Behind the Book, Beyond the Blog

Sunlight at Midnight is a story I conceived around 2011 or 2012 with a friend, Tate, to whom the first chapter is dedicated. It started as a collaboration more in the style of text-based roleplay, with the intent of later restructuring it into a novel. I promised I would dedicate the novel to my friend, since he was such an integral part of the birth of this story. I have since lost touch with Tate, but I felt it appropriate to keep my promise to him in this regard. 

Unfortunately, all but five pages of my original manuscript and the excerpts between Tate and I had been lost through the years- computers crash, documents don't get backed up or moved properly, account information forgotten. So, I started all over in 2020, this time vowing not to let it stagnate another 9 years. With political turmoil boiling and the pandemic raging with no end in sight for quarantine, I decided that now was the time to finally pull this story out of me. 

So, why release it chapter by chapter? There were four major factors that went into this decision.

Firstly, in all honesty, it's taken me a little longer than anticipated to get started and get a good rhythm going. I basically had to restructure the timeline, as my friend and I had started around the middle of the plot in our collaboration, and finding my way back to the true beginning of the story proved a little more time consuming than I had initially predicted! 

Secondly - this quarantine has been long, and the end doesn't seem to be in sight. I figured it might be fun for some readers to have something to look forward to. Between chapters, I would love to be able to hear people's thoughts and reactions to the story as it unfolds. I aim to make this story an experience for those who read it, and I would love to know how I can improve that experience. That's why I set up this blog! Many authors publish full books or write in online forums with a comment feature to hear feedback, which is what inspired this idea. However, as I go through this process of reworking and fine-tuning, overcoming writer's block, navigating obstacles in my personal life, I had a thought: How many books are never written, only because the writer doesn't think they can do it? How many writers have been discouraged by setbacks, and convinced they just aren't good enough to continue? This blog isn't at all a tutorial or 'how-to' guide to writing, though. This blog is to share with those writers that even if it's hard, even if it takes a really long time, even if you can't seem to get it quite right, that you can do it and you should do it. Take it easy, but take it!

Third, publishing books one chapter at a time isn't all that uncommon (particularly in the early 19th century, think Charles Dickens) nor is it too different from some magazines (think Reader's Digest and similar) or comic books or television series or even online forums today. It allows the audience to take in bite sized pieces, finish a piece of something without feeling daunted by what they haven't yet gotten to. More and more, as the chaos and impossibly demanding nature of our society consumes us, I hear of many formerly avid readers (including myself!) gravitating toward smaller, shorter, "more manageable" choices in reading material. I get it. Starting a five hundred page novel feels like a time commitment I just can't make, and I'm discouraged before I've even opened the book. I hope that by publishing this novel in those manageable pieces, and manageable prices, more people will be able to, well - I hope a serial format is more manageable and accessible. If I can reach and entertain at least one person, then I'll consider my experience a success. 

Lastly, and most importantly, I want to spark discussion in our community. I want to hear your thoughts on the themes, on similar (or opposing!) experiences and opinions. I want to share my experience with you, yes, but I want to hear what you have to say. I don't know how many times I've wished I could voice my frustration or my dreams or my revelations to an author or a talk-show or interview. Well, for people like me, here you go! But don't just talk to me-talk to each other! I genuinely want to hear anything you have to say, and will do my best to read every comment. 

I do ask that you read the rules page ("Table Manners") for notes on conversation decorum and all that stuff that comes with creating a safe and constructive community space. 

To close out, I want to thank you for taking the time to read not only Sunlight at Midnight, but this blog as well. I appreciate your support (or criticism) and wish you happiness and success in your endeavors. 

-Syrah