Chapter 398: 2022 Year-End Summary

Today is the last day of 2022, and I want to show you the notebook I've filled with the detailed outline for my book, *Xianren*.

In fact, I've already used up a third of the second notebook. By the time this book is finished, I conservatively estimate I'll use another four or five notebooks. And that's a conservative estimate.

Before I started writing this book, I prepared several outlines, some for over a million words, others for over two million. Originally, I just wanted to use a shorter outline to test the waters. After all, as a newcomer, it's not ideal to bite off more than you can chew.

But as if by some unseen force, I ended up choosing the longest and most difficult outline.

In my ninth year of writing, I believe my writing style, plot control, knowledge base, and life insights are gradually maturing. Coupled with the current complex domestic and international environment, it truly feels like the best time to write this book. If I were to miss this opportunity, my mindset and creative inspiration might no longer be in tune.

However, this also means the difficulty of writing it far exceeds all my previous works. Although I only write a few thousand words a day, I spend over 8 hours daily on it. Beyond conceiving ideas, outlining in detail, and the actual writing, I repeatedly go back to refine it, ensuring consistency and a natural flow throughout. Unlike my previous works, which were often written in one go, it's common for a plot segment in *Xianren* to be revised more than five times before it's finally presented to you.

My energy and thinking speed don't match many of my peers. Perhaps the only thing I can compete with them on is sheer diligence. Yet, I also have ambitions; I hope what I write transcends the typical "web novel" classification. It should contain serious thought while also touching the softest parts of the human heart. It can bring you joy and happiness, and also prompt deep reflection. It can even accompany you as you explore this world.

My writing isn't as exhilarating or cathartic as that of some other authors. However, the ecosystem on Qidian should be diverse, just as a spring garden shouldn't have only one type of flower blooming. Similarly, not only one kind of soul is worth cherishing in this world.

But I've strayed a bit from the topic.

This is a year-end summary, so it's time to report on my achievements:

My book, *After the Immortal Disappeared*, was launched on September 1st. Its initial subscriptions were only 200, but four months later, the average subscriptions exceeded 3,000, making it a small, high-quality work. On the day it was accepted into the 'Quality Works' channel, I went back to my old book's page to post an announcement, inviting my old fans to come check it out.

The initial struggles were all within my expectations. After all, I insisted on starting from scratch. My mentor asked if I regretted it, questioning why I hadn't brought *Shengyue* over if I'd known how things would turn out. I said, "Regret? Not a chance! You don't understand the fun of leveling up a new account."

Such a grand endeavor is truly what my heart desires. Even if I'm just a small fish just entering the vast world of writing, the future holds great promise. If one never braves the waters and rides the waves, how uninteresting would life be?

Of course, one must be optimistic in spirit, but serious in strategy. You have to eat one bite at a time and walk one step at a time. Only by proceeding steadily can one go far.

If you also like this book, please let me know. Knowing I'm not alone in this journey makes writing tirelessly under a solitary lamp late at night all the more motivating and meaningful.

Looking back at 2022, a year of many disasters and misfortunes is finally coming to an end. Let's look forward to and pray for the future together, leaving all the weariness and pain behind in 2022.

Life must go on, and our ideals need to be pursued.

See you next year! ^_^

Jiufang Ye / Fengxing Shuiyun JianDecember 31, 2022