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Chapter 9 out, what's next?
🕑 Added 2025-05-31 19:30:10 +0000 UTCWith the release of chapter 9 now squared away, it's time to quickly glance back, and then look forward.
Looking back.
Overall people seem quite happy with this shorter format and tighter focus, and that's good, because I'm quite happy with it too. It is a lot less hassle to create, because there fewer moving parts involved, both story wise and coding. The release itself went surprisingly smooth too, so much so that it left me with time to spare to do a wallpaper, which would be unheard of during one of the big chapter releases or yore. So overall, a good experience, although I think there's a few quibbles that could be raised. Let's do an informal post mortem real quick, without over-analyzing too much, before moving on.
A short chapter is very hit or miss. A big release has a bit of everything for everyone, but with a small release, if you don't like the one dish on the menu today (either because of the person or the activity involved) you're shucks out of luck, and I've had a few people tell me so. On the other hand, tomorrow comes by quick with short releases, so that's also quickly forgotten. I think this balances out in the end.
It was very light on actual story development, which I guess made it feel even shorter than the effort put in warrants. That is not to say padding it for the sake of padding is a good thing. In this particular case it made sense to stop there and not add a bit of unrelated storyline that would have it end on a strange note. Since that part will obviously be picked up in the next chapter, it should balance out too.
More of a general observation than something particular to chapter 9, but there is less room for subtle story development within a single chapter in this format. But while that could have been a valid argument earlier on in the development of Light of my Life, it's not at this stage of the story, which is mainly about eating the cake we're already having.
If you have other quibbles, I'd love to hear them in the comments, but for now, let's turn around and...
Look ahead.
I've been spending a bit of time the last couple of weeks to read through all the little story notes and random fragments of dialog and ideas I've jotted down over the years, putting together an outline for the events I still want to cover in Light of my Life, and figuring out what works, and what doesn't make the cut.
What it comes down to, is two more chapters and an epilogue. Each of those two chapters will be roughly comparable in effort to create to chapter 9, although featuring a little bit more story development. I'm not gonna spoil exactly what will be tackled in those last two chapters but I guess most of you will be able to take a stab.
Apart from the regular lewd scenes to come in those last two chapters (with build-up, foreplay, pay-off, and pillow talk), there will also be a epilogue that adds a few lewd moments (which are much shorter than a full lewd scene) for some of the things that didn't quite make the cut for a full scene treatment.
Okay. So chapter 10 when?
Not so fast. Before I start working on chapter 10, I first want to put together a little demo for The Next Thing (which is NOT what it will be named), that is planned to be half of the first chapter of it (although I have yet to decide if it'll be the first, last, or middle half of it).
I'll do some development blog posts about that as I'm working on it, outlining my plans and sharing art and previews.
When I'm done with that, my plan is to come back to Light of my life to complete chapter 10, then continue with The Next thing, completing chapter 1 and put that out there for all. After that I'll come back again to Light of my Life for chapter 11 and the epilogue and wrap that up properly, before continuing on to The Next Thing. Or the Backup Thing if everyone including me hates The Next Thing.
Dovetailing the production for the ending of Light of my Life and the beginning of The Next Thing makes for slightly longer timelines in releasing either, but it lets me keep the rhythm of production up throughout without falling into a black hole when Light of my Life is completed.
Coming up next.
So what can you expect next from me next? Well, for one, a new infographic with the planned production in the coming period, and some blog posts where I share some more information and concepts with all of you.
Comments
Naughty Road
Cheers, and thanks for that feedback. I'll keep it in mind. The dynamic that evolved between M+D and the MC is indeed that they tend to team up and run circles around him, and maybe he lets them get away with it more than he should.
Naughty Road
That's a good point. With Light of my Life, a lot of the deeper emotional aspects have been dealt with, so there is less of a need there for a long format that builds up subtlety. This format wouldn't have worked for the content of, say, chapters 5 through 7 for sure.
Naughty Road
Yes on both counts!
Jay?
I think you've found a great schedule that allows you to touch on various projects while polishing other ideas. This chapter was a quick play (compared to past releases) but there was no decline in quality so I'm fine with it. Plus, you have created a fun world with a range of characters that you could revisit LoML in various ways, even maybe giving side characters a one-shots. The only change would like in future projects is to possibly be able to have a more dominant presence since everyone treats out character, in LoML, as a bit of a pushover. I don't want to be rough and dominating but perhaps be able to have a bit more say in what we do in bed. Regardless, I trust your work and am here to support you in both this and any other projects you'd like to try.
Sin Art
It's true, I'm one of the few who doesn't like these shorter parts so much because there's less space in between, precisely because the characters are so deep and brilliantly written :) But of course that's wich is more important is your health state and the fun you have during development. So im waiting for the next parts and for the "next thing" :D Thx a lot for your great work!
Maruad
If the Next Thing involves a harem and isn't dom/sub based, I will be in.
Rich Spencer
Think you've said everything I was going to say 😅
Jose Guerra
I'm glad this new pace is working better for you then when you initially posted new chapters. I do look forward to the next last few chapters, but does this really need to be the end of LOML?? Why not leave it like chapter 7, with the potential for more but a good place to leave it at. That way if you ever want to return to you can. That being said, even after LOML, i do look forward to your future projects, i just will miss the characters from this VN. Maybe a wallpaper of them once in a while would be a nice peace offering.
