Osamaru Ta
patreon
Poll #2 - Schedule modification.
🕑 Added 2023-07-26 15:22:13 +0000 UTCWhile it might be a bit of a read, I ask that you read the entire post and carefully consider the options based on the information provided.
First off, I had a small emergency I had to (still am) deal with, so today's chapter will be slightly delayed. Not by much, hopefully, but I'll put that out there.
It seems every time I make some progress in building a backlog, something happens, hahahaha!
That being said, this brings us to the topic of today's poll.
I mentioned the issues I've had to a few other Authors and they recommended a solution.
Currently my Schedule looks something like this;
Monday: Post Chapter, spend 6-9 hours writing Wednesday's chapter.
Tuesday: Spend 3 hours editing Wednesday's chapter.
Wednesday: Post Chapter, spend 6-9 hours writing Friday's chapter.
Thursday: Spend 3 hours editing Friday's chapter.
Friday: Post Chapter, spend 6-9 hours writing Monday's chapter.
Sat/Sunday: Rest or Edit more, depending on what I got done.
Someone recommend that instead of trying to write reactively and trying to adapt the schedule to events, that I should instead write smaller chunks every day, and (at least at the highest patreon tier) release those daily.
Then combine those "chunks"/parts/whatever you want to call them, into proper chapters once they move to the Free sites like Royal road.
Their Rational being this would "force" me to set aside time every day to write, and not be overwhelmed by events. I.E. sitting down to write for 4-5 hours a day is a lot more manageable than trying to write for 12 hours every other day (my current), only to have something happen that throws me off.
That way, over time, I can more easily build up my backlog and better adapt to changing situations.
So instead, my Schedule would look something like this;
Monday: Post Full Monday Chapter. Write 3-4 hours, edit 2 hours.
Tuesday: Write 3-4 hours (Wens chap), edit 2 hours, post Half-Chapter.
Wednesday: Write 3-4 hours (Wens chap), edit 2 hours, post Second Half.
Thursday: Write 3-4 hours(Fri chap), edit 2 hours, post Half-Chapter.
Friday: Write 3-4 hours(Fri chap), edit 2 hours, post Second Half.
Saturday: Rest Day
Sunday: Rest Day. Write 3-4 hours (Mon chap), edit 2 hours, post Half-Chapter.
In THEORY this would net a Half-chapter surplus every week, while keeping my Schedule free enough to account for any kind of delay or mistakes.
That way, over time, I can more easily build up my backlog and better adapt to changing situations.
On paper, I get what they're saying, and I think its a good idea, but there are some downsides as well.
The biggest in regards to YOU as readers, is smaller chapters. Since I would be splitting chapters into 2 parts, each day would be roughly 1300-1500 word chapters.
THAT BEING SAID, since I'd be posting every day, instead of every OTHER day, you TOTAL word count would stay roughly the same. Maybe even a bit more.
BUT I also know that some people don't like that thing, and would prefer bigger chapters, even less frequently.
As a compromise to this, I could also post the "second half" on Mon/Wens/Fri as a full chapter, including the first half. Though I also know some people would find that frustrating, since the first half would just be a repeat of the day before.
So I'll leave the choice up to you all. Here are the options.
1). 6 "Parts" a week, 1300-1500 a week, with both parts posted individually every day. Parts would be combined into full "Chapters" when moved onto Free Sites like Royal Road, which would retain the "Mon/Thurs/Fri" Schedule.
2). The first half of each upcoming chapter would be posted on Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday, while the Full Chapter (both halves combined) would be posted on Mon/Thurs/Fri.
For example, the first half chapter will be posted on Tuesday, with the finished chapter on Wednesday.
3). Just keep the current schedule. While this is a possibility, and if it gets enough support, I'll do my best, I'll irritate I don't think the current schedule is best for the novel.
4). Something Else Entirely - Leave your suggestions in the comments!
Comments
M Clason
Seems good. IMO It's a wise idea to try to build up a stockpile, not really for patron, but to let you maintain release schedule even if something happens. Over time it also let's you take vacation. One you have enough of an emergency stockpile you can then add more patreon chaps.
Osamaru Ta
I've thought about doing that too, and its another option. Though personally I leaned more toward posting half chapters, as it would "Lock" me in and not leave any room to make excuses. That would help me Reinforce the habit and help with results. But that's just another way of looking at it, and either way I think I could make work.
Gethel
Do the modified schedule but don't post before you have a full chapter. Pacing your work more evenly makes it easier for you, and gives you an option day or 2 beforehand to announce possible delays. Add to that the delay before public releases and you should have good buffer.
