.

I'm writing his prequel... or more accurately, the story of how he came to be, for some reason.
It's a story from his mother's perspective.
In fact, as of writing this creative progress log, it's already 5,000 characters long.

............No, seriously, why am I writing this?

I mean, sure, I did have thoughts like, "I've only been plotting for the past month," "I want to write the novel itself," and "I want to read various stories about the Dark Attribute Boy."
It would be a lie to say I didn't have those kinds of desires??

But you know, thinking about something and actually doing it are two different things, right?

I have all sorts of things to do, you know?
And just because I thought of it, I shouldn't just start writing it immediately, right?

I thought that even I wasn't the kind of person who couldn't resist that much... there was a time when I thought that (looking into the distance).

What is this?
Is this just the nature of a creator?

I guess you could say I'm not satisfied unless I write it, or that I'm not satisfied just having it in my head.
I want to see the real thing, no matter what.

I'm thinking about publishing what I've written somewhere, but... well, actually, the dark-attribute boy has some quite delicate settings.
Some people might find it difficult or impossible to handle.
So, I might publish it in a way that isn't too visible to the public.

I'm thinking of using Pixiv's URL-limited sharing feature.
I considered Privatter, but I'm not really keen on adding yet another platform to use...

Even though there's the option not to publish it, is it because I'm a creator that I have such a strong desire to share it?
Or is it because of my feelings as an extreme fan of my own work, thinking, 'My character is so cute! Super cute! I have to show them off, I have to show them off!'

I don't know, but either way, I think creative works are sinful things.
Creative works have a magical power that can ruin people's lives.

[Progress Details ④] Work: Progress on the novel feedback service

Now, finally, here is the progress on the feedback service.

I wrote last week that 'my schedule is open from August onwards,' but to my surprise,
right after I wrote that, I received a request and started working. Yay!

This request was made through Coconala.
Counting this, it's my 28th request.
I'm steadily approaching 30 sales records...!

Discount campaign was also applied, so this means there are only 2 slots left for this offer.
It's first-come, first-served, so if you're interested after reading this article, I'd appreciate it if you could consult with me or consider purchasing soon!

Oh, the request was finished safely today, so my schedule is open.
Other work has also settled down, so I'm free to accept requests without hesitation.
I'm totally ready for it (an outdated expression).

That's all for this week's creative progress log.

All things considered, the fact that I finished the plot production safely is what I'm most relieved about.

I was secretly thinking, 'What if it never ends?'
I thought, 'It'll end, it'll be fine,' but then I collapsed...
Oh, author. You are so weak and pathetic.

It's not just about improving my handwriting, but I definitely should put effort into building my physical strength.
It's hot right now, so if I tried to exercise, I'd probably just collapse ( )

In the first place, I'm bad at exercising, so it never lasts.
The only thing that's properly continued is my nightly stretching. It's something I do for gut health. I do it because I'd be in trouble if I didn't.

Maybe I should try to see if I can do some light muscle training on the side.
That's what I think, but every time I try, I can't keep it up and give up.

If anyone has a good method, please let me know (looking into the distance)

Well then.
Thank you for sticking with me again this week.
See you next week.

Announcements

Regarding the update schedule for the creative progress log

You can check it on the calendar at the top of my personal website.
Currently filled in until mid-August.

Where to read my novels

I am currently publishing my work on TALES!
Mainly contemporary character-driven light literature.
My flagship works are three stories: a "youth working-adult band story," an "SF workplace story," and a "year-end x coffee story."

I also have a BOOTH shop.

https://115chika.booth.pm/

Work-related links

On Coconala and SKIMA, I offer"synopsis and blurb creation for novels"and"a feedback service for those anxious about their novels."If you are interested, I would be happy if you could check the service descriptions on each platform and consider them.

Coconala

\\Limited to the first 2 people!//
I am running a discount campaign for my feedback service exclusively on Coconala!
For details, please check the listing below or this note.

SKIMA

I have a question box!

If you have any questions about my creative work, my feedback service, or anything else related to Michika Katsuyado's activities, please feel free to send them here.