Overactive Imagination

Will of Fire Finale!

cynchick — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 14:14:55 GMT

Will of Fire is now complete (and I know some people were waiting to read it until then), so I thought I'd give it one last post. Thanks for all the support! Hope you enjoy the ending!

Chapter 26!

KakaSaku Big Bang!

cynchick — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:52:55 GMT

Been forever huh? Well that's partly because I've been sitting on this for months. This is my contribution to the kakasaku Big Bang! contest. A couple authors have written little stories inspired by this pic, so be sure to check back later when I have the links up.

Meanwhile, head over to kakasakuand check out all the yummy art and fic created in the Big Bang!

Also at DA

Moar Will of Fire Art

cynchick — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 04:42:23 GMT

Told you I would make up for lost time. XD

NaruHina, from WoF ch. 18. Hope you like.

Bigger version here.

Will of Fire Art

cynchick — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:18:59 GMT

It's been a long time, I know. I plan to start making up for that soon.

Hope you like.

The Party's Over, but I'm Still Dancing...

cynchick — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:58:48 GMT

I've been pondering something the past few days (though the seeds have been germinating for several months). So how do I put this without sounding whiny...?

Is LJ dead?

Is fandom dead?

Or is it just me.

I have to wonder, because only about 1% of my F-list ever comments on my posts these days. I'll admit I'm notoriously bad about lurking and not commenting myself, and if things were always this way I wouldn't care. But it's the noticeable decline in feedback that concerns me. The posts that do get more of a response seem to be the highly reactionary posts where I'm raging about something. So maybe it's the fan-stuff nobody's interested in anymore?

That's the thing though. I'm not a blogger. My Facebook exists mostly so I can lurk other people and occasionally post links and such that are mostly sociopolitical. I've never even been to Twitter or Tumblr. I don't think anyone's interested in every detail of my personal life, and I don't want to share it with them anyway. As far as fandom goes, I've always worked hard to keep Cynchick a separate identity for various reasons. This journal exists for Cynchick's fanworks. So I don't see myself ever using this as a real blog. I have lots of other interests in TV, movies, manga, etc. But would anyone care to read about it? I don't know.

I know that quite a few people dropped off when I started focusing more on KakaSaku. But that's fine, it's MY OTP and it's what I want to do. Nobody is obligated to ship what I ship just because they like the way I write/draw. But there are plenty of people who DO ship what I ship, and they seemed to have disappeared as well.

I don't write/draw/etc for the attention - else I'd do something much more popular, like HP or Twilight or slash. But I also don't do it for nothing. I don't think anyone honestly does it just for themselves, or they wouldn't bother to share it with other people via the interwebs.

I'm not going to quit my fic. I would never do that, even if only five people are reading at the end, because I want to see it through. But I don't feel particularly inspired to spend hours and days of my time creating illustrations that only a handful of people seem to appreciate. I guess you could say I write for me, but I draw for "you."

Some people might read this and think "You're being silly, Cynchick. You're popular. My fanfic only got __ reviews and no one knows who I am, what are you whining about?"

Trust me, I'm aware that this whole post might come across as entitled or Diva-ish. But it's like this: Say there's a fairly popular TV show, and it's a hit for a while. But the second season pulls in fewer viewers, and the third season it drops again. There are still a lot of loyal followers, but quite a few have stopped watching, and nobody new is tuning in. So it gets cancelled.

I kind of feel like that TV show. And I don't think I'm alone. I think fandom really is in its death throes. There are lots of other authors/artists on my F-list -- have you noticed this as well?

From the beginning, I knew that Will of Fire would be my last fanfic. Maybe I'm just pouting because it's my personal favorite, it's the one I've worked hardest on and (I believe) it's my best writing both technically and story-wise. I'm very proud of my fanfiction "opus," and I want other people to love it as much as I do. I guess I wanted to go out with a bang.

So there it is.

This post is open because I want open and honest responses. If you've lost interest, tell me why. If it really is a case of everyone being a neglectful lurker, tell me that as well. Talk to me, F-list -- let me know you're still out there.

Will of Fire Illustration

cynchick — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 23:08:54 GMT

From chapter 16. NSFW.

~When they were behind closed doors, they held nothing back. Sometimes their passion was almost violent in its intensity, as if they were desperately trying to prove something to themselves and to each other. We're Alive. You're mine.~

Also here in much higher quality at dA.

BTW, whats up with LJ not letting you resize images anymore? >: [

Zutara!

cynchick — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 17:31:53 GMT

So last week was Zutara week, and I figured it was time I showed my love for this pairing again.

DA.

BRB, Dancing with Dragons...

cynchick — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 06:32:44 GMT

Just got book five in A Song of Ice and Fire series (aka Game of Thrones)! It's almost 1k pages, so I doubt I'll be around much the next couple weeks.

Will of Fire Illustration

cynchick — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 23:11:04 GMT

I could say I haven't had much time lately, but the truth is my muse for art has been MIA. I finally went out and dragged it home by the hair, so now I can catch up on all the art I want to do. XD

First, another character sketch from WoF: Hinata and Hanabi.

And finally, an illustration from way back in Ch. 8:

Link to DA

Thou Art a Pernicious Bawd!

cynchick — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 20:49:06 GMT

I'm back from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival!

Went with a group of friends from school and we had a great time, saw Measure for Measure and Love's Labors Lost, both of which I hadn't read before. I'd never been to the Shakespeare Festival and I thought it would be something pretty decent and middle-of-the-road cool, with pro-am actors and such. I was wrong. This thing was seriously legit and the quality of performance was excellent. I recognized several actors from TV and film. Definitley want to go again next year, and if you live in WA, OR, or northern CA and like Shakespeare, I definitely recommend going.

In other news, Will of Fire has been updated! Chapter 15 here.

I've been a horrible procrastinator with all the fandom stuff I planned to do this summer, but I'm trying to get back on track and throw some fanarts out for your viewing pleasure. XD

KakaSaku Wedding Day!

cynchick — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 21:44:32 GMT

This is my contribution to the help_japan relief effort. The winning bidder was seoinage and she requested Kakashi and Sakura in traditional Japanese wedding attire. Rather than doing a typical posed "wedding photo" I decided to depict our favorite couple in a more natural, candid way, to catch them in a real moment of love and happiness on their day.

seoinage , I know this took a while, but I wanted to give it my full effort and make sure it was worthy of your amazing contribution. I hope I did justice to your idea! :)

Also at dA

Kinky KakaSaku

cynchick — Wed, 11 May 2011 19:39:47 GMT

This is the prize art for cutecrazyice for her winning fic in the kakasaku Blindfolded Challenge. Her fic The Ties that Bind featured the prompt "bondage." This is my interpretation of KakaSaku naughty fun tiemz ~ mildly NSFW ~

DA

D. Gray-man Art!

cynchick — Wed, 04 May 2011 19:43:18 GMT

Say wut? Yes that's right. There's probably like 2 people on my F-list who follow D. Gray-man...but I'm a big fan and the latest chapter was so good and shippy that I felt inspired to draw it!

Didn't spend a lot of time on it becuse I have so much else to do, but I'm happy with it. :)

DeviantART

Happy Dance (with a Sad Face)

cynchick — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 03:33:10 GMT

Who reads D. Gray-man?

The latest chapter had me all wibbly and sad and deliriously happy at the same time. I re-read the last few pages 3 times. I dont know about anyone else, but I call that a canonization! Too bad it was under such angsty circumstances, but that's how Allen rolls. XD

Journal Backup

cynchick — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 19:37:00 GMT

I've created a Dreamwidth account and imported my journal over there, just in case LJ can't get its shit together and goes down permanently. For now its only going to be used as a back up, but if you have a Dreamwidth account feel free to friend me over there!

KakaSaku fun with food.

cynchick — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 09:29:05 GMT

This week at kakasaku there's a challenge with the prompt "peaches." I just had to participate because the idea that came to mind was so juicy - har har. Worksafe? - mostly. XD

Also at DA

ETA: the always awesome nimblnymph has written a deliciously smutty companion to this pic, so be sure to read it here!

KakaSaku Contest Art

cynchick — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 21:04:15 GMT

This is prize art for pockyphoto who won the Poe Challenge at kakasaku . The theme of the contest was the works of Edgar Allen Poe, hence the dark and melancholy mood. XD

Also at DA

New Loves

cynchick — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 20:37:54 GMT

I bought myself these as a birthday present. They just got here, and I am most definitely in love. :D

.

Also, Ive started watching a new series called Hakouki Shinsengumi Kitan, about a girl who gets mixed up in the affairs of the Shinsengumi. I really like it so far. The animation is detailed and pretty and the men are all beautiful. I think its going to end up as kind of a reverse harem thing where they all fall in love with her.

But the point of this is, I actually discovered the series by looking at some gorgeous fanart from the official artbook. This isn't the first time this has happened for me; I was drawn into Princess Tutu because of an epic fanvideo. Has anyone else ever had something from fandom turn them on to a series they'd never heard of before?

New Layout!

cynchick — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 21:22:38 GMT

Needed something new. :D

Buy Me for Japan Relief

cynchick — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 20:19:52 GMT

I've offered my artistic services to help_japan . Please head over there and contribute to a crucial cause.

The winning bidder will receive one digital fanart or illustration of their choice, ANY het pairing or solo character, from ANY fandom I'm familiar with. This is your chance to get something from me that I might normally never do! It's a win-win situation -- you get a custom piece of art from me, and the people of Japan get a little more help during their time of crisis.

My offer is here.

Bidding is open until March 31. What are you waiting for?

Will of Fire Illustration

cynchick — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 03:30:58 GMT

So here's the first illustration from Will of Fire! What's up with the title? If you've read ch 10 you know. XD Spoilers for the chapter.

Hawt, but worksafe.

Will of Fire sketches

cynchick — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 17:58:59 GMT

More character sketches from Will of Fire - this time Kakashi and Genma!

Come to think of it...I don't think I ever posted the other ones here. If you haven't seen them, there are also character sketches of Sakura & Shizune, and Naruto & Sai as they are in the fic.

Bigger and prettier at DA

KakaSaku Art!

cynchick — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 02:03:24 GMT

This is my submission for the kakasaku Tarot contest. I got a little carried away as usual. XD

I chose The Empress. Wise and beautiful, the Empress represents patience, giving, and love. She is a nurturer, but her reversal can be jealous, possessive, and vengeful when angered. Sound like anyone we know? Kakashi represents the Fool, unhappy in life, who supplicates himself before the Empress to seek her guidance, reassurance, and love. As soon as I saw the Empress card I had this picture in my head of Sakura as an ornate Japanese empress and Kakashi as the devoted shinobi who serves her. I decided to go with the antique sepia tone to keep with that classic theme.

Also in full size hi-res at DA.

For All My Feminist Friends

cynchick — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 00:32:32 GMT

An awesomely empowering poem by Sampurna Chattarji:

All the goddesses I am not

Are gathered at my door.

It is an old rejection they come to reverse,

Perverse and unbenign.

I do not let them in.

They are not like me.

Not Kali, the loudest,

Clamoring for attention

The slow dance of skulls around her neck

Bone music to my fears.

She is aggressive, that one,

And rude.

Look at the way she sticks out her tongue

At all who dare to look at her.

A red tongue, thirsty

For another demon to quench.

She drank his blood,

Each self-perpetuating drop,

A furious suckling that saved the world.

Blood mother,

You would have killed us all.

It took a husband to make her stop

(Lord Shiva trembling

Half-trampled beneath her feet),

And bite her tongue in shame.

Not Lakshmi, the meekest,

Sprung fiercely beautiful

Out of a tumultuous ocean of milk,

A lotus at her breast,

She, a lotus at the breast of Vishnu, Lord Protector,

Inseparable bride

Gentle breathing light

Riding her white owl

Into the homes of the propitiary

Casting dark glances and blight on those

Who dare to slight her.

Mother of the world,

A whimsical tyrant,

Feminine and full of wiles.

And not Durga, the fiercest.

A cosmic blaze of energy

In her eyes,

A pinwheel of mace and trident and sword.

Terrifying, but derived.

Free of husband, lord, or lover,

But formed fully of all their powers.

A sum total of gods then,

An essence of,

Shakti, distilled, concentrated,

Burning the throat as it goes down.

Mother to none,

A lion between her thighs.

But

(and now I sense them listening, hushing,

Pushing flat against the door)

I have taken Kali’s anger and made it mine.

My black moods are hers,

My irreverence.

I whoop, I rant, I rage.

Many hands girdle my waist.

I have swallowed Lakshmi whole.

She runs through me now,

A river of desire.

I drown myself and again,

I rise, dreaming weed,

Clinging to love, unworldly wise.

And Durga?

Durga has given me freedom,

And I have paid for it,

Gladly.

She made a fighter of me.

She taught me when to raise my weapons,

Screaming,

And when to lay my head in my mother’s lap,

A daughter come home again.

Art!

cynchick — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 01:09:42 GMT

It's been a long time since I posted anything art-related. In fact I haven't done much in the way of art at all this year, and that's not cool. There are several illustrations from Will of Fire in the works, but I really wanted to draw some KakaSaku and I couldn't wait that long. XD

also at deviantART