Snowflake Challenge - Day 2

[dizzojay]

Challenge #2
On your own space, talk about your fannish history.  Leave a comment at this post saying you did it.  Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.

Probably the funniest thing about my fannish history is that I became a member of a fandom, quite organically, before I realised such a thing even existed!

I became aware of fanfiction back in the early 2000's by accidentally stumbling across Lord of the Rings fanfiction.  I read it avidly, although that's all I did.  I didn't feel the compulsion to write or comment, or interact in any way.

Then in 2009, I discovered Supernatural, and it inspired me in a way tthat I've never been inspired before.  At the end of May, I wrote my first Supernatural fanfiction and posted it to Fanfiction.net.  After a couple of days, I had accumuated a handful of reviews which I responded to, and there and then, a few of my very first 'fandom' relationships were born.

Now, almost 10 years and 850 stories and drabbles, and countless fan arts later, my involvement in the fandom has increased exponentially.  Every friend I made led to more friends, every story I wrote led to more stories and more creativity, every convention I went to led to more conventions.

It has, without a doubt, been 10 of the best years of my life.

I've always said that Supernatural was my first fandom and it will be my only one. I know there are other fandoms around, and they're great groups of people representing great shows, films, books etc.  But having experienced the joy that the Supernatural fandom has given me, I fear that a second throw of the dice will be a pale imitation.

Now that we are facing the end of Supernatural, I believe the fandom will live on in one form or another, and the friends I have made through fandom will be with me for life, so it will certainly live on through them.

 

For me it will be Supernatural forever!

Comments

[mr_picard]

I can very much relate to your Supernatural fandom opinion - I doubt I'll ever become as involved in another fandom as I am in the Trek fandom. (And I'm not even really a Trekkie. It's weird.)

[dizzojay]

Trek sounds like a perfectly decent fandom to be involved in. I like a bit of Star Trek< even though I don't count myself as a trekkie. Having said that, TNG is by far my favourite version of the show.

[mr_picard]

Mmm, it has its dark corners filled with loathsome people. But, as long as you steer clear of those corners and don't interact with them in ANY way, it is a nice fandom with nice people. I stay out of drama anyway, so yeah. I have my own little TNG corner. :)

[tjs_whatnot]

That's awesome! Hold in to that, because you're right, no other fandom will ever match that first one *curse you Harry Potter for making all other fandoms pale*

❤😭❤

[dizzojay]

It's like your first love, isn't it - it's always special!! :)

[fairyniamh]

If the Star Trek fandom can last this long, I don't see SPN ending any time soon.

I envy your dedication. However, if you ever feel an itch to try something new,don't ignore it.

[dizzojay]

I hope you're right!
I've dipped toe into the Doctor Who, LoTR and Spartacus waters, but nothing affects me the same way Spn does!

[spiralicious]

The first fandom is always the one you fall hardest for.

The Supernatural fandom isn't going anyway. Once a fandom reaches a certain point, it never really goes away. Look at Star Trek. Or Stargate Atlantis. Or Harry Potter. And even when a fandom hits a low point, it never really dies and they usually make resurgences here and there. Also, as long as Supernatural is streaming somewhere, it will keep getting new fans. They are one of the only shows in history to consistently get new viewers after the 8th season. It's a magical fandom. Besides, if you're playing in a fandom, is it really dead?

[dizzojay]

You're absolutely right when you say it's a magical fandom. I think it will dwindle, but I think it will always be there in one form or another. You don't let characters like Sam and Dean Winchester and Castiel just fade away into obscurity!

[spiralicious]

Exactly

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I wish I could remember how I came to even watch SPN in the first place, let alone how I found fandom existed. But regardless - I'm glad I did! I'm with you in not really envisaging ever getting in so deep again - I reckon I'll do a bit of paddling at the edges of other fandom ponds but that's about it. Hopefully SPN fandom will stay alive for many years to come - we can try and make it so, hey? :D

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm with you there - especially on the 'making it stay live' bit.

I've dipped a toe into the Doctor Who/Torchwood, Spartacus and LotR fandoms, but nothing affects me the way Supernatural has.

[tyrsibs.livejournal.com]

Wow-- that's an impressive list of stats! I for one have been happy that you friended me, though I know I have a tendency to slip away for long periods of time, or to read posts that I like without responding with more than a kudo. I always enjoy your posts.

SPN is not my first fandom--I'm sort of a serial fan, and I've fallen hard before for things like Buffy, Firefly, and Nero Wolfe--but Supernatural is the first time I've been inspired to reach out online and to contribute to fanworks in my small way.

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

You're always welcome on my journal, however infrequently you drop in. I know how busy life gets. It's funny how we all have our own individual fandom journeys, and I love that they all lead us to each other.

[jj1564.livejournal.com]

Supernatural has been so much more than 'just' a TV show for us, hasn't it? I'm forever grateful for all the friends made, and the inspiration to create fics and 'spams. As you've rightly said, the show may be ending but our fandom will live on!

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

It's so much more than a show, and it's impossible to impart that to anyone outside of the fandom. We all have our own stories of how it's positively affected our lives, and I am most grateful for the fact that it's brought us all together!