Started working on #58 today. It’s a complete contrast to the chapters before it, and for good reason too! From #52 through to #57, things tend to get rather dark and disturbing. Some of it might come as a surprise, but that’s very much the idea – as a reader you’ll go through the same journey the students go through, from not understanding to wishing you didn’t. As the masquerade most have been under since the beginning now begins to fall – as they wished it to – the grim reality of their world is exposed.
Well, maybe.
No, I’m not about to kill anyone off. I am going to force some into confronting their morals and principalities, though.
I recall a review suggesting Phantasia was aimed at younger readers. At the time it made me chortle. You’ll soon be able to understand why. Not that I would stop ‘younger readers’ from reading it (though anyone under 12 would probably have gotten bored by now!). I read enough when I were that age. When was the last time you picked up a book and it said “Warning: this story contains content rated NC-17 and is not suitable for minors”? Exactly. Don’t expect such nanny-state pandering from me 
ANYHOW! Back to #58. Yes, it’s lighter, more humourous and completely out of whack with what preceeds it. That’s what’s so great about writing a serial. You couldn’t get away with that in a novel!
The chapter is (currently) called “Messages from Malkuth” and focuses entirely on silky-haired, egocentric Chris. Just plotting out the scenes helped revitalise my enthusiasm – diving into the darkness for too long can weigh you down. Meanwhile #59 is a Katrina-centric chapter, following on from the mystery set up in #58. Said mystery gets ‘solved’ in #60, leading into a bunch of chapters that will change everything. Not sure if they’ll be #61-65 or #61-70, as I might adapt a shorter-chapters-twice-a-week schedule by then…
To make this post look pretty, here’s some artwork!
