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Discussion
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Greetings everyone!
I wanted to make a post that is half promotion and half thanks to this wonderful coven. I had been a member for a long time but after a series of let downs and tragedies, I lost my faith and left the group. I unfollowed all of my favorite subreddits and let myself fester because I felt it’s what I deserved. I would stalk WitchesVsPatriarchy from afar as I felt like a fraud, like I didn’t belong here with all of you.
Recently I decided to channel all of that into story writing. I took a story I had already written and added so much more. I imbued it with my sadness, my alienation, my love, my hope, and my struggles with my family over being different. I am autistic and part of the LGBTQ as well as chronically ill. I poured everything out onto the page and I am really proud of what came out. My book centers around a dysfunctional family trying to survive a weekend on a haunted island but delves into characters experiencing all manner of shame and secrets as well as Matriarchal Magic and how powerful women and love can really be.
Here is where my thanks really comes in; I’ve seen post after post asking for advice on everything from loss of faith to gender confusion to surviving in a red state or unsafe home. Almost all of them had at least one person suggesting the asker write about it. Not necessarily write a novel like I chose to do, but just to write it down. Write it, get it out until it doesn’t hurt as much. Until it’s not as confusing. Until you can breathe again. I was reminded of what a safe space this is, that I do belong and I got my faith back. Not just in magic, but in myself.
This book is a love letter to those that supported me during this difficult and confusing time and to each and every one of you who pour your love, time and support into posts from strangers asking for help and assurance.
Many blessings,
J.A. Viruet
