[ Replying to Reader Feedback ]

[ Plot Structure and 'Annoying' ]

I've been following the classic Exposition - Build Up - Climax - Falling Action - Resolution structure. You know, the thing taught in high school English. (Patted myself on the forehead when I relearned this. Wish I remembered this when I wrote my last story)

This structure will be applied on scene-scale, event-scale, and arc-scale.

Pros:

The story will be kept interesting. More intense. More suspense. Theoretically... Not Flat.

Cons:

Some readers will find the arc-scale build up, or even event-scale build up to be 'annoying.'

Well, I have no comeback to this =/

Convey 'annoying' during build up is normal.

For example, you know in K-drama right. There is a misunderstanding between MC girl and the dude. The bad antagonist girl steps in. Viewers would get 'annoyed' right?

'No! MC girl is the good girl. The antagonist girl is evil!'

Then MC girl meets the dude. But the misunderstanding deepens. Viewers would get more 'annoyed' right?

'Kono otoko wa fooking bakada! BAAAAKA!!'

You get the idea. And then convey 'hurray' during climax retaliation and 'yay' in resolution. Classic structure.

So maybe skim through the annoying parts and jump to the climax??

*Innocent pleading blinks*

--- Poop Tradition ---

[ Artisan Identity ]

Just a clarification about Jake's artisan identity thing...

1. Jake doesn't really care about the opinion of irrelevant people whom he will never see again. He's too lazy to explain himself to strangers. So yep, Jake couldn't care less about what these people think of him.

2. If it's potential customers / business partners, Jake would be very enthusiastic about demonstrating his capabilities. (ex. Nick Rogers, the guildmaster of the Iron Sparrow Guild). Jake is a down-to-earth dude. Takes tangible benefits to motivate the dude.

3. If it's people close to Jake, like Samantha, Jake would like to convince them of his new identity. So they won't worry about him. Being considerate and all.

But they'd have to believe him first.

After all, an average high school graduate suddenly awakening extraordinary talent? what are the odds?

4. A spoiler that's not really a spoiler: we all know that the reveal scene will happen. Before this arc ends too. After all this build up, I think I'm responsible to make that scene good. Won't leave you guys hanging. =)

Hope this clears things up!

Happy 2021! Peace!