There is a method behind the madness

So, uh, yeah - I'm still alive. Slowly but surely, life is piecing itself back together, and as the chaos subsides, my will and drive for creativity and fandom is returning :) Even though I'm really far behind in my projects, I've retained some optimism about them - everything was pretty much just put in stasis, instead of being lost to the ether. Remember this list? Yeah, it's still active - and my goal for this week is to finish my first help_japan commission, especially because I feel absolutely horrible about how long its taken me to write it already :-/

My track record with commissions and giftfics is terrible...and as if to prove my own point, it's taken me three weeks to revise the notes for my last posted piece, which was also a giftfic *facepalm* But they're up, and they're much better, so that's progress, yes? Hopefully this bit of meta writing will help the actual fic-writing flow...*crosses fingers* I feel miserable when I'm not able to write.

On another, happier note ~ I've never participated in one of these LJ-wide comment-thread memes before, but damn do I need a pick-me-up right now. So if you're so inclined...

THE YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL MEME

Title: Secrets
Fandom: Kids Incorporated
Universe: Canon divergence (Season 5)
Genre: Angst/Romance
Rating: Y / M
Summary: When Stacy learns of a secret from Ryan’s past, it threatens to shatter their relationship for good.

Inspiration: “Secrets” © 2009 Ryan Tedder [One Republic]

Link(s): FF.net | LJ | DW | AO3

This story was written for KeB, who left me lucky review #50 for Stacy in Bloom. She requested angsty romance for her favorite pairing (and mine!) set sometime after the show’s canon run. This was a challenge that brought me somewhat out of my comfort zone, and not necessarily in a *bad* way. It's also the first M-rated fic for this category on FF.net, so yeah. I'm a little nervous about what reaction, if any, this will garner.

( Points of interest... )

It was, overall, a very pleasant experience, and I haveta say, I'm thinking a little more positively about giftfics now =) I'm looking forward to the chance to write more, should the occasion ever arise!