10th Fandom Anniversary!

[ditch_gospel]

According to the dates on my account over at my old ff.net stomping ground, I first joined the site in March of 2005 and completed my first fic in October of that year.

That makes 2015 my 10th anniversary in the Saiyuki fandom. Time flies! I feel so nostalgic.

I remember when I first discovered Saiyuki, maybe a couple of years before entering the fandom, how it drew me in so strongly. It was as if I'd been craving for the story and the characters without even realizing it. That sounds corny, but it's just true. Somehow, it was what I needed. And as a constant companion, I suppose it's had some influence on me over the years.

Ten years later, I am still a loyal and devoted fan of the series. I am still attached to the fandom, despite how sadly inactive it has become. I still appreciate the friendships and acquaintances I've been able to gain, despite many of them having drifted away and/or disappeared. And I'm thankful for those who are still around.

I hope to celebrate by completing the fic I've been working on before the end of the year. I regret how little I've been able to write over the years, but the future is still open.

In another ten years, will I still be here? Will our boys finally have completed their long journey west? Time will tell.

Do you know when your fandom anniversary is?

Comments

[kirathaune]

I wrote my first Saiyuki fic - a Goku/Gat one - in 2009!

I feel the same way about the story and characters, and even with the occasional dust-up it is the friendliest fandom I have been a part of. And we have been spoiled with a surfeit of amazing writers!

It *is* sad that it's gotten so quiet. I know I have to struggle to carve out writing time, and work can put a damper on creativity.

I'm happy to hear that you have a fic in the works! :-D

[ditch_gospel]

Oh, and you jumped in with an interesting pairing, too. At that time, were you already into 393, or did it take some time to grow on you?

I lack the ability to compare since I've never been involved in other fandoms. But I feel it would likely be difficult to find one that could be more amazing, overall. Of course, in any group there is always going to be the occasional stir-up. I love how the nature of the series itself, as an on-going plot with tons of room for side-adventures and complex characters, is just perfect for fanficcers to play around with. I think it's structure is a little bit unique in that regard? Most longer series are more episodic, aren't they? And shorter series can leave a little less room for mucking about since the plots are more tightly contained.

Yes, real life does tend to interfere, darn it.

It's gradually taking shape, just gotta keep chipping away at it. And I just noticed that the 7th night stories are up and so glad to see that you're participating!

[kirathaune]

That fic was for one of the Anonymous Kink Memes, and between that and another fic I got such encouraging comments that I decided to "deanon" and write some more! By the time I was brave enough to write fic I was a 393 girl. (I was into 383 when I first joined the fandom, but when Mosh had her Project 39 the fabulous fics there won me over to Sanzo x Goku and I've never looked back!)

There are very, very few fandoms that I have any desire to write for. FMA is one, and I participate in the Good Omens exchange every year,

[rroselavy]

I started writing for Saiyuki in 2006; just a little after you :-). Still love it, but wish we got updates from sensei more frequently :-(

[ditch_gospel]

It's hard to believe it's been as long as it has been. A decade is a significant chunk of life. I'm so glad you're still around! And yes, I agree about the updates. I think that would help to keep people in the fandom as well, but... we'll have to take what we can get.

[amai_kaminari]

I'm late to the game. My first Saiyuki fic was posted in 4/2007.

While I wrote for GetBackers first, Saiyuki was my first true fandom because it was the first fannish place I met people that I consider friends.

You will always be special to me, K, because you were the first online friend I actually had the pleasure of meeting in person! Meeting you made my first trip to Japan so much better!

You were also one of the first commenters to offer concrit for my writing. I was very new to fan fiction writing, so your comments were very helpful and greatly appreciated. ^___^

[ditch_gospel]

I wouldn't call that late. It feels like you've been around from the start. (So glad you still are!)

Aww, now I feel all warm n fuzzy! I'm happy I had a chance to meet you and we got to hang out in Tokyo together. The nostalgia thickens!

Oh, I'm glad, then. I stopped writing any kind of concrit once I started reading on LJ, since it seemed not to be done here and I didn't want to stand out or offend anyone. But I kind of miss those days when I would read more critically over on ff.net. It kind of added another element to the whole experience and allowed for a different kind of connection between readers and writers.

Stick around! ♥