New Member. Reticent

[ryanzdawson]

Hello. My name is Ryan. I am 40, married, and autistic. I don't like socializing and I am bad at it, but I'm trying on the advice of my therapist.

I write adult fantasy. I am a published author with 4 books available on Kindle and in paperback. I self published my first book in 2012. A tiny press published my next 3 books. I have not been successful and my books don't sell. In fact, I decided to retire, but my therapist doesn't want me to.

I'm also a musician, a cartoonist, and an ASMRtist.

I hope this has been an adequate introduction. I am very nervous about being here. My goal here is to build an audience. I am bad at making friends but I will try to fit in. Thank you.

 

[CupofJoe]

Hail and well-met ryanzdawson
Good to have you here.
I'm not too good at socialising myself. I actively avoid it if possible. I've been in Lockdown for 14+ weeks and haven't talked to more than a half dozen people since March. It has been bliss on some levels.
This is a great place to learn and share.
And the really good thing is that you only have to join in if and when you feel like it.
ps I'm not sure what your avatar is but I like that too.

 

[ryanzdawson]

Recently I have been drawing reaction images. My avatar is one such image. I drew that creature. I chose it as my avatar because when I tried to upload a photograph of my face it appeared sideways. The little cartoon man also seemed appropriate because, like me, he is very nervous.

Anyway I am a hermit. I chose to cut myself of a long time before the outbreak, so social distancing has been easy. I want the smallest life possible.

I don't know what else to say, but thank you for welcoming me.

 

[Steerpike]

Welcome the forums, Ryan. I hope you enjoy it here. We're glad to have you

 

[skip.knox]

Welcome, Ryan. That little avatar is quite good. All I can manage is to crop an existing photo.

Anyway, it's fine to be quiet; lots of folks here mainly just lurk and many more start out that way before starting to speak up more often. There's a lane for most everyone around here.

 

[MythicLearner]

Nice to meet you. Wow, you are really talented. At least, you have 3 books written. I do not have any.

 

[ryanzdawson]

You will! It is certain. You can do it.

 

[Maker of Things Not Kings]

Welcome Ryan!

Nice avatar! Please, never worry about being adequate here. We all share what we can when we can and there is no pressure to be anything else.

My wife and I are self-proclaimed hermits as well. For us, the decision was simple, after years (separately and before we met) of talking about all the wonderful things we wanted to create someday, we accepted it was entirely up to us to make that happen. So over the last ten years, other than our cats, the folks at our post office, the library and store, we rarely see anyone, we never socialize and we spend most every day as what I'm embarrassed to call a work day, creating and selling what we make. And we wouldn't trade it for anything!

I hope the site will offer you a place to explore and step in as you feel comfortable.

 

[Vicki27]

Hi Ryan and welcome. I'm not a great socializer myself. I am happy with my own company and at the grand old age of 59 have found the recent lock-down to be a wonderful excuse to stay in and say no. This site is good for being informative and helpful without demanding anything in return