Van's PPF (continued)

Sometimes I wonder if my writing motivation is conceit. Perhaps. I mean, I did start the DS project because "hey I can do better than 90% of people on here" and "dude I'll show them how an Escaflowne fanfic can be written as real fiction". I don't know which is more disconcerting--the fact that DS is based on these egotistical thoughts or that I'm revealing it in this post. (My only comfort is my scarce but treasured blog readers, who will most definitely forgive me.)

Writing is an oxymoron that allows the writer to take an identity and also reveal himself. Perhaps there is no escape from my self.


Well, let's jump back before I wander off to the next philosophical discussion: Yesterday we were on the subject of "Van's PPF" (past present future), and I've also hastily put in my deadline for ch6, lest I escape again. (My other confession today? My last written work on DS was in April ; ;) With 3 weeks left and a whole ch ahead, let us rush headlong into it, then.

I had previously considered the possibility of cutting Van's dialogue with Basram's diplomat, on the pretense of sparing the readers the political boredom (and me a public hazing), but now I see it would be necessary to not only keep the section, but to excel at its execution.

Esca ff authors and readers alike assume that Hitomi's decision to stay is the keystone to an Esca continuation. But to me, Van is the main character in Escaflowne, and it is Van again who must be the essence of the story. We cannot jump from Van 10 years ago to Van's actions in the rest of DS, without first seeing how Van is a king in Fanelia.

We've already missed Van as king in ep2--after his coronation he is immediately downgraded into nothing more than a refugee with a royal title. All through the series we see little of Van the king. But it is precisely his lineage and rule that define who he is and what kind of person Hitomi must become in order to match Van.

The tricky thing is execution of the idea, of course. Will I have enough skill to portray Van as who he is now and what he will become?

At least, the goal for ch6 is clear. The best time to start is always tomorrow ;3a


I can't remember if I've posted this, so you get the pleasure of getting it again:


Edit: From my previous blog posts it looks like I've written in July, but both the DS working file and my backup are from April. WHERE IS MY FILE.

Van's PPF

In a previous post, I've mentioned I'd like to resolve the juxtaposition of Van's gravity and boyishness. But a deeper portrayal and my challenge in ch6 is Van's PPF--how he has changed these 10 years and how he will be at the end of DS. And I think in order to do this, V's meeting with Basram's diplomat will be a definite landmark.

...
There is supposed to be a meaning to this post. I apologize. It's late, and my brain is like mush and I must fall into bed. Will try again tomorrow.

Oh, before I duck out of this: I will publish ch6 before Christmas.

Back Again

The other day a ff email told me I got another reader on the story alert list. It made me happy--and a little guilty--I had no idea people are still reading Deeper than the Sky. (Curiously, ch5 has 40 more hits than ch4. Are the readers skipping ahead to the most recent ch, hoping for more closure, or do they reread ch5 again for Van?)

Perhaps there is no need to write an apology--only ch6 will compensate my year absence.

Hello again. m(_ _)m


Ch6 still remains elusive. My original plan was to have Van's meeting with Basram for its first half, and Van+Hitomi's meeting second. But I'm having such trouble with the political meeting, its dialogue and its innuendos, what Van should be as a ruler now and his maturity later, how much of Basram and its complications I should present. Would it be so bad to cut it out, and filter the meeting through Hitomi's experience? Or would this instead be even more confusing because it would be a second-hand of a second-hand?

Most likely, the only way to find out is to write it.


A drawing from a long time ago: