AdrianAldrich

I tried to post this update a few times, but it didn't seem to stick. Apologies if your notifications have been strange. 
          	
          	As of today, I've chosen to archive Masked Come Morning. This was a complicated decision for me, as I always wanted the original copy to be accessible regardless. I also tried not to be frustrated with it as a now five year old example of my work. 
          	
          	However, there are aspects of it that meant I wasn't comfortable with leaving it publicly accessible in its current form. Most of them revolve around how Lord Deerling was written, but I've come to reconsider how I approached the premise as a whole. 
          	
          	Some of how Lord Deerling was written came from my own experiences with periods of reduced mobility and pain management, or explored my fears as an artist who's dependent on his hands. In the ways our experiences differed, and where his supernatural ailments could also resemble more mundane chronic symptoms, I tried to write responsibly. 
          	
          	In hindsight, I'm not happy with the end result. 
          	
          	While the use of his mask was directly tied to the plot's fantasy elements, and to the story's Eros and Psyche inspirations, a number of chapters imply that he could be wearing it to hide facial differences as an extension of the visible burns elsewhere on his body. This means that how his mask is discussed should have been treated with far more care to avoid some tired tropes and implications. I could also have been more thoughtful about how I described the visual differences he does have. 
          	
          	This was not a criticism I received: it's just how I feel personally after broadening my understanding of how physical disabilities and facial differences are represented in media. 
          	
          	I'm sorry if anyone's frustrated by its removal, but hope I've explained things as best I could with the word limit these posts give. There's a little more in my bio and in a comment under this announcement.

AMorayEel

@ AdrianAldrich  ❤️
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Malyada123

@AdrianAldrich  Oh . I cannot wait for the second book . It is really awesome .
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AdrianAldrich

If I do revise Masked Come Morning, it'll be with a more satisfying ending that leaves room open for more, rather than being so focused on setting up a sequel. My plans and outline for the second story weren't as fleshed out as the first, which led to some frustration and anxiety on my part over how to proceed as time went on. 
          	  
          	  Since then, my focus has shifted to other projects, and how I want to plan, write, and share my stories going forward. I considered deleting this account entirely, but didn't want people to wonder or worry about where I'd gone or why. 
          	  
          	  These characters are still very dear to me, and I want to do them (and the endless support my readers have shown) justice when I can. I just don't want to make readers feel like they're being strung along in the meantime, or have my last big, completed project on this platform be something that I don't think represents me well as a writer anymore. 
          	  
          	  Wishing you all the best, and endlessly thankful.
          	  
          	  - Adrian
Reply

AdrianAldrich

I tried to post this update a few times, but it didn't seem to stick. Apologies if your notifications have been strange. 
          
          As of today, I've chosen to archive Masked Come Morning. This was a complicated decision for me, as I always wanted the original copy to be accessible regardless. I also tried not to be frustrated with it as a now five year old example of my work. 
          
          However, there are aspects of it that meant I wasn't comfortable with leaving it publicly accessible in its current form. Most of them revolve around how Lord Deerling was written, but I've come to reconsider how I approached the premise as a whole. 
          
          Some of how Lord Deerling was written came from my own experiences with periods of reduced mobility and pain management, or explored my fears as an artist who's dependent on his hands. In the ways our experiences differed, and where his supernatural ailments could also resemble more mundane chronic symptoms, I tried to write responsibly. 
          
          In hindsight, I'm not happy with the end result. 
          
          While the use of his mask was directly tied to the plot's fantasy elements, and to the story's Eros and Psyche inspirations, a number of chapters imply that he could be wearing it to hide facial differences as an extension of the visible burns elsewhere on his body. This means that how his mask is discussed should have been treated with far more care to avoid some tired tropes and implications. I could also have been more thoughtful about how I described the visual differences he does have. 
          
          This was not a criticism I received: it's just how I feel personally after broadening my understanding of how physical disabilities and facial differences are represented in media. 
          
          I'm sorry if anyone's frustrated by its removal, but hope I've explained things as best I could with the word limit these posts give. There's a little more in my bio and in a comment under this announcement.

AMorayEel

@ AdrianAldrich  ❤️
Reply

Malyada123

@AdrianAldrich  Oh . I cannot wait for the second book . It is really awesome .
Reply

AdrianAldrich

If I do revise Masked Come Morning, it'll be with a more satisfying ending that leaves room open for more, rather than being so focused on setting up a sequel. My plans and outline for the second story weren't as fleshed out as the first, which led to some frustration and anxiety on my part over how to proceed as time went on. 
            
            Since then, my focus has shifted to other projects, and how I want to plan, write, and share my stories going forward. I considered deleting this account entirely, but didn't want people to wonder or worry about where I'd gone or why. 
            
            These characters are still very dear to me, and I want to do them (and the endless support my readers have shown) justice when I can. I just don't want to make readers feel like they're being strung along in the meantime, or have my last big, completed project on this platform be something that I don't think represents me well as a writer anymore. 
            
            Wishing you all the best, and endlessly thankful.
            
            - Adrian
Reply

AdrianAldrich

Hello everyone,
          
          I just wanted to check in to let people know that I'm still alive and well. My life has been very busy between my day job and focusing on my mental health, but I haven't abandoned this account or the idea of returning to it. 
          
          It's sometimes daunting to realize how much time has passed since my first story, but I do still have a commitment to work on its sequel when time allows, and to potentially polish and add to Masked Come Morning so it can become a proper ebook. If I do, I intend to self publish it, so the original version can remain online for the audience that's been so supportive of it. 
          
          Wishing you all the best. I'm deeply appreciative of the patience and kindness I've been shown. I cherish everyone who's taken the time to read and comment on my work, even if I can't be as attentive to my inbox as I once was. 
          
          - Adrian

marleenloves

@AdrianAldrich I hope you are doing well. I loved Masked come Morning  Love your writing style, how you make all the characters so real, and make us readers feel what they feel and understand. Wishing you all the best. Might you still be working on the sequel of Mcm, I'll be looking forward to it. 
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renareads123

@AdrianAldrich take all the time you need :⁠-⁠) ^⁠_⁠^
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jaadeasf

hello! i've just finished masked until morning and i just wanted to say how much i loved it. the plot is incredible, and your writing really kept me hooked the whole way through. anytime i was busy doing something else, all i wanted was to keep reading your book. the characters, the dialogue, the twists and turns and way you could make me hate jules and love hism again ten minutes later is all just incredible. i saw where you said you were working on a sequel and i just can't wait to read it :) much love <3

just_4_reads

Hello! I love your stories, they are outstanding! You elegantly describe scenery l, which I usually find myself skipping most of. Just finished masked comes morning and I was inquiring if there would be a sequel. Cheers!

AdrianAldrich

@just_4_reads Hello! Thank you for the kind words! There will indeed be a sequel, I've just had to keep putting off when I can work on it due to my personal life and some stressors during Covid. I'm looking forward to working on it again soon!
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