Blog Dollhood is complete!
Huzzah!
Well it only took six years, two countries, three jobs, one lovely marriage, one less-lovely global pandemic, and just under 150000 words, but Dollhood: A Woman’s Choice is finally finished!!!
With the posting of the final four chapters, we have the conclusion of a multi-book arc chronicling the misadventures of Hope Hodgkinson and her friends, family, and (let’s be honest) abusers. I consider this a happy ending, but bittersweet without a doubt. What kicked it off was an outline that Dave Potter and I drafted back in 2017 right after the completion of An Artist’s Masterpiece, being enamoured with a couple of throwaway characters – identical twins Hope and Chastity – and the mere mention of their renamed mother Cushions and her companion Cuddles.
That bare outline took us through the idea that Emily’s struggle in Masterpiece was not actually unique but just woefully rushed and mishandled, exploring “by-the-book doll-to-be” Hope’s upbringing and time at finishing school, all the way to her wedding with John Collins. Fulfilling that outline turned out to be a monumental task. I should have cut and reduced complexity and arcs, but the world of Alt-Britain and just my sliver of it was growing too dense and intriguing to look away!
I consider Books 1 and 2 to be a standalone transformation story, first of indoctrination then subjugation then finally adoration. But to leave it there would have been saccharine. They certainly like each other but, as common in arranged marriages, they hardly understand each other.
Books 3 and 4 are perhaps even darker, steered by my good friend Slothargy deeper into the possibilities of this world, and the twin dolls’ peculiar arrangement. Not only must they contest with John’s dangerous father, but also their place in the upper crust of this strange system, and the nature of Leisure; searching for the line between being cared for and caged.
Books 1 and 2 are most certainly about the descent into objectification, Book 3 is about existence within those constraints as a objectified passenger, and Book 4 covers the recovery and attempt to find a balance.
All this is to say, its now more novel than novella! The little idea has grown to encompass numerous characters and a full world which Dave already laid the foundation for with his Ladies of Leisure. Atop this, through thick and thin, I’ve been lucky to have Slothargy’s support and knack for worldbuilding as I wove my story.
Go ahead and read Book 1, that’s all I ask. :)
An Illustration to Celebrate!
Now somewhat related, I’ve long appreciated the work of HexErotica who is a 3D designer and artist of the highest calibre, with an astonishing grip on rendering techniques. They asked last fall for my assistance proofreading and editing on a comic project of theirs, which I offer to other writers engaging in interesting worldbuilding projects. As an unprompted thank-you for my involvement with this new comic Cyber Dolls, HexErotica has taken the time to bring Hope and Chastity to life!
I really appreciate this rendering, as I’ve appreciated all the illustrations of my stories: paid, trades, or simply gifts. Very lucky to have a great community! :)
I’m curious if anyone can tell which is which… :P
