The News

So, here I am in LA! I probably can't tell you anything more about the reasons why we drove up here, in case of a crazy stalker, but that's okay. :-)

I'll have to be quick, because I need to get to bed soon, but here is my post anyway. I thought you guys needed some updates and explanations.

First of all, I have edited "Daughter of Darkness" into "No One Mourns the Wicked", so I have a Short Story Collection. I wish I could figure out a way to use the "DoD" banner; I really like it. I really have no idea what provoked me, but I'm not sure "Daughter of Darkness" will ever be finished, and if I have any more drabbles about Adriana or her father, I'll just put them in here. Also, I'm probably entering a challenge about why Voldemort became evil, so that will go there too. So will any future WICKED songfics I might write or ones that might fit the theme...I also have a missing moment "LAF" plot bunny for "As Long As You're Mine". I'll have to post it later though (not that I've even written it yet), because it does contain some "LAF" spoilers.

Second of all, I'm working on a *gasp* Harmony ship-with a twist. I think I pulled off "Written in the Stars" nicely with the canon elemants, although some might argue that Snape/Lily isn't canon, so I wanted to try another "non-canon ship". I really am not a Harmony shipper, no offense to anybody, but the story does have a twist. It's written in Ron's PoV and all about how he and Ginny react to Harry and Hermione's upcoming marriage. I think there's a shortage of fics on this site that actually deal with this, plus I wanted to try and write something in Ron's PoV (*huggles her Won-Won*), so yeah. It'll probably be about four chapters long-I'm done with the first one, but I must say, it really was hard to write, since I just feel so bad for Ron and Ginny!!! I'm officially mad at Hermione and Harry now, although it's really my own fault they did what they did. Lots of fluffy Harry/Ginny's and Ron/Hermione's will probably be written to make up for all the torture I'm putting Ginny and Ron through!!!

"Written in the Stars" is edited; the changes just need to be posted. It's still rushed at the end, but since I'm not sure how to make it less-rushed, I'll just keep it the way it is until I figure out how to change it. What fic is perfect, anyway?

I'm planning to update "LAF" on Monday. I'd update now, but I don't have the fifth chapter on my laptop. I managed to write my Harry/Ginny one-shot (up and posted-love to hear your ideas on how I could expand it, if you think it's too short! :D), the 7th chapter of "LAF", and the first chapter of "Not Just Another Sidekick" (the Ron PoV Harmony) since Thursday. I'm hoping to write more, and maybe even a fluffy Ron/Hermione about their first kiss for a SAYS challenge, and the 8th chapter of "LAF" on the way back to AZ tomorrow. I won't get too ambitous though! I'd write more of "Not Just Another Sidekick", but I'm really not sure if I can handle putting Ron and Ginny through more torture. I'll see though. Will probably post the first chappy of "Not Just Another Sidekick" on Wednesday or something. I'm glad I accomplished all I did and I have another seven hours (not counting time I need to work on my extra math hmwk and study for my Science test, but how long can that take?), to accomplish more! :-)

So...I think that's all. I really do need to go to bed now. HPFF has been loading sooooo slowly with my hotel's internet access, which has been really annoying, and one reason I can't wait to get back home. At least I have internet here though. Well, anyway, talk to you guys later, kk?

XOXOXOXOXOX (and *zzzzzzzz*), Mara

From the newly-appointed TA...

As of Friday, I recently became a TA!!! I'm really, really excited about it, though a little afraid too, because I don't want to mess up and set my status backwards again. I had no idea it'd be so soon-okay, I'll be honest and admit that I knew it'd happen eventually-but I was so excited when it did! So funny though, because it happened like two days after Lauren (GinnyWeasleyPotter, CONGRALUATIONS, CONGRALUATIONS!!!) became one!!! I'm just telling everyone, because this will mean even quicker updates, since I won't have to wait a while for my turn in the queue.

I think I'm going to get "Written in the Stars" beta-ed, because I think it could be better. *wrinkes nose* Not that it's bad, but grammar mistakes are becoming pet peeves of mine, and I think I owe only la creme de la creme to my readers, right? ;-) (I think that nearly finishes all the phrases I can say in French-well, I can introduce myself, though!).

Anyway, I have too much to do today, so I probably won't be able to write, but after I finish "Chapter six" of "Lost and Found", I'll be posting "Chapter four". A lot of people have to catch up and r&r the last few chapters, so that will be good for them, anyway. I'm not in the mood to write today, dunno why-strange mood!!! I think I'm mad at myself for not looking over "Written in the Stars" further. It's not my reviewers' fault-I'm glad you liked it in spite of everything, it's ME!!! But don't worry, I shall like it after the technical parts are fixed, so no one has to convince me otherwise. The reviews were helpful.

Also, as of 5 on Thursday (in the afternoon) and sometime mid-Sunday, I'll be driving (well, my parents will technically be) to Los Angeles to visit my aunt and uncle for the weekend. Since I live in AZ, though it will be a long drive, I'll be able to make it. I'll try to get on the internet sometime though, with my laptop, and I'll definitely be able to write a lot in the car-no internet access there, but lots of Microsoft Word power!!! Oh, and don't forget my trusty I-pod. Sometimes, driving trips can be fun-tedious, but fun. And I'll be sure to bring lots and lots of books (too bad I'm such a fast reader though...)!!!

I'll be waving to you, since I know you live in CA, Lauren!!! J/K (obviously, SINCE I AM NOT A STALKER AND WILL NOT COME TRACKING YOU DOWN, DON'T WORRY!!! :D). Have you ever been to Arizona before, though? Just curious. And also, if there were specific parts you wanted to (anyone) comment that my grammar or spelling was off, feel free to tell me where. :-) Maybe I'll get my mom to look over it, to save the beta trip. Though it's kind of weird, so not sure...I'm divided.

XOXOXOXOXXOOXOX (and thanks for reading!), Mara