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Important updates and
Chatterbox: Down to Earth
Important updates and
Important updates and stuff!
Hi! It's me, Shining Star. Not sure how many of you guys remember me, but I was on the CB for about a year before my life became so busy I just gradually dropped off. But of late, I've been really missing the Chatterbox, and I have quite a few new AEs who really want to share their thoughts with the world, so...I thought I'd try to post a little more often at least.
Here are some updates and, for those who don't know me, some things about me!
As you may or may not know, I live in Hawai'i, on the same island that was recently decimated by several wildfires. Thankfully, they were nowhere near me, but thousands of people were displaced and others died. Of late, I've been volunteering at shelters and with groups, trying to help wherever I can, because so many need it.
Over the past few months, since around the beginning of June, I've been working steadily on an original story which thus far is 75k words. I'm about halfway done with it. It's hardcore science fiction set in a different galaxy and I have two awesome protagonists who I love very much. :]
I've also written many fanfictions, one of them over 100k words, and published them on another site whose name I won't say. I actually have a number of readers and friends there, and that's really helped my writing to grow! It's also what made me drift away from Chatterbox, though, because that site consumes a lot of my time (replying to comments, talking to friends, etc). But again, I'd really like to be here a little more, because I miss it.
Anyway, I have friends all over the world now, from Romania to France, and it's fascinating how despite our major differences in age, culture, etc., we can be friends just as deeply as any people I've met in real life.
I'm still running a community newsletter, and it's just as busy as ever, but I enjoy it.
Another important update: Last time I was on here, I thought I was straight, but since then I've discovered I am actually bisexual! This realization came with a lot of agonizing and internal battles, but I've finally accepted it and I'm quite happy. Most of my friends know, but my parents don't—I'm still a bit afraid to tell them. But I'm sure I will eventually.
Currently, I'm on Moloka'i visiting my grandparents and extended family. It's veeeeeery hot here, but I still run around with my cousins almost every day.
My birthday is in a month. I'll be fifteen—that seems so crazy. It's funny how the closer I get to that age, the younger 14 seems, even though at my last birthday it felt so old.
Anyways, that's about it from me, I guess. See you all around. <3
--Shining Star
P.S. @Admins, how are you? Are you still the same three as you were a year ago?
Hi, Shining Star! It's good to hear from you. Two Admins are the same from a year ago, and one has changed.
Admin
submitted by Shining Star, age 14 eons, The Milky Way, she/her
(September 6, 2023 - 2:14 pm)
(September 6, 2023 - 2:14 pm)
SHINING STAR HI!!!!!! Please post more often!!! I always enjoy reading what you have to say and I'd been hoping you would come back someday :)
You're from Maui too? My family had to move to the Midwest for job stuff sadly, but my grandma still lives there. Thankfully she lives further up the mountain so she's safe. but it's still so horrible. I'm so glad you can help, I really wish I could but as I said we moved to the Midwest so there's not much I can do :((((((((
I'd love to hear about/read your books, especially the sci fi one (I love sci fi), if you'd be comfortable sharing! But I get if you'd rather not. Although I tend to do more soft sci fi to science fantasy XD (I'm assuming that's what you mean by "hardcore".) And it's so cool that you've written that many fanfictions!
Also congrats on figuring out you're bi :D I hope that if/when you decide to come out to your parents it goes well. We're here if you need anything :)
anyway I hope to see you around!
(September 6, 2023 - 5:09 pm)
Hi Blackfooted Bobcat! Yeah, I think I'm gonna try to post on here because I've really missed all of you. <33
Yeah! I mean, I was born on O'ahu, and my grandma lives there (one of them) but I live on Maui now. It's cool that your grandma lives here—imagine if we knew each other? Lol. But yeah, it is really awful. Working at the shelters, actually interacting with all the people who were affected, was shocking. But I'm glad I got to help, it made me feel less useless. My dad's actually volunteering today again.
Yes, my book is called Stellar Winds and I hope it'll be published eventually! Might share snippets on here, or a chapter here and there, or art of the characters. And honestly, same—most of my previous writing had been fantasy or sci-fi fantasy, but for some reason this one decided to be full on science fiction and lemme tell you it's haaaaaard. The amount of research I had to do to design a wormhole generator, and about wormholes in general, was insane! But it's actually really fun.
Thank you! Yeah, I'm still getting comfortable with it, and I'm nervous talking about it even with friends, but I think I'm getting stronger. Thanks for the support ^^
Yup! Cya!
(September 6, 2023 - 7:01 pm)
OH MY GOSH SHINING STAR HIII OF COURSE I REMEMBER YOU!!
(September 6, 2023 - 5:18 pm)
OH MY GOSH PANGOLIN I REMEMBER YOU TOO :DD Glad to see you're still here!
Thanks, you too! Yeah, it's tough, but our whole island is really pulling together to help! It's honestly really inspiring, the way everyone can work together to rebuild. And volunteering has helped me feel a lot less useless.
Thank you! As I told Blackfooted Bobcat, it's called Stellar Winds. "Stellar" is quite a big theme as the galaxy is called the Stellar Complex. One of my protagonists is called Charling (he/they, 19) and the other is called Sierrin (she/her, 17). I've come up with all kinds of planets and species (like a species that turns their surroundings to water by absorbing everything that isn't h2o). The research is a lot of work but also a lot of fun! And yeah...I didn't expect this to be this long but my characters have other ideas, haha. It's great, though. I think this is going to be my longest-ever original story (or book in general).
They are cool, I love them so much, and they're actually part of the reason I figured out my sexuality because most of them were queer and open about it and very supportive when I was questioning.
Yes! Oh my goodness, so much good books. Of late I've been reading The Maze Runner series (James Dashner), which is just incredible. The worldbuilding, plot, and characterizationa are just- *chefs kiss* I also read The Glass Sentence (S.E. Grove), which is the first book in the Mapmakers trilogy, and it was also quite good. Finally, I'd reccomend Max Tilt, or the Seven Wonders series, both by Peter Larangis.
Awww, thank you so much! I guess I didn't really realize you guys would miss me. Thank you, you're also amazing. <33 Sayonara!
P.S. CAPTCHA says "aabox" PLEASE NO *flashbacks* <-- ignore this, "box" reminds me of the ending of my favorite-ever show
(September 6, 2023 - 7:17 pm)
oh gosh HI AGAIN!! I'm glad you're doing okay after those fires, and it's really cool you're helping out. I also would love to read some of your book(s)! I'm a hardcore scifi + fantasy nerd :D, so that sounds awesome (and very impressive—75k words?? :0)
And then congrats on figuring out you're bi! Like BB said, I hope that if/when you decide to come out to your parents it goes well.
Also for some reason I never knew you were 14?? This is blowing my mind help—like a lot of people on here, you seem so mature and stuff...
(September 6, 2023 - 6:59 pm)
HI HEX :D Thank you! When my replies to Bobcat and Pangolin show up, you can read those, there's a bit of info about my book there. (yeah it just keeps getting longer! I'm like WHOAH SLOW DOWN BABY and the book is just like NO lol)
Thanks! Everyone is so supportive, it's amazing.
Haha, everyone says I'm mature for my age but you haven't seen me in sillymode. Thank you!
(September 6, 2023 - 7:23 pm)
Hiiiii! I've missed seeing you around! I'm also really curious about your new AEs! I always love seeing other people's AEs :)
I'm so glad you weren't harmed by the wildfires. I was actually wondering about you when I heard about them in the news. And it's amazing that you've made so many friends from all over the world. And happy almost-birthday!
Anyway, it's great to hear from you again, and I hope you stay around here a bit longer! :)
(September 6, 2023 - 7:00 pm)
Hi Poinsetta! I introduced my AEs in the AE census thread but uh-
HAIIIIII POINSETTA!!! I'm Courtney!! Omg I am so glad to meet you!
-they want to say hi to you themselves I guess. Or at least Courtney does. The others are a little less...exuberant.
What's that supposed to mean? >:(
Nothing. Nothing at all. *sigh* Anyways! Thanks for thinking of me. I'm glad they weren't near us, although it's sad about Lahaina (the place that got destroyed).
It is really awesome to know so many people. And thank you!
Yeah I'm planning to post more. ^^ The CB is such a great place. Cya around!
(September 6, 2023 - 7:26 pm)
Hii @Shining Star! I joined this May, so you probably don't know me, but anyways, it's so cool that you're making and possibly publishing a book! I love writing, but I never have enough commitment to finish any stories I've started so...
Yeah, the wildfires sounded terrible. I'm glad your safe though!
Anyways, hope to read you around more often! :)
(September 6, 2023 - 11:00 pm)
Hiiii Moon Wolf! I think I've seen a few of your posts while bopping around the past couple days. Nice to meet you! Don't worry, I used to have horrible lack of committment as well, and I've still never gotten through the whole revising phase. Just stick at it, trust me.
Thanks, me too. Yeah they were awful but at least I got to volunteer.
Yup, cya! CAPTCHA says kudud. Uh, what?
(September 7, 2023 - 9:50 pm)