I went on a Travel in June and had fourteen days of single updates, but everyone still managed to keep Mysteries at number one in monthly votes and it remained number two on the bestseller list. I was both touched and ashamed.
Everyone has been so tolerant of my capriciousness and so kind. Throughout June, the highest number of 24-hour subscriptions reached over 55,000. Even after it dropped due to the calmer plot, it still remained at just over 50,000. It just kept going back and forth like that, up and down. Well, since the release of Mysteries, the overall trend of subscriptions has been upward. Generally, it's because the climax of the plot increases significantly, then drops slightly, fluctuates within a certain range, and then repeats this process.
The plot and visual composition of the Foggy Town are part of what I've been envisioning for a long time, and I'm very happy that everyone is satisfied. The ending of the fourth book also features a scene that appeared at the beginning of the book. I hope that I can truly convey the feeling of " the Undying, a blessing or a curse" when I write it. Perhaps I don't need to directly state the theme; just describing that scene will be enough. Of course, there are still many chapters to write about this.
My biggest feeling about writing this month is exhaustion. When I was Travel, I would get up at 7 a. m. and not get back to the hotel until 7 or 8 p. m. I still had time to write. Fortunately, I could catch up on naps on the bus, otherwise I wouldn't just be writing while yawning every day, but I simply wouldn't be able to write at all. However, going on Travel and relaxing did improve my mental tension and depression from being cooped up at home for a long time. After returning, I feel that I have written several chapters at a high level.
Of course, I also gathered material. If I were to write about another exotic city-state in the future, I would write that the brothel's sign was a protruding stone on the door, symbolizing genitalia. Since most of the prostitutes there were captured during wartime, they didn't speak the language and imitated the howl of a she-wolf to attract customers and greet Sailor arriving at port. The brothels were even called "wolf dens." Writing it like that would really bring out the atmosphere and feel of this exotic land. Hmm, I heard all this in Pompeii. Apparently, there were only three or four official guides who spoke Chinese. They were quite good, but a bit pricey. It would be more cost-effective if you had a large group, as they charged by the hour.
Well, back to the topic of fatigue. This isn't just during the Travel; it happens after I return as well. Since starting the fourth book, this feeling has become more and more frequent. Because the whole story has become increasingly vast, I didn't want to be like with Arcane and I, focusing solely on the protagonist and rushing straight to the finish line. I wanted to make the many interesting characters I had written before more fleshed out, more alive, and more involved in the world. In addition, the life of a wealthy person involves a lot of banquets, meetings, and conversations. There needs to be enough build-up and groundwork before the dramatic, conflict-filled plots can erupt. Therefore, shifting perspectives, involving characters, and writing about daily life always require a lot of mental effort, and I don't feel as comfortable with it. I often feel quite tired.
Besides these reasons, this is also an inevitable state that occurs after writing a book for more than a year. Procrastination is getting worse, it takes longer to concentrate, I finish writing later and later every day, and fatigue is accumulating. There were even two instances where I accidentally turned off the alarm and slept until noon, almost missing the update.
It seems that the only option left is to put the things we discussed before back on the agenda, and take one day off each week.
My plan is this: I will rest on Sunday, but I will split the two chapters from Saturday into one chapter on Sunday. In other words, I will update only once on both days of the weekend, at 12:30 pm. The rest of the time will be normal.
In this way, any further absences due to writer's block or travel will be made up. The first bonus chapter for June's monthly votes will be released later in July when the plot reaches its climax.
Alright, it's July already. I'm earnestly asking for your guaranteed monthly votes! The chapters have already been updated ahead of schedule; there won't be any at noon, and the second update will be at 7 PM.
Also, please vote for me on Monday!