I can’t believe that Temporary Spouse is almost done. At the end of March, I would have finished writing the longest story I have ever written, both professionally and within fandom. Writing this story has legitimately spawned into it’s own alternate universe, and I couldn’t be more proud.
As I have said before, this story was just a lark of an idea because of the success of my other Harry Potter crossover, Playing Hero. And I have changed so much, not only as a writer but as a person. I went from being simply non-binary to a genderfluid trans man on top of that (I’m still non-binary though).
And even when everyone and their mama told me that I should do this because it was keeping JKR relevant, I knew I could do so much good for the trans community with writing this story. I have fundraised thousands of dollars for the trans community. I have raised awareness about trans rights and how JKR is complicit in trans genocide.
However, I realized that even though I wrote JKR’s precious white cishet icon of the light into a Black trans autistic non-binary person, it wasn’t enough. I could be doing more with this universe. I could truly remake this into the Harry Potter series, which was built with J.K. Rowling’s personal biases and bigotry in mind to make a more inclusive and radical world.
When I tell people I want to reclaim the Harry Potter fandom as a Black trans author, people look at me crazy because why would you want to reclaim and rebuild something that has undeniably hurt your community?
And I could give you some deep philosophical bullshit about the power of reclaimation. But in the end, it boils down to the fact that I am a spiteful, petty bitch, and I know that at the end of the day, JKR is an insecure little bitch and that it would hurt her deeply to see someone take her masterwork. The work that her legacy actually relies upon and just shit on it in the most unapologetic way possible.
I want to take the Harry Potter world and rip it apart and rebuild it in my image. I want to write her world better than she ever could and rub it in her fucking face. I want JKR to suffer with the knowledge that not only I remake her self-insert better than she ever could, but the new world I made for her is better.
I Can Do All Things Through Spite
So I will be taking things apart and seeing how I can change things. Honestly, I am already doing that with JRK’s vision for Wizarding America. I am mostly disregarding her canon for that because JKR clearly has no idea how America works or how to even write Americans.
Also, the way JKR disrespected Indigenous folks? It doesn’t sit well in my spirit. I found this very interesting Reddit series from Indigenous people (this was way before JKR came out as a transphobe), and it’s such an interesting read.
I honestly think anyone who is going to worldbuild a magical America should read this. It gave me a lot of ideas. I also know there are quiet a few ideas and plot holes in her world-building that are just ripe for an author to do something with it.
I can’t completely detangle the antisemitism like I can with the anti-Blackness or the anti-Asian sentiments within the books. But I do want to take a moment to really deepen and expand the world-building with the Goblins. I am going to really be researching what Jewish readers and authors have already done.
If you are Jewish and you have suggestions, please feel free to slip them into my email or DMs. I would love to have your input on this matter.
The Long Howl
Another thing I really want to get to is werewolves. If you don’t know JKR admitted that werewolves are a metaphor for AIDS/HIV. You know the epidemic that killed millions of people around the world. In particular, LGBTQ+ folks and people in the Global South.
The one thing I can say about J.K. Rowling is that she can’t stop being an awful human being.
My godfather, Anthony (who was a Chicano gay man, btw), died incredibly young due to HIV, and it infuriates me that she would do this. I think I can do better.
I also have an overall story arc for Kendis and Tony (not the Thanos thing) that mimics a bit of what is going on in the world. I actually outlined that arc way before it came out in the news, and I am saddened that this issue is relevant again.
All of this to say that I am done playing safe, and I am going to shake things up. Are you attached to keeping things canon within the HP and Marvel fandoms? I think you should leave now because I promise you that by the time I am done, things are going to be a lot different.
The Future of With This Ring Series
Let’s briefly discuss the future of The With This Ring Universe. I am autistic, and this series is my special interest. Kendis and Tony are constantly at the back of my mind. I think about this series all the time, and I have zero interest in finishing this anytime soon.
I do, however, plan to get back to doing two chapters a month because I can’t keep up with this current pace. I might write ahead on this website as I usually do, but I have too many original serials to write to keep up this pace for much longer.
I have tons of asides waiting for you that I have been sitting on, so don’t worry. You will have a lot to read. And one last thing?
I plan on re-editing the chapters of Temporary Spouse, updating the content warnings, and converting them into an ebook that you can download, that have all the bells and whistles.
Thanks so much for your support and for sticking with me through this journey!
