I've been writing and posting vore stories since 2008, so for eighteen years now. Two hundred and fifty-two stories.
It's been a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Coming up with ideas, fleshing them out, making them come to life in stories, and seeing what you -dear readers- make of them.
I've drawn inspiration from settings and universes you've created - Felarya, the Forbidden Dish. And immersed myself in them. I've created my own, most notably the IVC. I've been thoroughly delighted to see artists and other writers take up my creations, my characters, and breathe life into them too. I absolutely love all the varied pictures of my characters; all the stories you've written featuring Milly and her friends; all the truly, truly wonderful IVC stories by bedfordsb, Mouthplayer (TaintedVanilla) and TastesLikeRosbif (all so well written, thrilling and immersive!), not forgetting Paramouth Pictures' video.
It's been amazing, and I've been very lucky.
I haven't run out of ideas. But I've come to the somewhat reluctant conclusion that it's time for me to gently step back.
The foremost reason is that I'm now in a committed, loving relationship with a woman I've met, and as we build our lives together, there's inevitably less time for me to set aside time to write. I need several hours in a row just to get started, and that's no longer happening. We'd actually like to have children, if it's possible. She's 40; I'm 44; we're late starters, but this is the beginning of the rest of our lives.
Also, even more importantly, I don't want to be writing vore and hiding it from her. It's okay, I think, if I have a slightly weird past I don't tell her about (eighteen years writing unusual erotica!), but I don't want to be keeping ongoing secrets from her.
Then there's the (admittedly less important) fact that it feels as if the sense of community is winding down. I fully understand why the writers and artists I admire are no longer able to be very active; I wish all of you all the best as you cope with what you're going through, or simply enjoy other aspects of life. But there's less motivation for me now. Over the summer, I wrote and uploaded chapter 9 of the Felaryan series OTOOS, that Wiking started. This was a contribution I felt enthusiastic about and very much enjoyed making. It received very few comments from readers. I'm not criticising anyone (you comment on stuff that you enjoy, stuff that interests you personally), but it did somewhat take the wind out of my sails.
As I said, I haven't run out of ideas. There's so much more I would have wanted to write, still.
First and foremost, the eleventh and final chapter of OTOOS. A decade ago, Wiking revolutionised vore content with his landmark "Chapter X". It still has that "Wow!" effect today. Crucially, it was a chapter in a series, and I would very, very much like to bring that series to its conclusion by writing chapter 11. All the more so as, since Felaryan content more generally seems to be winding down, it would feel like a fitting finale and tribute, to Karbo and to Wiking and to everyone who's made that world thrive over the past two decades.
Perhaps someone else will write it. I really, really hope so. And Wiking, I apologise with the utmost sincerity.
Then there's my Defenders of the Empire! series. I know it doesn't have many readers. I know. I don't care. It's been my private little indulgence, a bit of fun, and I've enjoyed it all the same. I have detailed ideas for, I think, four or five more chapters.
And, of course, the IVC. The characters I've grown to love over the years, as we see their lives unfold and develop. Spoiler: Yes, I had planned for Carissa to ultimately eat Pat. And swallow Josh along with her. If any of you would like to write that story, please do!
In fact, if you'd like to write any stories with any of my characters, and / or in the IVC setting, please do feel free. I'm not deleting my accounts on Eka's Portal and deviantArt (for now, at least), so I probably will be back from time to time to see what you've all been creating. And enjoy it.
I still want to find out whether Amellazia does eat Princess Wilenni!
It's been fun. It's been... well, a chapter of my own life.
Milly, and her tiny friend Tina, and Calina; Cherry, Abena, Pat, Annikki, dear Vivee that I was perhaps falling a little bit in love with; Seleen and sweet Kin. And all their friends that you've created. Crisis (who was there first, of course!). Jade and Jora. Mina. Billie-Jo. Mariella. Gigi. All the many others.
So: A heart-felt thank you!
And I'll almost certainly pop in from time to time, so I'll see you around.
ekake