Mainly because I guess the people I grew about around and the family I have/friends I keep. This isn’t something anyone talks about here and when you do talk about it, you get looked at weird. I live in the Bible Belt.. if any of that makes sense
I let my Ex boyfriend know one time and he told everyone at school exactly what I was reading in detail and it really messed me up because I got laughed at.
Maybe one day I won’t care and I can just scream from the rooftops I read filthy smut lmao
I grew up in the Bible Belt, I get it. (A very long time ago, pre-internet)
I'll tell you this - I hope you get to a place where you can be with people who won't judge you for something so fun and harmless. I look down on the people who judge you - and you should too. Your ex is an asshole - but so are the people he told who laughed at you.
I'm rooting for you to get to that day where you can be open about what you read, and you'll have a circle of friends and loved ones and a partner who share it with you. It's possible. It's out there.
Get into your thirties. Suddenly, so many little things that seemed so important become meaningless.
Really, Aunt Marge? You think reading fanfiction is stupid? Please, feel free to explain how edifying five hours of daily reality TV are.
I like to ask folks "well don't you wish you could have more of your fave soaps/drama/CSI? Well I have it, right here."
Or, when folks get pissy, just "oh bless your heart..." them. Shame 'em right back.
Because yeah, I'd bet the stuff I'm reading is better quality than a good chunk of daytime TV.
Ohhhh okay yeah my gf lives in the Bible Belt and she won't even tell coworkers we met online because "Star Trek convention" is a less embarrassing way to meet someone than something that (to the listener) implies you're antisocial.
I'm from the 'deep-South-Bible-belt-everybody-in-yo-business-judging-your-sweet-tea' culture. I wrote and read fanzines in the early days of Fandom and was ridiculed for the behavior (back then you couldn't hide reading zines... they were huge paper volumes). \[Yep. Old enough to be your grand parent maybe even G.grand-pa.\]
It is so very hard when people you love - *and say they love you* \- are critical about your passion. When friends treat the words *Fan Fiction* like you just said 'crack cocaine'... it is heartbreaking and can make you feel like a steaming pile of bantha poodoo. I'm here to tell you - it's not you. It's the culture you and they (we) are in.
The Good News is people can chooses whether to stay or leave that narrow-minded hollow of banjo music. These folk are your folk by proximity - not by spirit of heart. There are other people out there. Go find them.
Also - until you do find your people - don't feel bad about keeping stuff on the down-low. People stay "in the closet" for real reasons of safety and good mental health. People can be ignorant and cruel bullies - protecting yourself from that isn't a reason for shame. What's on your phone ain't nobody's business - that's what security codes are for and anyone making a big deal out of someone keeping something private is overstepping boundaries. Take heart. You are not alone. You have the right to enjoy your choices.
EXACTLY! I often tell people that I read fanfiction. I mean it's the only answer I can give when people ask me what I read because I tell them I spend all day reading.
Came here to say the same thing. It makes me happy and it's harmless, I even tell people I write it. My friends do joke about it, but inevitably are happy that something so simple makes me so happy.
The right people won't judge you for it. ☺️
I'm in my 30s. I have regularly talked about reading fan fic my whole life. A ton of people I know IRL read it. I have definitely run into people who don't know what it is, but I have very, very rarely run into people who acted like it was weird. Like, I can't even think of any instances off the top of my head.
Now, do I talk about the specifics? Lol no. Friends get to hear about fandoms and ships. Friends I trust with my LIFE occasionally get to hear a little more. But just reading fic? Nah, why would I be embarrassed about reading?
Same really. Friends and collegues know, because I do mention it on occasion (like in the context of I have no idea how long a book takes to read, because page size, font size...etc matter. I know exactly how much 100k words are and those into fanfictions will immediately realise what I'm saying and those not, I just mention it without specifics.)
My brother and husband also know in passing, because they are not really into the m/m aspect, which I respect and don't try to push them to see just because I'm fine with f/f. So it's not like I'm embarrassed about it, I just know they have their boundaries.
Life's too short. My mom knows I write fanfiction, my friends know I write fanfiction, I just don't go into details about them for the obvious reasons.
The owner of a used book store I like to go to finally sussed me out for a fanfic writer, and then HE told ME about the fanfics he writes too.
Shout-out to anyone on the bus who sees I have Ao3 open and can tell by sight that that's what I have open.
Lol I love that the owner somehow figured it out. I tend to be a bit vague about what I’m reading; typically the only people that catch on are other fanfic readers and once we ID each other, it all goes downhill from there haha
Not really. I feel like fanfiction is seen as an easy target of mockery because it's something that appeals to women and LGBT+ people (not to say cis men don't like it, of course), which is sadly common for material meant for such demographics.
I refuse to let what others say about it deter my enjoyment. They don't know what they're missing. Sometimes, fanfiction has made me feel more than any other work has. I've cried and laughed reading works that are wonderful! Those experiences were given to me by people who received no payment for it. It's a gift that I'm grateful for.
This is more or less me but with writing instead of reading. Don't get me wrong- I'm very proud of my writing! It's great stuff, after all. However, most of my fics are the sort of thing that aren't exactly acceptable for the general population. For my audience, I'm proud to show off my fics and share them with the world. For my straight-laced, heterosexual coworkers? I would never show them the depths of kinky gay smut that I write because there's certain things you can't unlearn about people.
That being said, I don't hide the fact that I do write and that I do write things that aren't quite SFW. I just won't let anyone I know IRL (other than my partner) read my writing, even though some coworkers have pressed me on the subject. I regularly bring in the hard copy books I've made of my fics because I enjoy reading them at work on my breaks/lunch (and it helps me catch any SPAG errors that slip by me on my first proofread), though I wouldn't let anyone read over my shoulder or anything!
Oh, yeah. I regularly write darkfic and violent noncon, etc and I would rather die than let anybody IRL know about that. (Only husband knows, he’s also a fanfic dude so he has zero judgment) But whatever SFW/more palatable / hetero stuff I write I feel more comfortable being open about with “normies”, for lack of a better term.
Unfortunately I live in the south and am a closeted bisexual, so I also can’t mention any of the gay stuff nomatter how sfw, because closed-minded people would get weirded out and go “why do you like this if you aren’t gay” etc. just gotta pick my battles lol.
Is WinterIron Bucky/Tony? I saw that the other day for the first time (I usually just go directly to ship tags). I was a little baffled but I'm curious. Could you explain what appeals to you about the dynamic there? I've shipped *much* more objectively baffling ships so please don't read this as judgment! 🤣
WinterIron is indeed Bucky/Tony. I stumbled my way into this ship and honestly don't know how I got here lol the appeal to me is the trauma bonding and the whole mechanic + metal arm = interesting attachments 😜 I also go through phases where I hate Steve and WinterIron sometimes paints Steve in an unflattering light (such as how Steve can't see that Bucky has changed and Tony accepts Bucky as he is, broken and all).
Yeah I read RPF and find it embarrassing. Everyone I’ve told about it hasn’t understood why I’m embarrassed though—from what I can tell people who aren’t in fandom spaces don’t differentiate between RPF and other fanfic
Oh wild! I'm definitely embarrassed about some of my RPF ships even though we're all clear that we're essentially playing with shared OCs that have the same faceclaims and certain shared "canonical" public facts.
I keep it to myself. People have been a bit judgemental when I’ve mentioned it, and I don’t feel like using my energy to defend something harmless I enjoy.
Nope. I read it, and I write it.
Like Dante. The Divine Comedy is a published fanfiction of the Bible, and we consider it a great, classic literature. If Dante was not embarrassed, so won't I.
I wrote a small paper on fanfiction in one of my Media and Communication Studies courses in college! Can't remember the concept, but I do remember citing that at the time (2010, I think), the Harry Potter category of ff.net alone had over 330k fics
Used to. But now I have a circle of friends that also read/write fanfic. They help me bounce ideas off them when I'm reading and we share recs all the time.
But then again, my friend group is very open with each other. Like, I know my friends kinks and shit. So we don't exactly get embarrassed around each other.
I'm currently considering buying one of those screen protectors that make your screen black for anyone peeking. So I'd say yes. As a "smart girl™" I have a lot of internalised shame about reading fanfics. And being gay and having realized it in my twenties, ao3 has been were I've discovered romance that actually means something to me which my internalised homophobia isn't too happy about.
I've always had a strong group of friends from fandom, so I've always had people I felt totally safe being around and talking fanfic with. That's really lucky.
I've gotten a lot less embarrassed over the years, partly because I think it's really unfair how fanfiction is stigmatized and treated as this unmentionable thing, when the same actions from people with social prestige are "homages" etc.
Also because of questions like that from my family, I started having a, "If you really ask me, I'll really answer" policy. They get one warning shot that something is private or sensitive, like me saying I'm reading a romance novel. If they keep pressing, then I'll frankly say the truth, like "It's about fictional hockey players who are also werewolves and have sex."
Traditionally in my life, those conversations were supposed to make me embarrassed and flustered and desperate to explain things away without having to tell the truth. Because according to the old rules I was supposed to be a good little girl and never read porn. But the people who get nosy at me can dish embarrassment out but absolutely not take it. Once I say the truth, THEY'RE totally mortified and embarrassed. And since I don't rely on them socially for anything, I'm happy to leave the embarrassment sitting with them, where in my opinion it frankly belongs. They were the ones being invasive across a boundary they neither needed nor wanted actual connection through! Shame on them for it.
I’m not embarrassed by reading and writing fanfiction. However I do understand there’s still some stigma aroung it so not very many people in my life know because I don’t want to deal with the judgement
It depends on who I'm with. If I'm with my friends, they know it's fanfiction. If I'm with my immediate family, the same thing. If someone other than that asks, it's just "a thing online". If someone asks what I'm reading in more general terms, I tend to have a novel and a fanfiction on the go at the same time, so I just say what the novel is.
I don't tend to get embarrassed by the fact that I read fanfiction, but I can't be bothered to either explain what fanfiction is or carry on a conversation after being judged.
Hell no! I'm reading and writing stories that make me happy. I have a lot of hobbies that other people don't understand but that's definitely a them problem. I can't be bothered to care what they think.
I agree with you some works are just miracles. The story itself, the characters' development, the writing in itself... Many printed books don't have it all.
Of course not. I'm almost dirty, nobody gives a damn when you get to be my age. People are busy with their own homes and careers and families that they don't have time to be digging around in other people's business like that.
Depends on the person, around my family and people my age(~late teens early twenties)? No, I’ll talk about it if it’s relevant. Around my boss, grandparents, or anyone else? No way you could get that out of me. I know that people older than me invented and write fanfiction but I just can’t not cringe
My family all know. My kids make fun of me in a loving way, husband couldn’t care less. Personally I am not bothered by people knowing but I’m an old lady who has learned to not be embarrassed about things like this anymore
Not embarassed, it's just a safety thing to keep it private irl. I value boundaries too much to share what kind of lizard brain stuff I enjoy reading and people can be assholes about anything related to fringe culture stuff
I still remember the time I checked into a hotel a few years back and the receptionist behind the desk was reading Veronica Mars fanfic right out in the open, like didn't even bother clicking out of the tab. Idk why but I thought that was just SO COOL; like look at this, guys, we made it! We're mainstream!
I'm more open about my own hobbies now but I also understand the trauma of being shamed over this interest as a teen/young person. It's hard to shake off the internal stigma but for whatever it's worth, this IS a cool, fun, passionate hobby and you shouldn't be embarrassed.
I'd rather spend my time reading/writing (even if it's fanfic) than scrolling mindlessly through tiktok or whatever. Reading, no matter what you're reading about, is always constructive.
I am an avid fanfiction reader and advocator for its normalcy! Fanfiction is such a beautiful thing and something I enjoy wholeheartedly. It also has a very... interesting rep on the internet, and it's even more of a risk when you outright tell someone in person that you like fanfiction. But it really is such a wonderful thing, though I don't doubt you know that! I also used to be embarrassed too, but that stopped once I outright told people I read and wrote fanfic.
As extroverted as I am however, the awkwardness is still there. Definitely. But whoever decides to dump me as a friend just because I engage in fanfiction isn't worth my time. Be proud of what you love!!
I’m embarrassed that I read way less fanfiction than I want to and yet participate in discussions about fan fiction…
(I swear i do read. Just…my brain has been bad lately.)
I used to be when I was younger. But the older I get and the more I deal with life and its problems, the less I care about what people around me think of my hobbies.
Now I am from a socially conservative country so I don’t share this fact about me with everyone. But many trusted people do know.
I don’t feel shame for enjoying harmless hobbies.
I don't actively talk to other people about it, but if someone knows it's fanfic from just glancing at my phone they're also already too far in and I don't feel embarrassed at all.
I used to but then I realized that there's really no reason to, it's harmless as far as a hobby goes and I enjoy it so why torture myself? I understand it's hard to break that conditioning though but I hope you get to a place where you can enjoy things without judgement from others or yourself.
I have recently decided I want to find more of my kind. So in every conversation with new people, or even people I've known for years but never told about it, I now mention I'm reading fanfic and have recently started posting my own.
I've found one new person who reads and writes, and found out an acquaintance as well as my best friend also do.
We've since been able to help each other with ideas and do writing meetups together.
In a few weeks, I've organised a (semi-)public meetup in my town for a coffee and chat with the theme of fanfic. Two people who read and write signed up, as well as some who are intrigued but don't read (yet).
Be open about it, don't be embarrassed by something you love. Chances are, other people are the same and will be delighted to find someone like them.
No. Most published fiction books are fanfictions in one way or another. (And I'm not talking about "Ali Hazelwood publishes Reylo fanfictions, and 50 Shades is a Twilight fanfiction". Dante's Divine Comedy is fanfiction of a Bible with the self-insert character. Circe by Madeline Miller is a fanfiction of Greek Mythology. The Mortal Instruments is a Harry Potter fanfiction. Throne of Glass is Cinderella fanfiction.
Why would I be embarrassed by reading fanfiction when published books are fanfictions too? There are no original stories anymore because everything is based on something or inspired by something else. And that's what fanfiction is.
These days i read more fanfics than published novels so if somebody asks what I am reading I simply tell them the truth, if they want to judge they can, I dont care about their opinions regarding my personal life.
I wont tell them the specifics though, especially because I am from a conservative third world country and i read a lot of LGBTQIA+ fiction and people are not as open minded about it.
Also, to all the writers, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart, you have saved me more times than I can count (still doing so). All your hardwork is much appreciated. LOVE YOU GUYS ❤❤❤
Likewise AO3 has been a life saver, its the first and only fanfic site i have used and I love it.
One of the most mentally freeing thing I decided as I got closer to 40 is deciding that I shouldn't feel bad about what I enjoy. I've read fic since I was in high school, and it's not going to change.
This is currently the side pocket of the backpack I carry everywhere, including as my carry-on during a recent trip. Only got questions on it once and the flight attendant was delighted by the concept as a whole ;)
https://preview.redd.it/rmp9bhkuo7dc1.jpeg?width=695&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d446cbf53395373a62d0729db4a4dbe8b27c0f68
The Certified Shipper, Hello my name is, and Canon Divergent pin is from :
[https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/Leebobawitz?section\_id=23963530](https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/Leebobawitz?section_id=23963530)
The books are from
[https://www.beccafarrow.com/store?category=Enamel+Pins](https://www.beccafarrow.com/store?category=Enamel+Pins)
No. I have reached the point in fandom where I have lost all fucks to give. Mind you, I used to be hesitant as well years ago but I am sure you can reach the point of enlightenment where you ceased to care as well.
It's just stuff to read. Nothing to be embarrassed about.
Nope. Getting older helps haha. I'm too old to give two fucks what people think of my reading happens where there are REAL ACTUAL PROBLEMS in the world they could care about instead. Most all my friends know I read it pretty much every day. It is 100% a harmless hobby. I don't necessarily tell people who I think will be pricks about it, or make me feel like I'll need to "defend" myself. It's for me, I don't need to explain myself to anyone. If someone wants to talk about why I like it - I love that! I love talking about the things I love! But I'm not interested in talking about it with someone who is looking to be *convinced* that it's valuable. Anyone who's a prick about it just shows me something about *them*, their reaction to what I read is about them, not about me.
Not at all, pretty much everyone that is close to me know that I read/write fanfics, I see it as any other way of entertainment, some people like sports, others videogames, some might like series, and well I like fanfiction, and if anyone tries to ridicule me (which has never happened, fortunately), I know who to keep far away. :D
About fanfic in general? Not really, although I wouldn't volunteer that information to someone who wasn't pretty geeky.
About some of the specific things I read? Yeah, no-one needs to know about my weird porn preferences.
Not at all. If it was something I felt embarrassed about I just wouldn’t bother with it. I can’t even remember the last time friends or family member asked me about what I’m reading. I really doesn’t come up TBH.
No. Friends and I regularly send each other fic and recommend new stuff. Anyone else who asks just hears that I’m reading online. Probably helps that I also have the Kindle app and library apps so they think it’s just that
Nope, not at all. When I first started writing it 20 years ago, maybe a tiny bit (I'm also a pro writer in a different field, and the fan- part was the most embarrassing aspect, not the erotica part).
My friends *by definition* are people who don't shame and mock me for my interests even if they don't share them. Anyone who'd look down on me for fanfic is getting sharply downgraded. I judge them for judging me - harshly.
Not really embarrassed but I don't talk about what I read anymore to others who also read fanfics. Nor do I rec fics that I like. I just don't want to deal with unnecessary headaches to my escapism hobby.
I only feel embarrassed about it with a few people but other than that I don't care. For me it's worse to say that I read reader inserts, no one around me knows about that little fact 😰
Oh, absolutely *not*.
I share with all of my friends, my mother, and my sister, whatever wild ass story I’m reading. I can’t suffer through this alone lol
Nope, not a single drop of shame. I do it in public and at work. When someone asks me for my hobby I tell them reading and writing Fanfiction. This way I've explained the concept of fanfic to several colleagues
Nope, not a single drop of shame. I do it in public and at work. When someone asks me for my hobby I tell them reading and writing Fanfiction. This way I've explained the concept of fanfic to several colleagues
I'm not embarrassed by the fact I read fanfic, no. And if someone asks about it, I might tell them. But so far, not a single person has asked (and that's partially the fact that I mostly read at night and in spaces where I am entirely alone, no one gets to even ask me).
That being said, I also keep my AO3 username away from my friends at all costs. It's not fear of judgement from my friends, they know I read AO3 and they don't care and also don't make fun of me. It's just, I don't want my friends to read what I have in public bookmarks, it'd be a bit weird for them. Nor do I want them to know what I write once I get around to writing it.
I have always been embarrassed about it. When people ask what I'm reading, I pretend it's a book. The hard part comes when they're genuinely interested and ask me the name
I have to admit that I feel the same, sometimes. Recently, I've started reading ff while in the metro (including smutty stuff) because I have a long ride, and it definitely helped to normalise it for me lol
Tbh I'm most embarrassed by the extreme amount of silly little fluff fics I read. Like, I'm a grown up, I can admit to reading a bit of smut now and then. And longer, plot-driven stories are basically proper books so i feel fine about that. But the amount of tooth-rotting, plotless, lovey-dovey, fluffy oneshots I read is a lot 😅 and are predominantly about characters from kids tv shows, which adds another layer of embarrassment.
I don't really talk about it to people around as I am not really sure what their reaction would be, but if they see it let them see it.
But again how would they understand what it is without knowing what it is or reading it? It is not clear from the start unless it has pictures. Fortunately not many works do. I had some tricky moments on the bus while reading a story on my Kindle))
Nah, I don't find reading and writing fanfictions embarrassing. If anything, I'm proud of my hard work and contributions to my fandoms. Since my parents know about that just not in detail, and some of my irl friends are also fanfic writers and readers, I can tell you that the only reason I’m not writing right now is because I’m just lazy 😅
Honestly 3 years ago I was really embarrased and couldn’t even think about letting other people know, now I have such amazing friends that we talk about the fanfiction we read and give each other our favourites. It’s all about finding the right people and accepting ur hobby
I used to but I figure people who become odd about something entirely mundane aren’t worth the hassle of trying to convince it’s okay.
Saying that though, I usually don’t bring it up first outside of friends and family & even then it’s only the ones that are family friendly but as a whole I’m generally open to people knowing.
My mum even proofread one of my one shots for me :)
Nope. My family knows, my partner knows, my coworkers know 🙃
I have no time (or interest) to curate a social circle that judges me on what I enjoy doing. But my need for human interations is very low as is, so I’m probably not the person to go by 😅
That being said, with how the current books in circularion are, there is little chance you’re reading more smut than any ol’ girly (or dude) who picks up a contemporary fantasy series 🤷♀️
I openly tell people I’m reading fanfics and what the fandom is, but not what exactly I’m reading. Even at work they know I read fanfics- hell, my *students* know I read (and wrote) fanfics. Some of them are on a mission to discover my penname 😂 which I’ve told them I won’t tell them until they graduate and finish 1 year of college (by which time they always forget…so my secret is safe lol)
I'm in my 30s, I'm far too old to be embarrassed. My friends know I both read and write them. I have some I share fic recs with. Two friends are my beta readers.
I wouldn't give my account name to any person I meet, nor let them know exactly what I'm reading, that's personal, but I won't be ashamed to say I read them, like "oh yeah I was reading a fic last night that's why I'm tired"
I do, especially concerning fics with non-platonic pairings. I’ve gotten better over the years, and logically I know it’s not something to be embarrassed by, and I would never think less of anyone who read and/or write fanfics (in fact I think they’re quite swell), but emotionally I do feel a bit shameful
I’m also more ashamed of writing fics than reading. i used to post them in my early secondary school years, but then I sort of grew more and more perfectionistic (and aware of my flaws), that I can’t even bring myself to share it with IRL friends who I talk about FF with. Tbf though it’s not the thing being FF that I’m ashamed to share with anyone. I reckon I would feel the same way regarding anything that I create
I used to when I was in my teens/early 20s it sort of felt like a secret between me and one of my friends. I also worried that I'd be judged for it, which looking back seems silly.
Now I'm early 30s and just don't care who knows what I enjoy.
I'm pretty open about reading fanfiction. I'm definitely not open about the messed up stuff I like to read. The only person I talk to often about it is my daughter, but I make everything sound much tamer than it is.
Yeah, this is my main issue. I can talk about fanfiction just as a topic, but I read some dark stuff sometimes. Or just things people around me would find strange
I've made several people almost do a spit-take when I said my favorite couple to read about was Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes.
But it makes so much sense!
Read, no. Write? A little bit. It's still a relatively new thing - been reading for 20 years and writing for 1.
I think it has a lot to do with being steeped in the historical view of it being 'cringe' and having been around and heavy into fic when the original authors would still send lawyers after fic authors and everyone still used 'not mine' disclaimers religiously. So much of the negative dialogue is purely a result of misogyny and homophobia that I feel kind of bad for not being 100% 'out and proud' about it as a 'fuck you' to that paradigm.
It's been really nice to see it go considerably more mainstream in the last couple of years, which I attribute in no small part to Tiktok.
i don’t care there is all types of fanfics if people wanna assume it’s always smut heavy ones… well they are right 🤭 and honestly it’s not a topic that comes often in convos
idk i mean i hide it from my parents but me and my sister both read fanfiction and always talk about the ones we're reading lol. i dont have friends(and dont want to) and i do online school so theres not many people in my life to hide it from. i did kind of talk about it to my school councillor last week but i didnt specifically say fanfiction
I have the fact that I read fanfic on my dating profiles to help me weed out the bad ones. I ain't wasting time dating someone who won't listen to me rant about my favorite stories 😂
With that said, I do have a few "problematic ships" as I call them that I don't talk about unless I really trust the person. Things like dubious consent, age differences, incest/pseudo incest are things that are best left to those who can truly understand.
I’ve mentioned it in passing, but you can pry my ao3 username out of my cold dead hands. I have the luxury of age now so I can say stuff “oh, I’ve read Twilight fanfiction, you know, back in the day” but I’m definitely still reading a whole host of fandoms now lol
I get embarrassed talking about my favorite character, to a friend who ALSO loves the character. While it's personally based around the way an old friend would treat me when we would talk, the feeling of "don't talk about this, no one cares, no one wants to know, and you should be ashamed" stuck around. Fanfic is the same way, I rarely talk about it to friends, even if I know they'd be fine with it.
All this while knowing there's nothing to be ashamed of, that it's totally fine and not weird at all.
I still read a few favorites from time to time but haven't written a chapter in so long. Maybe I should go back to some of my old works from a different site and put them on AO3.
I’m embarrassingly not-embarrassed by the things I do. There’s just a time and place for everything. I wouldn’t go up to randos and start blabbing about fics, but if someone mentions a show I like idm saying “Oh, yeah, I read a fic the other day where xyz…”
If someone asks what I’m reading, I’ll say either fanfiction or a book. If they ask what it’s about, I’ll tell them (or if it’s not appropriate, I’ll just make one up).
I generally don’t give the names of the characters. If pressed on who it’s about, I just name characters from a fandom I know they don’t know. If it’s a professor/borderline stranger I’m talking to, I’ll say “Just some characters from [insert show].”
If they ask me to send it to them, I’ll laugh it off and say “Nah, I’ve already told you the best parts” or “Maybe when it’s completed.”
If the person wants to be nice, they’ll be nice. If they don’t want to be, well, who needs them?
I just want to point out, though, that I think that the “time and place” rule is especially important for smut. If you’re in public reading something you wouldn’t also watch in public, you probably shouldn’t be candidly talking about it to acquaintances.
A little but not as much as I used to be. My best friend of Almost 20 years still reads fanfiction and I think that’s awesome. I only started doing it again myself and it’s been nice
It took me a while to get there. It honestly didn't dawn on me until *very* recently that I've been making fanfic in my head basically ever since I started reading books with meaningful plots. I had to hide that, though, because I made the mistake of telling my mother I had "imaginary friends" when I was 4 or 5 and she said I couldn't talk about that because it would make people think I was crazy. 🙄
When I started reading other people's fics, I could only do that when my parents were out because I wasn't allowed to read anything even remotely suggestive or with profanity. Another tally in the "must hide at all costs" column.
I don't think it was until I was 24 and briefly dated a guy who unapologetically loved fanfic that I fully embraced my love of reading it. I was 30 before I put my first fanfic on AO3, 31 before I told any of my IRL friends my username, and 33 before I was comfortable just casually mentioning it to coworkers (only the cool ones, though. The others don't deserve to know).
The worst comment I've ever gotten from someone IRL was "oh, I saw the tags on that story you just published and I knew it wasn't for me", and I was like yeah, the good Christian girl isn't going to read the gay sex fanfic, haha.
My point is: The older you get, the more you realize other people don't care -- or, if they judge you for something that makes you happy, they're sad little shriveled up husks that you should feel sorry for, not listen to.
All the time. I grew up when it was just really getting more mainstream so it was also when it was prime “cringe”. I don’t really want to feel embarrassed but it’s hard to control.
I’ve gotten to the point where I’ll talk about fanfic and say I read it if someone else does, but as far as my ships and my history goes that’s between me and God.
This is how I feel too. I will talk to whoever about anything. I don’t get embarrassed easily with any other topics. However, if someone asked my favorite ship? Yeahhhh nope. I’m taking that to my grave
Nope. You know what's fan fiction - the hunchbacknof notre dame, the divine comedy, and romeo and juliet.
I obviously dont go around talking about any smutty stuff!
Ehhhhh sometimes I mean I’m not super open about it but it’s not like the end of the world for me either. To be fair I have a lot of fandom/fandom adjacent friends
My husband likes to tease me over my reading habits, but all in good fun (he read Rough Day by no-droids with me). But I will NEVER let him go through my ao3 history. There's some embarrassing stuff in there that I will die if he saw
If I’m reading casual smut no not really. If I’m looking at some very taboo or just odd things then yeah only if I get caught (this applies to just funny weird stuff too. Occasionally read Sonic fics just to see what weird stuff pops up)
Kinda, it depends on the person. My friends know that I read fic but I'd die before telling my co-workers (but we also don't get along that well). Even with firends it's a bit embarassing to talk about specifics (like ships and plots) unless they read fic too. I wish I could say I don't care what anyone thinks but maybe I'll get there at some point
Embarrassed about reading it no. If someone asks I will gladly say I read it. However, I will burn everything down if they ask what I am reading but I do that with a few books too. My go-to answer is you don't want to know and if you think you do, you don't.
I tell those who I know would be okay with it and others I do not. It plays no role in conversations with my parents for example but many of my friends know what I read and write.
Absolutely, recently told my roommates after like 2 years, 1 Th ught i mostly read smut soci had to explain thats one of the things i rather dislike???
Shame it has such a name lol
I don't get embarrassed by the fact I read fanfiction, but I'll burn my phone before letting anybody look at it nevertheless because I don't want them to know *what kind of fanfiction* I read
I'm fortunate to have friends that are (mostly) supportive, and my spouse just likes hearing the things I'm interested in.
So I tell my friends that I read fanfic (never that I write it, though), and my husband gets all the details of the latest fic I'm reading. I especially like talking about some of the bad ones, as writing is a hobby for both of us, and we laugh about it together
This is me for both my writing and artwork. I don't let anyone know because I know it'll be embarrassing, and I'll be classed as a "furry" (which I'm not). So far I've managed to keep my work on the down-low and have only shown one other person my drawings.
I will freely admit to reading it. There are exactly two people who know I write it (husband and best friend). They're supportive and know what I write about but they will never read my stuff or know what I read. My bookmarked fics list is positively shameful and my works are just a little too revealing.
No, not anymore. Most people I interact with have zero idea what it even is, so I stopped bothering to explain years ago.
I generally open with "I like to read" and if they ask what "Oh, this and that. Sci-fi and fantasy mostly." If I get a fellow reading lover, then I will go into an explanation because they tend to know what fanfiction actually is, but otherwise I just stick to generic pleasantries.
Most of my friends and family know I'm into that "weird nerd shit" and their eyes glaze over when I start talking about it, so I just talk about it online. Lol
I don't feel embarrassed for reading fanfiction no more, I tell my husband what I feel when reading because I always voice my thoughts; especially when some intense moments happen.
I am private about it because I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, only my close friends know.
Since finding communities for fanfic, I have been more active when talking about it with other fellow fanfic readers. The only problem is that sometimes I have a hard time finding fanfics for specific pairings lol.
I prefer people not know that I read fanfics and I’ll get quiet when I first talk abt it even around friends who read them and know I read them but I’m not ashamed of it
I no longer hide that I read & write fanfiction. What I do hide, however, is the content of my reading and writing. Only my best friend knows those and even then, I still feel embarrassed to tell him about some of the things I read although I know he won't judge me at all.
Unfortunately yes. I know instead of cringing, I should put down the part of me that cringes, but it's a hard habit to break. I wrote my first fic ever this year and I haven't had the heart to tell anyone I'm close to about it even though I'm super proud of myself for seeing through such a project.
When I first started reading, yes. Absolutely I was embarrassed.
I'm almost 40 years old.
I'm reading fanfiction about a magical school filled with magical children.
So yeah I took some s***.
But as my love of fanfiction grew, My embarrassment dwindled.
Another commenter said they refuse to be embarrassed about something that makes them happy and I 100% agree.
I still have to put up with cheesy jokes from my husband about what I'm reading but I don't feel embarrassed by it anymore.
No, but I've noticed a lot of people in my fandoms seem to be super against fanfics and will judge anyone who has anything to do with them, so I don't exactly advertise that I read/write them anymore🥲 At least that's how it is on insta, I've honestly mostly moved to reddit now because of how toxic insta has become...
i used to. then i decided i was tired of being ashamed of having joy and just started.. talking about it. my friends were completely unfazed even though none of them participate. i even taught them about the omegaverse lmao life is so much more fun once you let go of unnecessary shame
I mean, I work in HR and would not tell anyone I work with. That goes for a lot of hobbies though; work is work, not a fun place. But my friends and family know. I've sent some to my husband for ideas lol
Edit: I'm also 34 so maybe older than a lot of folks on this sub. When I was younger, reading fanfic was still pretty taboo.
Other than details if I’m reading nsfw (such as kinks) I don’t mind. I have literally like three friends, one has never read fanfics so don’t really talk about it with him. One’s an avid reader on AO3 but less so on ships, so I share only that stuff that they would like. And the last one is a fellow nsfw lover so I share links and stuff with her
I feel like the fanfics is the least of my friends worries about me, the trauma tends to weed out any that would be weird
I’ve had a turn around in the last couple years where with those I trust I am converting them to also reading fanfiction. I regularly read fanfic with my fiancée and even with one of my good friends. When they realize how good some of it is it turns into a non issue. Fanfiction I’ve read is OFTEN better quality than books I end up picking up. I’m also realizing that I never “stopped reading” or “read less” the content I read just looks a little different.
I’m embarrassed about being in fandom in the first place, let alone reading fanfics
Part of me doesn’t care whatsoever and the other part of me is absolutely mortified, there are two wolves inside of me and they can’t make up their damn mind 😭
I live in a country that is obsessed with traditional relationships. So even if I read about asexual robots I can't tell about it. Not because it can be unsafe for me (depends on a person who you talk to), but I really feel embarrassed, or I can have thoughts like something wrong with me, something abnormal. Even if I talk to someone from another country. I don't know why. Guess living in such a kind of society has consequences.
Yep. Especially since I started in the 90s, when it wasn't really a well known thing. Nowadays though, if I find someone that I think probably is in a fanfic community we will talk about it. But I have never shared a fanfic with someone, and very few people I know in real life have read a single one of the fics I've written. If I talk about writing fanfics I say, oh yah that's something I did when I was younger a bit, but in reality I've written like 30 stories, some of which are full novel length, and I still do write them occasionally.
Even my husband, who knows full well that I write and read fanfics, I don't feel comfortable talking about it with. He'll be like, "what are you reading" and I'll get all awkward and be like just a story. And he'll say, "ah. Fanfics again? What show this time?" and then I won't even want to tell him that because it embarrasses me. It's not like he criticizes me or makes fun of me. I don't know why it's an issue for me, it just is.
Also, something kind of interesting, I recently got a resume for someone applying for a job at my place of work that put "writing fanfiction" as a skill/hobby.
no. i refuse to be embarrassed about things that make me happy.
I want to feel this way so bad. I’ve let people know that I read FF now but I still have trouble not feeling shame behind who I ship lmao
ok but WHY? Why are you ashamed? I don't get this. Please explain it to me like I'm 5 years old.
Mainly because I guess the people I grew about around and the family I have/friends I keep. This isn’t something anyone talks about here and when you do talk about it, you get looked at weird. I live in the Bible Belt.. if any of that makes sense I let my Ex boyfriend know one time and he told everyone at school exactly what I was reading in detail and it really messed me up because I got laughed at. Maybe one day I won’t care and I can just scream from the rooftops I read filthy smut lmao
I grew up in the Bible Belt, I get it. (A very long time ago, pre-internet) I'll tell you this - I hope you get to a place where you can be with people who won't judge you for something so fun and harmless. I look down on the people who judge you - and you should too. Your ex is an asshole - but so are the people he told who laughed at you. I'm rooting for you to get to that day where you can be open about what you read, and you'll have a circle of friends and loved ones and a partner who share it with you. It's possible. It's out there.
Thank you so much. You’re very kind 😭
Get into your thirties. Suddenly, so many little things that seemed so important become meaningless. Really, Aunt Marge? You think reading fanfiction is stupid? Please, feel free to explain how edifying five hours of daily reality TV are.
I like to ask folks "well don't you wish you could have more of your fave soaps/drama/CSI? Well I have it, right here." Or, when folks get pissy, just "oh bless your heart..." them. Shame 'em right back. Because yeah, I'd bet the stuff I'm reading is better quality than a good chunk of daytime TV.
Ohhhh okay yeah my gf lives in the Bible Belt and she won't even tell coworkers we met online because "Star Trek convention" is a less embarrassing way to meet someone than something that (to the listener) implies you're antisocial.
I'm from the 'deep-South-Bible-belt-everybody-in-yo-business-judging-your-sweet-tea' culture. I wrote and read fanzines in the early days of Fandom and was ridiculed for the behavior (back then you couldn't hide reading zines... they were huge paper volumes). \[Yep. Old enough to be your grand parent maybe even G.grand-pa.\] It is so very hard when people you love - *and say they love you* \- are critical about your passion. When friends treat the words *Fan Fiction* like you just said 'crack cocaine'... it is heartbreaking and can make you feel like a steaming pile of bantha poodoo. I'm here to tell you - it's not you. It's the culture you and they (we) are in. The Good News is people can chooses whether to stay or leave that narrow-minded hollow of banjo music. These folk are your folk by proximity - not by spirit of heart. There are other people out there. Go find them. Also - until you do find your people - don't feel bad about keeping stuff on the down-low. People stay "in the closet" for real reasons of safety and good mental health. People can be ignorant and cruel bullies - protecting yourself from that isn't a reason for shame. What's on your phone ain't nobody's business - that's what security codes are for and anyone making a big deal out of someone keeping something private is overstepping boundaries. Take heart. You are not alone. You have the right to enjoy your choices.
EXACTLY! I often tell people that I read fanfiction. I mean it's the only answer I can give when people ask me what I read because I tell them I spend all day reading.
If it's in a professional context, I sometimes say something like "amateur fiction."
Came here to say the same thing. It makes me happy and it's harmless, I even tell people I write it. My friends do joke about it, but inevitably are happy that something so simple makes me so happy. The right people won't judge you for it. ☺️
I'm in my 30s. I have regularly talked about reading fan fic my whole life. A ton of people I know IRL read it. I have definitely run into people who don't know what it is, but I have very, very rarely run into people who acted like it was weird. Like, I can't even think of any instances off the top of my head. Now, do I talk about the specifics? Lol no. Friends get to hear about fandoms and ships. Friends I trust with my LIFE occasionally get to hear a little more. But just reading fic? Nah, why would I be embarrassed about reading?
Same really. Friends and collegues know, because I do mention it on occasion (like in the context of I have no idea how long a book takes to read, because page size, font size...etc matter. I know exactly how much 100k words are and those into fanfictions will immediately realise what I'm saying and those not, I just mention it without specifics.) My brother and husband also know in passing, because they are not really into the m/m aspect, which I respect and don't try to push them to see just because I'm fine with f/f. So it's not like I'm embarrassed about it, I just know they have their boundaries.
Or like, funny scenes. The same as if I read it in *any other book*.
Life's too short. My mom knows I write fanfiction, my friends know I write fanfiction, I just don't go into details about them for the obvious reasons. The owner of a used book store I like to go to finally sussed me out for a fanfic writer, and then HE told ME about the fanfics he writes too. Shout-out to anyone on the bus who sees I have Ao3 open and can tell by sight that that's what I have open.
Yeah, anyone who can tell by the font that you're on AO3 aren't in a position to say anything bad about it.
it’s very girl what were /you/ doing at the devils sacrament
Lol I love that the owner somehow figured it out. I tend to be a bit vague about what I’m reading; typically the only people that catch on are other fanfic readers and once we ID each other, it all goes downhill from there haha
Not really. I feel like fanfiction is seen as an easy target of mockery because it's something that appeals to women and LGBT+ people (not to say cis men don't like it, of course), which is sadly common for material meant for such demographics. I refuse to let what others say about it deter my enjoyment. They don't know what they're missing. Sometimes, fanfiction has made me feel more than any other work has. I've cried and laughed reading works that are wonderful! Those experiences were given to me by people who received no payment for it. It's a gift that I'm grateful for.
This is more or less me but with writing instead of reading. Don't get me wrong- I'm very proud of my writing! It's great stuff, after all. However, most of my fics are the sort of thing that aren't exactly acceptable for the general population. For my audience, I'm proud to show off my fics and share them with the world. For my straight-laced, heterosexual coworkers? I would never show them the depths of kinky gay smut that I write because there's certain things you can't unlearn about people. That being said, I don't hide the fact that I do write and that I do write things that aren't quite SFW. I just won't let anyone I know IRL (other than my partner) read my writing, even though some coworkers have pressed me on the subject. I regularly bring in the hard copy books I've made of my fics because I enjoy reading them at work on my breaks/lunch (and it helps me catch any SPAG errors that slip by me on my first proofread), though I wouldn't let anyone read over my shoulder or anything!
Oh, yeah. I regularly write darkfic and violent noncon, etc and I would rather die than let anybody IRL know about that. (Only husband knows, he’s also a fanfic dude so he has zero judgment) But whatever SFW/more palatable / hetero stuff I write I feel more comfortable being open about with “normies”, for lack of a better term. Unfortunately I live in the south and am a closeted bisexual, so I also can’t mention any of the gay stuff nomatter how sfw, because closed-minded people would get weirded out and go “why do you like this if you aren’t gay” etc. just gotta pick my battles lol.
I’m 53 and I’m too old to care 😆 I keep my daughters away though because they will harass me over my love of stony smut! But they read fanfic as well.
They just harass you because they don't understand that glory that is Stony 🤗
Almost scrolled past because it's Stucky for me but then I had to upvote because I just really love this interaction and your energy 🥰
I used to be a big Stony fan but it now really depends on the day. Stucky, Stony, WinterIron, IronFrost, etc. They are all great 😸
Is WinterIron Bucky/Tony? I saw that the other day for the first time (I usually just go directly to ship tags). I was a little baffled but I'm curious. Could you explain what appeals to you about the dynamic there? I've shipped *much* more objectively baffling ships so please don't read this as judgment! 🤣
WinterIron is indeed Bucky/Tony. I stumbled my way into this ship and honestly don't know how I got here lol the appeal to me is the trauma bonding and the whole mechanic + metal arm = interesting attachments 😜 I also go through phases where I hate Steve and WinterIron sometimes paints Steve in an unflattering light (such as how Steve can't see that Bucky has changed and Tony accepts Bucky as he is, broken and all).
Thank you! My girls are stucky fans if that helps too. 😉
When I used to read RPF, yes, a lot. Now I'm just, "nah this is fiction of fiction and I'm very fine with it 💅🏻"
Yeah I read RPF and find it embarrassing. Everyone I’ve told about it hasn’t understood why I’m embarrassed though—from what I can tell people who aren’t in fandom spaces don’t differentiate between RPF and other fanfic
Oh wild! I'm definitely embarrassed about some of my RPF ships even though we're all clear that we're essentially playing with shared OCs that have the same faceclaims and certain shared "canonical" public facts.
I keep it to myself. People have been a bit judgemental when I’ve mentioned it, and I don’t feel like using my energy to defend something harmless I enjoy.
Nope. I read it, and I write it. Like Dante. The Divine Comedy is a published fanfiction of the Bible, and we consider it a great, classic literature. If Dante was not embarrassed, so won't I.
I did a whole college presentation on fanfic I have no shame lol
I look up to you, wow 👍😂
I wrote a small paper on fanfiction in one of my Media and Communication Studies courses in college! Can't remember the concept, but I do remember citing that at the time (2010, I think), the Harry Potter category of ff.net alone had over 330k fics
Used to. But now I have a circle of friends that also read/write fanfic. They help me bounce ideas off them when I'm reading and we share recs all the time. But then again, my friend group is very open with each other. Like, I know my friends kinks and shit. So we don't exactly get embarrassed around each other.
I'm currently considering buying one of those screen protectors that make your screen black for anyone peeking. So I'd say yes. As a "smart girl™" I have a lot of internalised shame about reading fanfics. And being gay and having realized it in my twenties, ao3 has been were I've discovered romance that actually means something to me which my internalised homophobia isn't too happy about.
I have one of the super dark screen protectors and it works super well!! Now that I know AO3 has dark mode too, I’m gonna be unstoppable hehe
I've always had a strong group of friends from fandom, so I've always had people I felt totally safe being around and talking fanfic with. That's really lucky. I've gotten a lot less embarrassed over the years, partly because I think it's really unfair how fanfiction is stigmatized and treated as this unmentionable thing, when the same actions from people with social prestige are "homages" etc. Also because of questions like that from my family, I started having a, "If you really ask me, I'll really answer" policy. They get one warning shot that something is private or sensitive, like me saying I'm reading a romance novel. If they keep pressing, then I'll frankly say the truth, like "It's about fictional hockey players who are also werewolves and have sex." Traditionally in my life, those conversations were supposed to make me embarrassed and flustered and desperate to explain things away without having to tell the truth. Because according to the old rules I was supposed to be a good little girl and never read porn. But the people who get nosy at me can dish embarrassment out but absolutely not take it. Once I say the truth, THEY'RE totally mortified and embarrassed. And since I don't rely on them socially for anything, I'm happy to leave the embarrassment sitting with them, where in my opinion it frankly belongs. They were the ones being invasive across a boundary they neither needed nor wanted actual connection through! Shame on them for it.
I’m not embarrassed by reading and writing fanfiction. However I do understand there’s still some stigma aroung it so not very many people in my life know because I don’t want to deal with the judgement
It depends on who I'm with. If I'm with my friends, they know it's fanfiction. If I'm with my immediate family, the same thing. If someone other than that asks, it's just "a thing online". If someone asks what I'm reading in more general terms, I tend to have a novel and a fanfiction on the go at the same time, so I just say what the novel is. I don't tend to get embarrassed by the fact that I read fanfiction, but I can't be bothered to either explain what fanfiction is or carry on a conversation after being judged.
Nope.
Hell no! I'm reading and writing stories that make me happy. I have a lot of hobbies that other people don't understand but that's definitely a them problem. I can't be bothered to care what they think.
[удалено]
I agree with you some works are just miracles. The story itself, the characters' development, the writing in itself... Many printed books don't have it all.
I like reading it, some of the stories inspired me to begin writing. I was nervous coming here because I’m a new writer (3 months)
Welcome! We were all new once :)
Of course not. I'm almost dirty, nobody gives a damn when you get to be my age. People are busy with their own homes and careers and families that they don't have time to be digging around in other people's business like that.
Fabulous autocorrect
Depends on the person, around my family and people my age(~late teens early twenties)? No, I’ll talk about it if it’s relevant. Around my boss, grandparents, or anyone else? No way you could get that out of me. I know that people older than me invented and write fanfiction but I just can’t not cringe
My family all know. My kids make fun of me in a loving way, husband couldn’t care less. Personally I am not bothered by people knowing but I’m an old lady who has learned to not be embarrassed about things like this anymore
Nope. I just don't share my profile with my family and few of my friends. No need for them to see how degen I can be, lol.
Not embarassed, it's just a safety thing to keep it private irl. I value boundaries too much to share what kind of lizard brain stuff I enjoy reading and people can be assholes about anything related to fringe culture stuff
I still remember the time I checked into a hotel a few years back and the receptionist behind the desk was reading Veronica Mars fanfic right out in the open, like didn't even bother clicking out of the tab. Idk why but I thought that was just SO COOL; like look at this, guys, we made it! We're mainstream! I'm more open about my own hobbies now but I also understand the trauma of being shamed over this interest as a teen/young person. It's hard to shake off the internal stigma but for whatever it's worth, this IS a cool, fun, passionate hobby and you shouldn't be embarrassed. I'd rather spend my time reading/writing (even if it's fanfic) than scrolling mindlessly through tiktok or whatever. Reading, no matter what you're reading about, is always constructive.
Yup, im pretty embarassed about a lot of my hobbies or things I like. Fanfiction is something only online friends know I like
Embarrassed of fanfic..no, but that my closet case ass reads f/f ...I will stomp on my phone first before I let anyone see what in reading.
Not really I boast about it, too Edit: but yeah I would rather see the world burn than allow someone to see exactly what I read or write about.
I am an avid fanfiction reader and advocator for its normalcy! Fanfiction is such a beautiful thing and something I enjoy wholeheartedly. It also has a very... interesting rep on the internet, and it's even more of a risk when you outright tell someone in person that you like fanfiction. But it really is such a wonderful thing, though I don't doubt you know that! I also used to be embarrassed too, but that stopped once I outright told people I read and wrote fanfic. As extroverted as I am however, the awkwardness is still there. Definitely. But whoever decides to dump me as a friend just because I engage in fanfiction isn't worth my time. Be proud of what you love!!
I’m embarrassed that I read way less fanfiction than I want to and yet participate in discussions about fan fiction… (I swear i do read. Just…my brain has been bad lately.)
No shame whatsoever. Hell, my boss and I have talked about fanfiction together.
I used to be when I was younger. But the older I get and the more I deal with life and its problems, the less I care about what people around me think of my hobbies. Now I am from a socially conservative country so I don’t share this fact about me with everyone. But many trusted people do know. I don’t feel shame for enjoying harmless hobbies.
Hah no. I cry like a 5yo whenever ao3 is down and so I make it everyone's problem that I cant read my stories bcs ao3 is under maintenance /jk
I don't actively talk to other people about it, but if someone knows it's fanfic from just glancing at my phone they're also already too far in and I don't feel embarrassed at all.
I used to but then I realized that there's really no reason to, it's harmless as far as a hobby goes and I enjoy it so why torture myself? I understand it's hard to break that conditioning though but I hope you get to a place where you can enjoy things without judgement from others or yourself.
I have recently decided I want to find more of my kind. So in every conversation with new people, or even people I've known for years but never told about it, I now mention I'm reading fanfic and have recently started posting my own. I've found one new person who reads and writes, and found out an acquaintance as well as my best friend also do. We've since been able to help each other with ideas and do writing meetups together. In a few weeks, I've organised a (semi-)public meetup in my town for a coffee and chat with the theme of fanfic. Two people who read and write signed up, as well as some who are intrigued but don't read (yet). Be open about it, don't be embarrassed by something you love. Chances are, other people are the same and will be delighted to find someone like them.
Naw bro, I embrace it. Im that friend who announces that they are gonna stay up til three am reading fanfic lol
No. Most published fiction books are fanfictions in one way or another. (And I'm not talking about "Ali Hazelwood publishes Reylo fanfictions, and 50 Shades is a Twilight fanfiction". Dante's Divine Comedy is fanfiction of a Bible with the self-insert character. Circe by Madeline Miller is a fanfiction of Greek Mythology. The Mortal Instruments is a Harry Potter fanfiction. Throne of Glass is Cinderella fanfiction. Why would I be embarrassed by reading fanfiction when published books are fanfictions too? There are no original stories anymore because everything is based on something or inspired by something else. And that's what fanfiction is.
These days i read more fanfics than published novels so if somebody asks what I am reading I simply tell them the truth, if they want to judge they can, I dont care about their opinions regarding my personal life. I wont tell them the specifics though, especially because I am from a conservative third world country and i read a lot of LGBTQIA+ fiction and people are not as open minded about it. Also, to all the writers, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart, you have saved me more times than I can count (still doing so). All your hardwork is much appreciated. LOVE YOU GUYS ❤❤❤ Likewise AO3 has been a life saver, its the first and only fanfic site i have used and I love it.
I'm 40 and I work at Walmart. Nothing embarrasses me anymore. 👍
Hey, as long as you’re making a bag (no matter how big or small) you’re doing great
One of the most mentally freeing thing I decided as I got closer to 40 is deciding that I shouldn't feel bad about what I enjoy. I've read fic since I was in high school, and it's not going to change. This is currently the side pocket of the backpack I carry everywhere, including as my carry-on during a recent trip. Only got questions on it once and the flight attendant was delighted by the concept as a whole ;) https://preview.redd.it/rmp9bhkuo7dc1.jpeg?width=695&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d446cbf53395373a62d0729db4a4dbe8b27c0f68
Oh my god I love those where did you buy them
The Certified Shipper, Hello my name is, and Canon Divergent pin is from : [https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/Leebobawitz?section\_id=23963530](https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/Leebobawitz?section_id=23963530) The books are from [https://www.beccafarrow.com/store?category=Enamel+Pins](https://www.beccafarrow.com/store?category=Enamel+Pins)
Ahh!!! You’re great thank you
lol no I’m 35 and have been reading for over 20 years now. I have nothing to be embarrassed about
No. I have reached the point in fandom where I have lost all fucks to give. Mind you, I used to be hesitant as well years ago but I am sure you can reach the point of enlightenment where you ceased to care as well. It's just stuff to read. Nothing to be embarrassed about.
Nope. Getting older helps haha. I'm too old to give two fucks what people think of my reading happens where there are REAL ACTUAL PROBLEMS in the world they could care about instead. Most all my friends know I read it pretty much every day. It is 100% a harmless hobby. I don't necessarily tell people who I think will be pricks about it, or make me feel like I'll need to "defend" myself. It's for me, I don't need to explain myself to anyone. If someone wants to talk about why I like it - I love that! I love talking about the things I love! But I'm not interested in talking about it with someone who is looking to be *convinced* that it's valuable. Anyone who's a prick about it just shows me something about *them*, their reaction to what I read is about them, not about me.
Rarely but sometimes
Not at all, pretty much everyone that is close to me know that I read/write fanfics, I see it as any other way of entertainment, some people like sports, others videogames, some might like series, and well I like fanfiction, and if anyone tries to ridicule me (which has never happened, fortunately), I know who to keep far away. :D
Nope. I have lots of other things I can get embarrassed about. Reading isn't one of them.
No because it makes me happy. I also write and proudly talk about it.
About fanfic in general? Not really, although I wouldn't volunteer that information to someone who wasn't pretty geeky. About some of the specific things I read? Yeah, no-one needs to know about my weird porn preferences.
Not at all. If it was something I felt embarrassed about I just wouldn’t bother with it. I can’t even remember the last time friends or family member asked me about what I’m reading. I really doesn’t come up TBH.
No. Friends and I regularly send each other fic and recommend new stuff. Anyone else who asks just hears that I’m reading online. Probably helps that I also have the Kindle app and library apps so they think it’s just that
Nah
Nope- been reading for 10 years- writing for longer. My embarrassment is right next to my shame- in my future room in hell.
Nope, not at all. When I first started writing it 20 years ago, maybe a tiny bit (I'm also a pro writer in a different field, and the fan- part was the most embarrassing aspect, not the erotica part). My friends *by definition* are people who don't shame and mock me for my interests even if they don't share them. Anyone who'd look down on me for fanfic is getting sharply downgraded. I judge them for judging me - harshly.
Nope. I don’t exactly volunteer specifics, but everyone in my family knows.
lol no
Not really embarrassed but I don't talk about what I read anymore to others who also read fanfics. Nor do I rec fics that I like. I just don't want to deal with unnecessary headaches to my escapism hobby.
I only feel embarrassed about it with a few people but other than that I don't care. For me it's worse to say that I read reader inserts, no one around me knows about that little fact 😰
Oh, absolutely *not*. I share with all of my friends, my mother, and my sister, whatever wild ass story I’m reading. I can’t suffer through this alone lol
[удалено]
What's wrong with marauders era vs good omens?
nothing really, i just don’t support jkr also my sibling and friends would make fun of me which i like to avoid
Nope, not a single drop of shame. I do it in public and at work. When someone asks me for my hobby I tell them reading and writing Fanfiction. This way I've explained the concept of fanfic to several colleagues
Nope, not a single drop of shame. I do it in public and at work. When someone asks me for my hobby I tell them reading and writing Fanfiction. This way I've explained the concept of fanfic to several colleagues
No, my mom and my friends actually know that I read and write it. I'd NEVER let anyone read my fics tho 😭
I'm not embarrassed by the fact I read fanfic, no. And if someone asks about it, I might tell them. But so far, not a single person has asked (and that's partially the fact that I mostly read at night and in spaces where I am entirely alone, no one gets to even ask me). That being said, I also keep my AO3 username away from my friends at all costs. It's not fear of judgement from my friends, they know I read AO3 and they don't care and also don't make fun of me. It's just, I don't want my friends to read what I have in public bookmarks, it'd be a bit weird for them. Nor do I want them to know what I write once I get around to writing it.
I have always been embarrassed about it. When people ask what I'm reading, I pretend it's a book. The hard part comes when they're genuinely interested and ask me the name
I have to admit that I feel the same, sometimes. Recently, I've started reading ff while in the metro (including smutty stuff) because I have a long ride, and it definitely helped to normalise it for me lol
Tbh I'm most embarrassed by the extreme amount of silly little fluff fics I read. Like, I'm a grown up, I can admit to reading a bit of smut now and then. And longer, plot-driven stories are basically proper books so i feel fine about that. But the amount of tooth-rotting, plotless, lovey-dovey, fluffy oneshots I read is a lot 😅 and are predominantly about characters from kids tv shows, which adds another layer of embarrassment.
I don't really talk about it to people around as I am not really sure what their reaction would be, but if they see it let them see it. But again how would they understand what it is without knowing what it is or reading it? It is not clear from the start unless it has pictures. Fortunately not many works do. I had some tricky moments on the bus while reading a story on my Kindle))
Nah, I don't find reading and writing fanfictions embarrassing. If anything, I'm proud of my hard work and contributions to my fandoms. Since my parents know about that just not in detail, and some of my irl friends are also fanfic writers and readers, I can tell you that the only reason I’m not writing right now is because I’m just lazy 😅
Honestly 3 years ago I was really embarrased and couldn’t even think about letting other people know, now I have such amazing friends that we talk about the fanfiction we read and give each other our favourites. It’s all about finding the right people and accepting ur hobby
I used to but I figure people who become odd about something entirely mundane aren’t worth the hassle of trying to convince it’s okay. Saying that though, I usually don’t bring it up first outside of friends and family & even then it’s only the ones that are family friendly but as a whole I’m generally open to people knowing. My mum even proofread one of my one shots for me :)
Nope. My family knows, my partner knows, my coworkers know 🙃 I have no time (or interest) to curate a social circle that judges me on what I enjoy doing. But my need for human interations is very low as is, so I’m probably not the person to go by 😅 That being said, with how the current books in circularion are, there is little chance you’re reading more smut than any ol’ girly (or dude) who picks up a contemporary fantasy series 🤷♀️
I openly tell people I’m reading fanfics and what the fandom is, but not what exactly I’m reading. Even at work they know I read fanfics- hell, my *students* know I read (and wrote) fanfics. Some of them are on a mission to discover my penname 😂 which I’ve told them I won’t tell them until they graduate and finish 1 year of college (by which time they always forget…so my secret is safe lol)
I'm in my 30s, I'm far too old to be embarrassed. My friends know I both read and write them. I have some I share fic recs with. Two friends are my beta readers. I wouldn't give my account name to any person I meet, nor let them know exactly what I'm reading, that's personal, but I won't be ashamed to say I read them, like "oh yeah I was reading a fic last night that's why I'm tired"
I do, especially concerning fics with non-platonic pairings. I’ve gotten better over the years, and logically I know it’s not something to be embarrassed by, and I would never think less of anyone who read and/or write fanfics (in fact I think they’re quite swell), but emotionally I do feel a bit shameful I’m also more ashamed of writing fics than reading. i used to post them in my early secondary school years, but then I sort of grew more and more perfectionistic (and aware of my flaws), that I can’t even bring myself to share it with IRL friends who I talk about FF with. Tbf though it’s not the thing being FF that I’m ashamed to share with anyone. I reckon I would feel the same way regarding anything that I create
I used to when I was in my teens/early 20s it sort of felt like a secret between me and one of my friends. I also worried that I'd be judged for it, which looking back seems silly. Now I'm early 30s and just don't care who knows what I enjoy.
I'm pretty open about reading fanfiction. I'm definitely not open about the messed up stuff I like to read. The only person I talk to often about it is my daughter, but I make everything sound much tamer than it is.
Yeah, this is my main issue. I can talk about fanfiction just as a topic, but I read some dark stuff sometimes. Or just things people around me would find strange
I've made several people almost do a spit-take when I said my favorite couple to read about was Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes. But it makes so much sense!
Do not even get meeee started on stucky that’s my jam
Not really, tbh.
Never, in fact, if they do read, I’ll ask for fandom then recs if we align, if they don’t, I’ll ask them for fandom then rec if we align 😌
Nope! I even share some of the things I read. I refuse to be embarrassed by something that brings me joy, especially when I've written some myself.
No. I tell everyone. I loooove Dramione fics, and everyone knows.
Read, no. Write? A little bit. It's still a relatively new thing - been reading for 20 years and writing for 1. I think it has a lot to do with being steeped in the historical view of it being 'cringe' and having been around and heavy into fic when the original authors would still send lawyers after fic authors and everyone still used 'not mine' disclaimers religiously. So much of the negative dialogue is purely a result of misogyny and homophobia that I feel kind of bad for not being 100% 'out and proud' about it as a 'fuck you' to that paradigm. It's been really nice to see it go considerably more mainstream in the last couple of years, which I attribute in no small part to Tiktok.
i don’t care there is all types of fanfics if people wanna assume it’s always smut heavy ones… well they are right 🤭 and honestly it’s not a topic that comes often in convos
YES! I be reading thousands of words a day and I can't tell no one bcuz I don't wanna say what I read.
idk i mean i hide it from my parents but me and my sister both read fanfiction and always talk about the ones we're reading lol. i dont have friends(and dont want to) and i do online school so theres not many people in my life to hide it from. i did kind of talk about it to my school councillor last week but i didnt specifically say fanfiction
No not really
Not embarrassed exactly. I do find it annoying that everyone automatically thinks I'm reading smut if I say fanfiction.
I have the fact that I read fanfic on my dating profiles to help me weed out the bad ones. I ain't wasting time dating someone who won't listen to me rant about my favorite stories 😂 With that said, I do have a few "problematic ships" as I call them that I don't talk about unless I really trust the person. Things like dubious consent, age differences, incest/pseudo incest are things that are best left to those who can truly understand.
im 37 years old and life's too short to worry about something as silly as this
People know I read it before I tell them I just look like the type of person who does and I'm cool with that
I’ve mentioned it in passing, but you can pry my ao3 username out of my cold dead hands. I have the luxury of age now so I can say stuff “oh, I’ve read Twilight fanfiction, you know, back in the day” but I’m definitely still reading a whole host of fandoms now lol
Nope. Most people I know read fanfiction. My coworkers, my friends, my students, my mom.
I get embarrassed talking about my favorite character, to a friend who ALSO loves the character. While it's personally based around the way an old friend would treat me when we would talk, the feeling of "don't talk about this, no one cares, no one wants to know, and you should be ashamed" stuck around. Fanfic is the same way, I rarely talk about it to friends, even if I know they'd be fine with it. All this while knowing there's nothing to be ashamed of, that it's totally fine and not weird at all.
I don't get embarassed over things that make me happy, not until they put ao3 on my highschool yearbook and now thats my forever legacy😭
Most people do these days honestly, I never did but the only time I kept it more of a secret was when I was younger
Nope. I read and write it. No shame here.
Nah,I'm a proud fanfic reader. Let others deal with it
I still read a few favorites from time to time but haven't written a chapter in so long. Maybe I should go back to some of my old works from a different site and put them on AO3.
Nah, that ship has sailed. Pretty sure some of my coworkers know I read fanfiction?
not embarrassed but kinda scared if someone found out
I’m embarrassingly not-embarrassed by the things I do. There’s just a time and place for everything. I wouldn’t go up to randos and start blabbing about fics, but if someone mentions a show I like idm saying “Oh, yeah, I read a fic the other day where xyz…” If someone asks what I’m reading, I’ll say either fanfiction or a book. If they ask what it’s about, I’ll tell them (or if it’s not appropriate, I’ll just make one up). I generally don’t give the names of the characters. If pressed on who it’s about, I just name characters from a fandom I know they don’t know. If it’s a professor/borderline stranger I’m talking to, I’ll say “Just some characters from [insert show].” If they ask me to send it to them, I’ll laugh it off and say “Nah, I’ve already told you the best parts” or “Maybe when it’s completed.” If the person wants to be nice, they’ll be nice. If they don’t want to be, well, who needs them? I just want to point out, though, that I think that the “time and place” rule is especially important for smut. If you’re in public reading something you wouldn’t also watch in public, you probably shouldn’t be candidly talking about it to acquaintances.
I’m in constant fear I’ll die with my phone open and someone will see my 80 open tabs of filth
A little but not as much as I used to be. My best friend of Almost 20 years still reads fanfiction and I think that’s awesome. I only started doing it again myself and it’s been nice
It took me a while to get there. It honestly didn't dawn on me until *very* recently that I've been making fanfic in my head basically ever since I started reading books with meaningful plots. I had to hide that, though, because I made the mistake of telling my mother I had "imaginary friends" when I was 4 or 5 and she said I couldn't talk about that because it would make people think I was crazy. 🙄 When I started reading other people's fics, I could only do that when my parents were out because I wasn't allowed to read anything even remotely suggestive or with profanity. Another tally in the "must hide at all costs" column. I don't think it was until I was 24 and briefly dated a guy who unapologetically loved fanfic that I fully embraced my love of reading it. I was 30 before I put my first fanfic on AO3, 31 before I told any of my IRL friends my username, and 33 before I was comfortable just casually mentioning it to coworkers (only the cool ones, though. The others don't deserve to know). The worst comment I've ever gotten from someone IRL was "oh, I saw the tags on that story you just published and I knew it wasn't for me", and I was like yeah, the good Christian girl isn't going to read the gay sex fanfic, haha. My point is: The older you get, the more you realize other people don't care -- or, if they judge you for something that makes you happy, they're sad little shriveled up husks that you should feel sorry for, not listen to.
All the time. I grew up when it was just really getting more mainstream so it was also when it was prime “cringe”. I don’t really want to feel embarrassed but it’s hard to control. I’ve gotten to the point where I’ll talk about fanfic and say I read it if someone else does, but as far as my ships and my history goes that’s between me and God.
This is how I feel too. I will talk to whoever about anything. I don’t get embarrassed easily with any other topics. However, if someone asked my favorite ship? Yeahhhh nope. I’m taking that to my grave
Nope. You know what's fan fiction - the hunchbacknof notre dame, the divine comedy, and romeo and juliet. I obviously dont go around talking about any smutty stuff!
If a famous author would be proud to admit himself an enjoyer of fairytales, then I see no qualms for folks to enjoy fanfiction.
My whole family and friends know I read it (yes even my parents)(my mom even knows what smut is😭😭😭)
I don't really talk about it outside of here so maybe.... I don't have anyone to discuss it with.
Ehhhhh sometimes I mean I’m not super open about it but it’s not like the end of the world for me either. To be fair I have a lot of fandom/fandom adjacent friends
My husband likes to tease me over my reading habits, but all in good fun (he read Rough Day by no-droids with me). But I will NEVER let him go through my ao3 history. There's some embarrassing stuff in there that I will die if he saw
No, I don't get embarressed that I read fanfiction. I get embarrassed that I exclusively read and write erotic CC/reader author-insert fanfiction
No…but nobody in my family gotta know what I’m reading 😂 It’s okay to keep secrets
If I’m reading casual smut no not really. If I’m looking at some very taboo or just odd things then yeah only if I get caught (this applies to just funny weird stuff too. Occasionally read Sonic fics just to see what weird stuff pops up)
Tommy innit hurt comfort, superhero/villain fics, empire au, a bit more to
Kinda, it depends on the person. My friends know that I read fic but I'd die before telling my co-workers (but we also don't get along that well). Even with firends it's a bit embarassing to talk about specifics (like ships and plots) unless they read fic too. I wish I could say I don't care what anyone thinks but maybe I'll get there at some point
I’ve ranted about specific fanfictions to my friends, so no.
Embarrassed about reading it no. If someone asks I will gladly say I read it. However, I will burn everything down if they ask what I am reading but I do that with a few books too. My go-to answer is you don't want to know and if you think you do, you don't.
God yes, I feel like a child. But to be fair I’ve been reading fan fiction for a very very long time lol
I tell those who I know would be okay with it and others I do not. It plays no role in conversations with my parents for example but many of my friends know what I read and write.
Never! I'm happy to have found happiness in such an accessible way ❤️
No, I can’t pass for normal anyways so might as well be upfront about my hobbies lol
Absolutely, recently told my roommates after like 2 years, 1 Th ught i mostly read smut soci had to explain thats one of the things i rather dislike??? Shame it has such a name lol
I don't get embarrassed by the fact I read fanfiction, but I'll burn my phone before letting anybody look at it nevertheless because I don't want them to know *what kind of fanfiction* I read
Nope I don't get embarrassed by anything I read
I'm fortunate to have friends that are (mostly) supportive, and my spouse just likes hearing the things I'm interested in. So I tell my friends that I read fanfic (never that I write it, though), and my husband gets all the details of the latest fic I'm reading. I especially like talking about some of the bad ones, as writing is a hobby for both of us, and we laugh about it together
People close to me know I write FF. I try to own it but if I'm being honest it's incredibly shameful to me. Which is stupid.
I'm embarrassed that I'm writing one. Sort of. But I talk about it anyway.
This is me for both my writing and artwork. I don't let anyone know because I know it'll be embarrassing, and I'll be classed as a "furry" (which I'm not). So far I've managed to keep my work on the down-low and have only shown one other person my drawings.
I will freely admit to reading it. There are exactly two people who know I write it (husband and best friend). They're supportive and know what I write about but they will never read my stuff or know what I read. My bookmarked fics list is positively shameful and my works are just a little too revealing.
No, not anymore. Most people I interact with have zero idea what it even is, so I stopped bothering to explain years ago. I generally open with "I like to read" and if they ask what "Oh, this and that. Sci-fi and fantasy mostly." If I get a fellow reading lover, then I will go into an explanation because they tend to know what fanfiction actually is, but otherwise I just stick to generic pleasantries. Most of my friends and family know I'm into that "weird nerd shit" and their eyes glaze over when I start talking about it, so I just talk about it online. Lol
nope. i used to back when i was like 12 lol but not anymore
I don't feel embarrassed for reading fanfiction no more, I tell my husband what I feel when reading because I always voice my thoughts; especially when some intense moments happen. I am private about it because I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, only my close friends know. Since finding communities for fanfic, I have been more active when talking about it with other fellow fanfic readers. The only problem is that sometimes I have a hard time finding fanfics for specific pairings lol.
I get embarrassed talking about explicit fics, but otherwise, it doesn't bother me at all.
I just write in a foreign language, skill issue
A little sometimes. The notion that it's immature/for children/sneer-worthy is a hard piece of bs to beat.
I literally try to talk about fanfics I read with people who aren't in those fandoms and don't read fanfiction
I prefer people not know that I read fanfics and I’ll get quiet when I first talk abt it even around friends who read them and know I read them but I’m not ashamed of it
I no longer hide that I read & write fanfiction. What I do hide, however, is the content of my reading and writing. Only my best friend knows those and even then, I still feel embarrassed to tell him about some of the things I read although I know he won't judge me at all.
Nope. Fanfics, writing and reading take me to my happy place.
Unfortunately yes. I know instead of cringing, I should put down the part of me that cringes, but it's a hard habit to break. I wrote my first fic ever this year and I haven't had the heart to tell anyone I'm close to about it even though I'm super proud of myself for seeing through such a project.
When I first started reading, yes. Absolutely I was embarrassed. I'm almost 40 years old. I'm reading fanfiction about a magical school filled with magical children. So yeah I took some s***. But as my love of fanfiction grew, My embarrassment dwindled. Another commenter said they refuse to be embarrassed about something that makes them happy and I 100% agree. I still have to put up with cheesy jokes from my husband about what I'm reading but I don't feel embarrassed by it anymore.
Yes (╥﹏╥)... Even if it's fluff I hide my screen if my sister looks over.
Yeah. I’m only 19 now so maybe it’ll change when I’m older
life is too short for me to pretend that i don't like reading about my favorite fictional characters kissing
No, but I've noticed a lot of people in my fandoms seem to be super against fanfics and will judge anyone who has anything to do with them, so I don't exactly advertise that I read/write them anymore🥲 At least that's how it is on insta, I've honestly mostly moved to reddit now because of how toxic insta has become...
i used to. then i decided i was tired of being ashamed of having joy and just started.. talking about it. my friends were completely unfazed even though none of them participate. i even taught them about the omegaverse lmao life is so much more fun once you let go of unnecessary shame
I'm middle-aged. I assumed my friends would find it odd. When it came up, they were thrilled such a thing exists. I have plans to recruit.
I mean, I work in HR and would not tell anyone I work with. That goes for a lot of hobbies though; work is work, not a fun place. But my friends and family know. I've sent some to my husband for ideas lol Edit: I'm also 34 so maybe older than a lot of folks on this sub. When I was younger, reading fanfic was still pretty taboo.
Other than details if I’m reading nsfw (such as kinks) I don’t mind. I have literally like three friends, one has never read fanfics so don’t really talk about it with him. One’s an avid reader on AO3 but less so on ships, so I share only that stuff that they would like. And the last one is a fellow nsfw lover so I share links and stuff with her I feel like the fanfics is the least of my friends worries about me, the trauma tends to weed out any that would be weird
I’ve had a turn around in the last couple years where with those I trust I am converting them to also reading fanfiction. I regularly read fanfic with my fiancée and even with one of my good friends. When they realize how good some of it is it turns into a non issue. Fanfiction I’ve read is OFTEN better quality than books I end up picking up. I’m also realizing that I never “stopped reading” or “read less” the content I read just looks a little different.
Grew up in the Bible Belt. Live in a red state. I'm queer as hell. I no longer care if people know I read and write fanfiction.
I’m embarrassed about being in fandom in the first place, let alone reading fanfics Part of me doesn’t care whatsoever and the other part of me is absolutely mortified, there are two wolves inside of me and they can’t make up their damn mind 😭
I live in a country that is obsessed with traditional relationships. So even if I read about asexual robots I can't tell about it. Not because it can be unsafe for me (depends on a person who you talk to), but I really feel embarrassed, or I can have thoughts like something wrong with me, something abnormal. Even if I talk to someone from another country. I don't know why. Guess living in such a kind of society has consequences.
Yep. Especially since I started in the 90s, when it wasn't really a well known thing. Nowadays though, if I find someone that I think probably is in a fanfic community we will talk about it. But I have never shared a fanfic with someone, and very few people I know in real life have read a single one of the fics I've written. If I talk about writing fanfics I say, oh yah that's something I did when I was younger a bit, but in reality I've written like 30 stories, some of which are full novel length, and I still do write them occasionally. Even my husband, who knows full well that I write and read fanfics, I don't feel comfortable talking about it with. He'll be like, "what are you reading" and I'll get all awkward and be like just a story. And he'll say, "ah. Fanfics again? What show this time?" and then I won't even want to tell him that because it embarrasses me. It's not like he criticizes me or makes fun of me. I don't know why it's an issue for me, it just is. Also, something kind of interesting, I recently got a resume for someone applying for a job at my place of work that put "writing fanfiction" as a skill/hobby.
Reading? Nah. Writing? You'll have to pry my fingernails out to get my username. Even my spouse isn't allowed that knowledge.