Promoting for emergency fundraising to RacerDragon with the copy of her journal:

https://www.furaffinity.net/gallery...../Ychs-For-Sale

 racerdragon

"UPDATE: as of today, 3/6, I am trying to sell my fursona to help make bills. You can see those details here:
https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/10818443/

Hello to my followers and friends.

I have been sick with a cold the last couple of days and I couldn't get to the food bank when it was open. I would like to make some money for food, and I desperatly need 100 for rent, its all I have left to pay on that. The food I need includes my rescue cats, and my chickens too. They also need food D:

Here are my art deals for today:

100 dollars gets you 30 pieces of art. You choose which ones. Its a good buy to get a pack like this and you save some coin.

ALL of my ychs are open, and you can find pages and pages of them here:
https://www.furaffinity.net/gallery...../Ychs-For-Sale

And lastly, if you would like to share this journal, and/or possibly donate, my art paypal is codyayola[at]aol.com

PLEASE PLEASE share, I will do art for anyone who wants it! No order too big or too small!

Thank you for helping me and my animals. I will remove this journal when the need is met, so if you can see this journal, I am still in need"

There's a small update on few changes in my life that have been affecting my creative output

Short on money - I've been working on a part-time job with various gigs. It's been zero hour job and there hasn't been enough hours to maintain this work. So I'm looking for a new opportunities. However, having money saved I'm not stressing too much - still all of that had meant that I haven't been able to commission art like I did last year (but still few orders here and there).

ADHD diagnosis and getting medication - My road to getting diagnosis has been extremely long and tedious, but I finally got medication for my ADHD. I've heavily suspected that I had it, and been wanting to try medication. They have been helpful for getting things done in my worst days - instead of dwelling on the edge of getting things started and done, and procrastinating. There's been side-effects like heart palpitation, as well as getting tired and depressed on the next day without meds. I'm not taking them everyday, but my body is still adjusting on them.

All of that above are getting more manageable so I can work on my creative output more.

Here's a info dump on what I've been working on thus far:

On writing - Currently I have written "Flowers to Giantess" part II, but I intend to write the story fully instead of leaving it unfinished after part I. Blame it on my enthusiastic ADHD, since I wanted to write "Potent Candy" and then "Rooftop view". But I've decided to post-tune "Curse of werewolf" to get it done first. However, I'm not satisfied with just writing now.

On drawing - I've have picked up my pencil to practice drawing more and more. Mostly some general comic layout, story boarding, and dynamic character posing. Some gift drawings to be posted in my alternative account. There's also very basic "Slide of life" comic strip with my fursonas that will emerge to have me practice more drawing. Write comics would be interesting, and some of my ideas work better in comic format - that kinda leads me to next point...

On story boarding - couple months back I worked with EmailTy to extend "Rooftop View" comic panels into already 3 finished comic pages so far (out of total 10 or so, mind you!). Reason why I'm not uploading them is that they are out of order .... unfortunately I'm run low on money, and being still busy to find better job; so this project's been in hold - but that was one of the comic story boarding that I worked and practiced on.

In the meanwhile - There's couple of art commission still coming up

For all the macro- and microphiles

A daily growth drive
done by:

hardworking mouse  FrankHightower

First donation:
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/55752959/

-running day-to-day panels
-low as 1 dollar (or more) donation multipliers going up/down

Have a look, and donate a dollar for little fun ;)

Had a fun experience getting my dragon 'sona into the great dragon parade:
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/55277759/

Want to promote the fun artist + not reposting this large collaboration in my gallery (or maybe I should?)

Anyway - Sereg's there on on 8th head counting from front and 3rd from the rear

*Drum solo*

It's a new year 2024

Can't say it's has been completely happy start nor end of the year personally, but it's more to due multiple irl situations combined with my seasonal blues, anxiety & depression. I have always been feeling utterly miserable from time to time. That's kinda have been my normal, but I've been better compared to my past years. So, that's an improvement.

Regardless, a lot has happen last year. I only talk about things related to the furry fandom.

The facts that:
-I've been probably 15 years or so a lurking furry fan with a decade break in between
-I re-entered to furry fandom 8 months ago as more active member that actually commented on people's posts
-I produced my first writing, photos and art commissions only 3-4 months ago

Also 3 months ago there was an sad incident - which had it's golden linings that connected me to some great to good friends (you know who you are). Besides them, I have gotten to know wonderful people in this fandom that I'm grateful to have met and know - who have made my life better, even though only talking and typing online.

Speaking of people, there's 47 watchers in my account on this date. That's a lot. A mix bag of those friends, cooperators and followers of my works. I refuse to believe there's any hard-core fans out there - I hope not .... since I'm still trying to figure out my styles in writing and other stuff. Lot of experimenting, and inconsistent writing genres. At least few of you are happy with the commissioned arts. That's something.

Even though I do not own anything to people on the internet for getting free stuff on their screens, it's one of those things in my mind that's stressing me out. I know it shouldn't, but it just does. That's why my new year resolution is to keep my mouth shut and not to make promises on anything. Even with my currently unfinished stories. I post whenever I might post something.

Also there might be changes in my financial situation as well. This effects on my ability make commissions. Just saying this for transparency.

But, I'm not ending this with a totally downers;

Despite the downs there have been it's highs being here so I won't be leaving. Occasionally I have felt going on hiatus, but in the end I have gotten something done one way or another on later date. This site has been a good outlet for me which is why I won't be quitting just yet. I might just have my withdrawn silent periods.

Still, thank you for the people and furs that will stick with me. I also believe there's lot of more talented artists & authors than me, who I keep supporting as well.

It's year of a dragon. I feel we need to make it count.

Merry Holidays, Christmas & Yule + other celebrations you have this time of the year!

Many are already getting their vacations so I wanted wish joyful and peaceful celebration for everyone!
My good friends and other friendly 45 watchers (can't believe there's so many of you),
All of you have made end of this year much happier and fun for me

I currently have the flu, but ready to settle in for the holidays as I won't be travelling long distances for the celebration.

The days are getting brighter after this day
- So Happy Winter Solstice, you wonderful furs and animals! -
^.=.^

.

---

The short version of what happened:

AI-using scammer tried to sell me $120 commission art, that uses stolen pieces as their bases

I gathered as much information from the scammers before blocking them
& reported all the details of them to Furaffinity, Furry Nexus -discord server, and PayPal on bases of Fraud

The scammer:

 lylatheartist
https://www.furaffinity.net/user/lylatheartist/

"her" named associates / part of "her team":

 freyaisartistic
https://www.furaffinity.net/user/freyaisartistic/

 Kattievibes
https://www.furaffinity.net/user/kattievibes/

Alternative account created and uses “Lyla’s art"
Seren – under suspension at moment

From the help; a shout-out to
 Footpad 's & other's helpful shouts on scammer's page helping to avoid and see through their dirty tricks

Footpad confirmed there are not know falling victims to this scam.

below his journal gathering user targeted by the scam, including my first comments 6 days ago
https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/10723323

---

Longer version of the story:

6 days ago I was noted on FA by the scammer “Lyla” with an offering to make xmas art of Kadjá & Rova, my characters. "Lyla's" account gallery was empty, also the note writing was weirdly off already, but I accepted the offer out of curiosity. Quickly in our discord conversation I see that the art is AI produced from the awkward body/item positions, hovering elements and weird alignment of backgrounds.

Going back to check "Lyla’s" page again I notice in the shouts a comment to journal warning about the scam – Ssssoooo - I decided to gather intel and find out as much as possible from the scammers before blocking them.

During our discussions I found other “associates” with the exact art and without her credits or mentions of her. I noted the “Freyaisartisic” about missing credits on the art, but "she" seemed to be part of the scheme after all. I am posted with new art examples that are Favorited in “Lyla’s” account – done by new account of “Seren” unsuprisingly, but by the time of writing this journal this account has been suspended.

This point I was luring the scammer to give her paypal details – I consider this a type of fraud, therefore I reported this to paypal as well. Nevertheless, using non-paypal associated email I managed to get a copy of their invoice containing their supposed address and dummy company. I hope paypal can trace their personal detail with the account and use it to shut them down financially.

With invoice details in my hands and my real paypal email save - I bocked the scammer, and their other accounts on my discord and FA

All my details, screenshots and invoice copy were sent to Furaffinity, Furry Nexus -discord server, and PayPal on bases of Fraud

You might have seen the Furaffinity made their news update about Scammers and their tactics

What a happy coincident :)

In truth - I firstly reported on Furry Nexus-discord server days before the news post, my report to FA's official ticket system is timed roughly the same time as the news update. I can't take all the credit & one of the Footpad's commentators or any other scam victim might as well been reporting before me. Regardless -

Still I do feel satisfied having been there to kick the ball in right direction - fighting against the scammers.

Be wary of direct notes & messages asking to do art commissions way before you have ever seen or contacted them yourself

Do not trust sellers with empty galleries
Block & to say "NO" whenever you have to
Be vigilant, be safe

Let's keep AI -using scammers out of this website
-

Hey again,

I want to high-lighting couple of artist with are still hanging in
financially terrible situation - But instead focusing on that, give their gallery & open works a look:

Colorist  RacerDragon

My avatar & some naughty pictures + there's cute icons:
https://www.furaffinity.net/gallery...../Ychs-For-Sale

Artist:  Grosspotoo

I like his refular character styles & have Sereg's full-body pic coming from him - all his special interests aren't my cup of tea, but you can judge ourselves
https://www.furaffinity.net/gallery.....er/742403/YCHs


Also:

my friend  Frankhightower

https://www.furaffinity.net/view/54117736/
He has multicharacter YCH, where Jesper is part of
There's room for couple of characters ;)

----

Just to be clear - I wouldn't be advertising these good people unless they are in a difficult situation

RacerDragon is disabled, with expensive medical bills and can't work regular jobs easily.
She particulary is in desperate situation, in the brink of quiting FA all together

Grosspotoo has bigger laid-off family without work, expensive medical bills as well, moving household, and partner visiting medical care (you can check his journals for more)

Frank has been unfortunate with several essential household items braking on him,
and his day job isn't covering all the expenses

With RacerDragon particularly a donation would be welcomed

If you are able to do so, of course - times are tough especially now for all of us

Thank you reading,
even bigger appreciation if you care to help them out

Welp - it's official, I'm a dirty porn writer
or forever publicly stained myself for releasing one NSFW story
-that line's been crossed now

Thank goodness for anonymity, eh? Not that there's anything wrong with having bit of fun with imagination. Especially when you do not force, slandering nor encourage anyone into harmful nor evil acts

That's right - so I'm writing with the company of my inner voice - who can be very intrusive and over-enthusiastic child, I want to add

Just to keep you insane in this voiceless vacuum of internet
So, why you write this journal?

In short, something to self-reflect.
To keep record for the future self.
I also want share my mind with the interested viewers, and self-inspiring writers about my own journey

For last 2 months all of these thoughts have been in your head. With no outlet or irl-person to share this with - until now

This also gives a possibility to be open & transparent with my upcoming plans. That includes possibilities with trades and cooperation, but I'm already getting ahead of myself - I'll talk about that down at the bottom

Look at you, Mr. Ambitious. Already eager to draw bigger pictures

Just hold my horses, I'm currently just thinking about it and nothing more - Yet. We're getting too excited and tend to over-promise too much in the heat of moment

Right, right. But back to reflection; It has been quite emotional roller coaster last 2 months, hasn't it?
How do you feel?

Yeah, there definitely have been high and low moments

Mostly great and wonderful with the writing and commissioning works, the lows been with the self-doubts

The highlights been working with the lovely and kind artists has been heart warming - All of us have enjoyed fine-tuning their YCH drawings to match my visions with a jolly co-operation. And how I adore and cherish their arts. There's also been expressed love and happiness that I'm using their art as my story inspiration, and emailTy particular has been very happy and satisfied with my end product.

hm hmm.... wouldn't second commissioned comic page to "Potent Candy" be fantastic idea?

Now hold it! I said, lets not over-promise here - I haven't asked emailTy about that, I need to save my money for next months, and not to mention, there's plenty of commissions coming already

buuuuut there's always a possibility in the future?

Sure, there's always possibility - but I only have a wish for that, but no certain promises from the artist nor money for that particular piece

We're getting off track again, aren't we?

Oops, we sure are
what you say about your writing

I've enjoyed and had fun with the writing, as I've been telling about several time

Overall I'm happy with the main points in "Flowers for the Giantess", and I honestly surprised myself with the "Potent Candy" how it turned out.

With the "Flowers", as a very first story I feel it was meant to be a practice run - reading it again, I think I'll going to re-write it once all the part eventually come together. The core moments although are the things I love about the story and character interactions, so I wouldn't change those parts much. Seriously, wrote my own literal love of the Kadjá character design into the story, and hope that kinda of stuff shines through with my writing - First I saw teh-evil-tigress's YHC of micro giving macro flowers + finding adopt for Kadjá short after - I had to write that shit down. Too bad language barrier and lack of character references prevented getting that particular YCH. But KuroWolfBoy did have wonderful alternative cove art later along the line.

But "Potent Candy", oh I don't think I could have written it any better with my current skills. Having all the character interactions, the growth, the X - I think I prefer these kinds of self-contained stories that are short and sweet

12 pages - you call that short and sweet?

Well, that word account is less than 3 000. It did not have anything extra that I could leave out, and nothing much to add - I think that is good limit to aim + the formatting makes it look longer. Center lined text is unusual, but I think it fits with this story well. Next stories probably won't have that - unless overwhelming feedback demands it

Alright, we're coming to feedback
There's been self-doubts, what about that?

Yes - no doubt every writer and creator have their fears for not finding the audience, or not pleasing the viewers

I'm only looking at my numbers, and not comparing to more popular writers. Even though some of my favorite writers, far better than I am, could get less views and favorites than I do - and vice versa there are far more experienced writers with bigger numbers

Roughly over 200 views, and 10-ish favorites for both stories without picture bait (so excluding Rooftop teaser here), they are nice numbers
-However, I'm more worried about that going from "Mature" to "Adult" stories don't have overlap with the initial watchers. And bigger view numbers can also be just from the novelty and appearance of my thumbnails - not reliably tell if the reader liked it or not.

In general I think I am .... a good writer. Not great, just good - I believer my strengths are with understanding my characters, keeping good story structure with bit of humor and describing all the sensational points in a good way. However, I feel that my pacing might have dragged too much in the "Flowers", or my humor, descriptions, or story beats not hitting with all the viewers - I'll work on proving myself in all writing areas

I know that smaller Macro/micro writers don't get much critiquing comments to the posts, that would be appreciated - but I'll have to continue with the guess work from my numbers like everyone else

But you still appreciate the small amount favoring viewers?

Absolutely! Getting over ten favorites twice tells me that it's not a fluke, and there are interested viewers and watchers. I have thanked, and keep thanking people for that + ones who also given me direct praises for my writing

It encourages me to put my in-head stories and scenes into paper, and showing them openly

So there are few people that genuinely enjoy your stories
- So what next? Did you have some plans?

Right - possible trades and cooperation
for trades - I'm waiting for new adopts to hatch + getting my ´sonas to be drawn - So until that I'll hold any trades for now
for cooperation - I do like lot of Macro/micro YHC's Art. Getting along with SFW types of multi-character YCH's interest me - waiting for more characters for that too

I'm slowly opening up, but you'll have to excuse me for not rushing into this too fast - and surely I need to get to know the people who are interested personally

for coming stories - I'm starting to write one Halloween special, and continue with "Rooftop view", then back to next parts "Flowers for Giantess"

What's going on with me in real person
Currently I am studying 1st year in radiology nursing, and got plenty of spare time to do my writing end of this year
- I am also dealing with brain disease suffering Father. Who still has his memory and other cognitive functions, but is slowly losing his ability to speak. We are starting to learn sign language together - This has been mentally tough occasionally, luckily all of our close circle are adapting into this situation fairly well

Well - uh, that got heavy all of a sudden - Are you alright?

I am feeling alright and fine, thanks for asking - The family situation isn't that bad or daunting. I only wanted to tell that there are some responsibilities that might keep me busy

Top of that I'm also getting back to hiking and nature along with a camera - there's few pictures in my SFW account already

That's good to hear - OK, maybe we can wrap it up, and end our deep conversation

Yes, and thank anyone who actually read all this through - it was only personal, therapeutic outlet to unpack some of my thoughts and feelings

Take care all of you, and have a pleasent day

Sticking my characters, and their current reference artist list here:

Characters created by  Sereigon:

Sereg - Male Dragon
Default visual avatar, no backstory nor fixed traits
Profile picture - done by me using Character creator in
GrowthRPG v.0.5.0 created by  DigitalFurBelow

Characters adopted by me, but I've NOT made original art of them:

Rova - Male Wolf
future story character
Ref sheet
 HazakyAracely - Visual base
 Lakritsa - Original design


Kadjá - Female feline-hybrid
future story character
Ref sheet
 Chesta - Visual base
 C0ffee_Rat - Original design


Ai'dah - Forest guardian, female spirit creature
Future story character
 Lakritsa - Original design & Visual base

Filler! - Filler page!

- https://youtu.be/sOnqjkJTMaA?si=BLO....._8HQ&t=580 -

-Just something to keep short - Don't fill the space with too long posts -

Today's ace message

Ace's are capable of rude, vulgar and dirty sexual acts, we just don't want to

IRL I had to try to explain this without getting through - So I'm sharing here about my position

The key is with the definition: the lack of sexual *attraction*. Aces can still have desires, sexual drive and libido. Also including enjoyment of sex and masturbation. It is a wide spectrum filled with minute differences yet covering many.

In my own personal case; I am Sex-repulsed hetero romantic demisexual (ain't that a mouth full?). There is romantic desire towards opposite sex, females for a companionship, but only when strong emotional connection is established. So far my encounters with co-oped sex have been - from repulsive to undesirable and unpleasant *ugh* I hate that, but that's the truth. My relationships have never been sex-driven for sure

So you might wonder why my favorites filled with so many sex scenes? To that I say; Fantasy. I'm still hetero romantic, and I enjoy those portraits of relationships, the mutual care, passion and enjoyment. Something that I desire

What about the macro-/microphilia? Well, *hmh* that's whole different can of worms I still try to decipher...

Hopefully I at least manage to explain this to someone reading this - but thank you for taking your time. I appreciate that