Jan 17, 2025
To:ArufaBeta
I appreciate that you took the time to write a lengthy comment like this, and that you decided to read all the way through in the first place. This was very much an “I’m writing for myself” sort of project with my own humour and style used as unabashedly as possible, so I honestly didn’t expect it to appeal much to others. I’m glad you found it funny, that was honestly my biggest aim from start to finish.
As for the criticism, I pretty much agree with all of it. I very much subscribe to the mantra of “the first draft is you telling yourself the story,” and I tend to do a chapter a day every day until I finish my first draft most of the time, so this was very much a case of me just figuring shit out as I go. When I started, the only things I had planned in any capacity were the main three characters and the fact that they play chess. Even Yaki (the little sister) was an addition I just decided on on the spot.
That leads to the pacing feeling really wonky and certain things not being expanded upon, which is something I do hope to rectify if I ever get around to rewriting. Stuff like chapters where Kaburi has to deal with the people he complains about and stuff like that. There’s definitely a lot of work that needs to be done.
As far as it only appealing to chess players goes, yeah, that’s kind of just a consequence of me writing the story I wanted instead of one to appeal to an audience. The number of people that could read and enjoy all of this is probably thin, mainly because that simply was never on my mind. I likely won’t change that in the future either, my other stories are for an audience but I want this one to be nothing more or less than exactly how I want it.
Anyway, sorry for the rambling and thanks again for reading. If I get around to revisiting this again I hope you enjoy whatever I come up with. I have an idea to do with chess streaming that I’d like to play around with if I get around to, so I’m excited to get that done when I can
