Made Up People

Allow me to indulge in my fandom interests for a second? I don't talk about that part of my life here very much, but I’m thinking maybe I should change that now.

I’ve kept it separate from this place mostly because so much of my social media is already devoted to fandom and my interests in pop culture. But maybe keeping that division too structured is a mistake. I’d be lying if I said fandom didn't have a huge impact on my life. So I should probably keep this place open to at least a little bit of that.

I’ve made it clear that I consider myself a natural born fangirl. I've also made it clear that I don't think the contemporary definition of fangirl is totally fair... But let's disregard all of that for now.

What I want to talk about is the power fictional characters have on the self and about how a story can change the way we choose to navigate through the world.

"All I could think about now, as night fell, was how much you can love made up people. And how much you can miss them." -- John Green

It’s pretty incredible how much a fictional character(s) can affect you personally and this can't be seen anywhere clearer than in fandom.

I seem to spend a lot of time in fictional worlds. Some call it escapism, which it is in part. But sometimes, if the attachment is strong enough, the story translates into real world action.

I'd say 99% of the time you can't decide what you get attached to. It’s just as if these elements of story/person/character all come together and it reaches into your heart-soul-mind and becomes a part of you. That's what it feels like to be a part of fandom. You're not just becoming a part of something but that something is becoming a part of you.

For whatever reason you can’t think of anything else, you start analyzing and critiquing each little detail and you become overwhelmingly attached to the thing in front of you. There is this never ending passion and zeal for the thing you love most.

The power fandom has to change your life is kind of remarkable.

Whether it’s the reshaping of personal things (thoughts, behaviors, actions) or the transformation of your whole world (friends, opportunities, experiences) the possibilities are endless if you're open to it.

Personally, there are a few characters that have made significant impacts on my life – all for different reasons but in deeply enriching ways.

They are less like characters and more like family to me. So much so that it’s hard to encompass in words how they've changed me and my life.

I know that to anyone outside of the fandom circle it sounds crazy and maybe even a little unhealthy. But the fact is, when you spend as much time as I have with these 'people', when you think about them, talk about them, when they are painted with such dimension and life - at some point they become real.

These are the characters that I carry with me wherever I go.

Harry Potter - I grew up along side the boy who lived. I have memories all throughout my life where he has been right there beside me. From the games I would play with my friends to the tears we'd share during his times of trouble. Harry has always been there. He and his mary group of friends have taught me about kindness, love, standing up for what is right, equality, friendship, dedication, bravery, what it means to be a good human... His morality has touched every part of my life and J.K. Rowling has set an example for the rest of us.

Dean Winchester - This man taught me about family and dedication. He taught me that it’s ok to have fun but better to invest in the things that matter. He taught me to have pride in myself and not be ashamed of who I am or where I come from. He led by example and reminded me that being brave often means doing the thing that scares you the most: like being vulnerable or letting go of the ones you love.

Blaine Anderson/Kurt Hummel - These two managed to open my eyes to a world I had never really considered before. They made me realize, in a much more tangible way, that love-is-love no matter what shape, size, or color it comes in. I’ve become much more involved in the discussion for equal rights and for protecting those who suffer from injustice. I feel braver, more prepared to speak out and defend my position. Their greatest contribution to my life is how they managed open a door to both the outside world and to one inside myself as well. I’m more comfortable in my own skin because of them.

Again, it's hard to verbalize just how these characters affect me. But it's there. I can feel it.

And I like to think that even though these made up people are made up, it doesn't diminish the lessons they can teach or the impact they can have.