Fanfiction: My First Love

Dear GwenPal,

I first and foremost would like to apologize, for I have accidentally, yet ultimately, committed a grave sin: 

I skipped a week.

While I wish I had some asinine excuse to explain why I decided to wait until this week to give my GwenPals a much-needed letter (my imaginary dog ate my Word doc), I just didn't get around to it.

But because I’m sharing today’s edition so late, I can finally tell you something exciting I’ve been holding inside for about a month (it was difficult, okay?):

I’m finally getting published!

I entered the Black In White Poetry Competition and won a prize AND my poem is getting published in the 2024 collection!!

You can find the book available for purchase here!

Thank you, Charlotte Shyllon!!

I am also being featured in the upcoming Word Tonic Anthology (releasing October 31st) so be on the lookout for that 👀

As you can probably tell, my life has been pretty busy as of late. My attention can hardly be contained in one sector for long enough to make a meaningful dent (in the eyes of a recovering perfectionist). Not to sound ungrateful, but I sometimes see myself drifting further and further away from the life I once dreamt I'd have as a child.

So now it's time to change that by revisiting an old love, the whole reason I wanted my own mobile devices in the first place:

Fanfiction ✨ 

I used to read fanfiction feverishly as a teen. I'm talking on the bus ride to and from school, at lunch, doctor's appointments, parties, etc. Reading was my addiction and fanfiction was my drug of choice. It was only the shame that stopped me from continuing the habit into college. 

But no more. I have since stopped caring about acquaintances' opinions. Who knows how I could benefit from dedicating time to this old favorite hobby of mine? 

I recently heard from a fellow member of Word Tonic that their colleague got a full-time copywriting job with a portfolio of fanfiction. The idea knocked around in my brain for a while. Not only would I have the ability to write what I want to write, but I would also be able to attract a client who wants me to write what I want to write. It seems like a win-win to me.

Besides, what kind of life would I be living if I let my fear of perception stop me from writing what I write best? I would only be cheating myself out of a good One Piece X Reader fic.

What’s The Worm in My Ear Singing?

This week's music video review is Off White by Zay Lewis.

This song is a hidden gem Spotify recommended to me one fateful day a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, there is no YouTube link (as there is no video), but you can listen to the song on Spotify (SoundCloud and Deezer as well, but you’ll have to look for those yourself):

Getting right into it, every time I hear this song come up on my playlist, it's like something comes over me. I have no choice but to rap the feature by CJ Run whenever it plays. it's honestly in my best interest to memorize their feature just for my sanity. 

From the beginning harmonizations to the house beat bass to the samples, it's a testament to how good a song can be. I think of this song whenever I want to energize myself. I am not able to listen to it while doing another task though. I can't help but dance every time 💃🏾

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️/5

I know, I know, still waiting for a bad review yeah? What can I say, the worm has good taste!

I am really getting into the spooky spirit this season. 🎃

It's really fun to spend time with friends and watch scary movies. With elections coming up, Halloween can start to feel less like ghouls and goblins and more like grasping desperately for our rights. 

Despite how inherently spooky the polls can get, I encourage those of you who live in the States to vote. Even if you don't feel like your vote makes a difference, it's important that we as a people use every foothold we can to decide our futures.

I hate a campaign ad more than anything (which is why this isn't one) but I implore you to vote sensibly and follow up. It's not too late to effect change.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed today's letter. I will be continuing as planned with the biweekly schedule. I do hope you missed me as much as I missed you. Also, I wanna know what you feel about fanfiction. Do you love it or hate it? Why?

Maybe leave a comment? I'd love to know!

Until next time!

XOXO

Your GwenPal <3