By: Clair McLafferty
When I was young, being both female and a nerd doubly complicated my life. Despite my height, my interests never involved much athletic achievement. Instead, science fiction novels, comics, LEGOs, science and math filled my days. Fortunately, my parents and some of my friends both encouraged and challenged my interests. But connecting with the girls my age was difficult, and as I got older, finding dates who could hold my interest was near impossible.
Earlier this year, I stumbled across an infographic of a speech from actor Wil Wheaton that outlined why being a nerd is awesome. In his words, “It’s not what you love, it’s how you love it.”
Though the individuals who write fan fiction, love Star Trek and watch trashy science fiction TV are nerds, so are sports nuts and beer aficionados. Spending time chasing and talking about your passions may not make us the same type of nerd, but it does mean that we are equally nerdy.
The beauty of being a nerd now is that it is easy to find others who share your interests. With the advent of social media and interest-specific websites, connecting with like-minded individuals has never been easier. Pinterest, Etsy and blogging platforms have made procuring nerdy goods and DIY tutorials cheaper and easier.
However, my brand of nerd is a little more traditional. I have been called a fangirl about my love of more things than can be counted on appendages. I own multiple Doctor Who T-shirts, have read almost every book by Neil Gaiman and China Mieville, run social media for a tech startup, and I am learning to program. As a result, I have uncovered many different websites and blogs that deal beautifully with different types of nerdy interests.
This column will focus on how these blogs and the women who run them have combined their writing talents and their particular brand of nerdiness. As it continues, I hope to include blurbs about upcoming movies and events that delve deeply into this sphere.
Nerds, assemble.
Do you have an idea for our Talk Nerdy To Me column? Email your tips to seejanewritemag@gmail.com.
Clair this is awesome! And gives me an idea. Are you guys doing guest posts? I’d love to write about Dragon*Con, since I go every year.