What HNZ means to me 📜

HNZ is old. Like, Gwen Stefani’s Hollaback Girl was Number 1 in the US when HNZ went live level of old. Not many forums have survived since then, so clearly, this place is something special, but what is that something special? What makes you keep coming back for more?

To mark 20 years of HNZ, we're asking you to write an original piece to tell us What does HNZ mean to you? This can come in any form you like, from a poem, a birthday speech, a roast if you wish, or even a piece of art or music. Wherever the muse takes you, we're excited to see it!

I'm looking forward to what you come up with!

 

[Lilith Ilves]

Here's my lil letter to HNZ and what it means to me!

Dear HNZ (and the community within),
I got introduced to you in the middle of last year, when joining I was incredibly nervous and scared. I remember thinking 'What if I don't fit in?' 'What if everyone will hate me?' 'What if my writing actually sucks and I'll just feel awful and never wanna write anywhere again?' 'I'm probably just gonna be active a few weeks and then my interest will fade and I'll fall off...?' Well here we are 9-10 months(?) later. Since joining there has not been a single day I have not checked the site, ACTUALLY A LIE! I was super sick and slept a whole day this spring but that doesn't count, does it? . Even when I went to Italy, I checked everyday the site at one point or another.

The site has become a safe space for me, something that is almost always open in the background. I have found my love for writing again and creating characters through this site. I have made new friends. I have grown more confident in my own writing. Needless to say this sites magic for me (and probably for a lot of others here) isn't just in the magic of writing and creating our little worlds and lives, it is also within the community and people we find and connect with. All my fears of not being welcomed in, not fitting in, not being able to stay connected and interested, of people hating me were in vain. It's actually pretty damn cool and I love it so much.

With loveee,
Faye <3

 

[Professor Edward Pirrip]

Here's my lil letter to HNZ and what it means to me!

Dear HNZ (and the community within),
I got introduced to you in the middle of last year, when joining I was incredibly nervous and scared. I remember thinking 'What if I don't fit in?' 'What if everyone will hate me?' 'What if my writing actually sucks and I'll just feel awful and never wanna write anywhere again?' 'I'm probably just gonna be active a few weeks and then my interest will fade and I'll fall off...?' Well here we are 9-10 months(?) later. Since joining there has not been a single day I have not checked the site, ACTUALLY A LIE! I was super sick and slept a whole day this spring but that doesn't count, does it? . Even when I went to Italy, I checked everyday the site at one point or another.

The site has become a safe space for me, something that is almost always open in the background. I have found my love for writing again and creating characters through this site. I have made new friends. I have grown more confident in my own writing. Needless to say this sites magic for me (and probably for a lot of others here) isn't just in the magic of writing and creating our little worlds and lives, it is also within the community and people we find and connect with. All my fears of not being welcomed in, not fitting in, not being able to stay connected and interested, of people hating me were in vain. It's actually pretty damn cool and I love it so much.

With loveee,
Faye <3

Faye that was so lovely to read, thanks for sharing. You are a wonderful writer and I forget you haven't even been here a year yet because you're so ingrained into the community now!

 

[Lilith Ilves]

Faye that was so lovely to read, thanks for sharing. You are a wonderful writer and I forget you haven't even been here a year yet because you're so ingrained into the community now!

I swear I'll cry!!! Glad to be a part of this place <3

 

[Cassandra Pretorius]

so let me explain: House is not a home without a HNZ. My safe harbor and ohana.
*ohana- family