Hi guys!
So, I don’t know if you guys know that I’m not… entirely happy with the state of the first generation of Monte Vista stories. I mean, I may have said a negative thing here and there… had a few… criticisms…
Just a few…
I’ve also been blabbering a bit about doing an edit, but since gen 2 has been taking up all my time for a while, I haven’t had time to do anything serious about it. Well, guess what? Since I have a lot more time with the changed schedule for gen 2 – I’m doing it. Not just ‘I’m going to start doing it’ – no, I am doing the rewrite right now. (Or, I mean – at this very instance I’m writing a blog post but… eh, you know what I mean). I’ve been taking pictures for it and writing all day and I have two whole chapters written. It’s crazy how awesome it is to finally get it done! I genuinely love the good bits of the first gen and going back to let them really shine is like a dream come true. Now, a few bits of information about the new version:
You may wonder how much of the old will be in the new version and honestly? Not much. I dislike a vast majority of the first gen apart from a few scattered quotes and the last chapter (except for the tilt abuse I did to the camera – ack!), so it’ll probably be pretty different. The story will, however, largely remain the same. The things I want to do are:
- Clean up the structure of the story, so it feels more like it has a beginning, middle, and an end. Right now it has more like… a beginning, a lot of meandering in the middle and then BOOM, it ends very suddenly. Let’s not even mention the four year time skip. That has got to go.
- Develop the characters that need more development (poor, neglected Camillo, for example) and make other characters more consistent (Vittoria and Lucia just… they just need a lot of work, m’kay?). I’m also adding a few characters that have either never appeared before or who haven’t been mentioned much.
- Flesh it out. The original version pretty much just focuses on Carlo and Vittoria and the gang stuff – I want to flesh it out and have more storylines. In tone, it’ll be more like generation 2 – and hopefully, quality-wise, it’ll be like gen 2 as well.
Now, as for the posting, there won’t be any schedule. I don’t think it’s feasible for me to have two scheduled stories at a time. With this rewrite, I may put out two chapters in one week, or I may put out none, there could be a whole month with nothing… you get my drift! The schedule for gen 2 (and gen 3, when the time comes) remains the same. It excites me in a way, because it allows me to work on this whenever I please, which I think is pretty great.
Finally, I just want to say that I seriously don’t expect you guys to read it. I know you’ve already read it once and may just want to move on. It’s cool – I know you guys can’t all love the story as much as I do. Of course, I’m going to try my very best to convince you guys to give it a shot. I’ve made a chapter list for it and now I’m going to post a few previews of the first few chapters, in the hopes that my evil, writer-y ways will manage to get you guys just a little excited…
Now then, if you made it this far, I thank you for reading. I hope you guys will consider giving the rewrite a shot. There’s some good stuff in there, even though it’s the same story. If nothing else, it makes me happy to change it, and that’s probably the most important. The first chapter of my rewrite will be out once I’ve run it past boyfriend – I don’t know when yet, but if I have my way, it won’t be long. Thanks so much for having a look, and I’ll see you on Saturday for a chapter of gen 2!
Cheers!
(And I’m sorry – I know this is a super strange time to post, but I’m just SO EXCITED).
18 Comments
Jowita · November 5, 2018 at 9:24 pm
Aww, you seem very happy! And that’s what counts. I say: if it makes you happy, then, by all means, go for it! Actually, your post made me have withdrawals of my 1st generation, I can’t even… :’) If yours is bad, then mine’s what? Like, tragic? I don’t even really want to look back, because I know I’ll cringe… And people read it! And some even stay for more. Not sure how that works.
But um, yeah, I remember being fascinated by your writing when I finally decided to give your story a shot and I really, really loved it. You know that I’m not a very attentive reader, though, and therefore I don’t see the plot holes that you see best as the writer of this story. But if it makes you happy and satisfied redoing it and filling out the gaps, do it. I think I actually need a refreshment, so I’ll be more than happy to read it, too! 🙂
NotJustaBook · November 5, 2018 at 9:38 pm
He, he, I admit it – I’m very happy! 🙂 It’s so much fun to be writing about these two again, and I feel like I truly know what I’m doing this time around, which feels great.
You’re too hard on yourself, Jowita <3 Your first gen isn't as bad as you think. And yeah - we definitely stuck around after reading, because your stuff is just lovely 🙂
I'm pretty sure that besides a few readers who binged the whole thing in one go, nobody noticed the plotholes as much as I do 😛 They're so obvious to me, but of course I've read every chapter dozens of times - I just see it all so clearly, lol :') I'd be honoured if you'll read the edit. I can definitely promise it won't *just* be a rehash - there's lots of new stuff 🙂 Thanks for checking this out, friend <3
greencatssims · November 6, 2018 at 2:19 pm
It sounds like you’ve figured out what you want to do to feel happier with Gen 1. So pleased for you 🙂 I jumped into your wonderful Monte Vista story with Gen 2. I fell in love with it right away, but hadn’t yet got round to catching up with Gen 1. I’m really looking forward to experiencing this generation for the first time with your rewrite. All the best 🙂
NotJustaBook · November 6, 2018 at 4:07 pm
I’m super happy to finally being doing this rewrite, and I’m so glad that some will get the chance to experience a better version for the first time! 🙂 I get a little anxious whenever someone begins with gen 1, because it’s so uneven 😀 Can’t wait to start posting! Thank you so much <3
lazysunjade · November 6, 2018 at 2:56 pm
Well *I* for one am thrilled!!!! I’m sitting pretty in your gen 1 anyways, so I absolutely will appreciate this effort! I am very excited to see these posts! From the previews they look gorgeous! And you seem really happy to be finally doing this. And you know, I can totally understand that. From a creative perspective, sometimes we just need a little writer’s peace of mind, and this should definitely do it for you!
NotJustaBook · November 6, 2018 at 4:10 pm
Yay 😀 I’m super chuffed to do this, especially considering just how much I’ve had writing it so far. It’s a blast! 🙂 I much prefer new readers go for this new version :’) It feels great to be turning it into something that I can be more proud of – I cringe a bit when someone starts gen 1 because it’s not at all representative of my work anymore. I can’t wait to post – thanks for having a look-see, Jade! 🙂
Lila Remonn · November 7, 2018 at 1:08 am
Oh my goshhhh that first part had me cracking up 😂 Partly because I’m susceptible to complaining myself haha.
I’m impressed that you’ve actually begun rewriting, and I’m definitely going to read the new versions! I usually have a hard time reading (and writing, because I get bored very quickly) rewrites, but it looks like you’re changing and improving things quite a bit so I’m excited 😀 Your obvious happiness about this is infectious as well 😉
And I loveeee the new pictures! So vibrant and lovely 😍
NotJustaBook · November 7, 2018 at 5:58 am
I kind of chuckled to myself going through my old author’s notes to find all my complaints XD It makes it seem so silly!
Ah, I’d love for you to read it. Basically, I’ve written two chapters and used none of the old text, so I think it’s safe to say it’ll be very different 😛 I do feel you on having a hard time reading rewrites now and again – especially if not much changes.
Thanks so much, Lila 😀 I’m so excited about this story again and I can’t wait to share <3
freja64 · November 7, 2018 at 11:27 pm
Welcome to the world of fanatic perfectionnists! :joy: You’re in for much pleasure re-writing, but you’ll also find that the more you dive into your old story, the more you have to add about the characters to flesh them out! I did exactly the same thing, and have been rummaging around in the first part of my story for almost a year now… And it seems it will take a lot of time before I’m done… What scares me most is that I’m afraid I won’t be satisfied even then! :#
NotJustaBook · November 8, 2018 at 5:53 am
He, he, I’m definitely in good company 😀 I love all the work you do! And it’s so clear that your pictures have done a massive jump in quality. I only hope I can do the same for my story! There are so many things I want to do with it 🙂
I feel you, though, even though I do this rewrite, I fear I’ll never be 100 % happy with it 😛
freja64 · November 8, 2018 at 3:20 pm
It must be frustrating being a real writer – you can’t ever go back and change things you weren’t happy with…
Kymber · November 8, 2018 at 5:44 pm
I’ve wanted to do this for so long, but I’m afraid I won’t move forward with the current generation if I do that. LOL I’m so pleased you are doing this because it is something that I think will make you happy. <3
NotJustaBook · November 8, 2018 at 6:52 pm
He, he, I was actually considering taking a break from moving forward to rewrite. Like, instead of doing gen 3, I’d do 1 over. But because of the once a fortnight schedule, I have time for this – especially when it’s not on a schedule 🙂
I think it’ll be pretty great! <3
Kymber · November 8, 2018 at 6:53 pm
Me, too! 😀 <3
sempreviva · November 21, 2018 at 10:37 am
Here I am again! 😀 I am so sorry for my delay, work had been crazy these past few weeks I had zero energy to keep up… but I’m finally back and slowly starting to catch up! 😉
I love your idea, and I really admire what you’re so determined to do this – like others said, you seem super happy and that’s what really matters 🙂 Storytelling is our hobby after all, you should be happy doing what you like! 😀 (I, unfortunately scrapped my Gen.1 redux because in the end I decided that the characters seemed too different in my head – and I didn’t wanna touch Jared’s personality too much lol! But because of that, I decide to move some of the plot to Gen3, so no harm done! 😉 )
I will be thrilled to read your new chapters! It will be very interesting to see the story you have come up with now that you have a complete feel of your characters (don’t we all kinda discover them in the process of telling their stories?)! <3
NotJustaBook · November 21, 2018 at 6:40 pm
Hiii! 🙂 Good to see you back. Sorry to hear it’s been crazy for you (I know the feeling!) – hope it’s settling down so you can relax <3
I super love doing this 🙂 so far it's so much fun to turn the story into something I can feel proud of.
Sorry to hear you've scrapped your redux, but I can see what you mean. Lucky for me, Carlo and Vittoria weren't super clearly defined in the original version, and the second is pretty stand-alone, so it works out here 🙂 Excited about the stuff you're using for gen 3, though 😀
I hope you'll like it <3 It definitely feels like I have a better idea of what they're like, even though Vittoria is still difficult to me. The story is slowly clicking in my head, though :D
amyqueen · June 11, 2019 at 8:41 am
Well, I believe I saw you mention this elsewhere, but I’m here to see the official announcement for myself ☺️ I admire you taking the time to go back and perfect your story. A part of me wishes I could do the same, but considering the glacial pace I’ve been moving at already, ha! The collage of your comments at the beginning made me laugh. I loved Monte Vista – or should I say, Good Guys – I recall quite fondly binging several chapters per day (much like I’m doing now 😆) and loving every bit of it. I’m quite pleased to hear Camillo shall be having more time to shine, I was quite fond of him. Your photos look lovely! Like you said, your happiness is what should come first ❤️ I am quite curious to see what has changed, so if/when I have the time, I’ll give it a read!
NotJustaBook · June 11, 2019 at 8:11 pm
Well, the rewrite is moving at quite the glacial pace, so I don’t think it’ll be a problem for you to catch up. :’) It is a relief to finally be doing something good with it, I feel. 🙂 It’s very satisfying to be cleaning things up.