An important message:

As of 2009, I have decided to retire from fanfiction writing, at least for the time being. All stories, finished and unfinished, edited and unedited, are now on permanent hiatus.

This is a decision I've thought about for a long time. I've become too busy to write fanfics, and I've found that what I do write is original fiction. I'd love to say that I wrote only for the readers, but I wrote for myself, too, and I've decided that I'd rather spend my time writing about my own characters than writing fanfiction.

I've learned a lot from the past five years here on ff.net. Writing situations with established characters is a great way to practice, and I've learned so much.

To everyone who has read my stories: Thank you so much for your support over the past five years. You guys rock. I'm sorry to leave so many stories hanging. If any of you ever want to find out the ending I had planned to any of the stories I have posted, feel free to PM me any time (I know it would bug me if I followed a story for a while and the author disappeared).

To other authors, new or experienced: Read your reviews. Some might be annoying flames that really should be taken with a grain of salt. Some might be overzealous fans who write "OMG I luv ur storie! Up Date s00n!", which is okay, because it's positive. But the most important reviews have constructive criticism. Learn from it! And the only thing that will help you develop your style is practice, so keep writing.

Don't worry- I'll still be around. Reading fanfics is still a guilty pleasure, and I'll still be reading. And maybe reviewing, if I have time. And you can still read my commentary on things below, particuarly in the "Current News/Obsessions" category, which will continue to be updated.

Keep writing, keep reviewing, and remember, IT'S HOT IN TOPEKA!!

Thank you.

-Marty :-D