I've been here for a decent amount of time. I made my account in 2008, but I had been here five years before that. Good lord, that's ten years. I've been on this site for ten years, and I've loved every second of it. I've read countless fics. I've consistently read stories almost every day, mostly before I go to sleep - sometimes it ends up keeping me awake for much too long. Some might say I'm an addict. I honestly don't think I can refute that.

Some stories have been good, most...not so good. Still, the fact that I've been witness to hundreds, maybe thousands of fanfictions, inspires me. To know that there are people out there so dedicated to the same series I love and cherish, to the point where they wish to expand their respective worlds, brings me great joy.

To any writer that sees this, I want you to know that you are appreciated. You have exposed me to the wide gamut of human emotion. You have taken me on great journeys, allowed me entrance into your creative mind, and you have my respect.

Never let someone tell you what you are doing is bad. You may not be able to perfectly articulate the sometimes massive ideas you wish to share with others, but the fact that you embark on the endeavor shows that your creativity far outweighs those that wish only to flame you.

Never discount a good criticism, though. There are those who read your stories and connect strongly with them. They see the route which you are taking with your writing, and they wish, ever so much, to keep on you on the path. They sometimes understand what you are trying to say even when you yourself don't.

Always remember what you are writing for. Whether it be for yourself or for others, don't lose sight of your inspirations.

I don't know your names, I don't know where you're from, what kind of background you have, or any other personal details about you, other than what you convey through your writing. That alone, though, bonds us. Many of you I consider my friends. People I can rely on to cheer me up when times are rough, to placate my boredom when things are slow, to take me on an adventure. For that, I can't express enough gratitude.

Thank you, and never stop writing.

-Matt