#william bauer

We originally wrote the outline for these early chapters between October-November-December but as we developed the narrative drafts from a more complex RP-style outline, we realized we needed to sequel out the scenes from chapter one*. In other words, let these idiots process what they were doing and the consequences of being violent morons together.

A few things I adore about this chapter.

-All of Shane’s internal monologuing. Although he usually focuses on being an emotional potato soup of FEELINGS, this chapter has him in FINE form. I remember when Ging first drafted it out how emotionally hit I was with his suicidal ideation. ((Just a note, if you’re having thoughts of suicide, please look below where I have included some helpful links for you to reach for help. Do not follow the example of our sad chicken man okay. He is not a good example of how one handles mental health.)) Shane is so not in a good place here, and while we knew that in chapter one? We really see how he’s calcifying into this depression.

In Ginger’s original story, Stars, Shane meets Sophia a few months after he’s moved to Pelican Town. Here though? We can see what a difference its made for him to have two years of no one connecting with him. And while it breaks one’s heart as a reader, as a writer, we’re so intrigued by following that natural depression and how it manifests in his life.