User blog:Jpearson/Editor Stories: Building Community with GreenWithin

Hey everyone!

We continue our Editor Stories series for Hispanic Heritage Month with more profiles! Fandom’s theme for Hispanic Heritage Month is Las Voces. We’re thrilled to introduce more creators who use their voices to encourage others and amplify the voices of community members here at Fandom. Throughout this series, we focus on the wonderful things that can happen when we encourage others to share their thoughts and words with the world, and the impact entertainment and culture have on these editors. We’ll also explore the power of community and fostering genuine connections.

Today, we’re sharing the story of an editor whose formal edit was the start of successfully managing a handful of wikis and making genuine connections and a strong community. Meet GreenWithin

Have you had the pleasure of meeting GreenWithin yet? He’s originally from Mexico and enjoys playing the guitar, watching anime with friends, going to parties, and designing and supporting Spanish wikis! GreenWithin has been on the Fandom platform since 2016, and continues to make a positive impact in the community by supporting admins and building friendships along the way. He continues to lend a helping hand and encourage editors to do what they do best. Read on to learn more about GreenWithin!

1. What specifically drew you to Fandom, and how did you get started editing?

GreenWithin: My first formal edit was on a wiki I created about Plants Vs. Zombies Garden Warfare (it got closed a couple of weeks after its creation lol), but I got delved into wiki editing on a wiki about a Pokémon fangame called Pokémon Brick Bronze. It wasn’t until 2018 that I decided to edit a Spanish wiki (FNaF Wiki ES) and ever since I have been on that side of the platform for as long as I can remember.

2. What wikis do you contribute to and what do you love most about those communities?

GreenWithin: It’s a local joke between some users, but I manage a lot of wikis that it’s hard to pick only one, but the wikis where I’ve had the most fun and a remarkable experience has been with Five Nights at Freddy’s Wiki FNaF Wiki ES and in Comunidad Central. First and foremost, on FNaF Wiki ES, I managed to get admin around 2 years after I did my first edit: I didn’t have any experience administering a wiki nor was familiar with CSS or anything that required technical knowledge, so it was on that wiki where I got to learn almost everything I know currently, most of it self taught. I built my own mod team after I got bureaucrat perms in 2021, and since then I take care of leading the mods and admins on that wiki so everything is under control, while I as well check articles and exercise portability practices (most of our traffic comes from mobile devices).

On Comunidad Central, I met a lot of users that currently are people I would even consider friends, like Bitomic, Taxcy Marsopas1, Aexhell, King Mememes, and other users that I’ve had a close bond, and maintain my contact with them even after have helped them with some stuff. Managing design requests in CCES has really helped me to meet so many awesome editors and admins that I’m forever grateful for having the opportunity of helping.

'''3. Fandom’s theme for Hispanic Heritage Month is Las Voces. In your opinion, what doors open when individuals are able to share their voices with the world?'''

GreenWithin: It allows people to know who you are and what your value is as a person. When you speak up, people do hear you: the difference is made when you know who to talk to or where to orientate your voice towards. Get to meet people, talk to them, and make bonds that you end up being proud of having. Give yourself a chance to voice your opinions and you’ll have a lot of opportunities coming your way. Get involved and you’ll be all good to go!

4. What brings you the most joy about your culture and heritage?

GreenWithin: Mostly, the people. Everyone is so lovely and each and every one of them has a different story to tell. The amount of diversity, all the experiences they’ve had, and being able to share that with other people is such a great feeling that I don’t even have feelings to describe it. They accept you for who you are and I couldn’t ask for anything better. Now, if I need to get into detail with Mexican culture… we’d be here all day. The gastronomy, the traditions (October and November are marvelous months here in Mexico, they're personally my favorite), the architecture, even the literature is a piece of art; nonetheless, I love food way too much so gastronomy takes the cake.

5. Are there any Hispanic actors, characters, or creators that inspire you?

GreenWithin: Ricky Tafolla is a content creator that makes comedy sketches on YouTube, focused on social critique and satiric comedy towards Hispanic culture. His videos are hilarious, but what I most admire about him is how he has managed his popularity and what messages he tries to communicate through his videos behind the comedy. There are plenty of podcasts and interviews around that have him as a guest, and I would recommend anyone interested to check him out.

6. Is there a moment in entertainment history that resonates deeply with you?

GreenWithin: In the place where I live, we used to watch TV through analog connection, and that was my main source of entertainment for many years. I remember fondly going into the supermarket to buy a digital antenna because on that same day, analog TV would transition to digital connection across the country. Right when we got back to our home, I got to help out by setting up the digital antenna and right when it started working, they were broadcasting the animated movie “La Leyenda de la Llorona”. To this day, that has to be one of my favorite movies of all time.

Las Voces

Check out our takeaways from GreenWithin’s interview!

Takeaway #1 “Get to meet people, talk to them, and make bonds that you end up being proud of having. Give yourself a chance to voice your opinions and you’ll have a lot of opportunities coming your way. Get involved and you’ll be all good to go!”

Making connections with others is easier said than done. It starts with opening yourself up to meet people and bonding over shared experiences, learning from each other, and simply being yourself. Lift your voice and share! Wonderful things can come from giving yourself a chance and sharing your voice.

Takeaway #2 “Managing design requests in CCES has really helped me to meet so many awesome editors and admins that I’m forever grateful for having the opportunity of helping.”

If you’re unsure of where to begin in your journey as an editor, start small and don’t be afraid to ask questions. You might meet some amazing friends on your journey who can teach you something new!

Takeaway #3 There are moments in entertainment that resonate with us and take us back to our childhood or happy times. We’re able to share our fondest memories and realize those memories sparked our passion and identity as fans. Together, we’ve created a special place for others to have more of these moments, celebrate our cultures, and enjoy our fandoms.

We hoped you enjoyed this editor story! Stay tuned for more profiles throughout the week, and be sure to leave a comment telling us what Las Voces means to you!