Fandom Snowflake Challenge, Day 6

Day 6

In your own space, create your own challenge. What’s something you want to see more people doing in fandom? Is there something you’ve tried that you think other people would enjoy if they gave it a go? Dare your friends to try it out, and have fun with it. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.

I’m going to focus on Pinto (“wordplay as foreplay”) fandom for this, because this tiny fandom holds a very special place in my heart. But I think with a little imagination you can transfer the ideas to any fandom that’s dear to you.

1. Do the thing. 

   Like, I totally know about bad times when you just can’t do anything (last year I had to abandon Tumblr and basically turn into a hermit just to survive – and I’m so thankful for everyone who reached out to me… just so you know, you’re a big part of the reason why I’m still here) or anxiety (just watch me avoid phone calls for weeks). But, do the thing (if you can). Show up. Participate. Interact. No matter if it’s an LJ community, a forum, a chatroom. Be an active part of our community. Leave comments. Participate in activities. Write stories. Share headcanons. Create art.

   Try something new! Challenge yourself! Push your comfort zones!

   In Pinto fandom, come and visit the Pinto bar! Our weekly get-together – jour fixe or “Stammtisch” – is perfect for just showing up and hanging out without pressure: every Saturday at 10 pm UTC (→ convert to your timezone) we meet in the Pinto bar, the Chatzy chatroom I run for our fandom.

2. LISTEN.

   Try to really listen.

   Don’t just wait for your turn to speak, but really listen. Put yourself (your truths, your opinions, your convictions… your prejudices) away while someone else speaks or while you read someone else’s posts. Don’t speak for other people without their permission. Don’t talk over other people. Consider very seriously and even for your most passionate truths that you might be wrong. Don’t get hung up on style – how people posted something on the fly, on their phone, in a rage, in tears, or because they are dyslexic – but try to hear what they are really saying.

   Put yourself second and consciously open your heart for this post, for this person. Really listen.

   Reach out, too. Active listening in the digital age means that you don’t just take five minutes to look at your Tumblr or facebook dashboard but that you remember you know wonderful people on LiveJournal and Twitter and and G+ and god-knows-where.

   And if you feel you absolutely need to post a big reply, please think of the truth embodied in this quote that can’t be traced to its origins anymore:

   “If you propose to speak, always ask yourself, is it true, is it necessary, is it kind.”

3. Be kind.

   Reach out. Bite your tongue. Ask questions. Really listen. Talk to a stranger.

   Don’t just leave kudos. Leave a comment. (There is NOTHING wrong with just saying “OMG I LOVED THIS”. Trust me.) Don’t just like a post, leave a comment, send a message, send an email.

   No, really, send an e-mail. (That’s almost like getting a snail mail letter these days.)

   Revisit the Fandom Snowflake Day 2. Or the fandom stocking community. Or just randomly create something for someone! A fanmix or fanart or a podcast or a rec post.

   Be kind to yourself.

   Seriously. Treat yourself. Read your favourite fanfics, watch your favourite fanvids, listen to your favourite podfics…

   Don’t forget that fandom should be fun, and never ever an ordeal.

Also, really? Pinto peeps, if you feel like chatting? The Pinto bar is always open (albeit quiet in the late hours of the American night and the early hours of the European morning). And if you have any ideas for a Pinto event, online or offline, for fanfic or fanart or whatever, the bar is a good place to chat about it.