Thank You · 12:12am Feb 17th, 2021
CW’s for the story heavy depression themes, self harm and self harm scars and unhealthy coping mechanisms.
I don’t really know how to start, but I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for reading Beyond The Frayed Threads and thank you guys for all the support for it.
When the contest and the prompts were announced, I only had one thought for a story; Moondancer going to a spa.
When I started writing it, I started getting these thoughts and feelings in my head that I just had to get out onto paper. (Well, google doc, but you know what I mean). The more I wrote, the more I felt it would come off like a crappy self insert ‘oh look, here’s another author pawning off her depression onto a sad horse from the show, like that hasn’t been done a million times already’ but...I had to keep writing, I had to finish it.
And then...you guys...
Seriously, words cannot express how thankful I am that people liked the story, that they could relate to it and that I did a good job. The subject matter I tackled was not easy to write by any means, and while I had have my own experiences with the themes, that doesn’t mean I would be qualified to write about it.
I am seriously blown away by people’s reactions and I am honored that people felt so deeply for the story.
I guess now should be the time where I say that if you are struggling with mental health to make sure you get help, please reach out and don’t suffer alone.
And one more time, thank you.
Trust me, I know how difficult it can be to write about that topic. My biggest fear is always that a reader might think I'm writing about self-harm just for the sake of like, being that edgy bitch on the fanfic site who won't shut up about angst. Or worse, that my writing might be seen as romanticizing it or encouraging it.
Idk if you had those same fears when you published this, but for what it's worth I think you did a really wonderful job treating it with respect and realism without ever glorifying/idealizing it. Idk if that sounds silly but a lot of stories on fimfic that include self-harm tend to lean in that direction so it's always nice to see it treated right.
Be proud, hon, cuz I'm sure as heck proud of ya \o/
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I did have some of those, more along the ‘am I just being edgy?’ But thankfully I got over that quick lol. I’m very glad to hear that the story doesn’t come across as glorifying or romanticizing. Thank you so much for your comments, the feedback I’ve gotten for this story has been mind blowing to say the least.
The theme may have been done a hundred times, but that doesn't make it any less valid. Stories are made trough perspectives and those sources of experience are unique to each of us and I think it did help you make this story so real
Don't worry about doing a theme but to actually do it right...and you did so I hope this gives you courage to tacle any theme you desire and to see more of your work.
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