Hey there! I realize I've been off and on FictionPress for a while now, but I want to let y'all know that my story-posting days are over. A new semester is about to kick in at the Big School (a.k.a. "College"), and it's time for me to step away from this site. I'll still review once in a while, but I can't really make any promises... So I'm sorry to those of you whose stories I've been trying to follow if I am unable to do so anymore.

If there is anything that I've learned through years of writing and posting, it is this: The only way to experience real joy in writing is to let go of the desire for recognition and just write, thanking God for the wild imaginations He's given us and for the awesome fact that, with just a pen and some paper, we can entertain ourselves for hours (or days!). I've found that, whenever I've allowed myself to dwell on what my readers will think, writing isn't so fun anymore; it becomes stressful, almost a burden--modifying my natural thoughts and words to fit others' expectations--and it loses is genuineness. Really, the only one I should be striving to please with my writing is God.

In short, my advice to my fellow writers is this: Never let the expectations of others dictate your craft. Don't allow yourself to be distracted by that inner longing for recognition and praise because it only leads to compromise in your natural writing. The joy of writing comes from knowing that what you have written is yours, not something dictated by the opinions of others. God has given each one of us a unique voice. It is our responsibility to listen to that voice and follow it, blocking out all the others that will only lead us into discouragement.

On that note, I wish you all the best in your writing endeavors. Follow the voice that God has given you, and keep the ink flowing. :)

-Cesalie

p.s. A huge "thank you" to R.G. Angel for the endless encouragement.