As the title says, what does this forum mean to you? How has it blessed you? What are you thankful for? What would you like to say to Jay? Post your thoughts here, and someone will collect everyone's thoughts and send them to Jay.

My only question is: why didn't I sign up earlier?
(Well, I know the answer is because I was busy with college...but...)

I'm blessed...
...because of you all.
...because the kind of community this is--warm and caring.
...because of a family atmosphere here that makes it different from other forums.
...because I appreciate how everyone encourages and helps one another--not just with stories, world building, and character names ( ), but with daily life issues as well.
...because you guys are just such awesome people.

There are two bits of necessary explanatory background for my tale.
First, I seem to be, in general by nature, shy, introverted, withdrawn, and melancholy. But my sophomore year of college, a group of my peers drew me into a circle of friends so close that we called ourselves "the 'fam'", short for "the family." And I credit that group as God's instrument for ensuring that I survived to graduation, and beyond, without breaking down and indeed with any lasting friends at all---further, there were several long periods of what I now recognize as Joy.
Second, the summer that I joined Holy Worlds, I found myself making the rounds of Christian fantasy writing blogs (and, less relevantly to this account, writing blogs in general), subscribing to several so as to receive helpful writing advice and Christian edification. From one of those blogs I happened on a reference to Holy Worlds.
I expected to find a forum with some helpful information and perhaps some edifying discussions---and those I indeed found, "in spades." What I did not expect to find was a community where I "fit," that would make me change my habits (I do not spend hours in a chat room, or make extravagant compliments (however true---as I firmly believe the ones I'm referring to are) in public!), that would "drag me out of my shell" and make me happy and Joyful to an extent I really haven't been since I was daily meeting members of "the 'fam.'"
I expected, from the references I had read, to find a few people to whom I would look up and whose opinions I would respect; I did not expect to find, as I did, several people half a decade younger than I am whom I look up to, and a few whose good opinion I cherish.
I expected to find young independent authors; I did not expect to think so highly of any of them to write a glowing review or to buy a first novel on the day of its release and write a blog post promoting it sight-unseen.
I expected I might find some intriguing worlds being built; I did not expect to find a couple (Ithylak-Alronia-Cordimú and Erde) so moving and thought-provoking as should appear only a few times a generation.
I expected I might find some things to comment on; I did not expect to find the younger writers in most need of advice in my specialties to be eager or even willing to receive that advice.
Basically, in summary, I expected a forum, but found a Christian community, and all of this is why I stay even (and joined the other two forums!) when I need to cut back on my time-sinks ...


In my case, I didn't sign up earlier (aside from dithering about it for a few days after I found out about it) because I didn't know it existed. I wish I could have joined when HW started!

Holy Worlds means a lot to me. There have been so many blessings even in the short 4 weeks since I joined.

It's a place where I can come and share my work; where I can meet new people who have the same interests and passions that I do; where I can gain valuable critique and invaluable support, suggestions, and friends; and where I can begin upon the first steps of the road to becoming an author.

Drawing on the vast storehouse of knowledge and creativity has helped me grow and mature in my own process of writing, creating, and worldbuilding, something for which I'm greatly indebted to all here.

The bonds of friendship are beginning to form, with some people especially, and in places unexpected.


Exactly my thoughts, though expressed in words far better than I could hope to formulate.

I would like to say a personal thank-you to Jay for coming up with and starting such a fantastic forum, where it's less like a community of writing colleagues and more like a community of friends. Jay, I cannot thank you enough for sharing this brilliant forum with the world, and I'm praying that you'll soon be freed to come and see what marvelous things are taking place here, and to add your own tremendous contributions.

I think of Holy Worlds as God's blessing to me as a Christian, as a writer, and as a person. It has been a way for me to interact with other people that love Jesus, and want to write in His service. It has kept me from burying myself in discouragement and hopelessness, it has gotten me to write more and to write more seriously. It has provided me with a circle of friends that I can actually connect with.

It has kept me from turning my back on writing, I believe. I found Holy Worlds shortly (like a couple months, I think) after I decided to build a fantasy world--something I'm pretty sure I would've given up on long ago without people being interested in what I was doing, giving me advice and ideas and encouragement.

Similar to kingjon, when I came here, I expected a forum. But I got a Christian family and renewed energy for (what I believe is) my calling. I got to know (and am getting to know still more) people that I can relate to and care for in that way, and that in turn do the same for me... Not to mention keeping me from throwing the book (or maybe a set of encyclopedias) at myself and declaring myself a non-author.

Holy Worlds has been a huge blessing to me, and one that keeps growing. I praise God that I found Holy Worlds when I did (and try not to think about how much I wish I'd found it much sooner).

What does it mean to me?

*smiles*

It means being adopted into a group of people passionate about serving God.
It means getting to know my amazing siblings in Christ.
It means learning new things that strengthen my faith.
It means having people to encourage me in my writing.
It means good critiques and ways to improve my work.
It means always working hard at your craft, and that there is no arriving.
It means having friends to pray for, and be prayed for by.
It means a place to laugh and to cry and no one thinks any less of you.
It means a place to be hyper and crazy and no one thinks any less of you.
It means having different theological beliefs and no one thinks any less of you.
It means you can be having a good day or a bad day and no one thinks any less of you.

It means fifty people in one chatroom praying...
It means brothers and sisters...
It means Christ's love...

It means a life changing blessing I could never have seen coming, and one I'm so grateful for. No one can foresee what this place is like from the outside, yet once you're inside... you can't possibly explain it.

Thankyou for creating God's vision, Jay. Know that it is always growing, and that you will always be a powerful tool in God's hand, no matter where you are.

It's one of the few places and times where I have ever shared my writing with someone. And it's been the only place where I've ever wanted to share more afterwards. It's the place where even if you don't know anyone, they are your friends.

I remember when this place was just another Big Jay Idea. I remember him picking the theme and working out the hosting and telling everyone about it. I remember him telling me about how it was going to be better than his last forum, and how he was going to make it work. It wasn't really great then...we spent our time trying to decide what forums we needed, and there weren't many people on.

Now it's a great place, greater now than its ever been before. It's because of Jay – his passion and inspiration and drive and thought and leadership. But is it all because of Jay? Jay was there when it began, and it wasn't great then. HW is great because of you guys. HW is great because Airianna came and started posting monster, scripture filled posts on important topics. Because Hannah came and tried to get us all cautious and safe and organized and disciplined. Because Jonathan came and encouraged and supported everyone wherever he went. Because NotThatShort came and filled the forums with her fun and cheerfulness. Because Lady Katharina came and gave her thoughts and time. Because kingjon came and gave us criticism and knowledge and sharpened our minds. Because you are here, and you want this place to be great, it is.

And even more than that, God came. He's the reason we act like family – because we are. He's the reason we discuss things so deeply, because we're writing for him. And he gets the best.

Thank you God for you.

Holy Worlds means so much more to me than I could ever satisfactorily put into words.

Holy Worlds gave a lonely only child a wonderful family of honourary siblings: big sisters to look up to and emulate, brothers to - well, tease is the first thing that comes to mind, and little sisters to mentor.

Holy Worlds gave a girl with few Christian friends - or friends at all - so many good friends that love God and point her to Him, friends that pray and encourage and challenge.

Holy Worlds gave a listless child something to be passionate about, and helped her grow into a woman passionate about writing.

Holy Worlds took a woman with leadership ability that tended towards using it to control those she "led," and taught her to use it in a sanctified, God-glorifying manner.

Holy Worlds gave a fledgling writer a place to talk about her ideas and share her writing and have feedback that helped her to grow.

Holy Worlds gave a growing writer the opportunity to dip her fingers into other people's story pies and help them in her own small way.

I am so thankful for Holy Worlds, and so thankful that God brought me here and worked through it in my life. I am so blessed.

What does HW mean to me? It means family, to be quite honest. A virtual extension of my family, and yet a virtual extension which is quite real. I have little sisters I adore, little brothers I couldn’t live without, and friends who help me get through the rough times in my life. And HW gave me a group of people who truly believe in bearing one another’s burdens. They cry when others cry, laugh when other laugh. In fact, I will never forget the members who came along side me and were a great support after my brother’s death. In fact, Eva Mimetes even broke the rules and posted a prayer thread for me.

I am so thankful for Holy Worlds. I’m thankful God led me here. I’m thankful Jay forced me to join. I’m thankful no one will let me leave, and I’m grateful for the blessings I have received through this community.

May we grow ever closer to one another.

HolyWorlds to me means family.
Before coming here, I was different. I was very insecure, because I didn't really know any authors (except my friend's dad who writes the Christmas plays), and my family thought of it (and mostly still do) as something that was neat, but not much use. Here, I fit in with other authors, and learned a lot about how writing can make a difference.
I feel very connected to the people here even if I've never had direct contact with them. It's a like that song -'your friends are my friends and my friends are your friends'. It's a huge community and I'm very blessed by it. The power of prayer, especially, has been shown to me. So much love goes into the prayers of our Warriors, you guys. It's amazing.
So HolyWorlds has really shown me love. I marvel sometimes at being able to, as Short put it, 'miss someone I've never met'. And I'm always amazed when people here remember me, answer me, take time to think about something I've said. People don't do that for me often. I seem to be not very memorable.

I, like others above me, have often wanted to thank Jay for creating this forum. Thanks, Jay. God has definitely blessed the work of your hands in this regard. I hope and pray that He will continue to bless many other people through Holy Worlds and through you.

What does Holy Worlds mean to me?

I'm not sure how I could answer this question. In a way, I won't be able to because it means so much to me. At the same time, however, it means so much that I want to at least give it a try, even if I can't do it.

I came to HW with little idea of what this place was all about. It's a big place, and little introverted me had not much intention of actually doing a lot here. Things didn't exactly work out that way.

Instead of finding myself lost in a crowd of unfamiliar names on a screen, I found a family who cared for me in a way it's still hard for me to understand. They didn't leave me alone when they found I had differing beliefs. They don't laugh when I pour out my pathetic sounding troubles to them. (Well, one of them did last night-kinda- but *coughElicough* you're still my bro so I'll forgive you. Of course.) They don't let me say I'm fine when I'm really not. They encourage me in chat when I'm crying and distraught. And they cheer me up, joke around, have fun together, tease me, and let me tease back.

Through HW I've learned so much about trusting the Lord through the big and the small. About rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep.

I don't exactly know what I'm saying. HW rocked my world in the early morning darkness of May 22nd. Hardly a day has passed since then when I have not thought of and prayed for this community, this family.

The community that make up Holy Worlds have been through a lot. In a small way, I'd like to think I've been through some of it with you. And there will be more. Because there is always more until our King returns and wipes away all the tears from our eyes. But until that day, may He give us the strength to press on, the grace to love, the faith to hold onto His promises, the boldness to be a light to the hurting world around us.

God bless you, Jay. God bless you, my friends and family of Holy Worlds.

If anyone else wants to say something, they should say it soon.

(*pokes self accordingly* )

*sighs deeply*
I don't think I can even verbalize this. Or typalize, I guess.

Can I even encompass the vast feeling I have for this community, the people here, and the help and growth I've received since joining? No, no more than I can ask a wingless bird to fly, or a disassembled machine to put itself back together, or a single cell to evolve into a human being.

Since I joined almost seven months ago, so many things have happened that would not have had I not joined.
For one, I gained the best friends anyone could ask for. I'm not going to list any names because I know I'll forget someone (in my present state of mind) and they'll be upset. But if you consider me your friend, just know that you're one of them.

You are all amazing. Every single one. Even you. Yes, YOU! All the people who have been happy to see me, talked with me about what's on my mind, cheered me up when I've been down, or allowed me to try to cheer you up as well.

I have also gained so much knowledge about writing that I feel my head is going to explode (but in a good way)! I wouldn't be nearly as good a writer without this place, and probably would have perhaps half of what I've written this year done. And I wouldn't have any of the invaluable critics and brainstormers I have.

I've grown in my faith, being around so many other Christians so much, willing to pray for me, counsel me, and talk about God. I love having people like you in my life, even if you live far away.

Philippians 1:3 is so true. It expresses the way I feel. "I thank my God every time I think of you."
And I do...
You have, each and every one of you, had an impact on my life, and I do thank God for you all.

Holy Worlds means to me...

A place where a community of Christ-centered people are based, who also happen to love writing!
A place where I can come and not be judged.
A place where I'm not looked down upon.
A place where I can be silly and others are just as silly, or sillier, along with me.
A place where I, not a prominent member or a person in charge, can call for a prayer meeting and have dozens of people show up.
A place where I can find encouragement when I need it, without even looking for it.
A place full of people who bring me joy in their friendship.
A place where I can support others in need (an important thing to me).
A place where I can always find people who care about me.
A place filled with awesome, smart, funny, caring, loyal people.
A place where I can shout GOD IS GOOD! and instead of funny looks, I get AMEN!!!
A place where I fit in.
A place where people from all over the world can come together, befriend each other, encourage each other, and help each other.
An awesome place that I hope to be a part of until I'm old and gray, and even then.

I love you guys, all of you. Thanks, Jay, for letting God use you to create Holy Worlds.

Holy Worlds is a place that helps me learn how to write better for God's glory; a place where I can fellowship with other Christians; a place where I make lasting friendships with wonderful people from all over the world; and a place where it is inspiring to see how God used Jay's vision and the help of a few people to create such an amazing forum. May Holy Worlds endure as a citadel for Christian writers and aid us in our service to God.

Holy Worlds...You have meant so much to me! You are family. I'm not joking, but seriously, many of you have become literal brothers and sisters to me. You made a huge impression when I first joined, because nowhere else had I experienced such respect despite my age. I came, used to being ignored because I was 'too little' and discovered a family willing to listen to and consider what I had to say. You have no idea how much this impacted me. Because you respected me, I became much more respectable (even though I still have a long way to go XD). When I was struggling, you came alongside me, and supported and comforted me. You did not judge me. This was (and still is, somewhat) a big thing for me. You have ever been an encouragement, and even when I was in the wrong, you were gentle.

Thank you. No words can express my gratitude for everything you all, as Holy Worlds, have done for me! I pray that I may in time return blessings on you as well. God bless you, my brothers and sisters!

I have been interested in writing fantasy since I was in school, bit it was something I did idly when it happened to cross my mind (which, I suppose, hasn't changed much, but it crosses my mind much more). I live far away from everything so I haven't often had much social life outside of the web. I had been on several different forums beforehand that started well but degraded to be little more than a bunch of crude jokes (yes, sadly the Christian ones too). Other times, one just gets lost in the cities of the web and never gets noticed unless they misspell something. Short story long there, but eventually through my rekindled writing, I was led to Holy Worlds and dove right in.
I have been glad to notice that there hasn't been a turnover toward entropy even with some frequent comings and goings among members. My writing wouldn't have gotten this far if I weren't here. Nor would my artistic skills, my crocheting, or my social abilities in general. Holy Worlds is very much a part of my identity now (I even check up rather frequently when I'm out of the country) and most things I do on the web stem from something here that tipped me off.
While most here are at least writing colleagues, I've found the best of friends, prayer warriors, Bible study partners, mentors, and nick-namers (I always wanted nick-names when I was in school).
Holy Worlds isn't just stable, it's iron. Iron to sharpen, forge ahead, and protect. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

As quite a few people have said before, what Holy Worlds means to me is hard to explain in words. It's more than just a Christian writing forum to share writing, get advice, and learn more about the writing craft. It's a place to grow, laugh, dream, share, and learn. We're a group of people who can go to each other in prayer, who listen to the hurt and rejoice in each other's triumphs. We know how to have fun- to make up silly role playing adventures in chat and go on crazy quests, to laugh at the day's mishaps, and to share things we find amusing. We also know how to be quiet- to listen to the hurt of the day, to gather in prayer for needs, and to comfort and cheer those who've had a rough day. In short, we're a community, a family, a group of Christians who know the meaning of the words 'brother' and 'sister'.

I joined HW seemingly by chance, but I know it was God. One Monday night in March of 2011 I went on Donita K. Paul's author site for the usual Monday night chat. There I met a HWer who, after learning of my love of writing, encouraged me to join Holy Worlds. It sounded like something worth trying out and - as they say - 'the rest is history'.

I met people who wanted to make me feel welcome and who went out of their way to make sure I knew I was. I found people who would look at my writing and take time to point out the good they saw, even as they pointed out ways to improve. Most importantly I found friends.

Since then I've grown as a writer and in my faith as I've seen the strength, passion, acceptance, and courage of the people here. I've learned how my beliefs work into my writing and how the best of writing has pieces of yourself sprinkled all through it. It's been been an amazing time, and I look back on the months remembering the laughter and tears since my first step into HW.

I can't imagine life now without some of my friends here. Some people don't understand the ties that I've formed, because all they hear are the words 'internet friends'. I see the people here as brothers and sisters in Christ, and truly love them as such, no matter whether we've only see each other in chat, skyped long hours into the night, or spoken face to face. They've seen me hyper-excited and they've seen me hurting. I've seen the same from them, and in those times friendships have been born.

I could go on about HW for a long while. . . I could share so many adventures, realizations, mishaps, quotes and stories that make up what this place means to me. And the most wonderful thing to me is- I know there are so many more memories yet to be created.

Thank you Jay for starting Holy Worlds. It's been a huge blessing.

~Ophelia - Marie Flowers - ZA

I know. I've had people view it that way too. I mean, I've never met these people, so how can we really be close? And yet, I know HWers better than some people in my own personal life.

C. S. Lewis described the birth of a true friendship as the moment when you say, "What, you too? I thought I was the only one!" And in addition to being self-selected for a common interest (fantasy writing), we have one more, and most crucial feature: we are members of one Body, all living stones being used in the same building ... so this sense of community shouldn't surprise us.

(I've had a sense of instant close friendship happen a few times in my life---and even written a few poems about these experiences---and it's usually been in the course of a first deep conversation facilitated by "chance" in things like seating, or by my being dragged into a group. What makes HW unique in my experience is that this has happened with me taking the initiative to join, then to wade into the life of the community.)

Yes, same here.

Yeah. I have better friends here than I do in real life. Sad but true. It's hard because no one understands that sometimes you don't have to meet a friend "in real life" to know them.
I'm blessed to know all of you.

That quote describes exactly how I felt here -I thought I was the only one.
I was, however, still amazed by the way I fit in, especially because I stalked the forum for so long, and when I joined I wasn't sure if I would feel like an outsider in a tightly-knit community. But when I joined, I was welcomed (I love our welcome threads) by a bunch of great people, and I haven't felt left out since.
I think I still have the messages I got when I first joined -people I didn't even know telling me they were thrilled to have me and were all excited to be my friend. I was like . It was awesome.

You know what else is so great here, though? I can't believe I didn't mention it before. But the fact that everyone here is so dedicated to God, and to following what He has set out for their lives. I have never met a group of people so rooted in what God has to say. There's a Scripture verse listed here by one person or another for every problem one of us could come up with. "Christ-centered community" is very accurate.
This makes me feel very safe. I always hated the feeling that nobody shared my love for God, and I love knowing that there are people here who not only share it, but can help me grow in my faith.
So, family, safety, love...

I know I'm late... but I have to say something, anyhow.

Before I joined HolyWorlds, I was very lonely, isolated, and had never fit in anywhere other than my family in my whole life. I was too serious, too silly, too conservative, not conservative enough, too quiet, too talkative... nothing was ever "right." Until I came here. And here, even if I am more serious -- more silly, more conservative, less conservative, more quiet, more talkative -- than others, it doesn't matter.

HolyWorlds means I can fit in

But there's a lot that's more important than that. When I came here, I had struggled through five novels alone, never finding the courage to revise them, never thinking they would be good enough for publication. Here, I found other writers, who could encourage, advise and strengthen me along the way. I found fans, who would read eagerly through my books and beg for more, and who would help me polish them until they were the best I can be, and who supported me all the way through the publication process. People who inspire me by their own writing journeys, and help me along mine.

HolyWorlds means I can write

I can't count the number of times I've come into chat, or been browsing through the forums after a hard day and come upon something or someone that made me laugh out loud, leaving my siblings to stare at me in bewilderment. I've been cheered and have seen the craziest threads and the craziest adventures in chat, and seen just the outright joy and hilarity that pervades the whole community.

HolyWorlds means I can laugh

I've also seen more hurt than I've ever seen before in my life. I've made dear friends with chronic illnesses, I've talked with people who are suicidal, who struggle with self-harm, I've hugged girls whose siblings were in rebellion, and whose families were hurting. I've cried for Jay, and Noelle, and so many many others, I've wept long into the night and prayed for countless hours. Because I love them, and I know that my God loves them, and it hurts me to see them hurting.

HolyWorlds means I can cry

Perhaps most of all, as many of the others have mentioned, I've gained a wonderful family of brothers and sisters in Christ, gained a number of friends who I'm closer with than I'd ever dreamed possible. I've learned to love and be loved better than ever, and the bond is incredibly strong, because it's so much higher than us -- it's unity in Christ.

HolyWorlds means I can love and be loved

I can never thank Jay -- and more, God -- enough for this community. It's meant so very much to me. More than I can ever express, but this is just a small taste of what HolyWorlds means to me.

[offtopic]If HW was partially responsible for the publishing of Radialloy, I is happy. Very happy. 0.0[/offtopic]

Okay, that made me smile, Juliet. *smiles again*

*loves reading these threads every year *

I like reading them, too. Holy Worlds touches people in many different ways. Often people can say things better than I can.

Everyone says it perfectly in their own way.

So I'm even later, but oh well.

Holy Worlds has had a incredible impact on my writing. Yes, I'm still in the "baby stages" of writing a book, but the people on HW have helped me improve so much. Though I haven't done it yet, finishing and publishing a novel actually feels possible.

The friends I've met on here are so important to me. I feel as though I have so many more people I can talk to about whatever whenever than I did before. And those people are genuine, true friends who share the same faith as I do.

There's probably more things too that I can't think of right now.


This is slightly off-topic, but one thing I love about Holy Worlds is that age doesn't matter. We're all friends. And that makes me happy.

*points to this thread *
This is what Holy Worlds means to me. I can come here and see people who really love what they do, care about each other, and are going on without being told to go.

Holy Worlds Christian Fantasy Forum

This is what Holy Worlds means to me. With this definition we have common ground on some of the most important ideas:

Being Holy: you serve God above all else,
Being Different: you serve God above all else, particularly above the world's standards. You do not hesitate to flick aside the worlds limitations, and you do not hesitate to bow utterly before the limitations of the righteousness of God (to be free of one is to be a servant of the other).

I love Holy Worlds. Thank you all for making it and loving it.

(Sorry this is late, I lost the post twice, and then I came to my senses and wrote it elsewhere to copy it in.)

Indeed.

I'm very late, but I have to write something here.

Holy Worlds Fantasy forum has taught me to love fantasy. Something that I didn't have before I joined here.

What does it mean to me? So much, that I probably can't describe very well. I love being able to talk about writing with people who won't look at me like I'm slightly out of my mind. (I tried to explain to my brother and his fiance my new book plot, and they honestly looked at me just like that!) I enjoy discussing writing with other Christians, to persue writing in a way that glorifies God.

I love that I have something that I can work with, a place that I can give time to, that I feel is aiming for a goal; a place that encourages writers to write godly writing, for the Glory of God. I love that here we can discuss theological issues, without debating. That we discuss these aspects in love, and then move on if we disagree.

I love that people don't look at me like I'm weird because I was homeschooled. I can fit in, without feeling like I have to change myself to fit in.

I love the many bonds of friendship that I have formed here over the years; people I would never have met but through Holy Worlds have made a great impact on my life. I love that we are like family; we care for each other, we encourage each other, and we pray for each other. I too often feel I know some of the people here, more than friends I have that live very close to me.

I probably haven't expressed myself very well. I am so thankful that I found this amazing place, and that I have met so many special, and wonderful people.

Holy Worlds Fantasy to me means a safe place where I can post stuff that I wrote feverishly, when grammar went out the window, and not feel judged by people's help. It means an amazing community that builds each other up and gives one another support, without feeling like we're in constant competition with the other members all the time.