This year saw many firsts for me, and I foresee even bigger things in the next. ^^

While 2017 started off slow, it saw the first anime con in which I'd cosplayed as more than one character (as Judy Hopps, Toriel and Nick Wilde on alternating days) and my first Furry convention, in which I'd portrayed my then newly acquired character Jinx. Her personality was still being shaped at that time, and prior to this con I had invested a large amount of development into her, although to this day I've yet to involve her in any stories. I know a journal about that con is long overdue, so here it is anyway.

I had the time of my life at ConFuzzled 2017, and it's a time that I will never forget for as long as I'm alive. <3 It's something I wished I had started doing many years ago, but granted, I was certainly not the person back then that I am now. I met many fellow Furs who I previously had known only through this website, and wasn't shy about posing for photos. Even got stuck in with a game of Cards Against Humanity until I had to leave to go to another event. I visited the photo booth multiple times, but the projector was very unreliable, breaking down on several occasions and forcing the hosts to cancel the photo shoots. I was going to be taking part in the dance competition, but I was forced to pull out when I got sick just one week before the con. There were some truly impressive dancers taking part, and I got to watch two friends of mine performing. But, you know what they say - if you can't beat them, join them. And in the afterparties, that's just what I did. ^^

While the Fursuiting and the interactions with other Fursuiters was a big part of it for me, it was ultimately the writing panels that caught my eye, as well as the books I purchased from the authors at the Dealer's Den. At the time I still had stories to finish making before I could open for commissions, and I wanted to listen to the knowledge and input from other authors so I could fill some of the gaps in my knowledge. Using what I picked up, how I make my stories has changed and it also led to me beginning to offer short vignettes once I returned. I'm taking more risks with my writing too, evidenced by me sometimes producing strongly violent, very sexually explicit or quite unusual works outside of commissions, although there are still a few topics I'll only do when I'm commissioned to. Although I lost ConFuzzled's flash fiction contest, I know where I went wrong and I'll use what I've learned to make a better entry for next year's contest. :3

When I opened for commissions, I was ready to take on the world and anything it desired from me. Several ideas moulded in my mind, and now I plan to make one of them my debut novel. It's to be a romance novel titled Iridium Flowers that will show how Ron and Jackie met and fell in love. I've also paid my friend Disco-Demon to make its cover for me and one of the regular customers at my shop to produce an illustration of Ron and Jackie for me, though I decided to have the cover put on hold until the story is near completion. I don't think I can ever be the next Philip Pullman, but I'm still going to give it a damn good go. ^^

My next anime con saw the first time I brought a Fursuit to such an event, and it really surprised me how much attention this attracted, especially when I walked through the streets with it on. I met three other Fursuiters there, all of whom had also been to ConFuzzled (two also being good friends of mine), and we soon hit it off once more. I again attended a large number of the panels, with one of these being Tomuna and Ruey's event that humorously dealt with the dos and don'ts of how to behave in the Fandom, and I found myself agreeing with all of it based on the things I've seen go on over the years. These two take it as seriously as I do, but granted, as of now we have about a quarter of a century's experience between us.

Speaking of whom, Tomuna is currently making a Full Plantigrade Fursuit of Gemma for me, and if all goes well, those of you who are going to ConFuzzled 2018 will get to see it there. Once the Fursuit is completed, you'll see photos of it go online on both our ends, so look out for those. She's currently open for commissions, so if you're in need of a Fursuit, she can work wonders with your characters. You can find photographs of some of the other amazing suits she's made on her FA userpage. All you need to do to get started is ask for a quote. You can also find her on Facebook as Voxal Visions Fursuits, where she has showcased an even wider selection of photographs of her projects. :3 Even if you can't buy yet, go Watch her. GO. :3

ConFuzzled 2018 is to be my next con, having decided to withdraw from the Winter LAGC in favour of AlCon. Better get hold of an Awoo License, then (or Meow License if you prefer). :p Before then, I aim to go the distance with my writing between plotting out and making Iridium Flowers. As well as planning to pay for advertising space, I will also be running a special event later down the line. I won't reveal what it is just yet, but when you see it, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. ^^ I will resume buying commissions again a few months from now, although the number of purchases I make will be much lower than previously due to the desire to save up as much as possible for cons and any emergencies. There are plenty of ideas I would love to see artists and fellow writers bring to life in their own ways. ^^

Additionally, at the end of the year I'll be embarking on my first trip to the States in fourteen years to attend Midwest Furfest 2018, where I hope to meet up with my dear friend ReokuKurosai and two of his friends. We go back almost to the very beginning of our time in the Fandom and we've stuck by each other year in and year out. We've even inspired each other's work. <3 I'll also be getting to meet another friend there. It's where I'll show off my Fursuit of Sharp once it's ready, complete with several of the outfits she commonly wears, including ones that have not presently been drawn. Nurse Darke will see you now. ;3

To finish, I hope each and every one of you had a marvellous Christmas and that 2018 will be a happy new year for you. If you didn't achieve your aspirations this year, the next year can see you chase them and catch them. :3

BKT