Before we begin...
Before we get into Trektober this year I'd just like to show you all something.
This is a comment that Demerite, who you may know as Mod Demi, left on one of my fics in 2018. This is the first time we ever interacted.
We graduated from there to exchanging messages on tumblr, and on Discord. When tumblr introduced their horrifying chat groups in 2019, we branched out and started the USS McKirk Discord server.
It was such a huge social and emotional lifeline for me in a world where people who share my interests are not always geographically close to me. I still read messages on that server every day and smile. I just moved home, and went through the pile of cards and gifts I've received in our exchanges, and it nearly brought me to tears with gratitude. I have met, in person, eight of those people. I consider some of them my closest friends.
Through it all, Demi has been my guiding light for what is real and true. They are kind, creative and so in sync with me that I still marvel, sometimes. They remain one of the most wonderful, incredible people I have ever encountered.
So if you ever think to yourself that comments on creative works cannot possibly matter, please remember
My life was irreparably changed by one.
None of us want to be alone out there.
Events like this one (and in fact very specifically this one) would not exist without them.
Happy creating, everyone.














