DIANE SILVER::
^[76] How and why did you decide to involve yourself with online fandom?

SEARS:
^[77] I've had minimal contact with fans on other series I've worked on. Mostly because I wasn't online at those times. When Xena went on the air, I was looking around, trying to see if anyone out there noticed us. Then I found out about "chats" being planned on AoL by Laura (GONEGRA) and another on Compuserve.

^[78] I knew that there would be potential problems with this association, so I made several agreements with myself:

(1) I would never "lurk" online. I wouldn't hide my identity. I never wanted the fans to start censoring themselves because they thought I might or might not be listening in. Anyone who asked who I was was told the truth.

(2) If my presence led to people censoring or altering their chats/mail, I would leave the room or list.

(3) If I ever became the subject of protracted discussions, I would leave the room or list.

(4) If people wanted to propose plotlines or talk fan fiction, I would leave the room or delete the mail without reading.

(5) I wouldn't lie. I might not answer a question, but I won't give a false answer.

SILVER:
^[79] What did you first do? Did your involvement change over time, and why did it change?

SEARS:
^[80] Mostly I just listened and quipped every now and then. As many know, I would also tease (or torture, as some would put it) about upcoming episodes. And, as far as involvement changing, it did. MCA asked us not to post on the Netforum anymore due to legal problems encountered on another Netforum. So, with only a couple of exceptions (notably messages from Lucy), I have removed myself from the Netforum. I was active on the Xenaverse List until I became the topic of discussion and removed myself. I still attend the chat rooms when I can, but it has been more infrequent for a number of reasons. I haven't been to the Compuserve room in a long time, much to my regret. I will also drop into an IRC every now and then. At the moment I am on no Xena users list, though there are a few that sound intriguing!

SILVER:
^[81] What was that first chat like?

SEARS:
^[82] Mostly it was people asking me questions about the show and what I did. It was a "feeling out" period, where we were all trying to see what each other was like. I think more than a few people didn't believe I was who I said I was. Nowadays, mention the name "Tyldus" and you get more than a few groans.

SILVER:
^[83] Has your involvement in online fandom been helpful to you in your work? At times has it made your work more difficult?

SEARS:
^[84] That's hard to answer. It certainly hasn't made my work more difficult. And, to be honest, I think that the websites have some of the best resource material for new writers. Even when we bring writers in for pitch sessions, we make sure they know that there are many websites they can go to to bring them up to par on the series. But I don't look at the online fandom as being an extension of my work. I look at it as being a group of people who share a common interest. Some have become fairly good friends with me and I hope it remains that way after the series is over (whenever that is!)

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