I'm so sorry that it has been so long since I have been here. >.<
Unfortunately, with my full-time job and my various health issues, I really haven't had much time.

For those of you who don't know, Lucretia Aleron is (one of) my pen name(s), and that blog has at least been updated more recently (though I probably shouldn't call four months ago recently).
Still, here's my life in a nut shell right now.

Health
The things I mentioned in my last post here:
~The burn has scarred over, so it's quite lovely.
~The tingling in my fingers is carpel tunnel, and it's not fun.

Now, that said, I also have some groovy neuropathic pain that makes my life tons and tons of fun, as well as arthritis, cysts on my feet, and a new issue that will be the most fun I've had without lubricant, I'm sure.

My health, though below par, is steady and I am getting back to my writings.

Fanfiction
Though my passion for my stories does not fail, it is a sad fact that I've had little time to write on these. I praise you all for your patience with me, though. 
None of my stories (in progress) are dead or stopped. I just haven't had the time to write them and post.

Original Fiction
Though I am playing around with quite a few of these, only two or three see any real progress right now and that's just sad, considering. I got my second novella rejection in late February, but it really hasn't hurt my spirits too badly, considering. I'll have to see what open calls are up today and see what else I can work toward in the hopes of being published. I'm not giving up on that.

Work
Well, I had two jobs for a while there, though I'm back down to the original one. Let me tell you, the grass is not always greener. I am currently looking for a job that involves less time on my feet, but prospects are slim.

Personal Things
I went out drinking last Friday with a few friends and it was the most fun I've had in ages. Dear Shiva, I need to do that again with them soon!
Lost my cell phone last week, so I'll have to get a new one soon. Whoever has my phone right now has been texting my sister. Keep it classy.
Got my anime fix with season one of Blood +. It might just inspire a re-write for "As You Wish". Too soon to tell, though.

Love and all those wonderful things, from your friendly neighborhood sinner!

~Sins~

I believe I mentioned in my last post that I was having some trouble with my feet.

The nurse practitioner I saw got stuck on the lumps on my feet --which are ganglion cysts, by the way.
So once I got past the very-freaked-out-and-intend-to-stay-that-way portion of things, I actually got a second opinion on the problem this about a week ago.

My doctor says my pain is from my tendon. I've strained or damaged it in some fashion --which I admit makes more sense than the pain being from the cysts I've had for several years. So anti-inflammatories and recheck as needed.

So now that I'm pretty sure death isn't imminent, I'm calmer.

I tore a hole in my leg (and my favorite work pants) on a piece of rusty machinery, so I needed a tetanus booster. That was a big barrel of fun. Well, actually, the man who administered the shot did it more painlessly than I've ever experienced before, so I can't complain on that one.
Well, except for the "moderate" reaction: swelling and pain at the injection site. At least that's mostly subsided now...

I'm running here and there and everywhere, it seems. If it's not work, it's shopping or walking or laundry or chores or anything else you can imagine.

I'm always tired, no matter what I do... and it's concerning. I mean, there's a history of several conditions in my family and one of the warning signs for many of them is fatigue.

Guess a recheck for my foot will give me an oppertunity to bring it up, right?

Alright! Now, for good news:
            I've posted the third chapter for "Passionate", my Xenosaga fanfiction!

For those of you who've read it... you're probably going, Finally she gets off her lazy ass!
Especially since it was last updated over a year ago.

Whatever. You're welcome! And, as always, it's here first --it won't be on ff.net until I get around to posting it tomorrow after work.

With no further ado, I now present to you my bed time.

Your Most Diligent Sinner,
~Sins~

You know, I hate it when I'm not getting hours, but I also hate getting 20 hours a week. Damn, but there is no pleasing me!

The upside: PAYCHECK.
The downside(s): My new manager is a moron, everyone at my work seems to be getting sick, I'm still not fully trained, and did I mention my new manager is an idiot?

Well, I'm still (barely) finding time to write. Still working on that novella right now... and I love my sexy characters... I just need to figure out some more about them.

I'm not doing so hot on the sleeping thing. It's either too much or not enough.

I have no idea what's wrong with my foot --but I finally get to see my doctor on Monday, which is exciting. Maybe he'll know what the hell it is.

I picked up my old filthy habit again. It keeps me from killing people.

I'm walking four to five miles a night with my sis  for stress relief and weight loss. I'm down a few inches in some places and five pounds in total. We've only been at this for about a month.

I'm vaguely obsessed with Lord of the Rings at the moment. It might be because Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch are in the Hobbit films though.
No, I'm kidding: it's because of Orlando Bloom, Viggo Mortisen, and Hugo Weaving.
Yes, yes. Hormones on parade and all that.

I learned how to drive stick-shift, which is interesting.
I've been driving myself to work this week, and it has been an experience. We had fog thick enough to cut with a spoon this morning, and I got to drive through it. Then I had to pick up my sister this afternoon --in an automatic, of course, so I spent the entire drive looking for the non-existant clutch peddle.

...I think that's pretty much everything?

I'll catch you all on the flip-side, my darlings.

A Most Diligent Sinner,
~Sins~

I've really gotten bored with the way this site has appeared for so long now...
So I decided to change a few things.

As you might have noticed, the url has not changed --only the site name and some aesthetics.

• "Praying For Love in a Lap-Dance" has be separated into readable chapters!
  

• "Moves Like Jaegerjaquez" (the sequel to "Praying For Love in A Lap-Dance") is finally available for your reading pleasure through the site.

• As is obvious, we have a brand-new theme for the site --this one is a lot more modifiable than the last few, so as a result, I may keep it a bit longer.

• The site name, which was "A Voice in the Darkness" has become "A Most Diligent Sinner". The previous title was nice enough, but I think this one has more punch. Those of you that have found me through other sites might recognize the line: I frequently use it as a sign-off line.

• Also, you guys get the brand new chapter of "Possession" 30 minutes before anyone else! Because I love you just that much ;)

I look forward to seeing all of you around!

Your most diligent sinner,
~Sins~

PS: HAPPY EASTER; ENJOY CHAPTER 6 OF POSSESSION AS WELL!

In case you hadn't realized it or I didn't make you aware (which is more likely), I am actually employed. I'm actually coming up on my second month!

Unfortunately, my computer chord shorted, the new one I ordered didn't fit, and I have to wait until my next payday to buy one. If I can shove anyone else off the desktop, I get a few moments a day. The rest I do from my phone.

I am still writing and working and drawing, but unfortunately for me, I don't have time to type and edit and post.  It makes life interesting --especially when my tratorous muses inspire me when I have no time to write or no time to share anything.

I'm getting back to one of my original pieces, a hetero called "Strings" that involves a sex-symbol musicain and a cellist. It's been rather fun to play in and write for.

I'm also reworking my pet supernatural setting and setting rules and pinning down races and things. It can be tedioius but I find it rewarding --especially when I can see how all of the stories and starts fit together.

My third major project right now is my novella, "Bibliophile". I have actually outlined my plot, written more scenes, and come to a better understanding of my characters. Connected to that story is the YA story I want to write called "Dream Guy". As I understand more about Reid and Saxon and Carson, I'm coming to understand more about Gypsy and her best friend, too...

Anyway! I wanted to let you guys know I'm not dead and I'm still working!

Latter, my doves.
~Sins~

PS: I really want to write the next chapters for a few of my fan-fics, too! We'll have to see how my muses respond to my prodding!

PSS: I bought "Whiskey & Wry" by Rhys Ford and I devoured it! If you're looking for an awesome read, give her Sinners series a shot!

So, I may be joining the ranks of the "gainfully" employed soon, if a certain phone call  tomorrow pans out as it should.

Just in time for the latest snowstorm to strike!

...and it's a rejection letter. Well, it's really nicely written, but it's a rejection letter nonetheless. Should I print it out and frame it? I mean, it's my very first one!

Anyone curious about what it said?

So, I was archiving family photos today and I decided, What the heck! I'll check all of my storage devices.

And. I. Found. It.
The world I play with and have been developing since I was in high school!

I was just fooling about on my Twitter account tonight when one of the authors who work at Dreamspinner Press posed this question:

What is your favorite sin and why?

My answer was "lust", of course.

And so, it is sort of poetic that such a diligent sinner as myself won a copy of the audiobook for "Sinner's Gin" by Rhys Ford!

I guess I've reached that point in my life. You know the one: where you look back with near perfect hindsight and wonder... As I wander story to story, trying to find the inspiration to write, I find myself there...