April 10, 2012  9:34AM

FROM: plshoals

TO: tswhiting

SUBJECT: Interview

Todd,

Thanks again for talking with me.  I have just a few questions for you.

I need to know your age, college major, hobbies, and hometown

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

Do you write fanfiction, or just read it?

What kinds of stories and genres do you like?

Do you ever imagine that you're there as part of the story?

I'll probably follow up with more questions later.

Thanks,

Peter Shoals

April 10, 2012  11:32AM

FROM: tswhiting

TO: plshoals

SUBJECT: Re: Interview

Age, college major, hobbies, hometown

I'm 24, in postgrad Media Arts and Animation, with a minor in history.  I like drawing (traditional and digital), reading, writing, video games, music and golfing.  I also collect swords.  I grew up in a suburb of Indianapolis that you've probably never heard of.

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

Fanfiction is a group of people who like something so much that they want to create their own stories to go along with it.  It takes a certain passion.

Do you write fanfiction, or just read it?

I'm a writer. I have over 50,000 words uploaded to FIMFiction, with over 15,000 story views.

What kinds of stories and genres do you like?

I love Adventure, Comedy, Sad, and some HiE.  I am reluctant to read Trollfics and I despise Clopfics and Shipping.  If I don't like something I don't read it.

Do you ever imagine that you're there as part of the story?

I think every ponyfiction writer does at some point.

April 10, 2012  2:02PM

FROM: plshoals

TO: tswhiting

SUBJECT: More questions

Todd,

Are you involved with any other show besides My Little Pony?  How did you get introduced to it?

Thank you,

Peter Shoals

April 10, 2012  2:28PM

FROM: tswhiting

TO: plshoals

SUBJECT: Re: More questions

Nope, I only write ponyfics.  There isn't anything else that interests me as much.

I saw it on the internet and got hooked.  Instant hardcore brony.

April 10, 2012  3:20PM

FROM: plshoals

TO: tswhiting

SUBJECT: Re: Re: More questions

Todd,

Could you talk a little more about the brony subculture?  How does the rest of the community affect you?

Peter Shoals

April 10, 2012  3:44PM

FROM: tswhiting

TO: plshoals

SUBJECT: subculture

Allow me to vent a little.

Bronies can be awful.  I always forget how much I hate other bronies until I get in a room full of them.  A lot of them are under the assumption that we have to act a particular way.  Our entire community is infested with a lack of love and tolerance.  Outsiders trying to do their own thing are shunned.  Not to mention casual homophobia and racism.

I realize that sounds harsh.  Let me put it another way.  Some people think that the term 'brony' means you have to act a certain way and follow the herd.  It's not true.  If you like MLP, then you should be welcome, regardless of how different your ideas are.

I got where I am by not giving one single shit.  You can't let the negative opinions of others affect you.  If I listened to what everyone else demanded that I do, I wouldn't have 210 followers on FIMFiction.

Having said all that, it's still probably one of the nicest fanfiction communities out there.  It's just not quite as good as it could be, and I've been trying to change that.

I listened to a little bit of your interview with the Carpenters before I had to leave the meeting.  It's pretty obvious to me that you know something about MLP, but you didn't discuss it.  Why not?  Are you afraid to admit that you like the show?  You aren't being honest with yourself.

Trust me, things just work better if you man up and stop hiding from who you are.