An awesome SHTF blog

[Mudinyeri]

Gone with the Storms

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[Mudinyeri]

Bombs A-Wei!

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[Mudinyeri]

Who is Lanigan?

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[SuperBanki]

A new person, exciting! Well-written as always

[silversnake]

Mud,

I've got to say, this is some well written fiction and I've quite enjoyed it thus far. I particularly like how you've avoided the common pitfall of post-apocalypse fiction of turning all your characters into clearly black hat/white hat cardboard cutouts - that poor Chinese soldier all on his own is a great example. I was concerned at first that it was going to turn super-preachy/didactic and was pleasantly surprised.

I have only two criticisms and a question:
- Question: do you have a defined story arc that you know the plot and ending to, or are you working from a set of notes and letting the narrative evolve organically where it wants as long as it wants?
- First Criticism: the early plot lines (drug gang, for example) seemed to end a bit too quickly and neatly to be believable in my opinion and even though the main narrator is struggling, it seems to be struggling with the small stuff while always having just what is needed (skills or stuff) on hand when needed. I'm glad to see that you've moved away from this later in the narrative by bringing in others to tell tales of hardship and the narrative has gotten more "messy".
- Second Criticism: You seem to write a good bit slower than I read. When is the next installment?

Keep up the good work and thanks for the entertainment.

[Mudinyeri]

In times of peace, Prepare for War.

Enjoy!

[Mudinyeri]

Mud,

I've got to say, this is some well written fiction and I've quite enjoyed it thus far. I particularly like how you've avoided the common pitfall of post-apocalypse fiction of turning all your characters into clearly black hat/white hat cardboard cutouts - that poor Chinese soldier all on his own is a great example. I was concerned at first that it was going to turn super-preachy/didactic and was pleasantly surprised.

I have only two criticisms and a question:
- Question: do you have a defined story arc that you know the plot and ending to, or are you working from a set of notes and letting the narrative evolve organically where it wants as long as it wants?
- First Criticism: the early plot lines (drug gang, for example) seemed to end a bit too quickly and neatly to be believable in my opinion and even though the main narrator is struggling, it seems to be struggling with the small stuff while always having just what is needed (skills or stuff) on hand when needed. I'm glad to see that you've moved away from this later in the narrative by bringing in others to tell tales of hardship and the narrative has gotten more "messy".
- Second Criticism: You seem to write a good bit slower than I read. When is the next installment?

Keep up the good work and thanks for the entertainment.

Thank you for the kind words as well as the critiques. To answer your question and address your critiques ...

Yes, I have a defined story arc with an outlined plot and ending. However, as I've said several times, this whole thing started out as an experiment. I've had to adjust a few things along the way. It's far more extensive and "rambling" than I originally intended.

With that said, we're probably less than a month out from the culmination. After that, I'm going to take a little time off and then finish the sequel. The sequel will slightly overlap the end of The Journal and be released in a free daily fashion as well as being available for purchase in its entirety. Stay tuned!

First Criticism:
A. It's an experiment and my first serious attempt at fiction.
B. Sometimes things wrap up neatly in real life. Sometimes they don't.
C. People often sweat the small stuff because they have the time to do so and ... they can get their mind around it. In my opinion, David has struggled with issues both large and small from toilet paper to having to execute someone he'd known for decades. The story's byline is that the Johnsons thought they were prepared, but there are some things for which you simply cannot prepare. It's a cautionary tale. There are a lot of "preppers" out there who believe they're ready for the zombie apocalypse, but they haven't stopped to consider the deeply disturbing emotional and psychological issues they will face. Very few, if any, have a real clue as to how they will respond in these entirely unfamiliar situations. Sure, there are a lot of e-warriors ready to do whatever it takes to keep themselves safe. Only a tiny fraction of those people have ever actually faced difficulties on the same scale as those presented in The Journal. Fewer still have dealt with such difficulties and continued to thrive despite the emotional scarring left behind.

Second Criticism:
Read more slowly. Alternatively, go back and re-read. Look for the hidden nuggets and easter eggs. Allow the problems posed by the story to fan the flames of your own creative solutions and preparations.

[Mudinyeri]

Pappy has a plan.

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[Mudinyeri]

Check out Tanner's Trouble in today's Journal.

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[Mudinyeri]

Whew! Wei Too Close!

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[Blue_Flame]

I really wish I hadn't found this post just now...I'm at work I did take a few minutes to read the first chapter but seeing as how my boss has this crazy idea that I'm being paid to look at boring reports and place orders not read all these awesome posts I do believe it's time to close the tab.

[Mudinyeri]

Oh, Schmidt!

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[Mudinyeri]

I really wish I hadn't found this post just now...I'm at work I did take a few minutes to read the first chapter but seeing as how my boss has this crazy idea that I'm being paid to look at boring reports and place orders not read all these awesome posts I do believe it's time to close the tab.

That's OK. You can always open it up again later.

[Mudinyeri]

Are you willing to do Whatever it Takes to survive?

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[Rumsfeld]

Mudinyeri,

I just wanted to say thank you for allowing criticism on your board. I would love more than anything critique to your work because it sounds like you have an awesome story that will excite me if I read it. Good luck on your writing.

[Mudinyeri]

Are there Others Like Us?

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[Mudinyeri]

Mudinyeri,

I just wanted to say thank you for allowing criticism on your board. I would love more than anything critique to your work because it sounds like you have an awesome story that will excite me if I read it. Good luck on your writing.

As I've said a number of times, the whole thing started as an experiment. If you don't learn anything from an experiment, what good is it? Critique away. Please just keep it civil.

[Mudinyeri]

General Wei has come full circle back to San Francisco in Blue Hats (Reprise) today in The Journal.

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[Mudinyeri]

Pitcher and friends make a Midnight Requisition.

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[Mudinyeri]

Center Punch

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[Mudinyeri]

David takes note of a few Road Signs today in The Journal.

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[Mudinyeri]

On the Nose

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[Mudinyeri]

The Beginning in today's Journal.

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[Mudinyeri]

Tanner and his crew reach The Armory today.

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