Name of Fangirl: Fiona
Fangirl’s Occupation: Writer
What is her Fangirl interest?
Cosplay, DnD, board games, Harry Potter, comics (especially Batgirl, Wonder Woman, and Ms Marvel), Horror, Star Trek, Star Wars, Mad Max, Critical Role, Game of Thrones, Rocky Horror Picture Show, and too many more to name!
Why did you decide to shine the spotlight on this Fangirl?
I wanted to participate in the constantly growing Fangirl culture. When I was a young Fangirl, I felt that I had to look or act a certain way in order to fit into fan culture, which I saw as a boys club. I didn’t want to be too aggressively feminine or be like other girls in order to fit in. As I got older and found awesome websites like Her Universe, I saw that I didn’t have to reconcile being feminine and being a fan. Once I got over the idea that femininity and femaleness were a hindrance or something to be ashamed of, I was able to participate more fully in fan culture, and I had a much better time doing it.
In short, I want to support projects like the Year of the Fangirl and hopefully show other Fangirls that it’s okay to go to DnD one night in sweats and no makeup and to go to the movie premiere the next night in full makeup with your hair done and an awesome lightsaber skirt from Her Universe. It’s so easy to see these things as contradictions, but I want all Fangirls to know that it is this versatility combined with the liking of things that gives us this awesome identity of “Fangirl.”
How does this Fangirl express her fandom?
I express my fandom by creating things. On the website I co-founded and currently write for, projectderailed.com, I write weekly blogs about all things Fangirl and nerd culture. In particular, I like to focus on inclusiveness in fan communities (particularly for women and people of color) as well as giving my opinion on movies, comics, and television shows.
Additionally, I have been a cosplayer for about seven years. I began by constructing a Hogwarts uniform for midnight book releases, and have since expanded to include many costumes from a variety of fandoms. Now, whenever I watch or read something cool, all I can think about is how to make the costume or do the makeup.
What is her favorite quote or personal motto?
“One person’s ‘annoying’ is another person’s ‘inspiring’ and ‘heroic'” -Leslie Knope
or
“Females are strong as hell” -Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
What is her favorite Fangirl item that she cannot live without?
My phone. With it, I can access fan culture in the most efficient way. I can watch shows or movies on a variety of streaming services, read through the Kindle or Nook apps, shop for collectables or geek chic fashion, tweet at a favorite actor or creator, talk to other geeks online through Reddit or other social media, or use Pinterest to (as my college roommate used to say) “organize my geek.”
Where can we follow her online?