by vampyregurl73 » Thu Dec 16, 2010 8:02 pm
Hmmm, write an essay... haven't done that in eons... I sit here thinking an tapping my nails against my keyboard as I try to organize my thoughts.
My options: a. How have Willow and Tara positively affected your life? or
b. What does being a kitten mean to you?
Again, more thinking and tapping.
Until March of this year I had no idea what "fan fiction" even was. I had no idea that there were entire communities and websites devoted strictly to these two characters, much less the fervor and intensity of debate about what had been done with them.
I mean, c'mon it's just a t.v. show, right?
Hardly.
Yes, I knew and had watched some of Buffy The Vampire Slayer when it was airing, but it had not been anything I did regularly. I had no idea that one of the characters had gone on to come out and have the longest running positively portrayed homosexual relationship on television either.
One of my cable stations had started running marathons of the show but none of the episodes were in sequence, much to my chagrin. I work from home and keep odd hours, so often it was the only thing on from 1am -5am. I got sucked into the show, and due to its erratic sequencing broke down and bought the box set. Too much was out of context for me, one minutes there's a vampire that's good then he's killing people, then there's witch trying to destroy the word, then she's a gay vampire, then the main character is dead and there's a librarian that keep getting hit in the head... you get the picture.
What I found was a very well written, pop culture reference laden, funny show, but within that show inspite of all the other turmoil, there is this incredibly sweet romance between two young women.
So of course it has to be shot all to hell.
I was as enraged as the next fan (because by this time I had become one), and went poking around on the internet. I am still in awe of the sheer amount of stories, sites, art and whatnot dedicated just to Willow and Tara. You expect a certain amount for a show that has cult status, but for two characters that aren't even the main characters? Wow.
So by now you may be wondering what my point is in all this rambling. Well, it's two fold. Willow and Tara not only feed the romantic in me, which is good in my book, but to look at the time frame of the show and realize there was absolutely nothing like it aimed at that particular demographic and the kind of message it sent. That gives me hope. It gives my 16 year old son hope, that even if it's slowly, shows like this were and are being watched by people who will stand up to change how homosexuality is viewed and accepted, just like him - and that last bit are his words.
Yes, it fell into the cliché, but the relationship itself was positive. The love was real, and felt by so many people. So much so, that there is a whole new generation of young people watching, that get the message that it is ok to be who you are, to love who you love - because love is love.
This is how Willow and Tara have positively influence my life, they've helped to take out some of the cynicism and thickskinnedness I have developed. This is a good thing.
Here is fold two. In the course of all of this I found the kittenboard. I lurked here for a while, and began reading the stories. Not just here, but in multiple places. Some are really quite good, some made me groan, some even made me blush, but I kept coming back here. I registered and began floating around in the chat a bit, something I'm not horribly big on, but decided what they hell, right? I'm curious and they only to find out more is to start talking to people.
I also started leaving feedback - this was awesome! Some of the authors actually like thoughtful and detailed feedback, which in my case with a few of them led to really great discussions about everything from their process, to the themes and subtext of the stories.
I found a really wonderful group of intelligent, creative, thoughtful, yes, even insightful people here. Men, women, straight, gay - didn't matter - all across the globe. During this, I got the bright idea that "hey, I could do this, I could write a story, and it might even be good". I found friendly people, that offer great amounts of encouragement, especially when you haven't got a clue where to start, but the inspiration is there, and your muse is dancing away right in front of you.
That was seven months ago, and six since I started posting my first attempt at a story. I have done something unexpected. I have made friends, I have started writing again - with lots of encouragement (so very important). The interplay between everyone is so positive on this site. I don't think I have yet to read feedback that is nasty, and that's something that can't be said elsewhere.
Being a kitten (I have to grin as I write that), is an anomaly, but in such a good way. A large group of people brought together by their love of two characters, and in some cases their hate of the writers that bumped one of them off, to make something wonderful. It doesn't matter who your are, what you do, if you write or not. You're accepted and welcomed no questions asked. You're one of the gang because you made it here. That's why the board is still around and going strong, in my humble opinion. Our common interest, being a kitten is having fun, lending an ear or whatever. But it's always fun, always being accepted and accepting in return. I understand why there are so many young members. We don't ask questions, we don't impose rigid expectations. Just come in and be who you are, and we'll be who we are.
So I'm not even sure if I've gotten this in before the deadline, I'm not even sure it actually fits the guidelines. I just thought I would put it out there none the less.
Last edited by
vampyregurl73 on Tue Dec 28, 2010 3:47 pm, edited 2 times in total.
