I did the first three in one day cause I was excited. But I was really thinking about today's, because I have a lot to say.

Day One: Ten things you want to say to ten different people right now
Day Two: Nine things about yourself.
Day Three: Eight ways to win your heart. <<<also ALSO today
Day Four: Seven things that cross your mind a lot.
Day Five: Six things you wish you’d never done.
Day Six: Five people who mean a lot (in no order whatsoever)
Day Seven: Four turn offs.
Day Eight: Three turn ons.
Day Nine: Two smileys that describe your life right now.
Day Ten: One confession

----

1. The Drive to be Honest in the Face of Adversity
"I gotta be honest. It's important to be someone that others can rely upon. Without honesty, there's just fiction, and not even the fun kind! The kind that hurts and harms and makes problems for everyone for the sake of one individual's selfish goals. Oh great, here I am presented with an integrity challenge at work again...just tell the customer the truth about everything and let them decide...company policy wants something else? They already have my time! They want my integrity too?"

2. Bringing my Imagination into the World for Others to Love
"My body and personality are templates, really! Oh, you wanna believe in the wondrous?...TA DA! A unicorn! Why the long face? You act like you've never seen one!...I can be beautiful too. Just look at these ravishing locks...And wow, how to show you my speed? Catch me if you can! Let's run all the way to a new world together!"

3. Analyzing the Addictions I see Advertised for Others
"Why would you do that? I get it, but if you keep focusing your life on having others validate your self worth through money, power, sex and attention, you'll just end up a used husk. You can't let an addiction overpower you!...Okay, I get that you're allowed to do what you want...I just found these keys to make it past so many traps. You don't want me just to show you a little way to make life easier?...All right. Maybe I'll meet you over there in the distance...

4. Apologizing and Interacting with Characters I'm Writing and Have yet to Continue Writing Much About
"I'm so sorry. I've been busy...yes, it's not all necessary, but you know how tough things can be. I want your worlds to make sense, be amazing and have all the depth and majesty of old tales brought into a new light...yeah, if I don't keep writing, I guess that won't happen...I know you want to live. I haven't forgotten you...I miss you too."

5. Wondering If and When Something Amazing Will Ever Happen in my Life in a Way That Fantastic Stories Talk About
"If only a door, or portal, or grand walkway between this world and that ever-present place of promise were to appear. Some grand event. Some marvelous act of creation. Take me from this world, O universal way! Lead me to the realm of things still unseen in quiet splendor and natural beauty. Let me show others possibilities that life doesn't have to be minor fare by any means! Just a taste and then give me the recipe so I can recreate the banquet for others. First inferior, then with practiced skill comes the ever-growing acceleration towards my own epiphany that I can make for others. Don't fail me now, promise door!"

6. How can I truly Help Everyone?
"Though my life is often uncertain and I don't know where to go, I know that when you all are with me, I will always have someplace worthwhile. Words may fail me sometimes (and such a thing to say for a writer), but my love will always express itself. I truly do love you. All of you. And I know your flaws and your perks and the many ways you try. I'm right here with you. Maybe you'll see me standing there next to you. Maybe you'll never know what I've done. But my heart is decided. And humanity is my love. And whatever exists beyond it...though humans may one day be gone from the face of this planet, whatever comes after must not give up on goodness and rightness."

7. The Eventual Final Day
"One of these days, I will die. My body will not go on. My mind and all the biological processes will eventually grind to a halt, and the cycle of decay will give rise to new life. I'm not sad about this. I often wonder what will happen to my perspective, because regardless of belief in afterlife or no afterlife, something happens to the mind, the body and the perception of the individual during those final moments. I will see this world, and then not see it. No one else but me will be able to see this perspective shift. And regardless of the particulars of the process...

...it will be unlike anything I've ever experienced before.

And humans and animals and plants and air and all of matter were once part of the formation of the universe. We were all once part of stars. And from the stars I came and to the stars I will return. How that return occurs...well...guess I'll find out one day.

And that's okay with me. : ) <<< (confrontation of mortality smiley)

I'm having fun with these and i worry I may not want to do the rest starting tomorrow, so I'm doing as many as I can. Don't worry. You read them whenever you have time. Just save the page or bookmark it.

Now I assume by "win my heart" in this instance, you can interpret it as "gaining my trust," cause like I said in a previous post, I'm not looking for anyone. Just saying. : )

My heart is a not a prize to be earned, people/furs/ponies.

Day One: Ten things you want to say to ten different people right now
Day Two: Nine things about yourself.
Day Three: Eight ways to win your heart. <<<also ALSO today
Day Four: Seven things that cross your mind a lot.
Day Five: Six things you wish you’d never done.
Day Six: Five people who mean a lot (in no order whatsoever)
Day Seven: Four turn offs.
Day Eight: Three turn ons.
Day Nine: Two smileys that describe your life right now.
Day Ten: One confession

---

1. Honesty
I respect honesty more than many other qualities. I myself strive to be honest in everything I do, though it is often difficult. I think someone who makes excuses for lying is a poor person indeed. Those who uphold honesty even in the face of adversity earn my respect.

2. Open-mindedness
I am an LGBT Christian Fur. That is a combo that is very rare indeed. *hugs Jarrell Woods* But I work to remain open-minded and seek to surround myself with those who are the same. I've been in groups with those whose closed minds have caused massive harm to those around them (including me).

3. Costuming
OHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSH!
Vulpix! http://www.cosplay.com/gallery/a233960/
BeetleCat: http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs10/f/2....._Beetlecat.jpg
Mew Ichigo: http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs24/f/2.....orEarth316.jpg
Knuckles: http://th05.deviantart.net/fs20/PRE.....SillyJonna.jpg

3b. Costuming...part 2
I love people who love costuming and getting together to costume in a group is SOOOO fun! I have a strong heart for performance art. If I had a bigger budget, I'd make/buy more costumes and wear them ALL the time. I'd even create a youtube channel just for it. Something to think about for the future.

4. Respect of Gender Identity
I express myself in ways that can be considered masculine, feminine and androgynous. If someone does not respect that, then I won't feel comfortable with that person and will probably not hang out with them for long. Those who respect my gender expression will find a strong and true friendship with me. Plus, I'm just more fun when I'm allowed to be ALL the versions of myself!

5. Mercy and Forgiveness
I try to forgive others. It's not always easy (when is it ever?) but I do try. If others can find forgiveness and mercy in their hearts, then they can learn to see the good in others without focusing on any weakness of character they may have. Not to say it isn't important to address such things when necessary, but it's also important to know when to say "i forgive you," and actually mean it.

6. I M A G I N A T I O N !
Hey, come out and play! I like make-believe and problem-solving in fun and creative ways. I've learned to use my imagination to make life more fun and figure things out that others may not be able to see anymore because they gave up on their creative faculties. If you utilize your imagination, you'll find friendship with me!

7. Taking the Initiative
I can't tell you how many times men and women have disappointed me because they expect someone else to do their work for them, or protect them or do something to make their lives easier while they do nothing. Nope, ain't having that. I respect and admire those who take the initiative and do what they can for themselves with honesty, integrity and hard work. Sure, sometimes we all need to ask for help, but don't think people should do your work for you.

8. Understanding, and Exhibiting, Self-Sacrifice
This is the hardest one. I've met people who exemplify selfish desires as well as people who are pillars of altruism and goodness (and those in-between). To understand the concept of sacrifice is one thing. To actually perform self-sacrifice is a whole other matter. I try to do this when I can. Sometimes I succeed. Sometimes I don't. I've exhibited self-centered tendencies before, but I'm working to overcome that and have done so with some really good success. With friends, I want to know they will uphold goodness and not act in selfish manners. Selfish acts can, and have, destroyed lives. But self-sacrifice can save so many. Even the individual who performs the act.

MOAR THINGS! I like these. Please tell me what you think.

One: Ten things you want to say to ten different people right now
Day Two: Nine things about yourself. <<<Also today.
Day Three: Eight ways to win your heart.
Day Four: Seven things that cross your mind a lot.
Day Five: Six things you wish you’d never done.
Day Six: Five people who mean a lot (in no order whatsoever)
Day Seven: Four turn offs.
Day Eight: Three turn ons.
Day Nine: Two smileys that describe your life right now.
Day Ten: One confession

---

1. I used to say that my primary animal of choice was the fox. Now it's a tie between foxes and horses (cause My Little Pony). I've always liked horses despite the fact that I was once bucked off of one and onto a barbed wire fence when I was younger. It wasn't until recently that they became tied for first with my primary fox choice.

2. I have a problem right now with my primary animal choice. Mainly because in the furry realm, my primary animal is tied too much to sexuality. It really bothers me and I don't often feel safe expressing my vulpine side because of it. In fact, I've sometimes contemplated getting rid of the fox side, but not without a heavy heart...Vaporhorse doesn't have the same ring to it.

3. If I wouldn't have picked a fox, there are a few other animals which might have been my main choice: horses, raccoons, dogs, rabbits and cats all seem to possible, but horses would've been the best bet.

4. I ADOREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE costume play! I've dressed up as foxes, ponies, dogs, a frog, a rabbit and a few others. I really REALLY like form-fitting costumes more than the big mascot ones because I like mobility, breathability and i honestly like to be called cute. By the way, I'm trying to look for some full-body form-fitting suits that look like animal fur (like velour) so I can make a horse costume. Anyone know anything, please note me or leave a comment and links to any fursuiters you may know who have such costumes.

5. I really do believe that most of my personality was developed within the furry fandom, since I've been with the furry fandom for about 15-16 years already. For better and worse, this has affected multiple aspects of my personality, like my animal-like interactions, my affinity for costuming and art, and my attitudes towards personal expression.

6. I'm just as expressive talking as I am writing. I write and talk in very similar fashion. I also tend to talk more than almost anyone I know. But I do what I can to let the other person get their word in to. I can be a good listener, but many people have expressed that they like to hear me speak.

7. I like to costume in pairs or groups, but I don't often get to. *sadface*

8. Conventions are MY LIFE. I absolutely love going to conventions, furry or otherwise, as long as animals are the focus in some way. I've been to over 25+ conventions in my lifetime (which isn't a lot compared to some others). I've been an attendee, a volunteer, a cosplayer/fursuiter, a costume dealer, and various levels of staff member. More recently, I love volunteering and enjoy cons more when I'm in-charge of helping.

9. I like physical affection, but sometimes I'm too nervous to ask for it. I liked it more when furries and fursuiters were more open to hugs and scritches. It doesn’t happen as often as it used to. I also like it when people are more apt to hug and cuddle without automatically assuming it means something more intimate.

Reposted from LaurenRiver's page: https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/4867184/

I don't usually get a chance to do these. I've been away from furaffinity for quite a while, despite the occasional post on another person's page. But here's a little kickstart to my journals so you guys can know a bit more about me and what I've been through.

This may not be easy for me to write, but I'm going to try it.

By the way, in few instances I may address a group of people rather than one person. It's my meme. I do what I want. : P

One: Ten things you want to say to ten different people right now <<<Today
Day Two: Nine things about yourself.
Day Three: Eight ways to win your heart.
Day Four: Seven things that cross your mind a lot.
Day Five: Six things you wish you’d never done.
Day Six: Five people who mean a lot (in no order whatsoever)
Day Seven: Four turn offs.
Day Eight: Three turn ons.
Day Nine: Two smileys that describe your life right now.
Day Ten: One confession

1. You guys are some of the best friends I've ever had. You're the reason I have found a lot more hope in my life, and my friendship with you occurred right after one of the worst periods of trial and torment I've ever had in my entire life. You've always been there when I've needed you and though I know you may struggle with the relationship between each other sometimes, know that I am here to be your loyal and supportive friend who loves you deeper than I can ever express with words. I believe that our friendship isn't just for us and that we can bring together others through our positive example. I truly believe that.

"To be able to say how much you love is to love but little."
~ Petrarch ~

2. You're one of my best friends I've ever had. I'm thankful we ever met each other. Though I know you've had bad luck in life with a lot of other things, I'm so glad we met. I know we joke back and forth about being "bromegos" and "brotatoes," but know that I do that because I want you to know how much I care. I just really hope that one day I can help you find a job and you can pursue your life dreams. You really are very skilled and a better person than you think. I just wish you would realize that and take the initiative to find that special thing in your life that makes you truly happy.

Also, here's an accurate depiction of our relationship: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcIjFeWE4fE

3. I love you very much, but I really wish you would respect my desire to remain single and celibate. I respect your relationships and others around me, but that doesn't mean I have to emulate them. I know that you try your best to respect me and show me love too, but this world is harsh and there are too many forces that think partnering-up is the ultimate goal of every person and if you don't do it, something is "wrong with you." I don't agree with that, and I need more people to understand how important my life mission is to help others. I don't want to be with anyone. I hope you fully understand one day.

4. You hurt me worse than anyone ever did before. And that was because even then I was surrounded by others who betrayed my trust, but at least tried to be my friend for a long while. You lured me into a vulnerable position and then lied to me, used me and pretended like I did something wrong. That just because I'm more feminine in my expression and pursuits than most, that you'd rather have a chauvinist than me. I couldn't believe you said that. I carried that pain for years and to this day, still haven't removed all the shrapnel from that impact. Even though I saw you again, I still don't know if I can ever tell you everything, because I don't think you'll ever understand how much you hurt me. And I don't know if you'll ever change. And the sad thing is: you are a good friend. You just weren't a good friend to me and that prejudice hurts so much. I forgave you...but the pain still appears sometimes.

5. You were such a good friend. We explored many things together (and some that I do regret), but our differences started to become too much. And the defining moment came when i needed you and your experience to help me stop from making a bad decision, but you said nothing. I know it's not really your fault. I should've asked you, but I was too inexperienced to know WHAT and WHEN to ask. And after you said that you thought I would fall hard, I felt like you could've done something ahead of time to warn me. And afterwards, your life...just got too much for me to watch. I can't live the way you do. And if I'm going to help people, I can't be like you. Even in the slightest, because I'm trying to speak for those who want to say "No," and not those who already say "Yes."

6. I can never fully express how much I respect you and your mate. You two have been so incredible to me despite all the hardships you've ever gone through. So many times I've wished I had something to give to you to help relieve that pain and burden of living you both go through. So many times I just want to drop a supply crate filled with money, or a new car, or some inspirational something at your house. I want to show up at your place unannounced and surprise you with something beautiful to let you know there's still people who care in the world and that furries may deal with tough times, but this fandom, and my friends, matter to me. And you both are such an inspiration to the rest of us and I don't believe you ever get enough recognition or love from the others. But I truly wish that you did and when my wild west fantasy story (hopefully) gets a chance at being published, I want you both to be some of the first ones who get the opportunity to be vital editors in its creation. I love you both. I want you to know that.

7. Wow, I cannot express how much I care about you. You're one of my longest and most trusted friends. You have a better job than I do and a life that...okay that's the thing. I support you, but you remember what my life was like before. And you're living what I originally wanted, but I can't have it anymore. I feel that if I went down that life path again with that type of expression, I would suffer even worse than before. And I'd waste a lot of time. I...don't know how to tell you about the life you're living. I think it will hurt you, but you're allowed to do what you want, but the sad thing is, you seem to be immune to the effects of such a life and I was not. I feel if I tell you anything, you'll pull away, cause this has been something you've talked about long before you ever experienced it. I don't know what to say. I want a better life for you, but it seems as though nothing is really happening to you (that I know about), even though I think you could do better. I don't want to ever lose you.

8. I'm sorry I couldn't be the helper you wanted. Though I may seem weak sometimes, I really am trying to do what's best for everyone. My emotional intelligence is higher than I can explain to most individuals and I see a map of emotion-based navigation between those I care about. I use that map to determine what the best options are, even if it doesn't seem like the best decision at the time. And yes, I've been hurt by a lot of people and even those close to me, but when I make a breakthrough with that individual and a promise, I do what I can to stick by that. I really hope you can see that and ask me for help again in the future when the opportunity doesn't put my relationships in jeopardy.

9. Ohmygosh you like FOXES? And GOTHIC LOLITA? ANDDDDD Fairy tales, writing stories, and theatre? SUPER BEST FRIENDS! You've inspired me so many times and encouraged me in so many tough spots throughout my life. Gosh, you are one of the best friends I've ever had! The fact that you respect my feminine side means a lot to me and I feel so safe talking to you. I trust you more than most, because you've earned it!

10. Buy me a (my little) pony and I will snuggle the heck outta it. What, just cause a furry is single and celibate he can't snuggle sometimes? Don't judge me.

(Reposted from poetigress journal: https://www.furaffinity.net/journal...../#cid:34911044 )

---

Hi everybody. I'll be back with more news later, but I wanted to share this before any more time goes by. My husband Jeff (a.k.a. Jarrell in the fandom) is looking for a place to crash 1 or 2 nights a week to save having to drive home from work every weeknight (since his commute is something like 86 miles one way).

Here are the details from him. I'll be linking to this on Twitter, too -- please boost the signal if you can, here on FA, or on Twitter, or anywhere else furs in that area might be. :)


---
Kefkah Fox (also known as Rhennessa on FA and MPG) has been wonderful allowing me to stay at his place 2 nights each week, but now he's moving to California at the end of July, and I need another stay-over for a short time -- probably just until the end of September.

What I require... not much. We're talking a 2x6 foot patch of carpet if you don't have an extra couch because I have my own sleeping bag and toiletries in the car. I don't even need to use your shower because I shower at my workplace. I also have my own food. So we're only talking crash space and nothing more for 1 or 2 nights each week. Tuesday and Thursday nights work well for me, but if something else is better for you, then that's what we'll do.

Optimum locations... Any residences in Frederick County Maryland, or, any residences not far from 340 as far north as the Pennsylvania border, all the way down into West Virginia as far south as Rippon, or, any residences not far from 15 in Frederick MD, as far south as Leesburg Virginia.

If you can help, let's talk. My email is jarrell [at] myrainbowark.com. If you're not able to help, please signal boost if you can, and thanks!
----

As he says, we're hoping the need for someone near Frederick will be fairly temporary, because we're really really hoping his company will move him to a slightly closer area soon. In the meantime, though, having a stayover spot majorly helps (saves gas, saves our car which now has over 300K miles on it, and saves his sanity from not spending so much of his life in said car). >^_^<

By Sword and Star available from Anthro Dreams!
Six Impossible Things - free short story collection available from Smashwords and Amazon.
Like what you read? Imma just leave this tip jar here.

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/h.....ve-radio-comix

Due to some massive oversight from a (now former) accountant, the comic publisher Radio Comix is in need of money to pay taxes to the IRS.

Radio Comix was one of the first publishers that got me interested in comic books again. They publish both general audience and mature works, but the favorite of mine for the longest time was Furrlough. I saw so many furry artists in there, including my friend DAQ who's here on furaffinity https://www.furaffinity.net/user/daq/

I know a lot of you are hurting financially right now. If you're one of those individuals, I know you have to focus on your responsibilities first. But if anyone here would like to drop a few bucks over on Radio Comix, you can see what they offer and decide for yourself.

(from Writersdigest.com)

Some numbers from one tutorial where they explained how many queries they received and how many new clients were signed:

In 2010, one publisher reported
36,000 queries were received
839 first pages were requested and read
98 full manuscripts were then requested and read
9 new clients were signed

From 36,000 to 9.

That's 1 in 4000 who make it.

That's like saying that one person is chosen from a place no bigger than a small town to be the special one to represent all the others.

1 in 4000.

I have to find some way to separate myself from all the others. I know my story is a very special one. But how to show that to others?

It's very daunting to say the least.

I need to become a better writer. I need to understand the business aspects better. i need to be able to write on a more regular basis and still be able to enjoy life and time with friends so that I won't completely drive myself up the wall (maybe halfway up the wall).

"Hard work beats talent if talent doesn't work hard." Forgot who said that.

I'd like to think talent is earned.

Gotta get to it.

...YEAH!

So I'm back in the game! Just had to talk to the people in charge, be honest with them and let them know what I want to do. Apparently, they say it's very common to change the synopsis and story later on, so it's no big deal. They said they wouldn't take back a winning entry just because it turned out to be different later on.

So, to all you writers and readers out there, what kind of beginnings in stories were memorable to you? I'm thinking of making a prologue which details the world so they'll get a bigger picture of my whole story and a friend of mine says I should consider doing so using a character meeting.

FIVE DAYS LEFT...

http://www.writersleague.org/109/Ma.....script-Contest

As I researched how to write a synopsis for the upcoming manuscript contest, i realized something (that Poetigress pointed out rather quickly and I only now fully understood): the synopsis is made from a completed manuscript. My manuscript is only half done and a rough draft at that. If I were to write a synopsis, i would be writing about something which hasn't even be finalized yet. In many ways, this would be dishonest and a huge risk because although it doesn't say my story needs to be finished, having a synopsis implies that the story will stay that way if and when they finally choose it as a winner of the contest. If I were to turn in a synopsis and then later change the story and actually win the contest, they might ask me "why has this story changed so much from what you told us it'd be like?" That would be a very undesirable situation.

So now I realize I have to finish my manuscript, though it wouldn't be done in time for this contest.

*sigh*

http://www.writersleague.org/110/20.....-Contest-Rules

I wanted to enter this contest last year, but it was cancelled then. Now, I have FIFTEEN DAYS to write 2500 words of a novel to submit to them. Winners in their respective categories get to speak with an agent and go to a writer's conference at the beginning of the summer.

This was the original way I wanted my Wild West Fantasy story to get published. Now, it looks like I may have my chance.

And it's strange. Had I not been rejected so early two days ago, i might not have been looking for this contest today. And I also had another strange occurrence today, where I found out a friend of mine (who's GREAT at editing stories) lives virtually next to me.

The first application felt like "LET'S STORM THE CASTLE!" and that went off with lots of fanfare, but failed. But now, something came up and it's like someone saying "I know another way. A faster way into the castle. Let me show you, but you have to act quick."

Fifteen days.

And I'll need help of pre-readers again, at least for one read-through.

Whoa. So close.

I can do this. I just gotta try.

I was going through my email when i saw a missed reply from the University of Texas at Austin.

Apparently, I was not accepted into the Michener Center for Writers.

I saw the notification and guessed at what it would say. It's far too early for any positive response, which means I was probably rejected from the first round of readings. I guess my pop culture commercially-viable story series idea was too much or not enough for them.

I'm not sure how I feel about this. Obviously, I don't feel good about this. But I'm not distraught. Maybe I'm just happy to know what the result was, even if it wasn't positive.

But here's the question: now what? I worked really hard on the admissions process and now I'm not sure what route to take for improving my story. I still feel I need some training, but I don't have the money for it right now. The longer I wait, the more it feels like I could be spending the time in college or some training course.

This story is far from over.



Guess I'll just have to find some wily mentor(s) who can teach the ways of the force...I mean, writing.

Now that my graduate admissions application is out of the way, time to work on the next phase of my project!

The taleI wrote for the application is a short story which fits into a larger series. I want to bring fans into the world before the series starts by writing a few fan fiction works with my world as a background. I want to bring people in with familiar material and then show them what I can do.

But I'm looking for an anthro horse artist who can draw an anthropomorphic mustang that is more human than horse in western attire (1845 era) with a simple desert background. It's going to be the preview image for the story.

Does anyone know of any good anthro horse artists?

Thanks!

-VFX

I turned in everything in time for the graduate writing study!

Now I'm gonna go to sleep.

Hooray!

Thank you all for your help! Every bit of encouragement pushed me forward. :D

I actually finished the rough draft! Version 5!

Tomorrow. Revisions!

7,574 words at 15 pages!

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE HAW!

O_o

(clears throat: Tis a special situation. I must turn this in by 5PM this saturday for the graduate program, so if anyone is up for 15 pages of quick reading and willing to tell me what they liked, didn't like, i would appreciate it. I won't start revisions till about 8PM Friday. It is currently 1:24AM)

(Note: I don't want anyone to feel pressured to read just because I asked and some of you have already helped. I am only being rather forward about this because, well, it's important and I'm opening up the suggestion for any who are like "Hey, I don't have anything to do Friday afternoon. I'll read that story!" Don't feel bad if you don't have time. I'll manage either way, thank God. :) I am just happy you all have helped me as much as you have and I will respect your decisions either way. )

I have no work till Friday. That means that including today I have three days left to get this story done and submitted with everything else.

I'm on what can only be the last revision. There is no more time left for anything else.

The story is flowing, but it doesn't feel as frightening. Yet. This new version takes into account multiple pre-reader suggestions. It's very clean and quick. I could see the admissions pre-readers going through it rather easily. But I need to kick it up to the next level.

I feel like I've been at the Battle of the Alamo for a very long time.

It truly does feel like I am fighting a battle in an attempt to gain a victory over a tough enemy. I know their tactics. I know their goals. And I'm using every resource I have to overcome them.

Just need to break through...

(NOTE: I said 48 hours cause I'm trying to finish this asap to get all the other stuff, like statement of purpose, finished. Then, I need to allow time for letters of reference to get written)

I've been working so hard on the story I have right now and it's insane how much work i actually have left. And that includes the 18 pages (approx. 9700 words) I've already written.

I have one initial pre-reader who does a quick read of my stuff in order to give me an idea of how I'm doing. Turns out I have a lot that needs to be done. And the deadline is this Saturday, December 15th, but not just for the story. That includes:

Transcripts
GRE scores
3 letters of reference(confirmed already)
Statement of Purpose
Cover sheet
Writing Sample
Application online with all this completed

I can get this done, but I didn't realize my story needed so much work. I'm gonna have to give up my work on Tuesday and hand it off to an employee who needs the hours so I can have tonight until Thursday night to finish EVERYTHING.

There are some of you who wished to pre-read. If that offer is still available even in this short time frame, then expect an email pretty soon to your inboxes. I just need to know what can be done to the current version. I will brainstorm tonight, revise and move quickly while any pre-reading is being done.

Thanks.

Tonight, I'm missing a My Little Pony Hearth's Warming Eve Party.

Not going because I have to work on my writing for graduate admissions.

Tomorrow, I'm going to miss watching the new episode of My Little Pony with friends of mine during the day of the week when we usually meet together, watch the show and then play tabletop roleplaying games.

Not going because I have to work on my writing for graduate admissions.

Sunday, I'll have to miss a holiday party several film-maker friends of mine are holding. I also won't be able to talk to some of my friends.

Not going because I have to work on my writing for graduate admissions.

Monday, I'll miss a holiday party at work with free food and a get-together with all the employees.

Not going because I have to work on my writing for graduate admissions.

But it will all be worth it very soon.

---

Today, I spent most of my time looking up historical information on the Texas Battle for Independence. I figured the town names and locations in my story would be called out by the admissions officials as unauthentic. So I looked for any towns in existence in 1836 in Texas to find the right place.

Turns out there is a perfect one.

After the Battle of the Alamo, two survivors by the name of Susanna Dickinson and Joe (a slave of William Barret Travis) told General Sam Houston of the Texian forces that the Alamo had fallen to the Mexican army led by General Santa Anna. Fearing that the army would attack Gonzales, Houston ordered a retreat and gave the command to burn the town.

For my story, the town is still burnt during the timeline of events I have planned.

The monsters in my story are resilient towards fire, their element of choice.

The music I've been listening to while writing this whole time is from an exhibition by David Lynch. The name of the exhibition? "The Air is on Fire."

Funny how things work out.

I'm still trying to get this story done...



-Vaperfox


By the way, the music I'm listening to can be found here:
http://davidlynch.com/index/
(1)-Click the button at the top right labeled "Go to Davidlynch.com"
(2)-Click the EXPLORE button on the upper right
(3)-Choose ALBUMS from the top menu across the titles
(4)-Pick THE AIR IS ON FIRE
(5)-Start with I. STATION and enjoy the effect of uneasy ambiance

I'm 1/3 the way through a writing for the Michener Center for Writers here in Austin, Texas: http://www.utexas.edu/academic/mcw/

I'll need help soon when it comes to reading the finished work. I know it'll need refinement and I'm running out of time. I thought I would've had more done by now, but I'm only about 10 pages in and the story still needs 10-15 pages left.

I do need assistance with this. The story writing sample is a Wild West Fantasy Horror piece with anthropomorphic characters in it.

Beyond that, I only have one letter of reference confirmed. The other is unsure and I still need a third letter of reference. Plus I need to get my college Transcripts.

So much stuff due by December 15th...

I'm so close to achieving my dream. About two weeks left...

-Vaperfox

I have about 7 weeks left to submit a writing sample to the Michener Center for Writers here in Austin, Texas.

I went to a local Half-Price Books, but realized, after I couldn't find anything, that I should look online to purchase exactly what I need.

I'm looking for books and/or resources on:
-How to Write Science Fiction, Fantasy and/or Horror
-Single-Author books which have SF/F/H authors talk about their craft
-Essays on how to write SF/F/H
-Books which detail the writing process of any already-published book
-Exceptionally well-written anthologies of SF/F/H


And also:
-Any single stories you may recommend which show profound skill
-Any particular authors you like and why
-Any Wild West and/or history resources about the Civil war(1860) or fight for Texan independence (around 1836)


Thanks!

I live!

And I'm doing perhaps one of the most important things I've ever done in my entire life.

I'm applying to the Michener Center for Writers here in Austin, Texas. ( http://www.utexas.edu/academic/mcw/ )

Those who are selected from over 900 applicants will gain a full-residency fellowship for three years and 54 hours-worth of college classes in their selected primary and secondary fields, which include fiction, screenwriting, playwriting and poetry.

The deadline for the application and all the materials is December 15th, 2012.

But first, I have to take the GRE on October 31st.

I'm so excited about this opportunity like I've never been excited before. I know that this is the chance to get the training necessary for my wild west fantasy horror story, codenamed Project Horizon, to get even better thanks to all the possible training. But I have to send in a statement of purpose and writing sample (less than 30 pages) by the deadline.

I really want this to work, but out of the 12 slots, only 4 are fiction.

So my chances, as it currently stands, are approximately 1 in 180, not considering those trying for fields other than fiction.



But somebody has to get chosen.

And I'm somebody.


Also, any of you are interested in applying should do so. I've looked up several good resources on things like how to write the statement of purpose: http://www.uni.edu/~gotera/gradapp/stmtpurpose.htm

If one of you got it, it would be cool for us to meet in-person once you made it into the program, but you won't know till you try.

-BGB

A gunman opened fire at a midnight movie premiere of the most recent Batman movie. Please pray for those involved in this tragedy.

http://gma.yahoo.com/colorado-batma.....opstories.html

Dear Lord, please protect and heal those involved in this tragedy. Please guide them towards hope and bring them comfort in this great time of need. For those who have passed on, please guide them into the light of your love. For those injured, please heal them and protect them and bring others close to them to speed up the recovery process. For those in trauma, please comfort them and show them your hope, O Lord.

Hey all.

I know it's been a while. Life has been interesting for me. And to say that is an understatement.

To those of you who may have given me notes or comments here, on LJ and beyond: if I haven't responded, I have been busy or caught up with thinking of how to respond. Life has had some tough and painful moments for me and in some cases, it has proven hard to find the proper response.

On the positive side, I have been more creative than I have been in a long time. Been writing lots of fan fiction to grease the mind gears and have been getting involved in a lot of Brony stuff lately.

Been working at my job for almost a year now at a costume and party store.

Been trying to manage time with friends offline and on and work and writing and lots of things.

How have all you been?

...please say a prayer for those who have been affected by AIDS and remember that if you know anyone suffering from it, they could use your support and encouragement and a hug.

-Vaperfox

I'm currently researching commission artists to make some concept artwork for a story I'm writing. I'm looking for realism, kinda like if an actor were to play an anthro horse and they used prosthetics to make the muzzle and ears.

Does anyone know of excellent commission artists who can accomplish this? Thanks!

-Vaperfox