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From a Diary to a Novel

It's taken some considerable number of months but I've managed to finish the conversion of the short first-person Tammy's Summer Diary into Tammy's Summer Fling, a 64k word novel.

What this means is that I now have a little more time available and will split this for two writing projects. The first of these is the third Unaccounted Gains Book (currently expected on Kindle in August) and the second project is a brand new Tammy story that will be premiered here later this summer.

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Maggie Finson is gone

I just learned today that Maggie Finson, one of BigCloset's best and most popular authors, passed away November 17, 2020.

She had been ill and I had thought of her frequently of late, but had not checked on her for some months.

She is greatly missed by me and my thoughts go out to her family.

She was a friend as well.

Hugs to all, stay safe, and be well,
Erin

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What if I'm the One

Ever since being a part of the "One Dozen Roses" anthology I contemplated if I could get my characters together to talk. I decided to go with the guys in each story and allow them to drop (even more) of their defenses and we get to hear what happened after their perspective stories.
The seven are forced to go to group therapy due to various issues: Matt, for example, has to take it as a part of his probation; Spencer, because he was found floating in the Spokane river after jumping from a bridge.

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really scary moment today

Had a really scary moment today.

We had gone to a local mall, and on our way out, I had something like a seizure in my right leg.

It started with my leg trembling, then shaking, and then I almost fell as it felt like every part of my leg tried to go in a different direction.

It calmed down, but after I'd taken a few more steps it happened again.

I told mom, and had her take over the driving, but it didn't happen again.

sighs, didn't I have enough problems already?

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It's dead, Jim

Well, it finally happened. I've been doing everything I can to keep my computer alive for the past few months, but I can do no more and this morning it finally breathed it's last grinding breath. Since I can't really hunch over my tablet (like I'm doing now,) squinting at the screen and typing on a tiny bluetooth keyboard for 6 to 8 hours a day to be productive I had to get a new-ish laptop.

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Feel like I'm coming unraveled.

Actually, it's feelin' more like the threads of sanity I've used to stitch a shredded soul together are coming undone, and ... stuff ... is leakin'; out. Part of me is curious 'bout that stuff. Another part of me seems to know what that stuff is, and is scared of seein' it again. But ... it's a kinda disconnected scared.

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Writing Walker's Path Chapter 10

Hello out there,

I'm happy to announce that the Writing Walker's Path for Chapter 10 is out!

Chapter 10 is longer than all of the other chapters so I spent a bit more time on the blog talking about it. I feel there's still a lot of room for improvement when it comes to the blog so if you have any suggestions please let me know.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it.

Lots of love,
Katherine

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Five days to go in June - Contributions needed!

Cash contributions from our members, including our Patreon, is how we keep BigCloset operating. We get Patreon mostly on the 2nd or 3rd of the month. We're down to about $600 in our bank account, so we're basically broke.

If you can help, it will be appreciated. And please, be safe.

Hugs,
Erin, Piper, Jamie, Cat and the rest of the crew

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New Release of Walker's Path!

Hello out there,

Walker's Path Chapter 10 is now out!

Tomorrow I'll be releasing the "Writing Walker's Path" blog and will post a link to it here. There's been a good reception to the blog so far and I know I have you partially to thank for that. (I appreciate all of you!)

Not going to keep you here. Enjoy the Chapter!

Lots of love,
Katherine

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Writing as Tag Wrestling

As mentioned in my prior blog about my third Amazon collection “Misfortune and Other Romances of the Old West” the opening story "All her Misfortune” was a joint effort between me and the artist known as Joyce Melton. As I already said it she told me little about a plot she had in mind for a story other than it started with a street kid in Chicago in the mid 19th century escaping from a crime scene and heading west, and she sent me the cover she had drawn up. I have to say that (as it sometimes does with me) I saw the image, and something clicked. I started writing.

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Looking for a story

I am looking for a story that I read years ago.
A young man's parents are going to be going away with him for a company event and he does not want to go. The night before departure, he tries to dye his hair, and they make him go where he must portray himself as a teen young lady.

Not sure if anyone else has read this, and as I said it has been many years.

Thank You,
Melissa

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Maryanne Peters goes West

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Some time ago I sat down and decided to write a novella – a western novella - because aren’t they just the best novellas that there are?

I wrote one chapter. You know the one. The stranger rides into town - “Man and horse looked tired – dog tired. Both their heads hung, and the hooves moved slowly along the dusty path …”. Chapter 2 might yet get written. I am more of a short story writer.

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You Look Just Like A Girl Again

If you're familiar with the jazz singer Ute Lemper, you might have heard her interpretation of the Danny O'Keefe song, "You Look Just Like A Girl Again." Although written about a cis woman from the viewpoint of an admirer, to those of us of a certain age who may have missed out on that stage of our lives, it elicits an emotional frisson. Because in the mirror we hold within us, we can see the girl we might have been...again.

You Look Just Like a Girl Again

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Looking for a story

I'm embarrassed on this request. There was a long story posted recently about a guy who marries his long time sweetheart and moves to Arizona for school. He is of native American ancestry and is a "two spirit" person. Many adventures and accomplishments. I don't think the tale ended and I think I remember the author mentioning health issues. It hasn't been that long but I can't remember the author or full name of the story.

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New chapter of Virtually Feminine is up - thanks to Gabi

I've just posted my latest chapter of Virtually Feminine after a bit of a dry spell. I had a touch of depression following some stuff in my home life.

Thanks to Gabi for her support and editing that helped me get though it.

I hope you enjoy it and I would love any comments you may have.

Morgan

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Stories with scenes describing physical or emotional abuse

I recently posted the first chapter of a story where one of the main characters (Ian) had suffered both physical and emotional abuse. I've been working on it for almost a year now, and have only made it through three chapters. Part of the reason it took so long to get that far, was because it was emotionally draining to write. Another reason it took long, was because I kept on going back and forth on how much of Ian's past I should include in the story.

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Walker's Path the next...

Hello out there,

Chapter 10 is written! I'm going to release it this coming Friday. So not only do you have the weekend to look forward to you have a new chapter too!

It catches Walker's storyline up to the Intermission. Let's just say mistakes were made and there's a surprise in there as well.

I'm interested in a beta reader for this one. I'm looking for someone who is willing to be really open about what I've written. Weirdly the part I want feedback on was not planned at all which is why I need feedback.

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Football & Soccer

In a story I've been reading here on BCTS, I noticed one of the characters mentioned both soccer about as frequently as football. This got me to wondering, do British folk use both terms about as frequently, or is that something just this author did. I'd always assumed football would be used, since that's what I usually saw in other stories, but I realize I could be very mistaken in that assumption. If there's anyone out there who'd be willing to clear things up for me, I'd much appreciate it! :)

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scary moment today

Well, I had a scary moment today, thought they were going to take my CPAP machine away

apparently, its not helping enough, its on max pressure, and I'm still having apnea way too often.

But the problem was my sleep study apparently wouldn't qualify me for the more powerful Bipap machine, so I could have been stuck.

But for now they are giving me the nose mask instead of the full mask in the hops it will not leak as much, and they're having me come back in 2 weeks to see how that goes

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Identity

Much as I've tried to keep a separate existence from myself (confusing enough), Lynda now has a Twitter account and a YouTube logon.

Unfortunately, twitter insisted I tie it to a physical phone number, which can trace back...

In the old days of the internet, it was much easier to juggle identities. Having two email addresses was child's play...

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Hello My Name Is... on Kindle

The bills have been pounding the HELL out of me the last few months. If anyone hasn't purchased this book or one of my others on Kindle, I would really appreciate ANY support you could give me. I'm gonna work harder to write some new books for Kindle, one for Doppler and I want to look into setting up a patreon as well. In the meantime, here's a link to Hello My Name Is, my most popular book on Kindle to date :).

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Possible Story Plotting Aid

I stumbled across a website advertised on a youtube channel, so take it with a grain of salt, called World Anvil that may be a useful world building tool supposedly good for plotting rpg fantasy/sci-fi and in my opinion possibly other types of stories.

Disclaimer: I have not used this and I am not sure how the site monetizes the use of anything you create on the site, maybe there are non-web type software similar to this for story development but it seemed interesting that such tools are available.

The web site is www.worldanvil.com

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Confidence Trick notes

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"Fitness Class" was a solo. Or at least, I could have sworn it was.

But here I am, posting a follow up about a third the original's size. The "universe" does not have a name (other than "Fitness Class"), but there it is.

Most of my stories seem to me to be complete when I write them, the length varies, but usually getting them to proper Novelette length (17500 words or more) would be a struggle. They begin at the beginning, move through the scenes I've invented, and then they end, and that's how long they are.

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Jazeta Amber Daniels...assistance request

When I originally wrote the screenplay for "Return to Innocence" I had the main character having to choose between the "good guy" and the "lost guy"
The good guy was Alex Foxx, a soon-to-be freshman in college who Jazz meets when he accidentally clotheslines her a a store. He's the all-round good guy who parents love
The lost guy was Kris Geremehl, her former boyfriend who has grown up over the years. They share a secret of a past abortion. Jazz's parents forced her and he didn't come to her rescue--not that he could do too much as a thirteen year old.

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Official Writing Walker's Path

Hello out there,

I wanted to let everyone know that I started an official "Writing Walker's Path" on my website!

Here's the second episode for the latest chapter.

I'll still talk with everyone here but I'm trying a more professional approach on my website.

Thanks so much for being so great to me,
Katherine

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Feel free to take this down

I hate to see friends fight. Especially over made up problems created to keep us distracted.

Americans largely agree on nearly all of the large important issues. Most of us want to be left alone. We want to be safe. We want to make a good living, have an opportunity to thrive, trust our neighbors. We want life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and all that. In the end we have way more in common than not.

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Seeking beta readers for "Wings"

I just finished the second draft of Wings, the sequel to Pioneers, and I'm hoping to get feedback from beta readers before starting the third draft in a couple of months. Wings begins by retelling the events of Pioneers from a different point of view, and then continues well beyond the point where Pioneers ended. It's set in dkfenger's Trust Machines universe, but it should stand alone whether or not you've read any other Trust Machines stories, or even Pioneers. It's 188,000 words.

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Dear BarbieLee

Jesus said, “Whoever is not with Me is against Me.” He also said, “Whoever is not against Us, is for Us.” This was echoed in the sixties as “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.” I bought into this creed then -- and apply it now.

Over the last several months, I have cut ties with several long-term friends.

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Writing Walker's Path

Hello out there,

It's been a week and as promised the Walker's Path Intermission is out!

Mind you it's only 1200 words long but it's sort of an official in-story introduction to Walker's friends. (And a little more)

I'm going to start doing a blog on my website after every chapter release. I'll link to it here after I release the chapter. I'll be giving insights as to why I wrote what I did and what my state of mind was like at the time.

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making decisions

One of the most frustrating effects of what happened to me is that it destroyed my confidence in my ability to make decisions. I become paralyzed, and usually end up making the choice that requires the least change.

An example is happening right now as I am on the list to get stomach surgery, and the closer I get to the due date the less confident I'm making the right call.

sighs . . .

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Just be Yourself

My posts seem to annoy some people. I'm responsible for my actions. No one else is to blame. I am responsible for my own security. Add I'm ultra conservative and transgendered and it really upsets others. If you're one of those, please don't comment. Read Rule ONE! In response to some caustic remarks I basically posted my life resume of all my talents and accomplishments, licenses, and degrees I earned. Every bit of it true no matter how unbelievable it may be to others. If anyone has any derogatory comments take it offline or meet me in person.

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Additional proofing

I ran the printer version of "The Answer" through text-to-speech on my iPhone. That pointed out some misphrasings and typos to my ear, for all the strange pronunciations it resulted in.

The typos, at least, I'll fix shortly. And I'll think I'll employ text-to-speech as a late proofing stage on stories from now on, to cut down on errors.

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Lumberjackie Retold

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I have posted my story "Lumberjackie" about the victim of a logging accident who discovers that he is of "two spirits" and gender fluid, perhaps as a result (?). Many have begged for a sequel and the extended story now opens my new book on Amazon "Risky Endeavors".
There are some of my other stories on this theme in there plus also some new stories.
Thanks to Erin and Sammy C and others for getting this book published.

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an over-active sleep

well, it turns out its possible that my sleep apnea isn't the only reason I thrash around in my sleep
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Last night, I awoke to find I had tossed my pillows everywhere and pulled my CPAP machine off the nightstand.

But It had kept running and I never lost the connection between the mask and the machine, so I was getting air while this was happening.

Don't ask me what's going on, I really have no clue.

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A Short Hiatus

I'm taking a short writing hiatus, there are a lot of factors but most of it boils down to just taking care of myself and my mental well being. My mother has been creating a lot of drama related to me being trans. In short, she's not taking it well. I thought I might turn her into an ally then come out to my father, but that is looking... unlikely. I plan on coming out to him probably in a few weeks time after directed (mandatory) overtime ends at work.

Hope everyone is well and is having a delicious devious weekend,

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Walker's Path Release!

Hello out there,

If you haven't noticed yet... I just released Chapter 9 of Walker's Path!

It's the end of the night and there was something that Alyx said that's been bugging Walker. He is bound and determined to know what she meant. Those questions are answered in this episode.

Also, this chapter is the last of the "night" chapters. Longest night ever?

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Reversed wedding

A few days ago as I was looking around Youtube I ran into a video that would be of interest to some folks here.
It showed a couple planning to renew their wedding vows on their fifth anniversary. The difference being they were going to do with reversed roles this time. They hired a professional company to do the transformations and record the event.
See what you think.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbM1qeDYo78

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Better Than Expected

Hello out there,

Finished Chapter 9 of Walker's Path and finished the Intermission.

I am going to add Chapter 9 tomorrow morning so keep an eye out!

As for the Intermission. I'm not sure when I'll release it. I may just wait a week because it's not that big. It's mostly ready though.

After I post the Intermission I will have some questions for all of you so be ready!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Katherine

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Time for another "Boy protests school uni by wearing skirt" story.

I suppose it is one of those normal parts of the British school year running late into June - boys get told they cannot wear shorts, start sweltering in the heat, and one or more get the idea to wear a skirt instead. Don't recall seeing any last year (probably thanks to COVID), but the boys (and schools) are right back at what almost feels like an annual game of chicken. BBC Link is below.

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My prayers have been answered, 37 years later

I've been praying that God would make me a girl and wishing that I was born a girl since I was 5.

I began to have PMS symptoms (migraines, cramping, bloating, and wild mood swings) when I was 12 for a few days every month. When I was 15, I started getting female curves, so I gained 150 pounds to hide them since I was beaten up on a regular basis for acting like a girl and I was afraid of getting beaten even worse, raped, and/or killed if I looked like a girl too.

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BB Late Summer -- Sorry

I'm sorry that I'm leaving readers on a cliff-hanger. I need to rewrite what follows for Lucy, and I need to add more of Glenn's story. I don't have anything on Glenn's story before a climactic episode.

I have several isolated episodes of the clique, including one thoroughly scrambled, but nothing continuing the story.

Therefore, I won't post the next part of the story for a while. Sorry about that.

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the monster within

My whole life has been one long struggle to not become a monster.

I did not succeed.

I can still feel the monster, waiting for its chance to get out

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Writing Walker's Path.

Hello out there,

I hope you're all having a wonderful Thursday morning.

I'm patiently waiting for my speech therapy and have some good news.

Chapter 9 is almost done!

If you haven't read Walker's Path know that it's a story about the revelations of a teen intersex kid.

Chapter 9 continues this trend.

I'm pretty excited to bring it out. I'd like to announce that Chapter 9 is officially the last never-ending 'night' segment.

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Hole in the Sky -4- by Erin Halfelven on Patreon for members

The secret crossdresser's camping trip has turned into a time-travelling mystery when they fall through a Hole in the Sky into a strangely altered bronze age. Will Pete, Doc, Joe and the General survive what is thrown at them? And will they survive as themselves?

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Hole in the Sky
4. Digging a Hole
by Erin Halfelven

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A Cold Fey in Hell Chapter 6 on Patreon

Hey everyone,

Just a quick post to let you all know that Chapter 6 of A Cold Fey In Hell is now available for patrons on my patreon and Chapter 5 is now available to everyone here. On Friday I will start posting chapters here on BCTS starting from Chapter 1.

*big hug to you all*

Amethyst

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That moment when

That moment when you wrap up another chapter in the current book under development and realize that oh hey, this book isn't going to be finished in six parts but rather seven. Otherwise that 'sixth' part will be over 40k words all on its own which is getting a bit silly in length. Trying to get this book's draft done so it can be edited and posted, but the muse is sitting there laughing with unexpected (but cool!) twists which are gonna make getting to the ending take just that much more.

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Special FX - Sketch of Hallie Jones done by C.D. Rudd!

I met with C.D. Rudd (creator of SailorSun.org and I Dream of a Jeanie Bottle) in his livestream last night and he did a sketch of Hallie Jones from Special FX, my story inspired by his SailorSun webcomic!

Isn't she gorgeous? Thanks, C.D.!

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05 - Legacy of Earth: Genesis - Social Butterfly

Apologies for missing a story posting last week, some things were going on in my personal life and I was pretty mopey all last weekend.

In case you are unaware, Battle for Earth, the prequel to this series is now available on Amazon Kindle. Please consider supporting me if you enjoy my work.

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Legacy of Earth: Genesis

Social Butterfly

By Daniela A. Wolfe



As Kayde prepares for her meeting with the Conclave Council, she receives a warning from her uncle.


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Yet another story hunt

While browsing for something to read I happened onto the Alexa/Jenny/Jexy stories by Kris Traverse, part of the 69 airlines, Angels story universe. I was reminded of one story where Alex/Alexa is thrown out of their home by their ultra-bigoted father. Totally concerned about her partner, Jenny makes the journey from hell to get back to her and give her the support she needs. I'm sure that tale exists as a chapter in a related story but I can't find it. Bright ideas, anyone?

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my worst fears have been confirmed

I confirmed my worst fears.

I phoned the Calgary law library about what happened to my rapist, and there is no record of a conviction.

Now, it could be there was a publication ban to protect his victims, or a jury trial, in which case no written statement about the conviction would be on record

but he was able to testify in a civil suit in 1999, so unlikely he'd been charged before then.

and considering he was raping me from about 1973 to 1975, its unlikely my name would have been brought up in any case against him.

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The Adventures of Kissy Parker - 40 on BC and 43 on Patreon

The Adventures of Kissy Parker continue in Butterscotch!

On Patreon: Butterscotch -43-

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Who is Heather Bock and does she like barbecue?

On BigCloset: Butterscotch -40-
While the boys play their game, the girls are sharing stories of romantic disasters.

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that special kind of helplessness

So I was a bit foolish and watched an episode of "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit", and as I should have expected, it was not a good idea.

I identified so hard with the victim, in her frustration and helplessness in the face of a rapist who seems beyond prosecution.

I often feel this, especially when real life cases follow the same path, and it is exactly the same helplessness I felt during the two and a half years I was being raped.

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Editing, Revision, Writing

The further I post in "A Bikini Beach Late Summer", the more I'm going to have to edit, revise, and even write new material. At some point, it's going to be mostly writing. That means that there will be more time between postings, and more opportunity to procrastinate and stall.

Sigh... I'll see what happens.

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