No new chapter this week! I've been struggling with writer's block, as well as juggling doctor's appointments for my grandmother, and besides that this has been one of the most difficult stories in the series to write, probably because it's got so much going on in it. Nevertheless, it's 90% done and so I'm hoping to have it finished if not by next week, then the following one. After that, it should be smooth sailing for a little while since the following two stories after this one are already written.

On a more exciting note, I made a video of my weekend at comic con, check it out! https://youtu.be/htEfKOcxBfw

It's been a long time since I hosted one of these. Too long! I'm doing it a little different this time around. The biggest change is going to be the first place prize--$100 cash!

The second biggest change is rather than offering up an eclectic mixture of my stories, we're keeping this contest on-theme with my series of werewolf stories, which will be listened below. You don't have to read every one! I recommend at least reading the first story to familiarize yourself with the characters and their world, but after that you can look through the synopses and pick the one(s) that catch your interest. Also, this year I will also be holding this contest here on FA in addition to DeviantArt!

Rules
-To enter, +watch me so you can get updates for the contest. You're under no obligation to keep watching once all is said and done, though I hope you'll stick around.
-Draw an illustration depicting a character or a scene from one of the stories below.
-Some characters haven't been drawn before. If you have any questions about anyone's appearances, particularly their human forms, don't hesitate to ask.
-You may submit as many entries as you like!
-Entries will be judged by faithfulness to the source material and complexity of the image.
-In the description under your entry, include a link to the original story and this contest article.
-Send your entries to me in a note so I can +Fave them.
-Entries must comply with the FA Terms of Service and be filed into the correct category. Any stock material must be properly credited. Also, no bases! Entries must be completely made by you.
-The deadline is Sunday, November 17th!

Prizes
(If you wish to donate to the prize pool send me a note!)

Second Place
A 3 month DeviantArt Core Membership (or equivalent cash if the winner is on FA)
A copy of "Iron Doves: A Charity Anthology," the novel in which "Favors" is published!

First Place
$100 in cash (via PayPal)!

The Stories
Some stories are marked Mature for violence or triggering content. There are no overt sex scenes in these stories. If you have trouble viewing some of the mature chapters, you can access the entire story on Wattpad.

Ashes, Ashes
A young werewolf is rescued from a horrific situation. But he doesn't know how to fit in with a pack; can he adapt to the life he has always wanted?
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

Questions Of My Childhood
Sammy continues to try to find his place in the Argo pack. Meanwhile, a newcomer from another pack arrives, throwing his already precarious world into chaos... and awakening new desires that ultimately bite him in the ass.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Good Sport
A simple game reveals an unexpected opportunity for Sammy. But can a socially-stunted werewolf manage high school?
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

Sippe Wiegand
Werewolves vs. Nazis: A look into the past of one of Argo's members, and the present of another.
Part 1 Part 2

First Impressions
Sammy's now 18 and unbearably lonely, without much prospects. But when a new girl joins the pack, is she the answer to all his problems, or a whole set of new ones?
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

Elizabeth
An unbearable tragedy.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Favors
Reilly, now a seasoned agent of the Order, returns to Argo, and Sammy isn't happy about that...
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

Second Thoughts
Sammy's gotta get over his ex, whether he wants to or not!
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

Tearing ¡Olé!
Sammy's birthday runs afoul of some neo-nazis!
Part 1 Part 2

Character Art (For Reference)
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/31540273/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/28505246/
https://www.deviantart.com/goldenwo.....enix-333454256
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/16170073/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/32687186/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/30389092/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/32143336/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/10862774/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/11051204/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/31935971/
https://www.deviantart.com/latent-o.....gedy-451026679

I have a playlist for Werewolf's Humanity. Check it out and tell me what you think. It's mostly classic rock since that's the genre I listen to the most, but I would love to hear other peoples' suggestions and songs they think suit the characters in my universe!

Also, as a fun universe- and character-building exercise, I was wondering if anyone had any questions about my characters? I've always wanted to do a character Q&A but never worked up the nerve because people only seem interested in OCs of artists who can draw. But it can't hurt to give it a try.

To my surprise, yesterday a couple people asked me where they can purchase Werewolf's Humanity. My dream is to eventually crowdfund the publication of a novel, but for that I need to build up a readership. So for now, the stories are free to read on here, Wattpad and DeviantArt. But if anyone would like to tip the author, I set up a Ko-fi account for that! http://ko-fi.com/jzlobo

And if you don't have any cash to spare but still want to show your support, I value comments, faves, any kind of feedback you can give me! Even criticism can help me improve as an author. And please share the links around with your friends! The more readers I have, the closer I'll be to realizing my dream.

That's right, I'm commissioning  lmredwolf for a colored sketch and raffling it off! Want some pretty art of your character? Well, it's not a lot of work--simply read and comment on my stories! Each comment gives you one entry into the raffle. With every comment, I'll reply to you with a number for the raffle. If you have the accounts, you can also comment on the chapters on Wattpad and DeviantArt for additional entries!

Please note that the comments have to be thoughtful, not just one-word compliments. To prove that you've actually read the story (which is what I want), make sure your comment includes something that stood out to you. Something you liked or disliked--negative feedback can be useful too!

The deadline for entries is one month from today, February 9th. I'll draw and announce the winners on February 10th!

Looking back on 2018 fills me with so many mixed feelings. It was definitely, objectively better than 2017. I and my family are in a much better place than we were last year. But so much of this year has been spent fighting to improve our situation and I'm still just exhausted. I'm trying not to sound faithless, but I've spent the back end of this year holding my breath and waiting for shoes to drop.

Nevertheless, my situation is more stable, my family is stronger, and my creativity has come back to me. I even crossed a few things off my 2018 to-do list, though not everything.

Here's hoping 2019 is the year I finally get to start accomplishing big things with my writing. I'm also hoping I get a chance to travel somewhere--I definitely need a vacation.

So in my werewolf series' universe, the tale of Little Red Writing Hood is actually whitewashed revisionist history. What REALLY happened is some Eurotrash bitch got a werewolf killed by telling the authorities his cabin belonged to her grandma.

That awkward moment when you come up with an amazing scene for your story, and write it down, but you can't actually use it til you get to the third book.

Yes, I have the Werewolf's Humanity series planned out for at least three books. And I'm not going to lie, the third book is the one I'm most looking forward to writing.