The Finding of the Dee
So, later THIS week, I’ll be in Columbus, Ohio for the National Cartoonists Society’s 80th annual conference and Reuben Award weekend. This will be the second time since 2024 that Finding Dee will be a nominee for a Silver Divisional award for Best Short Form Webcomic.
Two years ago this time, I was an utter WRECK! My impostor syndrome was SCREAMING at me, and utterly kicking my butt. Everything it was saying here was magnified by a factor of 10, and it took all of the massive amounts of validation I received that weekend... in spite of NOT winning... to shut those voices up.
This year, however, as I write this, my usually ever-present Impostor Syndrome is a LOT quieter. A SECOND nomination means the last time wasn’t a fluke. Being asked to draw the official t-shirt said a lot too. I’m not writing any of this to brag, but to say that this kind of stuff can be fought against. Sometimes it takes a DANG long time, but it’s worth it.
Now, cross your collective fingers for me this weekend! (Big Reuben! Big Reuben! No Whammies!)
Cartooning is a lonely business. We all need validation. I'm so glad you're getting it!
Have you noticed that Imposter Syndrome and internet trolls all have the same voice? (That’s how I drown out my own impostor syndrome: I keep hearing it in the same voice as the “TLDR” crowd, and it’s impossible not to laugh.)