I think, do you have questions or I think it's basically, like, a very, casual podcast thing in a way. Uh-huh. And, I'm just, like, recording to gain evidence, and then I'm, like, pulling a transcript out out of, like, all the recordings. Right. Sure.

Yeah. And, so I'm doing, like, a project on fan fiction, and how how, fan fiction has, like, a misconception of, like, pinpointing over to the sexual stuff. Mhmm. And, there's, like, a deeper layer of fan fiction that is, much more than than just sex, and that deepens the characters, in, like, different ways, because, like, there are, like, multiple fans that that do, like, really detailed research on, like, a franchise Mhmm. Sometimes much more than the original concept.

So, I was wondering, like, what is your, opinion on that, and what is your, like, opinion or, like, overview of, like, fan fiction in general, and, because I I heard that you were, like, you worked at, like, as a professional journalist in in your recent years, and, so what is, like, your sense on, writing, and canon, and, I think copyright in general? I think Right. So what is this layer of, I mean, the deeper layer that you were mentioning, like, in fan fiction? So, they are, like, For example, like, what kind of deeper layer are you referring to? Yeah.

So suppose, like, a character, has been killed off in the original story, and there were, like, loads of fans, who loved this character, and didn't want them to die. Right. And, they would, bring this character back to life in, like, alternate stories, but those stories are not quote unquote canon, which is, like, not legit. Mhmm. And, those stories would be categorized as as fan fiction definitely, but, it will be over, basically overshadowed by all, like, the sexual stuff defense service that, brands, like, different characters, like, into homosexual relationships, which is why I was, like, interviewing and, Lou, and, like, people from the the the LGBTQ community.

So but I would really love, like, a writer perspective perspective as well. Right. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you.

Yeah. So, I feel that, so I just have a general Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Of course.

Opinion. So I when I was growing up, I did, run through, like, some fan fiction Yeah. And I didn't write it myself, but I did, I have consumed it. Yeah. And I feel that, that it has both the positive and the negative sides, like everything else does, like, you know, the balances.

But looking at it from an angle, I feel that fan fiction is that point where it encourages consumers to be creative as well. And it kind of gives them the power to leverage their own, because when when any form of work is presented, we all have created it within ourselves. So the way you consume anything is different than the way I have consumed. Mhmm. So there are so many different universes again, like, universe.

Yeah. Right. And then off of a single story. And I feel that fine fiction is a really good platform for that to be leveraged for people to, share their part of how they perceived something out so openly. Yeah.

And I feel that, in and that will definitely cover the part about where people talk about sexuality, and, and other forms of, it could be some can be categorized vulgar, but some can be also categorized as being more outspoken and talking about kink, you know, and, yeah, and those spaces. Right? Yeah. Yeah. I I couldn't find the exact word.

Right? Sexual and, pornographic support or, like, if it was if it were in literature, we would call it erotica. Right? Exactly. Yeah.

I was just thinking of the Yeah. That's the right word. Yeah. Erotica. And I feel like, it gives those spaces for people to, also kind of imagine a possibility of, queer characters in any stories.

Like, I I really like it when people kind of ship together, like different, straight people, like heterosexual, in inverted comma, people together. But at the same time, like, although it can also derive from stereotypical perspective or from queer people who kind of identify and, like, they can be like why isn't this character queer? Like, you know, and it's it's a form of asking and talking about sexuality in a more empowering way through fan fiction, and I think that's really important because, some characters, because we don't see queer people and represented in, such writing, such forms of writing. And, even if we read so many stuff now, and if there are queer characters, people start calling the writer or producers, like, oh, you are being woke. But queer characters have been existent since the beginning of time.

Yeah. That's true. You know? And then, giving them that space. I think fan fiction really does a good job at it.

And also having the alternative realities within the same story where people can, ship different characters with, or sail their boat in a completely different path than even unimagined by the author. For example, the Harry Potter community, the fan, since I grew up mostly following the fan stories, like, you know, through my sister, She's crazy about fan fiction. And, what happens is that sometimes, like, the fans point out the connection. They connect all the dots, and that's when, as a writer, JK Rowling, they she tries to connect all these pieces together, you know, so that the next book can, like, kinda give them, you know, like, you guys have discovered something so interesting. So I will give them again, I won't comment more about her Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Perspective on transgender women. But but just referring her from what what has been Yeah. Yeah.

In the Harry Potter universe. Mhmm. And also about, this, since it also, encompasses other kinds of fandom, like, for example, the Taylor Swift community. Yeah. So, and I'm a Swifty myself.

And then, she drops so many hints. And, like, there's so many fan fiction theory on her songs, on her songwriting skills, and, like, how this song must be connected to this one, and, like, this song is probably based on her life or this person, or some of them can be true, some of them cannot be true, but I think that's a very good exercise. Mhmm. And also, like, I think it adds layer to the fandom than just consuming somebody's music, but rather also being creative yourself and, like, you know, creating your own universe and stuff. So I think that's really cool.

That that's very intriguing. There's something else that I would, love feedback on. So there has been very negative comments, about, like, how a homosexual relationship is portrayed within fandom. So it it is like usually portrayed as, like, very sexual, like, and, in a way very stereotypical, because there there would always be, like, a very, like, broad, strong man, and there will always be, like, a very petite man, and they they're basically like portraying like heterosexual characteristics onto homosexual couples, which is like definitely not legit in the real world. So what's, I was wondering what is like your opinions on that?

I feel like this really comes from the point where writers or the writing table where, you know, these characters are constructed is led by heterosexual men, especially. And like, and that's quite the issue, you know, because, they're not able to empathize or understand the perspective and they just put out stories that are more stereotypical than, you know, but again, sexuality is something you cannot point out. Like, even if someone is, let's say inverted commas, like manly, that doesn't mean that that person isn't queer or like, you know, that person because sexuality, gender orientation, and your form of representation, like how you express yourself, that's completely different. And, and I feel like so many characters in so many fiction, productions, you know, although they seem like, oh, they could be easily straight or like, you know, heterosexual, but maybe they aren't, you know, like, because being gay isn't about like wearing pink clothes, you know, like they put it, but it's about just embracing who you are and like, and your sexuality is a very personal choice, not even a choice, you know, you don't even decide it, it's something you explore. And just having that choice to explore is something each character needs to, be given the privilege of.

And I feel like, the writings that have been come out recently are starting to, are slowly starting to, like, I can't exactly remember some shows, but shows like, what is the sex education? And you know, they're like starting to show, like, how those are stereotypical presentation of queer. And, but yeah, of queer. And, but, yeah, questioning all these things. And even, like, there was this show, like, a typical, you know, where, the lead character was autistic, but their side, their sibling was so sorry.

I don't know. Where the sibling was, internally conflicted with their sexuality. And, I think these kind of subtle writings that talk about how to show these characters are quite important. And like, and I think the issue is definitely like, the industry needs to be filled with people who are proudly Mhmm. Able to, express themselves as who they are and put that out in their work.

Okay. So I'm, currently, like, collecting the stories that, have, like, deeper character, layouts and, push the the original stories forward, like, in a fan fiction setting Mhmm. And trying to, reveal the stories to the general public because they, they they aren't being given enough voice. And, what do you think that, this change that I want that I want to make is that, is, in a way worthwhile to to to the to to, like, the entire literature world or or, like, to the entire audience or if it's it's not worthwhile. What is this change?

Like, are you trying to rewrite some of the stories from your perspective? Or I'm trying to curate stories, basically. Like, curate, like Fan fiction stories. Kind of, like, take out the pieces of fan fiction that is, is focused on developing the characters instead of, like, just using the characters for certain reasons, for, like, for example, for sexual reasons, for, like, and so so it's basically, like, digging out the true stories through, like, the misconception that all fan fiction is, like, erotic. Right.

Yeah. I think that's a very good initiative Mhmm. If you're curating stories that need to be out Mhmm. Because I feel like the problem with erotica is not that it's out there. It's that it's out to people of younger audience.

Mhmm. You know? Because I believe that people should talk more about sex and, you know, have this environment where they can have a positive conversation Mhmm. And be more educated about it. I think the issue with Erotica now is mainly because we don't talk about sex openly.

And, you know, and people don't even, understand what's good good touch, bad touch, and that's because we make sex a very stereo stereotypical and, like, you know, what's the word? The t word. You mean normal or normalize it or something like that? Yeah. But what's the t word?

Like, there's this word which means that Uh-huh. You make it taboo. Yeah. Oh, right. Okay.

Okay. Taboo. You know? And you don't talk about it. And Right.

Okay. But giving, but but having the space because if you see, like, I I'm sure you must have done the research. And then if you go to sites like Wackpad, like, it's mostly teenagers writing about these Yeah. That's true. Sexual erotica stuff.

You know? So they have this space where they can talk about sex and, like, be open about it and talk about their desires, the pleasure because it's different for everybody. That's interesting. Yeah. And I think from these kind of stories, especially it's important for women Mhmm.

You know, to talk about it because for women, pleasure means so different than it does to men, you know. And no matter how they identify, what's their sexual, preferences, you know? And, these kind of platforms, they I feel like, they give the power to these people to talk about, these things very openly and also be anonymous and be creative and expressive. And curating such stories and bringing them out in life and, like, is very important. I always believe that there should be representation and also, like, just an area for people to express.

You know? Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Thank you so much for No problem.

The feedback. And, I'll and