Afterword
This story has been in progress for a long time — a little over 20 months! For the most part I had great fun writing it, and it was an interesting way to keep in touch with the randomness of Speech and Debate even after I graduated. It was not supposed to take this long.
I will admit that there were some characters and dynamics that were more fun than others (Edward vs. Elaine was particularly fun to write). It’s also a bit silly to try to include two dozen characters in a single story and make over a dozen of them into main characters. Some of the plot points I had planned from the beginning, others arose “as necessary” and found their way into the story as well. And some never really developed in full.
The story still has several plotholes, typos, and contradictions, but that’s OK, because this was never a quality piece of writing to begin with. It is entertainment and a record of our awesomeness.
I also discovered it’s hard to write yourself as a character.
Props to all those still involved in CHS S&D, and disapproving glances to those who weren’t. Only Sam and Rana managed to find themselves completely written out of the story after being introduced; the other characters all found some part to play and I couldn’t punish them properly. *grin* Similarly, some characters ended up figuring more prominently in the story than their real-life correspondents participate in the club…and it’s up to you, the real-life characters on which the story is based, to remedy that by participating more.
The story still has no title. Originally that was part of the main quest, to find a Title and a Talent, but somehow it never made it into the story. But that’s still how I think of it: The Story. And that’s all right with me. Though title suggestions are welcome for my amusement; leave a comment.
Those who have made it through the entire story, congratulations! Here is a spoilerful list of the characters.
If you have not finished the entire story, shame on you! You had better start reading it from the beginning.
Thank you everyone, and congratulations as most of you enter your senior year of high school. S&D has been quite a ride.
~ The Author