There is a method behind the madness

Because I'm feeling particularly organizational today:

[+] WIPs: The muses have been rather quiet (RL has been torturous lately), but I am starting to feel - in a big way - the next chapter to *gasp* Nihon Idol. I'm hoping to break out the Instant Star DVDs and actually start plotting this bad boy out. After all, it's only been six months since I've updated this fic...*facepalm*

Elsewise, I've made progress on the Fleeting front as well, mapping out the last seven chapters of that fic (FYI: the payoff is coming, and rather sooner than you might think). Watching the new episodes of the anime have helped in a big way, because I'm really, really happy with the way the storyline parallels the canon.

[+] New feature: I got a real kick going through my writing notebooks, trying to find the most inspired/messiest entry to "prove" my handwriting can, indeed, be reduced to chicken scratch :P Opening my notebooks to the masses is something I've never been opposed to, I just never thought there would be any interest in it. But there are a couple of entries I'd like to spotlight, so I'll be scanning/posting those in the coming days. Is there a story you'd like to see in particular? Let me know! This goes all the way back to Every Heart, BTW, so you Memento Mori fans could even potentially have something to look forward to!

[+] IYFG: Participating at the IYFG is like trying to navigate through a fucking minefield, and somehow, I was stupid enough to do it again this quarter. It appears my list of seconds went through, so congrats are in order for the following stories/authors:

( IYFG 4th Quarter 2009: Nominations & Seconds )

It's sad, when you have to posts these lists as much for yourself as for others, haha :P

+ There will be no update this month for Fleeting. I am probably more disappointed about this than anyone else, because I adore working on this story and I hate it when the muse drags, even if, ultimately, its for the better. But alas ~ RL has suddenly gotten very complicated (in a good way - I can has job nao), so other things are currently cluttering up my mind :-/

+ Considering the sluggishness of my muses in general lately, I am forgoing all 'scheduled' (and I use that word lightly, haha) updates on all of my current WIPs and am now focusing completely on the holiday fics I want to write this year. I've signed up for Mirosanta, a Mir/San exchange (join us! / shameless plug), and I'll be trying my hand at a bit of fluffy holiday-seasoned romantic comedy, so we'll see if that's worth it, haha. I'm not saying 'no' to another update springing forth unexpectedly - I've learned better than that :P - but for what its worth, I'm shifting into holiday mode. I hope, if you enjoy any of my works, you'll continue to be patient as things resettle.

+ If you have updated your WIP lately and I haven't reviewed it yet (and...there are quite a few of you who fall into this category right now), don't fret! Not that I think you guys sit around salivating for my pearls of wisdom or anything, but I didn't want you to think I'd forgotten. I'm just so far behind on my auto-buy TBR list it's shameful :-/ And part of that is because...

+ I'm working on the back end of the fandom newsletter something fierce right now. I want it to have a fresh new look for 2010, so I'm fiddling with presentation AND trying to keep the author watchlist up-to-date. If you don't already watch the fandom newsletter, you should!! Just mosey on over to sengoku_times and click "watch community" from the profile to keep yourself up-to-date on the latest fandom happenings.

The 2nd Quarter 2009 banners are ready for pickup! If you'd like to see the whole stash, click here. As usual, forthrightly & friends did a lovely job...

...for the most part.

Let's face it ~ anytime you are responsible for making a batch of banners this large, there are bound to be a couple of clunkers in the mix. And, well, it appears my placement for Fleeting was the recipient of one of those. I'm *sure* it wasn't on purpose (does forthy have a cruel bone in her body?), but ~ you know what they say. When life hands you lemons, make lemonade!






(remade by me)
[click on the banners to read the stories]
I send a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has read, reviewed, recc'ed, nominated, seconded, voted, or just generally supported these stories (as well as the rest of my work). I know, I know, it's an old refrain, but it still rings true. It's extra nice to see a bit of recognition for Fleeting, as this story has very much become my baby.

Many, many thanks to my readers & reviewers ~ you guys seriously rock my socks! =)