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Q. How did Cloudnigh start?
Initially, it was because I needed something for a screenwriting class and felt like writing something moody and cyber-punky, leading me to sketch out this awkward-looking kid named “Fairchild” who had a girlfriend who wandered around cemeteries for no apparent reason (I know, what?). After much kicking around, the story grew into Endoflux Theory in mid-2008, which I showed some people on a forum I was running and used it to get through a writing class I was too lazy to do any original writing for. After that, the story got deep-sixed for a bit until I mentally stumbled back into the concept in 2009, this time as The New Breed. After posting it for six months on Inheritance Forums, and getting some people interested, I figured, “hey, why not do that online novel thing I’ve wanted to do since I was like, 15?”
And here we are.
Q. Why are you posting this online? Don’t you know publishers don’t like works posted on the internet?
I know, I know. At the best, Cloudnigh will just be some light fun to help me better myself as a writer. There’s a chance I’ll try to self-publish it when the story’s done—if it’s any good.
Q. When does Cloudnigh update?
I update with 1,200 to 2,000 word (2,500 at the very longest) updates 2 times a week on Tuesdays and Fridays. I try to keep as big a buffer as I can, but I’m still in college and I work a job so I’ll do my best. The best way to find out whether or not I’m on time is by reading my twitter.
More frequent updates may be possible in the future, seeing how the whole “people reading stuff on the computer” thing works out. ^^;
Q. Wow! Who did the artwork?
A very, very talented artist named Matt Page. I’ve been a fan of his work and style for years. He happened to be open for commissions around the time I was trying to figure out where to go with Cloudnigh, and shot him a note on dA for the hell of it. Not only was I floored by the results, it gave me the nudge I needed to go ahead with the project. Thanks, Matt!
Q. Who did the site?
I did. I’ve been designing websites since I was 12. I’m not the world’s best web designer by any means, but it works ^_^.
Q. Can I still find the Endoflux Theory/The New Breed versions online anywhere?
Both can still be found if you dig around the Writer’s Hangout at Inheritance Forums, but you need an account to view them and they’re insanely crappy. Also, the staff there may not like it if you resurrect year-old threads.
Q. Do you have this planned, or are you making it up as you go?
I spent a long period plotting and outlining before I started writing, so I’ve got a solid direction for the story—including where it’s going to end.
Q. How long will it run?
Cloudnigh is currently made up of several “parts” spread across several volumes, with two “parts” per volume, usually hashing out around 40,000-50,000 words each. At the moment, estimates are that there will be five-plus volumes.
Q.What goes into writing an update?
I can have a draft of a week’s update done in 2-3 days depending on my work and school schedule. Generally, that gets stretched to 5 days. Then, I spend a while agonizing over details while pouring over old notes and outlines I did two years ago, going nuts over how bad it is, until I manage to beat it into some semblance of bearable. After that, I show it to Marina, my editor-friend, who blows red bubbles full of editing notes all over it. We talk about it a bit until I’ve got an idea of what needs to be fixed. This is followed by more edits until it’s just right, and the chapter is filed away for a month or so until update time—with a few tweaks thrown in here and there for good measure.
Q. What does Cloudnigh mean?
Read the story and figure it out!
Q. What genre is this story supposed to be?
A little bit of everything. I don’t consider Cloudnigh “sci-fi,” since most of the “science” in it isn’t particularly “scientific,” nor do I consider it “fantasy,” because I sure as hell don’t want to live in a world where pregnancy tests can talk. I didn’t write the story to be either, and I think trying to fit the story into one or the other is missing the point. Genres in general come with too many expectations and I: 1). Don’t want people going, “this isn’t X, you didn’t do this!” and 2). Don’t want to be judged on terms that might detract from the story I’m trying to tell. If you can believe it, and if you can enjoy it, then I’m doing my job.
Alternatively, you can call it whatever you want. Just don’t expect me to hold up to it. I’ve heard Cloudnigh called everything from “sci-fi” to “tween fiction” to “dysa-utopian” to “electropunk,” whatever the hell that is. ^^;
Q. I find it really hard to read this on the computer.
Part of the reason I’ve divided each chapter up into pages is to make it easier. If this becomes too much of a problem for too many readers, I’ll look into playing with my update lengths and schedule.
Q. What’s Hellion?
Hellion’s another project I’ve mine that I’ve been working on for about five and a half years now. It’s very different from Cloudnigh. You can find info on it over on my site, if you’re curious. Whether or not it’ll be posted online remains to be seen.
Q. Is Marina a professional editor?
No, but she’s as damn good as one.
Q. Will you plug/link me?
Only if I like you and if you don’t ask me. Alternatively, if you find a really sneaky way to both get me to like you and ask me at the same time, then you pretty much deserve it. But only if it’s sneaky.
Q. How can I support Cloudnigh?
There are several ways! The first, is by visiting, which you’ve already done. If you like what you see, you can join our Facebook group, follow the story on Twitter, and tell all your friends to do the same.
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