Embracing the Dark Academia: My Journey in Thailand
Table of Contents
- Introduction: My Writing Journey in Thailand
- Finding Time to Write in Thailand
- The Book I'm Working On: Project Mods
- The Writing Process for Project Mods
- Revisions and Developmental Edits
- The Goal: Finishing the Final Draft of Mods
- My Query Package and Submissions
- Polishing Short Stories and Submitting to Magazines
- Exploring Spicy Scenes and Romantic Elements in Mods
- Introducing the Antagonist, Victor
- Wrapping up Act Two and Moving into Act Three
- Writing Act Three and the Fun and Games
- Thoughts on Visibility as a Writer and Content Creator
🖋️ Introduction: My Writing Journey in Thailand
Hi, I'm Lindy Jung, a speculative fiction writer, and in this article, I want to share with you my writing journey in Thailand. Moving to Thailand to teach English has given me the opportunity to dedicate a significant amount of time to writing, which has been a dream come true. Over the last couple of months, I've made significant progress on my current project, Project Mods, and I'm excited to document the journey of bringing it to completion. It's been a long and arduous process, but I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. In this article, I'll discuss the challenges I've faced, the revisions I've made, and my plans for the final draft. So let's dive in and explore my writing journey in Thailand!
🌴 Finding Time to Write in Thailand
One of the perks of being in Thailand to teach English is the amount of free time I have between classes. With several hours of prep periods each day, I find myself with ample time to focus on my writing. This has been a welcome change compared to the hectic schedule I had back home. The peaceful and serene environment of Thailand has allowed me to fully immerse myself in the writing process. Although making writing vlogs has been draining for me, I'm more than willing to share my progress with you all. However, I've realized that vlogging every day is not sustainable for me, so I'll be focusing on regular writing vlogs from now on. With this newfound time and focus, I'm confident that I'll soon finish my book.
📚 The Book I'm Working On: Project Mods
The project that has consumed my time and energy is Project Mods, a dark academia adult fantasy set in an alternate version of modern-day Paris. The story revolves around a group of alchemists at Alchemy grad school, and the main character, Lark, finds herself embroiled in a web of intrigue after their immortal headmistress is murdered under mysterious circumstances. From cults to unusual magic, history, and a complex magic system, Project Mods is a unique and captivating project that has been years in the making. After numerous re-outlines and reworkings, I now see the end in sight. This book holds a special place in my heart, and I'm excited to share the journey of its completion with you.
✍️ The Writing Process for Project Mods
The writing process for Project Mods has been a rollercoaster ride of creativity and revision. As with any project, ideas need time to marinate and fully develop before they can be transformed into a well-conceptualized plot. I've spent countless hours outlining and reworking the story to ensure it meets my high standards. The first draft of Project Mods is nearing completion, and I'm proud of how it has shaped up. With a well-defined plot, engaging characters, and a unique magic system, I'm confident that this book will be a compelling read. The next step is to finish the final draft and embark on the revision process.
✍️ Revisions and Developmental Edits
While many writers dread the revision process, I've come to realize that my extensive reworking and re-outlining have already served as a form of developmental editing. By rewriting and refining the story multiple times, I've already addressed many of the developmental issues that typically arise during the editing phase. This means that my first revision will be more focused on polishing and refining the existing draft rather than making major structural changes. Of course, I understand the importance of objective feedback and will seek assistance from beta readers and editors to ensure the final version of Project Mods is as flawless as possible.
📝 The Goal: Finishing the Final Draft of Mods
My ultimate goal in the coming weeks is to finish the final draft of Project Mods. With the progress I've made so far and the dedicated writing time in Thailand, I'm confident that I can achieve this goal. The thought of completing this book, which has been years in the making, fills me with excitement and relief. It has been a painful but rewarding journey, and knowing that the end is within reach motivates me to push forward. Once the final draft is complete, I can shift my focus to the revision process and prepare my query package for submission.
💌 My Query Package and Submissions
Surprisingly, my query package is already complete. I've spent time crafting the perfect query letter and polishing my synopsis. While these elements may require some final touches, I'm confident that they are strong enough to grab the attention of agents and publishers. I understand the importance of a well-crafted query package in garnering interest for my book. Once I feel that everything is in place, I will begin submitting to literary agents and publishers. This process can be daunting, but I'm determined to find the perfect home for Project Mods.
✉️ Polishing Short Stories and Submitting to Magazines
In addition to working on Project Mods, I've also been dedicating time to polishing and submitting my shorter works. I recently completed a short story that I'm excited about, and I'm in the process of refining a speculative fiction piece that I plan to submit to magazines. The world of short fiction allows me to explore different genres and experiment with diverse writing styles. It's a refreshing change of pace from my novel writing and provides an opportunity to reach new audiences. I'm excited to see how these submissions fare and continue to refine my short fiction skills.
🔥 Exploring Spicy Scenes and Romantic Elements in Mods
As I progress through the writing process of Project Mods, I've found myself delving into more spicy scenes and exploring the romantic elements of the story. While initially hesitant to include such scenes, I've come to realize their importance in adding depth and complexity to the characters' relationships. Writing these scenes has been a new and thrilling experience for me, especially considering that my previous works were mainly young adult and lacked such explicit content. Balancing the level of spice and romance in these scenes has been a challenge, but I strive to find a balance that engages readers without overshadowing the main plot. I welcome any tips or insights on writing spicy scenes, as I navigate this exciting territory.
💀 Introducing the Antagonist, Victor
One of the key developments in Project Mods is the introduction of the antagonist, Victor. As an alchemist and significant figure in the story, Victor brings an element of darkness and manipulation to the narrative. He is charming yet dangerous, and his arrival shakes up the lives of the main characters. Crafting Victor's appearance has been a challenge. I want to strike a balance between conventional attractiveness and the need to reflect his manipulative personality. The goal is to create a character that evokes both magnetism and discomfort. The dynamics between Victor and the main character, Lark, are complex and will drive the story forward. Despite his unsavory qualities, Victor adds depth and intrigue to the plot.
🏃 Wrapping up Act Two and Moving into Act Three
With Act Two coming to a close, I'm filled with a sense of accomplishment. Act Two has been the most challenging part of the book, as it required setting the stage for the pivotal events of the story. Lark's self-isolation and lack of significant relationships in the earlier chapters created a sense of introversion that was necessary for character development. However, with the arrival of the antagonist, Victor, and the growing bond between Lark and VN, Act Three promises to be more action-packed and engaging. I'm excited to enter this phase of the story, as the stakes are raised, and the characters face new challenges and conflicts that will shape their journeys.
🎭 Writing Act Three and the Fun and Games
As I delve into Act Three, the narrative takes on a more straightforward structure. The characters are now actively engaging in their investigations and uncovering new clues, leading to a gripping midpoint twist. Lark and VN's relationship deepens, and their banter adds a touch of humor and camaraderie amidst the chaos. Meanwhile, Victor continues to stir up trouble, adding tension and suspense to the story. This section of Project Mods focuses on the fun and games aspect, where the consequences of earlier actions start to manifest, and the characters must face the repercussions of their choices. The momentum of the story intensifies, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
🔍 Thoughts on Visibility as a Writer and Content Creator
Being a writer and a content creator has brought its own set of challenges and doubts. There's often a hesitance to identify as a content creator before a writer, but I've come to accept that both roles can coexist. While writing remains my primary focus, sharing my writing journey and creating writing-related content has its own merit. Balancing visibility as a writer with the need for tangible progress can be frustrating at times. However, I'm committed to sharing my experiences and insights with my audience. The support and encouragement I've received from viewers and readers have been invaluable, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to connect with fellow writers and aspiring authors. Moving forward, I plan to continue documenting my writing journey, sharing tips, and providing resources for writers in an authentic and informative manner.
🌟 Highlights
- Lindy Jung's writing journey in Thailand, finding time to write amidst teaching English.
- The book in progress: Project Mods, a dark academia adult fantasy set in modern-day Paris.
- The writing process for Project Mods: outlining, reworking, and shaping the story.
- Preparation for the final draft and the revision process.
- Crafting a compelling query package for literary agents and publishers.
- Polishing short stories and submitting to magazines.
- Exploring spicy scenes and romantic elements in Project Mods.
- Introducing the antagonist, Victor, and his complex dynamics with the protagonist.
- Wrapping up Act Two and diving into Act Three's exciting plot developments.
- Thoughts on visibility as a writer and content creator, balancing both roles.
❓ FAQ
Q: How long has Lindy been working on Project Mods?
A: Lindy has been developing Project Mods for several years, with the idea conceived in 2020 or earlier.
Q: What is the setting of Project Mods?
A: Project Mods is set in an alternate version of modern-day Paris, where alchemists attend an alchemy grad school.
Q: Does Lindy outline her stories?
A: Yes, Lindy spends a significant amount of time outlining and reworking her stories to ensure a well-conceptualized plot.
Q: How does Lindy approach writing spicy scenes in her book?
A: Lindy balances the level of spice and romance in her scenes, aiming for a satisfying balance that engages readers without overshadowing the main plot.
Q: Who is the antagonist in Project Mods?
A: The antagonist is Victor, a manipulative alchemist who adds darkness and complexity to the story.
Q: What can readers expect in Act Three of Project Mods?
A: Act Three focuses on the fun and games aspects of the story, with the characters actively investigating, facing new challenges, and experiencing the consequences of their choices.
