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How I Do My Writing
General | Posted 4 years agoThis isn’t really a template on how everyone should write. After all, everyone has their own style and preference. Some people rely on an outline; others would write plot summaries with word count a third of the story. There isn’t a right or wrong answer here. This is just how I do my writing, and I’m open to suggestions for ways to improve.
On the line between ‘plotter’ and ‘pantser,’ by my own admittance, I lean more on the pantser side. If you don’t know what I mean, a plotter is a technical writer who sets up an outline and character profile, which can be thick with information, before writing the story. In contrast, a pantser is the type who writes on the fly with only a thin, if any, setup. Of course, both styles have strengths and weaknesses, such as how a pantser would often lose track of the plot while a plotter’s prose would feel dry. But both are valid in ways to write a story.
Like I said, I’m more on the pantser side. However, that isn’t to say that I don’t know how the story will end because I generally have an idea of how it’ll end. In fact, I usually have a broad-stroke notion of how the story will go in my mind before writing it. But when I’m writing, I find myself adding ideas or even characters that I didn’t think I would put in. For example, in The Pokémon Prometheus stories, David the Zoroark wasn’t meant to be that prominent of the character. In fact, if you check out my notebooks where I first write it before typing it in, he first appears during the ‘hide the macro Faith the Vulpix’ part of the story, and he was nameless too. But then, partly due to Zoroark’s ability Illusion, I find myself adding him in more and more since it was so useful. So, when I typed it in, I added him in scenes and even created scenes for him to appear in (he wasn’t originally in the hospital scene, for example). And, perhaps as a consequence, I made Mayor Richard villainous since, in the original notebook, he was more bumbling and simply greedy. And that was his persona even when typing in the story until I wrote in: “After all, she wouldn’t be big enough for her to resist him with their help.” At that point, that’s when I realized what kind of character I should be writing Mayor Richard as, and I wrote him as such, even going back and adding in moments that made him more ominous. Though I still feel that I only got a proper grasp of his character in The Pokemon Prometheus: Maya’s Story (which is where I also have a better feel on Maya’s character), even if he only appeared for a moment.
Is this a good thing or a bad thing for The Pokémon Prometheus and later stories? It’s hard to say. All I know is it made what was originally a duo with Faith and Adrian into a trio with Faith, Adrian, and David, especially in The Pokémon Prometheus 2.
That isn’t to say that I don’t write outlines since I do at times. In fact, I feel that not starting with a strategy for A Massive Unwinding made writing it originally rougher to begin with. In part, the only thing I genuinely have a grasp on in the story is the final few dialogs when starting off, not the in-between. I’ve rewritten it a few times until I’m satisfied, partly because I realize how to use Ame’s artistic skills to good use in the story itself. I’m trying to create outlines so that I don’t make the same mistake again.
If you wonder how I generate such creative juices that allow me to think up stories in a broad stroke way, I think best when I’m walking. In fact, I would sometimes mutter to myself a tale I’m thinking of. Though that can be interrupted with a hypothetical discussion or debate with people I know. It’s the same when showering, though that tends to be more depressing and even self-loathing, so I don’t really rely on that. In fact, A Name More sprung up in my mind while walking one night, though it took me years to write it down. It went through several changes, such as how the original route that the werefox/Blondie and Mr. Tolle took to get from Australia to the United States was through Blondie hiding in some luggage during a flight. But when showing the heavily compressed story to college classmates, they don’t believe that he would survive the flight because it would be too cold/atmospheric pressure would be too much, etc. So that was why I went with a ship instead, even though it made the story longer.
As for writing it, I used to write the story down in notebooks, 8 by 5 inches for the short stories (and The Pokémon Prometheus since I didn’t think it would be that long) and 10.5 by 8 inches for the longer stories. I’ve changed to writing the rough draft on the computer since when writing The Pokémon Prometheus 2 on notebooks, I realized just how slow and impractical it would be going forward, especially since I’m a faster typer. To explain what I mean, I first started writing it sometime in the middle of August 2019 and finished in late July 2021 in four 10.5 by 8 inches notebooks. When I typed it in, the time it took for me to write was from August to November 2021. That’s a lot shorter, isn’t it?
Of course, I have a couple of hiatus writing it, but that’s beside the point.
I still kept the spirit alive by typing in a rough draft first, sending the file into my phone, setting it in the ReadEra app, and rewriting it again from reading it on my phone. The reason why I do that is because, while I do have an idea of how the story will go and end, I feel that rewriting it from the top will allow me to have a better grasp on the tale, making it consistent and even adding in some foreshadowing and such. To go back to A Name More, I was writing it by parts and rewriting them individually when originally writing it rather than having it all written down before rewriting it. It was necessary since it was also written for a class (incidentally, it was with the same teacher who I first wrote the heavily compressed A Name More, so it was also a bookend of a sort). While it did well, it was only at the fourth part, with Blondie leaving his refugee and home, the shower and mirror scene, and the discussion with Mr. Tolle is where I grasped the heart of the story. While I did add events and such to set it up, I still feel that if I was doing it my usual way, I would’ve made it more organic. Even so, I’m still happy with the result.
As for writing it, it’s a bit wobbly when scheduling it. To explain what I mean, one of my strategies when writing it is to go to work an hour or two early and write it there. For days off, I used to consider it an off day for writing, but since finishing The Pokémon Prometheus 2 in notebook form, I’ve been going to the library to write, so I generally write during the weekdays and have the weekend off, with some exceptions. I usually write for an hour or so, writing over a thousand words a day, unless I really want it done. I hope that I will write more with more hours with the move to Arkansas. As for why in the workplace and at a library, I find writing it at home too distracting. And while I’m aware of some mental tricks to help me, my house has been deeply ingrained into me to be a place to rest. But if you have any suggestions to improve my writing pace, please share them with me.
Once done and edited (whether by myself or with friends/dad), I send the copy to a number of my friends and see what they think. Of course, it’s not uncommon to see that only a few actually read it, even if it contains content they love. And I don’t begrudge them for that since we all have a life, and not all of us can drop everything to read it. But, at the same time, I feel disappointed, especially if it’s a story that is only three pages long (and tease me that they’re ‘halfway’ through as in have a link open but haven’t read it yet). Even so, I still won’t stop sending them my stories. I’m a pest that way.
And after all of that, I set them up to be posted. I post them on FA, DA, Weasyl, FN, and even Patreon (in fact, Patreon supporters can check out the rough draft if they’re interested). Though it’s sometimes convoluted since each website has its different story posting setup. Even with PostyBirb, it’s silly since I have to time the posts on DA and FN so that they’re posted around the same time as FA and Weasyl, and I’ve gotten distracted at times.
And boy, did this journal go on longer than I intended. Whoops. In any case, I hope you folks find it informative, and if you are writers as well, please share how you write.
On the line between ‘plotter’ and ‘pantser,’ by my own admittance, I lean more on the pantser side. If you don’t know what I mean, a plotter is a technical writer who sets up an outline and character profile, which can be thick with information, before writing the story. In contrast, a pantser is the type who writes on the fly with only a thin, if any, setup. Of course, both styles have strengths and weaknesses, such as how a pantser would often lose track of the plot while a plotter’s prose would feel dry. But both are valid in ways to write a story.
Like I said, I’m more on the pantser side. However, that isn’t to say that I don’t know how the story will end because I generally have an idea of how it’ll end. In fact, I usually have a broad-stroke notion of how the story will go in my mind before writing it. But when I’m writing, I find myself adding ideas or even characters that I didn’t think I would put in. For example, in The Pokémon Prometheus stories, David the Zoroark wasn’t meant to be that prominent of the character. In fact, if you check out my notebooks where I first write it before typing it in, he first appears during the ‘hide the macro Faith the Vulpix’ part of the story, and he was nameless too. But then, partly due to Zoroark’s ability Illusion, I find myself adding him in more and more since it was so useful. So, when I typed it in, I added him in scenes and even created scenes for him to appear in (he wasn’t originally in the hospital scene, for example). And, perhaps as a consequence, I made Mayor Richard villainous since, in the original notebook, he was more bumbling and simply greedy. And that was his persona even when typing in the story until I wrote in: “After all, she wouldn’t be big enough for her to resist him with their help.” At that point, that’s when I realized what kind of character I should be writing Mayor Richard as, and I wrote him as such, even going back and adding in moments that made him more ominous. Though I still feel that I only got a proper grasp of his character in The Pokemon Prometheus: Maya’s Story (which is where I also have a better feel on Maya’s character), even if he only appeared for a moment.
Is this a good thing or a bad thing for The Pokémon Prometheus and later stories? It’s hard to say. All I know is it made what was originally a duo with Faith and Adrian into a trio with Faith, Adrian, and David, especially in The Pokémon Prometheus 2.
That isn’t to say that I don’t write outlines since I do at times. In fact, I feel that not starting with a strategy for A Massive Unwinding made writing it originally rougher to begin with. In part, the only thing I genuinely have a grasp on in the story is the final few dialogs when starting off, not the in-between. I’ve rewritten it a few times until I’m satisfied, partly because I realize how to use Ame’s artistic skills to good use in the story itself. I’m trying to create outlines so that I don’t make the same mistake again.
If you wonder how I generate such creative juices that allow me to think up stories in a broad stroke way, I think best when I’m walking. In fact, I would sometimes mutter to myself a tale I’m thinking of. Though that can be interrupted with a hypothetical discussion or debate with people I know. It’s the same when showering, though that tends to be more depressing and even self-loathing, so I don’t really rely on that. In fact, A Name More sprung up in my mind while walking one night, though it took me years to write it down. It went through several changes, such as how the original route that the werefox/Blondie and Mr. Tolle took to get from Australia to the United States was through Blondie hiding in some luggage during a flight. But when showing the heavily compressed story to college classmates, they don’t believe that he would survive the flight because it would be too cold/atmospheric pressure would be too much, etc. So that was why I went with a ship instead, even though it made the story longer.
As for writing it, I used to write the story down in notebooks, 8 by 5 inches for the short stories (and The Pokémon Prometheus since I didn’t think it would be that long) and 10.5 by 8 inches for the longer stories. I’ve changed to writing the rough draft on the computer since when writing The Pokémon Prometheus 2 on notebooks, I realized just how slow and impractical it would be going forward, especially since I’m a faster typer. To explain what I mean, I first started writing it sometime in the middle of August 2019 and finished in late July 2021 in four 10.5 by 8 inches notebooks. When I typed it in, the time it took for me to write was from August to November 2021. That’s a lot shorter, isn’t it?
Of course, I have a couple of hiatus writing it, but that’s beside the point.
I still kept the spirit alive by typing in a rough draft first, sending the file into my phone, setting it in the ReadEra app, and rewriting it again from reading it on my phone. The reason why I do that is because, while I do have an idea of how the story will go and end, I feel that rewriting it from the top will allow me to have a better grasp on the tale, making it consistent and even adding in some foreshadowing and such. To go back to A Name More, I was writing it by parts and rewriting them individually when originally writing it rather than having it all written down before rewriting it. It was necessary since it was also written for a class (incidentally, it was with the same teacher who I first wrote the heavily compressed A Name More, so it was also a bookend of a sort). While it did well, it was only at the fourth part, with Blondie leaving his refugee and home, the shower and mirror scene, and the discussion with Mr. Tolle is where I grasped the heart of the story. While I did add events and such to set it up, I still feel that if I was doing it my usual way, I would’ve made it more organic. Even so, I’m still happy with the result.
As for writing it, it’s a bit wobbly when scheduling it. To explain what I mean, one of my strategies when writing it is to go to work an hour or two early and write it there. For days off, I used to consider it an off day for writing, but since finishing The Pokémon Prometheus 2 in notebook form, I’ve been going to the library to write, so I generally write during the weekdays and have the weekend off, with some exceptions. I usually write for an hour or so, writing over a thousand words a day, unless I really want it done. I hope that I will write more with more hours with the move to Arkansas. As for why in the workplace and at a library, I find writing it at home too distracting. And while I’m aware of some mental tricks to help me, my house has been deeply ingrained into me to be a place to rest. But if you have any suggestions to improve my writing pace, please share them with me.
Once done and edited (whether by myself or with friends/dad), I send the copy to a number of my friends and see what they think. Of course, it’s not uncommon to see that only a few actually read it, even if it contains content they love. And I don’t begrudge them for that since we all have a life, and not all of us can drop everything to read it. But, at the same time, I feel disappointed, especially if it’s a story that is only three pages long (and tease me that they’re ‘halfway’ through as in have a link open but haven’t read it yet). Even so, I still won’t stop sending them my stories. I’m a pest that way.
And after all of that, I set them up to be posted. I post them on FA, DA, Weasyl, FN, and even Patreon (in fact, Patreon supporters can check out the rough draft if they’re interested). Though it’s sometimes convoluted since each website has its different story posting setup. Even with PostyBirb, it’s silly since I have to time the posts on DA and FN so that they’re posted around the same time as FA and Weasyl, and I’ve gotten distracted at times.
And boy, did this journal go on longer than I intended. Whoops. In any case, I hope you folks find it informative, and if you are writers as well, please share how you write.
Birthday Today and Other Thoughts
General | Posted 4 years agoWelp, it’s my birthday today. I confess that it feels kind of strange since I turn thirty today. Where has all the time gone?
As I hope all of you folks can see, I’ve been writing. And I hope to keep on writing in the future, especially since I hope to make it a career. So even if it’s only a part-time kind of deal, I still hope to keep doing what I love. So even if only a few noticed my passionate projects, notably The Pokémon Prometheus series, I’m happy to provide my content to you.
Though I confess that not everything has gone well today. I am currently battling a cold, and while it’s not as bad as it was a couple of days ago, it meant that any actual birthday plans for today are put on hold or canceled. Still, I’m happy, especially with those who remember my birthday. And I got some neat shirts from my dad (even though the closet space for shirts is getting cramp).
And speaking of which.
I was on a road trip with my dad for the past week, going from Arizona to Arkansas and back again. All for preparation for the family’s move there. During the trip, I finished the rough draft and did the final draft of Aleph’s Surprise Trials. And how I got sick in the first place. Still, it was neat to see it snow, especially since I don’t usually see snow where I lived for the past thirty years. But, of course, that will change with the move.
In any case, I hope to still be alive and still writing for the next thirty years. And maybe finally publish something by then. There’s a story that I hope will kick off my writing career that’s been in my mind for at least a decade. So if and when I ever finish The Pokémon Prometheus 3 and any related stories, I’ll see about writing it at last, even if it’ll be three, six, or even nine books.
As I hope all of you folks can see, I’ve been writing. And I hope to keep on writing in the future, especially since I hope to make it a career. So even if it’s only a part-time kind of deal, I still hope to keep doing what I love. So even if only a few noticed my passionate projects, notably The Pokémon Prometheus series, I’m happy to provide my content to you.
Though I confess that not everything has gone well today. I am currently battling a cold, and while it’s not as bad as it was a couple of days ago, it meant that any actual birthday plans for today are put on hold or canceled. Still, I’m happy, especially with those who remember my birthday. And I got some neat shirts from my dad (even though the closet space for shirts is getting cramp).
And speaking of which.
I was on a road trip with my dad for the past week, going from Arizona to Arkansas and back again. All for preparation for the family’s move there. During the trip, I finished the rough draft and did the final draft of Aleph’s Surprise Trials. And how I got sick in the first place. Still, it was neat to see it snow, especially since I don’t usually see snow where I lived for the past thirty years. But, of course, that will change with the move.
In any case, I hope to still be alive and still writing for the next thirty years. And maybe finally publish something by then. There’s a story that I hope will kick off my writing career that’s been in my mind for at least a decade. So if and when I ever finish The Pokémon Prometheus 3 and any related stories, I’ll see about writing it at last, even if it’ll be three, six, or even nine books.
Welp, The Die Is Cast
General | Posted 4 years agoAfter the last few weeks of calling, emailing, and applying, my dad has finally found a place we can rent out while the new home is getting built. So the plan to move to the new state, Arkansas (not Alabama, whoops XD; ), is now on the way.
As such, I told my work about it. Of course, I already let them know that I was moving though I didn’t have a timeline until now. As such, with luck, I’ll be transferring to a new Home Depot there. It’ll also be temporary because the new home will be too far to drive to (there is another near the soon to be built home, which I hoped to be working at, but there weren’t any rental places that were accepting us, so the farther distance one is the one where I’ll be living at).
So, what are my thoughts on the Home Depot that I’m leaving?
Even though I’m a part-timer, it started out well even with working full-time hours for much of the first year there. However, it did calm down when the second year started, so I had more part-time hours. I hoped it’ll still go alright, despite the frustrating points. However, halfway through the second year, the department that I worked at, Online Fulfillment Associate, lost a few longstanding and excellent associates for various reasons that I won’t get into detail here. Just know that, since then, the department has been hanging by a thread.
I’m honestly expecting that it’ll fall apart when I’m gone.
As such, I’ve been stressed out for quite a while now, with the moving plan not helping. I’m hoping that the other Home Depot will be better, along with the new home. Heck, my dad is planning a family project to build a writing shack to hopefully write without distractions, which has been the fundamental issue of writing at home.
In any case, wish me luck and prayers that it’ll be alright.
As such, I told my work about it. Of course, I already let them know that I was moving though I didn’t have a timeline until now. As such, with luck, I’ll be transferring to a new Home Depot there. It’ll also be temporary because the new home will be too far to drive to (there is another near the soon to be built home, which I hoped to be working at, but there weren’t any rental places that were accepting us, so the farther distance one is the one where I’ll be living at).
So, what are my thoughts on the Home Depot that I’m leaving?
Even though I’m a part-timer, it started out well even with working full-time hours for much of the first year there. However, it did calm down when the second year started, so I had more part-time hours. I hoped it’ll still go alright, despite the frustrating points. However, halfway through the second year, the department that I worked at, Online Fulfillment Associate, lost a few longstanding and excellent associates for various reasons that I won’t get into detail here. Just know that, since then, the department has been hanging by a thread.
I’m honestly expecting that it’ll fall apart when I’m gone.
As such, I’ve been stressed out for quite a while now, with the moving plan not helping. I’m hoping that the other Home Depot will be better, along with the new home. Heck, my dad is planning a family project to build a writing shack to hopefully write without distractions, which has been the fundamental issue of writing at home.
In any case, wish me luck and prayers that it’ll be alright.
The Reason For My Scream
General | Posted 4 years agoThis reveal during the Nintendo Direct. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-iNpDKuYb8
Now, have a good day/night.
Now, have a good day/night.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
General | Posted 4 years agoAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Quick Patreon Update
General | Posted 4 years agoQuick Patreon update, everyone. I've edited a few of my tiers so that one is a larger tip, another can get you shorties, and the last one can get you commissions. I've also set it so that you pay me monthly rather than per story I write. I hope that this is alright. =) https://tinyurl.com/5n88bw9k
Year in Review 2022
General | Posted 4 years agoWelp, another year over and a new one beginning. So, what do I think of the year?
It was a mixed bag, to say the least.
For starters, to those who haven’t heard, my family is finally moving; Specifically, to Arkansas. And while I originally planned on staying, since my niece and her husband moved out and I graduated from college (with no student loan debt to my name), I decided to come as well. And, as my dad found out, there would’ve been a lot of lawyering stuff if I stayed after all. (Long story short, the house is under my mom’s previous marriage name, and my sister and I weren’t adults when she died. Because of that, the only ones who legally can inherit the house would be my three sisters born from her previous marriage. To sell the house, my dad has to ask each of them permission to do so, and the money gained from the venture will be split by the courts so that my dad gets half and my sisters get half). It will definitely be a stressful time, but I believe that it’ll be worth it. Of course, I still have to let my work know my plans. And speaking of with, my work.
It’s hasn’t been as great as last year, specifically with the last few months. A considerable part about that is that many of the coworkers I love working with got fired. As such, my stress levels have gone up, especially since they are skilled workers and, even after getting new ones, the void is still there. In fact, there’s only one there that makes me want to stay despite the department going under chaos. Such as life, I suppose.
Writing-wise, it’s one of my best years yet. I wrote not one but two massive stories, A Name More and The Pokémon Prometheus 2 and, while they didn’t get as much fanfare as I hoped, I’m still happy with my achievement. I’ve also written a fair number of short stories so far, with one being edited by a friend since it involves his universe and lore, and he wishes to align the story so it fits. When it is out, I have no idea. Just know that, while it’s not one of the longest stories I’ve written, it’s longer than my standard short stories.
So, yeah. That’s my year in a nutshell. Sucky moments with some good moments. I do hope that 2022 will be a better year.
It won’t be a better year, will it?
It was a mixed bag, to say the least.
For starters, to those who haven’t heard, my family is finally moving; Specifically, to Arkansas. And while I originally planned on staying, since my niece and her husband moved out and I graduated from college (with no student loan debt to my name), I decided to come as well. And, as my dad found out, there would’ve been a lot of lawyering stuff if I stayed after all. (Long story short, the house is under my mom’s previous marriage name, and my sister and I weren’t adults when she died. Because of that, the only ones who legally can inherit the house would be my three sisters born from her previous marriage. To sell the house, my dad has to ask each of them permission to do so, and the money gained from the venture will be split by the courts so that my dad gets half and my sisters get half). It will definitely be a stressful time, but I believe that it’ll be worth it. Of course, I still have to let my work know my plans. And speaking of with, my work.
It’s hasn’t been as great as last year, specifically with the last few months. A considerable part about that is that many of the coworkers I love working with got fired. As such, my stress levels have gone up, especially since they are skilled workers and, even after getting new ones, the void is still there. In fact, there’s only one there that makes me want to stay despite the department going under chaos. Such as life, I suppose.
Writing-wise, it’s one of my best years yet. I wrote not one but two massive stories, A Name More and The Pokémon Prometheus 2 and, while they didn’t get as much fanfare as I hoped, I’m still happy with my achievement. I’ve also written a fair number of short stories so far, with one being edited by a friend since it involves his universe and lore, and he wishes to align the story so it fits. When it is out, I have no idea. Just know that, while it’s not one of the longest stories I’ve written, it’s longer than my standard short stories.
So, yeah. That’s my year in a nutshell. Sucky moments with some good moments. I do hope that 2022 will be a better year.
It won’t be a better year, will it?
Story Commission Open
General | Posted 4 years agoWelp, it’s that time again. I’m opening up commissions once more. Like last time, there will be three slots, which I’ll do my best to complete in January.
My ToS: https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/9527702/
Prices are $10 per 1000 words until it reaches 5000 words, where it’ll be $5 per 1000 words onward.
Slots:
1:
TyVulpine
2:
RomanProphet
3:
B424
Thank you to everyone interested in getting a commission from me.
My ToS: https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/9527702/
Prices are $10 per 1000 words until it reaches 5000 words, where it’ll be $5 per 1000 words onward.
Slots:
1:
TyVulpine2:
RomanProphet3:
B424Thank you to everyone interested in getting a commission from me.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
General | Posted 4 years agoHey there, everyone. Hope you guys have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Here is a segment from a TV show that I love to share the spirit of the season. https://youtu.be/hErIRlbtzJg?t=102
The Pokémon Prometheus 2 and Future
General | Posted 4 years agoWelp, all chapters to The Pokémon Prometheus 2 are released. Writing it has been a bumpy ride, such as the jobs switches (from Safeway to Target to finally Home Depot), getting scammed on Steam, college, doing writing commissions for the first time, and family drama. Not to mention ending friendships because of my actions and words, which I still regret to this day.
Yeah, it was a lot of trouble to get this one done.
What’s next after this one? Well, I’m working on another story (which has already grown more extensive than I expected). After that, open up commissions and revamp my Patreon. And, in time, work on The Pokémon Prometheus 3.
In any case, I’m willing to open up on Q&A regarding The Pokémon Prometheus 2, though I have the right not to answer questions for any reason. Just ask away.
Yeah, it was a lot of trouble to get this one done.
What’s next after this one? Well, I’m working on another story (which has already grown more extensive than I expected). After that, open up commissions and revamp my Patreon. And, in time, work on The Pokémon Prometheus 3.
In any case, I’m willing to open up on Q&A regarding The Pokémon Prometheus 2, though I have the right not to answer questions for any reason. Just ask away.
The Pokémon Prometheus 2
General | Posted 4 years agoWelp, it begins. Starting this morning at 6AM MST, the first chapter of The Pokémon Prometheus 2 will be posted. Here is the rough schedule on how it’ll go.
From Sunday to Friday, the chapters will be posted at 6AM MST. However, due to me working early mornings on Saturday, the chapters will instead be published at 3PM MST. This will continue until all of the chapters are posted. How many chapters? You’ll just have to find out.
Or you can check out my Patreon, where all chapters are posted there right now.
What does it mean after I finish posting this story? Well, a few things. One is that I’ll be working on a few personal projects that I’ve been meaning to get started on, a few of them for years now. Another is that, after that’s done, I’ll revamp my Patreon so that there are more bonuses to being a patron. And, of course, I’ll open up on commissions afterward.
So, I’ll be pretty loaded.
In any case, enjoy.
Sing with me a tiny autumn song
With the melodies of the days gone by
Dress my body all in flowers white
So no mortal eye can see
Where have all my memories gone? (and lost)
Should I roam again up yonder hill?
I can never rest my soul until
You call my name, you call my name from the heart
P.S.
If I had heard of this song years ago, I would’ve used it as the ending song for The Pokémon Prometheus. But, eh, consider it an unofficial ending song.
From Sunday to Friday, the chapters will be posted at 6AM MST. However, due to me working early mornings on Saturday, the chapters will instead be published at 3PM MST. This will continue until all of the chapters are posted. How many chapters? You’ll just have to find out.
What does it mean after I finish posting this story? Well, a few things. One is that I’ll be working on a few personal projects that I’ve been meaning to get started on, a few of them for years now. Another is that, after that’s done, I’ll revamp my Patreon so that there are more bonuses to being a patron. And, of course, I’ll open up on commissions afterward.
So, I’ll be pretty loaded.
In any case, enjoy.
Sing with me a tiny autumn song
With the melodies of the days gone by
Dress my body all in flowers white
So no mortal eye can see
Where have all my memories gone? (and lost)
Should I roam again up yonder hill?
I can never rest my soul until
You call my name, you call my name from the heart
P.S.
If I had heard of this song years ago, I would’ve used it as the ending song for The Pokémon Prometheus. But, eh, consider it an unofficial ending song.
Patreon Revamping
General | Posted 4 years agoBefore you guys asked, yes, I do have a Patreon. Here is the link if you’re curious. I also have a Ko-Fi account with the link here. In any case, let me get to the main point.
While I never consider Patreon a main or even a side source of income, more like a tip jar, I confess that its growth over the past two years has been nonexistent. Not to say that I don’t have anyone there supporting me. Just that, for a long time, it’s just been the same two-three people, nothing more. Well, aside from that one guy, but he disappeared quick.
Of course, there are multiple reasons for it. One is that, despite advertising it in every story, my advertising is lacking. Another is that the incentive of joining it is lame. And finally, I just don’t post there regularly like a bunch of people do.
As such, I thought of revamping the whole thing and, after some talks with a few friends, we’ve come up with some solutions. Note that these changes will not affect my Patreon until I finalize and posted The Pokémon Prometheus 2. That way, I can be more flexible with the time I have on that story itself.
First up, discounted stories/YCH-ish stories
Basically, by joining my Patreon, you get a discount on my story commissions depending on how high of a tier you’re in. And on the higher end of the tier list, you can get mini/short stories more like A Kitsune Thief, where the word count doesn’t exceed more than 3K. Plus, setting up monthly theme stories (for example, a possible theme is getting a deity potion from A-Fox, whether you drink it or not, and what your deity form looks like).
Second, do more advertising.
It’s not something that I enjoy, I admit. I’m not an egotist by nature (I’m more of the opposite, in fact). But, regardless of my feelings, it’s something that I need to work on. Especially since, if I’m going to do self-publishing works, I need to learn how to advertise myself. After all, unless the work is outstanding (and I doubt it’ll get to that point), all I’ll get from this is nothing.
Finally, do more Patreon posts.
In the early days, I confess that I did try to do some posts, such as behind-the-scenes on how I write. But they went nowhere, and I gave up in the middle. Of course, it doesn’t help that my means of sharing it is limited since, back then, I generally wrote it in a notebook before typing it in.
However, thanks to a setup that I’m moving towards (typing the rough draft and retyping it while editing it as I go), it allows me to offer an incentive as to how much the story changes from rough to final far more transparent than before. As such, that is a way to posts more. In addition, I may offer some writing tips and opinions, primarily since some of the people supporting me have written a story and I like to help.
If you guys have any suggestions on how to improve my Patreon, don’t feel afraid to tell.
While I never consider Patreon a main or even a side source of income, more like a tip jar, I confess that its growth over the past two years has been nonexistent. Not to say that I don’t have anyone there supporting me. Just that, for a long time, it’s just been the same two-three people, nothing more. Well, aside from that one guy, but he disappeared quick.
Of course, there are multiple reasons for it. One is that, despite advertising it in every story, my advertising is lacking. Another is that the incentive of joining it is lame. And finally, I just don’t post there regularly like a bunch of people do.
As such, I thought of revamping the whole thing and, after some talks with a few friends, we’ve come up with some solutions. Note that these changes will not affect my Patreon until I finalize and posted The Pokémon Prometheus 2. That way, I can be more flexible with the time I have on that story itself.
First up, discounted stories/YCH-ish stories
Basically, by joining my Patreon, you get a discount on my story commissions depending on how high of a tier you’re in. And on the higher end of the tier list, you can get mini/short stories more like A Kitsune Thief, where the word count doesn’t exceed more than 3K. Plus, setting up monthly theme stories (for example, a possible theme is getting a deity potion from A-Fox, whether you drink it or not, and what your deity form looks like).
Second, do more advertising.
It’s not something that I enjoy, I admit. I’m not an egotist by nature (I’m more of the opposite, in fact). But, regardless of my feelings, it’s something that I need to work on. Especially since, if I’m going to do self-publishing works, I need to learn how to advertise myself. After all, unless the work is outstanding (and I doubt it’ll get to that point), all I’ll get from this is nothing.
Finally, do more Patreon posts.
In the early days, I confess that I did try to do some posts, such as behind-the-scenes on how I write. But they went nowhere, and I gave up in the middle. Of course, it doesn’t help that my means of sharing it is limited since, back then, I generally wrote it in a notebook before typing it in.
However, thanks to a setup that I’m moving towards (typing the rough draft and retyping it while editing it as I go), it allows me to offer an incentive as to how much the story changes from rough to final far more transparent than before. As such, that is a way to posts more. In addition, I may offer some writing tips and opinions, primarily since some of the people supporting me have written a story and I like to help.
If you guys have any suggestions on how to improve my Patreon, don’t feel afraid to tell.
Some Life Updates
General | Posted 4 years agoHey there, everyone. It’s time for a journal update. I confess that I haven’t done much writing journals in a while. To be honest, I sometimes wonder if there’s a point in writing journals. Still, might as well write this since there’s plenty of development in the months since.
Computer Update:
If you guys heard about it from me on either Discord, Telegram, several posts I made, or when I comment about it while watching live streams, then you guys know about my computer problem. If you don’t, here’s the simple explanation. My computer’s motherboard died around the middle of March, and my dad and I tried to get a replacement motherboard for it. However, the motherboard has been acting weird, turning the computer on or off by itself kind of weird. It started in the first couple of weeks since its installation, with it turning on/off corresponding to how long the computer was plugged in.
Everyone I talked to about it was baffled about why it’s doing this and how to fix it. Maybe it’s because, when it got made, it wasn’t loaded up with crucial data (since while checking to see if the BIOS needed updates suggests that it’s the latest patch, and there weren’t any files that the websites said should be on it). Or maybe it’s because the motherboard wasn’t compatible with the rest of the computer (it’s an ASUS motherboard in an HP computer). Whatever the answer, I cannot do stuff with the main computer anymore and, since then, I’ve been using this cheap laptop that cannot even play Minecraft.
And, while I would love to get a new computer to replace it, everyone I talked to about it asked me to wait since, due to the varus™, buying a new computer are too expensive since supplies are rare and labor are few. As such, until this blows over, I’ll be stuck on this cheap laptop doing nothing but writing on it and such. This brings me to my next point.
The Pokémon Prometheus 2:
In July, after various delays due to real-life stuff I mentioned (getting scammed and writing A Name More), I finally finished writing The Pokémon Prometheus 2. Right now, I’m still typing it into my laptop, editing and rewriting it as I go. Right now, I’m on my third notebook (and I’ve written up to halfway to the fourth one), with the word count currently at 47,992 at 98 pages (for reference, The Pokémon Prometheus is at 29,016 words at 59 pages). So yeah, this is my longest writing project yet.
I’m hoping it’ll be done between the end of October to the middle of November, barring some extra editing that needs to be done. I’m also hoping that it’ll improve from the first one since I confess that there were some rough parts on it. I blame it mainly because it was the first big writing project since I began writing again back in 2018, which I’ve let myself rust even after some writing classes and occasional writing. That and inexperience.
And that brings me to my next point.
Graduation and Writing Certificate:
After completing the last class that I needed to take, Portfolio (which is why I spent the beginning of the year writing A Name More), I’ve submitted my application for graduation from my college. My Certificate in Creative Writing got approved just last week, and I should be receiving it soon. Thus, after ten or so years at my college, my goal has been achieved.
It has been an exciting journey. When I first began my attempt at college, it was to become a game creator. But, due to dry teachers and a lack of drive, I decided that it was not what I wanted. And besides, in hindsight, when I see myself promoting games in my imagination, it wasn’t about the whole ‘what you can do’ or ‘what this gimmick’ but ‘what is this world’ and ‘the cutscenes within the game.’ This isn’t to say that I feel that the gameplay isn’t necessary, because it is, but that I was a story type of guy even back then as a middle/high school student.
Will I get a Degree in Creative Writing? Eh, I doubt it. It’s because my college doesn’t offer such degrees, so I need to go to another college. And besides, what is the point? Any more classes will just be more circling around until I get it. Will I change my mind? Maybe.
Story Commissions:
Before you ask, I will not open for story commissions after I’m done with The Pokémon Prometheus 2. I have a few more projects to work on before I do so. First, I want to write a story for a friend. Second, I want to do a trilogy of short stories TFs that’s been teasing the front page for far too long (the Snivy TF, if you were wondering). Finally, I’ll open for commissions. Just keep an eye open for a journal when I do open, OK?
Life Update:
They say that autumn is the season of change. And, while it’s still technically summer here, I still think it’s fitting for what is going on.
First, my niece and her husband have moved out, having gotten their own house. The plan was to give them this house after selling the farm in California. I mentioned it in a couple of journals. So I’ll try to explain it in brief. A couple of great uncles had a farm there and, when they died, a legal battle between my family and one of the uncles’ son-in-law occurred. The son-in-law lost. However, it took too long for this house to be sold to them due to stuff I’ll get into later. Besides, her husband wanted a proper place that he owned.
Honestly, I have mixed feelings about them leaving after two years. On the one hand, I’m happy. While they kept to themselves and tried not to be intrusive, there were times when they were loud. Part of that is because they enjoy having a party once a month, usually playing Magic with their friends, and they like to shout a lot. I barely had any sleep for some nights, not helped because my workdays sometimes had me wake up at 4AM. And if they weren’t loud because of a game, they were noisy because they were arguing with each other. Well, it usually’s her husband who’s the loudest of the two.
Part of me still wondered if I should’ve called the cops since they were edging to that point at times.
On the other hand, their leaving did ruin some setup, which I’ll get into later.
In other news, if you recall, in a previous journal after the farm got sold off, my uncle and his wife wanted to get the lion’s share of the money, in violation of the original deal. It delayed my dad’s plan to go out to the Mideast to find some farmland to live in along with my sister, developing a little farm. Again, just last week, the legal stuff between my uncle and the rest of the family has ended and, while he still keeps part of it, the rest of it is divided up as initially planned (or as close to it). Because of this, my dad feels free to begin his search once more.
And to be honest, while part of me wants to stay, another part wants to go. As hinted earlier, my niece and her husband leaving here and getting their own place prevented me from living on more than one income. As such, while it’s still doable, it’ll still be somewhat tight if I do it alone. Plus, things have been developing much faster than envision and, when things do go to hell in the coming decade, I’ll likely be cut off from my dad when going to him. And, because I live in a desert only because of modern technology, if the hell comes here and destroys the infrastructure, this city is done for. Plus, while I’m not a sociable person, I hate to live alone.
That’s pretty much it. I hope your year has been going well.
Computer Update:
If you guys heard about it from me on either Discord, Telegram, several posts I made, or when I comment about it while watching live streams, then you guys know about my computer problem. If you don’t, here’s the simple explanation. My computer’s motherboard died around the middle of March, and my dad and I tried to get a replacement motherboard for it. However, the motherboard has been acting weird, turning the computer on or off by itself kind of weird. It started in the first couple of weeks since its installation, with it turning on/off corresponding to how long the computer was plugged in.
Everyone I talked to about it was baffled about why it’s doing this and how to fix it. Maybe it’s because, when it got made, it wasn’t loaded up with crucial data (since while checking to see if the BIOS needed updates suggests that it’s the latest patch, and there weren’t any files that the websites said should be on it). Or maybe it’s because the motherboard wasn’t compatible with the rest of the computer (it’s an ASUS motherboard in an HP computer). Whatever the answer, I cannot do stuff with the main computer anymore and, since then, I’ve been using this cheap laptop that cannot even play Minecraft.
And, while I would love to get a new computer to replace it, everyone I talked to about it asked me to wait since, due to the varus™, buying a new computer are too expensive since supplies are rare and labor are few. As such, until this blows over, I’ll be stuck on this cheap laptop doing nothing but writing on it and such. This brings me to my next point.
The Pokémon Prometheus 2:
In July, after various delays due to real-life stuff I mentioned (getting scammed and writing A Name More), I finally finished writing The Pokémon Prometheus 2. Right now, I’m still typing it into my laptop, editing and rewriting it as I go. Right now, I’m on my third notebook (and I’ve written up to halfway to the fourth one), with the word count currently at 47,992 at 98 pages (for reference, The Pokémon Prometheus is at 29,016 words at 59 pages). So yeah, this is my longest writing project yet.
I’m hoping it’ll be done between the end of October to the middle of November, barring some extra editing that needs to be done. I’m also hoping that it’ll improve from the first one since I confess that there were some rough parts on it. I blame it mainly because it was the first big writing project since I began writing again back in 2018, which I’ve let myself rust even after some writing classes and occasional writing. That and inexperience.
And that brings me to my next point.
Graduation and Writing Certificate:
After completing the last class that I needed to take, Portfolio (which is why I spent the beginning of the year writing A Name More), I’ve submitted my application for graduation from my college. My Certificate in Creative Writing got approved just last week, and I should be receiving it soon. Thus, after ten or so years at my college, my goal has been achieved.
It has been an exciting journey. When I first began my attempt at college, it was to become a game creator. But, due to dry teachers and a lack of drive, I decided that it was not what I wanted. And besides, in hindsight, when I see myself promoting games in my imagination, it wasn’t about the whole ‘what you can do’ or ‘what this gimmick’ but ‘what is this world’ and ‘the cutscenes within the game.’ This isn’t to say that I feel that the gameplay isn’t necessary, because it is, but that I was a story type of guy even back then as a middle/high school student.
Will I get a Degree in Creative Writing? Eh, I doubt it. It’s because my college doesn’t offer such degrees, so I need to go to another college. And besides, what is the point? Any more classes will just be more circling around until I get it. Will I change my mind? Maybe.
Story Commissions:
Before you ask, I will not open for story commissions after I’m done with The Pokémon Prometheus 2. I have a few more projects to work on before I do so. First, I want to write a story for a friend. Second, I want to do a trilogy of short stories TFs that’s been teasing the front page for far too long (the Snivy TF, if you were wondering). Finally, I’ll open for commissions. Just keep an eye open for a journal when I do open, OK?
Life Update:
They say that autumn is the season of change. And, while it’s still technically summer here, I still think it’s fitting for what is going on.
First, my niece and her husband have moved out, having gotten their own house. The plan was to give them this house after selling the farm in California. I mentioned it in a couple of journals. So I’ll try to explain it in brief. A couple of great uncles had a farm there and, when they died, a legal battle between my family and one of the uncles’ son-in-law occurred. The son-in-law lost. However, it took too long for this house to be sold to them due to stuff I’ll get into later. Besides, her husband wanted a proper place that he owned.
Honestly, I have mixed feelings about them leaving after two years. On the one hand, I’m happy. While they kept to themselves and tried not to be intrusive, there were times when they were loud. Part of that is because they enjoy having a party once a month, usually playing Magic with their friends, and they like to shout a lot. I barely had any sleep for some nights, not helped because my workdays sometimes had me wake up at 4AM. And if they weren’t loud because of a game, they were noisy because they were arguing with each other. Well, it usually’s her husband who’s the loudest of the two.
Part of me still wondered if I should’ve called the cops since they were edging to that point at times.
On the other hand, their leaving did ruin some setup, which I’ll get into later.
In other news, if you recall, in a previous journal after the farm got sold off, my uncle and his wife wanted to get the lion’s share of the money, in violation of the original deal. It delayed my dad’s plan to go out to the Mideast to find some farmland to live in along with my sister, developing a little farm. Again, just last week, the legal stuff between my uncle and the rest of the family has ended and, while he still keeps part of it, the rest of it is divided up as initially planned (or as close to it). Because of this, my dad feels free to begin his search once more.
And to be honest, while part of me wants to stay, another part wants to go. As hinted earlier, my niece and her husband leaving here and getting their own place prevented me from living on more than one income. As such, while it’s still doable, it’ll still be somewhat tight if I do it alone. Plus, things have been developing much faster than envision and, when things do go to hell in the coming decade, I’ll likely be cut off from my dad when going to him. And, because I live in a desert only because of modern technology, if the hell comes here and destroys the infrastructure, this city is done for. Plus, while I’m not a sociable person, I hate to live alone.
That’s pretty much it. I hope your year has been going well.
Year in Review 2020
General | Posted 5 years agoWelp, it’s about that time again. My thoughts on this year. I must say, 2020 is, um, how to say it?
Well, it was very sucky. I’m not just referring to the whole COVID-19 thing, but plenty of stuff that’s been going on this year. You guys remember how that I was working at Target by this time last year? Welllllll, I was actually pretty much let go not too long afterward when I posted that journal. It wasn’t that I was a lousy employee; in fact, they rather like me and wanted me to stay for the foreseeable future. It’s just that, with the 2019 holiday season over, they couldn’t afford me and, in fact, they actually kept me a couple of weeks longer than they should. They at least allow me to stay on that final week on overtime for some overtime pay, which is very nice of them. Of course, no one could’ve predicted COVID-19 breaking out from China back then and spreading out to the rest of the world, which would’ve allowed me to still be staying with them if they saw it coming.
I already mentioned how I was scammed several thousands of dollars, which I’m still angry at myself for it, with me keeping the Steam cards as a reminder of my stupidity. Of course, that wasn’t the only thing that was stressing me out back then. You see, one of my elder sisters, who’s living in Texas by the way, was actually diagnosed with leukemia around February. As such, I’ve been stressing out on hoping that my sister is going to be OK. Not only because plenty of relatives, including my mother and my other elder sister, suffered and even died from cancer, but also because I heard the news that some hospitals were kicking out some patients so that they can take in COVID-19 cases. Even cancer patients weren’t exempt. As such, I was worried that my sister would end up like them, not helped by hearing from one unpleasant fellow who said that people with cancer should die so that ones with COVID-19 may live. Before you ask, she is alright and cancer-free.
Naturally, with all of this going, not helped by the stresses of getting a new job, I was not in the best mood. If any of you guys noticed, I felt moody and snappish, even passive-aggressive due to all of this. As such, I’m afraid that I’ve damaged and perhaps even permanently severed some friendships and relationships online, some lasting for years, because of this. I confess to full responsibility for what has happened, and I regret my actions. Even with the stuff going on with my life, it’s not an excuse for my horrible behavior. If anyone who I have harmed is reading this, know this: I am deeply sorry for what I’ve said and done. I know that I cannot fully take back the words I’ve said since words can pierce through the heart and can hurt for a lifetime, but I thoroughly regret saying them now, and I wish I can undo the hurt I have caused. I hope you can forgive me and that we can resume where we left off.
In any case, time to balance it out. While I did say that this year was pretty sucky, it wasn’t all bad. As I said, I did get a new job, which is at Home Depot, where I’m still doing online fulfillment work for them, much like back at Target and Amazon. It was a shaky start, what with me being a sour autistic guy who at one time has to be physically restrained from hitting myself again for a safety screw up. But it has improved over time, and now I’m one of their best fulfillment employees. In fact, and I say this with humbleness since this is the first time that I’m saying much of this with even some friends not knowing these details: I was given a raise from $12 an hour to $15 an hour, I was given an award for being one of the best pickers, and for this month I was even given employee of the month, which I was never rewarded with before now. In fact, I’m still uncomfortable with being granted employee of the month since the only thing I see going for me is being a hard worker. I’m not really charismatic with me having a hard time getting people to listen to me or assist me, I can be pretty awkward in a conversation, and I can be short-temper, as some of you guys know. I know I’m being silly, but it’s hard for me to accept praises when all I can see are the flaws.
Another good thing that has happened is that I’ve finally accepted writing commissions and, while it was pretty rough at times, I believe that I did a decent job for the first time. Of course, I’m not opening now since I still wish to finish up The Pokémon Prometheus 2. Yes, I know that it’s not done and, while I said that it’ll likely be doubled the first one’s length, now I’m saying that it’ll be tripled. I do hope to get it done and posted by the halfway point next year. There are some parts I’m not happy about it, which I do hope to fix when I begin to type it down, not to mention the slow-buildup section, which is going longer than even I expected. The only reason I’m still adding it is that there’ll be payoffs in The Pokémon Prometheus 3, and yes, I’m thinking of doing a third one, which will be the final part of that saga, outside of some side-stories I’m thinking of.
And that’s pretty much it. Now then, should we hope for a better 2021? I’m still asking that question myself since, while 2020 is a pretty terrible year for everyone, I can’t help but feel that this is nothing more than a prelude. That there will be an even worst time in the coming year and perhaps this decade, with global chaos and warfare not seen since WWII. And this will make everyone wish for this year to return, even with all of the stuff that happened. I only hope that I’m wrong and that we’ll be seeing better days, but I’m afraid.
In any case, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Hanukkah, and many others that are too long to post.
Well, it was very sucky. I’m not just referring to the whole COVID-19 thing, but plenty of stuff that’s been going on this year. You guys remember how that I was working at Target by this time last year? Welllllll, I was actually pretty much let go not too long afterward when I posted that journal. It wasn’t that I was a lousy employee; in fact, they rather like me and wanted me to stay for the foreseeable future. It’s just that, with the 2019 holiday season over, they couldn’t afford me and, in fact, they actually kept me a couple of weeks longer than they should. They at least allow me to stay on that final week on overtime for some overtime pay, which is very nice of them. Of course, no one could’ve predicted COVID-19 breaking out from China back then and spreading out to the rest of the world, which would’ve allowed me to still be staying with them if they saw it coming.
I already mentioned how I was scammed several thousands of dollars, which I’m still angry at myself for it, with me keeping the Steam cards as a reminder of my stupidity. Of course, that wasn’t the only thing that was stressing me out back then. You see, one of my elder sisters, who’s living in Texas by the way, was actually diagnosed with leukemia around February. As such, I’ve been stressing out on hoping that my sister is going to be OK. Not only because plenty of relatives, including my mother and my other elder sister, suffered and even died from cancer, but also because I heard the news that some hospitals were kicking out some patients so that they can take in COVID-19 cases. Even cancer patients weren’t exempt. As such, I was worried that my sister would end up like them, not helped by hearing from one unpleasant fellow who said that people with cancer should die so that ones with COVID-19 may live. Before you ask, she is alright and cancer-free.
Naturally, with all of this going, not helped by the stresses of getting a new job, I was not in the best mood. If any of you guys noticed, I felt moody and snappish, even passive-aggressive due to all of this. As such, I’m afraid that I’ve damaged and perhaps even permanently severed some friendships and relationships online, some lasting for years, because of this. I confess to full responsibility for what has happened, and I regret my actions. Even with the stuff going on with my life, it’s not an excuse for my horrible behavior. If anyone who I have harmed is reading this, know this: I am deeply sorry for what I’ve said and done. I know that I cannot fully take back the words I’ve said since words can pierce through the heart and can hurt for a lifetime, but I thoroughly regret saying them now, and I wish I can undo the hurt I have caused. I hope you can forgive me and that we can resume where we left off.
In any case, time to balance it out. While I did say that this year was pretty sucky, it wasn’t all bad. As I said, I did get a new job, which is at Home Depot, where I’m still doing online fulfillment work for them, much like back at Target and Amazon. It was a shaky start, what with me being a sour autistic guy who at one time has to be physically restrained from hitting myself again for a safety screw up. But it has improved over time, and now I’m one of their best fulfillment employees. In fact, and I say this with humbleness since this is the first time that I’m saying much of this with even some friends not knowing these details: I was given a raise from $12 an hour to $15 an hour, I was given an award for being one of the best pickers, and for this month I was even given employee of the month, which I was never rewarded with before now. In fact, I’m still uncomfortable with being granted employee of the month since the only thing I see going for me is being a hard worker. I’m not really charismatic with me having a hard time getting people to listen to me or assist me, I can be pretty awkward in a conversation, and I can be short-temper, as some of you guys know. I know I’m being silly, but it’s hard for me to accept praises when all I can see are the flaws.
Another good thing that has happened is that I’ve finally accepted writing commissions and, while it was pretty rough at times, I believe that I did a decent job for the first time. Of course, I’m not opening now since I still wish to finish up The Pokémon Prometheus 2. Yes, I know that it’s not done and, while I said that it’ll likely be doubled the first one’s length, now I’m saying that it’ll be tripled. I do hope to get it done and posted by the halfway point next year. There are some parts I’m not happy about it, which I do hope to fix when I begin to type it down, not to mention the slow-buildup section, which is going longer than even I expected. The only reason I’m still adding it is that there’ll be payoffs in The Pokémon Prometheus 3, and yes, I’m thinking of doing a third one, which will be the final part of that saga, outside of some side-stories I’m thinking of.
And that’s pretty much it. Now then, should we hope for a better 2021? I’m still asking that question myself since, while 2020 is a pretty terrible year for everyone, I can’t help but feel that this is nothing more than a prelude. That there will be an even worst time in the coming year and perhaps this decade, with global chaos and warfare not seen since WWII. And this will make everyone wish for this year to return, even with all of the stuff that happened. I only hope that I’m wrong and that we’ll be seeing better days, but I’m afraid.
In any case, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Hanukkah, and many others that are too long to post.
Terms of Services for Story Commissions
General | Posted 5 years agoBy commissioning me, you agree to my Terms of Service. Please read through them as close as possible. If you do so, it’ll make things far easier for both of us.
I’ll be posting a journal regarding that I’m open for commissions. If all of the slots are taken, then please wait for the next journal opening. Do not send me a Note asking me for a commission/if I am open for a commission when all of the slots are full.
My starting price is at $10 per 1000 words I write, with an average short story by me around the 4000-5000 range. After the 5000 word count, though, the price added onwards will be $5 per 1000 (i.e., a story that has over 7000 words in it will cost you $60, not $70). All of the prices are in USD.
I must receive a $20 down payment before I start on a paid commission. My short stories are usually 4-5K words, so it should be fair. I have trouble getting money from commissioners (I’m far too nice), so this should make them more honest about their financials and ability to pay.
Of course, this all depends on the content that you wanted me to write, which can make a story longer or shorter. The price is usually set at the rough draft stage, which is to say that if the rough draft is under 5000 words, but the final draft is over, you’ll be paying $40. This is done because, when rewriting my stories, I tend to add in more details that will bump up the word count, and I don’t wish to make you feel like I conned you. There are exceptions to this rule, which I’ll get into.
When I send you the rough draft of my story for an overview, I expect a timely response regarding the story so far. I understand if real life stuff gets in the way of reviewing over the story, but it’ll not be accepted as an excuse as time goes on. If you have not responded within 48 hours, I’ll message you for an explanation, and I’ll be willing to wait at least 24 more hours if the answer you give is acceptable. If the answer is not satisfactory, you passed over the extra time, or brush off any messages demanding an explanation, I will proceed with the final draft, and you’ll now pay the word count for the final draft. As a fair warning to those who do so, I’ll likely add in loads more details and such for the final draft that may double the original word count as a deterrent.
I’ll be honest when I say grammar is one of my weak points in writing. If I get fixing suggestions, I’ll be happy to receive them. If it gets super nitpicky, that’s when I’ll call it. Again, I don’t mind criticism or suggestions. If you get to that point, I’ll do my best to warn you.
Payment is through PayPal, though I am willing to go through alternatives like Ko-Fi if the amount is correct. Please leave the message box empty when you send your PayPal payment.
While I am willing to accept trades/arts/games as payment rather than money, I’ll only do so if I can trust that you’ll go through with it.
If you are unable or unwilling to send payments when I ask for them, I will not be accepting commissions from you again. The unpaid-for story will also only be posted on my Patreon account, set so that only my Patreons can read them. Even if you do send payment eventually, you’ll remain blacklisted (though the Patreon-only restriction may be lifted). Please, only commission me if you’re ready to pay for it.
When you commission me, please send me the necessary details for how you wanted your story to go. For example, the basic plotline, the theme for the story, and any extra information like specific characters will be enough. I’ll then write down and send you the outline based on the details you gave me and, if you approve, I’ll start working from there.
I’m mainly a TF writer, but I have written some macro, muscles, and even fat/fattening stories. I may be interested in other themes, but if I decline, do not push me into accepting it in any way. If I rejected your theme/idea, please move to the next theme/idea. If I have rejected your theme/idea three times or if you’ve continued to push me into accepting a theme I already declined, your commission will be canceled, and you’ll be blacklisted from further commissions.
Here is some stuff I’ll reject outright as themes:
ANY NSFW theme like sex, nudity, or substantial levels of gore
TFTG (I honestly doubt I’ll do a good job writing such a story)
Babyfurs/diaper furs (no offense to those who like them, especially to my friends. I’m just not interested)
Age progression/regression
Thank you for reading my TOS and being interested in a commission from me.
I’ll be posting a journal regarding that I’m open for commissions. If all of the slots are taken, then please wait for the next journal opening. Do not send me a Note asking me for a commission/if I am open for a commission when all of the slots are full.
My starting price is at $10 per 1000 words I write, with an average short story by me around the 4000-5000 range. After the 5000 word count, though, the price added onwards will be $5 per 1000 (i.e., a story that has over 7000 words in it will cost you $60, not $70). All of the prices are in USD.
I must receive a $20 down payment before I start on a paid commission. My short stories are usually 4-5K words, so it should be fair. I have trouble getting money from commissioners (I’m far too nice), so this should make them more honest about their financials and ability to pay.
Of course, this all depends on the content that you wanted me to write, which can make a story longer or shorter. The price is usually set at the rough draft stage, which is to say that if the rough draft is under 5000 words, but the final draft is over, you’ll be paying $40. This is done because, when rewriting my stories, I tend to add in more details that will bump up the word count, and I don’t wish to make you feel like I conned you. There are exceptions to this rule, which I’ll get into.
When I send you the rough draft of my story for an overview, I expect a timely response regarding the story so far. I understand if real life stuff gets in the way of reviewing over the story, but it’ll not be accepted as an excuse as time goes on. If you have not responded within 48 hours, I’ll message you for an explanation, and I’ll be willing to wait at least 24 more hours if the answer you give is acceptable. If the answer is not satisfactory, you passed over the extra time, or brush off any messages demanding an explanation, I will proceed with the final draft, and you’ll now pay the word count for the final draft. As a fair warning to those who do so, I’ll likely add in loads more details and such for the final draft that may double the original word count as a deterrent.
I’ll be honest when I say grammar is one of my weak points in writing. If I get fixing suggestions, I’ll be happy to receive them. If it gets super nitpicky, that’s when I’ll call it. Again, I don’t mind criticism or suggestions. If you get to that point, I’ll do my best to warn you.
Payment is through PayPal, though I am willing to go through alternatives like Ko-Fi if the amount is correct. Please leave the message box empty when you send your PayPal payment.
While I am willing to accept trades/arts/games as payment rather than money, I’ll only do so if I can trust that you’ll go through with it.
If you are unable or unwilling to send payments when I ask for them, I will not be accepting commissions from you again. The unpaid-for story will also only be posted on my Patreon account, set so that only my Patreons can read them. Even if you do send payment eventually, you’ll remain blacklisted (though the Patreon-only restriction may be lifted). Please, only commission me if you’re ready to pay for it.
When you commission me, please send me the necessary details for how you wanted your story to go. For example, the basic plotline, the theme for the story, and any extra information like specific characters will be enough. I’ll then write down and send you the outline based on the details you gave me and, if you approve, I’ll start working from there.
I’m mainly a TF writer, but I have written some macro, muscles, and even fat/fattening stories. I may be interested in other themes, but if I decline, do not push me into accepting it in any way. If I rejected your theme/idea, please move to the next theme/idea. If I have rejected your theme/idea three times or if you’ve continued to push me into accepting a theme I already declined, your commission will be canceled, and you’ll be blacklisted from further commissions.
Here is some stuff I’ll reject outright as themes:
ANY NSFW theme like sex, nudity, or substantial levels of gore
TFTG (I honestly doubt I’ll do a good job writing such a story)
Babyfurs/diaper furs (no offense to those who like them, especially to my friends. I’m just not interested)
Age progression/regression
Thank you for reading my TOS and being interested in a commission from me.
Story Commission Opened
General | Posted 5 years agoHey there, everyone. Long time, no see.
In any case, I’m opening up commissions again. I know that I haven’t posted the final story on my last commission list, it’s already done. Just that there are reasons why it hasn’t been posted. Reasons you’ll likely guess when you see my next journal.
Same prices as before. $10 for every 1000 words up to 5000 words, then it’s just $5 for every 1000 onward.
1:
alephgon
2:
Talcott
3:
To everyone who decides to get a commission from me, thank you.
In any case, I’m opening up commissions again. I know that I haven’t posted the final story on my last commission list, it’s already done. Just that there are reasons why it hasn’t been posted. Reasons you’ll likely guess when you see my next journal.
Same prices as before. $10 for every 1000 words up to 5000 words, then it’s just $5 for every 1000 onward.
1:
alephgon2:
Talcott3:
To everyone who decides to get a commission from me, thank you.
Opening Up Commissions
General | Posted 5 years agoGiven what I said from the previous two journals, I believe that it’s time to open up story commissions again. While I wanted to wait until I completed my The Pokémon Prometheus 2 story, it’ll most likely be a couple of months at least until it’s done and a month to type it into a computer and polish it out. I cannot afford to work on one personal story when I needed the money sooner rather than later.
Don’t worry. The Pokémon Prometheus 2 WILL be posted. It’ll just take a lot longer than I expected with me writing it during my between commission times.
In any case, I’ll open up three slots for a story commission. The rate will be $10 per 1000 words until it passes 5000 words, where it’ll instead be $5 per 1000. My specialty will be transformation, but macro and perhaps some other themes will be accepted. I’m also not an erotic writer, so don’t expect me to write porn or anything with overtly sexual issues. At most, expect a PG-13 action movie type (like the MCU) from me.
1. alephgon (Done https://www.furaffinity.net/view/35766776/ )
2.
Tails230 (Done https://www.furaffinity.net/view/35923441/ )
3.
EisenGsolf
To anyone who’ll buy a story from me, I thank you.
Don’t worry. The Pokémon Prometheus 2 WILL be posted. It’ll just take a lot longer than I expected with me writing it during my between commission times.
In any case, I’ll open up three slots for a story commission. The rate will be $10 per 1000 words until it passes 5000 words, where it’ll instead be $5 per 1000. My specialty will be transformation, but macro and perhaps some other themes will be accepted. I’m also not an erotic writer, so don’t expect me to write porn or anything with overtly sexual issues. At most, expect a PG-13 action movie type (like the MCU) from me.
1.
alephgon (Done https://www.furaffinity.net/view/35766776/ )2.
Tails230 (Done https://www.furaffinity.net/view/35923441/ )3.
EisenGsolfTo anyone who’ll buy a story from me, I thank you.
It Gets Worse
General | Posted 5 years agoWelp, that didn’t take long to give out another update about the scam.
In any case, I had contacted the bank and, while they’re sympathetic to my plight, they will not be reimbursing me for the lost money due to the scam. Their logic is that, because I used my money to buy the Steam gift cards, I cannot get my money back since I used gift cards (which aren’t reimbursable even for a scam). Of course, because the scammer already used the Steam codes for their account, I cannot get a refund if I go back to the stores with the cards themselves and Valve will not do anything to support me. The most I can do is contact the local authorities (which I did by sending an online report). Even then, it is not likely I’ll get my money, which is in the thousands, back at any time.
Why was I so stupid to not see through this scam? Why couldn’t I talk about it to others even though I wanted to? Why am I such a screwup?
In any case, if anyone wants to donate to me, my PayPal is foxgamer01@gmail.com. Or you can donate through my Ko-Fi account here. http://ko-fi.com/foxgamer01
In any case, I had contacted the bank and, while they’re sympathetic to my plight, they will not be reimbursing me for the lost money due to the scam. Their logic is that, because I used my money to buy the Steam gift cards, I cannot get my money back since I used gift cards (which aren’t reimbursable even for a scam). Of course, because the scammer already used the Steam codes for their account, I cannot get a refund if I go back to the stores with the cards themselves and Valve will not do anything to support me. The most I can do is contact the local authorities (which I did by sending an online report). Even then, it is not likely I’ll get my money, which is in the thousands, back at any time.
Why was I so stupid to not see through this scam? Why couldn’t I talk about it to others even though I wanted to? Why am I such a screwup?
In any case, if anyone wants to donate to me, my PayPal is foxgamer01@gmail.com. Or you can donate through my Ko-Fi account here. http://ko-fi.com/foxgamer01
Been Scammed
General | Posted 5 years agoWelp, there is always a first, isn't it?
To be honest, I always did feel that I am vulnerable to scams. As plenty of people have commented, in both online and in real life, I'm far too friendly and trusting for my good. I just don't like to disappoint people, and when I do, I go the extra mile to make up for it, whether if it's my fault or not. I'm more surprised and disappointed that it happened now, not earlier, and during my birthday time. That was part of the reason why I was so stressful last week.
To explain, last week (March 14th), I got a message on Steam from someone on my friend's list. I'll not be listing his name, not because I think he isn't on this scam (because part of me think he is), nor is it because I wish to protect him but because I am not allowed as under TOS. If you want to know who he is, contact me. But, back on topic, he told me that he accidentally flagged me for having duplicate items and that I should approach this person he linked me. In hindsight, I should not have followed this link and added this person and instead just wait until an anonymous person on Steam contacted me, but I was too friendly and trusting, and so I did what he said.
The 'admin' then contacted me as soon as I added him, and after I explained what my 'friend' told me, he asked me, under threats of my account being deleted, to trade my items with him (which failed and so my items are safe). As a word of advice, if anyone claiming to be an admin or mod on Steam tells you to do something or else your account will get locked or deleted, don't do what they said since it's very likely to be a scam. He then got me to log into a couple of off-site trading sites (which one of them might have hacked my account, so beware of either https://cs.money/ or https://tradeit.gg/ ). After some attempts at putting money at TradeIt failed, my account was locked with my password, email, and steam mobile authenticator changed. And thus, began my five days of hell.
Since then, the 'admin,' when we switched chats to Discord, have been getting me to buy Steam gift cards under increasing amounts with the promise that I'll get my account back along with all of my money and, like an idiot, I agreed. I'll say that this scam cost me thousands of dollars, which I regret immensely. I'm not sure if I can get my money back even if I do contact the bank and explained what happened since I did make the purchase, even if it was under fake pretense. It ended on March 18th, when I chose to investigate this 'admin' and found that I wasn't able to find his Steam account again (he gave me a password though my account was locked, but I can still go through my friend's list and go back through my chats on my phone). I also contacted my' friend,' who acted rather calm despite, from his point of view, my Steam account set to private. When I saw this, I brought some time by claiming that I was broke (I most likely lost half of my money) and that I need to wait until payday. Then I work together with Steam to regain my account back, which I just did this morning.
That does lead to the logical question: Will I be accepting donations since I lost thousands of dollars? The answer is: I'll let you be the judge. I don't wish to be begging for money, especially since we're dealing with a major global pandemic. But if you guys do want to donate me, even if it's just a dollar, I'll contact you.
Man, I'm an idiot.
To be honest, I always did feel that I am vulnerable to scams. As plenty of people have commented, in both online and in real life, I'm far too friendly and trusting for my good. I just don't like to disappoint people, and when I do, I go the extra mile to make up for it, whether if it's my fault or not. I'm more surprised and disappointed that it happened now, not earlier, and during my birthday time. That was part of the reason why I was so stressful last week.
To explain, last week (March 14th), I got a message on Steam from someone on my friend's list. I'll not be listing his name, not because I think he isn't on this scam (because part of me think he is), nor is it because I wish to protect him but because I am not allowed as under TOS. If you want to know who he is, contact me. But, back on topic, he told me that he accidentally flagged me for having duplicate items and that I should approach this person he linked me. In hindsight, I should not have followed this link and added this person and instead just wait until an anonymous person on Steam contacted me, but I was too friendly and trusting, and so I did what he said.
The 'admin' then contacted me as soon as I added him, and after I explained what my 'friend' told me, he asked me, under threats of my account being deleted, to trade my items with him (which failed and so my items are safe). As a word of advice, if anyone claiming to be an admin or mod on Steam tells you to do something or else your account will get locked or deleted, don't do what they said since it's very likely to be a scam. He then got me to log into a couple of off-site trading sites (which one of them might have hacked my account, so beware of either https://cs.money/ or https://tradeit.gg/ ). After some attempts at putting money at TradeIt failed, my account was locked with my password, email, and steam mobile authenticator changed. And thus, began my five days of hell.
Since then, the 'admin,' when we switched chats to Discord, have been getting me to buy Steam gift cards under increasing amounts with the promise that I'll get my account back along with all of my money and, like an idiot, I agreed. I'll say that this scam cost me thousands of dollars, which I regret immensely. I'm not sure if I can get my money back even if I do contact the bank and explained what happened since I did make the purchase, even if it was under fake pretense. It ended on March 18th, when I chose to investigate this 'admin' and found that I wasn't able to find his Steam account again (he gave me a password though my account was locked, but I can still go through my friend's list and go back through my chats on my phone). I also contacted my' friend,' who acted rather calm despite, from his point of view, my Steam account set to private. When I saw this, I brought some time by claiming that I was broke (I most likely lost half of my money) and that I need to wait until payday. Then I work together with Steam to regain my account back, which I just did this morning.
That does lead to the logical question: Will I be accepting donations since I lost thousands of dollars? The answer is: I'll let you be the judge. I don't wish to be begging for money, especially since we're dealing with a major global pandemic. But if you guys do want to donate me, even if it's just a dollar, I'll contact you.
Man, I'm an idiot.
Year in Review and Decade in Review
General | Posted 6 years agoI admit that I’m a bit late compared to a lot of you guys (especially on Twitter) who already did such a meme. But I’m doing it now because it’s New Year’s Eve, and I usually do stuff when it’s down to the wire. I know that it’s not the best way to do it, but whatever. Let’s get on with it.
Year in Review
Overall, this year has been interesting. It’s not flawless, especially in the first half of the year (losing the best manager, getting into a car accident), but it still improved. I didn’t get a lot of commissions compared to last year, in part because of van repairs, but what I did got was still alright. Plus, I left my job at Safeway and got one at Target (I didn’t get as many hours usually, but I get paid more so it balances out).
The more unfortunate thing is the planned move my dad and sister made since the farm property in California has been sold. If you recalled from my last journal, I said that they’ll move out by the end of this year to go to farmland around the Mideastern area of the US. However, that has not happened yet and might be delayed up to next year at least.
I don’t wish to delve too much into this since it’s a long story, but the short of it is that someone in the family wanted a larger piece of the pie from the sold-off farm in violations of previous deals and is willing to screw over the lawyers who helped us in selling it. As such, there will be a lawsuit to stop that, and my dad is trying to find a new job to help fund the trial. I wish it could be averted, especially since my niece and her husband have moved in (they were getting kicked out of their own apartment in either case), but some people are just too greedy.
The thing I was most proud of this year is that I began writing again. Much faster than before. So much so that I created a Patreon (though only three people support me, so make of it of what you will). My only regret is that I wasn’t able to complete The Pokémon Prometheus 2 by the end of the year, though that’s in part because of me underestimating how much I need to write since I’m halfway through my second large, 70 pages, college rule notebook and I think I need a third one to complete it. I only hope that it’s worth it.
In any case, let’s move on.
Decade in Review
This decade I cannot say it is flawless as everyone can tell you. Being thrown into a college with only my money to support me, no jobs at this point, with some ideas of being a video game developer, but having storytelling ideas. I can say that the developing part did not plan out if only because the teachers at my college were so dry in teaching it, but I didn’t sink too much of my money into it and I decided to become a writer anyway.
But, as you know, I did eventually find a job at Amazon in 2013, which unfortunately killed out a few years of writing because of how bad of an environment it was. Yet, I still cannot say that I regret working for Amazon despite it all. It did give me a steady flow of money when I was about to run out of it, it taught me how to work in a work environment, and the first couple of years weren’t too horrible and only became as bad as it did by the second half of my time there.
When I got fired, I wasn’t too worried since I now have a decent experience of work, and I soon found a new one at Safeway. Then the whole manager change happened and that made me wish to leave, which I did when I finally managed to get a job at Target.
The sadder parts of the decade are having a few relatives dying during this time, with grandpa dying in 2012 (after Easter), brother-in-law committing suicide (not entirely sure when, but might be around 2013), granduncle dying at 2015, and grandma dying at 2017. As you can tell, with my mother’s death back in 2007, my life has not been a happy one and I struggled with depression during this time. But I cannot let my grief prevent me from walking forward in life. Though the thought of death always crosses my mind, I can only lose if I let it win, so I must step forward even if it’s a lonely path.
But one cannot have darkness without light that leads onwards.
I will admit that the WiiU hasn’t reach plenty of people’s expectations, but I do not regret ever getting it since it was still a fun system to play on. Heck, I have plenty of hours playing on the silly system (especially Xenoblade Chronicles X, which I do recommend to anyone who wants a good open-world RPG). The Nintendo Switch I admit that I’ve devoted hundreds of hours already with hundreds of more to come.
I’ve also found plenty of online friends here, some of who I met in real life. Some friendships have ended, which I in part am sadden for, but others I cannot imagine ever living without such friends. I admit that I can be weird, an angry jerk, and too envious for my own good, but I’m happy to see that you guys are willing to help me with my issues.
Politics, I don’t wish to talk about. Not because I hate political talk (because I think we need more, even on the ‘settle’ parts), nor is it because I’m apolitical (which I’m not). But because people forgot that, no matter where we stand in the political arena, we all need to respect others' opinions even if we do see it as cancerous. If we spend too much on demonizing the other for what they see as totalitarian beliefs, we forget that the others are just like humans, with all their stupid, selfish flaws, like us. Really, I’m far more critical of people who treat their political beliefs, no matter where they stand, as if it’s religious dogma and treat others even slightly out of line of their own as heretics. Like Babylon 5, one of the most excellent tv series of all time, said, “Understanding is a three-edged sword: Your side, their side, and the truth.”
In the end, despite all the flaws this past decade has brought me, I cannot reject it out of hand without discarding all of the good this decade has brought me. It has given me friends, works, stories I’ve written, hilarious memes, and a ton more. I’ll admit that I do carry some fear for the coming decade, but only because I’m afraid that what’s been building up for a long time will reach its climax. And, when it does, nothing will be the same again.
Year in Review
Overall, this year has been interesting. It’s not flawless, especially in the first half of the year (losing the best manager, getting into a car accident), but it still improved. I didn’t get a lot of commissions compared to last year, in part because of van repairs, but what I did got was still alright. Plus, I left my job at Safeway and got one at Target (I didn’t get as many hours usually, but I get paid more so it balances out).
The more unfortunate thing is the planned move my dad and sister made since the farm property in California has been sold. If you recalled from my last journal, I said that they’ll move out by the end of this year to go to farmland around the Mideastern area of the US. However, that has not happened yet and might be delayed up to next year at least.
I don’t wish to delve too much into this since it’s a long story, but the short of it is that someone in the family wanted a larger piece of the pie from the sold-off farm in violations of previous deals and is willing to screw over the lawyers who helped us in selling it. As such, there will be a lawsuit to stop that, and my dad is trying to find a new job to help fund the trial. I wish it could be averted, especially since my niece and her husband have moved in (they were getting kicked out of their own apartment in either case), but some people are just too greedy.
The thing I was most proud of this year is that I began writing again. Much faster than before. So much so that I created a Patreon (though only three people support me, so make of it of what you will). My only regret is that I wasn’t able to complete The Pokémon Prometheus 2 by the end of the year, though that’s in part because of me underestimating how much I need to write since I’m halfway through my second large, 70 pages, college rule notebook and I think I need a third one to complete it. I only hope that it’s worth it.
In any case, let’s move on.
Decade in Review
This decade I cannot say it is flawless as everyone can tell you. Being thrown into a college with only my money to support me, no jobs at this point, with some ideas of being a video game developer, but having storytelling ideas. I can say that the developing part did not plan out if only because the teachers at my college were so dry in teaching it, but I didn’t sink too much of my money into it and I decided to become a writer anyway.
But, as you know, I did eventually find a job at Amazon in 2013, which unfortunately killed out a few years of writing because of how bad of an environment it was. Yet, I still cannot say that I regret working for Amazon despite it all. It did give me a steady flow of money when I was about to run out of it, it taught me how to work in a work environment, and the first couple of years weren’t too horrible and only became as bad as it did by the second half of my time there.
When I got fired, I wasn’t too worried since I now have a decent experience of work, and I soon found a new one at Safeway. Then the whole manager change happened and that made me wish to leave, which I did when I finally managed to get a job at Target.
The sadder parts of the decade are having a few relatives dying during this time, with grandpa dying in 2012 (after Easter), brother-in-law committing suicide (not entirely sure when, but might be around 2013), granduncle dying at 2015, and grandma dying at 2017. As you can tell, with my mother’s death back in 2007, my life has not been a happy one and I struggled with depression during this time. But I cannot let my grief prevent me from walking forward in life. Though the thought of death always crosses my mind, I can only lose if I let it win, so I must step forward even if it’s a lonely path.
But one cannot have darkness without light that leads onwards.
I will admit that the WiiU hasn’t reach plenty of people’s expectations, but I do not regret ever getting it since it was still a fun system to play on. Heck, I have plenty of hours playing on the silly system (especially Xenoblade Chronicles X, which I do recommend to anyone who wants a good open-world RPG). The Nintendo Switch I admit that I’ve devoted hundreds of hours already with hundreds of more to come.
I’ve also found plenty of online friends here, some of who I met in real life. Some friendships have ended, which I in part am sadden for, but others I cannot imagine ever living without such friends. I admit that I can be weird, an angry jerk, and too envious for my own good, but I’m happy to see that you guys are willing to help me with my issues.
Politics, I don’t wish to talk about. Not because I hate political talk (because I think we need more, even on the ‘settle’ parts), nor is it because I’m apolitical (which I’m not). But because people forgot that, no matter where we stand in the political arena, we all need to respect others' opinions even if we do see it as cancerous. If we spend too much on demonizing the other for what they see as totalitarian beliefs, we forget that the others are just like humans, with all their stupid, selfish flaws, like us. Really, I’m far more critical of people who treat their political beliefs, no matter where they stand, as if it’s religious dogma and treat others even slightly out of line of their own as heretics. Like Babylon 5, one of the most excellent tv series of all time, said, “Understanding is a three-edged sword: Your side, their side, and the truth.”
In the end, despite all the flaws this past decade has brought me, I cannot reject it out of hand without discarding all of the good this decade has brought me. It has given me friends, works, stories I’ve written, hilarious memes, and a ton more. I’ll admit that I do carry some fear for the coming decade, but only because I’m afraid that what’s been building up for a long time will reach its climax. And, when it does, nothing will be the same again.
Major Life Update
General | Posted 6 years agoHello again. This journal is much sooner than I expected, to be honest. But now it's time to share some new details about my life. Along with some info that I've been keeping quiet about until now.
First up, I've just served my last day at Safeway as a deli clerk. Don't worry. I wasn't fired like what Amazon did. I sent in my two weeks notice back on the 15th, and this is the last day as listed. A number of the people there knew I was leaving and were sorry to see me go.
By the end of the day, what are my overall thoughts? It wasn't as horrible as Amazon was. Oh sure, it has moments where it pissed me off like bitchy customers who got upset at me because others cut in line and I was powerless to stop it or customers who think that a slicer in the middle of being washed is the perfect time to ask for sliced meats and cheeses. But it wasn't nearly as stressful nor as soul-crushing as Amazon. It also was a great writing spot, as you can see from my writing output since last year.
The only reason why it went pear-shaped as it did was that my old deli manager if you recall from a previous journal, got a suspension and might have been fired (on Valentine's Day, no less). She was a great manager and a great person to be with, especially since she reminds me of my late mother. I will admit that I doubted that the new deli manager could've been able to replace her, but I would've accepted that if the new one was still good. However, the new one wasn't.
To give an intro as to how she, the new deli manager that is, got in, one of the changes she implemented in the deli is that we wouldn't dispose of chicken grease in the black oil bin outside and instead we should dispose of them down the sink.
Seriously. How the hell she got away with it I have no freaking clue.
The next major update is that, in leaving Safeway, I'm now working for Target after several years of trying to get a job from them. It's a seasonal one at the moment, but there's a chance that I'll become a permanent employee. I'll be working as a part of the fulfillment team, which is to collect items from their shelves for pickup and deliveries. Which is rather like my old job at Amazon, but I doubt that it'll be just as stressful as them since the rate for getting items is far lower and a store is considerably smaller than a warehouse. Plus, no PITs so I won't be working with the most stressful thing at Amazon, and I'll be working at one of my best element while at Amazon, which is floor picking.
Either way, wish me luck.
Another major update is that the house I'm in is undergoing significant renovations and, next week, my family will be going to California to visit some relatives as workers redo the floor throughout the house. As such, the rooms are being cleared out, so, as a result, you'll hear sporadic updates from this point on until I came back from California. As for why now my house is having renovations, that is the next point I'll address.
It is with a heavy heart to say that my dad and my sister, who I lived with for all of my life, will be moving away to the east to make a farm as a refuge for the family. It's something my dad has been planning for years and, thanks to legal BS regarding ownership of my late great-uncles' farm being cleared up (TLDR version, a son-in-law tried to claim the property through a fake will and delayed coming to court for years until last year, where he lost) and managing to sell it, now has the funds to make another farm back east. Of course, the money gained from it has to be split up, and my uncle's wife is trying to claim the lion share of it, but there is little doubt that the money will be enough to make my dad's Bag End.
Of course, I won't be lonely since my niece and her husband will be moving in (much sooner than we expected since they'll come in the middle of next month). Still, I don't doubt that it'll be a stressful change, especially since my money won't be as free as it was before with my dad.
I'll do my best to relax during this time, but it's hard.
I hope your time goes well while you have it.
First up, I've just served my last day at Safeway as a deli clerk. Don't worry. I wasn't fired like what Amazon did. I sent in my two weeks notice back on the 15th, and this is the last day as listed. A number of the people there knew I was leaving and were sorry to see me go.
By the end of the day, what are my overall thoughts? It wasn't as horrible as Amazon was. Oh sure, it has moments where it pissed me off like bitchy customers who got upset at me because others cut in line and I was powerless to stop it or customers who think that a slicer in the middle of being washed is the perfect time to ask for sliced meats and cheeses. But it wasn't nearly as stressful nor as soul-crushing as Amazon. It also was a great writing spot, as you can see from my writing output since last year.
The only reason why it went pear-shaped as it did was that my old deli manager if you recall from a previous journal, got a suspension and might have been fired (on Valentine's Day, no less). She was a great manager and a great person to be with, especially since she reminds me of my late mother. I will admit that I doubted that the new deli manager could've been able to replace her, but I would've accepted that if the new one was still good. However, the new one wasn't.
To give an intro as to how she, the new deli manager that is, got in, one of the changes she implemented in the deli is that we wouldn't dispose of chicken grease in the black oil bin outside and instead we should dispose of them down the sink.
Seriously. How the hell she got away with it I have no freaking clue.
The next major update is that, in leaving Safeway, I'm now working for Target after several years of trying to get a job from them. It's a seasonal one at the moment, but there's a chance that I'll become a permanent employee. I'll be working as a part of the fulfillment team, which is to collect items from their shelves for pickup and deliveries. Which is rather like my old job at Amazon, but I doubt that it'll be just as stressful as them since the rate for getting items is far lower and a store is considerably smaller than a warehouse. Plus, no PITs so I won't be working with the most stressful thing at Amazon, and I'll be working at one of my best element while at Amazon, which is floor picking.
Either way, wish me luck.
Another major update is that the house I'm in is undergoing significant renovations and, next week, my family will be going to California to visit some relatives as workers redo the floor throughout the house. As such, the rooms are being cleared out, so, as a result, you'll hear sporadic updates from this point on until I came back from California. As for why now my house is having renovations, that is the next point I'll address.
It is with a heavy heart to say that my dad and my sister, who I lived with for all of my life, will be moving away to the east to make a farm as a refuge for the family. It's something my dad has been planning for years and, thanks to legal BS regarding ownership of my late great-uncles' farm being cleared up (TLDR version, a son-in-law tried to claim the property through a fake will and delayed coming to court for years until last year, where he lost) and managing to sell it, now has the funds to make another farm back east. Of course, the money gained from it has to be split up, and my uncle's wife is trying to claim the lion share of it, but there is little doubt that the money will be enough to make my dad's Bag End.
Of course, I won't be lonely since my niece and her husband will be moving in (much sooner than we expected since they'll come in the middle of next month). Still, I don't doubt that it'll be a stressful change, especially since my money won't be as free as it was before with my dad.
I'll do my best to relax during this time, but it's hard.
I hope your time goes well while you have it.
Update and Story Suggestion
General | Posted 6 years agoHello all. Sorry for not updating you with journals lately. I’ve been pretty busy with life and writing these last several months, some good and some bad. I still work in the deli, not because I haven’t been job searching, but because no one seems to wish to hire me. It’s rather frustrating for me since I want to get another job, one that’s actually done has the hours listed correctly (technically, I’m a part-timer, but I get full-time hours at the deli), but I’m not good enough.
In any case, time for a happier topic. One that’s the real point of this journal.
A couple of weeks ago, I saw an RT about a novel a guy read decades ago and still believes that it holds up. I’m not going to judge it as good or bad since I haven’t read the book in question. But it has got me thinking of a work that I do believe is underrated and one that I wish that more people read. That book is Black and Blue Magic by Zilpha Keatley Snyder.
To give a basic synopsis, the protagonist is Harry Houdini Marco, a son of a stage magician who named him after one of the greatest stage magicians because he wished for his son to become one himself. However, even as a young kid, Harry has been a clumsy kid with the only thing going for him regarding magic is the word of The Great Swami, who prophesied that Harry, “has a rare gift, and his magic will be of a very special kind.” His father died years before the story began, leaving Harry, now twelve years old, and his mother living alone in their boarding house in California.
At the beginning of summer, which promised to be a boring, vacationless one, Harry encountered a traveling salesman, Mr. Tarzack Mazzeek, who is just as clumsy as Harry himself. After rescuing his lost suitcase, Mr. Mazzeek stayed at the Marco’s Boarding House for several days. At the end of his time there, late at night, Mr. Mazzeek revealed to Harry that he’s an immortal wizard, one who is forbidden to use his magic because of a curse that made him clumsy in the first place. In part because of gratitude for Harry for rescuing the suitcase (it held magical objects) and because his late father was under consideration to be given a real magical object himself, Mr. Mazzeek gave Harry an ointment that grants him wings whenever he rubs it against his back and says the enchanted words. All of a sudden, summer suddenly became a lot less dull.
While the synopsis doesn’t do it justice, it’s actually a surprisingly deep story for a book made for kids, one that has even me, who has become an adult when I first read it, love it. There are also sub-plots, some only appearing in the chapter they’re in and others throughout the book, that ties the theme of the book together: And out of Error–Good has Burst.
There are plenty of stuff to discuss within the book, one that I wish to put into this journal. But I believe that it would become more of an essay than a journal. All I can say is: Read it for yourself. Here is the link on Amazon for your convenience.
https://www.amazon.com/Black-Magic-...../dp/1504035607
In any case, time for a happier topic. One that’s the real point of this journal.
A couple of weeks ago, I saw an RT about a novel a guy read decades ago and still believes that it holds up. I’m not going to judge it as good or bad since I haven’t read the book in question. But it has got me thinking of a work that I do believe is underrated and one that I wish that more people read. That book is Black and Blue Magic by Zilpha Keatley Snyder.
To give a basic synopsis, the protagonist is Harry Houdini Marco, a son of a stage magician who named him after one of the greatest stage magicians because he wished for his son to become one himself. However, even as a young kid, Harry has been a clumsy kid with the only thing going for him regarding magic is the word of The Great Swami, who prophesied that Harry, “has a rare gift, and his magic will be of a very special kind.” His father died years before the story began, leaving Harry, now twelve years old, and his mother living alone in their boarding house in California.
At the beginning of summer, which promised to be a boring, vacationless one, Harry encountered a traveling salesman, Mr. Tarzack Mazzeek, who is just as clumsy as Harry himself. After rescuing his lost suitcase, Mr. Mazzeek stayed at the Marco’s Boarding House for several days. At the end of his time there, late at night, Mr. Mazzeek revealed to Harry that he’s an immortal wizard, one who is forbidden to use his magic because of a curse that made him clumsy in the first place. In part because of gratitude for Harry for rescuing the suitcase (it held magical objects) and because his late father was under consideration to be given a real magical object himself, Mr. Mazzeek gave Harry an ointment that grants him wings whenever he rubs it against his back and says the enchanted words. All of a sudden, summer suddenly became a lot less dull.
While the synopsis doesn’t do it justice, it’s actually a surprisingly deep story for a book made for kids, one that has even me, who has become an adult when I first read it, love it. There are also sub-plots, some only appearing in the chapter they’re in and others throughout the book, that ties the theme of the book together: And out of Error–Good has Burst.
There are plenty of stuff to discuss within the book, one that I wish to put into this journal. But I believe that it would become more of an essay than a journal. All I can say is: Read it for yourself. Here is the link on Amazon for your convenience.
https://www.amazon.com/Black-Magic-...../dp/1504035607
Patreon Launched
General | Posted 6 years agoHello everyone.
After some consideration, I decided to open up an Patreon for my silly writings. I admit that I doubt that it'll get that much support, but it's only because I'm a writer and not an artist. If anyone does support me on Patreon there, I thank you very much. <3
Here is a link to my Patreon account. https://www.patreon.com/foxgamer01
Also, if you weren't aware, if you don't wish to support me on Patreon, you can also send me coffee on Ko-Fi. https://ko-fi.com/foxgamer01
After some consideration, I decided to open up an Patreon for my silly writings. I admit that I doubt that it'll get that much support, but it's only because I'm a writer and not an artist. If anyone does support me on Patreon there, I thank you very much. <3
Here is a link to my Patreon account. https://www.patreon.com/foxgamer01
Also, if you weren't aware, if you don't wish to support me on Patreon, you can also send me coffee on Ko-Fi. https://ko-fi.com/foxgamer01
Extra Update
General | Posted 7 years agoWelp, that didn't take long to make a new journal.
Anyways, this may seem to be a shock to you guys, but I've been shopping around for a new job to work in. As much as I wanted to believe that my manager will return to work, I have reasons to think (name crossed off from safety signups, it's been a few weeks, and a new deli manager has been brought in) that it won't happen. It's such a massive shame since I enjoy working with her.
Another thing I forgot to mention is that my birthday is coming up next week on Saturday (3/16). Just putting it up there in case you guys wanted to know since I don't expect much. ^.|.^;;
Anyways, this may seem to be a shock to you guys, but I've been shopping around for a new job to work in. As much as I wanted to believe that my manager will return to work, I have reasons to think (name crossed off from safety signups, it's been a few weeks, and a new deli manager has been brought in) that it won't happen. It's such a massive shame since I enjoy working with her.
Another thing I forgot to mention is that my birthday is coming up next week on Saturday (3/16). Just putting it up there in case you guys wanted to know since I don't expect much. ^.|.^;;
New Update
General | Posted 7 years agoHello all. Just been trying to make more journals so I don't leave you guys hanging without an update.
Work is doing OK, if reasonably stressful. If you noticed my Twitter, I did make some depressing comments which do have to do with my work. To explain, since December the deli I work in has lost a number of employees for a number of reasons (mainly through walking out, one during the middle of his shift) and my manager has been suspended for an investigation for forgetting to clock in and misremembering when she came in to started work by an hour over. I've been hoping that it would be a few days, but this is the third week without her, and none of the store managers have any answers about what's going on either way.
Now, you might be thinking: Why not get another job? The answer to that is: I still need a source of income, and I'm still hoping that my manager will return to work since I enjoy working with her. Plus, it's a good writing environment believe it or not.
In other news, I'm doing alright. I've been taking an English class at the advice of
Midday-Mew so I can improve my grammar. At least, that's the plan, but the course I've taken doesn't teach how to improve one's grammar. Whoops. >.|.>;;
Now to relax and wait until I hear news of XCX2.
Work is doing OK, if reasonably stressful. If you noticed my Twitter, I did make some depressing comments which do have to do with my work. To explain, since December the deli I work in has lost a number of employees for a number of reasons (mainly through walking out, one during the middle of his shift) and my manager has been suspended for an investigation for forgetting to clock in and misremembering when she came in to started work by an hour over. I've been hoping that it would be a few days, but this is the third week without her, and none of the store managers have any answers about what's going on either way.
Now, you might be thinking: Why not get another job? The answer to that is: I still need a source of income, and I'm still hoping that my manager will return to work since I enjoy working with her. Plus, it's a good writing environment believe it or not.
In other news, I'm doing alright. I've been taking an English class at the advice of
Midday-Mew so I can improve my grammar. At least, that's the plan, but the course I've taken doesn't teach how to improve one's grammar. Whoops. >.|.>;;Now to relax and wait until I hear news of XCX2.
