Snowflake Challenge -- day fifteen

[turps]

Day 15

In your own space, talk about what you're taking away from this challenge. Did you learn something? Did you interact with new people? Or did you try out different fandoms or formats or relationships? What's changed between Day 1 and Day 15 of this challenge? Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.

Well, I've ended with a list of to-read stories a mile long, which is a very awesome thing. I set my own ficlet writing challenge and had fun writing to prompts, I've interacted with a lot of new people and enjoyed doing so, and I've been friended by two new people who I'm really enjoying communicating with.

But mostly what Snowflake has done this year is made me engage fannishly again. Last year was a bad one for many reasons, and then dad being diagnosed with cancer, falling and breaking his hip and then passing away meant the last part of the year was extra horrible.

I'm not saying Snowflake is some kind of magical healing thing, I still miss him badly and am still dealing with other issues that weigh heavy on my shoulders, but what it did do was lighten the load with reminders that fandom is my fun place, and that includes interacting with people, writing and reading. I never stopped commenting to people but I did stop posting as often, so this posting daily -- or nearly daily, I missed one, damn it! has been great.

I've been reminded how much I enjoy writing and I hope I can hold onto that so I write more than a small handful of stories this year. I also hope more people keep posting. Not daily, I know that's often a hard ask , but more often, because seeing LJ and DW so busy has been lovely.

I see there's a round up tomorrow, so this may be jumping the gun, but better twice than not at all. Thank you, Snowflakes, to the people I've talked to for years, the ones I've just met and the ones that have only popped in on a visit, you've made this challenge a blast.

It's also More Joy Day today. We're taking Corey back to uni today so I don't actually have time to do anything online, but I'll be looking out for things to do while out and about. Sometimes that small thing really can make a difference.

Comments

[sperrywink]

Awww, that is a lovely outcome of the Snowflake Challenge, and very similar to what I am feeling (except for the level of awful that 2015 was).

I do hope people stick around posting and commenting too. It would be cool.

{{{hugs}}}

[jiksa_x]

My to-read/listen list is also insane after snowflake! It sounds like you've been having a really rough time lately, I'm happy you could find some comfort in fandom. I hope things get better for you soon and that we keep hearing from you this year <3

[wenchpixie]

♥ I love this. It's not a magical space, but it is a space - one that can be supportive or escapist or give you tears when you need them. It's a home.

[turlough]

It made me happy to see you enjoying yourself in fandom again! And I really hope you'll be able to continue doing so in a more active way this year. Reading your challenge entries made me realise how much I've missed hearing your fannish voice. *sends ALL the good thoughts for a fun and active fannish 2016*

[glitteryv]

LOL, so much WORD on having a million and one tabs of stuff to check out (I think my bookmarks grew by something ridic like 150? I now have nearly 900 fanworks bookmarked. \o?)

I totally hear ya bout reconnecting with the love for writing and how fulfilling posting on DW has been for the past two weeks.

Like you, I too hope that some of the momentum carries over to the rest of the year. It's been a truly lovely experience. One that has deffo brighten up my days. :)

[analise010]

*hugs* I'm glad that this had given you a measure of joy when you needed it most.

[rikes]

♥

[akamine_chan]

Snowflake is totally a magical thing, because of all the awesome people that participate however they can. Like you.

*hugs you so hard* It's been a tough year, but you made it. 2016's gonna be better. <3

[turps]

♥ ♥ ♥

[turps]

Thank you so much ♥

I've seen so many people praise snowflake. I hope you realise how awesome and important it is.

Yes, yes it is. For us all I hope.

[turps]

It really was a lovely outcome.

Some people seem to be posting still, not a Snowflake levels but that's okay. I'll take any increase.

[turps]

I still have so many tabs open with things to read. It's a good situation to be in, all that fic ready and waiting *___*

Thank you. It was a rough year last year, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed this one will be better.

[turps]

No, not a magical space at all, but one where support is there when needed and distractions available always. I love that. And yes, it's a home for sure.

[turps]

Oh, this comment <333333

I missed being fannish too. It's something that became hard to get back to when things around me were falling to pieces. But, things seemed to have turned around now.

It's lovely to actually want to write again. I've missed it.

[turps]

That is a lot of bookmarks! But, I'm right there with you. My tabs are out of control.

I'm so glad you reconnected, too. And while I'm repeating myself, hope you and the other mods know how amazing this challenge is.

[turps]

Thank you so much ♥

[glitteryv]

Hahaha. TBH, about 1/3 of them are for fic that's super short (meaning less than 5k words)

Reconnecting to fandom is one of the best feelings there is. :)