Heya folks.

I'm gonna cut to the chase for those who want something short:
Before the year is out, I will be leaving FurAffinity, and the furry community, for the forseeable future. Perhaps forever, perhaps for a few years, who knows. But, bottom line, I am going.

I want to make it clear, it's not because of any particular bad experience. Unlike many of my friends, several of whom have left already, my negative experiences in this life have been very few and far between. The vast majority furries I have met and befriended have been some of the kindest, funniest, most welcoming people I have ever known. I've never really been wrapped up in huge drama, or been in some big controversy, I've only met a very few jerk-offs who were easy to cut out of my life, and most impressive of all -- I have NEVER come across an art thief!!

(wait... why not??)

So, I leave here with a smile on my face and a song in my heart.

So, the question is, why am I leaving?

Short answer is, I just don't feel it anymore, and I have so much else to do, I don't have the time to either.

Longer version:
For one, I have too much to do outside of this life. I have a very demanding full time job, I'm building a life with my partner, dealing with a lot of responsibilities and I can't dedicate the time to drawing I used to when I started out, or during the lockdown where I (as so many did) suddenly found myself with way more free time. It was during then I was at my height in terms of production on this site because there weren't really any distractions, and furry life in those days was my escape from the stress and worries of that time, as it so often was in the hardest times in my life. But, now, those days have passed, I'm happier, in a fulfilling relationship, and many friends have even left or partially cut themselves off from this community, for one reason or another.

But, mostly, I don't get excited to draw furry porn, vore, macro/micro things. It doesn't bring me the joy it once did. I've explored every avenue I'm comfortable with, made characters and projects I'm proud of, developed something of a following and gained many supporters. A startling number of people have even said they're my FANS. All of that has been great. When I started, there was a fire in my heart, a love, passion and enthusiasm for all this stuff. But, for a while now, I feel more that it's out of obligation or momentum than truly wanting to make more of these things.

The second big reason is, more and more I have had a greater passion and burning desire to tell real stories, make graphic novels and get them published. My fiancee and I want to publish kids' books together! And, if I'm to achieve my lifelong dream, I'm going to have to focus on that, truly knuckle down and give it my best shot. I'm already in talks with a publisher ready and waiting for my first graphic novel, and if it's a success, that'll only come with greater pressure to do more, and sooner next time.

So there you have it. This is not quite good-bye yet, I'll be posting a few more things over the remainder of the year, and I'll do one last, big commission drive. But after that, I'll be heading off. I won't be deleting this account, don't worry -- the lights will stay on even if I'm not home anymore.

Thank you so much to the folks who have been here, stuck around with me, supported, commented on, helped me out with and even financially supported my art here. I'll always have fond memories of this place, and the things we made together.

-Daniel.