So it's that time. The time where the author of a series you (hopefully) are enjoying comes to say that the juices just aren't flowing and something is not clicking and the progress of the story will be taking a bit of a break.

Yup that time.

I'm not happy about it, and I know you aren't either. Actually, I feel really bad because I love having all of you give me feedback and be excited about the direction of the story. But I can only give you a taste of what's been going on, and my thoughts going forward.

I have the broad strokes of this story filled out. The major events that will take place, the history of the World it happens in and how it relates to what we have already seen and will see, and Alan's journey and final role in this whole story. It's all there.

The finer touches I like to leave to my characters. I throw them into situations and let the events happen and see how they react, trying to let their personalities and goals drive them forward. Sometimes they surprise me, sometimes things go as planned.

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Lately, since we have introduced Alan back into civilization, those finer touches have not been clicking right with me. And they continue not to click. I've written chapter 23 about three (very) different ways at this point and not terribly happy with any version. I feel like the story is losing its tone.

And I could be very wrong here... it might just be all in my head, I mean we're still pretty early on all things considered, and this is all just a first draft, but I want to be happy with what I'm writing, and I want to keep this being a hobby that I enjoy.

All of this is to say, I can't say when chapter 23 will come out. I'm going to be making some changes to previous chapters, maybe adding some things and rewriting some things, because if I'm being honest, that's what is exciting me right now and what I'm looking forward to doing. I want to rethink the tone of things since he escaped the caves, maybe add an extra chapter of him living his life down there with the lizards, and in doing this regain the tone and excitement that seem to be slipping for me.

Thanks for reading! I'm sorry for delays and excited to keep telling the story, I appreciate everyone following!