trashman

Checking in again to let you guys know I'm still alive and working on the Codename Alpha rewrite! There's still a lot of stuff that I'm really excited for and can't really talk about, but in the meantime I've got three little snippets to show off.
          
          https://file.garden/ZniwVPBV9krPGbU2/valderamap_borders.png
          The new worldmap for Valdera 
          
          https://file.garden/ZniwVPBV9krPGbU2/valiant.png
          My awesome really high quality totally not MS paint concept of the new Valiant design
          
          https://file.garden/ZniwVPBV9krPGbU2/place%20of%20honor.jpg
          And a render I did of some South Prawostian soldiers outside a somewhat-ancient (around 450 year old) nuclear waste dump. Don't know who the South Prawostians are? Don't worry....you will.....all in due time.....
          
          Also just to make it clear, I do have a Discord server where you can come get special little previews and also see that I'm not dead & inactive for months at a time
          https://discord.gg/6r2Rd6Ue8H

I don't know how many people would even get this anymore but I do have some big announcements. The first big thing is that the big Codename Alpha rewrite is now looming pretty close on the horizon and I really like how it's starting to shape up already, even in an early drafting stage. Lots of worldbuilding stuff I'm having fun playing with, more characterization, a world that actually matters, that kind of thing. My editor is telling me it's something I could actually try to get published, but for now I like it being available for free for you guys.
          
          The other thing is that I've finally got realistic anthro models for art in Garry's Mod. Turned out the only winning move was not to play, and instead of modeling them from scratch, the trick was to just headhack models from Planet Zoo onto human bodies. Should mean that the story should have art to complement it.
          https://file.garden/ZniwVPBV9krPGbU2/spacetest.jpg
          https://file.garden/ZniwVPBV9krPGbU2/spacetest2.png
          
          Also, sheesh, more than a year since I last said anything here. It's hard to believe how much my life has changed since even then, lmao. Got a job, got hospitalized, got a boyfriend, all in time for the world to fall apart.

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.