Checking In

Hello dear readers!

I would like to say that I have one chapter completed and one more underway for "An Aunt's Love!"  I hesitated to post the last chapter due to the content, and my therapist suggested posting two chapters at once to mitigate the content of the first.  She is brilliant, my friends.  Simply brilliant.  I am working on the next chapter right now, so I will hopefully have something ready to post in a few weeks.

I did not complete Nanowrimo, or even Camp Nanowrimo in April.  I'm not looking at it as failure.  I have more words on the page for one of my novels...so, it's still a win?

Look at me finding those silver linings.  My therapist would be proud.

That being said, I'm still looking for those interested in reading some of my original work for the simple price of feedback.  Beta reading, basically.  I have several different stories underway (cue maniacal laughter here) in a few different genres.  Fantasy?  Dystopian?  Any takers?

Until next time, readers!

Life, Updates, and other Sundry

Hello dear readers,

I know, I know.

Trust me.  Nothing you could say about the long lack of updates can make me feel any worse than I do right now.

Life has been pretty difficult lately.  It's been awesome and inspiring, but it's still been difficult.

I moved in with my best friend in July.

The month before that, I had such a bad depressive episode my old roommates straight up told me they were worried about me.

Somehow, I managed to squeak through for a while and then I failed a graduate school class last semester due to a case of the "I just can't."  This case of "I just can't" was due to my depression and anxiety hitting me with a double whammy.  I found it difficult to get out of bed and function.  Just thinking of getting in the shower was a little too much for me some days.  She let me blanket burrito on the couch, made sure I ate a bit, and just kept an eye on me.  My best friend has been incredible, and even took her home with me for the Thanksgiving holiday to allow me to recuperate, as I hadn't really been sleeping all that much.  I kind of existed on the couch day in to day out.

It was very much a "I am the blanket and the blanket is me" situation for a few weeks.  I took time off work because I had trouble focusing and holding things together there.  I did see my doctor, my therapist, and my psychiatrist to try and get things back on track.  I felt better with a plan in place for treatment, and I felt even better after talking to my school program and discovering that there were options for what I was going through.  I love my university.

A week away from home seemed to restore my spirits somewhat.  Her mom (whom I also call "Mom") was so very welcoming and it felt like I just belonged there.  I received a Kindle Fire, because mine had died a horrible death and Mom had replaced  the new Kindle Fire with a larger tablet.  I immediately put Minecraft back on my Kindle, and for the next few days, I played Minecraft while avoiding the bad thoughts. The answer to what I was doing became a default "Playing Minecraft" because I find Minecraft so relaxing.

Blackie the cat let me play with him for a while. He is a very selective feline.  Dad (my best friend's Dad, that is - whom I also call "Dad") just kind of let me be, kept asking if I was hungry, and watched TV with me and talked about how school was going and how life in Morgantown was treating me. Her brother made me biscuits and gravy in addition to making sure my guest room was all set up.  I love my other family so much for always welcoming me home.  This makes twice now I have retreated to southern West Virginia for recuperative purposes in my life.  Thanksgiving vacation was great, and I didn't want to come home.

Christmas passed by in my usual haze of "Oh how I hate the holidays" and too much food.  My car broke down right before Christmas (literally, December 23rd) and there was a bit of a fiasco with my rental car, but I got there and back safely at the end of it.  I am still on the lookout for a new car, and I haven't quite decided what kind of car I want yet. Price is key; everything else is extra.

 I am still working a full workweek, juggling schoolwork, and hanging out with the best friend.  I've had to start a new diet for my health, and boy oh boy, it's WORKING.  It's amazing.  I'm not hungry.  I have been hungry on every single diet out there, and now, the new diet my doctor (and nutritionist, and psychiatrist approved) has recommended is working.  I'm almost to the twenty pounds loss mark.  I go back for blood tests soon to ensure that the diet is doing what we want it to do, but as a weight loss tool, it's been incredible.

I know that you're all hoping for an update.  I want to work on the updates.  I just have to put school and work first at this point.  I have not abandoned them.  I'm just taking a fanfiction hiatus while I work on other things.  Soon, I will have free time again (taking a few semesters off before I finish the program), and then I will be all yours again.

Thanks for hanging in there, dear readers.  I will return to fanfiction soon.

I want to write...but grad school

Hello, dear readers!

I know.  Some of you must have given me up for dead.  Let's just say that graduate school has turned out a fair bit more challenging than I originally thought it would.  I guess I underestimated it.

Dance is not happening at the moment.  One of my old injuries flared up, and if I even so much as look at a dance shoe, my ankle laughs at me and swells up just to remind me that it is injured and it won't be doing anything, thanks so much.  It's annoying.

I'm currently camped out in my hometown's library because my mother doesn't have Internet at her house and I'm ostensibly doing homework.  I'm also taking the time to catch up on my social media and my fanfiction.

I know it's been while since I updated.  I have to admit that I'm not doing much writing at the moment.  In my current class, I have a three-four page paper due each week in addition to readings, classwork, and other assignments.  It's great having an online class, because I don't have to change my work schedule.  It's also really hard because there is a schedule to get all of this work done, and it doesn't fit very well with me.

Once the semester is over, I plan to take my laptop to the coffee shop and camp out there until I have something in terms of a chapter.  "An Aunt's Love" is so close I can almost feel it.   "What is Right" - yeah, the next few chapters are going to be fun.  :)  I've never forgotten my stories - I just haven't had much time to spend with them.

Thank you, dear readers, for your patience.  I will make you all a promise here and now:  there will be an update on both stories before the new year commences.

Until then, you're all awesome. 

Hello there - long time, no post

Hello dear readers,

It seems I disappeared again. Funny how that keeps happening.

I have honestly been busy.  Work has been super crazy as we've had a lot of people leaving (summer time is the transition for that - as we work at a university) and then there was the prep work that went into getting ready for our new people as well as the new trainees that we have every year and yeah....it's been hectic.

I am pleased to announce that I decided to go to grad school this semester AND I GOT IN!!!!!  *dancing*  I am really thrilled because the program is online, which means I don't have to change my work schedule to earn my degree.  I was trying to figure out how I was going to do school and work without having too much of an impact on my income.  The best part is I'm considered a full-time student.  HELLO DEFERRMENT!!!  That means I don't have to pay anything on my student loans while I'm in school.  I most likely will make some form of payment, but it will take off some of the pressure of paying for my education while also in school. 

Now to get through the next three years.....with my sanity intact.  I'm sure it will happen.

I haven't been dancing as much as I was last semester.  I'm trying to get back into shape after being off so long and having to contend with physical therapy (where I spent most of my summer with really nice people).  The good part about being a full-time student again is that I get access to the student rec center.  Hello, indoor pool and free exercise classes.

It may take me a while to remember how to work out like I used to, but I'm sure I'll figure it out.  I hope there will be a Pilates class....boo.  Only yoga.  Perhaps a suggestion box is around there somewhere.  Pilates kicks my butt.

I moved to a new apartment a few weeks ago and the roomies and I are STILL unpacking boxes.  We have thirty boxes of books between us.  Egads.  I think I'm going to have to get rid of some books here.  That equals out to about ten boxes per roommate.  Maybe that's what I'll do this weekend....get rid of a few books.

Oh, I got my wisdom teeth out.  What a horrifying experience.  I'm allergic to a certain painkiller which made the experience that much worse.  I'm on the mend now and I'm starting to eat normal foods (definitely don't want mashed potatoes for a while...).

I know everyone is eagerly anticipating an update - I promise I'm working on it and hope to have something soon.  Maybe I'll carve a few hours out this weekend...we shall see.  Well, dear readers.  That's all for now.  I'll post again when I have the time or something to report.  ;)

Is this thing on?

Hello dear readers!

I am pleased to report that I am still alive.  I managed to survive the horrible winter we were having (though our snow fall pales in comparison to Boston).

There's not a lot to report.  I wish I could say that I am ready to update, but I am not.  My wonderful beta has sent back the next chapter of "An Aunt's Love" so I am hoping to get everything ready to go soon.  (THANK YOU, BETA!!!!)

Unfortunately, school has had to come first this semester, and that means that the last thing I want to do when I come home at night is write.  My brain's been exhausted between work and school.  That will all be over soon.  My final assignment is due on April 30th, and that weekend, my best friend is coming in from out of town and will be here for four whole days!!  (Can you feel the excitement?!?!)

Anyone else watching Avengers that weekend?  I know my friend and I are planning on spending some time in the movie theater that weekend to see Age of Ultron. I have a feeling that it's going to be full of sass like the original Avengers.  I've heard tell that there isn't going to be an end credits scene, but I say that there MUST be an end credit scene, as it is tradition in the MCU.

Anyone else have epic plans that weekend?

Pssst.....I updated!

Yes, that's right, dear readers!  I updated "What is Right: Year Two!!!"  WOOOT!!!

The chapter is short, I'm afraid, but it is an update!  :)

It was difficult, especially since I've taken such a long break from that story, but it's there.  It's updated.  *Dances*

Enjoy!

Gearing Up for Nanowrimo

Hello dear readers!

It's almost November, and you know what that means!  NANOWRIMO!!!

Yes, it is that time of year when millions of people take an almost complete leave of their senses and attempt to write a novel of 50,000 words in just thirty days.

Yes, we know it's crazy.

Yes, we know it's masochistic.

All the same, it does get me writing, which usually leads to more writing.  That writing may lead to updates.

Also, would anyone like to beta read for me?  I have a chapter ready to go, but there's a few things I'd like to bounce off someone in the fandom.  Any takers?

Still Alive

Hello dear readers!

I am still alive and well.

Actually, I'm a little better than well. It's hard to explain.  My doctor is trying a new medication that is supposed to help the depression and anxiety at the same time (What a magical substance!!  Must be from the wizarding world...), and I have a feeling that it may just work.  My last round of meds had a few side effects that were less than desirable.

Life is extremely busy.  This was probably the wrong time to sign up for so many teaching hours at the dance studio or start taking a college class, but I am confident that I will be able to meet all of my obligations.  I even wrote this weekend!  And it was in "What is Right: Year Two!!"

I know what you're all thinking:  "IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!"

And you're right.

Still, I am happy with the progress it's making and hopefully will find some free time to update soon.  Perhaps this weekend.  (Do NOT hold me to that.  Anything could happen between now and Saturday.)

I do have a paper due this week, so I must focus on that first.  School is important.  :)

All the same, keep your comments and reviews coming.  They inspire me quite a bit and make me consider things this brain has forgotten.  In the meantime, I'll continue writing.

Ideas

Hello dear readers!

Ever have so many ideas that your only hope was to snatch a notebook and write them all down because you didn't want to forget them?  I have woken up with ideas, had ideas show up during a shower or while I'm washing dishes (plot bunnies are hydrophilic little critters), while I'm in dance class, while I'm driving - well, you get the idea.  They show up all the time, and usually when I have no notebook available.

I am currently sitting on two great ideas for fanfiction.  One takes place after the Final Battle in Year Seven, and the other takes place during...and after the Final Battle.  It's kind of hard to explain that one.  :)  All the same, they're both awesome stories.  The first is full of reconciliation between characters that make all my feels go a little psycho.  The second is more of an exploration of a situation.  In other words, characters are put in an impossible situation and I kind of sit back and watch.

They're both AMAZING ideas (if I do say so myself...).  I just haven't had time to really put them down on paper, and I know that some of you might actually lynch me if I start new stories without updating the old ones.

My current count of original fiction ideas stands at thirty-one.  Yes, thirty-one.  Three and one together to form a number that matches my age.

Some of them are awesome, others are close to my heart, and some are annoying little idiots that can't seem to keep themselves out of trouble.  One of the characters, Michael, is in the hospital at the moment.  It's not a bad injury, but he did just get over an illness.

They're all in a bit of trouble at the moment.  Cathy just got kicked out of classes...again, Kal is having some issues with a dark wizard, Jade is, well, hiding, and a few others are running.  There is a lot of running.  It's like Doctor Who in my head.

Yes, this does signal the end of the Illness-That-Can't-Be-Named.  Updates are coming!

Hi there!

Hello dear readers!

I am sorry to say that I do not have an update for you just yet.  I am working on one, I promise.  It's just not happening the way I want it to go.

The characters all want to do their own thing, and I want them to do what I want them to do. 

You see, I am the one with blue hair, and they are winning this fight.

*sigh*

Any other writers experience this phenomenon?

I am actually writing!

It's almost bizarre, but I've written three whole pages since I updated.  Three whole pages.  It's wonderful, but it also feels a little like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop.  My mind keeps protesting that this is not normal for me.

It used to be months between writing bouts. Literally months.  As in six to seven months.

It's a little frightening.  It makes me wonder if this is a return to the levels of updating awesome I used to have instead of the past year and a half of "I've got nothing" when I've tried to work on my fanfiction.

Either way, I'm glad it's happening.  It means the characters are pleased and wanting to interact with me...or something.  I'm hoping to sit down tonight and do some more work on it, so keep your fingers crossed.

The Weekend That Wasn't

My weekend passed by in a blur of illness, frantic rushing about, and too much time at the dance studio.

Friday I was home sick due to a random attack of particularly bizarre flu-like symptoms.  These symptoms were enough to cause me to consider staying home within minutes of waking up.  My usual "stay home" decisions are made after getting up, maybe getting into the shower, getting dressed, and attempting breakfast.  It is about this time that my good sense overrides my feelings of responsibility in making it to work.  One part of my brain is saying "Must go to work - things to do!" and the other part of my brain is screaming "Go back to bed!  You're SICK.  Do not spread illness!!"

This time, however, I sat up, looked around my room in the pre-dawn light, brain went "Nope!  We're sick!  Really sick!" and I texted my supervisor before allowing myself to cuddle back into my blankets until my sister woke me at seven AM, asking why I wasn't ready to go.

I still had to drive her to work, since she doesn't drive.  In my sick state.  It was an adventure, especially since I fell on some ice and sliced my hand open.  Imagine me driving in my car, blood oozing down my hand while trying to make a left-hand turn.  An adventure, I tell you.

After dropping off my sister, I returned home, where I promptly returned to my pajamas and bed.  I then descended into bizarre dreams that I'm still trying to understand.  I managed to find some electrolyte drink stashed in the pantry from the last time illness ran through my apartment, drank some of it, and when back to sleep.  I woke briefly at 5:00, when I had to go and retrieve my sister from work.  After returning home, I went back to sleep.

Saturday, I woke up very early and thought I felt better.  I had an event at my dance studio for volunteer work, so I decided it would be a great idea to go.  I spent five hours there, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  The kids were adorable, but it was way too much for my introverted ways and I returned home, unwilling to socialize with anyone.  I locked myself in my room with my laptop and headphones and worked on the outline for the next chapter of AAL, emerging only for pizza and an episode of the Big Bang Theory.  (I swear, that show is my life.)

Sunday, church was out of the question as my roommate's friend was in town visiting.  I managed to sleep in a little bit, eat some leftover pizza for breakfast, and then returned to my computer for a round of "let's see if we can work on something productive!"  I did manage something productive, but I spent a lot of time checking outside to see what the snow cover was like.  It was bad.  One of my friends ended up taking me to rehearsal, where I spent all of forty-five minutes.  Most of that was watching others and walking on when I needed to.  All in all, very short rehearsal, when my friend returned to save me from the snow.  (She's my hero.)

Suddenly, it's nine o'clock at night on a Sunday, and my brain suddenly caught up with me going "where did our weekend go?"  I woke up this morning, frantic with the idea that I had lost a day somehow.  It's like a time warp.  (Oddly enough, I was listening Rocky Horror Picture Show while I was writing this weekend.)  Just a jump to the left!

I posted an update!

Since I was told to stay home from work today due to an outrageous amount of snow...

The road on my way home from the bus stop.  

I updated!!  Enjoy all.  I rather liked the chapter.