What do I have planned for 2023?
Letting Go.
This is the biggest challenge of my life, but I have allowed stress, circumstances, opinions of
others, and perspectives that are not mine to sway my life and become a scourge of creative retardation. It’s hard enough to be creative in a stifling world, but to allow outside influences prevent you from doing what you are made to do?
That’s just plain stupid.
So my first priority is to let it all go, and to focus inward. To have more confidence in myself, and specifically ignore any person or situation which is not helping me in the process of making and completing good projects for readers.
My intent is good.
My focus is good.
My desire is to help others become the best version of themselves, not what I want them to be, so my motivation is good also.
That is enough.
Rewrite Chronicles of a Hero.
The core storyline, Chronicles of a Hero, isn’t what I wanted it to be. Too many compromises were made (see ‘Leting Go’, above), and this is too important for me to ignore. So I’m doing this over.
Yes, I know there are eight published books. Yes, they sold pretty well, but not great, and it’s a great story idea. Since is only sold a little over 23K copies, it wasn’t complete failure, but it certainly wasn’t the success I hoped for. More importantly, I know some of the reasons why it didn’t do better…and I want to fix those.
Fill In Gaps and Expanding.
There are wayyyyyyyy too many stub articles in my world. I’d like to take the time to build a better foundation, so that anything a reader can find on the website — it has material. I’d like to say "once that’s done," but that’s not how creativity works — so here’s the truth — as I fill in the gaps, I’ll be expanding the world by leaps and bounds, carefully mapping out the side stories and series which will need to be brought to life.
There are just…so…many.
I get chills and can’t stop smiling when I think about it.
Better Artwork.
My greatest strength is also my biggest struggle. I love other people, especially their creativity, and I’ve been blessed with the ability/talent to be excited for others. To revel in what they achieve and to cherish their accomplishments…but I also lack that same excitement for my own work.
This is somewhat a trait of many artists — but that doesn’t make it any easier to look at my won work and be satisfied.
I’ve been taking lessons in painting, which are the very first art lessons I’ve ever had in my life. I’m having fun and adopting many of the techniques, applying them to my particular style, and I’d like to apply them to my world.
So get ready for more artwork, and for the current work displayed to slowly update =)
Make My Craft, My Living.
I’ve been a professional freelancer since 1985, and I’ve raised a family if 15 since 1990 — and proud to say that I kept my word to my beloved wife — she has never had to get a job a single day of our marriage.
That being said, I’m tired as hell from drawing for other people.
I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge, uncommon skill sets, and quirky perspectives that I’m going to sell to my fellow creatives. Many of you know I've taken some of my tools and rewritten them to compliment using the WorldAnvil platform. That's because this is my home, and I'd like to bring that value here, first.
So in 2023 I’ll be building my Ko-fi store, and working hard to hit that private financial mark and make a full-time living as a writer and artist who works solely for himself.
Giving More Love Back.
If you’re reading this, you ether have far too much time on your hands, bored and have
nothing better to do, or you know my in some way. I would not have made it through all the bat-shit crazy and deathly painful experiences without my friends in this community.
You’re my people, and I love you more than you realize. So my most important goal — and I saved it for last, so you’ll remember it — is to be a better friend and to encourage you in your own creations.
Too many of you just don’t get it, as smart as you are, that you’re worth it. Every word typed to you on Discord, every emoji of a heart, smile or thumbs up, and every like I place on an article you may have written is because you matter.
Read that again: You matter.
Janet and Dimitris know believe that to their core. They prove it every day by growing and supporting the greatest online community on the internet.
I want to be better in giving more love to my online family.
To you.
It’s okay if you don’t like me — just don’t be offended if I decide to like you anyway.
I’m like that.
My heart goes out to you and your family, but I am so glad to see those goals that will work in your favour. Here's hoping for a smooth 2023 filled with loads of new words! :D
Thank you, Sh4d0wPh03n1x ....that's very kind. If you allow it, good can come from everything -- at least that's how we are striving to look at it. Here's to 2023 and a whole new world =)
Storyteller, Cartoonist,..pretty awesome friend =)
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