The author is a newcomer, not the first book, but this one is the most successful. Actually, it’s my first time writing a post-apocalyptic novel, and I didn’t expect to receive so much support from friends.
First of all, thanks to all the readers who have made it this far for your patience.
It’s always for newcomers; at first, there wasn’t a very clear plan. The initial outline for this book was just post-apocalyptic farming, upgrading an Invincible War Machine, then roaming freely, collecting a harem, facing the overwhelming tide of corpses outside and then relaxing on a well-supplied, fortified vehicle, enjoying the post-apocalyptic life.
I believe many people who watch post-apocalyptic movies and read novels have fantasized or enjoyed this feeling, which is why novels about building Permanent Shelters have been popular these past few years. At first, that’s the direction I was thinking of as well, and readers would have felt that from the setting and synopsis.
But writing a story is different from imagining a victorious outcome.
For example: once the Permanent Shelter is built, that exciting feeling only lasts a moment. Once the showcasing and showboating is done within the community, then what...
Or for instance: the train is upgraded to an invincible fortress, free from any danger, full of security, hugging a beauty in the steel fortress for a few days, and then what to write in the ...
So, I started to rethink and reset, wanting to write about a dangerous post-apocalyptic world.
In the post-apocalypse, survival and a sense of insecurity are the core themes.
A sense of security is built and obtained step by step, but the dark night holds countless possibilities, and the crisis of survival is always there; crisis provides motivation.
If a post-apocalyptic novel no longer presents the protagonist with challenges to their survival, doesn’t it just become like a fantasy novel about leveling up and face-slapping?
From many of the comments early on, it’s evident that the development of this book is somewhat at odds with what many readers ’thought’ would happen.
For example, some think it should be about a lone wolf, cursing from the first Chapter at the presence of women in the story, but if you don’t include women characters, others would curse you for leaving it out.
Or they think the post-apocalyptic setting should mean hunkering down for development, then becoming invincible and roaming the streets full of a sense of security, and continue to curse me, wondering why such a powerful superpower doesn’t allow the protagonist to stop and develop.
(It is precisely to avoid this issue that I designed the post-apocalypse like a battle royale, with settings including the devouring of time, the expenditure of energy, unknown dangers, emphasizing the functionality rather than combat nature of the protagonist’s superpower, intentionally keeping readers from thinking in the direction of hunkering down. Some people think the protagonist’s Mechanical superpower is so amazing that he should play this way or that way, but if I write that way it’s like downplaying intelligence. I’m almost to the point of adding a setting that says [If the protagonist hunkers down for over 24 hours, he dies immediately]...) Helpless...╮(╯＿╰)╭
PS: Actually, I did listen to opinions from the comment section. As a result, I really stopped to rest and develop for three or four Chapters, and then I was criticized for being too bland...
Or for instance, some think that the post-apocalyptic protagonist should be decisive and ruthless, and if any supporting character shows the slightest cunning or scheming, they should be eliminated immediately. All characters should either be loyal subordinates responsible for showing shocked expressions, or vile antagonists coming straight on to embrace death.
But I’ve never tagged the protagonist as being decisive and ruthless. Instead, the protagonist is just a college student who has gained a superpower, planning out what seems to be a wild escape plan, and I believe whether it’s supporting characters or passersby, everyone in the post-apocalypse has their own view of survival.
The protagonist’s superpower is just the foundation of the infrastructure, and to achieve such goals, teamwork and collective warmth are needed.
Friends who have read up to this point would realize that I am trying to shape characters through a long story, such as KIKI, Teacher Chen, Sha Sha who will come later, and new teammates will all have some key plot developments.
From the girl on the helicopter in the first Chapter, to the much-criticized Chapters 23-26, a passenger with scheming yet lacking a sense of security, mutual mistrust, to later reconciliation and gradually understanding KIKI’s character reasons...
I admit my writing is immature and I can’t create a vivid character with a few strokes like true masters can, so I have to use lengthy descriptions.
So as a newcomer seeing some success but also constantly being criticized, I’m starting to feel a bit split psychologically.
However, after receiving guidance from my editor, I adjusted my mindset.
Some people like post-apocalyptic stories full of safety and showing off, others like those full of unknowns and survival challenges. Each kind of story has its audience.
Some returning readers have criticized it, saying it reads like it was written a decade ago.
I completely agree with this point.
Because in recent years, I really haven’t been keeping up with the new trends of web novels like Feilu or Tomato; I haven’t figured out that brand new formulaic pattern like showing off and face-slapping all within 3 Chapters for a quick thrill, nor did I intend to write the story according to that formula (uh... although the book title is Feilu style).
You can also see from the synopsis, it’s not that kind of witty, pun-filled, comical story or one that follows the supreme art of hunkering down type of writing.
This is a complete unknown adventure for survival.
Natural disasters, blizzards, the darkness of night, the supernatural, sky behemoths, solving puzzles, battles—these will all be covered.
Food, water, energy, air, warmth, and so on, will always lack a sense of security.
Survival is always the main theme of the post-apocalypse,
Where the wheels roll, there is always the unknown awaiting exploration.
Finally, I’ve said all there is to be said. I will work hard to produce more, hoping to write a flavorful, non-formulaic post-apocalyptic novel and hoping for more monthly tickets and subscriptions to support, please bear with me for the shortcomings.
Thank you, friends. Those who book can join our group. Whenever I’m not writing, I’ll chat with you all about the content of the book. If you have any great ideas, feel free to share them.
The book will be on shelves tomorrow, I earnestly ask all the benefactors who are nurturing the story to give it your first order, I’d be extremely grateful.