Significant strides have been made in the past year on TWOLD’s design, but I’m falling into the trap of relying on increased complexity to handle an elusive problem.
I can probably have all of these threads and complexity, but that in itself is not the solution, at best only layers on top of the solution.
I need to take a step back, solidify the core solution, and then build around it.
I’ve tried this before, particularly one or more times in the past year. Each time I get closer. This may not be the last refocus, but they should have a finite quantity.
Refocus, explore, organize, refocus.
In the first book, I refined several techniques for harmonizing particular conflicting ideas.
One of the main techniques was how to achieve enough of the elusive niche goal of Epic Wonderland.
With that composite idea now in hand, I want to next merge it with marriage. Healthy, Christian marriage.
Secondly, I want to refine and focus on the idea of Cozy horror.
I need to be wary of having two priorities, except these two priorities are practically two sides of the same coin, or two variations of the same tension.
Cozy closely aligns with a healthy marriage, represented by a secure and stable home.
Horror closely aligns with Epic Wonderland, represented by a dangerous and turbulent world outside the home.
I keep dodging one of the elephants in the room—I need to establish a fresh framework for future Marloth stories.
I probably haven’t considered the first book enough.