Monster Dicks Everywhere

Hi, I just want to use this ask as a springboard to talk about a couple things. <3

I know a lot of people get worried when big name fans’ blogs suddenly go missing.  There’s that bit of panic because you’re like “OH NO! WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM!” and you’re really worried that they’re in danger in some way.

However, I want to point out that sometimes people just leave the fandom.  And sometimes people change blog names.  And sometimes people are actively avoiding stalkers because people decide they need to celebrate a big name fan in a fandom and they’re on the prowl to find them.

I only say this because a lot of anons have been contacting other artists/writers in the fandom demanding to know where big name fans go off to when their blogs suddenly disappear. Yes, I am friends with Eli.  They’re awesome, and great, and I love their work. However, I am not their keeper, nor am I the keeper of beetle or anyone else that leaves the fandom. I don’t know the reasons for everyone leaving, and sometimes I don’t talk to these wonderful people for weeks at a time.

To the anon that asked this: I am not upset with you. You were not rude.  However, I want to post this because a lot of my friends get overwhelmed with mass messages from anons asking where people go, and they get anxiety because they want to answer you, but at times they do not know OR they do not feel comfortable answering on behalf of the person who has left the fandom. (ESPECIALLY since there are stalkers in this fandom that are making people flee.)

So if anyone is curious in the future where a big name fan goes off to, please message me privately. <3 I have no problems with that, as long as you aren’t rude.  I just don’t always want to post this information publicly.

There is recently a direction of a lot people going everywhere and ask us panicked where other artists have gone. Now I understand the point is, you love those artists, and you do care a lot for where they have been/what happened to them/have them leave/etcetc.

Sometimes people DO leave fandoms with different reasons. This is a less pleasant thing that we all have to accept. But please remember anyone in the fandom have their own rights to leave, their own rights to rest, especially their own rights to keep themselves from bad situations. And those reasons can always be PERSONAL, which is not suitable for express and discuss to people they barely know about in this virtual internet world.

Aimlessly asking around us for artists situation is not really helping the situation because 1) We are not here for being your artist GPS. I mean it. We never hold the responsibility to you everything about the artists even we are friends. And 2) There is no way we can expose artist’s status when there involves PRIVATE INFORMATIONS. You may think that you have the right to know everything about artists but NO, you are not, just being a follower of someone doesn’t mean you can do that.

I got a little ranty with this reply so I’m putting it under the cut. lol

Yes, it is intimidating to see a lot of great artists in your chosen fandom. Shit, I still get intimidated and have moments of crippling self-doubt. I honestly have a hard time seeing my own artwork the way others seem to. It happens.

But, instead of feeling jealous, intimidated, or inadequate, why not try looking at artwork or writing you really like and figuring what it is about it that makes you like it? It's an excellent way to figure out exactly what you find appealing about the work, what other people find appealing, and most importantly, how to work it into your own stuff! Lots of great writers and artists wear their influences on their sleeves, and incorporate their favourite elements of those influences into their own work.

As for getting attention, well... the three biggest factors, in my opinion, are time, productivity, and community. It takes time to get noticed. You have to produce work on a somewhat regular basis to give people more to be drawn to. As for community, making connections with established members of the community as well as connecting with your own followers really helps to build up and spread your reputation.

I’ve been enjoying reading @soloshikigami ‘s fanfics lately, especially the ones featuring spicyhoney, like, they’re so dope. Check out their stuff! This comic was based off this drabble.

Bonus: if UF Paps was to get his way without US Paps interfering with the tendrils