Considering how inactive Iāve been in the fandom lately, I doubt this post will be much of a surprise to anyone. Iāve gone back and forth on whether to make an official goodbye post, but with how much this series and you all mean to me, it would just be weird if I didnāt.
Some of you may remember me making a post on how I wanted to write an in-depth essay on The Royal Ranger. Well, I decided to do it. Iāve been drafting it for the past month or so and was getting really riled up about it. Mostly in a fun way, but admittedly not entirely. I was really looking forward to finishing it and sharing it with you all.
And then came the news of Flanaganās passing. I knew it was going to happen at some point, but nothing can truly prepare you for that. Amidst the sadness and shock, I found myself thinking about that essay. How mean-spirited it felt in lieu of his death. Insulting him or his series was never my intention, and I do believe there were discussions in there worth having, but I felt so wrong about it. I wanted to know where that feeling came from.
So I did some reflecting, and I realized my critique ultimately boiled down to one thing. It wasnāt the story I wanted it to be. It wasnāt written the way I wanted it to be written. And if it was what I wanted? That wouldnāt be Flanaganās story anymore, it would be mine.
And you know what? I already have my own story Iām working on, and I really like it.
Thatās why Iāve made the decision to leave the RA fandom.
John Flanaganās works have had an incredible impact on my life. Itās no hyperbole when I say I wouldnāt be who I am today without this series. It has brought me so much inspiration, joy, comfort, and opportunity that I truly cannot express. More than that, itās been my life raft. In the darkest stretches of my life, Will Treaty was always waiting in Araluen. I love this series so profoundly and will forever be grateful for the man who poured so much love and work into making it a reality. I canāt help but feel like in some way, heās leaving me with one final revelation.
Love it. Work on it. Be your own author, write your own characters. Donāt be afraid to let go of the raft. Youāre already built your own ship.
So thatās what Iām going to do.
Please know that though I am leaving the fandom, Iām not leaving you guys. The connections Iāve made here mean too much to me, even outside of RA. I may drop back in to say hi once in a while, but altogether Iām leaving this work.
I love you all so so much. And to John Flanagan, thank you for all your work. Youāve made a bigger impact than you know.
