This makes me sort of sad

[spikesgirl58]

This weekend, frau_flora opened up the Easter Egg Challenge in mfuwss and there are four requests for stories, not one has been claimed (despite asking for gen and/or slash)... I remember when there would be great excitement and tons of prompts almost instantly upon her annoucement in previous years. It's so sad to see our fandom moving into the inactive stage.

Comments

[sparky955]

MFU is forever. As long as one of us remembers and holds it in her heart and mind, it will be alive. No one can take our memories away and the memories with their feelings will be no less valid if they’re experienced alone. As an organized online fandom, it may be going fallow, but it’ll still be there in each one of us.

[spikesgirl58]

I dunno. Perhaps I'm just feeling like the parade has passed us by, as least by a writer's standpoint.

[alynwa]

I won't speak for anyone else, but for me and I think quite a few Cousins, Real Life keeps rearing its head and demanding attention either in a positive or negative way. I've never participated in the EEC, but I enjoy reading what people create.

I've said in an earlier post that I was feeling a bit pressured and overwhelmed regarding the challenges and I'm assuming since people agreed with my suggestion that we take a month's hiatus that they are, too. I don't believe we as a fandom are dead; I think we are tired and needing a rest.

[spikesgirl58]

Sparky agrees with you about the being tired and non participatory bit.

I do agree that there are too many challenges. That's why I dropped the Scrapbook to just Halloween. There is Christmas and Easter, but that's basically the challenges I deal with. Anything else is of my own making for me.

[neuralclone]

I think it's more that the younger active fans have moved onto other platforms. I've just learned there's a new discord server for TMFU fans (U.N.C.L.E. HQ), created by the TFMU fans on Tumblr: https://discord.gg/Xu2TDd3 . They skew younger over there, and, yes, they create art, fic, videos and memes.

I asked the creator of the Discord if I could post about it here, got an enthusiastic response!

[spikesgirl58]

Moving to other platforms is definitely an issue with the younger fans, but mand of the older fans seem to have just want to retire to their rocking chairs and take up a non participatory role.

[alynwa]

I have a tumbler account, but I never use it because I don't understand how the site works. I just went there and I don't see how one gets to anything beyond the first screen. I clicked on #fanfiction and no stories popped up and I was just...lost.

Can anyone give me a quick "Tumbler for Dummies" talk?

[spikesgirl58]

I wish I could help. I tried and, like you got instantly lost.

[frau_flora]

Yes, I'm a little disappointed myself. And I find myself wondering if it's still worth the trouble. :(

[spikesgirl58]

*hugs* I'm just feeling so despondent probably because I still remember a time when we couldn't wait for you to put the challenge up.

[blondie_54]

I've joined in the last couple of years, but am finding writing difficult these days. The old brain cells are dying off, I think. I don't feel as sharp, mentally, and sometimes my head feels like its full of cotton wool, and I'm aware my last few offerings weren't up to scratch. It's a real bitch, getting old(er).

Perhaps posting about the challenge again might help. Sometimes, people need to be reminded.

[spikesgirl58]

LeetheT said the same thing. For her it was menopause that did in her creative cells. I'm sorry that you are struggling. That's never what I like to hear.

[blondie_54]

LeetheT was kind enough to beta my last story. She did say she had lost interest in writing - a great loss to the fandom. I hope she regains her passion for writing, she was so good.

[spikesgirl58]

She will be missed as a writer, just as you will be if you stop entirely. I hope the fog clears for you and her.