Post-Arc Author’s Note | Reader Engagement

Two-Week Hiatus Announcement

Dear readers,

Thank you so much for following along with the webnovel and for your support thus far. With the recent conclusion of the Revolution Arc, and it's been an incredible journey writing this story and sharing it with you all.

However, I’m thinking of dropping the story, and I apologize for any disappointment or frustration this may cause. I also want to take a moment to explain why.

To begin, I’m only writing this author's note because of you guys, who read the story up until now. So, I think you guys at least deserve some explanation and why I think it deserves a standalone thread (as a chapter, if you know what I mean) of its own.

This is my first novel, and while I have ideas (exciting, I think) for the future, I believe I did really mess up on how I executed the novel so far. Here are the following problems I encountered and how I tried to solve them.

The Plot

First is the plot. 20+ chapters later, the protagonist is still an infant. Why? Because of the plot. Vincent was thrown in the middle of it when he was just born as Cassius.

At first, I thought I should focus on power progression and Cassius growing up. But that wouldn’t be realistic. His life was under constant threat because of a power struggle. It wouldn’t be realistic for him to grow peacefully with everything happening.

So my solution to this was basically to resolve this problem. That way, he could finally start growing up.

Then I got obsessed with trying to make sense of the behind-it-alls of the plot. So, 20+ chapters later, we’re still here. It's also why I agree with some readers; judging by a previous poll I made, that the plot is moving a bit too slow

The Protagonist

One of the reasons this happened is a way to motivate Vincent as a protagonist. After all, no one loves a passive MC.

Normally, a baby wouldn’t have active awareness or understanding of what’s happening. But the problem is that he is.

He is aware of what’s happening, and while he’s a reluctant reincarnator (this is actually a really good description, I think I’ll change the synopsis), he was forced to take action when his and his mother’s life was at risk.

I used the Ring of Transformation as a plot device so he could do that. But, I admit his involvement with the plot was a bit too forced.

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The Resolution

Finally, the plot has been resolved. The Order of Kalis has been defeated. The colony goes back to normal. For now, at least.

But what about our protagonist Vincent/Cassius?

The New Plot (and introduction of a new threat)

The new plot I'm thinking of (not sure yet) is to find the last royal bloodline of the last Alardice monarchy (prior to its colonization) and that there are those who want to protect them and those who want to see them die. If I continue writing the story, then I will write of how it came to this point.

BUT anyway, those who want to see the bloodline prosper want to bring back monarchy to Alardice. To use her as a symbol of independence.

Again, what about Cassius? Let’s say he starts growing up. What happens during? The world will still continue to flow. The story of other people will still continue to flow.

The Problem

I could time skip 5 years, 10 years, or 15 years even into the future.

But the problem is the new plot. People wouldn’t just do nothing while the last bloodline of the Alardice monarchy grows up happily, no?

Realistically, the antagonists would do their best to kill the last bloodline. So, if I ignore it, that wouldn’t make sense.

Protagonist Motivation

Also, when I started reading this novel, I got too excited at first. But after re-reading the story so how many times now. It dawned on me. What is the story trying to convey? What’s the story? Why should people read the story?

I didn’t answer these questions at first. Which I only realized when I’d already written around 50K+ words.

Overall, I do really feel trapped by the plot. It also makes it hard for me to continue writing consistently for reasons stated above. I just don't know what to write. Not until I resolve my dilemma. I'm spending more time trying to come up with ways of pushing the story forward rather than actually writing.

Dilemma

So, how do I time-skip and develop Cassius as a character without being held back by the plot? What motivation should I give him? At this point, I’m thinking of going cliche and killing off his parents so that he will go down the revenge plot. But Hiram's already kind of doing that.

Speaking of Hiram. At the very beginning, I had great ideas for him, but then again, due to the reasons stated above, I'm having a hard time trying to fit him into the story.

Anyway, back to Cassius, I could also have someone learn he has a peak-rate soul core and a Sovereign-candidate, who will try to extract his soul core from him. Maybe a bad wizard. But, if I do that now, I’ll be trapped by another plot I would need to resolve before he can grow up. I think it’s a good idea when he’s already grown up.

But then we go back to the dilemma. How do I time-skip and develop Cassius as a character without being held back by the plot?

If I manage to solve this dilemma, then I can continue writing. If not, I’ll drop the story. Not because I hate it, but it’s because I feel too trapped in the own plot I’ve created that I can’t find a lull for character development.

So, should I scrap the novel and write a new one? Or try to see how to make this work?

That’s where I’m at for the time being. I’ll be going into a two-week hiatus (if that’s okay with you guys) and take a step back and see how I’ll go.

But I’ll definitely still be here to engage in any discussion this thread may lead to.

Please let me know what you think in the comments or the poll!