Creative Progress Log 89 | Reading 'Revision' as 'Rewriting'

This is the 89th installment of my creative progress log, summarizing my progress over the past week.

Currently, I am reading a novel by Nisio Isin for the first time in a while.

At that massive library I always go to, all the books I wanted to borrow were checked out, so I was looking for something else to read and happened to come across Nisio Isin again.
I thought, 'Well, might as well read this for a change,' and started on it (I remember reading Dio's diary a while ago, but since that isn't an original Nisio Isin novel, I won't count it here).

The novel I'm reading is this one.
It's a story about a second-generation 'return thief' who returns items stolen by their father, who was a master thief↓↓↓

When people think of Nisio Isin, they might think of the 'Monogatari' series, but personally, I prefer the 'Zaregoto' series and the 'Sekai' series.
Outside of series, I like 'Ningyou ga Ningyou'.

The quirkiness of the characters is what makes this author's work so addictive.
There are so many characters who are eccentric and completely disregard ethical norms. And yet, the author suddenly mixes in human-like qualities. I find my emotions constantly tossed around while reading, thanks to this unique atmosphere that blends the surreal with the raw.
It feels like being on a teacup ride at an amusement park. The pleasure of having your inner ear—your sense of emotional balance—completely scrambled...

By the way, on the side, I've been watching a stream of the Call of Cthulhu TRPG 'Prison Mansion Murder Case'. It's the table for the hashtag '#ScenarioWriterMurderCase' (if you're interested, please search for it on YouTube).

Coincidentally, both of these works share the common element that 'something' happens in the middle of the story, and I've been laughing about it all by myself.
I just can't believe things like this happen.
Well, both of them are in genres where that sort of thing is expected, I suppose...

If I talk too much, it will spoil both works, so I'll stop here.
My days continue to be busy, but I'm managing to live by finding little joys like this.

That's all for my personal life update for this week.
Now, let's talk about my creative progress for the week↓↓↓

Progress Report

【Progress Detail ①】Progress on the Folk-Custom Village Psychopath Horror

Reached the final stage of the plot!
...at which point I stopped and contacted a friend.

After all, the story has changed so much from the initial concept that I couldn't possibly continue on my own anymore.
I decided it was about time to share it with my friend (cold sweat).
So, I'm planning to hold an emergency meeting later.

The meeting is fine, but honestly, the story has become so complex that I'm feeling a bit anxious about whether my friend will be able to understand it when I hand over the plot.
They aren't the type who enjoys reading long texts, so I'm worried it might be hard to follow if I just hand it over as is.

When I mentioned this, a mutual friend suggested, 'Why don't you make a correlation diagram?'

I see!
Even if it's hard to understand through text, it might be easier to grasp with a diagram.
As expected of our mutual friend who knows us so well. It's great to have friends who truly understand you!

So, I immediately made a correlation diagram, but the arrows were so complex and crisscrossing that I had a really hard time with character placement (eyes rolling back).
Even now that it's finished, I'm still anxious, thinking, 'Wait, is this placement really okay? Can they understand it? I plan to explain it verbally, but will they get it?'

Why is it that I create materials to make things easier to understand, only to end up feeling even more anxious? (looking into the distance)

【Progress Detail ②】'Herec' Self-Fanfiction Revision Work in Progress

About halfway through the revision of my self-derivative work of 'Herec'!
By the way, while I call this a revision, I'm actually trying to add scenes!

Editor Me: "That's not a revision! That's a rewrite, Sensei! What are you doing, Sensei! Stop it, I told you we don't have time! (Full nelson hold)"
Writer Me: "Stop it! Let go! I realized there wasn't enough 'moe' like this! I need more 'moe'! That's why I need to rewrite it, if I don't do it, who will! Let go, let goooooooooo!!!!"

That's how two hearts are fighting within me, but for now, I'm finding time to proceed with the rewrite (this author has already admitted it's a rewrite).

By the way, because of this, the manuscript that I had trimmed down to 16,000 characters is back up to 17,000 characters.
The work of a fool.

Come to think of it, I haven't talked about the CP (pairing) of the manuscript, but the combination is a story about a drummer and a bassist.
As the author, I do have a CP where this one is the 'seme' (top) and that one is the 'uke' (bottom), but I think I'll refrain from specifying it. It wouldn't be good to give people who don't read this kind of thing a bias (though maybe I've already given them one by revealing it's a CP).

I'm planning to somehow get it done in April and turn it into a booklet once May starts.
......But, at this point, April ends in just 4 more days (blank stare).

Will I actually make it in time!?
Will I!?!?!? (Super loud voice)

[Progress Detail 3] Work: Progress on the novel feedback service

Now, finally, the progress on my work.

I carried out the feedback service work that was reserved around early April.
The submission of the feedback is already complete.
Thank you to everyone who requested it!

When I say 'reserved', people might say 'You can do that too!?', but the conclusion isyes, I can.

It's more of a personal service by Katsuya rather than a system like Coconala or SKIMA.
If you consult with me about the schedule in advance, I will accommodate you as much as I can.

Having said that, it might be difficult if it's something like 'suddenly, one week from now'...
but there is a high possibility that I can accommodate you if it's up to two weeks in advance.

If you contact me in advance, I can be somewhat flexible, so even if it looks like the manuscript won't be ready in time, we can postpone it.
Look, you never know what will happen or when during the writing stage, right... (e.g., today's 'Progress Detail 2: Herec self-derivative work revision in progress')

After all, this feedback service is sold on the fact that the person writing it is a doujin author!
I want to try to accommodate the writers' schedules as much as possible!

That's all for this week's creative progress log.
Now, the Air-Bou Spring Thanksgiving ended last week, but that doesn't mean the events are over.

As I mentioned in the article, there is the Tokyo Literature Flea Market 42 in May!
Moreover, there is a plan for Salon de Picrea 5 on Picrea around that time.

Furthermore, at the end of the same month is 'Your World's Story 2' (Ana-Seka 2), and next month I also plan to bring new work to Paper Well 16!

......Huh?
Don't I have too many plans?

It's a mystery why it got so packed, but well, it's more fun than having nothing, so let's call it good (don't ask if I can really call it good).

Well then, that is all for this week.
Thank you for reading this far.
See you next week.

Announcements

Regarding the update schedule for the Creative Progress Log

You can check it on the calendar on the top page of my personal website.
Currently, it is filled out through May.

Regarding event schedules

For the Tokyo Literature Flea Market 42, I have also published a menu article on note, so please be sure to read that as well.

Work links

On Coconala and SKIMA, I am offering synopsis and introduction writing for novels and a feedback service that supports writers' anxieties.
If you are interested, I would appreciate it if you could check the service overview on each platform and consider them.

Coconala

SKIMA