*sigh* I suppose I owe you and everyone else an explanation. Two words: naked men. No, wait...that's not right. I meant "inopportune distractions". I've seriously got the whole chapter planned, written 10 pages in size 10 font, and even the dialogue is summarized. You'd think it would be that easy: chapter on a platter, serve hot with juice. But noooo...something always manages to yank me away just when I'm in the zone. Parents, a family death, fall advising, HBP, which then spawned a raunchy RPS collab on LiveJournal, then Twitter, NASCAR, Torchwood, and now, Trauma: Life in the ER. Before I knew it, it was August 1st. Crap, now it's August 2nd.

Okay, here's the lowdown: I'm on scene 3 of 8, and it's looking like I might have to split the chapter again like last time. I can't seem to shut myself up, I keep going back. Which is ironic, since I can't seem to put chapters out faster (somebody please explain the logic to me?). You're right: this was supposed to be speedy-chapter summer. Instead, it's "your writing's on vacation and will send you a postcard" season. It's so frustrating. And it frustrates me that I'm frustrating everyone. I should be better than this. I'm supposed to be. *headdesk*

I am writing, just not typing-the-story writing. Every single day I add a bit or bob to the sequel's notes or type out a scene (I just thought of a really good one for the "???"-story about goats). I'm also getting ideas for original stories, but those are spontaneous eruptions that are few and far between. Plus, I've got myself a deadliner that's really riding on my ass (but she's doing a good job *flashes thumbs up*). But none of that seems to matter, because I always find myself distracted. I've got no clue why when I know the story's not going to write itself and every second I waste is another delay in 'Pleiades'. Argh, if there were only a way to switch on and off, I'd be set for life.

Sorry about being rambly. I just really, really wish I could put the chapter out with a snap of my fingers. Maybe you can research that while in Physics this term? That would certainly earn you a Nobel Prize: uni student cures writer's block with fingersnap.

Thanks for the push. As it is, I'm struggling through scene 3 of 8, as I've got to stop every ten words to Google something about potions....

I hope this is a good enough answer for Anakin and Lucien. Who I haven't seen either, by the way. Come on, you can't just leave me hanging in da club, dude. ^^

Here's to hoping I move faster than molasses to get this out before you have to suffer 4 months of Physics and me, 4 months of Shakespeare. Ta!

- dp

PS - How'd you find HBP? I'm still...so-so.

Plus Anakin and Lucien were buggin me incessantly to remind you that you still have loyal readers who would not mind to see Goldie torment Tag. AND they wanted to let you know that after the Half Blood Prince they really wanted to see more of Harry Potter. (Don't ask me why).

Hope all is well and we are al praying for a chapter soon but we know that life has to come first.

HP21