Bouncing Back

 As much as I hate to do two "been gone a while, trying to do better" posts in a row, circumstances have made it kinda necessary. I'm not going to get into details publicly (or even much privately, quite frankly), but shortly after my last post things got a little rough on my end and I'm still bouncing back from it. And yes, I know it's obnoxious to vaguepost about personal difficulties, but radio silence tends to be more worrisome and this is unfortunately the sort of thing best kept between myself, a couple of confidants, and my therapist.

Regardless, I know I've been very quiet online in recent months, and I greatly appreciate those who've reached out to make sure I'm okay. Which I am, basically. Could be in a better spot, but as I type this I'm honestly having trouble remembering a time when I couldn't describe my life that way.

But this post is mostly just to acknowledge that I've been quiet, and to admit that I've fallen behind on a lot of stuff I've been working on, both destined for this blog and otherwise. Even by my standards, I'm behind on a lot of writing and editing projects, and the fact that I've been poking at another new story idea hasn't helped. Thing is, sometimes when I get the 'new story' bug like so many writers do (especially those with ADHD, like myself), it's actually less of a distraction to work on it than to try not to.

So in other words, this is a typical 'proof of life' post for me.

On a related note, while nothing about it is in a state where I'd want to share it publicly (especially since doing so is often a barrier to getting stuff published), if any one wants to have a look at what I have so far for the new story, just ask. I've got a draft of a prelude and a first chapter that might be ready for another pair of eyes once I give it the 'read out loud' editing pass. The setting is a sci-fi/fantasy hybrid adventure story with both human and anthro characters on an alien world, kind of a mashup of themes and concepts from the Borderlands games and more traditional fantasy fare (particularly the modern era of Legend of Zelda games). I dunno if it's going anywhere, and I don't even have a proper name for it yet. I also don't know how long it'll be if it does go anywhere, or if it'll wind up just being something I draw from for shorter fiction, but if anyone wants to have a look and offer feedback I think I'd be fine sharing it privately.

Anyhow, if anyone has any questions or anything they'd like to share, go for it. I'm not going anywhere for the moment. In the meantime, take care of yourselves.