Death Note

Death Note is awesome, you guys. It's on Hulu, in Japanese with subtitles, which I think is the best way to watch anime... I didn't think so when I was younger but hearing the original voices is important, I think. Plus the subtitles don't have to match their mouths, unlike when they dub the anime in English. I can see how a lot of meaning can get lost that way. Also, I have the sneaking suspicion that if I watch enough of it, I'll suddenly be able to speak fluent Japanese one day.

So, the book is coming along fine. Again, reading it all straight through has been interesting. I've realized a lot of mistakes or things that could be improved so far. I'm changing so much of the book that it almost seems like I'll have to rewrite the entire thing from the beginning. I'm pretty sure each of these changes is going to be for the better, but I'd still like some outside opinions. I just have to finish reading first so I can start handing out the book, so people can actually give me informed feedback.

As of now, the book feels... it's hard to describe. Rushed, maybe. Crammed. But also shallow and thin. Like the important stuff doesn't pack enough of a punch, and there's too much of it in not enough time. The characters are involved in this important stuff, but it still feels like they need more to do, almost. I guess in a way, it feels like every scene is too important. Every scene has an obvious purpose and it's a little too deliberate. I never thought I'd say this, but I think my book might benefit from a bit of filler. Good filler, of course. Character-developing filler. They need something to distract them from the main plot for a while here and there. And I think my book is going to end up being much longer, which I think is okay. Plus the writing style needs attending to... I can write better than I did. I can make it sound more fresh, more crisp, more sharp, more vibrant. Right now, things are a little muddy and bland.

It's going to be a lot of work, in any case. It'll take a lot of time, skill, talent, inspiration, and luck. But when I'm done and I have that final draft in my hands, it will all be worth it. I have faith that someday, as long as I keep working every day, I'll get there. It will happen.