We were instructed to introduce ourselves so here it goes. I am Al Diaz, better known as Father Dragon. Yes, I am a real dragon. I have red scales, wings, and 150 dragon-proof dwarves at my service. I'm 803 years old. I draw, paint, sculpt and write, but my favorite activity is teasing ninjas (are you playing for us yet, ninja?).Teasing ninjas is the main reason I'm in this group. Second reason, my dwarf therapist recommended it. I have fears, sorrows and insecurities as all writers do, but I've found out I can cheer myself by cheering others. It is 100% effective. The problem is that sometimes I don't feel like doing it. I bet you know what I'm talking about. You have a problem, you know the solution, you know it will be good for you, for your health, for your life, and yet you resist. As if you enjoy feeling bad or having the problem. We are funny that way.
Those who know me for long, know I am always talking about improving ourselves. Be the best version of ourselves we can be. I hope it helps those who read me, but my main intention is to spur my better side into action. Still, the evil voice in my head is stubborn. It calls me to drop everything and go fade away in the deepest darkest corner of my Cave. There are times this call is overwhelming and irresistible.The only thing that keeps me from following the dooming song is the "Safety Net" for dragons. The first unyielding grasp was this ninja I like to tease (where's that bloody recording?). I lost count how many times I've said I'm leaving and he sends all his clones to block the exit. Ninjas are stubborn, cunning and way too fast for dragons my size. He inspired me to set a trap on myself and not just stay in this support group but additionally create another. I never thought online support groups could be so powerful as to make my indomitable self stay put for so long. I didn't believe they could form such strong bonds of true friendship and teach me so much.
I want my first post of this 2015 to be a gratitude post. Despite the dooming mermaids in my head singing their song deafening loud as I type this, I am thankful for the Safety Net that binds me here and refuses to let me go.
Thank you Captain Ninja (in the name of the Dwarves' pork-chops, let's hear that rock already!) for forming this support group and for being there to block the door and for me to tease you. Thanks to all the ubber awesome heroes of the Dragon's Eleven Mission and thanks to all of you who on one time or another have expressed your wish to keep hearing Father Dragon's roar and the cheers of his dwarves.
I leave you Dragon Hugs and encourage you to become part of a "safety net", if you are not already. (I also encourage you to nag the ninja about that promised performance.)
This post is part of the Insecure Writers Support Group, created by Alex J. Cavanaugh. You can also find IWSG on Facebook - Critique Group
I'll be rocking soon! You won't leave me any choice otherwise.
ReplyDeleteAll exits are blocked, my friend. And you trapped yourself. But you are safe in this net because you have friends.
Now, where's the second half of Ninja versus Lord Baldernot?
Hi, FD...
ReplyDeleteWE have been Dragon friends for years now and YOU are always spouting about how you want to hide away. WE WILL NOT LET YOU.... Your creative muse is neverending. Never have I met a more creative being than YOU.... You work is exquisite and must be shared with US! AND the WORLD... SO NO HIDING! SORRY..... Ninja Captain Alex is correct. You will be ensnared BUT BY your FRIENDS.....
We are all here for you and HAVE been since you've entered OUR WORLD....
May 2015 sooth those anxieties and nerves and keep you PLAYFUL and CREATIVE....
HUGS back at you!
Dragons are beautiful and powerful and wise. And scary. And all of us (dragons included) NEED a dragon in our life. To inspire us, to awe us, to remind us - and sometimes to put a flame up our butts.
ReplyDeleteHugs. And gratitude to the ninja for keeping this particular dragon peeking out of his cave.
Happy New Year to you and all your dwarves! Having that safety net is muy importante. I am very fortunate to have my family and blogging friends as mine,
ReplyDeleteI get that feeling of knowing what needs to be done to better yourself and yet there's that part of you that resists. I think for me, at least, it's a fear of change. But things can't get better if they just stay the same.
ReplyDeleteI love being part of this community. I feel honoured to think of you as one of my blogging friends O wise and noble dragon. Happy New Year to you and the dwarves, please don't think of trying to leave.
ReplyDeleteWe need wonderful friends who block the exits when they know we are best off right where we are. Besides, we'd really miss you if you left. How many people can say they Personally Know A Dragon?
ReplyDeleteOh, my goodness! I have forgotten to nag the ninja!! Must add that to the to do list.
ReplyDeleteI will so block the doors- don't even try it. Even if I tremble in fear of the ferocious dragon, I will stand ready- fire proof shields up. But I do understand the lure of crawling deep into the cave. I think of it as pulling an Emily Dickens- just write and create for the joy of it and never again have to worry about marketing and all the crap that bogs the brain down.
The urge to hide from everything is not unfamiliar to me. Sending hugs back to you too.
ReplyDelete"the evil voice in my head is stubborn. It calls me to drop everything and go fade away in the deepest darkest corner of my Cave. There are times this call is overwhelming and irresistible."
ReplyDeleteI've been hearing that in my head also the past year. Getting harder to resist; but my writers group is good at keeping me interested and partially productive.
I'll send you sugar free virtual virgin snacks, though I'm sure you'd occasionally prefer a plump, juicy one as opposed to sweet and pretty :)
Father Dragon, you know already that we will not let you go anywhere. As the Ninja Captain said, all exits are blocked. I'm going to have to talk to him about making some fire-proof under armor for us, just in case you decide to act up. :)
ReplyDeleteOf course, the feelings you're expressing are all too familiar to me also. It's one of the reasons I came to you in the first place. I needed and wanted to be pushed so I wouldn't give up; I wasn't getting that from anyone else. I needed it even when I thought I might not want it (if that makes sense).
And yes, we do need to get on Alex about playing. I've been slacking BIG TIME on that. Hugs to you; you're never far from my thoughts. Eva
Ninjas are tricky, aren't they? And thank goodness for that. The IWSG has given me such remarkable support and encouragement, and they are led by a ninja. Here are some virgin gummies for you and more hugs. I'm pleased to hear the mermaids haven't lured you away.
ReplyDeleteHello Father Dragon,
ReplyDeleteI'm certainly glad ninjas are sneaky about putting up safety nets when we least expect them (or want them). We need those safety nets, and I'm certainly thankful for the IWSG. It has kept me writing even when I feel like there's no point!
Happy New Year!
Jen
Happy New Year, Father Dragon. You can't stay away for long, we need you as much as you need us! Just watch those temptations, they can make for some tough battles, but the all of us, the ninja and the dwarves' will fight for you, always!
ReplyDeleteWell, personally I love knowing a real dragon . . . and I'm very glad the ninjas are blocking the exists, so I can keep said dragon around in my blogging community. Have a great new year and ignore those mermaids! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI agree, the Ninja needs to play and the Dragon needs to draw. Especially as Lord Baldernot will soon be on the move. As your grandmother I too am pleased the exits are blocked but as the Ninja says, the safety net will continue too hold you and to do so in a soft and warm embrace.
ReplyDeleteAs always, I'm glad you've stayed around. Keep on going, Father Dragon. I'm glad you've found the support you need.
ReplyDeleteEveryone should have a Ninja Safety Net. I'm glad you have a good one. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteWe all need a safety net because it's tough to go through life alone.
ReplyDeleteHi Father Dragon .. all I can say is - I'm glad you and Mother Dragon are around and protected by those little elves and Capn Ninja and all his insecure bloggers are here looking out for you ... the cave can beckon, but we'd be lost without our connecting world ... stick around .. swoop in and out .. but enjoy 2015 - doing what you can .. the Safety Net will protect you from the sharpies beyond .. cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThis is the year for you to SHINE DANG IT!!!!! Big hugs!
ReplyDeleteYes, Alex is a life-saver and a true hero. His enthusiasm and energy boggle my mind. You couldn't have a better friend to help you when life gets tough. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's not that I don't want to help others or myself, just run out of energy at times. I don't even have the excuse of being 803 years old, lolol!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Sia McKye Over Coffee
If you left where would I get my dragon fix? Here's to that sneaky and clever Ninja who helps keep you at the mouth of your cave most of the time. Let's net that Siren Mermaid and put her in another tank, shall we?
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! (Sorry, I'm really behind on my blogs >_<)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoy teasing ninjas. There's not much better in life than that.
Hey Al,
ReplyDeleteI follow the desperately late to your blog theme. Of course, my excuse is a terribly slow computer. You have shown that you are, we all can be, an integral part of a sharing, caring blogging community. Within the IWSG aka "I Was Seeking Gary", ignore that part, we can embrace the gift that is empathy.
A peaceful, hopeful New Year to you and all your loved ones.
Gary :)
Well said, as usual, Father D. I like to trot off to my own isolation chamber too, sometimes. When the mermaid songs spread their lies too thickly. I'm glad you've got that Ninja to block the exits for you. Keep strong! :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, that ninja dude is pretty cool. And you, dear dragon, are utterly fabulous at cheering up others.
ReplyDelete