As an adjunct faculty member, I'm also privileged to work with a splendid group of authors, all of whom are busily exploring the Potterverse in ways that entertain and delight their readers. I'm continually amazed at the ideas these writers generate and humbled by the immense time and effort they put into their stories. These people could only be volunteers -- there's no amount of money on Earth that could buy this kind of creativity and dedication.
Sugarquill is an example of how wonderful things can be accomplished by a group of people with common interests and goals, from the faculty members who maintain and improve the site, to the readers/writers who take time to answer other members' questions about culture, plot points, extracurricular activities, and just how those owls know where to deliver the post. It's a kind of community that's united, not by nationality or religious beliefs or race, but by shared interest and enthusiasm. Then there's the stories. There is an archive of
quality fan fiction of the sort I like, with the ships
I like. Plus there's the marvellous Professors who
give their time to help each author become the best
they can be and make their stories the best possible.
We can be silly. We can be serious. We can even be
sirius.
And that's why I love Sugar Quill.
Parseltongue. "Parseltongue is the first place I go when I turn on my computer." --Beruna Ford. And she's got it right. It's good to see people you meet online posting about their worries and accomplishments. On September 11th, it was where I could find out that all of my New York SQers were okay.
The fanfiction, because I know that it'll be something that I want to read.
The Glossary, because I like having a part in the creation of a language that few are KEWL enough to understand.
People who "Wear the Quill Proudly." Whether it's on a tattoo, t-shirt, or computer screen, it's great to see people who are proud of Sugar Quill... because it's great to see people who feel the same way I do.
Alanna Granger's Thoughts:
One of the best things, for me, is being treated like an equal. I'm younger than almost all of the SQers (young enough to need a parental permission form to post fics), but no one has ever condescended to me, no one has ever treated me like I was less important because I was younger. Sure, I bow in your venerable wisdom, but you guys are so great! When I "grow up," I want to be just like you ;-). As long as I can carry on an intelligent and mature conversation, it doesn't matter if I'm 14 or 140.
Auror Borealis's Thoughts:
The best thing, or ranking high among the best things, in my opinion, is the really kewl community at Sugar Quill.
Elanor Gamgee's Thoughts:
The Best Thing About SQ:
Finding the friends I always wanted
Hildigunnur's Thoughts:
It is a community where people try their best to make all feel welcome but are
not afraid to admit their eccentricity.
Starbuckxs's Thoughts:
For me the best thing is how everyone is willing to help. It’s strange to find a place where you won’t be ridiculed for your mistakes, you will learn from them. And SQ is just the place...
JK's Thoughts:
There are so many. I think probably the best thing is
the community. The people are kind and considerate,
and you always get help if you need it. We can have
friendly debates, and they tend to stay that way,
unlike so many other sites. People are always willing
to show a newbie around, and to give encourqagement to
someone going through a hard time with writing or in
real life and to congratulate those who are going
well. I have made many friends through the site, and
hope to continue to do so.
Asia Elizabeth's Thoughts
The Daily Affirmations: reading them was what hooked me to the Sugar Quill in the first place. It was like they read my mind.
Circe's Thoughts:
SugarQuill is a community. Everybody cares about each other,
differences are respected, and disputes are handled in a civil manner, always.
Another good thing is that SQ offers a beta-reading service; it's such a fitting
tribute to the books that sparked millions of children to read. I won't even go
into FirstBook and the First Task. ^.^
Holeybubushka's Thoughts:
First off, I have to say the fics. The archive is filled with all types of fics, the types that make you laugh, cry and feel happy and warm inside. All have such excellent grammar, it's a treat.
Then you have how incredibly biased this site is. And they're proud of it! SugarQuill never pretends to be something that it's not. However, nobody shuns anyone else. The Fan Boards are filled with people who have one basic love -- Harry Potter, and everyone is allowed to express how they feel. It just so happens that everyone loves R/H or H/G! The quick and easy layouts doesn't undermine the site, simple yet very cool. Kinda like Sugarquill itself.
Anne's Thoughts:
The best things about Sugar Quill, in my opinion, are not just the fantastic fanfiction archive or the creativity it inspires and promotes (though those are certainly big factors in its success), but really the sense of community and friendship that the SQ has. So many new friendships have been built on the message boards and chat room, and it is the people that give the Sugar Quill the warmth and character it possesses, much the way I imagine the halls of Hogwarts must feel.