I first started writing stories online when I was 16 years old. I had no friends at the time. In fact, I'd never had any friends - I'd gone through school feeling hopelessly outcast. What's more, at the time, I didn't feel like I was particularly intelligent. Sure, I had a sharp mind, but I didn't feel like my intellect was capable of helping me in any meaningful ways: I couldn't make friends, perform well academically, or connect with others who understood me.
When I posted my first story (which was fan fiction) I received positive reinforcement (in the form of favorable reviews) within hours. My story was admired and appreciated, with one person calling it "the best ever." I suddenly felt like I had a way to connect with people in a way that was punishingly elusive in my interpersonal life.
What's more, as I wrote and read more, I felt like there were elements of myself (issues related to fetish, gender, sexuality, ect) that I was able to explore with like-minded people. These were topics that I simply couldn't talk about with other people in person - at least, not in the same way. Writing allows me to connect with other unique people and to tell stories I feel need to be told because nobody else is telling them.
Over the next decade, my personal life has improved, but my passion for writing (both fiction and non-fiction) never abated. Sadly, one defining feature of writing online is how fragile web infrastructure can be. My first account (on fanfiction.net) was deleted, along with my stories. I then started a Yahoo group, which was difficult to manage and attracted few people. I then tried to post my stories to a series of forums, many of which seemed to arbitrarily shut down after about a year or two, and then restart somewhere else.
When I started this site in 2011, it was with the goal of finding a place I could manage all my stories that would not be shut down or deleted. I noticed other writers on a forum I frequented offering to do commissions and I decided I'd give it a shot as well. I liked the idea of making money doing something I love and that I felt like my stories seemed to be generally well received. One aspect of writing commissions that I particularly enjoy is figuring out what motivates people's interests, and writing a "perfect story" from their perspective, hopefully hitting on elements that even they didn't know they appreciated.
I've been more and less productive during different periods, mostly because of work or (more recently) being in grad school at double the full time pace (I'm done with my program, as of a few weeks ago.) I've been juggling a lot of commissions and term papers, so that's probably why I've posted a little less frequently over the past few months.
While what drew me to writing had nothing to do with making money, I can't deny that I'd love to be a professional writer. I'd love the opportunity to focus exclusively on writing, rather than splitting my focus between a main job and relegating writing to just a hobby. So part of my goal with this site is trying to realize that dream, and now that I have more free time, I can spend more energy on it.
So in the future, expect more frequent blog posts, more of a presence from me online in a few other locations (I'm trying to discover new forums, so let me know if you have a favorite,) more stories posted here, more commissions, and more Ebooks. Hopefully, something for everyone. Let me know what you are liking the best, and I'll try to do more of it. Let me know what I can improve on, and I'll try my best to incorporate that feedback as well.
Also, last week I was able to announce some new Ebooks and new stories posted here, so please check those out if you haven't already.