Hello
I wanted to start something here. Where authors write letters to the community about what it means to them and maybe share more about who they are as people and their process. Mostly just to write something they want to share with the community. I will be writing one. I wanted to start the tread, and maybe other authors will write letters too.
Hello, GSS community.
I wanted to take a moment to write this letter to express how much this community means to me and to share a little about my journey.
I never imagined I would become a writer. Being diagnosed with dyslexia and dysgraphia made writing difficult for most of my life. Although I struggled for years, I didn’t receive a formal diagnosis until 2018, about a year before I started writing here. It’s hard to believe I’ve now been part of this community for almost seven years.
One day, I simply decided to start writing. My very first story was for GSS, and I wasn’t confident in it at all. For much of my life, I had been told stories about what I was capable of—and what I wasn’t. Because of that, I became deeply invested in how others would react to my work. Looking back, I’ve realized I was searching for validation through other people’s responses. That wasn’t anyone else’s responsibility; it was something I needed to work through myself.
There was a point when I seriously considered giving up. Then, during a conversation with @Corin about my Revenge series, he said something that stayed with me. It was a simple moment, but it encouraged me to keep going—to keep writing. Looking back, I don’t think he realized just how much that conversation meant to me.
Over the years, this community has given me something I never expected: healing. Through writing, sharing my stories, and interacting with all of you, I slowly let go of the expectations I had placed on myself and learned to write because I genuinely loved telling stories.
The support, kindness, encouragement, and care I have received from this community have never gone unnoticed. Every comment, conversation, and interaction has helped me grow—not only as a writer, but as a person.
The purpose of this letter is simply to say thank you.
Thank you for helping me heal from old wounds connected to my abilities. Thank you for encouraging me to keep creating, even when I doubted myself. Thank you for inspiring me with your own stories, your feedback, and your passion.
Because of this community, I have found my voice as a writer and as an artist. I continue to learn, grow, and challenge myself every time I write. None of that would have happened without all of you.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for making GSS such an incredible place to share stories. I truly love being part of this community, and I’m excited to continue this journey alongside all of you.
With gratitude,
Drake
Oh man…
You have no idea how much this means to me!
When I started this journey almost 10 years ago, I had no idea what was in store for me either. What I was getting into.
But messages like these, knowing that all this made a difference to some guys (and maybe even gals), that both authors and readers were inspired and encouraged to express and challenge themselves…
It’s all your own achievements. I salute you all. And I’m glad I could be part of it.
Thank you, Drake!