make me choose: anonymous asked

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL FANWORKS DAY TO YOU ALL 💕

I just wanted to show love to anyone who has ever contributed a fanwork to any fandom out there- be that a beautiful fic, an amazing gifset, stunning art, incredible fan vid, a playlist that provokes all the feels, a breathtaking edit.

Putting yourself ‘out there’ in a fandom is not an easy thing to do. It’s like offering a little bit of yourself, letting people in a little- I know I could never be brave enough myself. Not that I have the talent to do so. I only wish I had even half of the talent some of you seem to have in your fingertips alone.

To the Ballum fandom contributors, as it is the fandom I’m looking in on the most.... You have kept the fandom fires burning through this pandemic- through episodes slowing down, filming stopping altogether, an Eastenders-less summer, a storyline which was a struggle for a lot of us.... this year more than any other- you’ve kept us all going on here. Whatever may have been going on with you personally- and let’s face it- this year has been a lot™️- your hard work and dedication to your craft has provided the rest of us with content through the toughest of years. Not just through your own work, but with appreciation blogs/weeks/events etc. An apology from me- I have made so many promises of comments and reblogs, and I have not come through on that, and I am sorry.

You have all been blessed with an ability to make people laugh, cry, break their hearts and fix them again, stun them into silence, give them goosebumps... I am in awe of you all. The fact that some of you do this in a language that is not your first? I bow down- genuinely. Some of you could actually do with saving some talent for the rest of us because this fandom seems to have been blessed with certain people who seem to be able to draw, write, gif and edit like a dream. Here are just a few of you that have managed to make my world a little easier this year through your work- some of you I am lucky enough to call a friend (loves you), all of you I admire immensely, and none of you realise just how talented you are-

(in alphabetical (ish😂) order)

@always-just-jade @ashjafari @ballym @bensaidgayrights @bensdove @benshearingaid @bernietaylors @calangelhighway @callumslove @callumsmitchells @calsangel @charitydingle @cqllumhighway @drewsbarrymcre @eastendies @flowerbutevil @frankieslewis @isabellaofparma @josephgraham @juguitos @langerclyde @laurenkmyers @leximitchells @lucres @maxsbowden @maydays2 @merriell @mickeysmilkovich @mightbeababygay @minimitchell @mitchellandhighway @moodyblueangel @nickyusuf @oihalfway @panesars @poursomesugarzombie @seanslaters @smugfacebitchell @softlofty @stillamess22 @sunsetsover @sunshinehighway @totallyradioactive15 @whitneycarter @yasisworld @yougaythen

I’m know I have missed people- that wasn’t my intention- my brain is mush. There are definitely a few writers who I am sure lurk here, even if I can’t match the AO3 author to the blog here. Just know that if you have ever contributed anything- big or small- I include you in this thanks. Fandom would be nothing if it weren’t for ALL of you.... Keep shining, and keep sharing your talent!