The Alchemists

This is a promotional chapter. You don't have to use coins to unlock this. Feel free to use fast pass :).     

Dear lovely readers,     

When I started writing this book, on February 18, 2019, I didn't know this would be such a long journey for me and the characters. I only intend to write one story between an immortal who was never in love, when he finally found the love of his life, and that woman.     

After their story was over, I was inspired to write stories about their children. The story came to me one after another, and suddenly, from just one man and one woman, now we have countless characters. This couple has friends, relatives, and descendants... and now, we have the whole community XD.     

After Caspar and Finland, we have Aleksis and Alaric in Volume 2, and while I write their story, I also gave closure to Lauriel.     

And then... we have London and L's story in Volume 3, and at the same time, we have closure for Nicolae.     

I am very happy with the book after each story was concluded. Like I often admitted in the past, when I write a story, I don't really have plans for it. I only write as I go, and the characters came up with their own story.     

Every day, I was surprised by what happened, in a good way, and I can enjoy the story like you do. After I wrote about London and L, I thought I will only write one last story and that's it, that was Vega's story.     

I thought the book will end with Vega Linden, the granddaughter, and then I will close the series. I know I said that the book is intentionally separated from the main book because the story is a bit dark, but the truth is there is another reason.     

I needed to make a new book that I can use to promote "The Alchemists" so the main book can get readers. I don't know what went wrong, but when I first started writing "The Alchemists", I only had a few readers. Like... very few.     

I don't know if it's the cover, the weird title, or people just don't like the story... I was feeling down and was thinking I must be a lousy author that very few people wanted to read my book.      

I also thought Webnovel didn't think my book was good enough so they didn't feature my book like the others. For months I felt like a stepchild.. ahahahaha. Or maybe my book slipped somewhere and they forgot about it...     

Anyway, I thought, I need a new book that will get featured, so I can promote my first book when the new book is seen by potential readers. That's why Vega's story ended up being a separate book. It was meant mostly to promote the prequel.     

Long story short, it did work. Some people who read Vega's story ended up going to "The Alchemists" and read it and slowly more people read this book. I also cross-promote "The Alchemists" in my other book "Finding Stardust", and the readers also come here to read.     

I've got more readers in the last 4 months compared to the first year after I wrote this book. Now, I feel happy.     

"The Alchemists" is my first baby and it is FINALLY getting seen. Even though I love Finding Stardust and my other books, this one will always be the one closest to my heart.     

This month, Webnovel started noticing this book and now "The Alchemists" is getting some features and promotions. I no longer feel like a stepchild.. ahaha.     

I really love this platform and I wish to grow here. So, being noticed by Webnovel makes me feel so happy.     

It's like having a requited love. It's the best feeling in the world!     

Loving someone and feeling they love you back. That's how I feel now about Webnovel. It is no longer and one-sided love affair from my side.     

WIN-WIN EVENT     

As you know, Webnovel started a Win-Win Event in September. If an author published 1500 words per day for their book and many people bought the book's privilege, they can get features and promotions for the said book.      

I want those features for The Alchemists. So, I decided to write 30 extra chapters for this book in November so it can win the event and get featured.     

To tell you the truth, I was not ready to write more stories for The Alchemists as I am still writing Vega's story. It is not yet ending and I need to give it a proper closure. Until this day, I still haven't written the ending, btw.     

So, I rake my brain every day to update Vega's story and this book. I am also updating "Finding Stardust". In addition to that, I also still have to do my day job to make ends meet, and two young children to take care of, as I am a single mom.     

So, you can see how I was swamped.     

However, I really, really want to win those features for this book, "The Alchemists" because this book is my baby and it didn't get featured in the past that people on this platform didn't know it existed. So, I forced myself to update all three books. Finding Stardust, The Alchemists, and Vega's book.     

TURNING FORTY     

I am really really sorry if your enjoyment in reading got delayed since I struggle to update every book with the same consistency. I am so grateful for your understanding and support. I was supposed to be able to do this but an unexpected thing happened in November.     

You see, two weeks ago I turned 40. Boy, I didn't know that the weeks leading to my birthday were really stressful. I didn't know that it would hit me mentally, knowing that I no longer a 30-something girl, but suddenly a middle-aged 40-year-old woman.     

Maybe it's a mid-life crisis? Dang! It was hard to swallow... ahahaha. It was stressing me so much that I became sick and couldn't write for some time. Sorry.. for the slow updates.     

Anyway, I am better now and I can slowly make peace with the fact that I am getting older and hopefully wiser. Mentally, I start feeling okay too. I am in a much better place now compared to where I was two years ago, battling depression and whatnot.     

Anyway.. I hope you don't waste your precious coins on this note. I just wrote this to rant/share/update you about my progress and this book, and let you know my plan with the story.     

THE PLAN     

Initially, I just wanted to write 30 chapters of side stories, with a few chapters about this character and few chapters about that character, just to win the Win-Win Event. However, now the story has evolved (like always, I don't control my stories - they control me), and I end up writing about Rune.      

Rune is Caspar and Finland's youngest child, so I feel like he needs to get his own story, just like Aleksis in Volume 2 and London in Volume 3. Therefore, I will continue the book until Rune finds his happily ever after.     

What's next? Maybe we'll see Aldebar find love? Peaceapeace said she would love to see Aldebar fall in love. What do you think? Who else do you want to see being brought to the spotlight?     

If you are eager to see how Lauriel fares as a husband, I will write a part about him and Rosalien, don't worry. I can tell you that people who are cold outside tend to be hot/passionate inside, so his love life is quite interesting to read too :).     

Who else are we missing? What about Terry? The twin boys? Lily Schneider and her cousins? ^^     

Or do you think we should end the book after Rune' story is over? Let me know your thought. Mind you, this book will end up being over 1000 chapters. I just hope people won't get intimidated to read it when they see so many chapters.     

MOVING FORWARD     

I will continue this book with Rune's story (no longer side stories) and publish regularly everyday, at least 1 chapter per day to still qualify for the Win-Win Event. I beg you to keep supporting this book by purchasing the Privilege, the first tier is only 1 coin, so it can win the event.     

I will still throw giveaways for readers who purchase this book privilege. Five giveaways if this book cross 500 buyers and Ten giveaways if this book crossed 1000 buyers.     

You can send me the screenshot (open the app, go to PROFILE - PRIVILEGE - and take a screenshot) to my Instagram @missrealitybites or my email: [email protected].     

I will randomly select 10 winners by January 2021 for readers who purchase Privilege in December. The giveaways are one of these things (you can choose): either Amazon $20 gift card or my paperback sent to you, anywhere in the world.     

Btw, I still have to select 10 readers for November Privilege giveaways. I will do so next week, announce it on Instagram, and posted the video there too. Please be patient.     

I am also behind for October giveaways (for Finding Stardust and The Prince books) as I was uber busy and stressed in November... T_T.     

So, if you bought my privilege for those two books in October, I will soon select and announce the winners once I have cleared my backlogs. Thank you so much for your patience.     

Anyway.. I am done with my update. If you read this note, know that I am really grateful for your support and encouragement.     

The next chapter is a promotion chapter for my newest book. You can skip that and go to the next chapter after that. Or, if you haven't read "The Cursed Prince", I suggest you read the next chapter and see why you should read the book.     

To be honest, writing and reading "The Cursed Prince" has become my guilty pleasure. It is so funny and I love the couple so much. I will update the book regularly starting December once Vega's story ends.     

Love, Vina - Missrealitybites