Chapter 71: Shadows of the Past

Wow, has it already been three weeks? This time, I feel like it went really fast . . .

JDG

Meh, if i was one of his simulacra, i'd take one for the team, in the same way that every restart is kind of an experiment.

JDG

Other than his current lack of time, the fact his simulacrums have the exact same attitude that he does towards risky mental alterations and concerns about permanent damage a mind mage of his own caliber could inflict on him if he is caught unawares? Nothing, no.

Domagoj Kurmaic

Reading ch67 when Zorian breaks into the Cyorian web vault. Is there anyhting stopping him from experimenting with inner mind magic on his simulacrums?

Prince Hakeem

Good going

Illuminati Games

Well, it wasn't my doing, I can tell you that much.

Domagoj Kurmaic

Congratulations on getting onto Top Web Fiction somehow. Their policy still says Fiction Press stories are not allowed, so I wonder what's going on . . .

JDG

Three weeks. You can find the target date on my fictionpress profile. And yes, I realize that's a bit lazy of me. Sorry.

Domagoj Kurmaic

Will the next chapter be in three weeks or two? Since the current one was delayed

Good!

Kyan Zero The Real

You have a talent for writing human drama I'll say that much. Chapter made me all depressed. Good chapter though, thanks!

Wow, really liked the new chapter. So much progress with people.

Daniel I Beer

No, I'm not that deliberate I'm afraid. I most decide these kind of things by gut feeling, after consulting the story plan made in advance.

Domagoj Kurmaic

I've heard from some that your pacing in the initial chapters is too slow. Then, a few of my highest-rated comments on reddit's MoL discussions concern my desire for a slower and more descriptive and dialogue-heavy style. Perhaps, there's a certain tidal game one has to play with pacing, a certain emotional capital that needs to be created by making the reader hungry, then spending the capital to deepen things---like how you followed a huge battle with a chapter of character development. Are you consciously toeing the line between action and development?

JDG

This is me trying to offer some useful feedback rather than merely gushing: As a side note, I also enjoy experiential descriptions that convey to readers the physical and emotional sensations occurring. However, this again would expand the prose density significantly and affect pacing. A balance must be struck.

JDG

Also, the characterizations and dialogue were good this chapter. I appreciate hearing everyone interact rather than things being so plot driven, but I don't write know the solution because the book might balloon to twice or more the size if that approach was applied uniformly.

JDG

Ever the adept writer of cliff-hangers, Domagoj. What lung capacity this book has given me that I spend three weeks at a time holding my breath.

JDG

As I approach the end of this chapter, I find myself subconsciously reading more slowly in an illogical attempt to make the chapter last longer . . .

JDG

Haha, not a lot of action in this chapter but so much happened. Goodness, it was about time someone confronted Zorian about his lack of concern for Fortov. Edited - for spoilers, sorry

Satya Prateek