dragonyphoenix | (no subject)

This challenge is brilliant. Just in answering and reading everyone else's answers I feel closer to you all.

Day Six

In your own space, share a book/song/movie/tv show/fanwork/etc that changed your life. Something that impacted on your consciousness in a way that left its mark on your soul. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.

For me it was Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the tv series. I don't recall the show when it was first aired; it's possible I wasn't watching tv back then. At one point, not that long before I really got into BtVS, it was showing as repeats: two episodes of Buffy from different seasons and one of Angel, once a week. It was pulled off the air after I got into it and I didn't go looking.

When BtVS influenced me was after my Mom passed away. I needed a distraction and my friend Susan lent me the entire show (BtVS, not Angel which she didn't have on DVD), season by season. I don't remember when I started reading fandom but within six months I was writing it. Before I started writing, I do recall listening to Joss' commentary and watching myself sit forward whenever he talked about writing. I do recall wondering why I was leaning forward and paying close attention whenever he talked about writing. ;-)

BtVS ties in with a bunch of things triggered by my mother's death. I started taking my health more seriously, went to the doctor, and learned I have hypertension, which is now being treated. I'd been disatisfied with my job for decades but I finally started wondering why the hell I was staying there. I'm now trying to work out if I could have a career that doesn't make me so miserable I can barely stand it. (Can you tell I still have issues there?) I'm seeing a therapist. I'm starting to think about the kinds of people I want to have in my life and reaching out to them. Oh, and, last but certainly not least, I've started writing my first novel. *huge grin* And my writing group is putting together an anthology so I'll have a short story published sometimes this year. *does happy dance*

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A friend of mine had the same experience -- she was loaned Buffy after her mother's death, and she says that more than anything else, it's what got her through that time.

I'm happy that BtVS brought you so much that was positive.

Hmmm, that's interesting because I rather look at my imprinting on Buffy and through Buffy onto writing as somewhat random. I feel as if I was ready to imprint and Buffy just happened to come along. I could as easily be ... say wanting to teach yoga now. But perhaps Buffy is highly imprintable. ;-)

That is terrific that BTVS has had such a powerful and positive effect on your life. *hugs you tightly*

So very sorry about your Mom. *hugs you again*

Gabrielle

Thanks. *hugs back*