I hope everyone had a pleasant holiday(s).

This has been a long overdue post.

First, I'd like to say I'm sorry to everyone for making them wait for updates.
You've all been supportive of me and my writing, and you deserve better.

Where to begin?
I guess it's important for you all to know that I'm alive.
I'm NOT retiring/stopping/quitting.

Last December I was hit by what could best be called a mix of holiday blues and burn-out.
When I took a break, I found it hard to get myself motivated to get back into the groove.

It's been especially hard the last few months due to a few things going on in my personal life.
You know. Various home projects. Appliances decide to die and need to be replaced. Roof leaks. Toilet hisses. AC conks out in the middle of summer.

What's especially been an issue is that I pulled a hamstring awhile back. At first, I thought it was a simple pulled muscle. Said to myself, "Go easy, give it a couple days off, ice, heat, ibuprofen, etc. and get back to my routine". It was particularly bothersome because it always seemed to flare up in the mornings, the prime time I did my writings. Hard to focus when it seems like I'm sitting on a steak knife.

I started going to physical therapy in September. Luckily, the docs have told me they don't think I need surgery. I've been making progress, but I still have the occasional flare-up.

On top of all that, I was one of those affected by the government shutdown throughout October.
I wasn't fired or furloughed. But I was working without a paycheck for a while. Again, hard to focus on stories when I'm watching my saving dry up.
Things seem to be back on track for now, but you never know. (stopping before I turn this into a political rant).

Sorry if it seems like I'm whining. Plenty of friends and colleagues I know are going through a ton worse and soldiering on.
I promise to get back into it. I've got a whole scrapbook loaded with ideas from a bunch of different fandoms.
I love writing. And I love reading everyone's feedback.

Best wishes to everyone.
Here's to a great Winter Season and hopefully a productive New Year!