Randoms by Rach

Why I Love WDC

Why I WdC

I first joined WdC at the end of May last year. I was really ill leading up to the moment I joined. I’ve suffered anxiety and depression all my life, but in January last year I was diagnosed with PTSD. I couldn’t leave the house on my own, I couldn’t leave the house at all, a lot of the time. I was just about at the limit of how much I could take, and I was thinking about the unthinkable.

My doctor suggested I start writing about my feelings, as I had mentioned previously that I used to love writing when I was younger. She thought it would be a good distraction from what was going on in my head. So that’s what I did. I wrote a poem about grief (very cheerful!), and then another. My husband read them and said they were really good, but I didn’t believe him. He was, after all, my husband, and he was trying to give me reasons to keep living. So I didn’t trust his opinion.

So, in May 2015, he found the sign up page for WdC and told me to join. I didn’t, at first. It was too big a step. But after much nagging from David, I entered my details and became a member. I will never forget the fear I felt when I received my first review. But it was positive. I was stunned, and for the first time in years I felt like I might be able to do something. Actually, it was probably the first time I ever felt that.

Even though it’s only ten months ago, it’s hard to remember when I first joined. I feel like so much has happened since then. I genuinely feel like a different person. But the first people I met, and felt welcomed by, were Sanita , sunnystarr, Word Warrior beating cancer!! , Tiger Cub 🔱 , Alexi , Shaye and ~ Aqua ~ . That’s quite a lot, but I needed to mention them all because each one of them helped me to see what a wonderfully supportive place this is.

One of the first groups I joined within WdC was "The Newbies Academy Group" , which led to my meeting GeminiGem🐾 . We got along instantly. We share a love of dogs and I was really impressed with her being a Harley chick. It became apparent we have a fairly similar sense of humour as well. She welcomed me to WdC and I felt I had made another new friend. Not that long after I joined, Leah organised a Review Relay Race for NAG members. It was through this activity that I met Patrece ~ and our friendship began.

It wasn’t long before I had an email from Dave's trying to catch up , asking if I would like to join
"The Poet's Place " . I did, and I love trying out the different forms of poetry he discusses each week. Often, my attempts go no further than my notebook, but it is fun to try.

Next, it was time for me to being to focus on reviewing other people. I had an email from
eyestar~* asking if I would like to join "WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group" . She helped me to set up my first review template and was incredibly helpful and supportive. She was really patient with my slow-working brain, and I was so grateful to her.

One of the really fun activities I took part not long after I joined was WDC Does Pointless, organised by the wonderful Fran 🌈🧜‍♀️ . I was on a team with Patrece ~ again, I also started to get to know sybarrios through this game.

I have to mention the Paper Doll Gang next. Tiger Cub 🔱 suggested I sign up for the review course with them. So I did, and I’m so glad I did because, through them, I met two of the coolest people I know (and two of the people I’m closest to on here). They are QPdoll is Grateful and Hannah ♫♥♫ . I love these guys. They have been amazing friends over the last few months and I love knowing them.

Whilst I’m speaking of people I’m closest to, there are a few more I need to mention;kerrimiller is amazingly creative. We were partnered for the It Takes Two contest and had to write a story together and it was really refreshing to work with someone with as much energy as her. Then, there is amyjo-Keeping it real and fun! (I love this lady!), Whata SpoonStealer (she is delightfully crazy and always brightens my day}, Joey' Falling for the Season (he is my biggest cheerleader and we are always honest and encouraging with each other. I value his friendship a lot), Alexi (who is simply inspirational), ~Minja~ (whose poetry inspires me, and is just the sweetest person) and Cubby (who is supportive and kind and a lovely, creative person).

I feel like I’ve accomplished a lot since I’ve been here. I’ve learned from reviews people have given me, and I definitely feel like my writing is improving. I’ve learned to review, and had really positive feedback regarding my style. I signed up for NaNo for the first time ever and wrote a 53,000 word book!

This year, I have become a leader with NAG and I run my own Special Occasions page. I have been promoted to junior leader in the PDG and will be helping new members with their reviews. I’ve been promoted to captain in the Power Reviewers and completed my first shift at the weekend. I’m hosting my first raffle, which is doing phenomenally well. All by myself!

I’ve won and been placed in quite a few competitions and I’ve written a lot. That’s the best thing. I have 251 items in my port, although there are a lot of images. But even so, I’ve written a lot. And I’ve made so many friends. Actually, that’s the best part. The people I would never have met, had I not joined.

My hopes for the future with WdC are to continue improving my writing, most importantly. I need to write more short stories and get my prose writing down. I would love to create my own contest. I have a few ideas regarding that. I plan to keep reviewing as well. I love that so many people find my reviews helpful. Reading more poetry, that’s something I’ve realised just this month I want to do. I’ve been taking part in Pursue The Horizon and it’s got me really fired up about poetry. I also participated in the Soundtrackers challenge. I’ve met some really cool people through these activities. Charlie ~ , Fivesixer , Lyn's a Witchy Woman , ♥noVember tHiNg♥ , Sally , Spacecat .

How has WdC affected my life? Totally. Absolutely. It has turned my life around, it’s given me a purpose, a reason to get out of bed in the morning. It’s saved my life. Really. It has. I don’t know what I would do without it now.

There are a few people who inspire me hugely. Cinn is the most incredible poet. I love her work and she constantly inspires me to try harder and think harder when writing. She is ridiculously creative, and I love it. Alexi is such a strong, determined, clever lady. She inspires me in many ways and I love her friendship. Hannah ♫♥♫ is such a good friend. She is always thinking of creative ways to get newbies involved with the site and I really admire her dedication.

Hmm. Just because I’m not sure which section they come under, I’m going to give a shout out to the following shiny people: Elle - on hiatus , Jen~ , lazymarionette, gardengirl, Jellyfish needs more hours , abbyer , Tiggy , ~ IVELTAC ~ , Shana-Batgirl-Allen ~WeGotThis , Bikerider . Phew. I apologise if I’ve left anyone out!

Well, that’s it. I love WdC. With very good reason.