Feeling down but not depressed. Time for a little Q&A? · 12:35pm Jun 18th, 2021
Had a bad day where I got messed around by the health system so badly trying to get my parents in to see GPs that they are now awaiting COVID test results just so they can physically go see a GP because part of their symptoms is coughing. Couldn't get tele-health appointments and get screamed at by the health department if I take them to hospital for what is only the local bug going around. So, as their carer, what am I supposed to do? My dad needs antibiotics or it will turn into pneumonia like it did last time! Now he still has no antibiotics and we are stuck worrying about it and COVID for the next 24-48 hours in forced isolation. My state doesn't even have any locally transmitted COVID cases, only ones in medi-hotels.
Anyway, trying to get my mind off all of that and back in gear to write. Thought maybe a little Q&A session could possibly trigger it. Anyone have questions about my stories they are looking to have answered (can't give spoilers though) or my writing in general? Any other questions not related to writing (if I deem them inappropriate or too personal I will not answer them)? Answer to location is Australia and that is all I will say on that.
*Note: Another reason I don't answer could simply be that I am asleep. Time zones and a website accessible around the world and all that.*
Stressed, frustrated and in need of distraction,
Tael.
Re the parents, get through it as best you can and get them (and you) vaccinated. I went through it with me last year. I showed up at the hospital kinda alive and sat in the exam room for half a day waiting on covid test results. Say what you want about the whole "vaccine passport" scandal, now that it's on the record doctors just wave me in. Tests have shown that even if you get covid after being vaccinated, it will be mild and non-contagious.
The question the health officials should have asked is whether their sense of smell/taste was effected. That seems a more reliable indicator than coughing.
My biggest question regarding stories is, "Do you have anything 'on the back burner'?" Are there stories that we haven't seen yet percolating somewhere out of sight?
Sorry do hear about the situation on your parents dudette, I hope this is just nothing and that they will go back on their way soon.
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Sort of had a feeling it was what you were recovering from last year. So glad to know that you have pulled through and thank you for the advice. I definitely agree with you on what should have been asked, but this is GPs following the health department's blanket directive, so we have to go through the worrying wait just to get a not COVID bug treated. If my father deteriorates before then, I will definitely be getting him to the hospital, just got to keep a close eye on him for now... That and make sure he sticks to the rules of self isolation until the results arrive.
As for you question, there are a few back burner stories. It has a surprisingly long answer.
First is the companion story to The Fractured. It is on the back burner because I am trying to figure out how to get the first chapter to work point of view wise. Then A Deer Named John hit and it consumed me.
Second is the follow up to From the Diary of Close Call. It is on the back burner as I still need a few more ideas to flesh it out.
Third is a silly little one-shot about how a company gets feathers for its pillows. That is still an embryonic idea for now but one day it could just pop into my head and demand to be written like Bats from the Bush did.
Fourth was a request story I wanted to test myself on. I still have all the notes on it but every test piece I did for it has so far failed to work right.
Fifth is one that a chapter is actually released for: The Coping of a Former Human. Reason I'm including it is that I have been building up plans behind the scenes for it. Giving it a loose direction, that kind of thing. The reason it is on the back burner/hiatus is because it is to be linked with certain events in A Deer Named John and the crucial events to kick off those bigger sections are yet to happen in John (ie, I need to reach the end of the second main arc). Otherwise, the only chapters I could post gives a better introduction to the eastern style dragon seen interacting with Tael in her last appearance during the first side arc of John, but that one isn't written yet.
I am also looking at changing the title for The Coping of a Former Human.
Sixth. There is a pending request for a one-off related to Teapot Tales which, like with Coping of a Former Human, is waiting for certain events to happen in A Deer Named John.
There is also a tentative idea for a story about Celestia and her interactions over the decades and centuries with a reincarnating love interest. Like the pillow idea, this idea is very embryonic right now.
Non-pony wise, still working on adjusting two science fiction pieces for possible publication. Had an idea for a tweak to one of them the other day and am still thinking of how to splice it into the story in a natural way. I also have a science fantasy story I would love to go back and rework for possible future publication.
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Thanks. Just frustrating trying to do the right thing for them when the rules set up a road block. At least my father's cough isn't quite as bad as last night, but still monitoring it.