Why Updates Might Be a (Tad Bit) Slower

Wow, I'm probably scaring all of you! Please rest assured though, I'm NOT going to abandon my stories!

Okay, so the scoop is this. I can't give much away here, in case some crazy stalker sees this, but...here's the gist. For the past year and a half (two years in May), I have been working on this story. First it was a novel, then a play...and I sort of got Writer's Block for it and around that time is when I came to HPFF. Which is not to say I didn't write a chapter or two every now and then, but I wasn't writing nearly as much. Let's face it, I was kind of stuck. It was only recently that my mom suggested I pursue it as a novel again...and, after much consideration and debate, I realized that was a good idea (it actually wasn't a play, it was a musical, and since I can't compose-well, it was just impossible to do by myself, since I needed the music to keep me motivated).

Anyway, all this means is that updates will be a little bit slower and I might not be surfing the forums as much. Most likely yes-I won't be able to write every second, no matter how wonderful that would be, and as strange as it sounds, my internet time helps me relax! Teehee. Anyway, I'll be working on more things now, so less one-shots and all that. I love Liza very, very much, so I couldn't give up on "Lost and Found". I just couldn't. Then again-why would I want to? My goal is to finish it by the time the seventh books come out or even the end of the school year! Whoa, I am ambitious. But I think I can do that.

Basically, my novel is going to my top priority as far as writing goes, "Lost and Found" second, "Not Just A Sidekick" (which will be done soon enough) third, and One-shots last...I'll try to do the challenges/contests/promises I committed to people, I really will, but right now, I need to concentrate on other things. I'm really sorry. It all seems like work to me now and I don't want work. :P

This does NOT include critiqueing Anne's story in the SAYS critique form or beta-ing Anjii's. Editing jobs aren't commitments! But I probably can't take any more projects on right now, either.

Thanks for understanding! The last two chapters of "Lost and Found" (not including "6"), are going to be beta-ed shortly, and THEN I'll update! Huggles to my beta-ing team...since they ROCK! ;-) Seriously though, I think it flows a lot better now. It'll be worth the wait, I promise.

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

"Lost and Found"

So (as I'm sure most of you know, anyway), as of yesterday, the first chapter of my first novel got validated!!!!

I'm excited. Okay, I'm really, really excited-still, even though it got validated a whole day ago!!! It took 13 whole days for the fic to be validated, so it was so nice to see it finally make it. I really, really love this novel already-I've always written up to the fourth chapter and I'll be working on the fifth one this weekend! *gasps are heard* The second one's currently in the queue...

I really want this story to be known, as I told everyone who would listen to me in the SAYS Cbox. Well, not "known" exactly, but...I want it to be enjoyed. Like all of those other fics I see. My one-shots are another story-I don't love them as much since I hardly got to know them or spend time on them, really-but I really love this fic. I really want it to be known and enjoyed, because I really think people will like it if they read it. Conceited...? Well, maybe I'm just confident!!! Believe me, there are plenty of things that I write I'm not proud of-I just don't post them! *shudders at all the past fanfics that were written ages ago*

Anyway, if anyone wants to see a really nice contrast to my hideous banner that I made Wednesday (so hideous, I didn't even notify anyone of my new blog post), please check out the new banner by PrincessPotter. PrincessPotter, you're just as good as Alohomora-and I mean that will all my heart.

Thanks also to tiffers, who started reading my banner last time. I'm sorry I didn't thank you before-it really means a lot to me that you began reading this. Thanks also to anyone else who's reading this-just remember, the comment button is just a click away.

And of course, I'm not forgetting Lauren, who wins the award for my most loyal comment-er. Did everyone know she's joined SAYS now? Yea, I converted her! That means you all should join SAYS too...

XOXOXOXOX (and any advice on how to make my story known, is welcome),

Mara

Hideous (aka my first banner)

So, as my new story continues to wait its turn in the long queue and as I procastinate from doing my math homework, I did a major thing today!!!

I make my first banner!!!

Warning: EXTREME hideous alert!!! This is an attempt at a banner for my new story (the one's that validating as we speak), but it is no ways a work of art. In fact, quite the contrary. It's terrible. Hideous. UGLY!!!!

Blame the makes of Paint Shop Pro if you hate (which I am proud to say I most definitely do!!!), not be. It's so hideous that you shouldn't even bother giving me feedback on it. Okay, but it was MY FIRST ONE FOR PETE'S SAKE!!!! HOW MUCH AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW????

You have been warned...................

Ta-da! (*cringes in satisfaction*)



Lovely. I think I'll do my math homework now.

My New Story and More

So....my new R/Hr one-shot, "Revelation", is up!!! I'm very proud of this fic. Perhaps the characters aren't completely in character or it's not perfect grammartically (is that a word?), but I'm still proud. Hey, I haven't written in Ron and Hermione in ages, right? ;-) The beautiful banner is made by hpphoenix at the Dark Arts. Go there if you need a banner (though providing only GWP reads my blog and I think I told her about that, that's probably a pointless recommendation!!!).

Actually, I've almost always been a R/Hr shipper, ever since I heard they were going to end up together, so this fic has been a work in progress for about 5 years now. My old R/Hr fics were really bad (yes, I've been writing fanfic on and off for quite a while, really!), so this is a nice change. I made Ron so out of character it was scary!!! Anyway, thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far. I appreciate the feedback (though I won't change until or if I become a TA, I'm too lazy, sadly enough). 200+ reads already! That's 80 less than "Her Father's Gift" and that was only just posted!!!

So...chapter 2 of "Daughter of Darkness". Yes, it's still at the same point it was at the beginning of winter break, give or take a little. I'm really sorry you guys, but I have TREMENDOUS writer's block ending the 2nd chapter, so it might be a little bit. I know where it's going and though I'm not sure the events besides the end in the 3rd one, I really just need to covercome it a little. So, sadly, I'd just have to ask that you bear with me, but if you have any suggestions that won't move the story too fast, that'd be WONDERFUL!!! Please tell me if you do. :-( I'm writing some original fic too, so that's another thing. Maybe I'll take a challenge soon-I should write another one-shot!!! I'd like to write a humor fic, I'm just not sure if it will turn out to be funny. Oh, well-worth a shot...right? So, again I'm really sorry, but I have no idea when Chapter 2 will be up. I know how frusterating waiting for updates can be!!!

So-two more bits of news before I close. First, I joined SAYS-www.says-skills.com, by recommendation of the talented tiffers and I'm really enjoying my stay there. I got a cool siggy and an avator from there (you can get banners too) and the people are just so nice and friendly. It's not as big as the HPFF forums, but it's just a really nice group of people. Please join us at SAYS! I'd love it if you could. ;-) And it would be cool if you could join Gryffindor like me too...but you don't have to (GWP, you're a Gryffindor though, aren't you? Sorry "GWP" is shorter to write than "Lauren" or "GinnyWeasleyPotter", just three letters, I'm lazy!).

Second and my favorite bit of news-MY BIRTHDAY'S SUNDAY!!! I'm really excited. I'm inviting a friend to have fondue with me, so it promises to be really fun. Hope my plans don't fall through! I also have a long weekend (Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday), so that promises to make my birthday more fun. Can't wait!!! It'll be weird being older, but...that's life, right? *sigh*

Also, I've been getting even more into (if that's possible) "Her Secret" by tiffers (you know, who recommended me to SAYS???). It has some elements that vaguely remind me of an originalish fiction piece I'm working on, though it's very different too of course, so I realized that's why I'm drawn to it. I could gush on and on about this story, but I won't, I don't want to bore you!!! Well, yeah, I've just gotten even more into it.

XOXOXOXOXXO (And thanks for reading!!!)

-Mara_Mouse, :-)

New Banner

So, I'm trying something, not sure if it will work, but it's worth a go, eh? Anyway, thanks to the WONDERFUL recommendation by GinnyWeasleyPotter (you rule!), smile2006, aka smile06 has made me a banner and since you guys won't be able to see until after January 6 anyhow, I'm posting it here. REMEMBER: I DID NOT MAKE THIS BANNER AND DO NOT CLAIM IT. THE CREDIT GOES TO THE WONDERFUL, TALENTED SMILE06 AND NOT ME. I'M NOT THIS TALENTED!!!

Anyway, here I'm testing...hold your breathes for me...





IT WORKED!!! She couldn't decide which one, which one do you guys think is best? If you like it, do me a favor, go to TDA, and "Specific Author" request the wonderful, fantabulous SMILE06!!!