Wander West, in Shadow

Hello. Just a warning, there is no fiction to read here. Only read ahead if you are interested to hear about why I've been gone, what the future might hold, and other non-fiction stuff. I don't like to use a chapter as a way to do this, but I figured that it would be the best way to make an announcement to the most people that follow me.

Anyway:

So, it has been three years since I finished this. Three years since I published anything here, really. I know a lot of people probably thought I just disappeared. I'll spare you the details, but this was not the case. I have made various attempts, over the years since this finished, to write. But I was working a very mentally taxing, stressful job, and I only ever managed to write in fits and starts. There was not much mental energy left over in me after doing my job.

Well, now that has changed. Because I lost my job! Somewhat unexpectedly, and I am left scrambling for work. One thing I would love to do, in this moment, is to get a less stressful and demanding job, so that I might write more. And one thing that may give me more flexibility to do that is if I was able to supplement my income with my writing. I know various people over the years contacted me about potentially supporting me. (And I'm sorry I didn't answer everyone, but I eventually found it so depressing that I was not able to dedicate more time to writing that I simply stopped logging in here.) So I made a Patreon, which is linked on my profile, and above, and here's the address for good measure: https://www.patreon.com/Clover810

I know it's a hard pitch to ask for donations when I haven't been around for years. And I can't really promise much, other than to say I really want to get back into writing. Too much is too uncertain, right now, with me needing a job and some source of income very fast. I would love to one day make enough money from writing to not have to worry about a job, but I think the best I can expect right now is a small supplement to whatever I make. I offer no extra content on my patreon: If you want to donate, you choose what you'd like to give. If you've enjoyed my writing in the past and just feel like I deserve some money for that, thank you. If you donate in the hopes of seeing more of my writing in the future, thank you as well. I really hope I can dedicate much more of my time to it too, when the dust settles, and any income from my writing would help in justifying more time spent on it.

As for what I want to write: The first thing I want to do is revise WWIS. I always considered what is currently there a draft, and I'd like to lay a stronger foundation for the (long) series that I expect it to be. But I also have ideas for smaller, more focused works that are more one-offs than WWIS would be. Some related to WWIS, and some not. Once money is not so much of a concern, I'd love to also commission artists for artwork for my stories. But, unfortunately, all of this right now must take a backseat to the more immediate and pressing concerns of how I'm going to pay my bills.

I don't want to ramble on too much. I want to thank everyone for their kind words and apologize for my long absence. I never thought so many people might read my original work. I felt very fulfilled and content while writing. I hope I can feel that again one day soon.