it’s almost been a year now, and quite a few people have been inquiring about Alex‘s health.
First, I want to say, thank you very much for the many well wishes and comments that keep coming in! ♥️
I read them out aloud sometimes on the better days and Alex is very happy people are still reading the stories.
Second, the truth is, it‘s a constant up and down. Some days are better, some are worse. ME/CFS is a very debilitating and sadly, incurable illness.
But there have been instances of people getting better after a few years and we‘re all hoping for it.
Luckily, Alex remains in fairly good spirits and keeps adding to the ever-growing list of 'What I am going to do once I am healthy‘. (I think at this point it might become as long as Kakashi‘s list of what not to teach Naruto.)
If anything changes - or if Alex manages to make a list longer than the width of the room-, I‘ll post again.
Until then, please stay healthy.
P.s. Alex says hi and that’s it’s a digital list, so I can’t measure it. What a bummer.
I am a friend of FlamingLeaf and I have been asked to make a post here to update you, along with delivering an apology for being out of the picture for so long (again).
Alex returned safely to Germany, but shortly after settling back in, Corona struck.
And now, I sadly have to inform you that Alex was one of the unlucky ones who developed ME/CFS, a serious illness, after that.
Alex is now bedridden, too weak to move, and cannot tolerate light or noise.
There is currently no improvement in sight, so it is very likely that Alex will not be able to continue writing anytime soon.
A sad thing, since Alex is always happiest spinning stories, especially those that make other people smile.
If there are any changes, I will post it here.
In the meantime, Alex wants you to know that you are completely free to write spin-offs and any other derivative works from any stories written under FlamingLeaf or Distortis.
I know, I've been not very active this year, but things have really been hectic. I told you that I intended to leave my country, and I did so two months ago.
However, my destination changed drastically since the end of last year. The government recently started targeting Digital Nomads, and people are getting deported.
I've already received animosity from the local people, so I am currently working hard on finding alternate options for me to settle.
Please take care of yourselves, and be patient a bit longer
Badger exchanged a look with Parrot. "We don't talk about that. Ever." They answered in unison and steadfastly refused to answer further questions.
The truth about the mysterious Haunted House Incident.
Yay, we recently reached the mark of 101 Dalmatians, eh, I mean of course, interested tumblr readers following this blog. ;)
So, to celebrate this, I made a short and silly omake for Badger and Parrot and their trip to the Haunted House.
Since I was curious about the recent hype around ChatGPT, I decided to have a small (and very entertaining) writing competition with it.
The prompt:
Write a funny story with lots of dialogue about two men called Parrot and Badger having a funny encounter in a haunted house that includes an electrician in a fur coat and a red neon lamp.
Well, you can read the chatbot’s story here, and you can read my version here:
The Haunted House Incident (AO3)
The Haunted House (Chat GPT Version)
Once upon a time, there were two friends named Parrot and Badger. They were both avid thrill-seekers and decided to explore an abandoned haunted house in the middle of the woods.
As they entered the house, Parrot said, "Badger, I hope we don't run into any ghosts in here."
Badger replied, "Don't be such a chicken, Parrot. We're here to have fun, not get scared."
As they were walking through the house, they stumbled upon a room with a red neon lamp hanging from the ceiling. Parrot said, "What the heck is that doing here? This place is supposed to be haunted, not a nightclub."
Badger laughed, "Maybe it's a ghost's disco room."
Just then, an electrician wearing a fur coat walked into the room. He looked at the two of them and said, "What are you doing in here? This is a private residence."
Parrot and Badger were both shocked and confused. They asked the electrician what he was doing there.
The electrician explained, "I'm here to fix the wiring in this room. The previous owner was into some strange stuff and wanted a red neon lamp installed."
Badger said, "So, you're not a ghost then?"
The electrician replied, "No, I'm not a ghost. I'm an electrician in a fur coat."
Parrot said, "Well, that's a relief. We were starting to think this place was really haunted."
The electrician chuckled, "I can see why you might think that. But it's just an old house with some eccentric decor. You boys be careful now and watch your step."
Parrot and Badger thanked the electrician and left the haunted house, feeling embarrassed but also relieved that they didn't run into any real ghosts. From that day on, they stuck to more traditional forms of thrill-seeking, like bungee jumping and skydiving.
Well, that’s it. :) In case you are interested, you can find my reflection on Human vs. Bot here. I’ve started a more or less personal blog about writing, so I can clear my head by putting down my thoughts. :) It’s surprisingly refreshing.
Huhu, that’s just a short update to let you know that I’ve played around with the Story Layout on AO3 a bit. I’ve now included my chapter-related artworks in the appropriate text positions.
Please feel free to let me know if it’s too big/small etc. I want to enhance the reading experience, after all, not hinder it. :D
Hallo! I'm so glad you're coming back to your works! I'm pretty sure I've mentioned this in two previous messages as an anon, but I adore the way you write and how clear cut and organised your works are! It's so easy to feel how much you love writing!
Thank you so much for inspiring me to keep writing and get better at it! You're amazing :D
Looking forward to your next chapter, and sending a TON of affection and support <33
Hello, anon =)
Thank you very much for your lovely message. It came in while I had a bad moment, and it really cheered me up. <3
Writing is my passion, and the one thing that makes me feel complete. I am delighted to hear that it can be felt - and very flattered that you feel inspired by it! :-)
I won't say something like "Keep going, and you will improve soon" because this will
a) sound stuck-up
b) I don't think "improvement" should be a main goal of writing. It's an art - and a way to express yourself.
So, instead, I wish you a great deal of imagination and - above all - fun!
If you don't mind me sharing something that I consider very helpful when I write my stories:
Always be there. Not detached in front of your screen, but inside your story.
Stand with your characters, watch them, and feel with them.
If you can actually imagine standing inside the abandoned room with a creaking wooden floor and wind howling through the shattered, dirt-stained window as a full moon illuminates the starless sky, it will be much easier to describe the chilly unease slowly creeping up inside them.
I've left you waiting for a long time and I apologize for that. So, this is a quick update to let you know that I am slowly doing better.
♥❤ Thank you very much for your well-wishes! ❤♥
No worries, I have not forgotten Linewalkers or my other works just yet, and I still have no intention to abandon them. In fact, I have started writing again.
It is kind of slow-going, though, since I am having a difficult time reconnecting with the characters.
In addition to that, I made a few life-changing decisions (like emigrating), so I am afraid I have to ask you to stay patient with me just a bit longer. But I am working on a new Linewalkers chapter for you. ;)
As a thank you for staying with me, I’d like to give you something that my story is sorely lacking:
Naruto, finally eating Ramen!
I admit I had help in the form of DALLE with the picture this time, but I promise I did quite a bit of work myself to get them to look like this ;)
Anyway, please take care of yourselves - and meet you back in Konoha soon!
Once upon a blue moon a soul managed to escape death’s cold grip and descended back onto the mortal plane.
Tobirama’s duty might not be as done as he thought - but it’s pretty hard to change things when you have been reduced to a ghost.
Luckily enough there just happens to be a blond child who seems so similar to his beloved brother.
I am currently slightly ill and while I was helplessly tied to my bed, a plot bunny accosted me that was so strong it kept me from thinking of anything else.
So, I went and did it.
Yup, I just wrote a Harry Potter & Avengers Crossover.
"The troll is in the ladies' restroom, young master."
"Let me guess, it's male?"
"Indeed, young master."
In which Harry creates his own AI and throws Hogwarts into chaos, Tony discovers he is the father of a genius kid, and Jarvis gets a new best friend.
