How did you first get started in fanfiction?

Wow, I don't even remember.  I think I was online one day trying to find a scanned copy of the latest Harry Potter book, and accidentally stumbled on something someone had written.  Once I realized that you could create your own stories out of existing work, that's all I wanted to do.

How would you describe the concept of fanfiction in one paragraph?

Fanfiction is what happens when people look at something and say "I like the idea, but I would have done it differently."  It spawns a whole world of "what if" situations.  Other people come along and say, "Wow, that's cool!  But I want to put my own spin on it, too."  Then they all get together on the internet.

Do you primarily write or read fanfiction?

I do a lot of both.  Reading is a good way to get ideas for your own work.

What stories do you like best?

That varies on my mood.  I do books, movies, TV shows, whatever.  I used to do a lot of "Harry Potter", before moving into "The Twilight Saga."  Now I'm on a "Supernatural" kick.

Twilight and its sequels are neither Norse nor a family history encompassing several generations, and therefore not a saga.  A series, if anything.

I didn't come here for a lecture.

Sorry.  Anyway, so what genres do you deal with?

Almost entirly slashfics.

That's like romance?

Gay romance.

That's all you write?

The world needs more depictions of males having sex.

Well...it sounds like you know your purpose in life, I suppose.

Gay sex.  (sigh)  My parents would be so proud.

Do you keep your fanfiction away from your friends and family?

Well, yeah, for obvious reasons.

If you wrote something a little less controversial, would you show them?

Probably.  They all know I'm an artist.  Creating stuff is just what I do.

Right.  Anyway, I talked to Nick and Ben earlier.  Both of them like My Little Pony.  Have you ever done any fanfics of that show?

No.  I've seen some of it, sure, but it just doesn't speak to me.

I have a quote here that I'll paraphrase.  "Fanfiction is written by fans who are not silent, couchbound consumers of media.  The culture talks to them, and they talk back to the culture in its own language."  Does that sound about right?

That sounds amazing.  And yeah, My Little Pony just dosn't talk to me.

Not enough stallions getting it on?

(laughs) I guess you could say that.  I'm sure someone else out there is all about that, though.

What do you think of the ponyfic community?

Well, it's not as rabid as some fandoms.  Cough, Buffy, cough.  I think it's remarkable how they've taken the show's message of love and tolerance as their own.

So you're saying there's not enough goodwill in fanfiction?

Well, there could be more.  I mean, we're all in this together.

Despite that, you write things that aren't for the general public.

That isn't the point.  I write it for me.  Granted, my stuff may not be what someone else wants to read, but I enjoy it.

So fanfiction is about your own personal entertainment?

Right.  Sure, having an eager audience helps, but doing it to be famous is the wrong reason.  Fame whores suck.

Profound words indeed.