The timing is perfect!
Volume Two concludes on the last day of the lunar year, a fitting theme for bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new!
"The Case of the Mysterious Jigsaw Puzzle" was officially signed and published on Ta Du after the first two volumes, totaling seven hundred thousand characters, were already written.
To be honest, the results weren't great. I hadn't quite grasped the writing style of online fiction. I even considered rewriting it midway, but with a colossal seven hundred thousand characters, it was simply impossible to start over. Fortunately, the subsequent third volume was written gradually after publication. While it's still a bit – unconventional, I've given it my best effort.
Regarding the third volume, it will feature the most complex series of cases in the story. The style will naturally remain a case-within-a-case format, with outcomes that are both surprising and yet, in hindsight, predictable. The unexplainable cases mentioned in the synopsis, such as "murder from afar" and "a car vanishing on the runway," will appear in this arc. Ping An will also have his final showdown with his old adversary, Mr. Ke.
Up to this point, the true readership for this book hasn't been large, but it's you loyal readers who have given me infinite surprises, allowing me to gradually understand the conventions of online fiction and prepare for future stories.
Ta~Du A>-.pp, a free novel website.
Speaking of online fiction, I need to reflect seriously. Actually, being able to earnestly tell a good story to everyone is the greatest success. Online literature, after all, is not traditional literature; the writing style and narrative structure that need to be followed aren't the most crucial aspects. When I read other novels on Ta Du, I notice many top authors prefer writing in the first person. While this is scientifically unsound in novel creation, I have to admit, it's very effective. I'm mentioning this because I've seen some techniques in online fiction writing. I'm confident that my story is absolutely fine; if I can master the writing style, I can tell the story even better.
As someone with actual work experience in society, especially as a journalist whose work is closely related to writing, I've also observed the reality of online fiction from a reporter's perspective. I must admit that lengthy, chapter-heavy stories are gradually losing their dominance. Genres like time travel, imaginative concepts, history, military, and post-apocalyptic settings may still be mainstream in the future, but they can't withstand the emergence and gradual rise of realistic online fiction. For example, novels that were signed and ranked alongside mine, focusing on themes like drug rehabilitation, traditional Chinese medicine, and rural teaching, have garnered many readers. Therefore, I boldly predict that fantasy online fiction, driven by the premise of "satisfaction," will gradually evolve into realistic online fiction with resonance and relatable themes. Works with professional foundations and life experiences that reflect reality will become a refreshing current, the hottest trend in online fiction. This phenomenon may even influence future film and television productions.
As for "The Case of the Mysterious Jigsaw Puzzle," to be frank, a month's royalties don't even amount to what I earn from two opinion pieces that go viral on social media... *cough*! According to the original outline, the story was planned for five volumes, approximately 1.7 million characters. However, due to the less-than-ideal performance, after much consideration, I've decided to conclude the story with the third volume. But true fans of this book don't need to be disappointed, because in my creative plan, there will be another detective novel titled "The Tangled Sugar Mess Hall," which will primarily feature Su Tang after she finishes university. Following in the footsteps of her master Ping An, who has since retired from the frontline, she will continue to roam the Jianghu universe, upholding justice and solving difficult cases.
Outside, firecrackers are resounding, and the Lunar New Year's Eve feast is laid out. After tonight, I will turn 36. I wish myself, and every one of you, my dear readers, a Happy New Year. May all your wishes come true and your aspirations be fulfilled!
Without further ado, and with the auspiciousness of New Year's Eve, here is the fresh release of the third volume –
Mika
January 21, 2023, evening