Chapter Two

by Daniel on February 19, 2009 at 2:00 am

Starting tomorrow, we’re beginning something different with Monster Commute.

Chapter Two: Kings of the Road

What does this mean?

It means that I’m going to focus more on a story.

Primarily, I’m going to feel much less compelled to attempt “gag-a-day” strips. While these probably make it easier to get into MonCom, it’s brutally difficult to try to come up with something funny each and ever day. In fact, it’s gotten in the way of developing the world here, which has been one of my goals since the beginning.

It’s always been my plan to establish the road and the humdrum monotony of endless driving… and then move into a real story. I think that I’m finally ready myself, and I sense that you might be too.

Next up, I’m going to attempt to tell a longer yarn. It’s going to be challenging and fun and hard, and I’ll probably stumble (and fall) a few more times… but stick with me.

At the very least, I’m going to have more of a chance to show you some of this wicked old world that’s stuck in my head.

And that should be kingly.

- Daniel

Here’s my soundtrack, from Tom Wait’s Blood Money:

Starving in the Belly of a Whale

Life is whittled
Life’s a riddle
Man’s a fiddle that life plays on

When the day breaks, and the earth quakes
Life’s a mistake all day long
Tell me, who gives a good gooddamn
You’ll never get out alive

Don’t go dreaming
Don’t go scheming
A man must test his mettle
In a crooked ol’ world

[Chorus:]
Starving in the Belly
Starving in the Belly
Starving in the Belly of a whale
Starving in the Belly
Starving in the Belly
Starving in the Belly of a whale

Dan’t take my word
Just look skyward
They that dance must pay the fiddler
Sky is darkening
Dogs are barking
But the caravan moves on

Tell me who gives a good gooddamn
You’ll never get get out alive
Don’t go dreaming
Don’t go scheming
A man must test his mettle
In crooked ol’ world
Starving in the Belly…

[Chorus]

As the crow flies
It’s there the truth lies
At the bottom of the well
E-o-leven goes to heaven
Bless the dead here as the rain falls
Don’t trust a bull’s horn
A doberman’s tooth
A runaway horse or me

Don’t be greedy, don’t be needy
If you live in hope you’re
Dancing to a terrible tune
Starving in the Belly
Starving in the Belly…

Terry

February 19, 2009 at 5:55 am | #

It’s great to hear you’re going to focus on developing this world. Grabbing tidbits of background here and there was the reason I was tuning in daily Looking forward to some kingly stories!

Daniel

February 19, 2009 at 6:43 am | #

Angela – Awesome! Very honored. Love to hear about it.

SmilinPHX – Yarn? You’re awesomely crazy!

Terry – That’s really good to hear. Then keep watching; I’m pretty excited about what’s coming up. Also, I’ve been writing more about the world in the Forums. Check in there if you’d like some behind the scenes world info.

SmilinPhoenix

February 19, 2009 at 6:09 am | #

I has visions of the map of Monstru, completely detailed in yarn. (sigh)
Hows-a-bout-a transdermal patch loaded with Zombie Gone? No dirty Zombies for days! Kudos on the de-evolution of single slap strip into the rusty, but trusty vehicle and the perpetual road trip! Yah, sure, you betcha.