*yawn* once again I’m writing into the middle of the night. Its a little after 4am, but the second draft is complete. I can’t believe it. This version is over four times as long as the first draft!

Its true, though. The first draft tried to accomplish too little. I realized that after I read it. I liked it, more or less, but it didn’t do enough. It tried too hard to support a mystery that wasn’t worth supporting as well. In the end I realized I didn’t want to hide this little secret. I wanted background. I wanted characters. I wanted more. Well you certainly got more. I’m anticipating that the third draft will not take very long. A fourth draft may not even be necessary. At this point I’m hoping that all I need is a little fine tuning and then my story will not be too horrible to share. I hope. Of course its 4am. It could be total trash. I guess I’ll know tomorrow when I look it over.

Next part contains big spoilers

I have asked for and received permission to use Alabob, Gunnie, Kashmyr, Cislabik, Ryxx, and Ronian in my story. I’ve also asked for permission from two other people, but I haven’t heard back from them yet. I’ve written the story so I’m a bit torn on how to proceed before I hear from them, but I’d like to think they’re going to give me their permission. Hrm..

I’ve also cameo’d 1 person and used another in a historical reference. I haven’t actually asked either of them for permission, but their use is so minor to the story I think I can get away with it. I don’t think either of them would mind. I’m not going to say who, though, because I want their brief mentions to be a pleasant surprise for those who remember them. Not knowing who they are shouldn’t detract from the story, though.

The story opens with Rizok and Kashmyr, then proceeds to the tracking down of all the involved characters. The story alternates initially back and forth mostly between Rizok’s and Kashmyr’s point of view. Later on I dabble with some other PoV’s, but Rizok’s is the majority of the story.

Tomorrow I’ll analyze the details, fill in the blanks, and trim the fat. Who knows. Maybe I will make the end of the year deadline I set for myself after all.