Hey folks,
It's been a no good, very bad year.
Financial crisis, forced move because my landlord suddenly spiked our rent well above what I could afford, trying to get back on my feet, a few more deaths in the family since mom, issues with my son's school allowing bullies to torment him, more financial troubles.
My inspiration to write had completely tanked.
Moved back to my home state and in with an old friend to catch my breath, started getting real life things sorted, wrote a few new chapters for fanfics that just needed polishing and several chapters for my original novel…
and then Microsoft 10 decided to do an update on my computer. My fairly new and perfectly good gaming computer. But somehow, that update BRICKED my computer completely. My roommate is an IT guy for a government contractor. Even HE couldn't fix my computer. Whatever the update did, it made my files inaccessible to even all his tools and equipment that can usual recover files. Some of his coworkers he talked to while trying to recover my files said they've been hearing similar stories, or have had it happen to family members of theirs. Beware of Microsoft 10 updates, they are not addressing whatever shitty programming is wrecking computers.
I have lost EVERYTHING. What's on this site is what I have for my fanfics, and some very old copies of my original work that I sent to my sister and preliminary sketches/charts I did by hand is all I have of that project.
It took me awhile to get a replacement computer. And frankly, I'm devastated by the loss of years worth of work. My original project had a fully worked timeline of hundreds of years in a fantasy world, maps, its own language, genealogies, cultural traditions, peculiar flora and fauna that were actually scientifically possible, the works… I have been studying and busting my ass to get it right. And I lost almost all of it.
It has killed my creative side and I'm wondering why bother. For my original work, and for fanfics. And now that I've had a chance to finally sign on to fanfiction, I see that according to the lack of reviews on the last few chapters and low traffic volume for people even reading the last couple updates to my stories before I went poof, it doesn't seem like it'd much matter if I don't finish these stories.
So, I'm tossing in the towel for now. When things get back on track, I might try again with a new story for a fandom if inspiration hits, or I might just concentrate on my original works and trying to rebuild that series. I honestly don't know right now.
I just figured I'd give an explanation to the few people who did shoot me private messages, asking when I'd return. Sorry for not replying directly, I didn't want to make multiple explanations.
Take care, and I hope you enjoy the many other creative and fun fics being put out on the site. There's some amazing authors out there, so be sure to show them some appreciation.
SoI