I interviewed Sherry Liu, fellow cohort of MAAI and also an avid fanfic reader and writer.

CONTENT: Sherry started her fanfic writing journey by watching the first movie of Spiderman in 2017. Mesmorized by the plot and a lot of the memes in the story, and the way it linked to the Ironman movies in the Marvel Universe. Being an original writer initially, she found the “shipping”(fans writing romantic stories between Spiderman and Ironman) intriguing and started writing fan stories herself and posting them online. Writing fanfiction was a psychological sanctuary for her as it is for me. She used to check for comments on her posts online during math classes in high school, and it kept her happy during a stressful period at work.

“One of the best things about being a fanfic writer for so long is that I forget about the fics I write,” Sherry laughs. “I would go back to some of the characters I shipped several years back, come across a fic that I really enjoy and suits my flavors completely, and then find out that I wrote it myself!!”

She states that fanfiction is an outlet for her emotions when school and work gets unbearably stressful. She explained that this creative freedom wouldn’t be possible if she was doing this as professional work rather than a hobby.

I showed her my intervention of comparing fanfiction to actual literature. “I really like the idea, but I’m not really surprised that most of your stakeholders could tell the difference between the two. The ultimate reason for writing fanfic is that people have love for one or two specific characters. Unlike original fiction, which starts on worldbuilding and backgrounds of main protagonists and antagonists, fanfic is more likely going to focus on one specific plot and dimm the stories of other characters, so readers can immediately tell the difference.”

REFLECTION: Sherry’s journey highlights the emotional and creative sanctuary fanfiction provides. Her experiences reflect how writing fanfiction can be a deeply personal and emotionally driven activity.fostering a deep connection to characters. Her humorous realization of rediscovering her own work demonstrates how personal and immersive fanfiction is, showcasing its ability to offer not just escapism but also a sense of accomplishment and creativity.

EVALUATION:

I was deeply inspired by Sherry’s passion and enthusiasm for retelling stories about the characters she loved, which highlighted the unique focus of fanfiction on specific characters and plots. Unlike original literature, fanfiction often prioritizes emotional connections and personal expression, offering a creative outlet free from the pressures of professional expectations. Her feedback on my intervention validated why stakeholders could distinguish between fanfiction and original works, reinforcing the idea that fanfiction is rooted in love for existing narratives rather than extensive worldbuilding.

Sherry’s experiences further emphasized the emotional and creative freedom that fanfiction provides. It serves as a therapeutic outlet, allowing writers to reclaim control over narratives and channel their emotions into storytelling. Moreover, her insights reflected the communal nature of fanfiction, where shared passion fosters a sense of belonging and motivation. These perspectives align closely with my project’s goals, showcasing fanfiction as not just an artistic medium but also a powerful tool for emotional empowerment and creative growth.