writing writing writing...
So aside from being distracted by real life shenanigans, probably the biggest reason I've been so unforgivably horrible about updating Vardogr is because the Hobbit fandom on AO3 has be my the proverbial balls all of a sudden. Years and years ago I attempted to poke my head into LotR fandom and found that everyone there was serious like WHOA! and I knew I did not have the skill to make it in that shark tank. So I moved on.
But the wonderful thing about The Hobbit is that it's not like LotR. It's a saga, not an epic; more than that, it's a bedtime story. And as such the fandom is way more fun and laid back than anything I ever encountered in the early 2000s after LotR came out. Old impressions die hard, however, and so even though I knew the feel of The Hobbit was way different I still shied away from the fandom for a long time, up until one of my old Transformers authors branched out, that is. (http://archiveofourown.org/users/karategal in case you're curious. I highly recommend.)
Man, the things out there about Dwarven culture are just freaking mind blowing! Everything from hair grooming habits to the mourning traditions to professions and lifestyles. Don't even get me started on Khuzdul. It's all fascinating and so far up my alley that it's living on the fire escape.
All of this is of course winding down to the fact that there is a budding Hobbit story kicking around in my head. Never fear, Vardogr takes precedence, especially now that I have time again. but a certain story about dwarves and a hobbit and a dragon may not be too far on the other side of the horizon. Just saying.
And hey, they both require some further study of Norse mythology so I'm not exactly diverting my attention that much. :P
Also, teaser for those wondering, the upcoming chapter of Vardogr features a certain purple-skinned menace and Lady Death herself. ;) It's gonna be hott.