Things be crazy for this winged panther, and I'm not the best at dealing with multiple levels of stress. It's something I've been attempting to manage since I was young, but whatever, you gotta play the hand you're dealt.

One of the bigger setbacks has been the passing of the first-year reunion of my expulsion and ostracism from my family. I'm not talking just parents here, I'm talking everyone. The only people I speak to (and with no regularity) is my father, and sister. The only one who is remotely supportive is my father. The reasons for my banishment from the family cirlce revolves around my narcissistic mother and sociopath stepdad, and their amazing ability to spout endless lies about me. I guess that's what I get for being the black sheep, lies are easier to believe than the truth in these instances.
It's not a big surprise that they don't get it; I'm the only creative soul in my family. I do have a cousin who writes, but he's just as much of a black sheep as me. Really, all I can do is keep in contact with the other family pariahs and continue to live my life. However, there's still pain in the loss of understanding and acceptance from one's own family. It's not just about the fact that they are gone, but the damage they wrought while they were still around. It's a lengthy history of mental garbldigook to go through. Some days are easier than others, but it's hard not to think about it at times. I'm glad I had a lot of therapy through my school years. It has given me the tools to sort out these personal issues.

Overall, I'm glad that they've decided to leave me alone, because now I no longer have to deal with their lack of understanding and unrealistic demands on my life. This makes me happy. I'd rather have people in my life that support me and love me for who I am, not the person I pretend to be. If it means loosing a few family members who obviously never cared, then so be it. I don't need their presence in my life -- because they sure as hell weren't supportive. I have an entire fandom full of people to befriend, not to mention all those I've made among writing circles.

In regards to writing, I still am, it's just coming out slower than I'd like. This next Bestiary story is also going to be longer, probably around the 5000 word mark. Lots more character development and story buildup before anything gets too dark, but it makes the world all the more richer for the extra detail. Granted, I've been doing a bit more research than I intended to allow myself when I began this project, but sometimes research is a necessity so that the final product actually makes sense. After skimming ahead a bit in the book, I'm looking forward to finishing this one, so I can continue to write new stories and explore different ideas.
I've also been editing some of the older stories in my gallery. My skills have developed since I released them, and I'd like to have that reflected in those older works. As I finish those edits I'll post them, linking to the original in scraps.

I'd really hoped to have more posted in August, but life doesn't always work out the way we plan. Damn plans and cursed self expectations! Oh well, I have a long life of writing ahead of me, and it's all a process. I'm glad that this is the path I've chosen, because I chose it, no one decided it for me. One thing I've learned from all my years of writing thus far is that failure is a necessity -- unwanted, but necessary to grow. Without making mistakes we can't learn from them, and I expect to make more before I'm old and grey.

Thanks so much to all my new watchers! I got behind in my responses to you, but then, there are many of you who don't like to get those thank you shouts in your shoutbox, so I'm probably making a few people happy by my delay.

Regardless, thank you all for watching, reading and commenting. I value your presence here, because without you, I'm just some crazy chick banging away at her computer. Having readers completes the writing process for me, and I'm so fortunate you're all willing to follow me along as I develop.

TTFN,
Tyvara