This gets no easier doing it a second or third time, but it must be done, you all deserve the truth. I am leaving CHYOA, probably forever. Oh, I may drop in and read a story or two, but I can no longer contribute, not to any of my own stories, not to your story, not to anyone else's story, no matter how compelling and inspired. I suspect you are asking 'Why?'... The reason is simple: I have decided to start working on writing professionally, and as such, I can no longer be seen on this site, many of it's elements are too controversial. This is a painful decision for me, but after tonight I will never log in again, and would not have done so tonight were it not for the fact that I knew several people were waiting for me, and deserved the truth. If I could I would gladly stick around, but some times you have to make sacrifices, painful ones, to achieve success, and this is one of those times. I can either have financial stability and the ability to provide for my family, OR I can have a great time writing collaboratively with all of you... Can you really blame me for putting my family first? Understand that I did not come to this decision lightly: for the past 3 weeks I have been well and truly homeless, staying at a men's shelter or in a camper van parked in an abandoned lot, ever afraid of getting robed or arrested and at one point having someone try to stab me in the eye with a knife. This is my last good bye to all of you, you shall not hear from me again. I wish it could have been else-wise, but it can't. The very things I most hate, and love, about this site are the reasons I have to leave it behind. Incest, mind control, and rape are things that our society considers anathema, and anyone who writes about them in aught save critical and scientific terms is seen as a pervert and psychopath, neither of which are tolerated in literary circles. I cannot be here while pursuing a career as a published author, and thus... Let me end happily rather than with sorrow however: I have learned much during my time here, and will treasure the time I spent with each person I have met. Your wisdom, your insight your critique and praise have all helped me reach the point where I at last thought: "I could get published, I could write and make money at it!" and for that I will forever be grateful. I would stay if I could, I know I could still learn so much more here, but I must go before my body of work becomes vast enough in the lexicon of this site that it could later be used to identify me when looking at my later published works and thus bring all I will create as a full time writer crashing down around my ears. That MUST not be allowed to happen, and thus... "Good bye, so soon, and isn't it a crime? You know by now that time knows how to fly..."
