I’m able to breathe again, and I’m still writing! I’ve set up a sign up page for my playful little crack fiction story and there are now three chapters out. The ONLY way to get this one is to sign up. I’m not keeping the emails after the story ends and I won’t give them away or sell them, so if you want to read along, join in!

I’ve been asked what a “crack fic” is. I have friends who are artists. At random, they’ll drop any manner of quick art they’ve made while we talk. It’s always good fun and quite silly. Pick a topic, any topic, and at some point, there will be a sudden upload of an image and we generally dissolve into giggles and additional inappropriate commentary from there.

Well, this story is also being done on the fly, without polishing or removing the sketch lines from it. It’s literally what happens as the ideas fall out of my head, thus, a crack fic. I think the part I’m liking best is that it’s set in Albuquerque, where I live. I can kind of show off the city in a story!

I’m still working on the Half-Life series. Lauren and Caleb have had their fight, finally. Caleb really put his foot in his mouth though. He actually said to her, while she was already mad, “Just calm down.”

I paused when that happened, raised an eyebrow, gave him a “wow you just screwed up” look and went on typing. Sometimes these characters just say and do things they should not. Fortunately, all has ended well enough.

Next up, Lauren is going to visit her family and her church back in the mortal realm. She’s going to find out something about her favorite granddaughter, and about her family, and more than a few somethings about her church.

She still hasn’t learned about the Half-Life, but I think that’ll follow the visits.

I feel a bit bad for her. She just is not having a good time right now.

As for posts here, I’m trying to shift focus just a little. Instead of generalized tips and skills, I’m going to be thinking about how to apply things to the situations we’re all in due to COVID-19. A lot of people are cut off from their usual support networks, experiencing depression, anxiety, loneliness, and more. Many are missing much needed appointments with therapists and the freedom to do the things that would usually lift themselves up. If what I write can make even one day a little easier for one person, I’ll be glad of it.

My life, beyond writing, is still kicking along. My day job is setting everyone up to work from home. I have a level of security that so many people don’t, and I worry about what will happen, even as I’m thankful not to have to face that particular issue.

Please, during these days, remember to be kind to yourself and others. Yes, we all have struggles to face. If we put in the effort to remain caring and compassionate, to treat others as humans instead of threats or competition, we will all come through so much better than if we don’t.

Take care of yourselves, stay safe, stay healthy.