Chapter 13:

Author Talk Vol. 1 + Volume 2 Preview

The Town Where the Wind Doesn't Blow: Welcome to Gossport City


Author Talk Vol. 1

Kodansha, I want to create stories as a full-time job!  ╥﹏╥

Ahem. Hi!  σ(^○^)

Thank you for reading the first volume of the series “The Town Where the Wind Doesn’t Blow”! Hmm, that sounds like a mouthful, so it will be referred to as Project_Windless1 in discussions.

Before I speak about Project_Windless1, I want to extend my sincerest appreciation and gratitude towards Honeyfeed and MAL. For as long as I can remember, I've longed to get back into creative writings. I have numerous story ideas that I'd like to write, but haven't had a platform to do so until I came across the Honeyfeed x MAL contest during late spring of 2022. And of course, I'd like to extend my sincerest thanks to the fellow authors who have welcomed and supported me throughout the new beginnings of my creative endeavors. Whether or not we have communicated or have done read exchanges at some point, to my fellow writers, you all have my respect and gratitude. I look forward to reading you all's stories in the near future, even after the end of the Honeyfeed x MAL contest!

And now, without further ado... (Coincidentally, I am listening to the singer Ado as I type this sentence. Haha)

***

The first story arc in this series is “Welcome to Gossport City.” The main cast, the top ten of the Crux Knights, are introduced. We will also come to know their past and how their own meaning of happiness.

When I first set out to begin writing Project_Windless1, I wanted to do something different with the genre of cyberpunk. Cyberpunk and medieval fantasy aren’t often paired together, right? With this juxtaposition, I want to break typical conventions. I want to stray from the norm (maybe not entirely), but also create a story with a world and cast of characters that are enjoyable and memorable.

The cyberpunk genre is often depicted as dark, gritty, and hopeless. The atmosphere of Project_Windless1 is a futuristic utopian world after a post-apocalypse where individual happiness is now an integral part of society.

Is a future where everyone is happy is even possible? What will occur if two ideals of happiness clash? Does anyone suffer in a near global society that focuses on happiness? Many questions arises from the thought of global happiness. After all, we all want it to become a reality. While it is great to think about and to work towards, there are issues that we, as people and members of our own society and respective cultures, must work towards together with people who differ from our own individuality.

As I create the story of Project_Windless1, I’ve always envisioned it as an anime. The storytelling of anime has always left a huge impression and inspiration for me since childhood. In an anime, the viewers can see the world for themselves, experience the adventures, and get to know the characters and their thoughts and feelings, as well as watch impressive visuals and battles. If words hold the power to transform, change, and shape and impact lives, then visuals will enhance the process.

Music is also a major influence on me and my creative process. As I listen to music, I visualize how’d the scene or situation would play out, and think of memorable moments and lines spoken from characters. ‘If this song were to play at this moment, what would this character say? What would this character do? What would be the outcome or impact of their actions and words? What would it lead to?’

***

If I were to choose an opening and ending for the first story arc of Project_Windless1, I’d choose the singer Eve to sing the opening theme. Eve’s “Hakugin” plays out in my mind. Beginning with a white landscape and pencil sketches of the city of Gossport slowly coming to life. The main character Vega is in full color as he walks among the white landscape of the city continuously being drawn in. He reflects upon the events of his life until the moment he meets up with his comrades of Crux, in which the white landscape becomes vibrant and colorful.

At the chorus, the top ten of Crux, from highest to lowest rank, quickly perform an action that gives some insight into how they are as individuals. Although I won’t go into specifics, I always envision a few ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ spoilers in some of the actions the characters perform. If you, the reader, want to know more about the secrets of the members of Crux, please continue to read the series. There are a few major secrets that will impact the entirety of the series.

After the cast of characters perform their actions alongside the chorus, the various side characters (who will also impact the series going forward) are shown in a room, place, or on the streets of Gossport City, where we are likely to see them if we, the reader or anime-viewer, would most likely encounter them.

As the song ends, Vega smiles and joins the lineup of his comrades, specifically between Pollux, Procyon, and Capella, as they become close friends as shown at the end of the Union chapter arc. The screen would fade out into white, and the episode would begin.

The ending theme song I’ve always envisioned for the first story arc is “Unique” by the singer WON. I came across her music at the end of December 2021, beginning of January 2022. I enjoy her lyrics and style of singing. “Unique” fits the characters introduced in the first arc; they are all unique in some way or another whether in skills, capabilities, or outlook on life.

If I were to choose a composer for the background music for the first arc, Mikio Endo would be my best choice. Mikio Endo composed the music for the anime K, as well as its sequels, K: Missing Kings, K: Return of Kings, and K: Seven Stories. I feel that soundtrack sets the tone of Gossport City, the members of Crux, and their daily lives. Please listen to the soundtracks of K if you get a chance! Until then, check out my playlist on Spotify that accompanies this arc.

 Project_Windless1: Welcome to Gossport City (Inspirational Songs)

***

I feel I am speaking too much, so I will do a rapid quick shot session to better convey my thoughts and ideas. Ready…set…Go!

- I'm looking for talented, passionate artists who can visually bring the characters, settings, and scenes to life. If you are interested in contributing art to Project_Windless1, please email me at sights4eyes@gmail.com. You will be credited, and if the series becomes something more than a web novel, I would like for you to join my team. Currently, I am the sole member.

- About roughly 70% of the overall story has already been planned, along with an important spin-off that connects to the main story. I don't intend for this series to last more than 5+ years, and I won't cut any corners throughout the development of this series.

- Almost every interaction, actions, and characters' story are important and will contribute to the overall story in a significant way. Keep your eyes open for what may be considered small details.

- UROs will become more prevalent in the upcoming volume. They are mysterious beings with many surprises. I wanted to focus on character development and interactions in the first volume of Project_Windless1.

- The overall themes of the story are happiness, culture, and co-existing. As the story continues, and even within the first volume, readers may have noticed the diverse cast and how their interpretation of happiness and their culture differs. They are able to come together and are able to co-exist, whether already established, through conflict, and various instances and moments of their lives, actions, and dialogue.

- I originally set out for the "Welcome to Gossport City" arc to be one self-contained volume that leads to the main story I am eager to write. However, during the writing and planning of this story arc, I realized that 1) this arc is very important for what's to come in the series, and 2) a one volume story arc would feel rushed and would exclude some necessary character development, world building, and other story elements. Also, I want to deliver a full experience without cutting any corners and to let my passion for writing and storytelling have a mind of its own.

- I didn’t intend for Capella’s story arc to be this long. I originally planned for there to be two separate episodes that focuses on both Capella and Aria, and for their story arcs to come together. However, during my hiatus and throughout my typing of this specific story arc, I became captivated in wanting to capture and portray the emotions to the readers.

-For any business inquiries, please email me at sights4eyes@gmail.com

-If you’d like to interact with me, feel free to follow me on Twitter @sights4eyes

I think I’ve said as much as I possibly can here. This is my first step as an author. From here on out, the story in Project_Windless1 will continue to evolve. Volume 1 is a character introductory volume, and volume 2 is where the overall story of the first arc begins to heat up and expand. Please look forward to an explosive volume 2 of "The Town Where the Wind Doesn't Blow: Welcome to Gossport City''!

Thank you for your support and patience. I will always strive to improve my skills as a writer, to challenge myself, and to deliver an enjoyable reading experience from beginning to end! Until next volume, happy reading!

***

Preview for Volume 2:

Hello, everyone! Operative 04 Vega, reporting for duty! How’d you all enjoy the first volume of Welcome to Gossport City?

In the next volume, the assassin Aria sets out to prevent the oncoming tragic event of her past. Will she succeed in realizing her happiness, or will she descend into despair? And what of Capella’s fate?

An operative of the Crux Knights has gone missing! That hooded bastard and an URO are on the move! What is going on?!

The Crux Knights is now reduced to nearly half of its top ten knights, and what’s this about a samurai becoming lost on his way to the train station?! No, this isn’t a set up for a horrible punchline. Just another unusual occurrence in the city of Gossport.

As if things could not get any worse in Gossport City, Vice Commander Saturn issues an emergency mission to assist the Crux branch in another country to combat a sudden increase in UROs! No worries, Team Blue is on the case! Eh? Who is Team Blue? Well, of course you have met them before!

See what happens in volume 2 of the Welcome to Gossport City story arc of The Town Where the Wind Doesn’t Blow series!

Volume 2

Mission: Antarctica

Fall 2022

Sevenlock
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