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Writer's Blog: The Last Public Chapter
🕑 Added 2021-04-17 01:11:49 +0000 UTCNext Patreon Chapter: Chapter 9 (coming 4/28)
Current Wordcount: 273k
Average Playthrough: 64k
As some of you may already have read on the Sanctum, Chapter 8 will mark the last update to the Public Demo. This was a decision I made recently, after realizing that Noh's scenes will require coding that will most likely give away their identity.
Chapter 9 will still be available for all Patrons as planned, but Chapter 10 will be exclusive to AMO Tiers and up. By limiting the second half of Mind Blind, I'm doing my best to staunch the inevitable leak of Noh's identity pre-publication.
Tiers with Sanctum Discord Access will have a space to discuss the future updates, and I'll be adding in a separate Sanctum channel for code divers that you'll be able to request an invite for. That way, those who really really REALLY need to try and identify Noh prematurely by digging through code (which I genuinely do not recommend for Chapter 10) will still be able to do so. But you won't accidentally stumble on the spoiler, unless people post about it on social media . . . which I earnestly plead that they don't.
I will never blame someone for wanting to know how a story ends. I'm a chronic back-page flipper myself. I understand the need to know. But Mind Blind is a mystery, which means that certain secrets won't make sense unless they're presented at the proper time. Even worse than not making sense, these reveals won't feel satisfying. Noh's identity is one such secret. If people confirm Noh's identity before Button does (100% confirm, not just suspect due to the clues left sprinkled throughout), it will ruin the story.
I'm serious: Prematurely learning Noh's identity will likely ruin your first playthrough experience.
Not wanting to ruin the experience is the only reason I've been able to keep my mouth shut about Noh's real name and motivations. I'm terrible at keeping secrets (as in, cringe-comedy bad at it), but Noh's identity, revealed improperly, would so spoil the enjoyment of a first playthrough that, if I had accidentally announced it early-on and it became public knowledge, I would've changed the entire plot. But at a quarter-million words, it's too late to rewrite the main mystery. So all I can do is beg, if you have access to the demo going forth, that you not leak it outside the Sanctum and risk ruining the discovery for others.
I can't even fully explain why it's so important that Noh's identity be kept secret. Doing so would reveal their identity in retrospect; since there aren't all that many characters left to be formally introduced, the pool of suspects isn't vast.
Since the amount of demo readers is about to get significantly smaller, the input you provide on the upcoming chapters will be even more important. I'll be opening up slots for editors and test readers, but they won't be able to present the variety of opinions that come from having a public demo. Your feedback will matter more than ever, because starting Chapter 10 . . . Button's life is about to get a lot more complicated.
To Clarify: AMOs, MIVs, UCRT Members, and Hero Zeros will have access to Mind Blind in its entirety, from Chapter 10 to "and they lived happily ever after." I'll rely on your feedback and responses to tell if things are working or not. Having the public demo has been IMMENSELY helpful in shaping Mind Blind, and if the story weren't a mystery, I'd probably keep the entire thing as a public demo.
Comments
Mich
Oh noh, does that mean Button actually nohs Noh?! I assumed it was someone who's like... unknown to Button but nohs Button's parents 🤭
‘From chapter 10 until “they lived happily ever after”’ they BETTER live happily ever after oh my goodness, my heart can’t take the stress 😅
Steph 'Jeneara' Mason
Super excited about what you've already created and the journey you are on! Will keep an eye out for the proofreader/beta tester applications to open :)
That VILLAIN. And to think I gave him my brother pancakes. Then he blew my brother up. 😔 Mondays am I right
Jo O'Connor
*gasp* you figured it out! Percy only MADE you believe he was a child through mind manipulation. He's actually 29.
BACK UP EVERYONE I’M ABOUT TO BLOW THIS CASE WIDE OPEN!! Jo mentioned once that everyone in Mind Blind plays a part, and that made me think. I know who Noh is. It’s someone we haven’t seen in awhile, someone with a direct connection to the broom graffiti and the noh mask. That’s right: Noh is Percy. The dastardly candy thief himself!! Wait.... this joke has already been ruined by me remembering Noh is a potential romance option and Percy is a child D: Back to the drawing board darn it.
Cas
Oh without a doubt!
Jo O'Connor
Same! But I've tried to alleviate the stress that usually comes from not knowing the ending by constantly reiterating that I'm a huge fan of happy endings :)
Jo O'Connor
Aw, thank you! I personally feel it's the terrible puns that really make the game ;)
Amni
ah im so glad i signed up with miv tier then! i wanna see how the story develops and im so invested in your story bc of the mystery!!! and nick, yeah dont forget abt nick! keep it up!
Chigusa Eyes
Good thing I never learned how to go through with the code diving. 👀 SALUTES! Aye aye, Captain~
Fish
Im one of those people who HAS to know how the mystery ends before i read something, but with MB ive never felt that way. Goes to show how absolutely amazing your writing is and how i feel invested! I look at all the details to figure it out myself if i can, and its something i never do with other media. Im excited to see where it goes, and i very very much hope noh's identity isnt spoiled for me.
Cas
*immediately checks my tier level!!!* because honestly I’m so hyped like, I am so so excited and invested in all these characters. Your writing is a perfect blend of story and exposition and character building. I have to drop everything to read the newest chapters and I’ve probably replayed the ones that are out now over a dozen times. It’s got drama, it’s got romance, its got mystery, it’s got terrible puns. Ugh anyway I just needed to gush!!!!
JessyXD123
I just want to say I’m excited. 😅
