You have written an excellent piece. I felt too many emotions responsively to articulate them all in a comment. So I want to hone in on what I see as an important core of what you have written: Love. As Teyana Taylor sang in "We Got Love," "Self Love is the Best Love." In this piece, you have written about how fanfiction helped you grow into loving yourself, and it was a space where you could develop your voice. You imbue the work you do today, whether it be with Studio Atao or this piece at Way Too Complicated, with such a clarity of purpose. You weave these disparate, complex topics into a compelling, singular narrative. Your present day self is powerful proof of the importance of finding spaces of self love like fanfiction.
If Self Love is the best love, loving others is best described as loving them as they love themselves. My partner loves Justin Bieber. Several New Years ago (what is time anymore) she listened remotely to a concert of his. She had such rapturous joy at this performance, dancing with the air pods in. Anyways, I know she gets a lot of flack for her love of Biebs, including from me. But through your characterization of the bravery of fangirls, I can see that love for what it is, loving herself for the happiness his music brings her. So I can love her bravery for what it is, and love her as she loves herself. She doesn't need the validation, she deserves it. But you already knew that. Thank you for everything you do, and I can't wait to read future work by you.
Nick! Thank you so much for this thoughtful note (and what a sweet description of your partner - I also love me some Biebs) Reading this truly made my whole day. I couldn't agree more that being in a relationship is not just about the two (or more) people involved, but each individual's love and relationship with themselves while in partnership with others - and finding that balance of self-love and love for another brings a very meaningful sense of joy that is greater than the sum of its parts! It's so heartwarming to feel your deep affections for your partner for simply being who she is and celebrating the things that make her happy, even if you don't fully understand them - thank you for sharing, and sending much love to you both!
I love the fanfic confession. I never wrote any, but consumed plenty of fanfic in my favorite (usually anime) universes, and your framing makes so much sense to me even as a dude.
With both fanfic and Harry Styles in this post's subject, I have to ask: are you a fan of Euphoria?
Strongly recommend Euphoria -- even if you end up disliking it (though I don't think you will). Visceral, emotionally provocative, unpacks sexuality without being super exploitative [though there's some gratuitous nudity--it's still HBO]. One of the best things I watched in the pandemic.
There is a character who starts her arc as a fanfic author, and her favorite topic is Harry Styles :P
What a thoughtful, lovely way to remind us (me!) about finding and keeping joy, absent external validation. <3
Thanks for reading! :)
You have written an excellent piece. I felt too many emotions responsively to articulate them all in a comment. So I want to hone in on what I see as an important core of what you have written: Love. As Teyana Taylor sang in "We Got Love," "Self Love is the Best Love." In this piece, you have written about how fanfiction helped you grow into loving yourself, and it was a space where you could develop your voice. You imbue the work you do today, whether it be with Studio Atao or this piece at Way Too Complicated, with such a clarity of purpose. You weave these disparate, complex topics into a compelling, singular narrative. Your present day self is powerful proof of the importance of finding spaces of self love like fanfiction.
If Self Love is the best love, loving others is best described as loving them as they love themselves. My partner loves Justin Bieber. Several New Years ago (what is time anymore) she listened remotely to a concert of his. She had such rapturous joy at this performance, dancing with the air pods in. Anyways, I know she gets a lot of flack for her love of Biebs, including from me. But through your characterization of the bravery of fangirls, I can see that love for what it is, loving herself for the happiness his music brings her. So I can love her bravery for what it is, and love her as she loves herself. She doesn't need the validation, she deserves it. But you already knew that. Thank you for everything you do, and I can't wait to read future work by you.
Nick! Thank you so much for this thoughtful note (and what a sweet description of your partner - I also love me some Biebs) Reading this truly made my whole day. I couldn't agree more that being in a relationship is not just about the two (or more) people involved, but each individual's love and relationship with themselves while in partnership with others - and finding that balance of self-love and love for another brings a very meaningful sense of joy that is greater than the sum of its parts! It's so heartwarming to feel your deep affections for your partner for simply being who she is and celebrating the things that make her happy, even if you don't fully understand them - thank you for sharing, and sending much love to you both!
I love the fanfic confession. I never wrote any, but consumed plenty of fanfic in my favorite (usually anime) universes, and your framing makes so much sense to me even as a dude.
With both fanfic and Harry Styles in this post's subject, I have to ask: are you a fan of Euphoria?
Fanfic is awesome! It's such a good way for readers to find what they like, and writers to find their style. More power to fanfic!!
Haha I have not watched Euphoria, but I have been told I would enjoy it. Would you recommend?
Strongly recommend Euphoria -- even if you end up disliking it (though I don't think you will). Visceral, emotionally provocative, unpacks sexuality without being super exploitative [though there's some gratuitous nudity--it's still HBO]. One of the best things I watched in the pandemic.
There is a character who starts her arc as a fanfic author, and her favorite topic is Harry Styles :P
That's a strong rec!! Okay, on my list to watch once I'm done with this C-drama. Thank you!