My name is Mimi and I write fanfiction.

Fanfiction – fiction written by a fan of, and featuring characters from, television, movies, etc. (dictionary.com); when someone takes either the story or characters (or both) of a certain piece of work, whether it be a novel, television show, movie, etc., and creates their own story based on it (Urban Dictionary).

I used to be ashamed to admit it, like it was a dirty secret. People everywhere make fun of it; there have been panels at conventions specifically set up to mock it; celebrities have fanfiction thrown in their faces during interviews, Q & A panels, and conventions, and it’s usually meant to mock or embarrass them, and published authors have been known to denigrate those who write it on their Twitter, Facebook, or websites. If you write it, you’re a pariah.

Do you see why I was afraid to admit that I’m a fanfiction writer?

Not to mention, I’m a 40ish-year-old wife and mother. According to the younger generation, I’m “too old” to be writing it. Because, you know, being a fan of something and enjoying it enough to express yourself creatively because of it, is for people under the age of 25. So say a lot of people under 25.

But, I’m not ashamed to admit that I write fanfiction anymore. If it wasn’t for fanfiction, I never would have been brave enough to write either of my books. Fanfiction and the people who read it made me believe in myself for the first time in 40-odd-years. Writing fanfiction has brought some amazing people into my life, people I now call friends, people who have supported me and stood by me while I went on this crazy journey. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have written either of my books and I definitely wouldn’t have published them.

Writing fanfiction made me brave. For that I will always be grateful.