* Help Wanted * Apply Within * ::grin::

[JeffsFort]

Hi Everyone!

No this isn't a question requiring input for the magazine (Thanks every one of you for those though!) It's poking a stick in the bush to see what comes out. LOL!

So, we have 9 issues under our belt with actual content since restarting. I was really worried that they were going to get really stale without Comsie really fast but, people have been giving feedback and it is both depressing and gratifying at the same time. Sure we are missing the heart and soul of what IMAGINE used to be but we've been able to to take the magic he gave us and use it as a reserve to keep creating content. I made the decision to keep doing a reflect issue to previous issues and added one that was intentionally only Comsie's voice. It's been a lot of work but, for so many, it was worth the effort.

On my end, it's been getting a little easier but, it's been difficult. Not so much in the creation of articles but in attempting to create something that he'd enjoy. That has always been my 'litmus test'. Anytime I created something new or tossed a "Story Brat" story at him, I'd be excited to see what he thought. Now it's still what i aim for knowing the feedback isn't going to come from him. That is what has been the hardest thing to deal with in all of this. I thought that part would eventually get easier but, every single issue reopens that wound just enough to make it hurt all over again. But with TurtleBoy, MykeD., The Story Lover, Night Auditor, MrM, ACFan, The EggMan, R. Eric, Justin, Jules Porter, and every single one of you interacting in the GA and Shack forums, the hurt of missing someone I have considered a brother for decades now is followed with a smile knowing that he would be so overjoyed that we loved him and his work so much that we are willing to keep it going. His sites and stories are safe for as long as we can safe guard them. So why post now?

Because we need voices. We need more of the people who loved him and his work to add a little of what they see in their online community to the living tribute that he built for us and we keep up for him. Right now, I must look like some kind of psychopath who loves to torture himself when the reality of it is, I don't want to let it go. I always loved being the guy behind the curtain for him and now that he has left and taken the curtain with him, I want more of his family to feel welcomed to be involved. I do need help and want to ask you all for it. (I meant with the magazine, stop laughing! LOL!)

Have you written a story you'd like to share? Have you read a really good story you want us all to be aware of? Know of a teen pop artist Comsie would have loved or did love that needs support or should be more popular than they are? Want to do a review of a special story or stories, maybe even review one from the Comet himself? There are so many unique ways that everyone could be involved, probably in ways we haven't even thought of yet. So I want to at least once invite the GA community and members of Comicality's Shack Outback a spot to show off a little Shack love  I'll continue to put the work in but just like any other community, a dancing monkey eventually gets old and can't dance anymore. Normally not without his dance becoming something that becomes dull to watch for too long. I get sick of listening to "Me" why wouldn't you? LOL!

To protect IMAGINE Magazine for Comicality and those who still need it, I want to ask for the help of the people who loved and appreciated the man and all he did for us. For additions that are one offs or monthly, for ideas, for something new... anything to help keep IMAGINE "our" tribute to Comicality.

The pay is horrible, it always has been but the rewards have always been lasting! C'mon out and play with us  Reply in this thread or email jeff@imagine-magazine.org and let's toss around some ideas...

  

[SilentandBroken]

 

man I didn’t think I’d miss him this much still. Granted, loss is a HUGE part of my traumatic past, I’ll admit, he left so much unfinished and I wasn’t finished learning from him either. Now, admittedly, I keep going back to his one reply to me encouraging me to write. But it’s that first big step ya know? It scares the shit out of me and the self criticism and self doubt have me stuck at the starting like making excuses like a nervous 14yo wanting to kiss his first boy crush or run…sigh 

Edited March 10, 2025 by SilentandBroken
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[JeffsFort]

Well, as someone who didn't think he could write anything either, I can safely say the best thing you can do if you have a story you want to tell is start telling it. However feels natural to you. Record yourself telling someone else, pretend you are telling someone else and record that, type out a scene where you sit down and tell someone else... Whatever gets you started, even if you need to go back and adjust the beginning. That first step can be the hardest because the first words to hit paper are often the most intimidating. Sometimes skipping trying to come up with the perfect opening line makes it easy to start. I've done it before and accidentally found that often in just saying out loud what story you want to tell, you simply find the right line by saying what story you want to tell.

"The story I want to tell is about a boy who realizes he's gay and one night at a wild party, he decides to tell his best friend."... One night at a wild party, I finally decide I've had it and need to tell someone...

Then tweak it for weeks, LOL! Since I was asking for help in this post, you need to let us post it when you do write it ::grin::

::HUGZ:: Hope it at least helps a little

[SilentandBroken]

Thx

[JeffsFort]

Dennis just wanted to remind you

submissions@imagine-magazine.org