I feel like complimenting you; I dislike about 80% of your subject matter and over time you seem branch out less, but I stick around because your writing is so good, and every once in a while you get commissioned or sometimes even write the stuff I like, and it’s incredible.

Thanks, I appreciate that, and I totally get the backhanded frustration too.

I get the feeling that I’m stuck in a rut almost all the time, honestly. I mean, especially after doing this for as long as I have, at the constant clip I work, the stories can tend to feel like they’re all blending together into a single mass. I rely pretty heavily, on my regular commissioners to force me out of my comfort zone and into subject matter I haven’t done much with. For example, I had a really great time writing “Idolized”–I really need to do more stuff with orcs, even if I find them to be a bit frustrating as far as subject matter is concerned (along with a lot of other fantasy themed topics). I’m also really happy with “Manning Up”, and that too, is a commissioned piece. 

So trust me, I get it, and I’m sorry. I do my best to force myself to vary things up as best I can, but I have my favorites, and my tropes, and my crutches just like most writers do. Thanks, in any case, for sticking with me! I’m glad that I can please you 1/5 of the time, at least, and that you get a good amount of enjoyment out of it.