Mar's Writing Blog

Maranda's (@Mcromwell) hobby writing blog about the queer post-apoc sci-fi series in progress, The Altered Sequence. Survival. Becoming Human. Home.

[the-altered-sequence]

The Altered Sequence

A sci-fi post-apocalyptic novel series about finding ways to be human in a harsh world, even when you're a genetically altered supersoldier shaped like a cat or dog.

This is The Altered Sequence by @mcromwell

These books are written in first person present tense, very character driven, queer, and features several main characters that are anthropomorphic.

This pinned post is a work in progress, updated periodically.

Table of Contents

About the Books:

Book 1: Bound to Ashes [editing again after reader feedback]

Book 2: Interim (first draft done, second draft in editing phase)

Book 3: Children of Caduceus

Book 4: Chasing Firelines

Book 5: The Plunge

Book 6: Independence Pack

Novella: Charlie's Tale

Book 7: The Elysium Trap

Book 8: Real Liberty (outlining)

Short Story Collection (needs more stories & editing)

Character Bios & Worldbuilding tags:

WIP!

Dev Character Bio

Ashton Character Bio

#Ecodome inspiration

#TheReef inspiration

Where to Read:

www.marandart.com/writing

More Stuff:

Coming soon!

[museqotd]

How politically active is your character?

[oc-extraordinaire]

Which OC is deaf?

[sunflowers-and-scales]

“this character did not act in the most objectively logical way possible!” is not ! actually valid literary criticism

[sunflowers-and-scales]

i have trust that the media literacy enjoyers will find this one idk

[have-you-read-this-webcomic]

Have you read Bicycle Boy by Jackarais?

Yes, completely!

Yes, partially

No

I've never heard of it

Voting ended onJan 13

"Our protagonist--a cyborg who calls himself 'Poet'--cannot recall anything before the day he woke up in the middle of the desert, surrounded by corpses. With no memories, no purpose, and no idea what the hell is going on, he sets out to find answers."

Propaganda:

"Gut-wrenching."

Read it here!

[the-altered-sequence]

My two favorite post-apocalypse stories are from Japan: Heavenly Delusion and Nausicaa. Most western post-apocs rely on "wow aren't humans awful and didn't we deserve all this?" while the former veers towards "wow aren't we making the best of this shitty scenario out of our control!"

One is full of machismo bullshit, heavy emphasis on cruelty and impartiality, while the other acknowledges the pitfalls frankly, but the characters strive to do better. I want more international post-apocs to compare them to. I think socioeconomic and cultural aspects inform these works heavily.

(Okay to be fair there's a narrative reason for Mad Max being the way it is, it's purposefully over-the-top as a form of mythology, and I love them, so they get a pass lol) But yeah, most post-apoc stories focus on the world being the way it is as punishment, almost never a chance at rebuilding, which is what I like.

At the end of the day it all feels like fantasizing about the end: won't it be awful, yes, but. What then? What do we do with the endless options ahead of us? Do we give into the cruelty we're told is inevitable, or do we work to defy it? If we don't work to defy it, it's pointless torture porn.

Blah blah blah read my books blah blah ♥ https://www.marandart.com/writing

[the-altered-sequence]

ALMOST ready for beta readers for book 2! Characters are safe from old threats but faced with newer, unfamiliar challenges that threaten their coexistence. (It's also only about 50k words.) If you read Bound to Ashes, please hmu if you'd like a doodle in exchange for your feedback on book 2.

[sandmandaddy69]

[ivanshestov]

военнопленных нет.

human bone doll. 2019

[the-altered-sequence]

I have done the first read-through and edit on book 2 of The Altered Sequence! This one is different for me because it's a story without a villain. I used to default to "so who's the bad guy" type stories, but as I learn how to construct conflict and character arcs, I thought I'd try a new approach.

It's a nice tight story. The conflict is consistent, the motivations are clear, the stakes are well-established. There's definitely more to bulk up the meat of it, but for now, it's a concise book that wraps up the loose ends. I even got to include foreshadowing for the next two books' arc.

WRITING IS FUN AND I LIKE IT :> If you wanna read the first book, you can do so here: https://www.marandart.com/writing

[dmcfadzean]

[kaccvcate]

literally what I was thinking lmfao what a book

[the-altered-sequence]

Book promo time! I still have signed copies in the shop. My website also has eBooks.

[pangur-and-grim]

I just want to write my little stupid stories. please may I have one william dollars

[mcromwell]

(incoherent excitement sounds) PHYSICAL COPY IS GOOD, WE ARE LIVE!! Bound to Ashes (2nd ed.) IS HERE!! Sorry, I'm just excited. Finally my works are getting into the light where I've wanted them for over ten years.

CLICK HERE TO GET ONE (ebook / paperback)

[lesnienka-deactivated20210817]

Pripyat

[the-altered-sequence]

In book news, I am now just waiting to receive my first physical copy of the book for my approval, and then I'll order a few for my site and announce the eBook, too. SO CLOOOOSE

[the-altered-sequence]

It's astounding how, after just a few critical questions, many people in writing groups admit they do not enjoy the process of writing. Instead they chase the perceived high of having already written a book, or worse, the acclaim that comes with it. (As if that's in their control.)

Worst of all, a young writer told me they write because they thought they, "Don't have anything else to offer." Oh my god. Who hurt you. That shit breaks my heart for real.

Make art because you WANT to-- full stop.