Samuél L. Barrantes · Author · added over 11 years ago

Dear 146 Stars,

73% sounds like a lucky number. With a little over one month left, I'm confident Slim and The Beast will become a real life novel.

I've been editing like a fiend and will keep on keeping on. In the adopted words of Oscar Wilde, “I was working on the proof [of Slim and The Beast] all the morning, and took out a comma. In the afternoon I put it back again.”

Your support is fueling my belief that I can "make it" as a novelist. Of course, when I say "make it" I mean publish; and if a single sentence inspires you like you've inspired me to publish this novel, then it's worth it, plain and simple -- you are the reason for this novel.

I know I've said it before but I mean it: when this is done there will be a poster with all of your names on my wall.

Samuél L. Barrantes · Author · added over 11 years ago

Dear Star of the Month(s),

With 50 days left, I'm 58% there. Your support has legitimately changed my life.

I know it's cliché. Maybe it has to be. How else can I convey how much it means without sounding cheesy? In the words of my favorite author, David Foster-Wallace, "Stated as an English sentence, of course, this is just a banal platitude [i.e. an unoriginal cliché] but the fact is that in the day to day trenches of adult existence, banal platitudes can have a life or death importance."

An inevitable part of writing is feeling incredibly lonely; that what I'm writing is useless, that no one cares what it's about. But by believing in me, you've also made me belief in myself --another banal platitude, of course, but I believe in the truth behind clichés. The fact is I couldn't be where I am without you, all 118 of you. As you may have seen, I am now on the front page of Inkshares and the top-grossing project; and while I'm incredibly grateful for the recognition, it's because of you, not me that I've gotten here. What I'm most excited about is that my book will be in your hands, so that hopefully I can give a small token of appreciation back.

If there's one thing I've learned about writing, it's to be honest, concise, and clear. So thank you for believing in Slim and The Beast. You cannot know (because it's hard to express) how much your support means to me.

Thank you for helping change my life. When all of this is done, your names will be framed on my wall.

Samuél L. Barrantes · Author · added over 11 years ago

Dear Star of The Month (all 92 of you),

With a little less than 1 month in, I'm 39% towards my dream of becoming a published novelist. You have given me hope that this is possible.

By June 5th, 2014, I will either be on my way to published noveldom, or a crowdfunded version of public shame. Either way, it will be a good story. The latter won't happen though, because I won't let it happen. I promise that this will become a reality one way or another -- you have given me the motivation to prove all those literary agents wrong.

Here's me giving you a digital high-five and corralling you in for a hug. When this is all done, I will be framing the list of all of The Stars on my wall.

Samuél L. Barrantes · Author · added over 11 years ago

Howdy folks, I'm 27% there! Still a long way to go, but you have all helped (and are helping) pave the way. I'll be adding more chapters in the weeks to come; feel free to give me any suggestions or criticism along the way. You've already been saintly in your willingness to support the novel and believe in me. If you happen to mention Slim and The Beast to friends or colleagues, every person counts, and I really mean that. If you think of someone who likes to read, I'd be incredibly grateful if you told your best friend or sibling, mother or father or niece, bagel maker or coffee maker or drug store clerk to reserve a copy. Even if one single person among all of your contacts agrees to back the novel, with all of you that's dozens more people joining the community!

Samuél L. Barrantes · Author · added over 11 years ago

Thanks for the comment, Jeremy. That theme definitely plays a role throughout the novel. I'm specifically interested in what the term "to be connected" really means in this day and age, and the notion that we now have a physical and "digital" self.

Samuél L. Barrantes · Author · added over 11 years ago

Dear backers, it's been almost a week since I started and I've already reached $1,145 (12%) of my goal. I can't thank you all enough for helping me make this happen...and in case you want to spread the word, I've made an easier website to tell people about it: www.slimandthebeast.com. I'm indebted to all of you for believing in me and am genuinely moved by your generosity; the wine is on me next time you're in Paris.