I've thought about how to say this for a few weeks now, but the simplest way seems to be the best - this is the end of my time here in the TG captioning community. As many long-time captioners have undoubtedly experienced in some form, I have struggled with when to make my exit for a long time. I took a "break" back in 2013, but ended up coming back with a few new blogs (including this one) because I still enjoyed the process. Come 2015, I made an exit from my main site for good, but continued to host contests here on Blogger and produce a smattering of works across various sites. I survived the Great Tumblr Purge of 2018 (although to be fair that was never a site where I produced my own work), yet here I am six months later ready to say goodbye. I suppose the cynical/candid perspective is that nothing is guaranteed - I can't deny that I've continuously flitted in an out of appearances throughout various locations in the TG captioning world and thus it wouldn't not be unprecedented to see me return. But this time feels different. I haven't written a caption in months, the motivation for maintaining these contests has dwindled, and a few factors in my life outside of this community likely means that this goodbye is the true final one.
So what does that mean? Well unfortunately it means that I will not be around to host contests. I have truly enjoyed putting these contests together and providing an avenue for captioners to try their hand at making something in an environment where they can feel safe and comfortable to explore their creative side without having to commit to creating their own site. This place (and all of you lovely participants) have honestly been a major reason why I've lingered as long as I have and it is my biggest regret that my exit will remove this outlet. I would obviously be THRILLED is someone else would eventually take up my mantle and try to host a similar caption contest specific site somewhere else, but I understand that various factors may make this undesirable for potential hosts or contests participants.
But fear not! I don't want to end on this somber note and leave people without one more chance to participate in these contests. That is why I am planning on hosting THREE special events to conclude my time here. The deadlines are important - I won't be around any longer than the end of June, so please try to be prompt if you want to participate! The three-part 'finale' to this site are:
- The Premise Caption Contest (submissions by Monday, June 17th): I have a number of old caption ideas that have lingered in storage for upwards of three years. I'd like you all to try to do what I cannot - complete captions based on the premise I provide...or invent something better!
- The Final Caption Contest (submissions by Sunday, June 23rd): This is the last "real" contest that will go on simultaneously, giving you free reign with a number of my favorite images.
- The 3rd Request Contest (requests by Wednesday, June 12th): As I have sporadically done during my time here, I want to offer a reward for the wonderful individuals who have taken the time to participate on this site by providing them a free caption request done by me. This is open to anyone who has submitted a caption previously. The caveats are two-fold: first, I am REALLY struggling to produce captions, so this represents an ATTEMPT by me to complete a request. I highly recommend suggesting/requesting multiple ideas; even though I'll only do one, it'll increase the likelihood that something will inspire me. Secondly, the deadline for submitting a request (Wed, June 12th) is really important - I don't intend to be around much longer and need time to produce as many requested caps as I can.
Thank you all for being a part of this experience for me. There are too many individuals participants to thank, but I hope you all know how much I've valued your creativity, artistry, and ability to breath life into these wonderful stories.
-Elena Starz
So sorry to hear you're moving on, hon, but I totally understand. We'll miss your work and your contests, but certainly won't begrudge you a well-deserved retirement.
ReplyDeleteAnd, should the captioning bug ever bite you again, we'll still be here. :)
Thank you Sally! I appreciate your kind words and all the lovely caps you've produced for this site :)
DeleteI am devastated to hear your retirement from captioning Elena, however as a fellow captioner I too understand what you are going through. I also have been “on and off” with producing captions… making comebacks here and there.
ReplyDeleteIf you truly feel this is the end of captioning for you then I wish you nothing but the best and I hope you are happy with your decision. Like Sally Bend said, if you ever decide to come back we will still be here. Over the years you have built up a loyal fan base and I’m proud to say I am apart of that. You are my biggest inspiration! The original Elena Starz TG Blog was the reason I got into captioning in the first place. If it wasn’t for you I would have never been apart of this community.
So I would just like to finish off by saying your impact to the TG community will forever be felt and I hope in your retirement you keep your TG blogs up and available for future generations of sissies and sissy lovers to come across.
Thanks Luke - these sites will definitely stay up as long as possible.
DeleteI know I'm not the only one to say, thanks for all you have done! Personally your site was one of the first to help me get into the writing aspect after being a lurker of your sites and other's over the years. You are due for your much deserved retirement, where you won't have to worry about deadlines or coming up with stuff to write about as you did magnificently for years. So once again thank you for all and hope things work for you on your next endevour!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that Jess! As I've stated before, this site was intended as a way to inspire new captioners to try their hand at producing something, so it warms my heart to know that you were a wonderful example of that coming to fruition. Keep up the great work!
DeleteWow. Retiring again! I was amazed at the amount of work you continued to do after your first retirement in 2015.
ReplyDeleteIt's not easy finding good source pictures to caption, and each month you gave everyone a good 40-80 photos with which to work with your theme. As someone that also used to sponsor "DIY Captions" on their blog, I know it's often the most effort to do and gets the least amount of views for that effort. It's a credit to your abilities and drive that you made this place so successful, and helped many people get started doing their own work.
It's been a blast to see your captions going way back to Rachel's Haven, and you've definitely made an impact on the TG community. I hope you have a fulfilling real life to head off to, and we'll always leave a light on for you to pop in occasionally if you so desire. We wouldn't want to Godfather III you or anything! "Just when I thought I was out .. they PULL me back in!"
Thanks Dee - I appreciate the kind words and your own impact on the community and this site in particular. You are certainly a prolific captioner with great layout/design and clever ideas that was always inspiring and something for me to aspire to, whether on your own site or the Haven. I also am grateful for the little posts referencing these contests that you sprinkled into your own work - I'm positive that the visibility your provided brought more people to this site, and more importantly meant that more people considered producing captions inspired by the images/themes of the contests. As someone who has been around a while like yourself, I feel that the work we do to inspire others is the most important thing we can do, so thank you for being a part of that!
DeleteI had made it part of my weekly routine every Sunday for any updates so it seems I am finding this late. I am saddened to hear that this will be the end of your caption contests. I know I have mentioned to you how you and these contests reignited the passion for captioning that had died down to embers for a long time.
ReplyDeleteI hope you find fulfillment wherever you shall seek it.
The next few weeks were already shaping up to be busy for me but I will do everything I can to produce for this one last time.
Thank you again, for everything you have done for me and for this community.
Thank you Rachael - reigniting your flame is something I'm proud of and I hope you know how much I valued seeing the volume and quality of your work whenever you had time to produce it. I hope your creative spark continues to shine bright even when I leave, as your work is certainly a joy for many.
DeleteYour caps are were always by far the best. Your caption contests forced everyone to raise the bar and so your blogspot became the home to the best content. One thing I am curious about, is that maybe one person may not be good enough to fill your shoes, but maybe before you go we could set up a group/community where we can carry on your caption contest traditions, but it wouldn't be dependent on just one person.
ReplyDeleteRegardless, I truly wish you the best as you move forward with your life! I am really curious on what kind of adventures await you! So hopefully you can reply back about your future or maybe drop a post in the future to catch us all up :)
Once again, (and I can't say this enough), THANK YOU! So much! For all that you have done. Even when you were not posing, your site and your content have always been a lighthouse for us to gather :D
Thank you Maddy - I appreciate the kind words immensely. In terms of a new site, I am open to advertising anyone who wants to put forth the effort, but at this point I haven't heard any specific site with a vested interested in putting in the work.
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