AKK

FM-PMS

akk@insanejournal.com — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:08:22 GMT

current chapter word count: 3828
scene(s) worked on today: Ameru, Seishiro waking up, shower (fan~~girl~~service)
scene(s) completed today: all of the above
amount of chapter considered done: fat 30 per cent!
diagnosis of the past days: severe writing attack
remaining scenes to address: Subaru in the garden, "When did you plan to tell me?!!", Out the backdoor, Yue, getting dressed, at the office
character making an unexpected entrée: Michiko
character forgoing a shave: Seishiro
character who bled on their clothes: Subaru
research of the day: keikogi
quote of the day (1): "I can do butterflies, too."
quote of the day (2): "You might want to recall that I've killed people for less."

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akk@insanejournal.com — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:17:37 GMT

current chapter word count: 3261
scene(s) worked on today: pov-insert:Ameru, Michiko
scene(s) done? yes (Ameru) and no (Michiko)
changes from initial layout: Seishiro wakes up first
character who does not like that much: elder Makoto
character who enjoys the view: Michiko
character getting even more food for thought: Ameru
character still in for a surprise: Subaru
research of the day: butterfly stitches (why aren't the things called "strips" btw.?)
quote of the day: "That's not the bed, that's the age."

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akk@insanejournal.com — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:41:23 GMT

current chapter word count: 2404 [after erasing the first writing note]
scene worked on today: some 'splaining
scene completed: yes (discounting tinkering and a possible expansion about getting Su to bed)
character being put to the question: Subaru
madame inquisitor: Makoto
character who gets to be a good daddy for a change: Ameru
character missing all the fun: Seishiro
most useful plot item: a white coffee mug
still insufficiently explained: Susumu's bespelled blade (later!)
quote of the day: "How can you be sure that you didn't forfeit his spiritual existence out of base motives?"

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FM-PMS

akk@insanejournal.com — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:37:48 GMT

current chapter word count: 1988
less because of updated the writing notes, streamlined layout, and added scribbles!
scene order: Tree Talk, Kokyo East Gardens-{some 'splaining, Michiko, kids in the park, Mariko, When did you plan to tell me?!}, Sakuragi-{driving home, Yue}, Kasumigaseki-{office, meeting, desk sex}, don't know yet-{that's twisted} [location-{scene therein missing, scene partially written}]
character for whom this chapter is going to be an emotional rollercoaster: Subaru
character who watches half of it and won't be happy about it: Ameru
character with an unexpectedly cruel spot yet doing "the right thing": Mariko
character in for some serious reminders about responsibilities: Seishiro
character entirely amused about this: Yue (and Tree-san)
belated worrywart of the chapter: Kamui (if I don't relocate him to the epilogue)
research of the day: peonies
quote of the day (1): "I want to know with whom the father of my children sleeps."
quote of the day (2): "I said get out! Now!"

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FM-PMS

akk@insanejournal.com — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:54:39 GMT

Chapter 19:
start-up word count: 2675 (+ scribbles on paper)
planned title: SumeraMori (3)
fixed characters: (in alphabetical order) Ameru, Makoto, Mariko, Michiko, Namane, Seishiro, Subaru
possible characters: (about everybody else)
fixed scenes: Some 'splaining to do, waking up, unexpected revelations, "When did you plan to tell me?!!", driving home, newspaper frames, moving chairs, desk sex, family phone (will/may morph into different and/or larger scenes)

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Book recommendation: On the Edge

akk@insanejournal.com — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:20:32 GMT

If you - by chance - happen to have caught my recent reads meme back in February, you probably know that I'm a fan of C. L. Wilson's Tairen Soul series.
Today I stumbled across On the Edge by Ilona Andrews, which nearly made me miss my train station (luckily the train ends there ;) ). Other than I.A.s Magic series, which wasn't exactly my cup of tea (in fact, had I recalled her as the author of that one, I probably wouldn't have picked it up), On the Edge gribbed me from page 1. It's a fast-paced, dark-humored, plot-driven 3rd person tale in which the romance is a fitting element to the structure (not the other way round as happens in most fantasy romance stories).
The style of writing and the plot details remind me a lot of what I love about C.L. Wilson's books. And the humor is darker - like L.K. Hamilton's early Anita Blake books (those before the series descended into utter porn after book 4) - without being needlessly gory in description.
If you wonder about a soft-hearted child necromancer (who's yet to accept that death serves a purpose), about zombie-gramps living in the shed (and getting drunk on dog brains), and the utter discomfort of a fantasy noble lord (used to swords, weapons, and magic) being forced to shop at Wal-Mart (yes, normal Wal-Mart - world-structure believable!) this is a book to take up (but probably not on a commuter train).
Only repercussion: just one book (so far?).

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TB/X fanfic: Family Matters - 18

akk@insanejournal.com — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:22:48 GMT

Fandom: Tokyo Babylon, X/1999
Story Arch: Decagram
Story: Family Matters
Chap.: 18 - Lunar Eclipse
Rating: NC-17

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FM-PMS

akk@insanejournal.com — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:09:49 GMT

Chapter 18 now stands tall at above 9200 words and returned to solo.
I like it much better now and there's even a cautious "thumbs-up" after the first half of the chapter. However, the new scene that upped the word count by 1500 words is in the second half, so it may be better not to get excited yet.

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FM-PMS

akk@insanejournal.com — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:53:02 GMT

I'm sad to say that chapter 18 still needs a few days more. This turned out to be a really extensive editing, but it's worth it. The chapter is going to be a lot ~~angrier~~ better read than what I had before!

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Seishiro's house (spot-sighting results)

akk@insanejournal.com — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:26:09 GMT

A long-time reader, who doesn't want to be given credit, recently went spot-sighting in the area of Tokyo where I made up Seishiro's house to be.
Given that I invented it in 2005 (before Google Streetview!) based on a Falk city map of Tokyo (1:15000), the findings are almost scary...

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on science fiction shows and movies...

akk@insanejournal.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:31:44 GMT

I must admit I liked the original startrek. I also liked some of the settings of the later series (DS-9, Voyager), but I also never truly bothered to follow the series (chronologically or complete), because I got ultimately bored after a dozen eps or so, when nothing of the potential conflict in the setup between characters and surrounding was even remotely addressed or put to use.
The same goes actually for many of the sciencefiction series brought to tv or cinema in the last twenty years. Get me right: I *love* StarWars IV (and its potential), but that was *before* the rest of the saga; I love Eureka with its all nonsense take on scientists, and a few more (notably the original Battlestar Galactica and Bab-5, but again, "it's the setting, stupid." (to misquote Bill Clinton)).

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FM-PMS

akk@insanejournal.com — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:20:12 GMT

Editing is proceeding slowly (on my end due to high work load), but it's proceeding well (as in the content is shaping up nicely). Sadly, it's unlikely that I manage to complete it this weekend.
Somehow, the next to last chapter of a story is always causing trouble. Chapter 8 of 36° was the same. *sigh*

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FM-PMS

akk@insanejournal.com — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 17:58:10 GMT

status of chapter 18: sent to edit (wish us luck)
pre-edit chapter word count: 7912 (due to decluttering, polishing and overall getting rid of excessive stuff - of which solo will likely find a lot more that I missed)

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FM-PMS

akk@insanejournal.com — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:10:57 GMT

Family Matters 18 is complete and ready to edit. Unfortunately, solo is very busy this weekend and next week, so that we'll be tackling the chapter starting Oct 5 (if nothing untoward happens, that is).
I'll use the week in between for the beginning of chapter 19 (and double-checking 18, to make sure editing won't take longer than necessary). :)

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FM-PMS

akk@insanejournal.com — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:07:34 GMT

current chapter word count: 7902
completed? yes! if it survives a reading with a clear head in the morrow, it'll be fit for editing by the weekend. Promised!
what happened? killed the dream and moved the dragon a few lines back.
quote of the day: "Why?"

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akk@insanejournal.com — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:40:50 GMT

current chapter word count: 8030
scene worked on today: The Battle
scene complete? not quite. The plot is all there, but the details still don't add up. However, I'm getting closer to what I want to tell there, so there's hope. :)
character winning hands-down the prize for most obnoxiously stubborn OC of the fic: the Emperor's Murderer
because having Subaru have an argument with his dark twin (not sister!) and not dissolving into common places or plain dumbness is like finding a reason for Kamui to wear a fluffy pink bunny costume in a Shakespeare-tragedy. (and no, the necessity for illusions being involved, does *not* help in the least! (though it might with the bunny costume).
quote of the day: "*Replacement!*"

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FM-PMS

akk@insanejournal.com — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:26:28 GMT

current chapter word count: back to 7929
but Subaru's argument with the ghost is still a mess (about the last 1000 words)
because there's so much that needs to be wielded in that discussion!
issues to be solved: dragons, dead sisters, also dead emperors (reason thereof), success(ion), partially dead boyfriends (and a gazillian details I can't think of without consulting my scribbles)
eta for editing: I won't risk giving one. It's too depressing to violate self-set deadlines.
quote of the day: He wondered briefly if 'Shiro' was a common name in Okinawa.

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FM-PMS

akk@insanejournal.com — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:09:58 GMT

current chapter word count: 8965
but this chapter word count it highly misleading, because the old version of the "Kokyo East Gardens" scene is still at the end of the file as reference for tag lines and content. Without it, the word count would be a mere 5524. That part of the chapter is sadly unfinished,
because what I believed to be minor revisions due to a nicely deWIMPed Subaru turned out to be a full revision, basically a "rewriting from scratch". The changed work situation asks for a completely different approach and use of the facilities of the park and the personnel, including guards, gardeners, a dojo, etc. pp. hence...
positive aspects of this: the new scene now has the same speed & overall feeling as the rest of the plot, flow is now smooth not only within the scene, but also from the rest of the story to the scene (and vice versa).
negative aspects of this: ETA for editing shifted from this weekend to the next (at least) and this is going to be "the chapter of eternal revisions", because it feels like I wrote all parts of it (minus the oldest one for some reason) at least three times.
character now part of the plot: chief superintendent Shiibatani
quote of the day: "Nice to see you using the gate for a change."

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FM-PMS

akk@insanejournal.com — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:46:34 GMT

current chapter word count: 8142
scenes worked on: Tree-Talk, Ko-kun
scenes done for real: yes, both are deWIMPed, properly decluttered and flowing nicely.
reason for reduction in word count: decluttering, streamlining, and killing a few "Sumeragi-san"'s.
scene left to work on: Kokyo East Gardens (changes in Ko-kun require adaptation)
tentative ETA for editing: end of week(end)
character gaining some in the affirmative department: Subaru
character being spared the parking lot details until 19: Seishiro
things lost right now: anonymous cases
quote of the day: "It's fine with me."

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FM-PMS

akk@insanejournal.com — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:43:13 GMT

current chapter word count: 8464
scenes worked on today: Ko-kun, Kokyo East Gardens
because I finally realized (thanks to my editor solo) what was wrong with "Ko-kun"
amount of chapter considered fit for editing now: 90 % (there are a few rough transitions left)
character now actually having his talk: Subaru
character being a tad more compliant for a change: Seishiro
quote of the day: "Why don't we ask him right now?"

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FM-PMS

akk@insanejournal.com — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 19:15:25 GMT

current chapter word count: 8590
scene brought to perfection today: Yue
amount of chapter finally in shape for editing: 66 %
feeling that this version of the scene is much better of the previous one: extremely high (because it now has a smooth transition from "Mr. T", more tension, more important infos and it's no longer boringly repetitive!)
character being forced down memory lane: Yue
character determined to do the unthinkable: Subaru (yes, he can top chapter 17 from a Sumeragi perspective!)
research of the day: times in which the term "tenno" was in use for the Emperor of Japan
quote of the day: "You didn't call me for gardening tips, did you?"

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FM-PMS

akk@insanejournal.com — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:06:41 GMT

current chapter word count: 8453
scenes worked on today: Mr. T.
amount of chapter considered editable now: 60%
what remains? everything in the Kokyo East Gardens
tentative ETA for editing: definitely past weekend, probably closer to next weekend (real life [tm] is being obnoxious again).
character now properly worried about an unexpected offer: Subaru
character now talking less info-dumpy (hopefully): Seishiro
research of the day: time of transition from bronce and iron to steel being used for jian forging.
quote of the day: "Getting a bridge into my back wasn't good for my ch'i, either."

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FM-PMS

akk@insanejournal.com — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:34:47 GMT

current chapter word count: 8150
part of chapter ready to edit: first 33 % (Tree Talk, Ko-kun)
part of chapter almost ready: next 30 % (Mr. T., Yue)
part of chapter to be tinkered: last 37 % (Arrival, Preps, Battle)
character cured of a "if that's not"-fetish: Subaru
character still smiling too much: Seishiro
character too well-behaved: Tree-san and the elder
character who needs more feature: Ameru
useful items so far: a watch and azalea
quote of the day: "You are supposed to return cases through official channels!"

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FM-PMS

akk@insanejournal.com — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 20:00:59 GMT

current chapter word count: 8233
scenes played with today: Tree Talk (yet again), Mr. T. (which might still need more work)
amount of chapter considered fit for editing now: ~ 60 %
things changed: less obvious hints in the intro; and tossing out the paper proof to maintain public deniability and put more focus on the influence
character no longer listing the downsides: Subaru
character being too accommodating: Seishiro
character being disturbed by that: Tree-san
quote of the day: "Doesn't your pet suffice?"

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FM-PMS

akk@insanejournal.com — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:50:00 GMT

current chapter word count: 7901
amount of chapter complete plotwise: still 100 %
amount of chapter properly tinkered: 50 - 60 %
scenes worked on today: Tree Talk (completely revamped), Ko-kun (high-glossy finish) and Yue.
scenes considered done now: Tree Talk, Ko-kun
scenes still requiring more work: Mr. T., Yue, Preparation, Battle, Showdown
tentative ETA for editing: sometime next week
quote of the day: "It might have been funny at sixteen, but it's downright annoying at twenty-six!"

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