(THE ARTIST'S LIFE) "End of a Dream"

I grew up the outcast.  The only boy of seven children, being a fat kid, chronic illness, knowing from an early age I was attracted only to members of my own sex - it was like from leaving the womb I would know what it was like to, ultimately, be alone.  It was one of the reasons I turned to writing at the age of eight, creating worlds I didn't myself live in, where the misfit both wins and even finds true love in the end.  Later, as an adult when I got into acting and stand-up, I learned that humor broke down a whole lot of barriers in people, and making others laugh became not my music but a grand symphony.  Those were fun times, even if brief because I knew writing was my first love.

But I've recently realized there comes a time when the dream must come to an end.  When you simply must wake up, and accept a life like that of Salieri in the film version of Amadeus - who, the first time he hears Mozart play, knows himself to be "forever mediocre."

I thought "Candyland" was a great idea, and could ultimately kick-ass as a real television series - but while the readership is loyal as hell, it's remained small; as much traffic as has been driven to a blog with over 7,600 pageviews in just a few months, it's the donations that were needed to keep things going that haven't been there.  That buzz has been slow to build, but sadly too slow; time has run out, and I simply don't have the resources to continue the series anymore.

So like many potentially-good series that have had to come to an abrupt end, I am sorry to say that I have to pull the plug on "Candyland".  The two grand needed simply didn't come in; not enough buzz, or support from those who may have even tried reading it.  So, with apologies and pleas for forgiveness to those who HAVE been reading, know that it was a blast to receive your support and comments, praise and such endearing love for the characters in the story ... but "Candyland" does, at least for now, end with episode 12.  I hope you have liked what you've read of it.

But more importantly, the lesson I've learned here is that - as I said - you must realize when the dream must end and the reality must begin.  It's simply ... not fun writing anymore, after this.  And while I hope one day it will come back - and did appreciate and love it while I had it - I just wanted now to bow out gracefully, and give my dearest thanks to all who've shown their support ... whether retweeting or favoriting, reposting or sharing, or even donating money to try and help keep the dream alive; it really made that little eight-year-old putting pen to paper in me smile.  And please know, while I may be forgotten ... you never will.

God Bless!

Don

dsareboot@gmail.com
P.S. If you'd still like to try and help save this series - keep the dream alive - please feel free to do so; am giving it a couple of days to see what can be done, but in the event you feel you CAN donate to this writer's dream, please go directly to the "Candyland" blog and use the "Donate" button on the left there.  THANK YOU.