1000 Member Update Special !

[Celtic_Emperor]

Re: Appreciation

Dude, i think your work is friggin great. I wish i could draw half as well as you do. Seriously. I dont talk much on here cause well... Im not good with these posting things and i tend to go on these long tangents and get off the original topic i started.
So im gonna be different and stick to the point. You rule and i like your work.
To recap:
I like your work
I talk too much and trail off 🙂

Consider yourself one of the few lucky ones to hear me ramble 🙂
Peace -Guy Zer0-

First, thank you for having the courage to finally speak up. If not for me, then yourself. Because quite frankily, I'd rather have someone ramble on with me (because I do the same sometimes) than to have absolute silence. And it is perhaps the silence that bothers me the most. I know they are there, but I can't "feel" their presense, you know? It almost feels like I'm alone in doing what I do. I say almost because there are those that have the brass to speak up, and now you do too. I'm glad you finally came out and said something. Thank you very much. I just don't like that I have to go this far just to get results. It makes me look like a whiner, or a baby without his pacifier, and I hate that, because I'm better than that false impression would lead some to believe. Thats not me at all.

I have 2 questions for you Guy Zer0.

How long have you been a member of my site?

And if it has been long enough, then why didn't you come out and say something sooner? It doesn't take much to voice your opinion, and it certainly won't be smashed when you do. As I've said MANY times, I NEED the feedback. Its very, very, VERY important. Not just to help build confidence, but to make my pictures even better.


@ HDS- Its not so much strange, as it is insensitive and oblivious. And whats sad about it, is they are like this by choice. So thats on them.

And yes I know. Thank you.


- Damien

 

[critterlord]

I would like to give my support to you, Damien, and once again reinterate my total love for your work. Ignore the little lice who show up, check out your stuff, and vanish like smoke, because THEY DON'T MATTER. And those guys who won't look at your stuff because they think they know all about you fromt the copying thing, THEY DON'T MATTER. What matters is, you have a small, but EXTREMELY loyal following willing to back you up, no matter what. We, not just your fans but your friends, are what truly matters. Just stop giving importance to those that don't matter, and soon you'll realize that they truly don't. To quote another great, "It's all in your mind." Let them get to you, and they have won. Rise above them, and you will realize that their pettyness will no longer bother you, but invoke your pity.

Booya!!!😎

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Thank you. And what your saying is very true. I do not deny it. Most of my problem is the silence, like I said. Its one of those "if you were there and you cared, why didn't you say anything" situations. Its just awefully inconsiderate for people to leave me wondering what they think and not helping my cause. I'd almost rather have someone insult me or complain about my work. At least that way I can make something of it and then set upon them with a vengence. 😀


- Damien

 

[His Divine Shadow]

Yeah, what CL said!!

 

[U.N.Owen]

I've said this before, Damien: most people don't respond to contributions. Period.

I have almost 1300 members in my group. When I post a new story, I usually hear from 3 of them. That's all. I might add, you yourself have never given a response to any of my stories. I seem to remember you once saying that you'd read one, but I may be wrong. Yet I don't conclude that you hate my guts or are out to insult me. Nonetheless, by the standard you are arguing, I SHOULD take offense since you haven't bothered to give me any feedback.

Yes, I know you are very busy. That's why I never in fact HAVE taken offense at YOUR silence. But, given that, how can you attack others for not posting to you?

It is simple truth that you will not get much feedback in this community. There are fewer than 300 members of the TMF with over 100 posts, and few of them are going to agree about any one artist. Of those that do, most will be too busy or unconcerned to post. Even the most popular artists here (Grippedchimp, Cheshire Cat, even MTJ's posts) rarely get responses from more than 10 or 15 people.

Yes, you probably are underappreciated. Based on the feedback I get, so am I. So is Critterlord.

I think you have remarkable talent, as I've told you many times. I've offered you support many times. But when I offer reassurance, your reaction now is to throw it back in my face, declaring that I "just don't get it" and am giving you "trite" nonsense that is "getting old," because you need support and need it now.

Well, I support you, and I always will, because you are an excellent artist who deserves support. I also value your friendship. But support and friendship is a two way street. If I offer you support, I do expect courtesy in return, at least. And, for that matter, it might be nice if you did comment on one or two of my stories, when I've given you feedback on every update you've made since I met you. You complain a great deal about people being inconsiderate. Wouldn't that qualify, though?

Basically, if you are determined to leave this community because you aren't getting more feedback, you probably will end up doing so -- since a lot of feedback is not likely, for you, me, Critterlord, or most anyone else. I certainly hope you stay, and would be deeply sorry to see you leave.

If this post offends you, I genuinely regret it. But I, too, require a certain appreciation, and frankly, I'm getting tired of you insulting me when I try to offer support.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Back up. This is the way it is and the way I see it. I only complain because its not enough. Not that I'm NOT getting any feedback. Its quite obvious I am. And not only that, some of my fans are very zealous fans, and have an almost fanatical following to which I can only answer- Wow. If it came across to you that I was insulting you, I wasn't doing anything of the kind. Pent up frustrations is what that was, and having you tell me what everyone does just didn't feel right in the moment. Unfortunitely it was directed at you. The part your refering to that is. Nothing else about it. I might also add that this thread did me hardly any good, and then theres the server issue I still haven't resolved. As it stands, I have more troubles than you or anyone else here does at the moment, and I'm sorry for snapping at you. I don't disagree with what you or anyone else has said thus far. Every time someone says something it appears to be good, and theres nothing wrong with that.

As far as me not reading your stories, I'll have to be honest, I don't want to. I never really was interested in fanfiction. Its nothing against you, I just don't like reading fanfiction. And also, you said it yourself, I don't have the time to anyways. As is with you and writing, drawing is a very taxing activity. It drains you. And in the end, I'm sorry to say I'm too drained to be able to do much else. While this may seem hypocritical of me, its not, in that I genuinely occupy my time with something productive and something that will benefit others also, just like you do with your stories. Now, for others, meaning the members, to completely ignore us under the pretext of being "busy" is whats wrong here. I don't feel you should stand up for them by calling them "busy". If they had the time to join my group and take my artwork without a damn word, then they sure as hell had some time. Same goes with you and your work. There is also no way to prove that they are fans or true members at all. We don't know what these people are doing or if they care. So the numbers in a yahoo group are meaningless. It really doesn't matter if I have 1000+ or 100,000+. That could all be due to good trafficing for all I know. (Even though I hardly advertise.) The point is, unless they come to us and tell us who they are, why they're there, and what our work means to them, we have to assume their indifferent or their only there to use us. Until they've clearly told you so, you don't know. And thats my gripe, as it should be.

I know that you are just as frustrated as I am, I'm just more openly vocal about it. I don't know what else to say other than lets make the best of it.


- Damien


EDIT: And yes, in case you bring it up, I did read two of critterlord's stores. I promised him I would. Now, that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy them. At the time, I had more time, so thats why I made room for others. I'm not saying I won't read a story or two of yours, just not right now, because concentrating on reading when I'm frustrated about something else will ruin it for me.

 

[U.N.Owen]

Yes, frustration can be... well... frustrating.

I do hear you. It bugs me not to get more feedback, but I live with it. I sincerely hope a lack of responses doesn't drive you away, since people who appreciate "cute" tickling -- let alone people who turn it into wonderful artworks -- aren't exactly thick on the ground.

I produce my stories because I enjoy writing them. I decided to share them in hopes that other people would enjoy them, too. I was pleased to discover that people do, at least enough to stay in my group. (Many quit. Those who stay must, in many cases, do so for a reason.) Basically, that's good enough. More feedback would be nice. I like to know I'm appreciated. But it's good enough to keep me posting the stories I would write anyway.

As for the fact that you don't like fiction, personal taste is personal taste, and that doesn't bother me. (To speak strictly, though, most of what I write isn't "fanfiction," since my characters are mostly original -- but that's a purely semantic point. 🙂 )

So, thank you for clarifying your intentions. As I said, I value your friendship (along with Critterlord's, HDS's, and the other members of our little set).

ALSO EDIT: Yes, I did remember that you read 2 of CL's stories, but I knew he'd asked you to, so I didn't take that personally. Hence, I wasn't going to mention it anyway. 🙂

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

We don't know. We just don't know. I don't, you don't, and ever other single contributor here doesn't know either. And thats just as frustrating as the damn silence! We give, and give, and give, and FREAKIN'-A GIVE SOME MORE, and yet, nothing! Absolute silence! I don't deserve that! You don't deserve that! Hell, even slannish doesn't deserve that! Its just not right! This is rude damnit! No two ways to put it! Its RUDE, its taking advantage of the generousity of others, and in my opinion, its third worst after internet fraud and the solicitation of child pornography!

FREAKIN'-A-RIGHT!


- Damien

 

[U.N.Owen]

I sense... I sense... that you feel strongly about this. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I just get that impression...

But seriously, yes, I do understand how you feel. It is rude, it isn't fair, we don't deserve it: all true. Unfortunately, I don't think it's going to change. Many people are ingrates, who care only what they can get out of others, and that's as true in this community as anywhere else.

When people like that start to get to me, I always find consolation in the words of the great explorer Roald Amundsen, when he was grossly unappreciated: "Ah well. People are idiots." I feel it's worth continuing to contribute, for those who do appreciate it.


(BTW, I was pleased to see that slannsh, on his group, changed the comment attached to his copy of your picture to one much less hostile, and much more fair. It does give you credit now, which is appropriate.)

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Oh yeah. You better believe I feel strongly about this. In fact, I'm going to do something about it. Little by little, ever so slowly, I'm going to change the structure of this community and the way it treats us. I'm going to completely reorganize, and I'll start by making an invitation only, excluse group that only we and our elite select can join. And then, I'll systematically merge all groups and sites that see things as we do as one single entity. I don't care what its going to look like. If people won't appriciate us, then so be it. We'll appriciate ourselves and all those who want to be a part of what will come. Slowly and surely, we will thrive in prosperity as brothers in arms with the same cause! And if anyone trys to stop us, go ahead! "Meet my evil!"

"You've gone mad!" some might say.

Nope. Completely the opposite. I've woken up, and so should you.


- Damien


PS: I didn't know that. All I knew is it said some untrue things, so I just never looked at it again. I figured that its better left unknown what he changed it to after that. But I'll look anyways. Maybe this is the beginning of a change of the times. Good for him, good for me.

 

[His Divine Shadow]

It takes the smallest breeze to start a hurricane. Never give up on your goal!

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

If that means "do it", fine.


- Damien

 

[His Divine Shadow]

I'm saying that sometimes, one person's efforts can inspire and motivate others. You will find that many will rise up to join you and your crusade, creating an unstoppable storm that cannot be ignored by anyone, even those who never post.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Ohhhh that sounded good, HDS 😀

I will MAKE the system work. 😀


- Damien

 

[His Divine Shadow]

I know you will.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

How many others think this idea isn't crazy and actually a good one? If you think about, as I have, doesn't it elimate the problem? Doesn't it bring everyone that feels as we do together, all producing work from the same location? Everything will be harmonized, syncronized, and together, and complimentive of eachothers works. For example, our authors would write, and we artists would draw the illustrations. By working together in addition to our own projects, we create something for and by us that not even this place will have.

The only thing though, is that we will not be sharing this work with the outside, and members must be approved first and agree to the rules we put forth.

Some may think this is wrong, but its oh so right. Think about it. I've been thinking about it for quite some time now. We will create our own forums and sites, just for us, and they will all be linked together from our headquarters group/site. Its smart, is what it is. And by massing together our sites and projects, we create an all new environment, and more and more people will get into it. Far more than this site alone. We will gain all the members we want. And if in defiance some people don't want to join, then fine. Either way, we win, because we have eachother.

Whose with me on this?


- Damien

 

[critterlord]

Count me in!!! I am both an artist and an author, so I'll do my best to contribute, as time allows. I think it is a great idea! Let's start a world of fun-tickling sites, just for people like us who care!

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Yes. Its time people stop seeing tickling as a commericial product or a gimmack to achieve some lustful end. What we need, this place, and every other cannot and does not provide. We are the creators of the future, and we will make what we want to see happen by our own skills and merits. And since we're all working together as friends towards a common goal, it makes it fun. ^___^


- Damien

 

[critterlord]

Great!! So, when do we start? I can become much more useful during the summer months.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Its already begun. The spark has been ignited. Leave it to me for now. Theres no rush or hurry. I will however need to know how the others feel about this.

I'd also suggest we make this conversation private from here on. I don't know if everyone here has it, but it would be good to use AIM and use chat rooms, since e-mails are too cumbersome. We need to be more private about this. We don't want to tip our hand to the enemy, just tease them, like we are now. They ain't got nothing on us. 😀


- Damien

 

[critterlord]

Why don't we just do private messaging on this forum, as it is quick and easy?

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

That will do for now. But as we move on, communications will be important, and swiftness will be key.

Anyways, I'll talk to you guys later. Bye.


- Damien

 

[His Divine Shadow]

The storm has begun.....

 

[rajee]

Celtic Emperor, check out the last pages of the 1 word game in the general Discussion forum for an acknowledgement I made of you, for you. 🙂 😀 😎 😛

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Thank you, I guess. 🙂


- Damien