So you think it's time to go back to normal (or maybe your parents do)!
Well I guess there does come a point in everyone's life when the real world beckons to them and tries to lure them back into reality. I for one haven't been tempted yet but in case you have I thought I'd help you out.
If you're anything like me or any other fangirl for that matter you've probably forgotten how to be 'normal' or less fangirly. I don't see this as an issue but if you want to integrate back into society with as little hiccups as possible you're going to need to listen to my advice. Once upon a time I knew nothing about the life of a fangirl and I lived a normal, typical teenagers life. So I am here to help guide you. Think of me as your fangirl fairy god mother but without the cool magic stuff.
1. Squealing randomly and crying at the drop of a hat is not condoned and you might find yourself looked at strangely or if worse comes to worse dropped off at a mental asylum. Or you could just join some more fandoms it's basically the same thing. But since you are intent on leaving your fangirl ways behind you and being 'normal' the squealing and crying needs to stop. WHY ARE YOU CRYING? THIS IS NOT GOOD. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT.
2. Language barriers are going to be an issue and you might need some practice in this area. If you have been a fangirl for a while you've most likely lived on Tumblr (nothing wrong with this, Tumblr is practically educational) and Tumblr and fangirls have their own language. These phrases are not understood in the real world, by real people: "I can't even", "What is air", "Stahp", "I ship it", "Feels", "ASDFGHJKL". I know, I know these seem so simple how can people not comprehend them? Sadly the real world just hasn't caught up yet. Are you sure you want to surround yourself with such boring people?
3. Fictional characters are no longer people to lust after. You are going to have to get acquainted with real men and women and form real relationships with them. Also telling someone you "ship us" probably won't be understood. This is not a good way to ask someone out in the real world. I KNOW. I would jump on any living creature that shipped me with them but this is the REAL WORLD.
4. You are going to have to get a life. Since I don't have one I don't think I'll be able to elaborate. Maybe ask Google.
5. Your money can no longer primarily be spent on books. Are you alright there? Are you breathing? Oh I just gave you a shock. Sorry but if you're going to migrate to planet earth books cannot be your soul purpose. Start small. I suggest investing in clothes and credit for you mobile or cell phone first. That way you are able to fool people into thinking you are one of them and also get a life as I think texting helps with that. I can't be sure though.
6. Okay so this is the hardest one. Take a deep breath. Sit down maybe. Do you want some water? Here it comes. Abandon ship. Yep you know what I'm talking about. Say goodbye to all your previous ships. GET OFF THEM GOD DAMMIT. In the real world shipping people isn't 'normal' and it will only lead you back to your fangirl ways. You know what while you're at it give back your books, burn them if you have to. Erase any knowledge about fandoms and delete any fanfiction you possess or have written.
Hey I didn't say it was going to be easy. Wait what are you doing? Why are you holding your books and posters and merch? Why are you in the corner crying? OH you don't want to go back to the real world. Well that's fine by me. Not many people can. How about we go back to my house and watch TV while scouring Tumblr for new developments in our fandoms. I'll bring the chips.
xoxo Fangirl Out.
Saturday, 30 November 2013
Tuesday, 19 November 2013
When A Book Has No Fandom
Does more readers always equal a better book?
I love a book with a large fandom. Come on how could you not? It means support. It means someone is their to share your pain. But more importantly it means someone else appreciates it. Because that's what we ultimately end up doing after reading a book. Okay so maybe we cry and yell for a bit depending on the book *coughAllegiantMockingjayTFOSBeforeIFallcough* but at some time or another we find ourselves going on the wondrous internet and finding others who enjoyed said book. It's a great feeling knowing someone else loves a book you love. Is able to see its beauty. However what do you do when you read a book with no fandom?
Cry mostly.
It's hard reading a book and then looking for others who love it and finding no fan blogs, no Tumblr tags and no rants about all the events that went down in your favourite piece of fiction. You want to find someone else, preferably a whole tribe of someone elses to fangirl with. But when there's no one but yourself you're often left listening to the sound of crickets.
However that doesn't mean the book isn't awesome. Taste and quality is up to the individual reader not millions of teenage girls. In fact sometimes it can be good that a book doesn't have a gazillion followers. Why? Well there's not going to be a stampede of 'TOBIAS IS MINE LAY OFF YOU PANSEYCAKES'! Also the author is more likely to respond to you if you write them some fanmail. I've had several responses from authors who don't have a cult following and they've been more than happy to answer my questions. But perhaps the biggest perk is that the book feels more personal. You aren't sharing it with thousands of others. In a sense it seems more yours. I find that it can sometimes be better than any heated conversation I have with a fellow fangirl.
Of course if you're really bummed about the fact that a book doesn't have a big following there's one obvious thing you can do. Get all your friends and family and sisters and brothers and cats and dogs and pet rats to read it. Yes rats can read. If it's as amazing as you think it is they'll pass it on to their friends and family and cats and dogs and pet rats and lizards and dinosaurs. Oh did I forget to tell you? Dinosaurs have come out of extinction. If that doesn't work then at least you've got a whole bunch of people, who you probably know better than anyone, to share and discuss your book with.
A book doesn't need a bunch of crazy, obsessive fangirls to make it worth reading or a good book. It just needs a good plot, awesome characters, decent writing and hey throw in a charismatic, god like looking teenager of the male variety and you've got yourself a real winner. The less girls (and of course guys) who are drooling over him the more there is of him for you.
xoxo Fangirl Out
Two of my favourite books The Fault In Our Stars by John Green and Zac and Mia by A.J Betts. One has a rather large fandom the other not so much. I love them both equally. But I must admit after reading the fandomless one I did try and get everyone I knew to read it because it's awesomeness had to be shared. If you have any books that you love but don't have a fandom feel free to comment them. I might just check them out and together we'll make it as popular as TFIOS.
I love a book with a large fandom. Come on how could you not? It means support. It means someone is their to share your pain. But more importantly it means someone else appreciates it. Because that's what we ultimately end up doing after reading a book. Okay so maybe we cry and yell for a bit depending on the book *coughAllegiantMockingjayTFOSBeforeIFallcough* but at some time or another we find ourselves going on the wondrous internet and finding others who enjoyed said book. It's a great feeling knowing someone else loves a book you love. Is able to see its beauty. However what do you do when you read a book with no fandom?
Cry mostly.
It's hard reading a book and then looking for others who love it and finding no fan blogs, no Tumblr tags and no rants about all the events that went down in your favourite piece of fiction. You want to find someone else, preferably a whole tribe of someone elses to fangirl with. But when there's no one but yourself you're often left listening to the sound of crickets.
However that doesn't mean the book isn't awesome. Taste and quality is up to the individual reader not millions of teenage girls. In fact sometimes it can be good that a book doesn't have a gazillion followers. Why? Well there's not going to be a stampede of 'TOBIAS IS MINE LAY OFF YOU PANSEYCAKES'! Also the author is more likely to respond to you if you write them some fanmail. I've had several responses from authors who don't have a cult following and they've been more than happy to answer my questions. But perhaps the biggest perk is that the book feels more personal. You aren't sharing it with thousands of others. In a sense it seems more yours. I find that it can sometimes be better than any heated conversation I have with a fellow fangirl.
Of course if you're really bummed about the fact that a book doesn't have a big following there's one obvious thing you can do. Get all your friends and family and sisters and brothers and cats and dogs and pet rats to read it. Yes rats can read. If it's as amazing as you think it is they'll pass it on to their friends and family and cats and dogs and pet rats and lizards and dinosaurs. Oh did I forget to tell you? Dinosaurs have come out of extinction. If that doesn't work then at least you've got a whole bunch of people, who you probably know better than anyone, to share and discuss your book with.
A book doesn't need a bunch of crazy, obsessive fangirls to make it worth reading or a good book. It just needs a good plot, awesome characters, decent writing and hey throw in a charismatic, god like looking teenager of the male variety and you've got yourself a real winner. The less girls (and of course guys) who are drooling over him the more there is of him for you.
xoxo Fangirl Out
Two of my favourite books The Fault In Our Stars by John Green and Zac and Mia by A.J Betts. One has a rather large fandom the other not so much. I love them both equally. But I must admit after reading the fandomless one I did try and get everyone I knew to read it because it's awesomeness had to be shared. If you have any books that you love but don't have a fandom feel free to comment them. I might just check them out and together we'll make it as popular as TFIOS.
Thursday, 14 November 2013
Fangirl Does Not Always Mean....
Let's get some things straight.
I am not one for stereotypes. I flat out hate them. For instance the male stereotype that all men are testosterone reeking, hike loving, door fixing prince charmings. I am so sorry ladies (and gentlemen if you swing that way) but most men aren't Bear Grylls but I think you'll survive. However today I am not going to be talking about female and male stereotypes because I'm sure at some stage you did a whole English Semester on them. Today I will be discussing fangirl stereotypes.
DUN. DUN. DUN.
I live up to many of the fangirl stereotypes and that isn't necessarily a bad thing but I think it should be recognized that just because you're a fangirl doesn't mean:
1. You are a weeping, sobbing mess. Okay so yes I have shed a few tears because of books, TV shows and movies but I am not constantly crying my eyes out. I am not a very emotional person. Actually no that's wrong. I don't cry easily. I get mad, I get sad, I get jealous and upset ect. however I don't cry much. I have never cried because I was extremely happy which seems to be fairly common among fangirls. I do cry when I get really mad (I know it's completely stupid but when I get really mad I just start sobbing. How. God. Damn. Terrifying.) However when a new still comes out from my favourite TV series or a snippet is released from the next book in one of my favourite series I don't post a picture saying 'crying' because well I'm not.
2. You are a creepy stalker. Fangirls may have a tendency to monitor the behaviors of their favourite celebrities *coughdirectionerscough* however that doesn't mean we are stalkers.
3. You roll on the floor and transform into a potato. Okay so this isn't really a stereotype but I have seen people post about running away and then rolling into a potato. I have however rolled on the floor several times. I'm still waiting for the potato bit.
4. You know EVERY LITTLE BIT of information about certain celebrities. Yes we may know more than the average person but that's just because we pay attention. We usually have no idea how many teeth they have or their bowel movements. SO DON'T PAINT ME AS A CREEPY STALKER.
5. The internet is your life. It is a PART of our life but most of us have jobs and school to attend.
6. You hate Twilight and all other fandoms apart from your own. So yes there is a lot of Twi-hate that goes on (Am I the only person disturbed by the fact that I knew this term?) but we don't all hate it. I in fact love it. And I in no way think my fandoms are superior to other fandoms.
7. You are an ugly, nerdy, weirdo. Yes I am a weirdo and a nerd but I refuse to think I am butt ugly. LET ME HAVE ONE THING. JUST ONE THING.
Please don't equate fangirl with all these things. Yes they may be one little factor in our slightly sad lives but they don't define us. Generally we are just a bunch of girls and guys who love books and movies and TV and enjoy the little things in life. Join us if you wish. But I warn you it's a little bit dark and moody over here since the release of Allegiant and it's evilness.
xoxo Fangirl Out.
I am not one for stereotypes. I flat out hate them. For instance the male stereotype that all men are testosterone reeking, hike loving, door fixing prince charmings. I am so sorry ladies (and gentlemen if you swing that way) but most men aren't Bear Grylls but I think you'll survive. However today I am not going to be talking about female and male stereotypes because I'm sure at some stage you did a whole English Semester on them. Today I will be discussing fangirl stereotypes.
DUN. DUN. DUN.
I live up to many of the fangirl stereotypes and that isn't necessarily a bad thing but I think it should be recognized that just because you're a fangirl doesn't mean:
1. You are a weeping, sobbing mess. Okay so yes I have shed a few tears because of books, TV shows and movies but I am not constantly crying my eyes out. I am not a very emotional person. Actually no that's wrong. I don't cry easily. I get mad, I get sad, I get jealous and upset ect. however I don't cry much. I have never cried because I was extremely happy which seems to be fairly common among fangirls. I do cry when I get really mad (I know it's completely stupid but when I get really mad I just start sobbing. How. God. Damn. Terrifying.) However when a new still comes out from my favourite TV series or a snippet is released from the next book in one of my favourite series I don't post a picture saying 'crying' because well I'm not.
2. You are a creepy stalker. Fangirls may have a tendency to monitor the behaviors of their favourite celebrities *coughdirectionerscough* however that doesn't mean we are stalkers.
3. You roll on the floor and transform into a potato. Okay so this isn't really a stereotype but I have seen people post about running away and then rolling into a potato. I have however rolled on the floor several times. I'm still waiting for the potato bit.
4. You know EVERY LITTLE BIT of information about certain celebrities. Yes we may know more than the average person but that's just because we pay attention. We usually have no idea how many teeth they have or their bowel movements. SO DON'T PAINT ME AS A CREEPY STALKER.
5. The internet is your life. It is a PART of our life but most of us have jobs and school to attend.
6. You hate Twilight and all other fandoms apart from your own. So yes there is a lot of Twi-hate that goes on (Am I the only person disturbed by the fact that I knew this term?) but we don't all hate it. I in fact love it. And I in no way think my fandoms are superior to other fandoms.
7. You are an ugly, nerdy, weirdo. Yes I am a weirdo and a nerd but I refuse to think I am butt ugly. LET ME HAVE ONE THING. JUST ONE THING.
Please don't equate fangirl with all these things. Yes they may be one little factor in our slightly sad lives but they don't define us. Generally we are just a bunch of girls and guys who love books and movies and TV and enjoy the little things in life. Join us if you wish. But I warn you it's a little bit dark and moody over here since the release of Allegiant and it's evilness.
xoxo Fangirl Out.
Sunday, 3 November 2013
My Transformation From Hipster Teen to Fangirl
I've gotta secret can you keep it?
I am a hard core fangirl. They don't get much more obsessed than me. My parents think I am a part of a cult and sometimes *cougheverdaycough* I question my sanity. However no one, not even my best friend knows. Okay so I do have a few real life friends (gotta love real people) who know but I don't sit with them at lunch or anything.
The friends I've had for what feels like over a billion years have ABSOLUTELY no clue. They know I am a big reader but they don't even know what a fangirl is only perhaps in terms of One Direction fans. Not the type of fangirl who spends endless hours sobbing over a book or begging and pleading with her parents to buy the next book in a series. And I LIKE it that way. I don't want them to know my secret identity. For two reasons. 1. I'm not that type of girl around them, we aren't the kind of friends to obsess over Mr. Fictional together and we never will be. I don't resent that and I don't wish it any differently. 2. I feel like a secret agent. Like a ninja or James Bond. Hiding my secret identity from those closest to me. I AM FREAKING HANNAH MONTANA!! Except I promise not to sing about having the best of both worlds.
Is it difficult? Yeah I guess it is sometimes when I am grieving the loss of a favourite character and I have no one to talk to it about. Or when my friends hate on reading. But I think a lot of fangirls experience this and we are strong despite sometimes having emotional breakdowns when ships sink/break up.
But here comes my biggest confession to date. Okay deep breath I can do this. I USED, emphasis on used, to be a hipster. I also used to be popular and act kind of stupid and pretty girl popular. Ugh I know it's really embarrassing. I was still a serious reader from a very young age but it was more of a hobby and I wasn't a 'fangirl' yet by any means. Ok so yeah I seriously used to be all hipstery and in grade eight (god bless year eight me she had so much to learn) I cared a great deal about popularity and what people thought of me. I was moody and 'just 2 kewl 4 skewl' I still got good grades after a period of adjustment (high school work was a big shock for 13 year old me). But there was just a lot of pressure to be popular and 'cool' and there still is but I guess I just ignore it now.
Now I know you all must be dying to know how I made the transformation from hipster to fangirl. Well it was very, very simple. I found Twilight. You can hate on Twilight as much as you want but it saved me from a typical high school life. I got majorly obsessed and I was pretty much a different person from then on. I became ME. And I like me. I like my fangirl self. I didn't like hipster me because that wasn't me. I read a lot more and I didn't hide that. I hid how obsessed I was with books and the people in them but not that I liked reading. I am never embarrassed to admit my love of books not even to the most popular person. Shame on you if you don't like reading and if you think I'm living the 'nerd lyf' because of it then please take your idiocy away from me. Dear Twilight, despite being about a creepy love story and a kinda dull girl I still love you and thank you for saving me from my hipster self.
Then when I was 15 I found The Hunger Games and I loved it just as much as Twilight and I tried to find out all the goss I could on the cast and the movie (it was just rumored then) and the next year (last year) I got Facebook and found amazing facebook fan pages. I also found out Tumblr is not just a place for hipsters but also for fan blogs and changed my blog to teeny/fangirly. Then this year I created my own Facebook multi fandom page (with a bunch of other lovely ladies who I love so much) All You Need To Know About Fangirling and it's the best thing I've ever done. From then on I was a serious, serious fangirl. I now know every single bit of fandom information. I have gotten into a lot more fandoms thanks to my fangirl friends (TMI, TFIOS, TID, Divergent, Youtubers ect.) and I LOVE it.
Around my friends I'm a typical teenager but at home, on my computer I transform into fangirl. I am not solely a fangirl, it doesn't define who I am. But it is a large part of me however I am also into the things my friends are into like make-up and talking about how horrible school is. So I guess what I'm saying is that being a fangirl doesn't make you who you are but discovering that I have that fangirl gene inside me helped make me who I am today. It saved me in a lot of ways. I realized life isn't about popularity and being cool and that books are way more fun. But I can still have friends who are into different things to me.
If you have any stories about how you discovered you were a fangirl I'd love to hear them. <3
xoxo fangirl out.
13 year old me. Oh Charlotte you were so cool with that iPod shuffle and side fringe. And can we talk about the tartan shorts and frilly mid drift? So swaggy fresh my friend. Oh and that peace sign! God bless you sweatheart.
Me now :) See I just became regular, average me with an affiliation for words and books and fictional men.
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