The Cut Conversations

Not everything I write makes it into the book.  This isn't uncommon among writers, as sometimes, content needs to be cut for a wide variety of reasons; doesn't contribute to the story, doesn't fit the perspective, conversation's redundant. I keep most of this content to the side, not so much for possible reentry or reuse, but simply for my own reference.  It may not be in the book, but in my mind, it still happens.

Of late, however, I've found myself going back and writing conversations and situations that occur between the lines, conversations I never wrote the first time, yet seem important. To be frank, I'm not sure what to do with these; perhaps I'll save them and release them all as a supplement to the books.

I have to say, though, it's kinda fun. Sometimes, I don't get to have two characters interact much in a story, and this gives me a chance to work out what they think of each other. It's why One and Jeronem are friends, it's why Ben is more comfortable talking with Suzy than anyone else, it's why Teria is as accepting of Mikaen as Tirinia's bond-mate when her first instinct is to  claw the guys eyes out for being with her sister. Why didn't they make the cut?  Because I try to keep perspective limited to a few characters, namely One and Mikaen (with the occasional passage from me in there). Teria's added into the mix later, as she becomes a larger character (and to be fair, Tirinia will likely get a few later on as well, as those four characters are the main characters of the series).

I might post some of these interludes here later, but for the moment, there's just no place for them in the books proper. Perhaps one day, when the Elsewhere Universe is better known, I'll put together a special edition.  As for now, however, I'll continue writing between the gaps and hold on to my notes.

Mass Effect Slipstream Book II - The Life of One

No, I don't get the title.  I do want to go ahead and mention this one, however, as it should be completed in a few days.  You can check it out here, and the preceding book here.

Taking place a few months after the first book, this story starts quite innocently as Finn is given his first mission from the Shadow Broker; to pick up a drell agent from Ilium.  This goes smoothly right up to the point where they try to leave, when security searches Finn and discovers a jewel known as the Creator's Tear in his pocket. After Hikari Goto, member of a thieving gang named after Kasumi Goto, arranges for Finn's escape in exchange for the gem (which she planted on him), Finn discovers the gem being stolen from the evidence room by two quarians from Siren's Call, a musical troop of some renown.  What follows is a glorious chaos of a treasure hunt on the barren world of Tuchanka.  Old faces make an appearance, as well as a few new faces and even some faces one might not expect in this tale.

This series continues to be a blast to write.  The inclusion of the Saints (whose backstory is modified only slightly to adjust for time), the appearance of Glenda Adams, an alternate reality version of Narrator Number One from A Dreamer's Knight, and Tuck, the krogan chef, all have made this quite fun for me.   As a story in the overarching tale, this feels a bit like a DLC expansion; the advancement on the Cerberus plotline is slight, though important.

This, however, brings me to the place this series has in the Elsewhere Universe; not in the same Universe as A Dreamer's Knight (as evidenced by the female Glen, though it should be noted that at the time of this story, there is no Elsewhere Incorporate in Universe B), but in a Universe whose connection would be difficult to explain without massive spoilers.  I always liked the idea of having a second Universe in place, where stories that are good but don't quite fit in with the Elsewhere Universe cannon could be placed, perhaps creating its own unique storyline down the road. 

On that note, let me say that if you like the Elsewhere Universe and you want to make a story or novel set within it, by all means.  I'm building a Universe here ... two universes, with a possible third down the line for reasons that would again be spoilers. It's been my intention to have this all under Creative Commons, though what is and isn't canon in the primary Elsewhere Universe is something ultimately decided by myself and the other real-life analogs of Dreamers (who have asked for the moment not to be named, so I'll simply say Narrator Number Two, Captain Morgan, and Wong Fo-lee ... and myself, Alan T. Tryth, of course).

Have a Nice Day, a Modern Horror Story

Okay, I just made up the last bit there; This story is just Have a Nice Day, and is one of the projects I've always felt would be successful if I'd just finish the damn thing. Featuring Christopher Roberts (who would one day go on to be Max of the Elsewhere Incorporate), this is the story of the retail megastore of the future!  Having absorbed every other local business into itself, the Sol-Mart Corporation is considered a fixture in many towns, and are often as large as shopping malls.

Enter Christopher Roberts (totally chosen for how similar it sounds to Christopher Robin); a young inventor fresh out of High School, he decides to go to work for the company, as he thinks it's a good job.  He likes helping people, after all. He will quickly learn, however, that working in retail isn't as nice as the training videos suggest.

Christopher Roberts mentality is partially based on my own experience (or arguably, my own inexperience), and along with another character who I've yet to properly name (I'm calling him mister cynical at the moment) serve as a before-after image of my retail career, hopefully behind me for good.  Christopher is young, idealistic, and eager to prove himself, while Cynical is battered, grumpy, and disillusioned after years of working for a soul-less corporation that values money far more than people. 

While there is an overarching plot, most of the story is just little tales I picked up and/or experienced throughout my own time working at various retail stores.  I poke fun at everyone; the customers, the employees, the managers, the over-the-store management, and myself most of all. That's why I feel this project would be successful; retail has touched most of our lives at this point, not necessarily in a good way.

While I explained my internal dilemma with Simply Encredible, I don't really have a reason why I haven't finished this story.  I just ... haven't been in the mood to mess with it.  Blame it on my laziness, or on the bad taste working at retail places like Wal-mart has left in my mouth, but I just don't find myself wanting to mess with this one very often.

Simply Encredible (and no, for the last time, that IS spelled correctly).

Simply Encredible (named for its heroine, Excelsia Encredible), is a look at Vinta's past. Set in the Ronisgald equivalent of the Middle Ages, at a time when the Galden cities were above ground, technology was treated with just as much horror as magic, and the Light sect of the Celestial Church had its grip on Ronisgald, outing all others as heretics, this story is about a little girl torn from the only family she has left. Adopted by a Rimstakken Tinker and taught the ways of technology, she eventually returns to Ronisgald after learning that some of her old friends may have survived.

While I would argue that Teria and Terra are strong characters, Excelsia is the first to truly take the lead role in a story. In a way, it's the opposite of the Sakamota Journals; whereas that book is about a hero using a sword in a time of technology, Simply Encredible is about a gadgeteer who fights with technology in an age it's (as mentioned before) often confused as magic.

This project has unfortunately been on the back burner for awhile, but I hope to continue it one day, as it is part of the Elsewhere Universe. It also sees Narrator Number One in one of his more legendary roles; Sir Unas of the Silver and Jade.  No joke, I ended up writing a ballad about him (mostly because I was playing Skyrim heavily at the time. Strange how catchy the bard songs were in that game). Perhaps it will be included as an extra in the final version when this is done.

I do feel I should explain just why this has sat in my folders for so long, however, but to explain it requires a little insight into how I write. There really is very little preperation; I sit down, remind myself where I was, and off I go. If an idea doesn't work, my ideas dry up and I end up staring at a blank page, unable to continue. In such cases, I typically delete the chapter last worked on and try again.  I fancy that I peer into another universe more than I actually create, and believe that the story dries up when I got something wrong.  After all, I don't have a perspective clock like my author surrogate. 

It was while writing about five chapters in when Excelsia entered a situation I won't go into (spoilers).  It wasn't explicit, but it put her in an odd situation where she had to consider the nature of her affections for an old friend, and when she did, she realized there was something more there.  The issue, as I feel calling it a problem is incorrect and a bit offensive, is that she realizes she is homosexual, or at least bisexual. After the awkward pause, I will say that I slowed down on this project, not because I am ashamed of her or her sexual orientation, nor because I feel there is anything inherently wrong with alternative sexualities. I myself am demisexual, and another Dreamer who asks to remain nameless is homosexual ... and getting married now that the United States has momentarily remembered what century it is.

No, I put the project on hold because I want to treat this development with the respect it deserves. I'm researching the nature of homosexuality, namely how people come to realize their nature, how they felt about it and continue to feel about it, how it affected them and the people around them.   The story is about Excelsia fighting zealots and demons with technology and style, but I'm worried about unintentionally writing something in this case that will be viewed as insensitive, not from a religious standpoint (I'm a Dreamer, so figure that one out), but from the perspective of homosexual or bisexual people. 

I realize that just talking about this makes many people clench up, and I really wish it didn't, as it's just a part of her character ... and for the record, it's not like I'm throwing in explicit scenes here.  You (potentially) have read four of my books, each with its share of romance, and you know by now that I don't write that kinda thing, for the simple reason that I feel my characters deserve some privacy, especially after everything I throw at them ... especially Jimmy.  Sorry, Jimmy.  If it makes you feel better, I think Finn Cresste of Mass Effect Slipstream is getting it worse than you right now.

It's gonna be a good story when it's done; rooftop chases, battles with demons and constructs, and Excelsia kicking serious butt as she's helping her old friend.  There will be betrayal (which I apparently had to spell three times to get it right), crime syndicates, romance (and if this surprises you, did you read the rest of this post?), and even a little Elsewhere here and there. All in all, it will be a fine tale that will stand next to my others, and Excelsia will stand as one of the legends of the Elsewhere Universe.