Hi Javi,
First I would like to thank you for reading and replying to the number of posts here. It is very kind of you to take the time out and it is much appreciated. As for myself, I generally lurk on boards like this, kind of voyeurish of me I know, but what can you do, right? But I was struck by another thread here and wanted to ask your opinion, observation, or just rambling if you feel like it, about something you said. I noticed in another thread that you (as a creative member of the show) stay away from speculative threads and moreover, fan fiction. I'm currently getting my PhD in English and a side interest of mine is the fan fiction phenomenon, which is rather extensive. As someone who 'creates' the show, how do you feel about audience members appropriating these characters and storylines for alternative stories? I know that most writers stay away from them, but they have increased so much in popularity, encouraged by the internet, that it seems like there are these archives everywhere for everything from manga to lost and every other story in between and beyond. Again, just curious for an opinion.
By the way, excellent show last night on all fronts, from the writing to the directing. It's so nice to have drama back on television..I was boycotting the reality era. Of course, should I really thank you for getting me addicted to a tv show? <stares at giant stack of books that must be read>
Thanks,
Linda

thanks for your question. sorry it has taken so long to answer. i love the fanfic phenomenon and encourage it in all of its forms. sadly, i can't read fanfic for whatever show i am working on at any given time time, but i have gone back after leaving those shows/cancellation and read some of the things posted on the web - while some isn't necessarily to my taste (i read a charmed sister-on-sister slash based on a gender-reversal episode i wrote that kinda grossed me out) - as a writer i get excited that soemthing i have done has motivated others to express themselves through writing. not everyone writes professionally, but that doesn't mean that writing isn't a viable way for people to articulate what they feel - writing can be a cathartic act, and if the characters and situations from a tv show help to prime that pump and demystify the process, that can only be a good thing.

i hope this helps!

ja
vi

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer. And it's refreshing that you see it as many in the fanfic community do, as a way of expressing oneself through fiction. As for slash...ah there is another discussion that is ripe for the taking. And to think, it all started with someone imagining Spock and Kirk together and now a whole community is born.
By the way, I can honestly say that this is the best show I've seen in a long time. I have worried hours over those dang numbers, thank you very much.
Have a good week, Javi and thanks again.
Linda