Updates
Added 2019-05-15 01:09:32 +0000 UTCEverything has kind of come crashing down around my ears again. We are putting down our beloved horse on the 21st and moving in the first week of June, and I am desperately trying to get this book done in time.
Some earlier chapters must be reworked to make it more apparent that this isn't a harem novel. Because there is sexual tension of any kind between Hector and Karalti, this wasn't clear to some people - so I have to decide what to leave in and what to simplify.
I freely admit that cultural Madonna-Whore Complex of the West - and America specifically - is exceedingly frustrating to my polyamorous queer self. The MWC is a phenomenon where women must be completely sexual or completely chaste in their interactions with men, with no room for anything in between (because that's 'teasing'). 'Sluts' tend to be evil. 'Virgins' tend to be good. It makes me want to kick a narwhale into the sun.
The planned arc had Hector dealing with her hormonal puppy love for him which she grows out of by around the time she's Level 12 (around 23 human years). Instead of falling into a quasi-incestuous codependant shit-show of a relationship, they develop a powerful bond of passionate, but non-sexual love, with Hector focusing romantically/sexually on Suri. They all grow a great deal. Hector learns a bunch of interpersonal skills that later prove valuable in upcoming books.
This progression from sexualised crush to healthy non-sexual partnership has been lost on the majority of my beta readers, who assume that because they are going through these feelings and challenges, he is going to bang his dragon.
I admit I'm feeling discouraged. I'll post a chapter anyway after this post.
Comments
I just saw the updates to this post and like i said back when you asked for feedback. I told you then i hoped Karalti wasn't going to be a "I'm going to be with Hector just cause i can" character and the way you had her planned was perfect to prevent that. When i said on the chapter where she had gained her polymorph ability i knew that part of her was going to want to be with Hector, because she feels so very close to him. Wether he eventually returned those feelings down the road or not that would have been ok with me. So long as the relationship developed over time and developed naturally. I don't think you need to go back and change previous chapters or rework future chapters just to cater to some of your readers
Anira
2019-05-15 14:37:32 +0000 UTCI completely agree as well, this is your story and the readers already know that is an adult oriented book. Im not pushing for one or the other, just write it the way you seem fit.
Cole
2019-05-15 02:45:03 +0000 UTCI'm so sorry to hear about the horse, that's harsh news for anyone to anyone to swallow. To loose a companion especially one that can be as emotionally caring as a horse can be is a heavy blow. Add moving on top of that... it's definitely harah. My thoughts are with you as I'm sure the thoughts of others are as well. As for the novel, i say write it how you feel it should be written. Yes input from others CAN be helpful to the creative process, but ultimately it's YOUR story and that of YOUR characters to tell, not other peoples.
Anira
2019-05-15 01:17:59 +0000 UTC
