I have also found that the geek community is very willing to help when called upon or requested to do so. I called upon my fellow geeks to assist me in helping a young lady find her confidence. To let her know that she wasn't the only one who had been picked on in school and that everyone was scared about taking the first step to sharing their work.
I had tried to tell her one on one that geeks are supportive and encouraging. After months of mentoring and having the same conversations and arguments I decided to truly show her that what I said was true.
This is what I wrote:
Alright fellow geeks I have a HUGE favor to ask of you. I generally try to leave personal stuff out of here, but I need help. I have been mentoring a young lady (20yrs old) for the past few months. Her name is Ashley Conkright and she is a very creative geeky individual, but she's EXTREMELY timid and shy. I have been pushing her to take more chances and to embrace the geek community because we all support and encourage each other. She is very much into TMNT and dragons, but even more so into the Mandalorians from Star Wars. She even has her own character I've managed to get her to blog about. However, whenever I push her to do more she gets scared and is afraid of negative comments and being made fun of. I was wondering if you all would mind giving her some advice and/or words of encouragement. Ashley has some great ideas and potential, but we just need to give her that push so she knows there is feedback and support for her. Would you all please help me help Ashley?
The responses that followed were amazing:
Without the risk of sounding crass or rude. If she is a 20 something female and into geek culture, she will be insta-popular.
i love TMNT and dragons thay kick ass
Embrace your inner geek Ash! We are united and you will stand as one of us!
yes im one of the biggest geeks around Embrace your inner geek
Do it Ashley! We're all intrigued and looking forward to hearing from you about the stuff you're into.
I fail to see why she would be timid other than the fact high school often makes us feel diminutive. I was an overweight comic & anime nerd but after losing weight, a failed marriage, embracing my passions, a short lives DJ career, not afraid of failing- I learned to stop caring what people thought. Dr Suess said it best: "those who matter don't mind." There's a whole wide world out there with people of like mind.
i get called dork geek nurd you name it but im happy with me just be ya self and find ppl that like the same things ya do
We can and will help.
Join us, Ash...jooiinnn uusss....
Join us we have cookies
No matter what you do, there's always going to be some jerk somewhere that tells you that you suck (especially on the internet). Just ignore them and do what you do because you love it and it's too awesome not to do it.
Yay! Welcome to the family Ashley!
5 years ago I decided to fully embrace my nerd/geek side especially in comics/stars wars side......and I have never been happier in my life! Ya I have moments I get made fun of still at places or even by friends, but it goes away quickly cuz of the stronger happier feelings I get from my love an passion of all things nerd! AND I've even recently found that someone special in life who loves stuff the way I do!
Ashley, the most all embracing culture is that of geek. The basis of it is acceptance and understanding. It's a free expression of the wildest ideas and non-conformist cheerfulness. An article yesterday was an introduction of the newest novelists. One said that he spent all his time panicking that he was getting it wrong, until he realised he was just different. He's a short list for the booker prize. There are no bad ideas, at conception they're all weak and need nurturing. If you love something bring it out into the sunshine and let it breathe. You ain't gonna get judged round here.
Send her my way. I completely understand where she's coming from and tmnt are awesome.
I'm shy too but it's one of the things I'm working on. When you're young it's hard to stand up for what you believe in when you think people are going to make fun of you. It's weird nowadays too because a lot of the stuff I was into as a kid is now HUGE. I read comics well into my teens when NO ONE cared about them. But what are the biggest movies out now? The ones based on comic books. If someone makes fun of you for what you like then they're no friend of yours. I've tried to teach this to my son. The people who care about you will support you no matter what. Looks like you have a lot of support here.
Sorry I forgot.....do what makes YOU happy Ashley!
As a fellow artist and geek I want you to know, you have my personal support!!
Also, my first few critiques (in the actual community) were harsh but I used them to motivate me. Sometimes it's the only way you can get better-by having someone point out your weaknesses/areas of improvement.
I used to be very shy, but last year had a successful booth at New York Comic Con. Nothing wrong with being a geek.
I'm a college professor so I talk to young people all the time. When they do good work I encourage them. Sometimes I know they can do better. I love what I do (aside from grading papers).
It's the internet and people say things because they think they can get away with it. Forget them! If you're truly a talented person share it with the world. How would you feel if Lucas was too timid to put out Star Wars? Or if Eastman and Laird were too shy to make TMNT? Invigorate and inspire others just as you have been. Haters gonna hate, geeks are gonna be awesome.
Don't let others opinions change who you are! I'm a geek, always have been and always will be!!
bringing someone out of their shell Is tough as it is. Over the web? TOUGHER!!!! But...keep contact and encourage her with kindness and courtesy. No pushing. Her confidence will increase and she'll begin to emerge at her own pace. Leave it at that.
I support you! HUGGGGSSSSSS!
If she loves TMNT, come join the TMNT Lives 4 Ever group. It is awesome over there. The best part about most of these groups is that you can go ape shit over your nerdiest loves and not feel ashamed. You meet people with the same geekiness and it's great!
i love being a geek!!!
When you are a geek, you are accepted in a fraternity of comraderie and brotherhood that rolls deeper than you will ever know. You will have allies and friends in every spectrum of the world, access to intel and info from nearly the entire world, and more importantly...if you ever ask for help, there will be someone at the ready to help. So don't be afraid. Accept your geek, and be accepted.
Rectified: (just watched it) if you can watch a movie like "Her" and then make with hours plus conversation about that potentially becoming Ultron or Jocasta, or how Shredder's daughter is a product of upbringing or product of your environment. You will make for not but great conversation but for a great partner. After sex, the art of conversation and nerdy bedroom talk is enough to make people of our ilk proud. Kiddo, you have ZERO reason to restrain yourself. Life can take you places you hate. And it will, but ultimately at the end, NEVER SETTLE. Not ever. I give too much information. At the end. We all die. Every last one of us. I've died a few times to know the meaning of life. Disagreements aside. Don't hold back.
When people are at their death bed, it's not what they've done, but what they have not. Don't live with that which you would rather try, even if another name. Try everything. Oscar Wilde can debate you later underground.
Be brave do what you love every one in life won't like you or like what you do but if you have one great person stick up for you then you must be a worthwile person love the people who love you everyone else is missing out
Ashley is it? Ashley Conkright? (That is a very Golden Age of Comics sounding name by the way) Most people that hate on others ideas are just mad that they didn't brainstorm it first.
If you meet adversity, don't let it discourage you. Let it empower you
Hello. I'm normaly socially awkard and don't pist things either. O.e day I wanted to share my comic art with the world and I was afraid how people would dislike it or say I was a bad artist. Then my friend sat me down. He said all those people... who talk smack... they will make up less then 1% of those who love your work. Just for inspiration. His words got to me, I shared my work. This year I am now an artist in two seperate comic cons. I don't know if this will help but its what got me over being so afraid I wouldn't share.
I don't see how anyone could hate on whatever she has to say unless its negative
Being a diehard Geek...believe in yourself. . I too am I Tent fan back from the old days. Sorry meant to say ninja turtle..
Fear of failing is worse than failing itself. Not being perfect is the opportunity to try something new and different. Don't let the fear of rejection slow you down but embrace the chance to improve on yourself and gain new experience. This from a former comic store owner. Long live the Jolly Roger!
Someone even shared Wil Wheton's heartfelt speech to a newborn about being a geek. I want to say a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who offered words of encouragement and for showing Ashley that geeks are every bit as supportive and accepting as I said they were. Again, thank you and remember, "We geeks gotta stick together!"
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