anathemafiction
patreon
Progress Report
🕑 Added 2025-04-18 17:34:45 +0000 UTC3K words today!!
I wanted to reach the 4k, but I can't stare at the screen any longer. So, I must admit defeat, but even so, I'm very happy with what I wrote π Both today and in the week in general.
Right now, I'm on page 95 of the notebook. It's been a lot of fun to write this part. I was giggling when I wrote it in the first draft, but now, with all the variations, it's such a ride xD
I'm not as far along, page-wise, as I wanted, but I really underestimated how long some of the dialogue trees would get once I filled out all the different variations. For example, I spent half a session writing a choice with 7 options.
Of those 7 options, both Lance and Romanus would talk differently depending on whether you have a good or neutral relationship or if the bard actively dislikes you. Alessa is also there; of course, she responds differently, whether you're her friend, lover, or enemy.
Those 7 choices turned out to be 2k words.
When I finished those, I sighed in relief, only to slam my face into another set of choices with Hadrian, varying depending on his relationship status.
This is all to say that, although I didn't fulfill the goal I set for myself, I still made significant progress this past week! Around 18k words have been added to the update, and, as always, I cannot wait to share them with you.
Today, I wrote a scene mainly concerning Rafael. It's early on in your relationship with him, but once again, I found myself splitting some of the dialogue into two versions β low and high relationship β and within those versions, there were even more variables.
I love writing not only how a character might answer or react to a situation, but also how differently they do it when dealing with someone they have a positive or negative history with. Not only because I love seeing how Rafael, for instance, speaks, but Romanus themselves! Your thoughts and motivations for doing something can change widely depending on your ruthless/merciful stats or how you feel about another character.
I'm rambling, but I wanted to explain why this is taking a bit longer, and at the same time, I wanted to give context for why I am so profoundly grateful for Patreon and all your support.
If I didn't have this page, I could not justify this level of customization and variation in (almost) all the dialogues and, later on, actual branching narratives. The effort, but most significantly, the time poured into doing this, wouldn't be covered by game sales alone.
But this way, I can. I can make the world and the characters react constantly to the kind of Romanus you're crafting and the choices you're making. I can be much more faithful to their motivations while deepening Romanus' own.
Ahh sorry! I'm just very excited about this book and all I have planned, and I realized that I can do it because of you all πI really am eternally grateful.
Alright! Mushiness aside, I want to get to page 130 by Friday! Tomorrow and Sunday, I'll write some of the Bonus Content for the month, but from Monday onwards, I want to focus 100% on the update.
That's it! I've been in and out of the vet throughout this past week. Nero is an old dog now, but he's fighting hard, so I will, too. Happy Easter to all who celebrate, and Happy Friday to all who don't! I hope you have an amazing weekend. πΉ
Comments
Anathema
He's doing much better! He scared me a lot one evening, and I rushed to the emergency vet but he's slowly getting healthy again π₯Ί I'm so glad your girl is good too. They deserve the world πππ
AndrasteN7
Omg I hope baby Nero is doing great and thriving again now! I had some stressful visits to the vet with my golden girlie over this month as well. I'm happy to report she's healthy again. Like you said, they are old but as long as they want to fight and live, we owe it to them to help them and be right by their side fighting with and for themπ₯Ήπ₯° As for your progress, there isn't much to be said other than the fact that once again, your work ethic is astounding Ana. π well done! π My best to you and Nero and all your furbabiesβ€οΈ
Anathema
You're too kind, Alynta π
Alynta
I love reading your updates Ana. Your passion for the story makes me so happy! And the level customization is honestly what stands TGR out from a lot of other interactive fiction. I can say, without a shadow of doubt, TGR was the point where I truly fell in love with IF, and for this I would support you and TGR to the ends of the earth ππ
aesthellar
The best part of this patreon is seeing how genuinely passionate you are about your own work in every post. I see a lot of creators often feeling burnt out and overwhelmed. I'm not saying you may not feel that at times, but you seem so steadfast about Golden Rose it renews my excitement whenever I read your update. It's so refreshing to read your posts, it gets me motivated for the week hehe
