Mathew Babaoye's Blog: Pure Impure

Research

Most of my favorite novels, and no doubt many of yours, were built upon/supported by a rock-solid foundation of broad, intensive, “all”-encompassing research. Science fiction, fantasy, you name it, oftentimes such novel’s “special thanks” sections will include a long list of educational texts, articles, courses, and/or correspondence with various professionals, outside experts, authors, and editors, which were all crucial in fact-checking, establishing and ensuring the necessary accuracy/verisimilitude of those very highest quality fictional stories/worlds…

Which, of course, makes total sense if one just stops to properly ponder on it for a moment or two. Stories mirror life. Life is complex, and so, therefore, high quality fictional life must reflect at least some appropriate measure of that otherwise seemingly endless complexity. And because so few of us can credibly claim to be experts at EVERYTHING, let alone anything, it also reasonably follows that one in the business of writing a novel might very well want, or perhaps need, to consult with outside experts, outside of one’s own head, that is, especially when one is attempting to create a world of “true” depth, possibly on par with SFF’s so-called greats…

Again: this might all seem obvious, or, rather, VERY obvious, to most, or at least many of you reading this…

… and yet? For me?

Somehow, for most of my “career” as an author of fiction, this was not so. Whether from thoughtless inexperience, hubris or something else, most of my past writing has been written almost entirely off the cuff, utilizing only what’s ping-ponging around inside of my relatively fertile brain/imagination at the time. This seemingly haphazard way of crafting a story (by daydreaming, writing, daydreaming some more, writing more, calling on past memories of stories, articles, etc. to fill things out, and leaving the rest as a bit vague, or clunky) may very well have “worked” in the past, producing, apparently, satisfactory enough little fictions in the past…

Again: and yet? This certainly no longer satisfies ME.

So… I began to research. And research. And research some more, more and more and MORE. Into every area of life, physics, metaphysics, storytelling and worldcrafting, which make my favorite stories so deep, multi-faceted and “believable”. Endless branching out in all directions, to all depths. All to finally quiet that stubborn little voice inside of me which has always insisted that something was wrong, something was missing, and crucially lacking, not only in my stories but my very methodology. Something which rendered basically all of my works to date as more or less immature, unserious, and amateur. Something which, if diligently rectified, would then finally allow me to begin producing stories perhaps more on par with, approaching parity to, or even, with a great deal of luck, surpassing those aforementioned towering giants of SFF which so inspired me to begin this whole writing journey in the first place, all those very many, many, many years ago, now…

And…

So…

Yep. I am still currently in the midst of research, syncretization, output, and etc.

The Good News: I have now crafted multiple support texts for each of my upcoming novels, each totalling in the hundreds and thousands of pages, which go into great depth about the physical, metaphysical, mental and spiritual worlds (or substrates) contained therein, fully explaining and forming each of their realities down to the meanest bedrock/s, and beyond.

The Bad news: I still haven’t finished any of the actual novels themselves, which those texts support. At least not to my proper satisfaction.

Again: So…

I continue to write, edit, research, and re-write, forging ever onwards, and hopefully upwards, towards my ultimate goal/goals/eventual completion.

Thanks to all for your continued patience

Current Projects

My prior (2019) update regarding current writing projects was, in retrospect, perhaps a tad overambitious/unwieldly-seeming, inspiring confidence NOT in my ability to finish out the list but rather indicating that I may have bitten off more than I can reasonably chew. Such an assesment may or may not have been correct. However, it does not accurately reflect my current (2023) main objectives/projects list. Therefore, here we are.

Below is my 2023 Writing Projects List, in order of importance/priority.

#1A Fantasy Novellete: this project has moved all the way up the list and is now tied with the next entry as my top priority. I have written, re-written, thrown out, went back to formula, re-conceptualized, expanded, written and re-written this into a proper novel. Quite a meaty one, in fact. Epic fantasy. Tone, style, and ??? are of paramount importance here, so I am giving it all the time it needs to become exactly what it needs to become. Could take much longer than initially expected. More to come.

#1B Übermensch 4th Edition: this one would be the easiest project for me to finish as the bulk of the novel is already written and most of the work adding new chapters, updating, etc. is already complete. However, 1 chapter in particular is proving excessively tricksy, along with a few other factors. Stay tuned.

#2 Romance Novel: I wrote a full third of this novel before moving on to other projects while getting some early beta reader feedback, doing more research, etc. It was probably the easiest project for me to write, by far. Completing it would likely proceed at a similar pace. However, it is currently on the back burner while I focus on 1A and 1B.

#3 The Rage (Superhero Edition): this has gotten the least attention out of my top 4 but is still a story near and dear to my heart. Big plans for this, and the 3 sequels are initially planned, plotted, etc. I have even considered working on the planned sequel before completing this final edition. The sequel recontextualizes some of this, could possibly be enjoyed stand-alone, but also offers an oppositional story from a completely new main character. The yin, in a way, to Damon’s yang. Additionally: I wrote a short story prequel detailing Damon’s initial meeting with ???. Turned out interesting, but I have nowhere to put it yet. Still working on where everything fits in, regarding my grander plans.

All other previous projects are still ongoing but utilizing, let’s say, less than 10% of my total writing energy/attention, while these main 4 take up the majority. Hope to share more as soon as I can.

Goals

I wouldn’t exactly call these resolutions, but here are my literary goals for 2023:

Read more booksWrite more reviewsPost more updatesShare moreBegin to finalize new releases

Good luck to everyone! Let’s do our best

The Grind

I have written over 2,000 pages since the last update.None of the stories are good enough yet.The grind continues…

Currently…

2020 was a tough year for me just as it was for most. Certain goals had to be adjusted, multiple projects altered, and all deadlines pushed back. Currently re-calibrating my focus and getting back to the basics.

Update

Writing is still my main focus in life, but I have become more serious and secretive about it. Every story that I wrote before this point was just good practice. Currently, I am working on 7 major projects.

Romance Novel: this is my centerpiece, and a project that I am unusually excited about. It is set in the 17th century, alternating POVs between the two romantic leads. I am currently 11 chapters deep, with the rest fully plotted out. My weekly writing output and enthusiasm have both been high for this one, and I’m receiving positive early feedback from beta readers.
Übermensch 4th Edition: I am hoping for this to be the final Edition of Übermensch, barring any unforeseen developments. All changes/additions have been fully plotted, and I am already done with the first 4 chapters (Chapter 1 was expanded, doubling the original size. Chapters 2-4 are completely new material). This is basically now a full re-write. Hopefully the finished product will reflect both my growth as a writer + fan feedback.
Fantasy Novellete: this humble origin story has been tantalizing me for 2 years. It features a mysterious, magical child protagonist. Genre is High Fantasy/Fae. Full storyboarding is finished. I am currently re-writing the beginning.
Detective Novel: an early 20th century thriller featuring minor sci-fi elements and major adult themes. Multiple chapters written.
The Rage (Superhero Edition): Damon’s story has been itching at me to return for a final Edition. Review/reader feedback indicated that the original version was too dark, and I completely agree. I have begun a full re-write of the narrative, similar in scope to what I am doing for Übermensch.
Codename Ghost: her second mission probably needs a complete re-write before I can move the overall narrative forward. This one is last on my list.
1 mystery story

No release dates to announce at this time. I was overeager in the past, publishing without the necessary level of professional polish. Things will be different going forward. I hope to share more in late 2020, early 2021

Currently…

Things have been very busy! I am still writing multiple unique projects and hope to share more in the future

Sequel

Fans of Übermensch can enjoy an early 5 chapter sample of its sequel, Line in the Stars. Read it for free here: https://www.wattpad.com/story/91090081-line-in-the-stars/parts

New Short Story

Codename: Ghost is my latest short story. To be published in eight parts, it is a thriller about a skilled covert operative infiltrating a dictator’s island stronghold. Read it for free here: 

New Short Story

My latest short story is finished. It is absurdist fiction about an upbeat vagrant titled Shirtless Bob. Read the whole thing for free here: https://www.wattpad.com/story/81436004-shirtless-bob