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.

It's Avengers Weekend!

Hello dear readers!

It's Avengers weekend!!  My best friend Jen (HELLO BEST FRIEND!!!!!) is here for the long weekend with me.  So far, we have watched the original Avengers movie, tonight we are watching Guardians of the Galaxy, and tomorrow we will make it to the movie theater to watch the Age of Ultron!!!

Yes, the number of exclamation points above are necessary.

The great thing about Avengers is that my best friend and I have theories about Loki.  We think there's more going on there.  We know there's something else going on.  We just...are waiting to be proven right.  We have joined Loki's army.  It's ruining my life.

Loki's right.  I like it.  I feel like anyone joining a fandom should be prepared for just such an event.  I happily join the fandom and will display my Loki's army key chain (a gift from my friend) without a qualm.  I will go to see every movie in the theater and spend more time talking about a line or a look than I have watching the movie. I will line up my bobbleheads and start contemplating fanfiction.  Good thing I enjoy it all.

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!

Nanowrimo is dead....long live Nanowrimo!

Hello dear readers!

Emma has been a busy girl lately, and I am sorry to say that ALL writing has taken a back seat to recent events.

First, there is a full time job at which I spend roughly forty hours per week, followed closely by my second "job" at the dance studio.  I don't get paid except through free dance lessons, but I've finally decided to get my teacher certification for both early childhood dance programs at my studio.  The certification won't happen until the summer, so I have some time before I have to go through training.

I am also taking a college class this semester.  After I walked at graduation and received my little envelope that was supposed to contain my diploma, I discovered my envelope contained a notice that I hadn't met requirements.  So now I am taking the last two courses to finish my requirements.  I'm taking   Why they couldn't have told me that BEFORE graduation remains a mystery.  I didn't realize how much time a simple course would take.  There is a lot of busy work assignments and I can understand the reason behind them, but I seriously don't need to list my thesis, block out my paragraphs, and explain the reason I chose to structure my essay that way.  I've written papers of about thirty pages.  I can handle five without having to break it down.

Therapy is going well, and we're talking about how to wrap it up.  My therapist is concerned that I'm reaching burnout (not sure how it happened.....but I managed to over schedule myself again).  I think it's because I didn't realize how much time my college class would take.

Needless to say, something had to go.  Nanowrimo ended up being the thing on the chopping block.  Nanowrimo takes a ton of time, especially when I did almost no preparation because lack of time.  That's right - it's pantsing.  I'm not sure where the term came from, but it means to undertake a Nanowrimo project without any preparation.  It's HARD.

Well, dear readers, here's hoping that the upcoming holiday (and break from dance!!) means I'll get a little rest, and a little time to focus on writing!

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!

Here comes the thaw...

Kudos to anyone who read the title and started singing "Here Comes the Sun."  Actually, that's kind of what this post is about.  We have a reprieve here in Morgantown, WV from the cold, snowy, and generally icky weather patterns we've had now for a month and a half.

Snow, icicles and slush are starting to melt today, and you can hear the dripping water running everywhere.  It certainly lifted my mood to experience that today, and now I am ready to be productive by running all of the errands I've put off for two weeks.  My to-do list is pretty long and requires some effort to finish everything in a reasonable amount of time.

My only hindrance is the constant rehearsals, teaching, and dancing at the studio.  I have to be there tonight and Friday night; I'm helping with a Leap n Learn (my studio's version of pre-ballet) class, and Friday night is rehearsal.  Busy, busy.

I am up to six pages on the new chapter of "An Aunt's Love" and hope to finish it soon.  I am even taking my notebook with me to work so that I can work on the chapter on my lunch hour.  :)

The Dreaded Disease WB

I have that dreaded disease that writers do not name for fear of getting it. It lurks about us in a dreadful fog of Real Life and Other Responsibilities. It is more feared than flu and colds. I will only initial it: WB.

I want to cry. Why now? Why? I have so many things going on for Harry that nothing else will do but for me to try to write the next chapter, but it came out pathetically short and rather, hmm, bland. I wrote something bland! It's just not fair. It really isn't fair. I've been good to that story, lost sleep over it, researched persnickity little items that only gave it more depth...and it betrays me.

I hope that it ends soon. I can only hope, as every other trick I have to get it to go away has yet to work. At least the blog proves that I can still write, but the dreaded WB on "An Aunt's Love" is creating a lot of...anger towards fanfiction in general. Why do I feel the need to write such a story? I don't know. It's there, and it wants to be written, so I answer the call. Stupid story.

I really do love it. I do. It's practically my baby, but all the same, it's a very whiny, annoying, attention-demanding baby. I doubt anyone would blame me if I just chucked it all.

On second thought, I think I would have to go into witness protection if something like that happened. Some of my readers have death threated me more than once. Chucking the story would be a bit like prodding an ant hill with a stick. All the same, not something I would care to try.

I'm off to try to sleep. Perchance to dream. Or write. Keep your fingers crossed and hope that something happens that breaks me out of it.