Second Choice

 

Having written Hi, I’m Lance last year, the chapter-by-chapter posting is continuously intriguing. Readers might assume that authors remember every word they put down. On the contrary, when I come back to something I’ve written months — or even weeks — later, I’m often surprised by something that happens with a character. If a scene is moving to me, I know it has a better chance of connecting with a reader.

This latest chapter was startlingly different.

Click here to read Hi, I’m Lance, Meeting 95 [Chap. 29].

When I reviewed this chapter for posting, it left me flat. Originally, the chapter ended at the word “snakes.” Upon review, I felt the content of the moving day was not enough to develop the characters — and the scene. The discussion of fears over dinner was fine, but there was no major impact.

I also felt that with a wedding in the works, it needed to feel more substantial. I observed Jakob and Lance had not discussed it enough (or the reader wasn’t able to tell that they had). The “fear discussion” seemed to be a good jumping point to dive deeper into Jakob’s psyche. I think he is spot on with his questions for Lance. Of course, the story could have gone numerous directions here. If I wanted to, I could have let things unravel. But I didn’t see a point in that. I felt it was more relatable to have the two of them bare their souls. Ultimately, this chapter is much more satisfying than had I just left it as it was. I’m much happier with how it has now turned out.

If you were shocked (or disappointed) that I didn’t expand upon the last lines and turn it into a massive erotic scene, I can understand how that would have been appropriate. At times, however, I feel the author should let the readers use their imaginations, even with the nature of the platform. Something steamier will happen next chapter, so hang on.