Template:FeaturedAuthor/December 2018

I was born and raised in the good ol' U.S. of A., for better or worse, and have long held that sense of morbid curiosity that draws us to sites like these. I loved reading stories from this site, especially anything that made me question the validity of it; whether it could actually have happened or perhaps whether a creature was really out there. Then, around two years ago, I took the plunge and tried my hand at a story of my own. Today, I consider that tale a bit rough, but it was still an important moment for me back then, and started me down the road that brought me here.

After a bit of a rocky start, ever immortalized on my talk page, I took a long hiatus from the site, leaving behind two measly stories as well as a rejection notification, which in hindsight was well earned. However, curiosity over what became of those stories eventually brought me back, where I found a community of people harsh, soft, fair, funny, and everywhere in between, often overlapping in interesting ways. THIS is the reason I stuck around this time. Moreso for the people than for the stories. After all, with enough careful work and refinement, just about anyone can write a great, immersive, and genuinely scary tale. Finding and forming solid friendships like those I've made here is a lot of luck, and now that we're here, I wouldn't give 'em up for anything.

Of course, it didn't come without work. Criticism and critique come with the territory, and not everyone is going to be the friendliest. So, for anyone out there who cares to know, I think the best way to have a positive experience here is to be kind, keep an open mind, and for the aspiring authors, take everything as constructive, even the things that seem the most negative. Always do the best you can do, be the best you can be, and everything else will sort itself. Happy reading, and happy writing.

The Hell Inside My Head - Electroshock woke something in my schizophrenia-addled mind. Now, it won't leave me alone. [Pasta of the Month for September of 2018]

I Made a Teddy Bear for My Daughter - I am very concerned with authenticity.

Want - Imagine an entire universe dedicated to giving you everything you ever wanted. I can lead you there, but be warned; the journey isn't for the weak willed.

The Second Casket - I have two loves in the world: My wife, and woodworking. Once Nate is born, though, I start to lose everything.

The Blame Lies Not With Me - Those who deign to call my name; they are the ones who are to blame.

Currently, I am working on a sort of sequel to The Blame Lies Not With Me, though it'd be more accurate to say it's the beginning of a larger project. I have also been requisitioned to assist another site member with a translation of a story, which will be the next task after my current work.