Hey folks.
Wasn’t sure if I was going to write this one, to be honest.
Without giving away any specifics, out of respect for the deceased, I’d like to share with you all a little snippet of my life as an independent writer/whatever I am.
I’ve been working on projects for years at this point, but before I ever had the idea to write The Witch-Doctor or BLACKOUT, I used to mostly collaborate with others on their projects.
For awhile there, I was creating without being very productive, or creating for creation’s sake. I felt extremely unsure of myself, not having come from a very artistic or literary background. My family are all solidly working-class, and my nuclear family showed little interest towards creative endeavors. Because of this, I was always hesitant to post anything I’d made anywhere at all.
Eventually I was given the opportunity to share some of my stuff around various websites by friends and acquaintances, and on different social media platforms.
Most of the time, nobody showed any interest. I’d make art, or write a little, and it never seemed to get much traction.
Well, I persisted, against my better judgement, and found something strange.
There always seemed to be this one person who’d like and share almost everything I’d create.
“My first fan!” I thought at the time, and maybe it was true. Maybe the person never really thought much of it. It hardly matters. I never got to know them, so it will remain a mystery I suppose.
Well, I found out much later we apparently ran in some of the same online circles, and then found myself learning of their death.
It was strange for me, and part of why I wasn’t going to write this is precisely because I do not know this person.
But still, I found myself thinking of them. All those half-attempted projects I’d share and get a response to. All the times I’d be frustrated that nothing I’d create would seem to get anyone’s attention, just to be greeted by this person’s support.
But I didn’t know them.
I guess what I’m trying to say is, if any of you are wondering if the creatives you support notice, they do.
I mean, I’m sure once an artist -or a writer- gets to the point in which many, many, many people support them, keeping everyone straight is probably hard to do.
But at the time, I was barely getting anyone’s attention so I guess it shone through like a beacon of hope.
“If this person likes it, maybe it’s worth keeping on with.”
I’m glad I did.
I’m glad I stuck with it all.
Thanks, random internet person I never got the chance to really talk to.
I might not have known you, but you made an impact on me.
To all the fans of my work still kickin’ I want you to know, I appreciate the hell out of you.
You are literally what keeps these projects going.
Thank you.
Equanimous Rex 