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Ten Years on ... What Does Supernatural Mean To Me?
This was a question posed at ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
positively_spn and it really made me think. In the end I decided that I wanted to share my answer (with some embellishments now I've had time to think about it) with my F-list seeing as it concerns you all ...
I discovered Supernatural on Christmas Day 2009, and, yes, it changed my life forever.
Of course, in the very first instance it was the J's drop-dead gorgeous looks that drew me in (yes, shallow, I know), but as I began to feverishly catch up on all the seasons I'd missed, I began to realise the sheer depth of these characters and the intricate and tumultuous story behind them.
I'm not a huge TV watcher, but there have been shows before that I've watched and really enjoyed, such as Doctor Who, Torchwood, Star Trek TNG and many British comedies, but I never once felt the urge to write fanfiction or make fan art about them (I didn't even know such a thing existed for a very long time), and I still don't. I'm simply content just to sit and watch and enjoy them. Something about Supernatural affected me differently; maybe it's because I discovered Supernatural at a time when I was exceptionally emotional, working through the most raw and overwhelming period of grief I've ever experienced after losing my lovely Grandad that autumn; maybe it's the wonderful way the cast and crew value and interact with the fans; maybe it is simply that J, J & M are such beautiful people inside and out; whatever it is, I still haven't quite put my finger on what it is!
But, as fabulous as our little show is, the thing that changed my life was discovering and entering the Supernatural fandom in May 2010. It's not that I was lonely or isolated before I discovered Supernatural; far from it. I had a great network of friends, but the additional friendships and experiences that have opened up to me are mind-boggling. I count people from all over the world as friends now; people I would never had met under other circumstances, many of whom have made the transition from on-line to real life friends. And the best thing is, these are people that share my inner nerdery, which is the one facet of my personality that I was never really able to share with most of my 'pre-Supernatural' friends.
The fandom also gave me the opportunity to rediscover a love of creative writing, a hobby I'd long since given up on for lack of inspiration and lack of a readership. It also gave me the opportunity and purpose to teach myself how to do digital art (something I'd never even thought about before), and the confidence to attempt drawing people again; something I hadn't done much of since school because I never really felt I was much good at it. Having the actors at cons tell me how much they like their portraits and how flattered they are, has made my confidence soar.
One thing I have said several times before, and that currently still stands, is that Supernatural is my first and only fandom and I think it will probably be my last. I feel like I have truly hit the motherlode on the first try, and I don't believe I could ever be lucky enough to repeat that experience. Any other fandoms would probably feel like a pale imitation of what I have right now. The Supernatural fandom will eventually dwindle after the show is no more, but I will be there until the bitter end!
But mostly, Supernatural will always be special to me because of the friendships I've made. Very precious and amazing friendships, and to those people I'll just apologise profusely now - because I'm afraid you're saddled with me for life!
positively_spn and it really made me think. In the end I decided that I wanted to share my answer (with some embellishments now I've had time to think about it) with my F-list seeing as it concerns you all ...I discovered Supernatural on Christmas Day 2009, and, yes, it changed my life forever.
Of course, in the very first instance it was the J's drop-dead gorgeous looks that drew me in (yes, shallow, I know), but as I began to feverishly catch up on all the seasons I'd missed, I began to realise the sheer depth of these characters and the intricate and tumultuous story behind them.
I'm not a huge TV watcher, but there have been shows before that I've watched and really enjoyed, such as Doctor Who, Torchwood, Star Trek TNG and many British comedies, but I never once felt the urge to write fanfiction or make fan art about them (I didn't even know such a thing existed for a very long time), and I still don't. I'm simply content just to sit and watch and enjoy them. Something about Supernatural affected me differently; maybe it's because I discovered Supernatural at a time when I was exceptionally emotional, working through the most raw and overwhelming period of grief I've ever experienced after losing my lovely Grandad that autumn; maybe it's the wonderful way the cast and crew value and interact with the fans; maybe it is simply that J, J & M are such beautiful people inside and out; whatever it is, I still haven't quite put my finger on what it is!
But, as fabulous as our little show is, the thing that changed my life was discovering and entering the Supernatural fandom in May 2010. It's not that I was lonely or isolated before I discovered Supernatural; far from it. I had a great network of friends, but the additional friendships and experiences that have opened up to me are mind-boggling. I count people from all over the world as friends now; people I would never had met under other circumstances, many of whom have made the transition from on-line to real life friends. And the best thing is, these are people that share my inner nerdery, which is the one facet of my personality that I was never really able to share with most of my 'pre-Supernatural' friends.
The fandom also gave me the opportunity to rediscover a love of creative writing, a hobby I'd long since given up on for lack of inspiration and lack of a readership. It also gave me the opportunity and purpose to teach myself how to do digital art (something I'd never even thought about before), and the confidence to attempt drawing people again; something I hadn't done much of since school because I never really felt I was much good at it. Having the actors at cons tell me how much they like their portraits and how flattered they are, has made my confidence soar.
One thing I have said several times before, and that currently still stands, is that Supernatural is my first and only fandom and I think it will probably be my last. I feel like I have truly hit the motherlode on the first try, and I don't believe I could ever be lucky enough to repeat that experience. Any other fandoms would probably feel like a pale imitation of what I have right now. The Supernatural fandom will eventually dwindle after the show is no more, but I will be there until the bitter end!
But mostly, Supernatural will always be special to me because of the friendships I've made. Very precious and amazing friendships, and to those people I'll just apologise profusely now - because I'm afraid you're saddled with me for life!
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And in conclusion
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And Jared's right; it is fucking cool :D
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This. Exactly what happened to me too!
And the friends!
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Welcome to the family! Most of us don't bite (well only when asked *G*), even now I'm still amazed at how this little show has drawn us all together. And like Dizzo I'm here until they drag me away kicking and screaming.
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And thank you for following me. I ramble a lot... sometimes more than once a day lol. But you don't have to read those posts. Although right now I'm going to NJCon on the 25th and I'm SO freaking excited. Especially since I have a photo op with Jensen(!!!), so I've been writing a lot about that lately lol.
As I said, I want to write, but right now I probably can't write over 1,000 words because of my meds and such. But point me in the direction of fests bc I LOVE reading.
Anyway, as I write you a novel... lol. The people I've met online so far have been so sweet. Can't wait to get more involved!
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We have a really lovely little corner of Lj here. We all love and respect the cast and crew and we all love and respect each other, even though we don't all share the same likes and dislikes. Nutters and haters are absolutely not welcome here in our cosy little corner! :D
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in all the fandoms i've been in, the strongest ties have been over here on LJ... and the most welcoming too. i'm glad you have such respect for cast and crew and respect for each other. that's what i'm looking for in fandom... that's what fandom SHOULD be. that all said, i'm friending people here and there and reading some fic here and there. you gotta start somewhere, right? :D
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So who knows at the end it might just be us huddling together singing Carry On My Wayward Son. But until then we're all in this together and long may it continue.
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Supernatural has a special place in all our hearts and has inspired so much creativity plus created so many friendships I think we'll all be a family forever - so yes you're saddled with me too!