What started PuzzleIssues and how did it become what it is today? (2019-09-21)
What started PuzzleIssues and how did it become what it is today? [20190921] In our exploration of sexuality and each other, we started a TUMBLR to better communicate what we were and were not into. We built a huge blog with hundreds if not thousands of examples that expanded our imaginations and connected us deeper than ever before. Simultaneously, through the public aspect of TUMBLR, we ended up advertising to the world what we were into. It constantly grew in abundance of imagery, writings, and followers…until the purge. Yes, its true, were TUMBLR refugees and if it wasnt for that purge, we probably wouldnt be where we are today. When we heard what was about to happen to TUMBLR, like many others, we scoured the internet in hopes to find an adequate replacement and became a little disappointed. Nothing had the same feel. Nothing had the same simplicity. Nothing fulfilled our expectations. Some sites were too new, others too social, others too confusing, and others too restrictive. So we kinda stopped, all together. It was at this point that our focus changed from outward to inward and we started relating the images and writings that we liked and shared with each other to ourselves and our relationship. We used this pause to take a look in the mirror and distill. We saw the void and we subconsciously and frantically began to find ways to fill it. At first, he started playing with images on his phone, doing simple edits and modifications through preinstalled apps. From here spawned what has been dubbed as Puzzle Posters. Looking like covers or pages from magazines but twisting the feel to incorporate many of the Puzzle Issues we uncovered and shared through our months of tumblring together. In response, she started having more fun with photos. Taking pictures that were more extreme and silly to play along with his styles of edits. Initially these were simply private fun. During this time we had initiated the transfer of our TUMBLR to BDSMLR but were very disappointed in how long that was taking and how slow the site was in general. Plus, the user interface was full of bugs and trying to enjoy it through chrome was a nonstarter. So, we kinda gave up on that for a while, still continuing our silly and app based photo editing. Then, one day, we invested enough time to get good at and understand REDDIT. It was the outlet of the most potential for us and we invested weeks digging through it and finding subreddits and users that were of interest and similar mindsets to us. We started to realize that REDDIT is very different than TUMBLR or any other social site and we learned theres much more of a focus on the content rather than the user. Also, we learned that you cant really do anything without karma. So we started upvoting, posting, and getting more involved. Initially we started posting things we liked and saved from our old TUMBLR feed. No one cared. It was all just white noise. So one day we decided to try and post one of the Puzzle Posters and BAM it was a huge hit. The response of comments, messages, and upvotes was a little shocking. So that was the catalyst. We did it again. Now we had followers and people asking for more. We even built up enough karma to post on bigger subs so we did. Shockwave after shockwave hit us as other users even began to argue over our works as if there was no middle ground. Either they loved it or they hated it and it became a social experiment for us. Better cameras, different locations, and more thorough editing programs came into play and together we began learning new trades, expanding our skill sets, incorporating feedback and ideas, and producing new and more exciting imagery. With the creation of more images, we began posting to a huge number of subreddits to see a wider range of reactions. We received such wonderful and diverse reactions and feedback that we decided to see if we could spread to other sites. At this time our TUMBLR had finally moved to BDSMLR, so we deleted it and started a new SFW TUMBLR under the same name so we could be found and followed more easily. We also created IMGUR, INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, PINTEREST, FETLIFE, and even PORNHUB accounts. All under the focus of being channels leading others back to our new REDDIT home.