Meet Shay! Known as ‘AlxSteele’ or ‘imawriteriwrite,’ she is a 21-year-old fanfiction author and fandom member from Nevada, U.S.A.
How long have you been writing?
I was around 14 when I got serious about writing, so about seven years.
How did you get involved in the Shadowhunters fandom?
I read the first Mortal Instruments books when I was around 13. They weren’t my favorite, but I enjoyed them, and I especially loved Malec. So when I found out there was going to be a show, I had to check it out. From there, I kind of just fell down the rabbit hole. Around Episode 1×04 [‘Raising Hell’] is when I got super invested and started following all the blogs on Tumblr and everything. And about a month or so later, I started writing Shadowhunters fic.
What is the appeal of fanfiction to you?
The appeal to me is just how much fun fanfiction is. It’s fun to write. It’s fun to read. It’s a nice break from real life, especially when I’m stressed or my anxiety is bad. It helps keep me sane and helps me become a better writer. It’s just fun and comforting and even inspiring because you have all these awesome people who read and comment on your fics which is always nice.
What character or aspect of the Shadowhunters world makes you want to write?
Malec. Magnus Bane and Alexander Gideon Lightwood. Do I need more of a reason? But no, mainly it’s the characters, all of them. They’re all so great and multidimensional, and it’s fun to be able to write them and explore them in my own way.
What emotion do you most like to write and why?
All the emotions. I like to write pining and longing, that’s always fun. Pain. That moment of realizing you’re in love.
What is your favorite fanfiction trope?
I think I’d have to say…friends to lovers. Or enemies to friends to lovers. And coffee shop AUs, because that just never gets old.
What ships do you ship, and why do you love them so much?
Malec! And Sizzy, though to a lesser degree. Mostly Malec. I don’t…emote well? So any character or relationship that makes me feel, I am a goner for and none [makes me feel] more than Malec. From [their] very first interaction, I was just giddy watching it. They’re both such great characters by themselves, [but] together they’re magic. They complement each other well and they’re so different. It’s just lovely to see them fall in love and let themselves be together.
What has been the best part of your fandom experience so far?
Interacting with other fans and making friends. I’ve made so many amazing friends that I wouldn’t have made if it weren’t for being in the fandom and writing fic and everything. People that I talk to every day now and who are so lovely and encouraging and worth any amount of fandom drama.
What’s your favorite scene you’ve ever written?
I really like the first scenes of ‘Addicted to You.’ But there’s a moment in my fic ‘Paparazzi,’ in the beginning, where Magnus and Alec see each other for the first time in two years; I love that scene.
Share with us an out-of-context line from one of your fics.
This is from ‘My True Love Gave to Me’:
“How– how…” Magnus gaped, open mouthed at Alec’s creation. “How did you even do that?” he demanded, pointing accusingly.
Like what you see? You can read AlxSteele’s fanfiction on Archive of Our Own.
