turps

By now you may know that DWNOGA is no more. When I first joined this fandom, it was SeSa that prompted me to produce my first popslash story. I'll always remember that year, I was so green, and was absolutely terrified when I signed up, especially when I was assigned JC/Joey or JC/Nick. The only thing that got me past it was the mentor scheme. I asked

jae_w if she'd help me, and she agreed. She was wonderful, so patient with this newbie who knew so little. Of course, I was so green I didn't know she was well known as an awesome writer. If I had no way would I have approached her.

I loved that first SeSa, and have loved every one since. The one where I got assigned JuC for one of the best loved JuC writers. That was the year I wrote a story so bad I was basically told by my betas that it needed to be scrapped. Which I did, about a week away from deadline. Then in that next insane week I wrote a new story, one I loved a lot.

The one where I was asked for timbertrick, by someone with a flocked journal and no 'dear Santa' letter. So I was writing blind. I ended up changing huge things up to the last minute, but also made a friend of the recipient, one I still have today.

The one where I was assigned trickyfish, and ended up with a story that I still adore now, and one people seemed to like in return.

There's so many good memories, and not so good. Nights when all I wanted to do was delete the damn file and be done with it, but kept on going, surrounded by people who were feeling the same.

I'll miss DWNOGA. Pet and Georgina have been wonderful for the last 6 years. The popslash SeSa is amazing, so many stories have been produced, and I can never thank them enough for what they've given our fandom.

Saying that, I'm going to love the new challenge too. Make the Yuletide Gay is being run by amazing people, people who believe in this fandom, people who love this fandom. I know it's going to be fantastic, and believe me, as soon as the dates to join are sorted out, I'll be joining, and praying for no GSF *g*.

I know change is difficult. I know that a lot of people have moved on to new shiny fandoms. But remember the love you have for these men. The glee when you watched the footage, saw interviews, fell in love with men who wore sparkles and loved it. That love is still there.