Hi Brenda, I have a fic/fandom q that seems to rile fandoms. What are your thoughts on shipping minors & writing smut fics for them? (I'm meaning teens, not children.) I don't see it as 'pedophile' behavior but some people just flip out over it. Or if there is a ship with a 16/17 y.o. & someone 18 or older, it's suddenly the worst thing ever. As long as we can separate fic from reality, why is this such a big deal? Thank you for your time!
Wow, this is a lot to unpack, Nonnie.
I mean, are you asking for my opinion on - for example - fics about Harry and Ron sexually experimenting while they’re at Hogwarts, or are you asking what I think about (again, for example) Harry/Snape fics while Harry’s still Snape’s student?
The thing is, neither one of those scenarios is my jam in the slightest, but am I going to come to your house and demand you turn in your fandom card and shun you from polite society? No, that’s not my job. That’s not anyone’s job. Write what you want.
I think the great thing about fiction is it allows for people to vicariously experience things they never ever would in real life, and that includes writing or reading about things you don’t condone. Fiction is as much of a catharsis as it is an escape, and I’d never tell anyone how to express themselves creatively. I’m not the fandom police, and neither is anyone else.
HOWEVER, I’m also not the fandom validator, and neither is anyone else. So, if you do write underage fic or age imbalances, there are going to be some people who aren’t down with that. Which means, if that’s your thing, please tag responsibly and also be prepared for the inevitable backlash. Freedom to write whatever the fuck you want doesn’t mean freedom from people expressing their opinion about what you write.
