Hanging up the quill, the pen and the keyboard

[Letho]

There were times when I believed this moment would never come, that I'd be able to write on Althanas indefinitely, but recently I realized that it's not so. I can't write. Call it what you like, writer's block, the departure of that dark, treacherous bitch that was my muse, but the fact of the matter is that there is no creative fuel to burn in me anymore. I have reached a stage when I feel like I've seen everything, done everyone, and that I'm just rehashing what was already written and said and done. I know that this is not truly so and that there are still so many people here whose stories and ideas are new and fresh and unique, but that stale, bleak feeling remains with me every time I try to put some words on paper.

It has been said before that when writing becomes work and not a hobby, a pleasurable time killer, that then you're in trouble. And I think that's what happened to me as well. Stories in my head had to be told, quests had to be finished and deadlines had to be met. And suddenly Althanas sounds more and more like a job. An awesome job perhaps, a job where you interact with talented writers and merge your imagination with theirs, but a job nonetheless.

That is why I'm throwing in the towel. It is time to stop deceiving myself and all of you that I'll "post soon" because that clearly won't happen. I am leaving Althanas and I have no idea how long I'll be away. Could be weeks, could be months, could be for good. All I know is that there was once a time when a story poured out of me, almost as if I'm in some creative trance, and somewhere along the line I lost that feeling. So until I regain it, I must leave you beautiful people.

Apologies are naturally in order. I could make a list of names to whom I need to apologize, but I'm in too many quests and the list would be long. So I'll just say that I am truly sorry for the fact that I won't be finishing all the stuff I started. Most of you know how much unlike me it is to leave stuff unfinished and perhaps that gives you a clue as to the severity of my condition right now. The only thing I plan to post in is the free-for-all battle in the Citadel which is currently two posts from conclusion. Everything else will either have to wait or be moved to the Unresolveds. Once again, I am deeply sorry because of this.

Well, that's that, I guess, the dreaded farewell. Hopefully I'll see you all soon, but if I don't and the lack of creativity swallows me completely, I want you all to know that I've had a wonderful time here. Thank you all for the opportunity to improve myself as a writer and a person by being a part of this community. You the people are Althanas and not just the staff or the posted info. Keep this place beautiful for me.

This is Duro, signing out.



Funny thought. It would be quite ridiculous if, after this rather dramatic outro, I get my drive back in like a week or so. Yeah, that would be funny. Not to mention embarrassing.

[Lavinian Pride]

Funny thought. It would be quite ridiculous if, after this rather dramatic outro, I get my drive back in like a week or so. Yeah, that would be funny. Not to mention embarrassing.

See now, why'd you have to say that? After all I've been spiking your drinks with a bit of fishoil now and then... ;)

We've all been there Letho, we've all been there. Hopefully you can get through this dark patch.

[A Nony Mouse]

don't worry about it, i just hope althanas will live to see your return.

best of luck.

[Arsène]

And mass suicide overtook Althanas then.

[Edward Judorne]

you will be missed.

[Empyrean]

Don't worry about it, Duro, everyone's hit that eternal slump at some point. I hope it comes back to you soon - it's always a pleasure to write with you. :)

Good luck, hon!

[Cyrus the virus]

No! This is actually incredibly frustrating to me.

Hope you get your inspiration back sometime. Maybe the solution is a character that represents an entirely different side of you? But you've probably already considered that.

[Raelyse]

It'll be lonely and strange without you but take it from me, I think you'll get your groove back. It might take a while but the writing urge never goes away. All it takes is one or two triggers, something that boils the juices and you'll want to start again and when that happens, we'll be right here waiting for your Re-Introduction thread.

[hamnat]

I'm going to miss running away from you screaming "Ah!! Red-head stalker!!" I'm also going to miss your wonderful writing. *sniffs* It's a work of art...unlike my crappy writing. Well...try to enjoy your time away. And when that spark hits, Shen will be here, ready to make that flame bigger...and then run away. :P I'll be certain to be one of the first 10 to post when you get back. We'll miss you, Duro! *waves* *Shen shoots a Torch into the air out of respect*

[Tsukiko]

I don't know what to say but I'll miss you. You're one of the writers that I looked up to. Not because you had talent, which you have it in spades but because you were one of the better people and was willing to help someone like me when I was down. I hope I can still talk to you from time to time.

[Godhand]

I wish you had included my name so I could have found this when I name-searched myself. Well, what's there to say? Once Upon a Time In Corone is definitely the best writing Althanas has ever seen.

Due to me. You were just along for the ride.

Still, don't be a stranger. Hang around and post in the OOC forums, just to let us know you're not dead.

[Canen Darkflight]

In the three or four years that i've been on Althanas properly, i've come across the work of some extremely talented writers, far better than i'll probably ever be. Names you would associate as the "in house members" or "icons" of Althanas would almost certaintly include Letho.

It is a damned shame you are going. You've been helpful to me personally whenever I needed a bit of advice or help with my own writing, and helpful to everybody by contributing so much to the site.

I'm extremely gutted to see you go mate, and its strange that I would feel so sentimental about a writer leaving because people come and go all the time, but sometimes, when you gotta go, you gotta go. Take care, and like Godhand says, drop by.

[Kially Gaith]

I think one word sums this up for all of us...

...Fuck.

X_X

I honestly hope to see you back, Lethykins.

[Squ]

It is a shame to see you leaving. Though we never really interacted, you were nice enough to help me with my questions. You were also the one that approved me, so that will at least be something to remember you by ^^

Hope this is only temporary and that you will bring another announcement someday; one of your return. Until that day, take good care :)

[AdventWings]

Ah, @#$%.

Now we'll never know the ending to that thread.

Oh, well. *Sigh* I hope you still drop by and post in the OOC, Duro. You are a great writer and an inspiration to us all.

And not to worry - We will do our best to keep this site alive and well as long as we still have a drop of blood inside us.

[Skie and Avery]

Forgive me if I butcher this beyond reading. =( Moj Hrvatski je los (but) jedan jezik nikad mje dovoljan.

I can't really express how sad it is to think of you going. Without you.. ugh.. Izgubio..... (but)... a shto chesh, right? Trazim Ðuro... in my head, in my writing. I understand how you feel, I really do, but writing with you was like feeling 'Volim te' all the time. Get on AIM sometime and talk to me? Already, even though you've just gone... puno mi nedostajes. But again... a shto chesh. Heh.

Vidimo se....

[The Writing Writer]

All giberish aside, you should kill off your character. That'd be a hell of a way to go out eh? The great Red Marshal, downed in glorious battle, never faultering, fighting till his last breath. It'd be a good read. But wait, your leaving cause of writers block...bah screw it all. Good luck with...life I guess...yeah...life is good.

[Letho]

You people should all shut the hell up (Especially you, Manda. By the way, the Croatian was not too shabby at all.) because you are all making this whole going away thing harder and harder with each post.

Seriously, though, thank you all for your support and understanding. With all that I've read here, I think the question is not will I return, but rather when will I return. I could never abandon this place for good. Who'd woo all the redheads If I'm not around?! :eek:

[The Writing Writer]

Red in the head...

EDIT: Fire in the hole? COME ON Letho! You're sposed to be on top of that shiz!

[Slayer of the Rot]

At least we got one good thread finished before you needed some time off, eh, Duro? Honestly, if it wasn't for you, I don't think I would have ever come out of my own personal hiatus a while back.

At any rate, like most of these guys, you know I can understand the need for a break. I never could understand how you and Shyam did it. You were consistently active with almost half a dozen characters, and consistently damn good in writing with those characters.

So hey, enjoy the break. Don't let people pressure you into returning. You return when you feel comfortable in doing so.

[Saxon]

Sorry to hear about it eating away at ya', Duro. I mean, when I'm sitting around with a pad of paper trying to finish threads or thinking up new ideas my mind eventually comes across you and what you've done. You've put far more work into this site writing wise than most people I could name off hand, and I really admire that, so much so, you're sort've a source for motivation. Probably not as endearing as it sounds, but really, if I could name off a list of people that really sunk it into my head the wholesome and fulfilling nature of the writing profession it'd probably be between you, Slayer, Shyam and a few others. And honestly, for somebody who really doesn't idolize people at all, thats saying something. :o

I've gone through this slump myself a couple times, but compared to how much work you've actually inked and finished, I suppose I'm still learning to manage working with managing and completing all my work. However, I'd like to make a recommendation that helped me when I hit the slump that made me think I was done for good; keep writing. I know its difficult, it looks trashy, and in your mind whatever you're producing might be considered a crime against nature, but its a good idea to keep limber. I mean, I've heard you want to write books and that sort of thing, and I'd imagine writer's block on Althanas is nothing compared to a multi-book deadline where actual money and contracts are on the line.

I'm not entirely sure what I could suggest in an effort to help you gain that inspiration back and that feeling you get when you're writing and it feels like you're actually accomplishing something worthwhile, but I remember saying this to you once before in some form or another when you asked the community out there whether or not there was still originality; there is. I mean, not in the sense that its still lurking out there waiting to be found, but rather that there is still stuff to build off of. Despite what has been done, franchised, and used for books, theres always another angle on what to tell in a story or even how to tell it which is probably one of the many reasons I can think of that makes writing so fantastic. You just gotta read between the lines a little more, eh?

But either way, remember this: like the mind, writing is a muscle-- use it or lose it. ;)

Also, about our quest involving the statue at the museum. I'm aware that it was supposed to be a short story and we were supposed to finish it all that, but don't think it'll go to waste-- if anything I'll copy and save it so if and when you do return, we can pick up where we left off and all that. So don't think when you get out of this slump your off the hook or anything, because I'll be one of the many others here in line asking you to work with us.

Keep chasing that carrot.

[Empyrean]

That's good to hear, Duro - I figured you'd decide to come back eventually. When that will be, who knows, but we'll be welcoming you back with open arms for sure. I'll even draw you a sexy redhead in celebration. :D

/bribing.


Even though you're officially on hiatus, I'll still get my post up in O Brother, just because almost the whole thing's been sitting in my documents for too long.

[Lakin_of_DpN]

I could get outrageously creative with Savion in your absence.

-Grins mischievously-

Sadly, we didn't share a thread, but I did enjoy reading your posts.

[Skie and Avery]

n.n Woo! It's always nice to know that I didn't give you an aneurysm with my elementary lingo skillz. And I'm working my hardest at wrestling my own muse so that when you return to us, Lost in the Moment will be as ready as I am to welcome you home.

[Sorahn]

Who'd woo all the redheads If I'm not around?! :eek:

Um... *raises hand* I'll do it. <.<

<3 redheads

Anyway it's really sad to see you go. But you'll be back. They always come back! *cackles maniacally*

I've gone through several really long slumps myself. I just never announced them officially so I was still technically "here". Of course I still checked the site all the time so I guess I really was still "here".

[Elrundir]

I know I'm a day late and a dollar short, but I must have my say as well.

I must admit, this is the one departure from Althanas that I felt even while I was inactive. When Cyrus told me about it, I was stunned. If there's one person I hoped would never leave Althanas, it was you, Letho; you were far and away my favourite writer.

Still, I would be the worst kind of hypocrite if I didn't understand the feeling of being burnt out, so I wish you well wherever you are now, until that urge to write comes back to you (and it will - nobody ever loses it for good).

And if you ever feel like finishing up The Price of Freedom when you return, you be sure to track me down - wherever I am - and tell me so. No matter what else is going on in my life, I will make time for that quest. :)

Until then, so long.

[Raimeiken]

...eh...?

Eh? -is still shocked-

I'm sorry to see you go. ;__;

[Storm Veritas]

I never check this forum, but I reckon I should.

This is quite sad to see; you've been wonderful to work with. You're really creative, incredibly dependable, and outrageously prolific. My best times here were writing with you.

Storm Veritas can't really exist in a universe without Letho Ravenheart. The yin and the yan must both exist to offset each other, right? One doesn't know good until they see evil, and all that fancy business.

Obviously, you will be missed. If and when you decide to pick up the keyboard again, there will always be someone ready to antagonize.