What are you doing RIGHT NOW?

[Rakuen Growlithe]

The forum spam protection was triggered shortly after the maximum user peak. It detected a known spam account from Russia. So probably just ordinary spam bots. I dunno why so many though.

[Contrast]

Still working on the 2nd draft of Ander. Found 17 pages today that I could fairly easily amputate without altering the storyline in any way, but there are some really nice bits in there that I really don't want to part with, but this damn manuscript is still so bloated and cutting 17 pages would do wonders for the pacing... Aaargh! >.<

*Reluctantly reaches for the bonesaw...* :C

[Adagio]

Do what LOTR did and release it as an "Extended edition" and charge extra for it?

Been listening to a little thing beep SOS in Morse Code all day cause I don't know how to make it shut the hell up.

I been taksed to do some code for the mine, and its the test unit I have to work with

[Leeward]

Is it as annoying as that old Nokia Morse code SMS tone?

[Adagio]

Is it as annoying as that old Nokia Morse code SMS tone?

If you got 100s of SMSs throughout the day, and added flashing red lights

[Contrast]

Do what LOTR did and release it as an "Extended edition" and charge extra for it?

Actually, I think you just convinced me to bite the bullet and just cut the damn thing off. LOTR is a great book, but damn, whoever was in charge of editing that behemoth was one lax motherfucker. They easily could have cut hundreds of pages without harming the story at all. I still can't figure out what the point of all the Tom Bombadil stuff was. :/

Yeah. Definitely better to just cut it. I mean, does Ander really need a 17 page flashback so close to the end? Nah. Even though I love some of the parts in there, it has to go.

It actually reminds me of something good ol' Stephen King once said. You can't keep something just because it's good. It's supposed to be good. The whole thing. That's why you have to murder your darlings. Even when they scream and cry, you have to murder your darlings...

*Picks up a bottle of Betadine and a rusty old woodsman's axe...*

[Leeward]

You can edit it out of the main work but still keep it elsewhere as a "DLC" for anybody who is interested though?

[Contrast]

You can edit it out of the main work but still keep it elsewhere as a "DLC" for anybody who is interested though?

Well, barring any unforeseen developments, the raw, unedited 1st draft will always be up on SoFurry and Deviant Art, so anyone who wants to read the whole thing can always go there.

Personally, though, I think that too much extra content that doesn't contribute a whole lot to the plot isn't a good thing. It's just bloat that can end up hurting the overall quality of a story.

Sure, a scene isn't always strictly necessary, but if it contributes something, a set-up for a later event, let's say, or a bit of character development, or even just some comic relief amidst all the action, then I'll usually keep it in. But if a scene contributes next to nothing, then, even if it's good, it's usually best to just cut it.

I always try to put myself in my readers' shoes when I'm working on a 2nd draft. I ask myself: Self, would people actually enjoy reading this dream sequence, or would they just skim over it to get back to reality? Would they go: "Ooh, what an intriguing bit of symbolism..." or would they say something more along the lines of...



If it's the latter, then it's gotta go.

*Reaches for jar of Vaseline and liposuction pump.*

[Rakuen Growlithe]

Another late night. I can't deny I'm having a lot of fun but organising and running an event with >10 international speakers and ~400 participants is a lot of effort.

[Galahad]

So, guess who just fell from the sky and landed back here.
Heaven didn't want me and the colour scheme of hell drives you insane after a while.

This is the part where you make like a bored audience and go "hiiiiii Galaahaaaaaad".

[Rakuen Growlithe]

All the audience is like

[Ivic_Wulfe]

Welcome back Galahad!

I'm currently working on a banner for this weekend's interview. Using a really neat programme called Canva

[TheOldWolf]

Spent the evening modding a game and carefully going through the mods to make sure there's no crashes, collisions and general problems, after hours of work. Eh, didn't play it. Spend it hanging out on Twitch watching a friend's stream instead. Time well spent.

And Hello Gally-chicken-raptor, good to see your scaled face again.

[Asbjorn-phoenix]

Not much, bears don't like heat, enough said.

[Galahad]

Welcome back Galahad!

I was promised a red carpet, Ivic. Dammit.

Haha, thanks. Nice to see everyone.

And Hello Gally-chicken-raptor, good to see your scaled face again.

Thanks, man. It's a scary place out there. I have to be something called a "productive member of civil society", but I can't find a WikiHow article on how to do so.

[Ivic_Wulfe]

Welcome back Galahad!

I was promised a red carpet, Ivic. Dammit.

Haha, thanks. Nice to see everyone.

...oooh...sorry about that...the red carpet got a bit scuffed recently...I'll be sure to order a new one asap.

On the note as to what I'm doing right now, when I go pick Badge up, we're going to get a few brewskis, start up our fire and just chill in the back garden for the evening. I've spent the past three (non-consec) days in a class overseeing exams for 7 hours each day, then as soon as I get home, either being in some form of meeting or fighting with a program for two hours to create something that most people just kinda scroll past. XD

[Leeward]

Fallout 76 ^^

[Ivic_Wulfe]

Finished my first week of invigilation, mentally preparing myself for next week when in the space of 3 days I will receive about 150ish scripts from 5 different subjects in total. I will somehow attempt to find a way to buy a box of white wine on Wednesday and curl up in a ball while I attempt to decipher a student's attempt to make sense of their semester's work. All this while still invigilating throughout the day every day until Wednesday.

[Rakuen Growlithe]

So much stuff is happening! O.O I was worried about booking leave to come home for Christmas because still got stuff to finish for work. Now I just got a call from friends who're getting married and invited me to the wedding in December. Yeah, short notice but that's not out of character for them and its not a big wedding. Then they saw one of their grandparents is no longer going on a cruise afterwards and maybe I can join for that. Which is all great but going to put the pressure on for really getting stuff done at work.

[Rakuen Growlithe]

Time to head to Vienna ComicCon I believe.

[Ivic_Wulfe]

Just finished playing the first chapter of Delta Rune...a whole plethora of feelings came rushing back <3

[Baz]

Passed my last CCNA exam on Friday. Had my 1st Wedding anniversary yesterday. A job interview this morning and baby is now 4 days over due.

Right now, just a well needed chill time

[Leeward]

I had a blast at D&D this weekend! We were bored while travelling so the warlock asked my bard to tell a story, which I was really happy to oblige because I had previously jotted down: "A long time ago, me and my brother Kyle here, we was hitchhikin' down a long and lonesome road..." but then once we reached our destination, I was put on the spot and had to perform for an entire town, so after rolling really well on my performance check I improvised and blurted out "Oh, there once was a hero named Ragnar the Red who came riding to Whiterun from ol' Rorikstead" and the whole table burst out laughing. I got an inspiration die after all that, really chuffed with myself. Man I love playing this guy.

[Galahad]

Just finished my last exam.

DOBBY IS A FREE RAPTOR

[Adagio]

Just finished my last exam.

DOBBY IS A FREE RAPTOR

Ditto!

Also... Was at the post office today. 8 Months after Rakuen sent me the parcel!
And Guess what!!

Spoiler

It's still not here.

[Rakuen Growlithe]

Also... Was at the post office today. 8 Months after Rakuen sent me the parcel!

While it has taken a long time, it hasn't been that long. My slip says I sent it at the end of May. It's been about 6 months. Not really much better...

[Adagio]

Also... Was at the post office today. 8 Months after Rakuen sent me the parcel!

While it has taken a long time, it hasn't been that long. My slip says I sent it at the end of May. It's been about 6 months. Not really much better...

Oh crap!
I had mixed up march and may....

[Galahad]

Just got back from a run. I haven't exercised or run properly in 6 weeks (exams, stress, other things), and my physical form has slipped so much. But I ran to get out some anger and frustration, and boy did it work - broke my record despite being unfit. Weird how emotion seems to overpower physical weakness.

[Galahad]

Busy packing for my flight to Cape Town tomorrow morning. Really excited! Going there to do vacation work for an aerospace firm and also stay and hang out with friends.

[Adagio]

On my way to Bethlehem. Apearently our church started thinger there. And of course, they need me to do audio and projection for the big event tonight...

Seriously don't want to go.