I know I've moved off of this site for good, most of my writing is on Ao3 or Tumblr. However I said I would still leave my writing up here, even if unfinished.
As I've grown up and learned more about representation in media (especially stereotypes written into fanfiction), I have decided to take down Melody of Night.
I had already abandoned the story. I thought I'd leave it up on the off chance of gaining more attention which would possibly motivate me to come back to it.
Still, though no one has outright said so to me, I have realized in thinking about it that I wrote my characters of color (Particularly Rosa) with very racist stereotypes. I wrote my queer characters with underlying predatory tendencies. I had originally intended the story to be between a minor and adult teacher.
For a long time, especially when I was younger and had first started the series, I had these ideas of what queer people and people of color acted like. I had, without thinking, given into these stereotypes and tropes without a second thought. I was young. I should have known better given how I grew up in an area where I lived with mostly people of color.
My youth and ignorance is not an excuse for keeping it up this long. Even as I've grown as an ally (and queer person myself), I still did not think about how my old story I abandoned here could hurt people.
As I get increased attention on social media, it becomes clear that my words carry more weight than before. Words I said in the past and in the present.
I have hurt people with that fanfic, without even being told. Like I said no one came to me about this. I came to this conclusion and made this decision on my own.
The characters I created still live in my head, but they have grown along with me and no longer fit in the story I had written here. Maybe someday I'll revise it and put it back here. Most likely I won't.
Sorry if this was long and drawn out. I just felt lile I owed explanation and apology.