In the Grim Dark Future, there is war, and blogging about said war. Also blogging about anything and everything else going on. Blogging is a thankless job most times, and while our online community is pretty awesome in general as we celebrate all things Grim Dark, hobby, and miniature related. Seldom is the curtain pulled back to shine a light behind the scenes. The people who devote themselves to the dark god's of blogging work away frantically keeping the posts flowing. So in this series we will be speaking to some of our communities most dedicated. Getting a small glimpse into the minds of our fellow bloggers, and pillars of our online world. To get this glimpse a short series of questions went out into the warp, and these are the bloggers who responded.
Today we speak with GoatBoy from Goatboy's 40k Extra Thoughts
The Goatboy cometh! Thomas is a well known guy around the blog sphere, it helps that he is constantly writing, drawing, posting, playing, and travelling though. Also he cranks out models like a factory worker! His personal site is where he collects his thoughts and licks his wounds from all the hate he get's on BOLS. A great guy who will chat it up with anyone. I had written something else to go here to finish, but I am totally going to steal MVB's Thoughts on the goat man he posted on Whiskey and 40k because it wraps it up quickly and from another point of view. "Goatboy is a well-known internet blogger, tournament attendee, cheery fellow, miniature painter, carrying case painter and overall commissionable artist with a passion for our shared hobby. Check him out if you haven't!" (Brandt) However let's take a look at some of the awesome stuff that Goatboy churns out.
Please list all the sites you write for.
Bell of Lost Souls <- the Big Daddy - where I have been writing for 2+ years with a weekly Monday article as well as a weekly comic and some hobby stuff from time to time.
http://goatboy40k.blogspot.com <- Personal Blog Site
http://www.fullofmonkey.com <- Painting site
http://40kwreckingcrew.com <- Coming soon - need to work up some hobby stuff for there.
11th Company - been on a few podcasts with them
Forge the Narrative - also been on some podcasts with them as well.
What originally got you into blogging?
http://goatboy40k.blogspot.com <- Personal Blog Site
http://www.fullofmonkey.com <- Painting site
http://40kwreckingcrew.com <- Coming soon - need to work up some hobby stuff for there.
11th Company - been on a few podcasts with them
Forge the Narrative - also been on some podcasts with them as well.
What originally got you into blogging?
I don't know when to shut up. I like to talk about what I am thinking about and blogging just seemed the next step. I enjoy helping people out, discussing the game and even being a stinker and causing some nutty discussions. I look at it as a way to reach a bunch of people and help make a better place overall for the game. Plus it keeps me from babbling about stuff to the wife
Is there a story behind your blogs name?
Is there a story behind your blogs name?
My nickname has been Goatboy since working at a comic book store in the 90's. I had a goatee and it just fit because I could do a Goat impression as well. I liked it, kept it and just starting using it for my art and my 40k handle. Plus it is very easy to remember when I am out and about playing tournaments.
Can you name two articles you have written in the past you really enjoy and why?
Heck I have written for what 2 years now on BOLS. The articles I like are the ones that help players out. I am really a list maniac so sometime I get lost in the copy and paste nature of a lot of lists. I enjoyed the last article on BOLS where I told people that killing troops will help you win more games. Stop ignoring the mission and get to kicking ass. (http://www.belloflostsouls.net/2013/09/goatboys-monday-thoughts-why-you-win.html)Can you name two articles you have written in the past you really enjoy and why?
In the past I did some paint how to articles and I want to get to doing that again. It really becomes hard when you have to take good pictures of each stage. It makes me want to do a paint class at some point on speed methods
How do you keep up with blogging and how much time does it take up out of your personal life?
I write a weekly article at BOLS, do a comic a week, and then I usually try to update my own personal blog 2 times a week. My schedule is crazy as I work a full-time job, paint about 20 hours a week and try to throw in 5 to 10 hours of art time on top of any blogging. I would say I spend a few hours a week writing things up. That is probably the reason why I have terrible grammar.
Are there some really great blogs that inspire you or that you would like to shout out?
Wappel's art blog keeps me going. I love that style.
I read Dakka a lot and a lot of other blogs as I see them.
I think Reese at Frontline does an excellent job with the hobby. When I have time at work I am always reading something.
I check out Faeit as well for rumors and other fun nonsense.
If you had one tip for a newer blogger what would you tell them?
Make sure to write what you like. Don't get stuck in thinking you have to have content all the time. If you need to take a break do it. I am crazy and I treat this writing thing as a much needed part of my schedule. When I miss it I go crazy but don't think you need to update. Just do what you think sounds cool and keep up with it. Also don't get your feelings hurt with bad comments. They happen and people will also like to troll you. Don't go down the Troll Hole because it will just lead to a stinky pit and make you not want to do what you like to do. I rarely look at comments and just keep up with cool emails and make sure I talk to as many people as I can at events. This is a fun hobby so make sure to keep it that way. Lord that was sugary haha
Any final words before we wrap this thing up?
40k is about fun - so keep it fun. If you like to win then you like to win. If you like to paint your guys up in funky outfits then do it. Really just play, write, and think about the game the way you like and ignore all this nonsense about people saying the game should only be this wayAny final words before we wrap this thing up?
Thanks to GoatBoy for doing the article for the series. He might be one of the busiest guys in the hobby, and he still has a job outside the hobby! He drives home a good point though you need to remember not to let other people get you down and kill your mojo. It's your hobby, so enjoy it the way you want to and let the hater's hate. It's so easy to get wrapped up in one aspect of the hobby and forget how diverse the hobby can be.
Thanks for joining us today and keep an eye out as we have only 2 more of these in the series. We have a extra long one for the finale which should be pretty fun if you have been enjoying these. The series has been a blast and I hope everyone has enjoyed the ride so far.