#sorry for my life story lmaooo bkhkbhk

[word-wytch]

I want everyone who reads this to know that your participation in this fandom, no matter how small or insignificant you feel it is, matters.

Every time you share something, comment on something -- and I want to make a point to stress that I don't specifically mean just praise of others works (though that is super important). What I mean is adding your voice to the conversation. Your feelings, your theories, your keyboard smashes. All of it matters.

Story time --

I still feel fairly small on this platform. I spent the month of June afraid to join tumblr again after I had been away for so long after getting locked out of my old account. I posted my fanfiction exclusively to AO3 because I hadn't figured out how it worked on here yet. I was also afraid that I was going to be judged for being too old for fandom anymore (I'm only 30 but still I had no idea the climate I was walking into! I know better now obvs)

When I finally did join again two weeks in I still felt like I was mostly shouting into the void.

On July 1st I helped found an Eddie support group discord server that branched off into a much smaller group for 18+ of less than 50 people. I poured all of my time and energy into bonding with the members of this adults only group. They were (and still are) a lifeline for me, someone who felt absolutely friendless in this fandom up until that point.

By mid August I began to participate more on tumblr, but even by then the hype was starting to die down. I made an effort to bond with people where I could but I felt like I was catching up to all the bonding on here that I missed.

At the end of August I got to meet Joseph Quinn and he signed the zine that @storiesbyrhi put together.

Since then I've grown my blog slowly, reaching out, making more and more connections with other writers. I also did an art trade with @storiesbyrhi where she designed my blog theme and I wrote her a personalized Eddie fic starring her. That was one of the most meaningful fan exchanges that I've ever had the privilege of being a part of, and that was just between us.

The point is -- my follower count woefully reflects the impact that this character has had on my life and the meaningful connections I have made with others who love him.

If you feel the same way, I just want you to know that even though sometimes it may seem like a popularity contest, fandom is about connection more than anything. That connection could be with one person, or it could be with thousands.

Everything you share, everything you make, every thought you add, keeps Eddie alive.

And if you ever need a friend, I'm here. Always.

This is for anyone who feels like they don’t have a place in this fandom (provided you are over 18, because minors DNI), or are feeling ignored, overlooked, & excluded, despite the efforts made to be a part of things. I see you, I hear you, I notice you, I know how you feel right now. Shit stings, but if you need anything—my inbox is open ❤️❤️