As I previously mentioned, Creative Twilight has hit the 10 year mark for its anniversary and it’s gotten me thinking.
See, when I started this blog I had no idea what I was doing. I’m a PHP programmer who works for a local web hosting company and websites are what I do. However, a blog is a whole other animal. It requires attention, nurturing, and engagement unlike a typical website.
Over those years I’ve learned a lot of lessons, and most the hard way. I was/am ambitious and thought this was a lot easier to do successfully than it is – blogging.
In the past few years I feel like I’ve finally hit my stride with Creative Twilight. I’m focusing on quality over quantity. I’m creating tutorials that I hope people find useful, and I’m painting miniatures I hope people find inspirational. I feel as though I’ve found my place.
My painting has also come a long way. The days of a base coat with a dry brush are behind me. I’m tackling advanced techniques like blending and NMM to really push myself as an artist and I’m loving every moment of it.
Still, despite the success of Creative Twilight and the noticeable advancements in my miniature painting, I can’t help but feel I haven’t made it where I want to be yet. That I’m sitting on the cusp of greatness and I’m completely unsure how to reach it.
It’s sort of hard to explain too but I’m hoping some people know what I’m talking about. This isn’t something that’s specific to blogging or painting but a general life feeling.
It’s as though you know you’re capable of more. That you could conquer the world if you only knew how. I know I could make Creative Twilight one of the most popular miniature painting blogs but I can’t quite grasp it. I know my painting could be even better, and I’m trying, but I’m just not there.
There’s this lingering feeling that resides within. An urge to just be better, do better. Yet, finding that release is just out of reach. You can see it vaguely, but every time you sit and consider a path you find it hidden. It’s sort of a malaise really.
I have no point to this article other than just getting that off my chest. Maybe that’s what I’ve needed – my release. I also thought there might be others reading this who could relate. Maybe yet, others who shared what I described and found their path, to which I’d love to hear about.
Also, I’ve wanted to do more blogging and just share. To let you all get to know me more.
So, there you have it. A walk inside my mind ;)
I love painting miniatures and teaching people how to paint. I also really love blogging, so I've combined those two passions here.
- Creative Twilight’s Future and My Thoughts (Feedback Welcomed!) - December 4, 2021
- My Top Gift Ideas for Miniature Painters & Hobbyists + Gifts to Avoid - December 2, 2021
- The Year That Was 2020 and Where I’ve Been - January 17, 2021
Congratulations on the anniversary
Thank you!
Thanks for sharing! I do like reading these kinds of posts :)
Thanks and it’s nice to know someone does ;)
I hear you brother!
We do seem to share a lot of similarities.
Strong play chief. It had been great to see your painting advance and I have had plenty of use out of the tutorials, advice and posts.
Keep it up.
I appreciate it.
Yep, I know exactly what you mean. I want mine to be successful but equally remind myself success was not its function. I’d also claim the more successful the less introspective, like this very post Thor, you can be. When there’s few dozen, or even hundreds you can talk on that personal level, when it’s more I’d imagine you’d feel obliged to change the tone. I dunno, it’s just a theory.
I’m not sure what to do to take it to the next level. Ultimately we’re discussing a niche topic on a platform that has declined, or plateaued in the last few years. Unless you’re going to dip into video and YouTube I’m not sure how it can get much bigger, you’ll certainly gain followers but I couldn’t imagine my own site ever doubling it’s hits [which it was back in 2016].
Natfkas blog is still successful, despite GW managing to plug so many gaps that rumours and spy shots are outdated within hours of the scoop. Reposting what the GW Community page does seems redundant and what’s on folks hobby table has never got me huge views linking to my blog but his hits keep rocking up. Its a different sort of blog that offers a one-stop-shop for hobby gossip, maybe theres something to learn from his model [although I think your blog clearly has that professional touch your expertise affords].
I can’t see the tone changing with the amount of traffic the blog gets, but the ability to have a conversation very well might. Like the old days of BoLS when it got 300+ comments on each article – there was no way the author was keeping up with that and understandably.
You are right that things do seem very much in the decline. It feels like the wargaming bubble has burst. I can’t say I know why but it’s evident.
YouTube is a natural progression but not one I’ve done well with. I’ve tried doing some videos, still try when I find the time, but I haven’t hit my stride with it. Blogging I know, videos are a whole other realm with its own features and nuances that I’ve yet to learn.
News sites have and will always do well, relatively speaking anyway. It’s what keeps BoLS going as well. Even when that information is available from the GW team, people still want to hear the opinions of those covering it and have a conversation. It’s a slog though, doing a news site, and one I’ve never considered – too much work.
I know there’s no magical solutions to any of this but it is nice to get it off my chest.
Greatness is a journey not a destination. Additionally it is not something one can perscribe themselves. Others can declare it of you or your actions or works. I think you are on the right path if you are finding joy in your life and the things you do. There will always be the next challenge the next thing to learn so long as you do not become complacent and stagnant. Find joy in the challenge and seek the next challenge that to me is a fulfilling mindset for life.
Rock in buddy hope to see ya in the future sometime this year.
Philosophy is something I’ve always enjoyed and your points are all valid. However, one can’t help but in the moment consider it all. It would be foolish to not sit back, observe your own choices, and determine if it’s all leading where you want. That’s effectively what I’m doing here but in a more self-entitled way ;)
Maybe this year I can commit to doing some paint judging for The Standoff. Things are still chaotic as we’re still dealing with the inlaws house (don’t get me started), but I’m REALLY hoping to get that situation behind us this summer and free up time again. I don’t much miss the game but I do miss hanging out with you all.
For sure! Wether you play or not I would love to see your work in person you’ve made huge leaps! I wish you the best of luck with your life stuff!
Thank you. I’ve been considering trying my hand at painting some busts just to do something different and have a piece I can just mess around and learn with.
Do it!