I'm learning more about myself in the two months since my last entry.

To start, thank you to all of you out there. Those who have checked on me, given me a favorite on my first story in ages, expressed a desire to commission me, or who were just there for me, you're all valued. I'm terrible at consistent replies, so I hope you all can forgive me for being quiet.

For while I was quiet, I was learning more about myself. As I posted "Renew" (the previous journal entry), I had plans. I wanted to write a story a month, dabble in a whole bunch of new stuff, write endless gift stories for my dozens of friends, possibly even open shop with commissions. I began to think. I started to overthink again. Would people like this? How many words per hour can I type? What should I charge? What legacy am I going to leave behind? What is my target audience?

My overthinking shut me down again. It's been a few weeks since I've last made progress on Project BiG - the next story for FA and my first crack at a macro story. I needed to reboot again, and in my absence I realized my target audience.

What's a target audience? It's a terminology in communications and public relations; it's the intended audience or readership of a publication, advertisment, or readership catered specifically to that audience. You know like: You make a macro story, because your target audience are presumably fans of macro-related content.

Only that's not my target audience. It's taking me a long time to realize this, but what is your target audience really? We're in the furry fandom, a world of self-expression and an explosion of colors so vibrant it makes the pride flag look like a black-and-white cartoon. In this world of self-expression, who is really my target audience? What is your target audience?

Me. You. The one making the thing. That is our target audience.

I've grown up around giants - both physically and influentially. I've always seen it as a legacy, like what DNApalmhead left us in the muscle/macro community. I wanted to spread the same joy as he did, have the same affect on the community as he did. But there was a time when he was just starting out as much as I. And he didn't loose sight of himself - he just made what he liked. He did what made him happy, and everything else formed around that. Friends, commissions, a legacy that we still talk about after he's been away for years.

So who is my real target audience? Me. I post this because I think there's others out there who feel overwhelmed or worry their works won't be loved. To that I say; You are your target audience first. Are you happy? If so, then you succeeded! And your friends, followers, projects, whatever you wish to do, will flow from you being honest to you - not target audience this and business model that.

I'm going to continue work on Project BiG. Then after that? I'm going to find my balance of what I want to be. I want to make myself happy - making stories I adore and I hope you all do too. I'll still do the occasional gift art too; they won't stop coming haha! But I hope to never forget that I need to care for myself too, and write what I want to write. To not be afraid of what the world will think about it (within reason of course), and to just go for it.

I am my target audience. And right now the audience craves more and I am happy to provide. I hope my ramble helps someone out there; you are your target audience - you are the legacy - so go for it!

I hope this journal entry finds you well. I wish you all a great day, week, and time-zone related partings (good morning, afternoon, evening). Most importantly, I wish you happiness and fun as you make wonders for your target audience too.

I love you all! Take care, and until next time.