Thinking back and looking forward
We are nearing the 1 year anniversary of MyVampFiction, and I can’t help but look back over the year and think of how far this little fledgling site has come. But at the same time, I don’t want to spend too much time in the past because we have so many amazing ideas for the future of the site.
When me, Saluki, Meesh and SarahBella started throwing around the idea of starting our own blog, we originally wanted a chance to highlight our favorite unknown and lesser known fanfics. But, we also realized that everything is cyclical and the Twi-fic community wouldn’t be around forever, so we didn’t want to latch onto one particular idea. We wanted to create a place were we could bend and mold ourselves to what people are reading.
Of course, vampires are very popular and as a life long fan of the genre, I wanted our new blog to be a place were we could discuss all manner of vampires, faery, zombies, werewolves, etc. We all agreed that we could definitely get into something like that but when the time came to come up with a name, we were stuck. The four of us met in a vampire fandom though, and essentially those are our “roots”. So, MyVampFiction was born.
It took us awhile, but I think we finally got our bearings straight. Being website owners was a new concept to most of us and to be honest, I am not sure any of us were prepared for the responsibility included in running a mutli-faceted website. One thing we all had to learn was that it’s okay to change things up mid-stream in order to do what’s best for the site. We also took on another co-owner, Jules, who brought a necessary balance to everything and has been one of our biggest supporters from day 1.
It’s not easy. In fact, it’s a full time job. Our roots are in the Twilight fandom, so it has been a struggle to reach out and get people interested in other things. As interests have broadened, so have our topics. We are 5 highly opinionated women though, and sometimes our opinions may not have been popular but our intents have always been genuine and never malicious. We have the same struggles as everyone else does and we get frustrated by the same things, but in the end we don’t have any regrets.
Now, it’s a year later and so many exciting things have happened. Some, we can openly discuss, and some, we can’t (but keep checking the site!). The past 3 or four months especially have been work, work, and more work, and lets face it – 5 opinionated women aren’t going to agree on everything. But it’s because we are so different that it’s successful. We each have our areas of expertise and our areas of interest. And the end of the day I think it’s safe to say it’s made MVF better.
Looking forward, I can’t wait to find out what is in store for us over the next year. I can’t believe a year has already passed! I hope you will all continue with us on this journey; you never know what MVF will come up with next!
A year? This site – that is my new favorite thing ever – is a year old? Where have I been? I only just heard about this site about three months ago and was immediately fascinated followed by quickly addicted. I think what you ladies have put together here is unique in the sense that it does cover a wider range of guilty pleasures than other sites. The discussions also cover a wide spectrum of topics showcasing the difference in each of your personalities. I’m excited for you all for your one year anniversary and look forward to so much more enjoyment in the future from this site. I foresee great things ahead. :)
~Lisa
And to ALL of our staffers, guest bloggers, readers, commenters, lurkers and the ones who accidentally end up here: we couldn’t do this without you.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. *mwah*
I met so many people in the Twi-fandom and since MVF started, I’ve met even more people with the same broader interests. It’s been such a great time, even during the hard parts. But I love the work. I look forward to another year!
Jules,
Thanks for joining up with us crazy ass women! *lol*
I commend you girlies on what you started here. I remember the night our dearly departed Lair was launched and how excited I was to be there for the ribbon cutting – gerbil thread- ceremony.
I remember you girls saying “Get on Skype, Get on Skype.” At the time I didn’t have skype and so I couldn’t join in.
I remember the butterflies I had the first time I talked to Susan by phone and she said, “I hope you don’t mind but I’ve given Heather your number too.” I completely felt like I was out there in the world, dating for the first time *giggle*
The rewards of being involved with this site have been beyond any expected. I’ve made lifelong friendships, I’ve discovered amazing new books, I’ve found kindred spirits and I’ve learned that even if it’s not popular you should always feel comfortable expressing your opinion. MVF provides the place for that.
In some ways it feels like the website was started a long time ago – in others I can’t believe it’s been nearly a year. My hats off to: Saluki, SusanAshlea, Meesh & SarahBella who have put in countless hours to grow MVF to what it is today. I appreciate you inviting me along for the ride, even it gets bumpy from time to time it’s well worth every second.
xo