trashman

I've got some bad news. 
          
          At this point, I'm pretty sure that I've written myself into a corner with Intervention. I hate to say it, but I don't think there's any better evidence of this than the fact that I keep going months upon months without updating it. I have a clear idea of what I want to do, but I just don't know how to get there. I've been writing it on and off for four years, and I think it's suffered for it. 
          
          I've mentioned in the past that I plan to do a rewrite, and that's now more true than ever. Codename Alpha has, for a long time, been stuck in between constant changes of the lore, changes to my own style, and a whole bunch more. I just can't progress with it being saddled down by a story trapped in so many different ways.
          
          I'm not happy about this. It's very disappointing, but at the same time, I think it's necessary. My writing skills have improved a hell of a lot and I hope that I can make something so much better for those of you that, after 4 years, are still hanging around. I've got big plans for a story more action-packed and interesting, and I hope you'll all be there for it.

I've finally wrapped up some other projects (a big one being making this video https://youtu.be/JB-zEFs_dbI ) and am now back on track to writing Codename Alpha. I'll keep it brief - the next chapter is already a third of the way there and can most likely be expected within the next several weeks. I also got a little overexcited and may have completed two of the chapters which are still to come, and out of the entire story, they gotta be some of my favorites. All in all, got some fun stuff on the way.

Alright, I ended up completing the map much sooner than I expected, too. With that stuff finished, I'm gonna be back to focusing on Codename Alpha: Intervention with the aim of finally getting to the finish line, because I'm pretty close.
          
          What'd you guys think about the new compendium, if anything? Like I said, my favorite section is the Intercontinental War.

So, the new Compendium of Things is, for the most part, complete. However, the new worldmap that's meant to go along with it is still work in progress - I've got a whole bunch of flags I still need to make, and a bunch of cities I need to fill out. Would any of you guys be interested in me publishing an early version of the new compendium without the map? Maybe with a WIP version of the map too?

SITREP!
          Yeah, it's been a bit, again. I'm still alive, of course, but university stuff is just taking it's toll and all of my time.
          
          Lately, I've suddenly made a lot of progress with the new Compendium of Things which is actually starting to look pretty good, with sections on the history leading up to the big war now being complete. I can't really provide estimates for this, but as with most things, I think it'll be coming pretty soon. I don't know how many of you even want that kind of thing, but hell, I'm liking it. As always, stay tuned.

Got a quick progress report for you all - this time devoid of all the agonizing over "this time I'm for REAL!" foolery.
          
          Next chapter is coming along nicely, and it can be expected most likely before the end of the month. I hope to be able to get writing even quicker, but we'll see.
          
          After some introspection, I realized that my goal of a light rewrite across the whole book was more of a knee-jerk reaction to not having done anything than it was something I needed to actually do. I'm dialing the rework way back - Intervention certainly isn't perfect, but for what it is right now, I'm okay with it.
          
          I've got a lot of other stuff in the works, including Valderan 3D models for artwork (just a hyena for now, but it'll be opening the floodgates for much more,) a fancy new map of Valdera, the new compendium, and so on. Lots of cool stuff planned, and it feels great to finally be back on track for it.

Okay I missed the end of the month by 2 days but like, after a year, that's the closest I've been to actually making a prediction correctly. The light rework in earlier chapters still isn't out yet - I just didn't feel like it'd be worth delaying a new chapter when older details/retcons aren't crucial to the newest chapter.
          
          I'm not letting another year go by. I've already made great progress on the next few chapters and do not intend to slow down. With any luck, I'll see you all soon.

Another progress report, this one pretty big. Some pretty significant progress has been made - 3/4ths through with the next chapter, and even got a little ahead of myself and completed maybe a fourth of the one following. Again, I don't like to get ahead of myself and give out false promises, but I fully expect at least one new chapter by the time I make another announcement, and most likely before the end of the month.

It's finally happened - I've made actual, legitimate progress on not just the next chapter, but all the tweaks for the earlier chapters. I don't want to speak so soon and give a rough date, since that seems to be my constant pitfall, but to actually be accomplishing something for once certainly feels a hell of a lot better.
          
          I think what made the difference is that I actually read a real book (The Expanse, book 1) for the first time in years instead of bad and weird crap I can find online. It's really reminded me how awesome writing can actually be.
          
          TL:DR: New chapter soon, and this time, I mean it.

I can't lie to you. We're only a few months out from it having been two years since the last Intervention chapter, especially how when I had finished that chapter I probably figured I'd be done with the whole damn book by now, if not earlier. 
          
          This sucks. It really, really, fucking sucks. I love writing and I want to keep doing it, especially with the universe of Codename Alpha - I don't have writers block, and I do have the time to write, as much as I try to tell myself otherwise. I don't know why it's been this long, and I feel like it's getting to a point where I'm actively forgetting how to write. I just don't know what's going on. I hope I'll be able to change this soon, but without sounding too overly dramatic, that's what I've said every single time. 
          
          Maybe it will, maybe it won't, but I seriously have to thank all of you for putting up with this as long as you have.