Signal Boost and the New Year · 10:29pm Dec 31st, 2017
By now, it's likely that many of you have seen Horizon's The Elephant in the Equine Room blog post boosted, but if you haven't, you need to read it. By the end of this blog, I'll have posted other stuff, but this is important to touch on first.
Long story short—because Horizon did a much better job explaining this in his post due to his attendance, which is why you need to read it—there was an attempted rape this year at BronyCon. Attention needs to be brought to this.
I know this probably feels like a downer kind of post to end the year, but as many of us commented on the thread, this is something that needed to be brought to light. Since I haven't attended any cons yet, I had no idea this happened until I saw the boost from someone else. I'm glad I did, though, because I would like to attend at least one con next year, and I now know to keep my eyes peeled if I do.
Attempted rape is abhorrent no matter when or where it happens, but the fact that this occurred at a gathering between people that are part of what we believe is supposed to be a safe and friendly community really disgusts me. We need to prevent this from happening again at all costs. If you are going to attend a con next year, be vigilant. Not only for yourself, but for those around you, whether you know them or not. Horizon mentioned regretting not speaking up about the issue sooner, so as the New York Metro says about unguarded baggage (and I'm sure plenty of other places like airports do the same), if you see something, say something. And don't be afraid to do something, either. Do it right away. Don't wait.
Okay, before I leave off, I'm just going to give you all a little update.
I've been trying not to update too much on DaD without having something to show for it, because as I said in my previous not-Christmas post, as of late I've run into a bit of writer's block. Fortunately, I had a good brainstorming session with Crystal Moose last night, and he gave me some ideas that will help me move forward with my current chapter. After this one is complete, I'm going to try and get a hold of my editor. If he has time, I will hopefully go through what I have with him and post it as soon as I can. As usual, no promises, but as I've said many times, I have not given up on Cotton. It's just taking me some time to get through everything that I'd like to.
On the interim, as I also said in my previous not-Christmas post, my five-year anniversary is coming up the day after tomorrow, and I completed a new fic to celebrate. I'll be posting it the day of (January 2nd), so please keep an eye out for it (I'll be posting another blog, but since tagging DaD for it would be an abuse of the tagging system, I won't be doing that). It's very different than the previous stories I've published, and you'll see why if and when you read it. It's not very long, so readership and input would be greatly appreciated.
I hope you all have a good end to 2017. Here's hoping that 2018 will be better.
Happy and Healthy New Year, everyone.
—LD
Happy New Year to you too!