books

atthequillsmercy

WIP Wednesday: I’m back and muddling through…

Things have been hard. Even without the horrid cost of living, I have been struggling with even more repairs and replacements of things I need, like the oven, my car, or my washing machine. The stress of being so far in debt makes it really hard to be creative, but I try to get some words in every day. I’m even trying to manage my stress by getting back into running. I took a break for NYCC. I’m doing my best to celebrate the little wins, like my Finch app or my streak in Koala Quill.

I’m trying to pretend I have control over my life by trying out some more fun recipes and using ingredients to the fullest. I dunno, depression is really messing with my head and it’s a struggle most days. I’m not gonna do anything bad, I’m just doing my best to put one foot in front of the other each day. I hate the feeling that I have to constantly be hustling to scrape together just enough to make minimum payments on things. And this isn’t dry begging or even begging at all. I’m bitching. There’s a big difference.

I will have more content for my Patreon and a bunch of reviews I have in deck to go up. I have some more comics to sell on my shop and I’ll try and get more needlework finished at some point. I haven’t made much progress on that but I did get rid of some really gross old junk I dug up. Here and there, progress is being made in some capacity.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

 

 

atthequillsmercy

WIP Wednesday: I started another one!

(Image Source)

Okay, I didn’t NEED to start the “There, I Fixed It” stuff right away, but when inspiration strikes, you take it. I’m probably stretching myself too thin, but fine. I’m going for it. The first movie I picked to “fix” is Manos: The Hands of Fate. This movie is often cited as one of the worst movies ever made. However, the idea of travelers happening upon a scary cult is a classic, and I think it’d be fun to write this! I’m going to try to keep as many of the character names the same as the movie, but not necessarily all the scenes. There’s this overly long makeout scene and this random-ass couple of ladies at the end. If I can’t naturally fit them in, I’m cutting that out.

Should I add another project that will keep me from finishing the stuff I have and publishing it? Probably not. Yes, I need the money; yes, I need to produce to make that money, and I should treat this like a job, but I also write because I love it. And I want to keep loving it. When it’s complete, I’ll put it up on my Patreon for free. These will always be free since they’re mostly just for fun, and I’m not smart enough to grapple with the copyright issues that come with doing this. Better not to take the chance of getting sued. I guess this would fall under “transformative,” though. Whatever, we’re not here for that. We’re here for the word counts:

  • A: 20,814
  • B: 740
  • C: 19,862
  • Antichrist BF: 4,433
  • There I Fixed It: 775

The one good thing about having the extra projects in my Google Docs is that I can pull out my phone whenever I feel like it and get in a few more words here and there. I’m also posting some previews over on my BlueSky as teasers. They will probably have typos, so be gentle.

This also does mean that the longer projects will not have much of a dramatic increase but I am putting my foot down and not starting anything else. I am already teetering on the edge of burnout and trying to push through it until the inevitable day where I accidentally sleep through my alarm and sleep for 12 hours. Again.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Witching Hour” Vol. 1, by Paru Itagaki

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is suggested for mature readers.

Trapped in a marriage where they are only intimate to get pregnant, Megumi longs for a more fulfilling sex life. When a spirit manifests to satisfy her, her husband, Yuji, grows suspicious.

This is weird. At first I thought this would be kinda goofy, but it’s actually dark. Megumi is essentially cheating on her husband with a ghost; the consent is iffy, and while I understand this is just the first volume, it’s paced like it’s a one-shot. It’s rushed, and overall, this is a bit off-putting, and I don’t think it is in the way the author is intending. There’s gotta be a way for this premise to be done and work without giving me the ick. 2 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

WIP Wednesday: August 2026 Roundup

(Image Source)

I have to admit that while I haven’t put many more words on my longer stories, I was able to catch up with a bunch of ARCs, post a ton of reviews, and publish three stories this month on my smut pen name. I am also in the process of assembling bundles for that pen name, learning the hard way about merging and converting documents, let me tell ya…

Despite not adding on to the longer projects as much as I’d wanted to, I am ready to post to Patreon next month. I’ve also added more items to my online store; all comics I’m looking to get rid of. I’m also thinking of adding a new project to my Patreon that will be available for free on all posts. I wanna call it “There, I fixed it,” where I take ideas that I feel had potential but not the best execution. It’s mostly movies where, like The Happening, the concept could absolutely be handled in a way that’s effective and not so goofy. I think it would be a fun way to stretch my writing skills. I have no set schedule for this; it’ll be done sporadically whenever I have the chance to do it. I just don’t have the audience to commit to taking requests or a hard timeframe. I’m all about pumping out content at this point.

I am also making plans to catch up with the ARCs I have that are not comics or manga. I got a nice one from Flame Con that I wanna read and a pile of library books to get through, including Haunting Adeline, because I want to see if it’s as bad as everyone says, and In the Miso Soup for the same reason. I also have some more movie and TV show reviews on deck.

Like I said, pumping out content. Maybe volume will help me pull out of this pit.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

WIP Wednesday: First Brood 4 uptate!

(Image Source)

I’ve updated my Patreon with the newest part of First Brood 4: Emma. That one is on the paid tier, but the first chapter is available for free.

As I’ve been editing and cleaning things for Patreon, my word counts aren’t the best:

  • A: 20,612
  • B: 912
  • C: 19,121

I’ve also started posting some of my old comics to my other website. I photographed a decent stack of them to start, and I wanna make sure I get all the condition details right before they’re all live. I’ll be selling them around cover price if they’re new and discounting the ones that are yellow or damaged. And if you’re subscribed to this blog or any of my socials, you’ve seen that I’m catching up with a LOT of reviews. I’m nearly caught up with all my recently requested digital ARCs, and once those run out, I have older digital ones and physical books floating around. I am not short on content.

I was also approved for a press pass to FlameCon! I won’t have a table there or anything, just me and my son checking it out and reporting on it for Otakus and Geeks. I post reviews there as well from time to time. I’m doing my best to get up the money I need and working as hard as I can. Thanks to everyone who’s supported me so far. It means more to me than you know.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Yakuza vs. Cat” Vol. 1, by Yori Katakura

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Retired yakuza Hisahide Matsukata has settled into a peaceful life. He wonders what to do with all this free time when a stray cat appears on his property.

This reminds me of that manga Junji Ito did about his cat. It’s silly and of course very cat like, the little menace causing chaos but too cute to be held accountable for it. I was a bit frustrated, much like Hisahide, because the little creature can be annoying but the story does a decent job at keeping things lite and funny. It also has a bit of the misunderstood tough guy from Way of the Househusband, since both Tatsu and Hisahide have this tough reputation that scares people off. Only here, Hisahide is actually trying to get in good with his neighbors. Tastu doesn’t care. It’s an ok start and I have hopes it will get a little meat on the plot as the story goes on. 3.7 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Centaurs” Vol. 3, by Ryo Sumiyoshi

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

The war between centaurs and humans has ended, leading them to living side by side. But peace does not heal all wounds as Ganta cannot forgive the loss of his father, while Tanikaze – who has never experienced oppression, wants to befriend humans.

This volume does a great job at showing that just because a war is over doesn’t mean the hurt is gone. Ganta is dealing with understandable PTSD and finds Tanikaze’s curiosity dangerous. It FLIES through everything. I like the series but the pacing is too fast. Almost like it’s a race. I think this would be so much better if it took its time. This world is interesting and I think it deserves room to let it breathe. 3.7 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Mieruko-chan” Vol. 12, by Tomoki Izumi

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

As the new year starts, Miko runs into all sorts of spirits. Godmother Mitsue, Rom, and Seto make plans for the calamity that is to come.

When Seto says he’s “on the side of humanity” I am sure that’s gonna go to a dark place. This feels like a setup as we move toward the big baddie they’ll have to team up to defeat. As the series has gone on, harmless or good spirits have been peppered in with the horrific ones and I bet their mere existence is going to clash with Seto’s philosophy. I can see him trying to banish Miko’s dad’s spirit and she would NOT be happy about that. Also, Snowy is the epitome of creepy-cute and I want a plushie. 4 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Centaurs” Vol. 2, by Ryo Sumiyoshi

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

After escaping, Matsukaze and Kohibari continue to search for a peaceful place to live and for Matsukaze’s son. But the group sent by Kohibari’s owner catches up to them and they are saved by an army of centaur orphans.

The 30 year time jump was a bit abrupt, but I get it. This volume is PACKED with plot, battles, touching moments, and dark elements. It’s very bittersweet but I like that cumulative horrors from the first volume are balanced with the happier moments. Spoilers I guess but by the end of this one Matsukaze’s son Ganta is grown and Kohibari’s son, Tanikaze, is on the cusp of adulthood as well. See what I mean about a huge time jump? It’s an engrossing read but really fast. 3.9 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Mieruko-chan” Vol. 11, by Tomoki Izumi

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Rom calls an old acquaintance for help, Seto, who is able to do so but his primary interest is Miko. Meanwhile, the girls go to a festival where someone from Yuria’s past is working.

I’ve probably said this before when reviewing this series but it’s really sad that Miko doesn’t get a break. Poor girl can’t even walk her brother home from school. Other than that, we seem to have (thankfully) left behind the generic fanservice and (not so thankfully) replaced it with yuri baiting between Michiru and Miko. Which is so weird, even as a running gag. I am intrigued by Seto and whatever his deal is, which I am totally okay with having more time than Miko tripping into Michiru over and over. 3.7 out of 5.

 

Follow me on BlogLovin.