Still fannish after all these years (happy birthday, Harry!)

[magnetic_pole]

First off, happy birthday, Harry! (And best wishes to you, too, Neville and Dudley.) Hard to believe you're 35 today. For some reason this morning I remembered that a few years ago I had written a tiny fic about July 31, 1980--both baby Harry!fic and a little celebration of the birth of my first nephew--and it shocked me to realize the nephew is

Comments

[brighty18]

I've been feeling a little adrift fannishly lately, flist. I haven't written a word of fic yet in 2015, which may not come as too much of a surprise, given how little I write in any case, but writing is what makes me feel like a fan, and I miss it. Even worse, though, I'm not reading much, just keeping up with journals on LJ/DW.
I feel you here. I haven't written anything, either, and, other than , I've barely done anything - including reading. Hell, I might not even write until rs_small_gifts.

My gawd, though... Harry would be 35!

[magnetic_pole]

35!!! I know. I think part of my confusion is due to the fact that Dan Radcliffe is significantly younger than Harry--born in 1989, not 1980, just looked it up--and part due to the fact that, for me, Harry was 11 in 2001 or 2002 or so when I started to read the books (and was about 30, myself).

Re: fannish blues: you're such a great journal-writer, though, B! Is that keeping you feeling connected? You're one of the folks I log in to read about--you've been so good about updating and so thoughtful about doing so. M.

[torino10154]

It was so awesome to see you!! <3

I now have so much modly stuff on my plate that I don't write as much as I'd like which makes me sort of sad. That said, someone's got to do this stuff, too, and I do get satisfaction from presenting a good fest.

As for getting my mojo back, I tend to re-read favorite fics, especially OTP stuff but not always. I actually re-read my own stuff, too. I do know that some people those things don't work though, reminding you of the good old days when you actually wrote stuff. LOL Fortunately for me, it doesn't work that way.

[magnetic_pole]

I'm so glad I was able to meet you at last, T!

I've seen you juggling modly duties (and have so much admiration for that)! Perhaps I should get back in the business of tiny fests or challenges? I used to do that and enjoyed it. But I'm definitely going to re-read some of my old fic, as you suggest--if only to remember the good feeling I had on finishing it. :) (Writing, not so much...) M.

[kellychambliss]

It was such fun seeing you, my dear!

I enjoyed your Happy Harry Birthday fic -- they all sound just as I would expect.

Not sure how to get the fannish enthusiasm back. I've been fighting the down-turn myself. I want hp_beholder back!

[magnetic_pole]

It was so much fun seeing you again, too! Though we've got to stop meeting on the hottest day of the year.

Thanks for reading the ficlet! (I know they're not your favorite characters.) My friends and family were just starting to have kids at that point, and it's funny how different it all looks now.

I miss Beholder, too. I think that's partly why I feel so rudderless. M.

[write_out]

You used to work at a book store? So did I! Have we already talked about this?

I'm sorry your fannish enthusiasm has waned this year. Would rereading the books or watching the movies kickstart things for you? I was never in HP fandom even though I love the books. For me, watching eps, reading fic, and seeing all of the pretty on Tumblr helps keep my fandom spirits up. I get moments of burnout too, but for the most part I am still pretty excited. I am not a creator though, so I'm sure it hits harder when you have created things and then stop. I hope you do find a way to get your enthusiasm back.

It sounds like you've had a fantastic summer so far. Lots of great get-togethers!

[magnetic_pole]

Did you work at a bookstore, too? Yet another example of our parallel lives! Though I have no indie cred whatsoever--I worked at two chains, one right out of college, one about a year later. Still, I loved it. (Grad school had not yet killed my infinite capacity for reading.) What about you?

Now that I look at my own post, I think I've been using fannish get-togethers to spark some of the old excitement, and I started re-reading the HP books this weekend. I think I'll also go see Mr Holmes--have you? It would be fun to create a little comm and report back to other watchers.

I wish I were more into fandom on tumblr, but I'm just...not. I don't mean to belittle anyone's enjoyment, but...so many boys. I guess that's true of fandom in general, but I find it easier to overlook my own contradictions with with fic and discussion. :(

I look forward to the day that travels bring you to this part of the world! M.

[splix]

Sorry you're feeling adrift. When I start to feel that way I go back to the source material - the show, book, movie, whatever - and usually remember what it was that attracted me in the first place. Hope you can find something to help!

[magnetic_pole]

You're absolutely right about going back to the books or the shows--and I started an HP reread last weekend. Perhaps it's just mid-summer blues, as I put my nose to the grindstone and gear up for the semester. Another chapter of The Green Gown helped, too! :) M.

[splix]

Aw, I'm glad you got a bit of a boost. I'm having midsummer blues myself, so I totally get that.

And it's so good to hear that you're still reading! From your post I sort of thought you'd decided it wasn't for you, but it's a thrill to know you're making some exceptions. :)

[magnetic_pole]

I saw your post about the midsummer blues (sorry to hear that, S) and the comment that you wished the semester would start (which made me laugh). I'm treasuring every day and trying to get *just* a little more work done before then! To each their own.

I'm definitely still reading and still enjoying The Green Gown. (Mostly my malaise has to do with having little energy for exploration or new authors.) But let me leave a comment at AO3, rather than chatting here, which seems a little tacky of me. More soon. M.