MASKS uncovered by Jane0904

JANE0904'S BLOG

Jane0904

MASKS uncovered
Saturday, May 8, 2010

MASKS. Over 102,000 words. Thirty-one chapters (and lots of one-offs/short stories in between). Nine months in the telling (and yes, it was like giving birth). And innumerable headaches wrestling with the plot.

When I first started writing this back in September 09, I didn’t realise there would be times when I didn’t think I was going to finish it, when I seriously considered writing a sort of précis for the remainder of the story, and leaving it at that. But I didn’t, and it’s finally done.

Now it is, honestly, I'm happy with it - as much as a writer ever can be!

I learned a lot from writing this, not least in trying to keep basically two different stories going at the same time, with complicated characters who had minds of their own.

But to the point of this blog, which is basically to give a little insight into why I wrote it.

A long time ago, before I ever started uploading fiction at all, I wrote the start of a Firefly story where Mal and the crew come across a ship that has been attacked by pirates, and he is asked to help. I won't go into much more detail than that, because I may still recycle some of the ideas (Alliance who aren’t, and kidnappers who might be something else), but suffice it to say there were elements that appeared here.

When I started I had pictures in my mind – returning to Ling Miao, for instance, and the twins going on a cruise – but the other story of Cherokee was a miraculous coincidence (besides, I thought it might make up for the fact that I – or rather Becca Morgan – blew up Road Runner).

I had, I admit, always intended to bring back the Laus, for when a villain intrigues, they’re worth a return visit. And I don’t doubt we will see them again: like a bad penny, they always turn up. Chester, however, was sacrificed so Flynn could redeem himself.

I do have to thank QMX and Geoffrey Mandel for their wonderful map of the ‘verse – this gave me the setting for the denouement of The Halo, but I took it a step further and made communication well nigh impossible inside it.

And me being me, I couldn’t leave all that wonderful fluff, the magic of Mal and Freya just walking together through Eavesdown, without adding just a taste of something yet to come. Not yet, because my muse is insisting on a vacation, and there are going to be one-shots and humour in between, but remember Adam Rostov – maybe not in the next multi-chapter, but he will be a major player in a big, dramatic story arc.

And for Katesfriend who asked if she missed the memo about him ... no. He’s a new OC, inspired by a comment a long time ago that the reviewer would like to see what would happen if Freya ever found out there were other academies still running, and what she’d do about the children in them. Wrath unleashed, perhaps ...

As for now, I want to thank those readers who have stuck with me, and those who have commented. I hope you enjoyed the story, and will continue to watch out for my tales. Until next time ... see you in the world!

Jane

COMMENTS

Monday, May 10, 2010 5:25 AM

NCBROWNCOAT

As Angellemarcs said, "keep you webs spinning" and I'll add, keep the cliffs high".

Monday, May 10, 2010 4:07 AM

SERENITYRIDDLE

I am so impressed with your writing and the way you are able to meld everything together... this always seems so real to me, like an episode playing in my head. I know that if you keep writing, I will keep reading. I have enjoyed this story immensely and I am looking forward to what will come up next!

Sunday, May 9, 2010 3:59 PM

BRIGLAD

I echo the others in saying... Wow.

Like you I have struggled with several story lines seemingly never being finished (Quest anyone?)But I am glad you have stuck with this one!

Bri

Sunday, May 9, 2010 3:21 PM

BYTEMITE

Neat to know how much work you put into it, it does show. Lots of twisty. My favourite was Flynn turning, then turning AGAIN.

Sunday, May 9, 2010 3:43 AM

ANGELLEMARCS

Woman, you keep your webs spinning and I promise I will keep reading!!

POST YOUR COMMENTS

You must log in to post comments.

YOUR OPTIONS

THIS MONTH'S ENTRIES

Mar

April 2024

May