Introduction

I’m not sure why this post resurfaced today—but reading it stirred something in me. It made me sad.

In some ways, things have changed for the better in my writing journey. And I’m grateful for that. But in other ways… not much has changed at all. And deep down, I think I understand why.

I’ll save the full reflection for my final post in this “mission” to revisit everything I’ve written. But for now, what hit me hardest was the ache that came with realizing something I’ve been slow to accept: not everyone wants the best for you. Even when they say they do.

There’s a kind of jealousy out there—a subtle ugliness that hides behind silence. And that realization hurts. Sometimes, it even wears the mask of “I’m happy for you” or tries to compete with a fake front of doing better. And you know what? That’s okay too. Let them pretend. I’ll keep showing up with the truth.

As much as I love to share, to encourage, and to build something meaningful, I’ve also learned to protect what I create. Because some people aren’t showing up to support… they’re just watching, waiting, and sometimes hoping you’ll fail… with a smile on their face.

That’s what made this post hard to reread. I wrote it just a few months ago, and now I see it with clearer eyes. I knew then—but now, I really know.

Some people never wanted me to succeed. Or maybe they only wanted me to do well… just not better than them. The moment your light gets close to theirs, it becomes a threat. And that’s when it gets quiet—or worse, dangerous.

To those who’ve shown up with kindness and support: thank you. Truly. You’ve helped me keep going.

Love y’all,
—Skelly


Where Is the Support?

When I first launched fabricthatmademe.com here on WordPress, I wasn’t chasing followers or trying to go viral. And to this day, my subscriber list remains delightfully cozy. This blog began as a way to scream into the void, but through written words instead of actual shouting. 🤯 I’ve shared my humble beginnings before, but honestly, my early work was rough.
Raw. Unedited. Typos galore. Think: emotional word vomit typed out mid-ugly-cry—where you can only catch every third word.

In short, back in 2017, my posts were a hot mess of a cry for help.


So why bring this up now?

Well, I recently had a conversation that stirred up something I’ve mulled over for years. As always, writing is where I turn to process. It’s how I untangle thoughts and lay things out clearly. Where else can I actually say what needs saying?

This blog may have started as a brain-dump of pain, but like me, it’s grown. It’s evolved. And over time, it’s taken on a life of its own.

Of course, not everyone in my orbit has been thrilled about this platform! Or the fact that I write at all. Some outright hate it. They live in fear that I’ll expose their secrets for the world to see. (And trust me, with the webs they’ve spun, I could fill volumes.)


Growing as a Writer — It’s Not for Everyone

Just as my writing has grown, so have I. I’ve let go of a lot—old drafts, outdated ideas, even full posts. fabricthatmademe.com has become a true labor of love, something I’ve poured into, shaped, and honored for years. It’s not just a side hobby—it’s part of who I am. We’ve become one.

My writing takes many forms—poems, short stories, journal entries, articles. I don’t always write what my friends or family want to read. But you’d think they’d support the effort. I mean, they see me working—building a site, creating consistently, sharing boldly.

And yet… no shares, no shout-outs, barely a comment.
Not even a casual, “Hey, I liked that one.”
Just crickets. 🦗

You’d think a little support would come easy. But apparently, acknowledging someone else’s creative work is harder than creating it.

I get that my writing isn’t for everyone. That’s the nature of being an artist—some things resonate, others don’t. But when your own circle goes silent, it hits different. Even my writing community has gotten quiet lately—support seems rare.

So, why is that?

I think the answer is simple: people don’t want to read.
Reading takes time, and time feels like a luxury.
Even now, I know only a few people will see this post. A couple might read it. The rest will skim—or click just to be seen. And any likes? Probably from folks hoping I’ll return the favor.

Most people don’t actually read anymore.
It’s not that they can’t—it’s that they won’t.
We live in a world of instant gratification: scroll, swipe, skip. Podcasts are easier, videos are quicker, and posts with ten words or less are more “digestible.”

But the truth is, reading matters. Supporting each other matters.

It’s not just readers either. Creators have stopped showing up for each other. They’re so laser-focused on their own projects, they forget that supporting someone else’s dream doesn’t diminish their own.

I understand the tunnel vision—it’s exciting to build something! To chase the next big idea. But it’s disappointing when your hard work gets met with silence.

Ironically, some of my best ideas have come from watching others—seeing how they design their websites, structure their stories, or run their small businesses. Inspiration is everywhere.

Like that boutique shop with the intentional layout. Or a coffeehouse turned old-bookstore dreamland. The vibe? Captivating. Inviting. Cozy. Those are the spaces I love.

And it’s a good reminder—when you step outside yourself, you gain more than you give. There’s power in paying attention. There’s purpose in supporting others.


My Hope

In this new year, I hope we all make a little more effort to support one another. This support can be in our craft, business, writing, art, or personal goals.

Speak up.
Show up.
Let people know you see them. 💛I know I’d appreciate it.

I do get kind comments here of love, and to those who’ve taken the time to reach out—thank you. It means more than you know. Truthfully, I’ve received more encouragement from strangers than I have from my own family. That’s just the way it goes sometimes, isn’t it?

To those who’ve been here since the beginning, I’m so incredibly grateful to you. To those just joining the Skelly adventure, thank you! You’ve kept me going, and your support means more than I can ever fully express. 🤍

We might be a skeleton crew, but hey—we’re small, we’re fierce, and we show up. And that’s enough.

Still, I wish more people would actually read. Writers pour time, energy, and heart into every word. Writing is an art. A beautiful, powerful, deeply human art. But it’s also one that’s easy to overlook. I don’t want to see it fade away. So let’s make this the year we show up for each other, for the stories, for the truth. Share the work. Cheer each other on. Because for some of us, this writing community is the only place we’ve ever truly felt seen.

And hey—my dad’s pretty cool. He’s finally started supporting my writing, and that means the world to me. 🩵

Also, yes—there are still plenty of typos and rogue run-on sentences around here.
Editing yourself is hard, okay?
But I’m learning. I’m growing.
And isn’t that the goal?



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6 responses to “Support: The One Thing That Never Came”

  1. Bruce Cooper Avatar

    Hi SKelly!

    I read your entire post and can relate to most of what you shared. Blogging is essentially another form of communication—similar to having a conversation with someone, whether they’re an acquaintance or a close friend. Of course, the way we speak with a friend is different from how we interact with someone we barely know. There are plenty of valid reasons for that, not least of which is the limited time most of us have each day. We all focus on our priorities, and the chance to do something we truly enjoy (like blogging) can be a luxury. So, when people don’t engage with every post, it’s generally not personal—life just gets in the way.

    I write because it helps me process my thoughts. It’s almost a discipline for me, and how I write looks very different now compared to a decade ago. One of the unexpected benefits is finding a small circle of readers who genuinely connect with my writing. Even if it’s just a few people who take the time to respond, that small core can be invaluable, though it often takes years to develop.

    Ultimately, the number of followers you have doesn’t necessarily reflect that core group you communicate with regularly or semi-regularly. In fact, for most dedicated bloggers—like yourself—that core is often just a small percentage of overall followers. And that’s okay.

    So don’t be discouraged if you’re not receiving the recognition you’d hoped for. The deeper value is what you gain internally through this journey of blogging—learning more about yourself, about others, and, in my experience, discovering so much more about God (especially Jesus) through His Word. Writing encourages me to think deeply, which has led to greater understanding.

    You’re making connections, and that’s good. Take a moment to see if those connections are helping you grow. Writing is my tool for learning, and I suspect it might be yours as well. If I’ve misunderstood, please let me know—I’d be interested in your thoughts.

    God’s peace, grace, and blessings to you and yours,
    Bruce

    1. fabricthatmademe Avatar

      First, I want to thank you for taking the time to read my post and for consistently delivering such thoughtful and inspiring blog posts yourself! I truly enjoy reading your work—it encourages and educates me every time, and I value that so much.

      Like you, I write as a way to process and make sense of things. For many of us, writing is an outlet, a way to express what’s inside. There’s a poetic side to me that sometimes feels like a musician playing a guitar without an audience—it can feel a bit lonely. But 99% of the time, writing for me is about creating something meaningful. My hope is that whoever reads my posts finds something that nourishes their soul or helps them grow in a positive way. My goal is always to add, not subtract.

      When it comes to making connections through my writing, I strive to be a bright, authentic, and welcoming space for readers—a place they’ll want to return to. I hope to inspire open and meaningful conversations because that’s how we grow and evolve. The “like-for-like” mindset isn’t what I’m here for.

      I know I occasionally touch on sensitive topics, and I’ve provided an email for readers to share their thoughts privately if they prefer. Some have taken advantage of that, and I truly appreciate those honest exchanges.

      To be clear, I’m not discouraged by subscriber numbers. For me, it’s not a numbers game. What I do wish, though, is that more people—including those closer to me—would recognize the time, effort, and care it takes to craft a thoughtful post. Writing here isn’t like posting on Twitter or Instagram. It’s something I take seriously, and I believe many others here do too. I respect the work of my fellow writers, and I hope my work is respected in the same way.

      Perhaps I didn’t communicate that well in my post, so let me say it plainly: I’m incredibly thankful for the small but loyal following I have. Some readers have been with me since the beginning, emailing me and following me on social media, and we’ve even built real friendships. That means the world to me.

      I’m not chasing overwhelming subscriber growth. If I were, I’d post more short stories or tweak my strategy for faster growth. What I truly want is authentic support—both from the writing community and from my own friends and family. Don’t just hit the like button and think, “That’s enough.” If you’ve read something and it sparked a thought, share it in the comments or email me. Open dialogue is how we improve and connect as writers and creators.
      I hope that makes sense. Again, I am so thankful to you and this open conversation and your wonderful blog and of course the most important thing- our common love for Jesus!
      I choose a few months back to focus my writing on my faith journey and I lost a ton follower and gained news. The most an important thing to me is how Jesus saved my life and share that story. Thank you, God! You are so good!

  2. indianeskitchen Avatar

    I can’t see what I am typing as your background is black. Sorry if I have a typo. Anyhow, count me in as one of those four that reads your post! I read all of my followers because I do know how much work goes into each and every post! Again, so sorry for any typo’s but I can’t see what I am typing.

    1. fabricthatmademe Avatar

      You are one of the good one for sure!! And I THANK YOU so much for your ongoing support always!
      Also, thank you so much for telling me my background is causing that issue. My daughter helped me picked my theme this last time as she just started a blog as well- This is hers if yours interested 😉https://thestorybehindit5.wordpress.com/
      Thanks for letting me know! I had no clue. I will be changes that today!
      I highly enjoy your post, and your blog as well! I have made many of the different things you have posted! I love it and appreciate your post! Thank you for being a beautiful creator! 🩷✨

  3. mitchteemley Avatar

    Hi Skelly. I’m blessed with a large following, which unfortunately means I can’t read everyone’s posts. Your heartfelt “brain-dump”-turned medition caught my attention today, and I’m glad it did. I may not be able to comment often, nevertheless I heartily support you, my friend.

    1. fabricthatmademe Avatar

      Thank you so much for stopping by and following! I really appreciate it—it’s nice to know I’m not just shouting into the void! 😄 I just cleared out a wave of spam bots, so it’s a relief to see a real person pop in. Glad something in my post caught your attention. Hope you swing by again soon!

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