Hi Everyone!

I can't believe how long it has been since I've used this account. So much has changed from the daydreaming middle/high schooler that wrote this story to the current medical school candidate I am today.

If you followed my other stories, particularly The Soul Deal, then you've already received this message, but in case you haven't, l would like to express it again:

First, I have to say a huge Thank You for having read this story and possibly my other stories all those years ago. I'll admit, I was not in a good place mentally and emotionally when I first made this account, but writing was my solace, allowing me to process my feelings, explore notions of morality, and find a creative outlet. However, what I never expected was how much I enjoyed reading your reviews and comments and using your feedback to grow as a writer. I really cannot say thank you enough, because writing became an invaluable tool for me to navigate my world, and you all encouraged me to keep going when I really needed it.

During a particularly rough patch in college, I again turned to writing to get through it. Strangely enough, I couldn't bring myself to write something new, so instead I turned to the story that had gotten me through my last emotional hurricane, which was The Soul Deal.

The result of that, beyond the reigning of my mental state, is a rewritten version of The Soul Deal as an "original fic." That is, it is no longer what I would consider Hetalia fanfiction, though I do acknowledge that there is something sacred about the source of this story being my passion for another. I am proud of the fanfiction that I wrote, and I am equally proud of the version it has now become.

I have no way of knowing if anyone will read this, or if anyone who does read this would be interested in reading a "remastered" version of The Soul Deal, but on the off chance that you are, I will be posting this new version, titled The Venator's Mark, on , FictionPress (coming soon, empyreus) and on my personal WordPress blog: 2020/06/23/the-venators-mark/ (already there).

Whether you're interested or not, I still want to express my gratitude for your support thus far. As I said, writing was instrumental to my personal development, and is a passion that I have continued to cultivate in my free time. Currently, I am interested in writing stories that are more inclusive of identities that have not been traditionally represented in American media. Writing Hetalia fanfiction with a Filipino insert in particular made me want to continue writing stories with Filipino protagonists alongside other minorities often forgotten by mainstream media, such as LGBT+ and the disabled communities. If you're curious or would like to check out/support this writing in the future, you can follow my WordPress blog ( emphatic1) or my FictionPress ( empyreus). These pages are not fully developed yet, but they will be soon!

If you're so inclined, I would love to connect with anyone who's willing to PM here or on any of the other platforms, as I am always looking for new friends, especially in these socially isolating times of the pandemic.

Thank you again for your lovely words and your wonderful support. I truly would not be writing today if it weren't for you all.

Warmly,

Wintercandyapple (or, alternatively, E.J.)