K. R. Treadway
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Update #38
🕑 Added 2025-02-13 22:01:50 +0000 UTC
Bleah.
I’m going to have to put Sunglasses in the Rain on hiatus for a while.
There. I typed it. The band-aid is ripped off. Now I can explain.
The TL;DR version is that I've ground to a halt.
The loquacious version is that my progress has been too slow for too long, for multiple reasons. One was burn-out. Another was the narrow buffer between my raw prose and the Patreon updates. I thought solving those issues would fix things, but after taking a break and switching to a chapter every other week, my speed still hasn’t improved.
So the really real answer is that I’m not up to the task. Not yet.
SitR launched several experiments for my writing. I experimented with longer chapters, a framing story, more literary elements, and the largest cast of characters I've yet attempted. It’s been rewarding. I’ve enjoyed using present tense in Mel’s chapters, writing about Drywell’s denizens, and even figuring out (once-and-for-all) that I work better with shorter chapters.
But this last stretch has been tough, filled with revising and re-revising to the point of frustration. I'm not satisfied. Worse, I know that if I keep pushing I’ll just create resentment and feelings of being trapped. I no longer feel fried (yay!), but if I stick it out any longer it’s going to endanger my output with other projects (and I’m still planning to start Jessica’s Loser this year).
It’s the right move…but it's still a f*cking bummer.
This Sunday I will release SiTR Chapter 18. It introduces the last members of Mel’s storm chasing…cousins…and provides a good place to rest. Then I will begin work on these delayed projects. I’ll keep posting chapters of Opposites Distract every week in the meantime. If nothing else, I’m thrilled to end the alternating chapters—they were crippling momentum!
To the many readers who love SitR, my sincere apologies. I love it too! But the back-half of this book goes to some wild places, and I have to be in the right headspace to do it justice. Mel and Cal deserve the best, and so do you. This is not the end of their story. This pause is to enable me to practice my craft and get some work done on projects I’m not hopelessly entangled in.
After Chapter 18 goes live, please feel free to leave comments and let me know if you’ve been enjoying the story so far; I’ll hold them close until it’s time for SitR’s eventual return and conclusion.
Your encouraging words (on this and other tales) mean more to me than you know.
Comments
K. R. Treadway
You've been a tireless advocate for this story and it has honestly brightened some tough days. I appreciate it so much! Just know that I'm still committed to getting Cal and Mel to their HEA. The breather will give me some much-needed perspective.
ihasthefever .
Im extremely sad SITR is being put on hiatus for the time being🥲. But I understand the reasoning behind it and the decision you had to make. Just a few words on SITR, I've mentioned it a couple of times before in previous treads but this story you've created is by far my favorite you've released. Everything just flows só naturally and cohesive it just makes it all só wonderful to read and enjoy. All the characters are just spectacular. Looking forward to your future posts as always and what you'll be cooking up.❤️
K. R. Treadway
Thanks so much. Writing is never a simple "Point A to Point B" trip, is it? It's a journey on unfamiliar roads. Sometimes we go the wrong way, sometimes we get lost, and sometimes we have to stop and study the map for a bit. What matters is that you keep driving.
K. R. Treadway
Thanks, man. That means a lot.
K. R. Treadway
Thanks for sticking with me, and I assure you Cal and Mel's story is still vibrant in my mind. This is a hiatus, not a cancellation. 🙂
K. R. Treadway
Thank you for the kind words. The "D word reveal," as you put it 😆, is EPIC. I just need time and perspective to write SitR as it deserves to be written.
K. R. Treadway
Thank you so much. I'm glad to hear it!
JustARandomPerson
Take the rest you need! for what it's worth, I've been loving SITR
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🫠i know it's for the best, but as your said, it's a bummer. SiTR had been super compelling, and i am sad we are not going to get into the D word reveal. Hopefully you can come beat fresh and make it the best story you can. And in the mean time I am exicted to see the other projects move
IiTzFayt
Take the time you need, I know I will be right here patiently waiting for their glorious and well deserved return.
Kendall Sanders
I've just started writing my first novel, after having worked on outlining it. It's incredibly difficult. I'll never pretend otherwise. Writing a compelling story just isn't something we can just come up with. A least for me I've found that to be the case. I don't feel very creative, I have to sit and wonder for a long time. I can't imagine writing stories as good as yours, but I'm trying. I appreciate your effort and care. It's inspiring to me, and is one of the reasons I'm trying my hand at writing at all. Some others don't even give us updates like this. I very much look forward to Jessica's Loser. There is no doubt that you have something fantastic in store for us!
TheMightyClark
Love you buddy! Do what is best for you!
