Hi Everybody!!

I have returned from vacation - safe but tired and jet-lagged. You've probably noticed that I've celebrated by putting up Chapter 3 of "Hidden Paths." I had really hoped to kick out 3 chapters total, one from each of my ongoing fics, but sigh... (Aikido-chan: (laughing derisively) Come ON! It was a FAMILY vacation, right?!) Yes, she's right - very little time to myself.

Anyway, here's a quick sketch of the status of each of my ongoing fics and future plans:

"Bridge Over the Abyss" - the fic that now demands nearly all of my attention for the next couple of weeks, since "Hidden Paths" is drawing heavily on that storyline. I hope to kick out at least two new chapters and get the action moving closer to the Big Confrontation between Chichiri, the Doctor, and Magus.

"Hidden Paths" - just updated today. Needs further research before I can proceed on to the next chapter, which will take place in modern-day Tokyo. Teaser: Who will we see there? Keisuke, Tetsuya, Yui, Taka, and Miaka... and Tasuki and Chichiri, too!

"Casting Stones" - Ah, the upcoming "Enchantment" scene. This story stands independent of the other two, PLUS needs no research since it's in a world of my own creation... so I can update at any time. Time is the only factor here.

So the question is, what's the final projected publication schedule?
Two chaps of "Bridge", followed by a chap of "CS" or "Hidden Paths"? - Only my muse can say for sure - I can only follow where it leads.

Ja ne!

Roku

Now, onto old updates in reverse chronological order:

Update: (1-2-03) Happy New Year! Seeing as I'm fast approaching my one year anniversary as a fanfiction author, I thought I'd update my bio. Soooooooo... I'm an older-than-average fanfic author who has already surmounted the obstacles of high school and college, and now works in the Real World as a medical researcher in the field of infectious diseases. For a living, I write research papers that are totally devoid of plot and suspense - and the only reviews I get are from medical journals that say "Fix this part, or we won't publish you!!" Bleaahhhh!! Is it any wonder that I write fiction for fun?!

I'm a definite "newbie" to the world of fiction writing of any kind, having been at it for exactly... one year. But I hope to improve as I gain more experience. In the meantime, I've been having one heck of a great time, corresponding with (and meeting!) other authors, exchanging ideas and philosophies and writing theories - whoo!! I look forward to making even more new friends in this new year. Getting a bit long-winded here, so I'll end it with a brief list of favorites:

Favorite anime: Inu-Yasha, Fushigi Yuugi, Ranma 1/2, Rurouni Kenshin, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and yes, I'm even fond of Pokemon and Card Captor Sakura.

Favorite science fiction: Doctor Who, especially novels by Kate Orman; the "Snow Queen" series by Joan D. Vinge; the "Foreigner" series by C.J. Cherryh; "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. LeGuin (it just hit me - these first four authors are all women! But then again, women sci-fi authors rock!!); "Startide Rising" by David Brin.

Favorite other stuff: The Amelia Peabody mysteries by Elizabeth Peters, works by D.H. Lawrence (ya think??!!) Oh, and I keep forgetting - Ray Bradbury, the Master of setting mood and imagery! His "Dandelion Wine" will always stand in my mind as the pinnacle of taking one completely into a warm, yet slightly surreal summer of long ago.

(10-30-02) How 'bout that? No updates from January to September - and suddenly I'm a chatty Cathy, updating every couple of weeks.

Well, this update is in honor of my new picture, which is a composite of the Eighth Doctor, in case any of you faithful (though few - but deeply appreciated!) Bridge fans were wondering what he really looks like. These photos were obtained from the PMEB and BBC websites, and depict the Doctor as he appeared in his 1995 TV movie. The picture at the left is the "mysterious Time Lord" look as he stands at the console of his TARDIS, the top right picture shows him dancing around as he exuberantly describes a meteor shower, and the bottom right shows him leaning over the TARDIS console (note the lever that Shun'u mistakenly pulls at the end of "The Good Fight.")

The attractive man who portrays him is British actor Paul McGann. You may have seen him last year in the "Mutiny" episode of Horatio Hornblower as the uptight naval lieutenant who has a mysterious "Tasuki-like" inability to swim. Makes the Navy a strange choice of career, ne? For more info - write me!!

Update (9 and 10-02) Well, the old updates on the whole electronic incarceration thingy are out of date, so I've removed them for an update.

Some people have requested the controversial fic in question, so it may be posted as soon as the beginning of the new year on another website. You see, Ryu-chan has been a total sweetie and set up a website for this purpose ('cause Roku is an HTML IDIOT!!) The thing is, she has a couple of extra things on her plate, like COLLEGE and PAPERS and FINALS, not to mention her own fanfics (Roku ducks flying fruit from Ryuen's fans, who hold up placards saying "Don't you DARE take Ryuen away from her writing!!!) so we'll hafta see when she gets the time. When it happens, I'll let ya know the link - plus that site will have other fics on it, too.

I took down the link to the petition, since I think it was submitted a long time ago - yeah, didn't appear to do much good, but hey! Better than doin' nothin', right? Haven't given up the good fight yet but just on reconnaissance now. Like I said, I'll update you when the new website is up and running. See ya then.