Palm-of-the Hand Stories [Anthology, Slice of Life, Drama, Psychological]

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BlackMagnolia
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Palm-of-the Hand Stories [Anthology, Slice of Life, Drama, Psychological]

#1 Post by BlackMagnolia »

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Palm-of-the Hand Stories was coined by Japanese novelist Yasunari Kawabata to describe the many short stories that he has written over the decades in his long illustrious writing career. These stories were short, little fragments, sometimes a page long or a few pages, that conveyed a richness and wealth of emotions and topics.

I was inspired by this writing method and thought it would apply well to VNs. So, I began my first palm-of-the-hand VN in December and completed it today. This is one of an ongoing series of short VNs and KNs that will be written, coded and completed on my own under my one-man dev studio Flerdele Leider. It will be published on itch.io on Valentine's Day, February 14th, as pay-what-you-want up until the following day to which it will be paid.


Future installments will be mostly in the slice-of-life genre with forays into other genres such as horror, comedy, surrealism and magical realism. Depending on the length and amount of time put into it will make the price vary. Each VN/KN will have a number and a comment detailing the genre, a synopsis, word count, and whether it is NSFW or SFW.

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BlackMagnolia
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Re: Palm-of-the Hand Stories [Anthology, Slice of Life, Drama, Psychological]

#2 Post by BlackMagnolia »

Carin (Palm of the Hand # 001)

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Synopsis
Carin is a palm-of-the-hand kinetic novel, the first entry in Flerdele Leider's palm-of-the-hand short story series, that deals with an unhealthy relationships between two characters, K (the reluctant and reticent protagonist) and the titular Carin, his fiery and vocal off and on girlfriend). Told in disjointed whispers, bittersweet reminiscences, and erotic tension, Carin is a short yet intense conversation about self-worth and the fear of letting someone in.

Palm-of-the-Hand # 001.

Screenshots
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Credits
Story, CGs, Coding and 3D sprites by Usman M.

Music by Kai Engel and Chris Zabriskie.


Genre
Drama, Romance, Slice of Life.


Length
Word count: 1320 words. 5 - 10 minutes.

Release Date
February 14th, 2018

Alpha Demo

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BlackMagnolia
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Re: Palm-of-the Hand Stories [Anthology, Slice of Life, Drama, Psychological]

#3 Post by BlackMagnolia »

It's been two weeks since I've released my first "game" to the interest of tumbleweeds and a few curious stragglers. I even scored a purchase. However, that was only designed as an experiment.

Those curious can find it here.

I've decided to revamp the characters and backgrounds, fully in 3D. Mostly for convenience and because I lack the resources to hire artists. I have also grown fond of the style. Waking up to overnight crisp photorealistic renders is like Christmas with all the anxiety and sleepless nights. I know I'm not the first using this style here. Though the usage of it mostly are for pornographic purposes. I'll leave my opinion of that up in the air.

Finding out how to make really high definition stills at a faster rate with quality intact make the work this time all the more easier.

First thing I decided to do was do some touch ups on the titular Carin.

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The first design's hair was killing me with it's weird texture and she looked so pale that she seemed to glow like a ghost. Being that I am changing her characterization from a wildly emotional, upfront and fiery girl to a more "mature", nuanced, troubled and sinister young woman I made cosmetic changes that mirrored that change. Keeping her eyes slightly hidden and her asymmetrical bangs to her suggestive clothing in private and keeping face in public. Her expressions are a bit more subtle and I'm trying to show instead of tell everything right then and there.

I decided on these changes because a simple love spat between two teens is a boring prompt to explore despite the darker themes lurking below the simple story.

Like most good shows and memorable characters, twist and turns are essential to a story like this. Especially since I'm attempting to emulate dramatic Netflix series with this story and how its executed.

I am still in the process of brainstorming and testing out how to accommodate the story in a branching manner. I think the subtle shift in tone and characterization will make more outcomes in how the story plays out and ends. Psychological stories tend to make that execution easier.

I'm still thinking. Writer's block is a real bitch. Let's hope that this update makes sense.
Last edited by BlackMagnolia on Tue Mar 13, 2018 2:06 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Zelan
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Re: Palm-of-the Hand Stories [Anthology, Slice of Life, Drama, Psychological]

#4 Post by Zelan »

I like the new image of Carin a lot better. Presumably it takes a lot more to get your 3D models that high quality, but it's worth the time and effort, in my opinion.

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BlackMagnolia
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Re: Palm-of-the Hand Stories [Anthology, Slice of Life, Drama, Psychological]

#5 Post by BlackMagnolia »

Zelan wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2018 6:51 pm I like the new image of Carin a lot better. Presumably it takes a lot more to get your 3D models that high quality, but it's worth the time and effort, in my opinion.
I actually learned a few tricks to make them faster and they go from looking like really rough draft renders to gorgeous realistic renders in half the time.

These are more clearer images I just did yesterday and earlier today. Just exploring lighting and expressions.

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Re: Palm-of-the Hand Stories [Anthology, Slice of Life, Drama, Psychological]

#6 Post by BlackMagnolia »

I'm writing the new Carin story now after a bit of time away from it. This one will focus on how the two protagonists, K and Carin, met and will be longer than the first one. I'm planning on taking my time with this one so that it is more polished, engaging and satisfying than the former.

Meanwhile, Carin went through a bit more redesigning in looks and feel. I tried a more ominous look to her and lit her so that her eyes, one of her standout features, are hidden.

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The difficulty lies in characterizing her just right so as not to be edgy or try-hard but actually disturbed and worrisome as a person who experienced immense hardship and subsequent mental problems would be. I was reading about the Virgina Tech shooter from some years ago and noted characteristics were someone who was intensely withdrawn, emotionally blunted, menacing behavior, arrogant and hateful. I don't intend to create a school shooter scenario in any of my works but this will correlate to a person with their tendencies and trying to reach them and potientially succeeding. Establishing some kind of lifeline and so forth.


This is a render i did of her, sitting naked and vulnerable inside of her childhood home which is now derelict and abandoned. I'll be using this as a main poster for the current Carin story. I think it's a great, powerful image that would draw people in.

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This one was just for fun but does relate to the story and her character. Though, thankfully, she doesn't actually have such an ugly, overcompensating guitar. Music is a great tool for communication and solace when either is hard to have. I won't say more than that. I'll let you read for yourselves when the time comes.


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