Where Have I Been?

AN: I was planning on waiting until the next chapter to post this Author's Note, but I think you all have waited long enough for an update.

Let me start by saying I am okay as well as my family. Thanks be to God, we haven't been drastically affected by the C-Virus as we could have been in terms of our employment and health. We hope to remain that way, but anything can happen.

With that out of the way, I know a lot of you have been wondering why I haven't posted in months. Two words: writer's block. The Uprising Arc has been, without a doubt, the most difficult arc to get through. With the status quo being mixed up thanks to me trying to keep things realistic for better or for worse, the journey to the end of this arc hit a massive brick wall. I lost my motivation to keep going and that's why I went dark.

The good news is that I have outsourced the problematic chapter to a friend of mine. Normally, I would never do this, but I honestly can't get past the blasted chapter. As for when the chapter will be released… I don't know. I'm not going to make promises I can't keep. All I can say on that note is that we are working on it.

Now, in regards to the last AN chapter I posted… it's very possible that I misinterpreted what Isayama was saying, and I do agree that many of the stories that stick with us are the ones that hurt. I think he goes too far in that regard, but that's just my perspective. I will also admit that I posted that AN at an emotional high, when I was furious with Isayama for the terrible directions he took in the manga. Word to the wise: it isn't smart to post things on the internet when you are emotional. Whatever my feelings about his writing now, I truly respect the man for bringing life to this world. We all owe him that, and he did bring spectacular moments within Attack on Titan. It can be easy to forget that when I become extremely critical.

As much as I want to talk about the chapters that really pissed me off in the manga, I will keep holding my tongue until we get there. Instead, I would like to address the three biggest criticisms my story has been faced with.

Levi and Hanji being absolute jackasses. I find it kind of funny how I was so worried that the intimate scene with the Female Titan in Chapter 55 was going to be the most hated moment, and yet, my characterization of these two caused the biggest negative reaction I have ever seen. Feel free to add a Broken Base segment to the YMMV page on my story concerning this. As I've stated in the past, I stand by my decisions. Why? Because Dillon and Annie pushed all the buttons. Dillon is a ticking time bomb and a liability with mental issues and Annie is the Female Titan. 'Nuff said on her. MM995 posted on Chapter 64 an analysis of why the whole thing with Levi works. I recommend you all check it out. And MM995, I selfishly hope you post more character analysis reviews in the future. :)

Annie chewing Dillon out and breaking up with him. I am not saying that what she said and did were good things, but it's understandable when you look at it from her perspective. Annie committed herself to a man that saved her life, but his constant emotional baggage was draining the life out of her. Their relationship was turning toxic (one could argue it always was when compared to real-world relationships), and she had to get out before it was too late. Stohess has taught me one thing: Annie doesn't think straight under emotional duress. During the Expedition, she was clever and ruthless. In Stohess, she was making mistake after mistake. So, her actions towards Dillon? I believe she was in character.

Dillon Amsdale's Angst. I have talked a lot about why I made the decisions concerning him, but I know it is still draining to you all. All I can say at this point is that if you guys still trust me, I do something in the future with him I hope none of you see coming. Trust me: it's gonna be awesome.

You all have been very patient with me, and I thank you all so much for it. If you feel compelled, please consider adding to the TV Tropes page of my story. That would be awesome. A new chapter is coming soon.