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Captain's Log: 12/01/2025
Been off from my duties as captain for the past four days; four days off I truly needed. In those four days it gave me enough time to reflect on the past 30 hectic days upon brainstorming my next log entry.
Concerning my writing:
Last week's few pages hit me like an out of control freight train. While I've recently taken up to doing more digital art than I have in the past few years, last week not only did I manage to make some time to continue on the next entry in The Last Pirate King, I managed a satisfying two and a half pages worth of writing; which is more than I've done in a while, since some days I can barely get even a page done. Nonetheless, I managed about a good two and a half pages and my goal of reaching page 100 before the end of the year is still very present--as I'm actively still trying to accomplish that goal. Even though I still have a really clear vision of how I want this next scene to go, I'm still having trouble with my dialogue and keeping everything that's spoken relevant to not only the scene but it's relevance to the plot in terms of helping with foreshadowing and establishing the contrast difference between these two certain characters. One being a new character I'm introducing, and another being Capt. Stone from the first book. In this scene, Capt. Stone is meeting with a newly appointed captain of a new class of destroyer being added into the US fleet, however this captain is VERY different than he is in terms of how one leads a crew. The setting is meant to be that of a looming darkness over the other character all while establishing another plot point for this new character and what their role is in the story as an antagonistic figure.
I've been listening to the opera theme from the soundtrack of Revenge of the Sith to help me envision the scene a little better. While there's no telling in the legend of Darth Plagueis the Wise being told in this scene, the setting is what is inspiring this moment in the story.
I'm still trying to get the dialogue right, but I shouldn't have to try so hard since it's just the first draft. As I sit I'm 10 pages left before finally hitting page 100. Onward I write!
Concerning my opinion on writing:
While I'm not one to trash over anybody's work, especially a successfully published author whom has easily invested several years into their craft. However one piece of writing that I've encountered in my reading journey has peeved me to a level of defiance into reading the second book; and that being in a sequel bait ending. While I will in no way name any names of works in this section, I'll strictly be stating my opinion on the method specifically and less the work.
Very few methods of writing will kill my attention faster than the first entry in a series not being a fully cut story with a beginning, a middle and then an ending. While one certain book I've read recently had the beginning and most certainly the middle, it lacked such a proper ending that it was made into a sequel bait ending which absolutely infuriated me. I'd be willing to argue that a cliffhanger ending is more than appropriate for a second book entry or even the third, but for the first I absolutely disagree with it being used for in any way. A debate can be made, I agree, however in the case of a first story entry I believe it to be most crucial to tell the story all the way through with a concluded ending that could easily make the first entry a standalone novel if readers chose to make it so. There are so many great examples of the first installment being a standalone compared to a cliffhanger ending being used for the second entry. Such as Pirates of the Caribbean, The Matrix, or Star Wars: A New Hope. Each are grand stories with first installments that could easily stand alone on their own as their own thing if they so chose. You could easily not watch any of the others and be completely satisfied with just the first story. However the endings of the sequels have brilliantly established cliffhangers that lead to a great story with greater stakes involved. Only then would I consider a "sequel bait" ending to be appropriate.
That is after all just my opinion. I'm not a professional writer by any means, I just know what I like when it comes to storytelling, and from trying to understand the art of writing from a more critical point of view. For most of you I'm easily being TOO critical, which I likely am; and I'm simply just rambling. To each their own, as I conclude my rambling on this section.
Concerning the Captain:
I've taken on far more than I could chew this month. I've started going back to the gym, I've taken on even more artwork to do and currently attempting have it be my weekend gig to make some extra money on the side. But in doing so this has taken up more of my time I've been wanting to spend with writing and has thus caused me to fall behind on my pace. I really need to find a way to properly plan out my creative routine in attempt to make the most of what I can do with my time before going in for work.
Work has become the biggest inconvenience for me when it comes to my creative process and it's been slowly driving me into various maddening fixations. While I agree that having a secure source of income is a necessary evil to ensure the bills are paid and food continues to fill my pantry and fridge, it's slowly eating at me though. Obviously I've had to suck it up and deal with it, nobody likes working. However as I sit at my molding machine daily, pushing a button every 45ish seconds with the clocking mockingly laughing at me with every snails pace of a minute; I'll constantly remind myself that I could be doing so much better if I were enabled that time with my creative endeavors. Unfortunately there's no security in neither publication nor in art commission that could replace the security in working a regular job. Some days are better than others, but the worst and most tormenting days are the ones when the Creative Monkey takes the helm and I'm stuck trying to hold onto the ideas I have until break time when I can write them all down. The amount of work I can get done if I didn't have to go into work would be incredible, and I envy any creative individual that doesn't have to rely on a regular job to maintain their living situation.
I shouldn't be so egotistical though, there are likely those out there that have it much worse than I do, so I should still be grateful for what I currently have at present. Reminding myself of that just now, so I shouldn't complain--I know better.
Concerning the Crew:
Morale is high due to the past few days of everyone being off for Thanksgiving. The food has been wonderful and their belly's are full. Everyone's looking forward to the December Holidays. So far all is well on deck.
Until we next make full sail,
Flynn Forecastle ⚓
