Retirement

[Jiggy]

Effective immediately, I , along with all of my characters, are retired from the FWA. Chris Kennedy's official "in story" retirement will occur down the line but I think it's time for me to hang it up. My reasons have nothing to do with booking, management, or any of that nonsense. The real reason is much, much more boring.

The common term is "burnt out" but I'm not necessarily sure that applies. Going on 7 years with the FWA and I've achieved all I could ever hope to. I used to wake up early on a Saturday, go out of my way to cancel plans just so I can spend 8-12 hours writing a promo. I don't do that anymore, and I find myself wondering why I ever did. I'm not burnt out, per se. I just don't have the same level of enthusiasm as I once did. I couldn't put my finger on it if I tried. I just know that as I find myself working more, I have less time to spend with my children, who've already lost countless hours from me due to time I've spent on this hobby I love so much. I'm sorry to anyone who I may have had plans with. I'd contemplated giving it another year, knowing my heart wasn't in it. After much thought, I decided against that.

One day, I'd like to be a published author. I know that I will never have the time to put something in motion when I've got deadlines to meet for two characters. I'd like to devote what little free time and motivation to write into that.

Before I peace out, I'd like to thank two people. Chris Stallings and Devin Golden. In the earlier FWA days, Chris Stallings unofficially took me under his wing and showed me the ropes. His wisdom and advice was instrumental in my FWA success. Assuming the afterlife has wifi, I hope he is reading this right now and understands how much his tutelage meant to me. Devin was always the angel on my shoulder, my voice of reason that reeled me in every time my head got to hot. I learned a lot from TGO and I'd like to think he learned a lot from me, though that's not for me to say. To me, he is more than just some guy I know on a forum, he is my friend.

Shout outs to ETE, Wolf, Mac, Shake, and iMatt who all hold special places in my heart as well. I will miss the turning out an A1 promo and waiting intently on results. I'll miss old school style Open Promo sessions, I'll miss BACK IN BUSINESS season, but most of all, I'll miss having a place at the table.

Best of luck to the FWA and to anyone who will ever be involved. Love y'all.

[Happy Jon]

Effective immediately, I , along with all of my characters, are retired from the FWA. Chris Kennedy's official "in story" retirement will occur down the line but I think it's time for me to hang it up. My reasons have nothing to do with booking, management, or any of that nonsense. The real reason is much, much more boring.

The common term is "burnt out" but I'm not necessarily sure that applies. Going on 7 years with the FWA and I've achieved all I could ever hope to. I used to wake up early on a Saturday, go out of my way to cancel plans just so I can spend 8-12 hours writing a promo. I don't do that anymore, and I find myself wondering why I ever did. I'm not burnt out, per se. I just don't have the same level of enthusiasm as I once did. I couldn't put my finger on it if I tried. I just know that as I find myself working more, I have less time to spend with my children, who've already lost countless hours from me due to time I've spent on this hobby I love so much. I'm sorry to anyone who I may have had plans with. I'd contemplated giving it another year, knowing my heart wasn't in it. After much thought, I decided against that.

One day, I'd like to be a published author. I know that I will never have the time to put something in motion when I've got deadlines to meet for two characters. I'd like to devote what little free time and motivation to write into that.

Before I peace out, I'd like to thank two people. Chris Stallings and Devin Golden. In the earlier FWA days, Chris Stallings unofficially took me under his wing and showed me the ropes. His wisdom and advice was instrumental in my FWA success. Assuming the afterlife has wifi, I hope he is reading this right now and understands how much his tutelage meant to me. Devin was always the angel on my shoulder, my voice of reason that reeled me in every time my head got to hot. I learned a lot from TGO and I'd like to think he learned a lot from me, though that's not for me to say. To me, he is more than just some guy I know on a forum, he is my friend.

Shout outs to ETE, Wolf, Mac, Shake, and iMatt who all hold special places in my heart as well. I will miss the turning out an A1 promo and waiting intently on results. I'll miss old school style Open Promo sessions, I'll miss BACK IN BUSINESS season, but most of all, I'll miss having a place at the table.

Best of luck to the FWA and to anyone who will ever be involved. Love y'all.

I can totally sympathize with that. Anytime I'm writing a BTB, Efed, or spending time playing time-heavy games I keep thinking to myself: 'I should be focusing on writing that novel I'm working on' and yet I still end up coming back here to write and the amount of words I have spent (and no doubt you have spent) writing here could easily have filled fuckton of novels by now.

Would've loved to have storylined with Chris Kennedy someway somehow but I guess thats not meant to be. Enjoy your free time and resist the urge to come back because, as bored/unenthused as you might be now, that urge might end up showing up (I think I've had endless periods of stop starting efedding since '08 when I first got into it).

If you do find yourself writing some interesting personal stuff (and by interesting I mean some scifi/fantasy stuff because that's all I read ) then I'd be down for checking it out! Good luck!

[RainShaker]

I'll write a full post later - this will do...

[An Original Name]

Tough. I refuse to accept it you're never leaving deal with it

[Sayer]

No.

Just no.

Unless you're dropping the title to me on the way out.... Then yes.

Err.... no, not even though. You're not allowed. If you leave, Chris Kennedy will join the Bedlam, so there.

[The Golden One]

I told you this on FB chat but I think it's worth saying it in this thread.

I, too, am getting to the retirement level. I stepped down to a lighter mod load and gave the leadership spot to Shake for this reason. "Burnt out" is a great way to sum it up. I actually enjoy being a mod and reading other people's work than I do writing my own promos. I feel I have done everything I can do in writing — no more unique angles to take — and I simply enjoy other people's takes more now. I'd almost prefer being a fan — no deadlines for grading, no requirements for how to look at a promo or grade it, no worry about plans or booking or future storylines or pushes. Just being a fan and reading creative works. That sounds like fun.

But it's so tough to step away, as you described.

Don't feel bad about retiring, even if you had plans coming. This is a hobby. No pay. No concrete achievements to hang on the wall. It's simply an internet hobby you put in seven years of your free time, and you owe it and us nothing. As life changes, and we all get older, our priorities change. The FWA slowly moves out of the picture, growing smaller and smaller in the time we can devote to it. You shouldn't feel bad about that, and you shouldn't feel bad about coming to terms with it and making the right decision for yourself. One day I, and everyone else, will have to do it. It's natural.

As for you, the writer, I will save a lot of my thoughts for when your characters actually are finished. There will be times and places for it all. But I'll say you, as a writer, changed the FWA. At your peak — I'd say 2012-2013, and then again in 2014-2015 — you changed how people promo'd. Your style rubbed off on close to a dozen RP'ers, whether total influence or in smaller ways, and that style sticks today. The FWA, as I experienced it starting in 2008, never prioritized style and formatting and, for lack of a better word, "flash" before JD and Chris Kennedy. That's a compliment, and that's the truth. You made promo'ing look more like an art, and you perfected it at your height.

When you said you learned from me, I also learned a lot from you. I learned pride in my work, and I learned that sometimes that pride is worth fighting for. This is a game, yes, but there is nothing wrong with being proud of what you wrote and taking the competition aspect seriously.

I also learned many writing traits — including the ones I mentioned above — that made me better, in the FWA and in my job as a journalist. You influenced me, and you pushed me and many others to get better and keep up with your talent. Those who did not were left in the back. Why do you think it took Stu St. Clair five years to win another World Championship? And that's not a shot at Stu; it's the truth. You completely changed the FWA's style.

You gave seven years to the FWA — including two as a mod — and you accomplished everything there is to accomplish. I will always wish we had a proper Kennedy-Golden feud — or even a match — but it's tough to cross off the entire bucket list for something like the FWA. You got to do it all, and you should have no regrets about the time you spent or the time you didn't spend. Like I said above, you owe the FWA nothing — and you owe us nothing. You were one of the greatest — arguably the best when at his best — and, if this is the end, you can end it knowing that it's a fitting conclusion. Your place among the best FWAers ever is etched in internet stone.

[The Mac]

Man, you were one of my biggest supporters and was always there to offer help and assistance. I wouldn't be here if you didnt ask me to come back. I had put forums out of my mind after the collapse of PWS. definitely at a loss for words but all the best Chris and like everyone has already said u were one of the best.

[Jiggy]

Thanks everyone. All of the kind words mean the world to me.


I told myself I wouldn't cry....

[Roman Reigns Fan]

Man... I am going to miss having you around. This game is like watching people on TV who you're a fan of, and through their work you feel that you know them. That's how I feel about everyone that I ever rp'd with and I may not have worked with you, but I felt like I knew you and was glad to be a part of something that you were such a big part of. Your mark will definitely not be forgotten from FWA. You were one of the best. You made this fun. You will be missed. Love ya <3

[Wolfs Rain]

Damn! What a horrible timing!

[The Altyrell]

You'll no doubt will be missed, and I hope that I'll do your nGw creation justice. As far as writing a book or several, please oh please at least consider devoting at least one book to Chris Kennedy (and with ETE's permission) and Gabrielle Montgomery because between the characters of Kennedy and Gabrielle, you could fill several books.

[Jimmy King]

I had a great time working with you in Ghost Dog, and you helped me get better and find something to work with for the Ghost character. I also enjoyed your other characters as well, the promos for each them have always been a fun read, especially your more recent work with Kennedy's heel turn has been great. Real life always comes first though, so enjoy your retirement bud you've more than earned it.

[Eyesnsane]

Wow man you'll be missed for sure. We ve had some good times ehh? Dinorah and Eyesnsane having a kid and all that who would have thought. The almost timeless rivalry. No doubt you've had a great run and I'm sure you still could. Real life always comes first just try not to be a stranger. Good luck and I hope things go great for ya!

[An Original Name]

If you can indulge me shamelessly ass kissing...

you are easily one the best efed writers I've ever met and it's been nothing short of an honor, it might be a small thing but the fact you were willing to let my silly little character be attached to CK I've always considered that a massive compliment. And while I think it's a shame we'll never had that big Bell vs chris feud I was somewhat angling for ill always appreciate your friendship and I'll hold out hope you'll keep be involved in FWA in some capacity. Dem awesome graphics yo.

take it easy bud. You've earned it

PS if you need me for an excuse to write out dino. Bell hugging the evil out of her or something just let me know

[Happy Jon]

(Was secretly hoping bell would win QFTB and challenge chris)

[iMatt]

Jiggy you will be missed, I hope one day you make a glorious return Working with you over these last 7 years both in the ring and behind the scenes has been a great pleasure and honor. You have always exhibited so much passion for this and have helped usher in some of the best storylines, feuds, stables and moments in FWA history. This fed will not be the same without your presence. I am proud of the work you have done here. Even though I know you'll be sticking around to finish out some stuff let me take a moment to say goodbye old chum!

I salute you!

[Jiggy]

I've been avoiding this thread because I want to write a novel-length reply to each and every comment and I haven't mustered up the courage to do that yet. Too many emoshunz. I am going to give in depth replies when I don't think it'll make me sob like a bitch. I'm an ugly cryer. In the meantime I'll just say thank you all so very much. Love y'all

[Sayer]

Just make us one promise...that you won't be a stranger to the FWA. Your opinion on things mean more than most anyone else's. We need your insights. We need your creative input. We need you, Jiggy! YOU CANT GO.

[ETE]

Definitely one of if not the best FWA has seen. You've done it all with a myriad of amazing characters. Seven years has flown by.

[Jabberwocky]

Dammit. I finally come back and this happens.
Truth be told I feel a lot of what you are saying as far as reasons go, and you have way more responsibilities then me.
In fact, not being here for months - I honestly came close to just hanging it up myself.
Then I started to get an itch.
As Devin said, "Burnt out" is a great way to put it. A lot of us have been at this for years. Something I get the feeling none of us really expected the day we signed on for the first time.

You're one of the top tier people in FWA history, without a doubt. Your quality and standard of writing helped raise the bar man. We share a common dream in wanting to write, and wanting to be published someday and I know you have the drive to do it.

I count you among the friends I've made from being here and that is a beautiful thing