Guernica: look through a few of your imagery/descriptions in this work. Are they generally straightforward, or are they more "abstract"?

My descriptions are usually quite forward, only rarely do I use some abstract language to convey a setting or a character, but obviously this Chris omits A Lot. Especially when he's in control (of his feelings, of the scene, of felix). He chooses what to show the reader. Imagery, however... well there's a lot lol here the main three: water, the ocean and the pool: desire, the unknown, fear and then momentary relief, comfort, familiarity. then the house as a home and a cell, family and loneliness, absence and presence at once. Chris lies a lot about how much time he actually spends Outside and in community. Then the car as a liminal space, as a means to get from point a to b, the means to an end, as the safe space and yet the symbol danger and trauma.

There are a few more, i'm curious if any of you pick up on them :3

Cricut: are there any characters you've had to "cut" from a story? Are there any moments/chapters/stories you've had to "cut" entirely?

YES so many! I have an entirely different second act that I decided to delete and maaaybe repurpose. In it, Minho actually is on screen and is a much stronger vehicle for Chan's arc. And Jisung lusts after him. it's fun.
And then I have a bunch of small moments or scenes that I cut. Here's one:

In the evening, Chris regrets a lot of his life choices. 

"I used to love the beach, the sun, i love them, but now look at what that got me." He stares at his pink arms in misery. His lips hurt whenever he wets them with his tongue. “I used sunscreen every hour!”

Felix walks into the living room, not a spot of red skin on him, laughing like his father's misery is a joke."The sun loves you, dad."

 Chris rolls his eyes and closes them, sinking into the sofa. "Sure, mate. Can it be a little less intense about it?"

Small hands smear a cooling lotion onto his shins.  

"Aloe," Felix explains after Chris's yelp, grabbing his calves. “Let me, it’s gonna help.”

Chris grunts, in defeat and in pain. Felix’s warm palms feel like they’re scraping him raw even though his grip transforms into careful touches. His fingers dance down the arches of Chris’s feet, tapping the aloe vera onto his toes, a mean thumb jabbing into the underside of his left foot. 

“Cut it out,” Chris says, throwing an arm over his face to hide his grimace. 

“Ah, sorry. Hurt?”

He softens and relaxes his body. “Yeah. Guess even my feet are tense, hm?”

“I can give you a massage, I’ll be gentle.” The same thumb rubs the sole of his foot, big toe to his heel. 

A shiver sneaks up Chris’s leg. “Yeah nah, no need,” he says evenly. “Give me the aloe, I’ll do the rest.”

Without awaiting his son’s reply, he takes the uncapped lotion from him and applies it in quick, broad strokes to his thighs, arms and shoulders. He bites his teeth through the discomfort.