Thanks A Million: Fanfiction Community

Welcome to Thanks A Million! Today we're gonna talk about what I'm grateful for this week, and that comes in the form of the fan fiction community. 

Yes, that is the dance I do.

You'll find this lovely bunch embedded within any given fandom. Let's break it down into little chunks for those who may not be as insane as myself. A fandom (think "fans" and "kingdom") is a fan base focused on a particular interest. This group is interested on a very detailed level and will invest tons of time into it. So take that and apply it to fan fiction  which is literally fiction written by fans of a book, TV Show, movie, game, etc that want to write a story that deviates from the source material. So, why am I grateful for the fan fiction community?

• Let's take a property like Harry Potter. There are no more books or movies, and yet I still have a need for more creative and wonderfully whimsical stories from that realm. With fan fiction I can get cool side stories, interesting new romances, and alternate reality scenarios. What's not to love?
• Let's take a property like Sherlock (BBC). You know secretly John is gay, and I need stories written about the steamy romance he should be having with Sherlock.
• Let's take a property like Thor or The Avengers. Do you have a favorite character you want to have a million stories to read about them? You can find as many Loki fan fiction stories as you could ever read, even gender swapped.
• The fan fiction community likes to write, share, and is pretty open minded. Have a super crazy couple you ship to the moon and back. They are on board.  Want to cross two unlikely properties together? They've done it at least once.
• Have an idea for a fan fiction. Write it and ask them what they think. They won't be as harsh on you as your college English professor was, I'm sure.
• They are just oodles of fun to geek out with. They like what you like for Kirk/Spock sake! ...Personally I want more Khan/Spock stories...

Oh yes you are, fan fiction community.

Are there good and bad people in the fan fiction community? Yes. Are there good and bad stories in the fan fiction community? You betcha. Is it worth getting into? Yes. Are you a fan fiction reader or writer? If not, why is that? Do you believe fan fiction helps or hurts the fandom? Comments are always welcome!

Geek Out: Worbla Thermoplastic

Welcome to Geek Out! Let's talk about Worbla. For those of you who don't know, Worbla is a brand of thermoplastic sheet you can heat in several different ways for it to become pliable to fit molds or be manipulated into a shape (kind of like putty). This material hardens fast, is sandable, and is ideal if you plan on using multiple layers, seeing as how the heated Worbla will stick to other sheets. It can be primed, varnished, and painted as well.

So, what can you use Worbla for? Really, it's up to you. Now, what I've seen Worbla used most impressively for is Cosplay. In case you didn't know, Cosplay is short for "costume play" where you can wear costumes and accessories (you can buy or make yourself) to represent a character from a work of fiction (that includes things you make up). There are obviously degrees of technicality with Worbla, going from simple accessories to full on suits of armor complete with helmet and weapons.

Picture right from Worbla's website of a contestant at Blizzard's Costume Contest in 2012.

Crazy impressive right? So what do people say in general about Worbla use? I've heard people swear by it when it comes to crafting props, accessories, and outfit elements. A con for some could be the fact that because it's so easy to stretch and flex, breaking it can also be easy, but that can be said for another commonly used material, Wonderflex. The biggest compliment (and relief) I've heard about the material is even first time users can craft with it pretty simply, and can work on progressively more challenging projects as they get more comfortable.

Where can you buy the stuff? The internet knows no bounds. Cosplay Supplies carries different sized sheets for a pretty penny, but quality is never cheap my friends.

So why am I so interested in Worbla? I'm glad you asked! I'd like to believe most of you know I am head over heels for a one Mr. Laufeyson. Loki is a character I'd be proud to attempt to cosplay as. A lot of the elements of the outfit I feel would look best with the use of Worbla. I'm really determined to do a Lady Loki outfit for MegaCon 2014 in Orlando, Florida.

Way impressive Lady Loki Cosplay by Atra Cosplay.

Have you ever used Worbla before? What are your thoughts on it? What other projects would you use Worbla for? Comments are always welcome!

When Did I Start Respecting Cosplayers?

The answer is always, silly. It doesn't matter if you have a $500 outfit or $5. Store bought or hand-made. You've chosen to so something few others have the courage (or audacity...) to do. So here is a list of my top three reasons I respect cosplayers.

1. You let your freak flag fly: You love Sailor Moon. You decided to dress up as her despite the fact you are not a spot on resemblance of her, but you do it anyways (for better or worse). You have fun and tell anyone who doesn't like it STFU.
2. You put in work: Unlike most everyone else, you didn't come in a clever t-shirt and backpack. No, you decided to be theatrical. Slaved making it or making the money to buy it. You did your hair, your make up, and put thought into poses.
3. You put up with shit: Maybe people are heckling you for not being "the perfect" cosplayer. Maybe people are stalking your ass through the convention hall and forcing themselves on you. Either way, you deal with it. Not only that, it's fucking hot in those crowds.

So, I was happy to discover that Syfy will be premiering a new show called Heroes Of Cosplay. Most people I recognized their names instantly, and I'm excited to see a glimpse into their wicked cool process. These people are obviously on the high end of Cosplay. Could I ever achieve their greatness? Theoretically,with some sewing lessons, down time, make-up, and cash I could get close. Will I try it? Yes.

MegaCon 2014, here I come.