'Ink On His Hands' Retrospective

It's been about a month since I released the last part of my five-part story, 'Ink On His Hands'. I'm so delighted with how it turned out and how much people seemed to enjoy it. It made my day every time someone mentioned how much they were enjoying it or left a like. So thank you all!

'Ink On His Hands' was such a fun project, and I loved writing all the characters, especially the relationship between Torzek and Aira. On that note, I've been thinking a lot about the story and wanted to share my musings.

I write stories because I want to tell tales to people and make them feel things. I want to move people with my writing, the same way my favorite media has moved me. So when even one person expresses joy from my writing, it means the world to me; it means I'm succeeding in the thing I want to be able to do so badly.

Spoilers below. ;)

First, I would love to turn this short story into a novel/novella. I think there is so much more I could do with this story, so many more moments and character interactions and mystery that could be added without the restrictions five-part short story format. I could add more of Trozek's day-to-day, as well as more interactions between him and Shael and him and Ruven.

Second, I would love to add Aira's perspective as a POV character. She has so much going on in her life, and all the help with this mystery would be a ton of fun to show. It would also help on the front of revealing more of her and Torzek's relationship.

Third, I'd love to add more spooky encounters with The Illustrator and expand on what exactly it is that he's up to. That's a fun one.

Fourth, I'd love to introduce a few other characters. I'd love to expand on Iolrath as a character since he made such a brief appearance. I'd also love to introduce Shael's brother, as he plays a part in the expanded story.

Fifth, I really want to add more fleshed-out world-building to the story. With the format of a 5 part short story, some things and explanations for different cultural stuff I decided to cut, but I'd love to put them back in.

Last, I have a plan for a bomb epilogue that only works if I add the above things as they lend much-needed context.

So yeah! I have a few novels to finish first before I even attempt to tackle a longer rewrite, but I'm determined to get to it because there's so much more I want to do with this.

Thank you again to everyone who read, liked, or commented. It means more than you know. <3

Stay tuned for next week's flash fiction: A deleted scene from Sunsets; Shael & Leta's story.