Gm reader, well, here we are, and about damn time. What about a little story? Well, for 12 months now, I have survived solely from my work as a ‘Web3 Writer & Narrative Designer’ and what a hell of a 12 months it has been.
There’s been colossal highs and monumental lows some of the best and worst days of my life so far, and I’m deadly serious about that. BUT, WAGMI? I actually did make it, and I'm here to share a little of the knowledge I have acquired along the way…
As a Web3 Writer, Storyteller & Narrative Designer, I've learned some very hard lessons that have helped me navigate the ever-evolving world of digital content and storytelling. I’m here now - and in the future - to share some insights and experiences that might inspire and guide you and others along that creative path…
https://twitter.com/ricgalbraith/status/1646105156059029506
A thread that birthed a Mirror post! I will be sharing tweets per section in this article.
I’m a lifelong storyteller, 20 years a writer, 15 years a collaborator, 10 years published, 5 years a digital arts accomplice, 2 years an NFT creator, and 1 year a full time degen.
By this I mean, I have set up my own little business, and I have earned money through the web3 / NFT world as a writer and storyteller on various projects including my own. I pay myself a salary each month from these earnings, all above-board, and I live and work this daily life as a writer.
It's been an incredible journey, and through this space I have fulfilled a whole host of dreams but also had some hard times.
https://twitter.com/ricgalbraith/status/1242504153533988869
Concrete Operational - My first dive into collaborative media and storytelling, 2009.
But you know, as the old saying goes, be careful what you wish for...
I've essentially woken up thinking about NFTs every day now for around 30 months straight. In some ways, I’m not sure what I thought about every morning before this.
I've made life changing money, I've made stunning art, I've made beautiful friends, but I've also learnt a few hard lessons, so strap in:
https://twitter.com/ricgalbraith/status/1569243917656231937
gm, a daily part of my life for nearly two years now, it’s always gm in the metaverse.
It all kicked off with finding my people. I thought I had found them once, a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…
But alas, after 15 years of working as a social media and marketing strategist for some of the world’s leading brands, I knew I was never going to fit in.
Here, in this crazed world of web3 and crypto, I found the outliers, the artists, the nerds, the thinkers, tinkerers...
And so: Find and surround yourself with the right people, find your people, the ones you connect with, and be with them, this helps every single day.
https://twitter.com/ricgalbraith/status/1444655188845924361
One of my first collaborations with a digital artist / illustrator, and I never looked back.
This new world, I come flying in by the seat of my pants, lips drawn back over my gums, hair wild and eyes pinned open. Panic, FOMO, imposter syndrome, anxiety, I had it all.
But I also had excitement, passion, love, wonderment, fervour, zeal! I had an idea and a pocket full of determination, but sometimes that’s not enough, you gotta have heart too.
And so: No one is 100% all the time, don’t believe the gurus, find your own balance and accept the suffering as well as the joy.
https://twitter.com/ricgalbraith/status/1390049394863616000
My first minted collaborative art piece, it sold quickly and the rest, is history.
Back in the early days, I remember asking myself, are we the cool kids now? You know, I always wanted to be one, an artist, a writer, a sunglasses wearing journalist, a cigarette smoking cultural commentator.
There was a beautiful moment in 2021 when it seemed the world was ours on a plate. Some got caught up in this idea (including myself). Then harder times came.
And so: The key I’ve seen for those most successful is to avoid distraction, put in the hours, and you get the gifts.
https://twitter.com/ricgalbraith/status/1433880746503118850
Episode #01 of Punk Fiction, where I take my CryptoPunk and write stories of their lore.
And with that, you find yourself in a world of new people and new opportunities. A place where anything is possible.
Living the dream, I was once told collaboration is my ‘superpower’. Truth be told I’m actually pretty good, but as with anything you do a lot, you tend to get good, but I also tend to get distracted.
And so: Avoid those distractions, work with your fellow artists, the rising tide raises all ships, understand this and you shall go far.
https://twitter.com/ricgalbraith/status/1456403719361286147
Shroomheads, working with an amazing team to bring over 100 characters to life.
When the dust settled, when the quiet came after the storm, when the markets crashed and when so many left, there were clearly a few things that held those who succeeded apart from those who did not.
And I can’t say this loud enough: Consistency is the best form of guaranteeing success I have come across.
And so: I’ve been very fortunate, but I’ve seen many peers skyrocket into the upper echelons of glory. Their key? Consistency (and a lot of talent, of course).
https://twitter.com/ricgalbraith/status/1521453453779902464
Buying and holding #5046 has been one of the most important decisions of my life.
The ride has been wild, I’ve made lifelong friends in this space, but I’ve also come across a few somewhat nefarious characters in my time too.
It’s the wild west, it’s crypto, but look, the outside world ain’t much better. Trad art, business financing, brand marketing, whatever, there’s always assholes.
And so: Friends are key to long-term success, and those who are open and kind succeed. There are plenty of bad actors, so find who you can trust, and hold them close.
https://twitter.com/ricgalbraith/status/1503831783753883658
One of my all time favourite collaborations, biggest sales, and best stories.
You come so far, you push and push for so long. Through it all, those highs and lows and then you have that realisation: Delight in the ability to create.
Holy shit, I forget this a lot.
I get bogged down in the detail, the anxiety, the imposter syndrome. The deep and dark lows of wondering if anyone will care, if anyone will pay attention, if anything will come of this at all.
And so: Remain objective, if you’re here, it means you create, enjoy this, love yourself and the process.
https://twitter.com/ricgalbraith/status/1441820071865823232
When Ep #02 of Punk Fiction sold to a renowned collector it was a proud moment.
Well, as we all know, life very much has a way of doing the ol' switcheroo.
I thought when I quit my normie job I was in for the life of my dreams. Long coffee filled writing sessions in hipster cafes. Wining and dining with those cultural people you see and hear so much about in the magazines…
Well, let me tell you: It’s been harder than I ever expected.
And so: Getting here was the easy part, maintaining it is the hard part. Maintain that vision, never let it go, and keep focused.
https://twitter.com/ricgalbraith/status/1463870208649707525
When I opened up about alcohol, anxiety and creativity, the response was amazing.
It might take a long time, it took me over 20 years, but once you're here, once you understand kindness and persistence pays, you are golden.
That epiphany, that moment of enlightenment, that arms in the air, singing to the sky feeling when it finally clicks.
And so: A new world where anything is possible is at your fingertips. Just remember, be kind, enjoy the process, don’t mess with leverage, and as @Punk6529 once very wisely said, SURVIVE.
https://twitter.com/BroadsideNFT/status/1587196746064617473
Being called in to write the foreword for an innovative project was a dream come true.
Of course, there’s always a final boss, and it seems there’s a new one every day around here. There are many problems with the space, the loudest usually win, FOMO and hype and not art get the most attention, bad actors pull rugs for millions, etc.
But hey, guess what buttercup, it’s no different anywhere else, suck it up and get on with it.
And so: The trick? Prepare yourself for disappointment, jealousy, rage, all the rest. But remember, this is a New World…
https://twitter.com/ricgalbraith/status/1451145951893143561
Becoming a chief storyteller with one of the world’s finest sci-fi artists? Unreal.
Look, the world changes every day, but here I’m convince that we are at beginning of a paradigm shift.
If you are here, you are at the forefront.
You are an early adopter.
You are at an intersection of art & technology.
You are the creator of culture and community.
And so: We are here to change the world, kids, trust me, anything is possible: GET OUT THERE AND GET IT.
https://twitter.com/ricgalbraith/status/1436115810666287114
Collaborating with two of the world’s premier digital artists? A dream come true.
Well, that’s 12 pieces of advice, 12 months of my life and 1 year a degen.
Remember the basics, you’ll go far:
Find your people
Be kind
Avoid distractions
Consistency is key
SURVIVE
Fuck the hype
Change the world
https://twitter.com/ricgalbraith/status/1457658346476036105
A moment that changed everything, giving my speech at NFT LDN 2021.
Just five of the many amazing people that have helped me along the way, and you should trust:
Classic Hero @punk6529
Everyman Hero @krybharat
Anti-Hero @punk4156
Reluctant Hero @ClaireSilver12
Byronic Hero @lphaCentauriKid
Well, there we are, this has been one hell of a journey so far, filled with those colossal highs and monumental lows.
I am red pilled and I stand steadfast in the face of everything else to say I believe in where we are and what we are doing, as we navigate this ever-changing landscape of creativity and innovation at the forefront of the web3 world.
And look, along the way, we'll encounter challenges and setbacks, but we'll also celebrate our victories and cherish the unforgettable moments that will bring us closer together and closer to understanding the human condition.
Together, we'll explore new horizons, forge lasting connections, and push the boundaries of what's possible. We’ll have some fun, that’s for sure, and who knows – we might just make history as we embrace the adventure that lies ahead.