#creating community

Yeah, it's really, really difficult. I think one thing is that most people don't know what things used to be like? So they don't know what we're missing? Their understanding of what the internet is is shaped by social media, where things like commenting are totally optional, where people are used to being consumers of content instead of members of a community or creators themselves.

So I try to talk about what fandom used to be like and/or what it could be like. Often when I do this, people say wistful things like, "Oh, that's sounds so great! I wish I'd experienced that!" So I know that these things are still appealing to people.

One of the things I'm trying to do with this blog is show people that other ways of forming online communities are possible. Talking about specific things we used to have or specific things we could have in the future is one way to do that.

When it's Yuletide time, I like to talk up Yuletide, tell how I've been doing it for over 15 years, how much fun it is, explain a bit about how it works, offer to help people if they need to ask questions about it. I don't know how successful that is at getting people to participate, but hopefully one or two people have tried it out who otherwise might have felt too intimidated.

I like to tell people about all the lifelong friends I've made via fandom--how I've known some of my online friends for 20+ years, how cool it is watching those friends' talents grow and lives change, how I've gotten to meet up with incredible people when I travel the world, how I even lived with a good fandom friend for a few years.

I like to talk on my tumblr about how much comments mean to me, about how much fun beta-ing is, about how rewarding writing and reading meta can be. I want to show people that these things are fun and open for anyone to participate. I want to spark the idea in their minds that they can be creators.

I think talking about these things, raising these possibilities in people's minds, can make them realize this is something they can not only dream about, but have for themselves. So many people have no idea of all that fandom can be and how online friendships can be real and meaningful, even if they're very different than real-life ones.

Of course, I also don't want to be constantly complaining and being all "back in the olden days" because that's off-putting and annoying and Web 1.0 had plenty of its own problems! So there's a balance to be struck.

It sounds like you're doing all the things that make a fandom great, and I am sure there are people who appreciate you even if it doesn't feel like it!

One thing that I think might be helpful is doing the hard work to find one or two other people in your particular space who feel the same way you do and are willing to put in some work. And then...have fun in public? Make people want to join in?

And some things just really take time. I just started a very specific community in the fandom that I'm in right now. Said fandom is very active! It's absolutely wonderful! But very few people are interacting with the community even though I think it is a really basic thing that wouldn't require much emotional energy or time. So right now I'm asking myself, "Is there no appetite for this? Or has it just not reached the right people yet?" And I honestly don't know the answer! We'll see!

I think you can also have conversations like, "What would make you more likely to comment? To participate in a community? What would lower the barrier of entry for you?" Maybe we could get some really concrete answers?

For anyone who sees this post and is lingering around the edges of fandom or just enjoying what other people create without either engaging with it/commenting/reblogging/chatting with the creator: what would it take to encourage you to engage more with fandom? What barriers are there that keep you from doing it?

And since I live in the middle of suburbia with a million kids and summer break is starting, I figure I'd organize a community tie dye party.

In Łódź, Poland there's a backyard in the city center, that's a great example of local initiatives and creating community between neighbours.

That's the gate to the backyard, made out of granny squares!

That is made of crocheted hexagons, and on the ceiling!

"The Backyard News" and a list of past projects (positive community actions):

1. Backyard picnics - multiple editions

2. Piotrkowska street's birthday - fashion show, jazz concert, charity crowdfunding, art&handmade stalls, some workshops, and snacks

3. Backyard bigiel (bigiel in Łódź dialect means a public place, where's a lot of people, usually as a social/friends meeting) - sewing big pillows for sitting

4. The Trzepak - (google translate says it's clothes horse???) was renovated and put in the furthest, most neglected part of the backyard

5. There's 2 retention tanks (500 litres each), called Small Retention and this project was co-created with the City Hall

6. Renovation works

7. Taking care of backyard greenery

8. Bringing painting and other art projects

And there are pictures of those:

I'm not sure, but this also looks crocheted!

This one from the door (also made from granny squares, made throughout the winter) was stolen and after one of biggest content creators made a post about it and called for returning it, it came back on the door!!)

The guardians of backyard

The YouTube upload of Season Two Episode Five is here!

“Anar'alah belore.” -- Thalassian Proverb.

Notice to all of those Thalassians finding themselves within the bosom of the Grand Alliance: We have crafted a home for you. No longer should you be left to pick up the scraps of those who think lesser of you. No longer should you believe you are less than what you truly are. We are the Children of the Most High, and it is time that we created a community to satisfy that. Come all of you heroes; come and be accepted within the arms of the Senate of Quel’Danas.

Do you play a High Elf? Do you look forward to playing a Void Elf? Are you a half-elf looking for prospects? Are you in the Alliance and just generally play an elf of some Thalassian strain? This is the Discord and community for you! The Senate of Quel’Danas is simply a group seeking to create a community of Alliance elves founded on the premise that everyone can play an elf.

As a community we hope to foster a creative place for those to discuss lore, their vision for elf RP, and to engage and create roleplay events for the Thalassian Elf niche. Our main focus is to breed good, wholesome unity and discussion. Some of the projects we look to create are:

Cultural Project  -- A comprehensive group look at the Thalassian culture including dress, food, language, and diversity.

Outreach & Resource Project -- Supplying new elves with resources, RP, and general outreach to the RP community at large.

The Holy Project -- Discussions and focus on faith within the Thalassian community including various religions, rituals, pilgrimages, etc.

Trainings & Apprenticeships -- Providing one-on-one RP to include learning and training of common professions, magister working, and much more.

The Nobility Project -- Coming together to discuss the formation of Thalassian nobility, land ownership, and politicking for those who enjoy it.

The Creative Pen Project -- Helping new or seasoned writers into how to write more, better, and more interesting Thalassian characters and stories, as well as sharing stories.

Courage Hearts Word Art Painting I find myself more and more discouraged by how people are pulling away from each other to shout insults and blame each other. There is part of me who also wants to join in the anger; however, I take a moment and remind myself of Daryl Davis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daryl_Davis). He is a black musician who sought out members of the KKK to ask them the…