RETROSPECTIVE

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History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it - Sir Winston Churchill

Spike's Thoughts:

On the 22nd of Apil 2002, this website was born. At that time, Vandread fanfiction was but a new breed. The world of Internet fanfiction was (and still is) populated by various factions, covering everything from TV, novels and anime.
But Vandread fanfiction was a new faction - a faction only being discovered by many writers across the globe. Many writers who fell love with the series and wanted something more of it. Writers who wanted to see more action from their favourite characters. Writers who didn't want the end of Second Stage to be the final chapter on the series itself.

Fanfic writers had discovered the true potential that Vandread offered. Now all they needed as a voice. A flag to rally under. An icon to remove the obstacles that secured the creative process. A beacon to show the world that Vandread fanfiction was alive and kicking - and was here to stay

And thus, this website was created.

Back then, the site was a fairly ramshackle affair. But, in true pioneering fashion, the site shook off these obstacles and soldiered on. It didn't matter how lacking the site was with working links or helpful information, or whether or not the counter didn't work. What mattered was the intention: The fact that the site was creating interest in Vandread fanfiction. This site was going to the effort of creating something out of nothing. A site that stood hard against adversity and emerged - Bloodied but not bowed.

And back then there wasn't a lot of writers in that area. Indeed, Vandread fanficton was only very young at the time. Thus, there was only myself, Spike, and ten others. But without these people, there wouldn't have been a site. When presented with a proposal for a Vandread fanfiction directory, these people understood the potential of such a site. They had gone to the effort of establishing a foothold on Vandread in the name of fanfiction - by merely writing. They gladly gave permission to have their fic included in this directory. And they lended whatever support they can.
Words cannot speak the amount of thanks I have for these people. And such support to such a cause should not go unnoticed.

Time marched on. Over the course of next twelve months, this site gained attention and acquired the interest of many more fanfic writers. Fanfic writers who saw the sense of vision that was the driving force behind this site. Fanfic writers whom were delighted to see other people writing Vandread fanfiction. Fanfic writers were all too happy to have their fic referenced here.
By writing fics, these people helped nuture this site and make it grow. The seeds of development had been sown and were sprouting. Walls had been broken down and the Vandread fans were gathering in a call to arms.

In the twelve months since conception, this site has come a long way. I feel proud to have made something out of nothing. I have turned, what originally seemed like, an insane dream into a real dream. I have made (what some would consider) a pointless waste of web-space into a beacon to guide Vandread fanfic authors everywhere.
And having come so far with this site, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the ten whom were with me from the beginning - as well as all else who supported this site and encouraged me to continue blazing trails for fanfic writers.

So please put your hands together for:

You know, Days after the site was concieved I received an e-mail from fanfic writer and fellow visionary, Ender. An E-mail which praised the site and congratulated my efforts by calling me a pioneer. Needless to say, I feel honoured to be dubbed such a title. It feels me with pride to know that I, along with Ender, have both blazed trails for others to follow. The act of creating a website and, in Ender's case, a Mailing list, are truly actions of strength. Strength great enough to knock down walls so many can march onward.

So in conclusion, it has been an incredible twelve months since this site has been born. Twelve incredible months which involved a lot of hard work but, at the same time, lots of fun. And naturally, this is only but the beginning. And from where I sit, the months that lie ahead of me look bright and fruitful.
Here's to the future!

(and additional thanks to Yaps for this little gem. Nice one!)