A few people have PMed me* to ask if I'm dead or have abandoned writing, etc.I am not dead. I have not, exactly, abandoned writing.The same situation I have alluded to earlier in a very non-specific manner has not changed. And unfortunately, isn't likely to change in the near future. And I just can't manage to get any real writing done until there is a resolution.(No, I'm not unemployed or terminally ill, but I just don't want to discuss real life issues.)Sorry to be so vague, and I'm sorry I've been disappointing you for years (!) now. I really have not lostin writing, or finishing AQ. But it's best if you just assume there is no prospect of seeing the next volume any time in the foreseeable future. I genuinely and sincerely do want and intend to finish it someday. I just can't tell you when.I've been avoiding LJ or even writing new book reviews because I feel so bad about not giving any news of progress on AQ. I might try to start posting book reviews again (I suppose a few people actually like those), but every time I do, I can't help feeling like I'm just disappointing all the folks who wanted to see an AQ update.I do think about AQ every day (seriously), and now and then, I manage to add a few paragraphs, but I don't want to lead you on and make another promise about finishing it by the end of this year or at any point in the future.* Speaking of which -, your LJ settings are on full privacy mode, which refuses all messages, so I can't reply to you.