Rise of 7h3 J@1<4L

NOTE - Chapters 2 & 3 now available lower in the thread. The attachment here is for Chapter 1.

OVERVIEW - Here is a 13-page story in PDF format (by all means, add it to the library at your leisure). The following cautions apply:

** VIOLENCE : One act, non-graphic. Maybe some implied graphic-ness but that would be really stretching it.
** NUDITY : None. Some implied suggestiveness. She's a fit character...
** SEX : None.
** OBSCENITIES : None.
** ADULT THEMES : Yes. Without giving too much away, there is a definite political theme to this story. People who are inclined to certain political ideologies (*cough*conservatives*cough*) may want to not bother with this story (or the whole series, if it evolves into that) and read other materials.

Also, to any legal authorities out there (and, if so... How did you get here?), know that this is a work of FICTION and does not imply any real-world intent. Just want to make that point clear...This was originally going to be a much larger piece but I decided to break it into much smaller parts. If it continues onward, the action (and other categories listed above) are apt to not remain squeaky clean. But, in every story, you have to start somewhere, right? Enjoy.

There already is a Scarlet Scorpion out there.
Just sayin'

Markiehoe wrote:

There already is a Scarlet Scorpion out there.
Just sayin'
 

Oh, for Heaven's sake... knew I should have gone with my other choice, "The Puce Platypus."

However, as the old saying goes, "The more limitations there are, the more creativity there is." I've already thought of another name (which, TBH, is still highly derivative but far more in line with the character that will emerge and, after all, is it not true that we stand on the shoulders of giants?).

Thanks for the heads up & I'll make the alterations as soon as I can.

I updated the story to reflect the new title (I figured that I'd save "The Puce Platypus" for another character).

If you've already read the story (bless you...), all that has changed is that title itself and the main character's identity from "Veronica" to "Alexandria." There's a reason for that change that will reveal itself later on (should the series continue)...

OVERVIEW - Here is the next chapter (Chapter 2). It is 14 pages in PDF format (by all means, add it to the library at your leisure). The following cautions apply:

** VIOLENCE : One act, non-graphic.
** NUDITY : An incident or two of non-graphic toplessness.
** SEX : None.
** OBSCENITIES : Quite a few. People who are sensitive to racial slurs (and derogatory slurs in general) should be advised.
** ADULT THEMES : Yes. The whole series is political themed and it is on display here again.

Again, to any legal authorities out there (and, if so... Why are you still here?), know that this is a work of FICTION and does not imply any real-world intent. Just want to make that point clear... Enjoy.

PREVIOUS ON "Rise of 7h3 J@1<4L" - There have been two political assassinations by a mysterious woman named "Alexandria." For now, they are being viewed by the public as deaths by natural (if untimely) causes...

OVERVIEW - Here is the next chapter (Chapter 3). It is in PDF format (by all means, add it to the library at your leisure). The following cautions apply:

** VIOLENCE : None.
** NUDITY : Yes, mostly non-graphic but with enough detail so you don't have to use your entire imagination.
** SEX : None.
** OBSCENITIES : Not really.
** ADULT THEMES : Yes. Although this particular segment is lighter-than-normal on the politics, just regard the entire series as political.

Again, to any legal authorities out there (and, if so... Why are you still here?), know that this is a work of FICTION and does not imply any real-world intent. Just want to make that point clear... Enjoy.

I suspect a politically-based story isn't going to draw a lot of readers, based on previous reactions.  As the author describes: "People who are inclined to certain political ideologies (*cough*conservatives*cough*) may want to not bother with this story". 

One of the hallmarks of SWM is that we are pretty good at avoiding anything overtly political and polarizing given that too much of that in genre fantasy can spoil the show for everyone. What passes for reality is available everywhere. Genre fantasy is not and thus it remains precious.  

But I thank the author for making this very clear, right up front. 

Shadar

 

shadar wrote:

I suspect a politically-based story isn't going to draw a lot of readers, based on previous reactions.  As the author describes: "People who are inclined to certain political ideologies (*cough*conservatives*cough*) may want to not bother with this story". 

One of the hallmarks of SWM is that we are pretty good at avoiding anything overtly political and polarizing given that too much of that in genre fantasy can spoil the show for everyone. What passes for reality is available everywhere. Genre fantasy is not and thus it remains precious.  

But I thank the author for making this very clear, right up front. 

Shadar
 

I suppose that I should address the elephant (pun intended) in the room, so to speak.

The fact of the matter is that the story just wouldn't work any other way. Trust me; I've already tried. There's a 40+ page predecessor of this current version that I tried to make very apolitical and... It just stalled.

There's another predecessor of this story that I tried turning into a dark comedy. It also stalled.

Whenever a story stalls, you have to ask yourself "Why? Why am I not interested in writing this anymore?" Sometimes the reasons are mundane ("I'm more interested in wood carving again! Woohoo!") or real-world serious ("Paying bills on time or writing? Mowing the lawn before it becomes a hay field or writing?"). However, a lot of times it's because the story just isn't there. When the gulf between what you are writing and what you WANT to write becomes too great, the story stalls. And so I kept asking myself, "Why are these stories stalling? Why do I stop after a detailed outline or why do I stop after 15-20 pages?"

And the answer for these particular stalled efforts was, "Because there's no other way to tell the story but this way." The story only works driving in only one direction. It doesn't work as an apolitical story. It doesn't work as a progressive story. It doesn't work as a comedy or a pure science-fiction.

Here's some spoiler-ific info:





Again, thanks for the feedback.

Neither here nor there, but 7h3 J@1<4L looks like something that would come out of a password generator

I agree with what you say about a story stalling. Once there, it is hard to get out of the 'trap' after hitting a wall.
Also, I agree with the comment directly above. The title is a bit confusing and could be off-putting for potential readers on SWM as it doesn't seem to have the Wham!Bam! that attracts readers of the genre.
I do wish you good fortune in your endeavours though!
 
 

The title of the story deserves clarification as it has caused confusion.

The title is written in what is often referred to as "L33t-speak," or the art of substituting numbers & symbols for letters. This form of writing is often attributed to early computer programmers and enthusiasts as a way of differentiating themselves from other demographics. The translation of "7h3 J@1<4L" is "The Jackal" with the 'c' being absent for aesthetic reasons. Given that the main character is a technophile (cyberpunk?) of clearly advanced skill, the method for presenting the title is justifiable. With additional forethought, as she is 'becoming' the Jackal, perhaps the transformation of the title could have been more gradual but I figured that the L33t-speak was striking and would make people more curious about the story.