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I've written fanfiction all my life, but the first place I got the courage to share it was in a cozy little corner of X-Files fandom, the Harem mailing list. And one of the first and most encouraging friends I made there was Susan (![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
bardsmaid), who passed away last week.
I learned so much from Susan. She was one of the first people to beta-read my stories, and she was always generous with her time and insights. I was young (not even 20) and lacking in self-confidence, and her guidance not only made me a far better writer, but helped me feel like what I had to say was important and worthy of attention. If you've ever read a story of mine and enjoyed it, thank Susan, because without her it not only wouldn't have been as good, but it might not have been posted at all.
Over the years our fandom interests drifted apart, but luckily that's when LJ came around, so we were able to keep in touch. Her posts were always a comforting, peaceful presence, sharing her beautiful photography and her gentle observations of people and nature. I have very few living relatives, and I always thought of Susan as the loving aunt I never had, someone who would always be there to lend a listening ear, a wise word, and a virtual cup of tea.
Here I have to quote another friend from the old XF days, because I couldn't have put it better than she did: "I hope our paths will cross again beyond the limits I know. We should keep our minds open to extreme possibilities, as Mulder would say."
bardsmaid), who passed away last week.I learned so much from Susan. She was one of the first people to beta-read my stories, and she was always generous with her time and insights. I was young (not even 20) and lacking in self-confidence, and her guidance not only made me a far better writer, but helped me feel like what I had to say was important and worthy of attention. If you've ever read a story of mine and enjoyed it, thank Susan, because without her it not only wouldn't have been as good, but it might not have been posted at all.
Over the years our fandom interests drifted apart, but luckily that's when LJ came around, so we were able to keep in touch. Her posts were always a comforting, peaceful presence, sharing her beautiful photography and her gentle observations of people and nature. I have very few living relatives, and I always thought of Susan as the loving aunt I never had, someone who would always be there to lend a listening ear, a wise word, and a virtual cup of tea.
Here I have to quote another friend from the old XF days, because I couldn't have put it better than she did: "I hope our paths will cross again beyond the limits I know. We should keep our minds open to extreme possibilities, as Mulder would say."
