So, as I'm sure you've all noticed, Sloth ended on a super emotional note. Which is fine and all. But reality continues to persist. 

Now comes the real aftermath of all that's happened. In sort of the same way that "What happens after 'ever after'?" addresses the idea of what happens after a happy ending, Chapter 8 (Heartlessness) addresses what happens after a sad ending.

Mostly because I'm an asshole and I like to see how things can get even worse.

Seriously, if you all don't kill yourselves by the time Chapter 10 rolls around, it'll be a borderline miracle.

Crap, I'm going to jail, aren't I?

Shit.

If anyone remembers, the last paragraph of Chapter 6 refered to all the events the led up to the end of the world as "the good ol' days". Even with billions of people dying and modern society coming to an end, that was still all better than what happened next.

I think you're beginning to see why. And today's update really drives that message hope. Sloth VII is, arguably, one of the most emotionally violent bunch of pages I've ever written in my life. Hopefully, you'll all be pleased with them.

Unfortunately, Chapter 8 will not start next week, as I had hoped. I had a real hard time pulling that story out of my head and what should've taken 3 weeks to write down took 7. Not something I'm thrilled about, but it's the case, nonetheless. So, Part I will not be debuting on 2/24, instead it will spring to life next month on 3/2.

LASTLY, I had previously mentioned that Chapter 8 would be called Sobriety. This has changed. Every chapter in AKOD is obviously named after a new Word that is introduced and that the chapter revolves around. Why I decided to do something different for this chapter is beyond me. So, now, Chapter 8 will be called Heartlessness. Hopefully that fills you all with bizarre joy.

Ta ta for now, kids. See you in two weeks.

Haha, believe that and I'll tell you another one. Plus, this chapter ain't even over yet. Though our characters do get a little bit of info that'll change their lives for the worse, possibly forever. Because apparently I think that good news is evil. You'd think I grew up in a fucking Taiwanese prison camp or something.

Anywho, stay tuned next week of Sloth's epic conclusion. It'll be about as happy as getting fucked in the ass by God. Which I imagine is unpleasant. Though surprisingly fulfilling.

World's collide in today's update of AKOD. The formerly mentioned Beatrice goes on a journey to discover the magical land of talking bunnies. The adventures they have together are groundbreaking and utterly fantastic.

Remember all those old chapters before Despair and Delirium? Chapters that didn't introduce the Word they were named after until well into the second half of the chapter?

Well, if you haven't noticed yet, we're doing that little dance again. Sloth IV still does not have one reference to anything called Sloth in it.

One of these days I should let the other shoe drop and write a chapter where the content and the title just outright have nothing to do with each other. Really confuse the shit out of all of you.

God, I am such a poop-kazoo.

Every now and then, I put a little substance into AKOD. Something to try and help round out it's unusual plot. Put a little cake under the frosting, so to speak.

As you'll all soon discover, the next few chapters of AKOD are going to be a road trip of sorts. It's the slow, happy journey our narrator makes with his companions as he moves from upstate New York all the way down to central Florida. 

On the way, they meet and befriend a family of magical bunnies. And It's those bunnies that point our heroes the way of the gumdrop forest.

Nah, don't worry. There's still just lots of rape and death. Huzzah!

Back-Words. Get it? Like backwards? But saying that Words are back?

No? Not funny?

Well isn't that the honest to god truth.

Anyway, A Kind of Drug makes it's triumphant return today. Chapter 7 (Sloth) begins with our characters beginning to explore a new, ruined world. As like everything else I've ever written in my life, it's real fuck happy. Though it does setup the new story arc that will provide the moving engine for the next 3 chapters.

That's it for now, kids. See you all next week.

And, for Christmas, I give you all the rejected article I wrote two years ago for an Orlando nightlife zine. They said it was "too over the top". Which it really was. It's about how easy it is to have one-night stands during Christmas time. And it's very, very graphic.

Click on over to the Non-Fictions page and you'll see it right at the top. 

And children, cover your eyes. I don't want any parents sending me hate mail.

Or do I?

Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, and all that crap to everyone out there. Cheers.

Around 2005, I was reading a whole lot of Philip K Dick and Kurt Vonnegut. Somewhere in the midst of all this, I came up with an idea for a short story that asked the very Dickian question of "What is reality?". In 2006, I took this story idea and crafted the tale of The Problem with Roger for one of my Creative Writing courses. The style of writing is VERY reflective of the Vonnegut books that I was reading at the time (very playful and detailed) and very dissimilar to my more current works (very serious and dickish).

But I never turned the story in to my professor. Why? Because I gave it to a friend to proofread and she immediately called me and asked if I was serious about the ending. I had no idea what she meant. She then proceeded to explain to me how the ending is the exact same as a very famous Stephen King novel. Not being a fan of King's work, I was blown away. I went online to research the book only to find out that she was completely correct.

The story has been in my scrap bin ever since. I release it now into the world simply because it's a fun story and it will hopefully keep some of you sated until A Kind of Drug returns in 2012.