AO3 is such a treasure. What do you mean I get to curate and archive my own little precious library. Fill it with all of my favorite fanfiction and fanart that I can just visit at any moment, of any day. But more than that, what do you mean I have direct access to the authors and artists that created these masterpieces and I can just… fangirl out on them? That my comments will not only be seen, but more often than not - replied to. I get direct dialogue with these gods and goddesses of fandom. I can share with them all of the love I have bottled up in me about the characters, gush to them about the story and world building, celebrate and sincerely thank them for the tireless nights and days the author or artist spent on bringing this masterpiece to life. That there is nothing stopping me from expressing my gratitude for having this gifted person in a community I love. To thank them from the bottom of my heart for their talent.
There is healing and magic in writing and reading. In seeing yourself in characters: your desires, your fears, your fantasies, your hopes, and your dreams. I will be forever grateful for the communities that came before me to help blaze the trail for what we have today.
There is no shame in enjoying fandom silently. But may I offer a friendly suggestion? The next time a fic or piece of art invokes pure love or joy from you - I implore you to take a moment and send a comment to the author/artist letting them know. More than a kudos, more than a like. Leave a piece of yourself behind to share with them. The pieces of you that they helped heal or the hope they inspired in you. It’s vulnerable of course. But if you have ever been in a difficult situation, maybe having a rough day or time in life, and your brain conjures a scene from your favorite fic or work of art to comfort you - just know that your words could be a balm to them as well. Not just when they are struggling to produce art… but when life may have them down and they need a buoy. Your words could be that lifeline for them.
Share the love and light with your communities. I promise they will be better for it.
