Going Indie? Join a Community!
In your Indie journey, never go it alone!
This time a year ago, I stopped being a lone wolf indie creative.
It’s easy to get into that mode as an indie game developer, comic book creator, or author. You simply focus on the creative process and completely ignore the world. Especially if you’re an Introvert.
I had done it for 5 years.
People make things so messy, but the most important thing to remind yourself — surrounding yourself around people helps.
That’s what we’re going to talk about today!
When I started to hang around Jack, the Lost Lore Scholar, every Wednesday on his livestream, so much started to change for me. I saw how powerful and valuable having a like-minded friend. I honestly saw why he says apolitical fantasy is so important!
So, what did I learn?
First, there is an inexhaustible amount of inspiration and ideas by being part of a community. I can absolutely say that the Mystamyran Elves wouldn’t exist right now if I wasn’t coming to listen to a FANTASY related live stream. And that would kill so much story I have in store now.
I can also say the same by hanging out with B.A. Turner. Some great things have been touched by the idea of the Divine Champion from his Vigilante’s Creed novels. Hanging out with friends will always give you all kinds of ideas, which I love.
Second, when you’re down, having friends always helps!
After Jack, I started to hang out with Ryan David during the Saturday’s speakeasy. When I need a pick me up, spending time with them means you feel that much better. Whether it’s just laughing and joking about what’s been happening this week.
It helps!
It makes you feel stronger!
It gets you laughing over every clip, every joke, every piece of news!
Again, being an Indie is a hard job, and sometimes it feels thankless, but when you surround yourself with like-minded people, you feel so much better.
Third, you get feedback on your work.
People look at it, give you the necessary feedback to make it that much better, and you can improve it dramatically. You can only do this if you step out of your comfort zone and start becoming part of a community.
If you don’t, and your create in a bubble, you will never get the kind of constructive feedback you need for your work, either. You have to take the risk to let people know what you’ve created — and that means joining a community.
If you don’t, your game/comic/book will always be substandard!
Get new ideas.
Get that feedback.
Get that encouragement.
This only makes your job as an indie creative that much better.
Hanging around a group of people turned Tales from Trinity City, a good idea, into a multiverse that everyone is going to love — it’ll just be 10-20 years in development.
Considering Tales from Trinity City is 6+ years of development, expect that I will have the energy, stamina, and passion to take it forward!
Oh, speaking of that, I am creating a new course on how to do that — 6 years or 20 years, I will teach you how to do it!
If you think about community, absolutely helps avoid burnout as well. You have a crew to help you keep motivated when you’re at your lowest. That’s invaluable!
So, you can either create in public, risk burnout and shouting out into the void. Or you can be part of a community that helps you in so many ways!
Your choice, and choose wisely!
Thank you for rolling with Amazing Gaming Productions!
