Okay, so I understand that I have been very unreliable with getting things out here. However, because of this I'd like to give some sort of update.

School's been a real downer this year. Focusing on anything has been incredibly difficult with several college courses hanging over my head (that I had a problem concentrating on as is). So, the time I spent on here quickly became limited, and I spent much of my available time reading as much as I could.

So, writing kind of fell by the wayside.

On another note, I'm thinking of removing Dragon Sold from this site. Not even because I'm upset with it. At this point in the production, I've become serious about working to have it professionally published and as such the version here has become obsolete.

Furthermore, I'm going to focus on finishing The Secret that Lies Within, so nothing else will be updated until that is finished (even though I won't even start work on that until summer begins).

On a happier note, English gave an assignment in which we had to write a 200 word short story and I want your opinion:

     Chandeliers, grand staircases, massive stain-glass windows. The domed ceiling above displayed the victorious exploits of generations past in expansive, gold set paintings. It all seemed designed to taunt the less fortunate with its perfection. I still wondered if its architects made wagers on how long it would be before it drove its inhabitant to the breaking point.

     The luxury of family portraits in elaborate frames and furniture of the greatest build seemed to hold no candle to the things I had missed. What was the purpose of having these things if no one were there to witness it all? Did the peasants see this? Was such the reason they remained content even as I mourned?

     I could not test this knowledge. Not since I've made such a revelation. Not now. My flawless view of the outside world seemed all for naught. I had access to it, of course. But the barrier just beyond the courtyard was impenetrable.

     No, I was alone.

     And the fault remained my own.

     Silencing these thoughts remained an impossible task. What sort of ruler could I have been if I could not even control my mind? It remained evident why I had lost their respect long ago.

Here are the stipulations I had to meet (Tell me either 'Under Control' or 'Needs Work' and an explanation, if possible):

Imply or show that the character cannot leave or is in some way a prisoner.

Focus on objects or decorations in a cataloguing manner and drawing some conclusion from them (This has a purpose in the assignment, I promise).

Allow the reader some access into the thoughts and reflections of the narrator.

Use the same main tense throughout.

Just a little exercise to get some honest feedback from you guys on my writing. (And I thought it'd be fun to actually do something after so long of being away).