Damn.

That's all, folks. *iris out* by PoorCynic on 2012-12-03 02:33:00 UTC Reply

I once compared myself (in relation to the PPC) to the dude in college who parks himself on your couch, raids your fridge, and never leaves. Unfortunately, that metaphor can no longer be said to apply to me. I'm done. Finished. Consider this post my resignation from the PPC.

“But PC!” I imagine you exclaiming (if you did no such thing, just play along). “Why? What brought this decision on?”

I'm glad you asked (keep playing along).

One of my primary reasons is quality concrit, or more specifically, the lack thereof. I don't mean or want to sound like some spoiled fanbrat whining for reviews, but I need good concrit. I need analysis. I need people’s reactions. It's what makes me better as a writer. So single line responses or -- worse yet -- responses with no message whatsoever are ultimately useless to me. The PPC is supposed to be a community of writers. By extension, this means we are also supposed to be a community of readers, of editors, and of critics. But that's not what I've seen. There’s been very little true “criticism” coming out of the PPC for some time now.

I also don't feel like I fit in anymore. It's not that I've been actively made to feel unwelcome; many people are very polite and friendly. I do, however, feel a bit edged out. I can't connect with the newbies and I feel ignored by the old guard. Being alone is pretty bad. Being alone in a group is worse.

I'm frustrated that there’s been no real change regarding the appointment of sorely-needed mods and the regulation of community behavior. I'm annoyed with the same old cookie-cutter missions with the same old cookie-cutter agent archetypes. It feels to me like the PPC is stagnating.

But most of all? I'm tired. I’m tired of writing stories that almost no one reads and almost no one cares about. I'm tired of the cliques. I'm tired of the anarchic literary playground. I'm tired of the same hyperbolic “ohmigawd this is the worst fic ever KILL IT NAOW” reactions.

The PPC just isn't fun any more.

I wish this didn't have to be the case. There are still so many stories with Danny, Laura, Gremlin, and Xericka still rattling around inside my brain. Leaving with those stories left untold feels wrong -- a disservice to my characters. But it would be an equal disservice to them to keep writing when my heart isn't in it anymore. They deserve better.

I loved my time with the PPC, and I still do believe that it has improved my writing tremendously. For that, I owe the community much. But I want to keep improving, and I don't think I can do that here.

Many thanks to my assorted betas and editors, especially doctorlit, who read through the vast majority of my pieces. Kudos to you, good sir. Also many thanks to those who've been following my stories. I'm sorry that I won't be able to keep going.

Adios and farewell.

PoorCynic

“Excuse me then! you know my heart;
But dearest friends, alas! must part.”

Farewell. by VixenMage on 2012-12-03 23:26:00 UTC Reply

You will be missed, PC. I'm sorry this is the way you feel - I'm sorry it's come to this, and I'm sorry in general that you're leaving. I will miss you - and, most of all, I'm sorry for never making the attempt to be closer. It kills me that after all that time in the IRC, I still feel like I don't know you as well as... I should.

But I'll miss you.

So fare thee well, in the strictest sense of the word; kick ass out there, dude.
NamÃ¡riÃ« by Neshomeh on 2012-12-03 17:16:00 UTC Reply

I'm sorry I didn't get to review your Five Stages interludes before now. I still intend to, the next time I've got a few hours without work or other stuff in the way.

I hope there's something good that will keep you growing on the horizon.

~Neshomeh
I see... by ShatteredSanity on 2012-12-03 17:03:00 UTC Reply

I'm so sorry. I am so so so sorry. You were the first PPC writer who's missions I read. I loved your stories.

If you need to go, then go. But, do you think you could maybe keep in touch with us? Just stop in every once in a while? Perhaps?

I'll miss you.
Aw... by Desdendelle on 2012-12-03 16:46:00 UTC Reply

I'm really sorry that you're leaving, PC. Like other people, I massively enjoyed Xericka and Gremlin's missions, and (a bit like Sergio), I am a poor critic.
I'm sorry you couldn't connect with us newbies. I think this is partially my fault - I am (soon to be was) your little sib, and I can't help but feel a little guilty.
Well, goodbye, PC. It was certainly fun while it lasted.
-Salutes-
Farewell we call to hearth and hall!
Though wind may blow and rain may fall,
We must away ere break of day
Far over wood and mountain tall.
Well, I guess this is goodbye then. by OpinionedAngel on 2012-12-03 14:30:00 UTC Reply

It's a real shame you're leaving (I enjoyed reading about your agent's exploits) and I wish I could have known so I could have helped make things better, but I guess that's just how life goes.

Good luck to you in whatever you plan to do next.
This saddens me a lot. by Sergio Turbo on 2012-12-03 13:11:00 UTC Reply

I'm sorry to see another "big name" leaving, not to mention that I really like Gremlin and Xericka's missions.

I have to admit - I never really left a sizeable amount of concrit when commenting your missions,interludes, or other writings.
The fact is, I really wasn't able to find anything to improve, or something that was better than the rest of the mission to comment on. I just liked all of it.

Maybe I'm just a poor critic.

Anyways, I hope that you will find another community of your liking on the Net, and obviously you're always welcome back anytime, even to only say hi.

*salutes* Farewell, sir.
Nooooo! by Lily Winterwood on 2012-12-03 06:47:00 UTC Reply

I remember writing your Agents for the battle of IAHF; I believe Messrs Hugh and Allen are just as regretful as I to see you go.
I really wish we could've talked more; it's been an honour to have you onboard and I wish you all the best in future writing projects.
Damn. by Astral Void on 2012-12-03 04:42:00 UTC Reply

I'll miss you, PC. You are/were one of the best writers here, and I loved your stories- and I think you're a really great guy. Good luck, dude.
Farewell, sir. by SeaTurtle on 2012-12-03 04:29:00 UTC Reply

I'm sorry to see you leave. Your missions are among the most memorable for me, mostly because of all your colourful characters. I'm looking at you, Laura Dukes!

I wish you the best of luck in all of your future enterprises.

[Insert witty farewell poem here]
*slowly lowers hand* by PitViperOfDoom on 2012-12-03 03:02:00 UTC Reply

...Oh. Well, okay then. I'm gonna miss your stuff, though, I really liked Laura and Danny, and Gremlin and Xericka. I wish you luck with your writing, and with your success in other corners of the Internet.
I'm sorry to see you go. by doctorlit on 2012-12-03 02:54:00 UTC Reply

Your spinoff was/is one of my favorites, and you're one of the PPCers I've enjoyed being around the most. I appreciate your compliment about being a beta, but I feel like I should/could have done more to make you feel part of the group. I'm sorry that you've felt ignored.

I'm going to miss your agents (heck, I already did, since they hadn't shown up very often of lately), as they all stand out as very unique among agents. I would say I'll miss you too, but of course you'll keep in touch? At least throw me something to beta again every once in a while?

And maybe I'll see you around the internet again, sometime and someplace else.

I was going to
use a line from that poem
but they are all kind

of negative, huh?
So I wrote you some badly
parsed haikus instead.