Alright, so. As anybody who's talked to me recently knows, I've been planning, and hoping, and planning on a gaming PC build for several months now. I've gone through about fifty redesigns, ranging from under 300 dollars up into the low thousands. I've debated between producers of this and that, what features I needed, even what to name the damn thing.

Well, last week I finally got the money together to purchase the parts.

Alright, this should probably be in the forum section, but meh.

I'm asking this here, because I've cruised the Crystal Hall forums and found lots of contradicting recommendations from fans and don't recall ever really seeing an official response. So, here goes:

What IS the recommended reading order for the Whateley Academy stories?

I could always go strictly by posting date, but that seems inefficient and ends up with having to backtrack a lot as character's stories are started at the beginning of the year chronologically but much later as far as when they were written.

My little sister is not what you would call the most computer literate person in the world.

Nevertheless, when she said she had a "really good" computer that a friend had given her, I let my hopes get a bit up that it was something I could use, since I'm trying to build a gaming machine at the mo'.

The only downside, even if it didn't work out, seemed to be that attached to the offer was a whole slew of other computer parts and fiddly bits she didn't want to have to mess with, that I would have to take off her hands.

Let's face it, we've all had our off days in writing. Heck, lately that seems to be ALL I've been having.

Given that, some times we just need a little help kickstarting our creativity, right?

Melanie's Rules For Writing That Doesn't Suck

(Or: Why I Stop Reading Stuff)

Yup, that's right. In the span of the last five weeks, I've had TWO birthdays, my actual "OMG I'm a year older" one, and my BCTS birthday as well.

Ain't it just like me to start another new story and not post on it when I promised new parts soon?

I REALLY need to work on my reliability as an author.

I just posted the 2012 Ultimate Writer's Challenge challenge list in the forum.

For those still interested in trying to finish enough of the 2011 set to get the prize, there's still time! It's open 'til March 1, 2012 for those who wanna try to get it, and of course, it's not like I'm gonna tell people they can't write stories off the list's ideas whenever they want anyhow.

Welp, it's getting near the end of the year, and what better way to get people ready for the next than a spanking new edition of The Ultimate Writer's Challenge!

Now, for those still interested in finishing last year's set, me posting this one doesn't mean that one's abandoned. Rather, I wanted this one up early enough to give people time to get challenges done ahead of time, if they wanted to.

Now, with that comes a few notes.

Okay, before I even start on this, I'm gonna lay down some ground rules.

This topic is NOT for bashing stories or story types that people don't like.

All discussion needs to take place in a calm, RESPECTFUL manner from both sides of the argument.

Now that that's out of the way, here's the deal.

I want a thorough, honest explanation of what the attraction of forced femme is.

The Right Hand Of The Devil, part 2 of 3
By Melanie E.

Harold Quinzel has a long-held fascination with the criminally insane, and his job at Arkham Asylum has given him plenty of opportunities to indulge.

On this fateful night, however, a new arrival brings about an unexpected twist that will change Harold's life forever.

NOTE: THIS STORY IS FANFIC. ALL CHARACTERS WHO ARE OBVIOUSLY BORROWED FROM COMICS ARE TRADEMARKS OF SAID COMPANIES AND USED HERE WITHOUT PERMISSION. IN ADDITION, THIS STORY IS NON-CANON FOR THE COMICS RETCON UNIVERSE. NO CONNECTION WITH ANY OTHER WRITER'S WORK IS MEANT TO BE IMPLIED OR ASSUMED. THANK YOU.

The Right Hand Of The Devil, part 1 of 3

By Melanie E.

Harold Quinzel has a long-held fascination with the criminally insane, and his job at Arkham Asylum has given him plenty of opportunities to indulge.

On this fateful night, however, a new arrival brings about an unexpected twist that will change Harold's life forever.

Princess For Hire: The Second Semester
Part 7
By Melanie Ezell

A Princess To The Rescue!

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Switcheroo
Issue 10

By Melanie E.

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This is mostly just a good faith gesture letting people know I really AM still writing. I had originally intended this to be a "Special Double Length Tenth Issue Spectacular" but it's taking me too long to write, so here's a normal length episode instead. We'll save the double-length issue for 25 or so. Sound good?

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So it's been a while since I posted anything of real substance, no?

Well, here's the sitch.

I think I've already said this, but I've moved back in with my parents in my home town. I've got another job (at a surprisingly small pay cut) and I'm getting to see my cousins more often than I have in over ten years, which is great, not to mention playing with my niece Shelby and spoiling her with lots of toys.

Whoo, boy!

Well, in the last month or so things have been cah-RAY-zee for me.

About 25 days ago I turned in my two week's notice at my job at the hotel. I'd just, well, I'd had enough of everything, and of being stuck where I was, and so I decided to push the issue and set myself a date to move back home -- Monday, the fifth of September.

Thinking ahead, I decided to go ahead and fill out an application or two online ahead of time so I'd already have some prospects brewing before the end of my time at the hotel.

This is where things got weird.

The Reluctant Mechanic

A "Reluctant..." Series Fanfic By Melanie E.

A big thanks goes out to Melanie Brown for writing Chrissy's stories that inspired this, and for giving me permission to share it with everyone here.

This story is fanfic, and nothing but fanfic. Any similarity to canon events is purely coincidental, and should not be taken to mean that the author of this tale is somehow telepathic or anything.

You will forget I ever mentioned telepathy in 5... 4... 3... 2....

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First of all, I want to do something I only see authors rarely do -- thank all my readers for their comments.

When I first started here, I felt lucky to get three or four comments on any story or story part I posted. And you know what? I still do. Seeing that people like my work enough to responds -- and often into the double-digits of comments, no less -- always makes me feel amazing. To know that my work has affected someone enough that they feel the need to let me know about it -- it's a powerful thing, and one I hope I never stop appreciating, because every comment is special.

Princess For Hire: The Second Semester
Part 6
By Melanie Ezell

Undercover Princess

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Switcheroo
Issue 9

By Melanie E.

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Chapter 16
Concessions

Dia gave me a look of sick disappointment as I deleted almost every reference to the original Switcheroo costume from the system with a a final 'click' of the delete key at her core terminal.

"I can't believe you would be this petty."

"Petty? Please. For all I've given up since getting these powers, you owe me this much."

Switcheroo
Issue 8

By Melanie E.

Just like PFH, sorry for the long wait!

Horus is on the line, and Lou is less than happy about it. What could the mysterious information peddler have this time, and what will Lou have to give up in exchange?

EDIT: Now with corrected outline with chapters 6 and 7 linked by request!

Princess For Hire: The Second Semester
Part 5
By Melanie Ezell

After too long of a hiatus, we again return to Beck's adventures as a private school Princess!

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Part 5: Portrait Of A Princess

-13-

"That's really me?"

"That's really you," Sandra said, smiling as she showed Sarah and I the final proofs from our first photo shoot the week before.

Alright, so here's the sitch.

I have the next part of PFH:TSS finished, with part 6 started. I also have the next issue of Switcheroo finished, with the next one about halfway done.

I was planning on waiting until I had a backlog of a part or two extra each before posting any more, but I want to know what people think. Should I post them now, or wait until I've got a buffer before doing so?

Melanie E.

So. Switcheroo and related characters.

I know some people have been less than happy with how little description I've actually given most of them in the story. First of all, I apologize for that.

However, to help with things, I have a little bonus for you!

Here are a handful of pictures of the Switcheroo cast I've drawn over the last few days. I'll add more posts like this as I get more characters done.

Keep in mind I'm not what you'd call the greatest artist, so bear with me on these:

Ladies and gentlefolk, may I present, the June 2011 Writer's Challenge Topics! *applause!*

In the last twenty-four hours I have managed two pages of "Princess For Hire" and three pages of "Switcheroo," giving me a total of... three pages of "Princess for Hire" and three pages of "Switcheroo" ready for the next postings! Almost there!

Seriously, though. I'll try to have the next part of each story out by the middle of next week. In the words of the great Ellen Hayes, I am finally entering a period of not-suck that means my writing is progressing again.

Who'da thunk rereading your own stuff would help?

Anyhow, I'm off to write!

Melanie E.