Current Projects / news

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MARCH 2026

05/03

Started the Benji fix. Up to getting home, discuss with Dad.

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01/03

Fresh rethink on fixing Benji in Part 2. Many thoughts, settling on the idea and how it pans out to the end I want. Cut drinking night of. Cut all after leaving Kara house.

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FEBRUARY 2026

28/02

Sorted Linas and Kara meeting at Kara's. Then up to home, see Dad, no Benji, worrying.

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JANUARY 2026

10/01

On with Ryan, up to friends messaging. Adding BACK in Kara house (now with Linas).

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08/01

Started Ryan sad, rethink opening.

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04/01

Finished Albert post-confession day one. More notes on how to fix Part 2.

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03/01

Tweaked Ryan mum advice, just speak. Hopped back added telling mum about Albert. Started Albert post-confession day one.  

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01/01

Arranged replanned end of Part 2 notes. Tweaked Ryan's confession pre-fallout. Tweaked Albert night post-confession. Pulled it back around to previous version (no wander to library).

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DECEMBER 2025

(At which point I 'cleverly' took on TWO beta-reading projects, got a bit unwell, AND had to deal with xmas AND had to move house AND had to get a new day-job. There was some SMALL progress in this time, but so piece-by-piece I have no dated notes).

07/12

Tied off end of previous Ryan scene, part into the new Albert scene that follows.

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NOVEMBER 2025

25/11

Started opening of new Ryan scene post-confession.

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23/11

Realise I don't like current Benji parts that make up ending of Part 2. Replanning.

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21/11

Finish Ryan fallout, then Albert sad-sad.

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18/11

Push on did all new normal Ryan and Albert breakdown, then half Ryan fallout.

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16/11

Finished first school-day meet, tweaked ending of it.

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15/11

Finished Albert through night and to 12 meeting. Also did Ryan next day friends at market. Mid into next Albert - first school-day meeting.

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05/11

Skip back to keep Albert focussed on Passageway as Discovery. Finished Ryan scene.

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04/11

Did next Albert (Henshum test) and then most of next Ryan (to tired-Albert).

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02/11

Blended part of the moved Albert scene mentioning Lamprey to end. Did following Ryan scene too.

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01/11

Worked over the Ryan-tired scene.

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OCTOBER 2025

28/10

Finished tweaking Part 1 end again.

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27/10

Think sorted Benji. Still need to tweak end of Part 1 some more and likely require new / reworked scene in Part 3 / 4.

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26/10

90% figured out Benji. I do like his arc, just need the final piece. Wrote a scene of Ryan coming out to him. It's nice but can't see a place for it in the story as is.

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25/10

Finished the scene, jumped back a bit to tweak Benji end of Part 1. Now dithering over ALL of Benji plot and whether to follow up on Ryan school-work subplot.

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24/10

Now finished experiment. Very near end anyway, need to tie off.

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21/10

Done-ish experiment. Not 100% on ending. Not sure how to end the scene. Bring forward bit in the middle of other scene? Wanting Ryan to appear?

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20/10

Midge forwards, decide contact, about to go.

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19/10

Added Ryan nothing. Added see mirror when touch. Added Albert considering Passageway is discovery. Up to Ryan next appearance.

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18/10

On with Albert scene, added more summer and experience. Need to clarify Ryan nothing. Thinking hard about the contact-items rule in relation to the Passageway. Made consistent 'Font' from first meeting.

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17/10

Finished 'call me Ryan', went back to add Ryan directionless in Part 1. The on with Albert trying names with friends. 

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14/10

Small progress on the 'call me Ryan' part at end of prev.

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11/10

Planned experiment two, for Ryan. Now planning 3 for Albert, THEN back on the two weeks, THEN as is.

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09/10

Small progress working out the two weeks.

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08/10

Trying to work out how to work the two-weeks progress. Stuck between too much summary or too much focus. Hard going.

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07/10

Deleted ballroom dance subplot and associated parts within the book.

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06/10

Finished first experiment. Added more Lamprey references, then moved that to pre-24 hours scene. Planning more two-weeks summary and fancying.

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05/10

Started in Part 2 - deleted Albert opening. Goes nowhere, only existing to keep the 'back and forth' rule. Still in effect, but I think the exception can be start / end of a Part? Also gone through next Ryan edits and then to Albert first experiment, up to Ryan appear.

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04/10

Finished last section - PART 1 EDITS DONE!!!

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03/10

Started final scene for Part 1

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SEPTEMBER 2025

30/09

Added some to Benji end of Part 1 scene.

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29/09

Up to end of first meeting.

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28/09

Started new Ryan split.

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27/09

Near end of the split, brought forward the name/mirror experiment from Part 2. Needs full blending to fit. Definite on switch back, "We shall change history."

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26/09

Small progress in the Albert split.

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25/09

Still in new split, think found point where to switch back...

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23/09

Into new Albert split.

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22/09

Finished smoothing new POV split.

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20/09

Big work. Finished Ryan pre scene. Tweaked the first meeting all up to new POV split (out door).

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19/09

Finished Henshum pep-talk.

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18/09

Finished Benji depth, finished next Ryan. Half done Albert and Henshum pep-talk.

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17/09

Skipped back for more Benji depth and 3/4 into next Ryan part.

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16/09

Finished Albert section.

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15/09

Finished Benji intro. Onto Albert and crucifix.

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12/09

Near end of Benji intro. Added new section about trying to get the ghost on footage.

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11/09

Finished redoing the 'glimpse' from both POVs. Feels much clearer now. Started edits on Benji intro.

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09/09

Little edit to end of previous Albert section and small work on next Ryan.

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06/09

Printed and cut (hell that took a whole afternoon!) story cards and pinned to my boards.

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05/09

Finished typing switch cards.

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04/09

Still working on switch cards.

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03/09

Still working on switch cards.

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01/09

Started making 'switch cards' so I can more easily visualise how the story is laid out and see where needs more / less writing. Up to end of Part 1 cards done.

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AUGUST 2025

31/08

Took part in #FirstLinePit --- Instagram --- pitch event. (New graphic!)

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30/08

Forgot beta-notes existed and ploughed on with edits. Good working day. Finished new Discovery intro. New dining hall description. Albert 1 done. Small edits to Ryan 2, Linas room convo. Added new post-village day convo in Albert 2. Tweak library intro in same. Albert 2 done? 

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26/08

Added Grassley descriptions. Finished unform additions. Started new Discovery intro. 

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21/08

Finished Ryan 1 edits. Started Albert 1. Added more Osmuld description. Plotting uniform additions.

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19/08

Started Ryan 1 edits.

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17/08

Possibly finished prologue edits. Happy with additional detail in Albert half and ghostly imagery in both.

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16/08

Took part in #PosterPit --- BlueSky / X.com --- pitch event.

Started edits on prologue, feels nearly done after big session. More Ryan mum details earlier. More descriptive detail in Albert half.

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14/08

Finished poster for #PosterPit pitch event.

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13/08

Working on poster for #PosterPit pitch event.

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12/08

Finished collating all beta-reader comments on Part 1 of the story. Started work on a poster ready for #PosterPit pitch event.

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11/08

Still collating all the comments.

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10/08

Fixed all the grammatical blips the beta-readers found. Reread all the comments, started collating them for easier dissection. Tried deleting a few swears.

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06/08

Took part in #QuestPit --- BlueSky / X.com --- pitch event.

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JULY 2025

Taking a writing break to let the story 'settle' and try to allow myself to go into edits with fresh-ish eyes.

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Writing Times!

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JUNE 2025

30/06

BIG PUSH - finished Albert final scene. Dithered over switching the final Ryan scene, but stuck to my guns, finished it as planned. With that WRITING NOT TECHNICALLY GHOSTS IS DONE!!

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29/06

Finish Ryan penultimate. Started Albert final final scene!!

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28/06

Sorted Albert setup. Done penultimate Albert scene, to confrontation. Started penultimate Ryan scene.

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27/06

Finish Ryan finale first part. Finished synopsis! Skipped back to set up Albert plan for end.

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26/06

Typed up last of handwritten ball scene fully smoothed. Covered what it left behind in Part 3. Started a synopsis! On with the final day! 

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25/06

Started Ryan final day! Up to Benji. Some handwritten to smooth on the pre-ball / ball scene. Planned Albert final day.

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24/06

Up to my hand-written parts, stitching in what I can.

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23/06

On with Albert pre-ball.

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21/06

Started new Albert pre-ball. Have worked on some hand-written progress, working out how much of that I can fold into the scene.

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19/06

Finished (to within a sentence) research scene.

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18/06

Started Ryan research scene.

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MAY 2025

Not doing too well over end of April / May / start of June. No hard date notes, but I did (with some struggle) finish the opening Part 4 scene and then the Albert scene that followed. Then began plans to move ball-scene into Part 4 where it fit better.

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APRIL 2025

20/04

Planned out direction of opening Part 4 scene.

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19/04

Finish Albert rev scene in one sitting -- PART 3 IS DONE!

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18/04

Finish all the reuinion scene

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17/04

BIG work on the scene, from school, to home, to despair, to reunion.

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15/04

Made actual headway with the scene, up to Henry arrival.

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12/04

More into new Ryan scene.

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05/04

Took part in #1stLinePit --- BlueSky / X.com --- pitch event.

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MARCH 2025

31/03

Handwritten - tentative start next Ryan scene. Few false starts how much to skip. Think got a solid starting idea now. Possible include Henry comparing scene? Maybe fit better in Part 4 or cut it.

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30/03

Typed up all 'decision' scene. Light edit, started typing up previous Albert scene.

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29/03

Finished typing up previous previous Albert scene. Light edits.

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26/03

Handwritten - reworked the scene, got a better ending now. 

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24/03

Abandoned typing for now. On with handwritten - onto next Albert part. Thought had a good idea of how the scene went. Seemed a really good idea when pacing previous day - but wrote nothing down! Maybe it was never going to quite work as planned on the page?

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22/03

Started typing previous Albert scene. Got caught unhappy with part of it, dithered over how to fix.

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21/03

Handwritten - scene ended well? Turned out weirdly positive and defiant! Really liked it.

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20/03

Handwritten - into decision scene. Feels a bit loose, will need good edits. Could use more emotion, want to get in all the logical arguments, but comes across too dry for something so charged?

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19/03

Handwritten - finished the Albert scene, onto next Ryan. 

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17/03

Handwritten - on with Albert to scene, to 'why not me?'. Need to flip parts of the conversation to flow better. This whole scene feels intensely cuttable. Started Not Technically Ghosts agent guide - before Spirit Rider for some reason! 

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16/03

Typed Albert scene so far.

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15/03

Type up all prev Ryan scene, Light editing. Gave it a proper ending.

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14/03

Handwritten - started next Albert scene.

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13/03

Handwritten - finished the scene? Maybe a few more words to tie off neatly.

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10/03

Handwritten - on with the scene to door close.

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08/03

Type up handwritten. On with the scene up to leaving.

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07/03

Scrap most of yesterday. Was going to follow Albert through next meeting too, but better from Ryan POV. Tied off this scene with the reveal instead. Stronger ending. The jar can come 'off-screen'. Ryan POV presents opportunity to put Jason Worral scene BACK in! Handwritten - to Jason description. 

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06/03

Handwritten - Albert going for the jar.

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05/03

Meeting all done, up to command return later.

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03/03

Started next Albert scene

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02/03

Finished the scene.

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FEBRUARY 2025

25/02

On with the scene, to waking next morning.

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24/02

On with the scene, home confront.

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23/02

Some of previous was handwritten. All typed up now and tied in with already-typed parts.

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21/02

Started post-countdown scene. Up to journey home.

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20/02

Finished the school parts, this section now complete again.

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19/02

Establishing next scene.

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18/02

Finish conversation, up to start of next lesson.

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17/02

Most of next conversation done.

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13/02

Rethought again. The school bit DOES fit really well as a build-up. Adding it back in and making more of a scene. Up to Kara part.

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09/02

Done next Albert scene in one sitting. Possibly too short? Could the important Lamprey bits here go elsewhere?

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08/02

Finished Ryan scene - to countdown. Resorted the days and cut out school this scene.

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07/02

Handwritten finish breakfast scene. Had started a bit into school day - rethought, too long, bit of a rehash of previous scenes? Thinking I could shift the timeline, have this part happen on a Sunday?

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06/02

Up to breakfast Benji chat.

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05/02

Handwritten start of next Ryan scene.

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04/02

Finished ball scene. Decided to cut a scene which would have followed and which I'd written up some months prior, thinking it would be important. Doesn't fit anymore. Could get reworked before the end.

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03/02

Very nearly finished ball scene.

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02/02

Up to middle of the ball scene.

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01/02

Covered the interlinking up to next meeting.

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JANUARY 2025

31/01

Typed up all handwritten parts.

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30/01

Handwritten - to departing in the scene.

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29/01

Handwritten - further into scene.

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28/01

Handwritten part of the scene.

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27/01

Made a start on next Albert scene.

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26/01

Finally finished the fallout scene.

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24/01

Very nearly finished the scene. Possibly a bit messy or mixed feelings. One for strong editing. Need to work back some hints towards how everyone reacts here.

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23/01

Tiny bit further on the fall-out scene.

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22/01

Website update? Tentatively wrote a few words for the Under-Construction - Not Technically Ghosts section.

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21/01

BANG - the moment is here. Liking the fieriness of this initial go. Maybe need to pull down some of the reactions. Approx. half done with the fallout.

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20/01

Meeting and then into the Passageway. A sentence away from getting into the meat of the scene!

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19/01

Snaffle further. Nearly at Clarance Hall.

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18/01

Furthering the scene, longer than planned event with summarising these home bit, but feels necessary.

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17/01

On with the scene, up to the walk home.

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14/01

Started next Ryan section.

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13/01

Minor notes to next Ryan section.

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08/01

Finished Albert scene.

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06/01

On with the reflection. Nearing end of the section.

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05/01

Finished Lamprey scene, onto reflection in room. Whole section longer than intended but I'm liking the jeopardy!

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04/01

Smiiiiiidge more of the scene. To Ms. Henshum's appearing. Renamed the stranger.

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03/01

Onwards with the scene. Up to meeting the stranger.

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02/01

Tied off middle of the current scene.

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01/01

Started next Albert section, got approx. half the section done.

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MARCH 2026

01/03

Officially settled as a side/next project!

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Insert murky period of this being a semi-side-project. Many thoughts come and go. Fragments of scenes have been written...

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SEPTEMBER 2025

13/09

Created document, beginning of chapter 1.

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09/09 (Approx.)

The idea is born!