Hullo!


So, as you may or may not know, my PhD has taken up the last 4 years, the first of which also included writing up my masters thesis and the last of which also included working a full time job managing a lab. Over this time, I haven't really had much drive to write or the energy to do so on the few times I've been tempted. Honestly, I haven't really had any consistent time for hobbies beyond basic socialising with friends and a few cons throughout those years.


But, as of last week, I am free from my PhD thesis! I handed it in on Friday and now, except for the viva and post-viva corrections I shouldn't have anything outside of work hanging over me. The relief for that alone is huge and, though I admit I will be taking some time to get my head back after all these years of intense work and stress, I really am looking forward to being free and am already enjoying the lack of it weighing down on me. The big upside in regards to me here though is that this gives me free time to finally get back to my writing. Already I'm brewing ideas for new stories and starting to jot down ideas and plans to start filling in. And best of all, its genuinely enjoyable again and it no longer feels like I'm just forcing myself to do it out of guilt! I'm back into reading too which is going to help a massive amount with that desire as well. Like currently, I'm going through the WoF series - which I'm absolutely loving by the way - and hell, I might well make a few tales off of that series too. There's plenty of loveable, fun-to-write characters in there. But either way, I should now be able to actually get back to writing like I used to instead of posting something once a year like I have been and that's the part I'm really excited about. I miss doing it and miss that side of interacting with everyone here so here's hoping it'll come back with aplomb!


As an important side note to that though; I don't think this will include commissions. I've thought about this a bit and honestly, with a full time job paying me pretty well and a four-year halt on my own ideas, I just don't feel the drive to do them any more. I plan to still do polls in the future and I'll never say never when it comes to me changing my mind in the future, but for right now I just want to do my own stuff.


But yes, I am excited about all of this and looking forward to a return to normal. All I can say is thanks to all those who stuck by me through these long few years and those who have been patient with how much its forced me to withdraw here. I appreciate all of you <3