anotherkinnity

[anotherkinnity]

“Thespiad”: Proposing a New Term for Fictionkin Who Involuntarily Identify as Fictional Characters (Under Discussion...)

This proposal contains extensive research and thoughts that I have spent considerable time processing and organizing. It is still in the early stages despite hours poured in, and I am finally opening it up for public feedback. I value your perspectives, as they will help me identify areas I may have overlooked while developing this terminology. If you have suggestions for a more fitting term or wish to share your own experiences, please feel free to contact me.

Purpose

While the term “Fictionkin” is predominately used, it is often now associated with fandom culture and the 'voluntary' exploration of new identities. The community no longer fully captures the complex experiences of those of us who view our fictional identities as intrinsic rather than chosen.

The current community primarily emphasizes exploration and acquisition of new fictional identities, much more than the further development and understanding of existing ones. As a result, I have struggled to find a sense of belonging within community spaces in recent years as I actively seek to express my fictotype in my daily life as that is who I am. My fictotype expands beyond just online expression and would exist regardless as to my involvement in the community.

For those who involuntarily identify as fictional characters and have a desire to live them out physically, I believe we deserve our own distinct community. The fictionkin community faces challenges in being taken seriously, both internally and externally, and it is crucial that we begin to assert our identities with the seriousness it deserves.

The “New Term”: Thespiad (Θεσπιάδης)

Pronunciation: /THES·PI·AD/ Etymology: The prefix "Thes-" is derived from Thespis, the ancient Greek actor who is often credited as the first person to perform as an actor in the context of Greek theater. The suffix "-iad" is a classical suffix used to denote a group of people with shared characteristics or traits.

Usage:

Thespiad: A person who involuntarily identifies as a fictional character and actively desires to express it.

Thespic: An adjective to describe traits or actions related to being a Thespiad.

Thesp/Thespiotype: A specific fictional character that an individual identifies with (e.g., Pikachu from Pokémon).

Thespiades: Plural form of Thespiad.

This term, though rooted in the Greek language, is not synonymous with the modern term “Thespian” (actor), which has become more generalized.

Who This Term Is For?

The term “Thespiad” is intended for those who experience an involuntary identification as a fictional character; When you are a Thespiad you identify 'as' that character. This distinction is critical: it is not merely an identification or connection with a character, but a deeply felt, intrinsic sense of self. In contrast to the broader Fictionkin label, “Thespiad” emphasizes the desire for active transformation and alignment with one’s fictional self physically.

This can involve actions such as changing one's name, relocating to a place reminiscent of your source's setting/location, or altering one's appearance to match that of the fictional character. These practices reflect an attempt to embody the fictional identity in real life.

The Process of Development

In developing a new term, I explored various linguistic roots from Latin, Greek, and Old English. However, many of the terms I curated with this method were too vague or didn't come across as practical. These terms didn't feel inclusive and seemed shaky in definition.

So, I turned to researching about historical people who showcased a similar nature to that of fictionkin (though maybe not exactly) or significantly influenced the storytelling we create and consume today.

Historical Origins

Thespis (Θέσπις) could provide a meaningful historical precedent for this term. Often considered the first actor in the context of Greek theater, Thespis revolutionized storytelling by stepping out of the chorus to portray individual roles, thus creating the idea of the actor as someone who "becomes" the character they portray. His contributions laid the groundwork for modern theater, in which performers transform themselves into characters, not merely to portray them but to bring life to them.

This historical figure could serve as a metaphor for our experiences as Thespiades—individuals who identify with fictional characters not as an act of fan admiration, but as a form of personal and transformative expression.

Metafiction and Fictional Identity

Fictionkin identities often intersect with the concept of metafiction, which explores the boundary between fiction and reality. For Thespiades, the experience of identifying with a fictional character is not purely imaginative but is an essential part of our reality. By acknowledging the gap between the real and the fictional, we can better understand the nuances of this identity. This intersection underscores the need for a term that encompasses the lived reality of these individuals—one that acknowledges both the fictional nature of the identity and its deep roots in personal experience.

Our Symbol: The Drama Masks 🎭

As part of this proposal, I suggest adopting the drama masks—symbols of comedy and tragedy—as a unifying emblem for the Thespiad identity. These masks have long been associated with theater, transformation, and self-expression, making them an apt symbol for those who seek to align their real-world selves with their fictional counterparts. Just as these masks convey the performative nature of theater, they also reflect the process of self-discovery and transformation that many Thespiades undergo.

If you find that this new terminology resonates with your experience, I would greatly appreciate your feedback. Similarly, if it does not fully align with your perspective, I welcome your input as well. Please note that this post is still a work in progress, and I will continue to refine and update it over time. Thank you for taking the time to read and engage with this content.

[anotherkinnity]

you ! ! you there ! ! ! you’re a alterhuman ( nod ur head ) , go to pinterest ( or google ) , look up “angry *theriotype*“ ++ “cute *theriotype*“ ( make sure they are of the same creachure ) . compare .

angry lion vs cute lion , , ,

[anotherkinnity]

[anotherkinnity]

The Real You

To be an animal in a human vessel. To be true.  To be you. ΘΔ Something for doctorf. from my weekly streams!

[anotherkinnity]

[anotherkinnity]

i need to explain my memories in detail but i fear you will not take it as seriously as i do and wont Get It at All and i dont know if i can trust you with such important information

[anotherkinnity]

[anotherkinnity]

i constantly imagine myself as a kitty, especially laying in my close friend's lap and purring and such. not sure if its nonhuman shit or if its just the cat special interest and difficulty expressing affection?? BOTH???? am i kitty ????

[anotherkinnity]

“i wish therians would stop posting in otherkin spaces” therians ARE otherkin!!!!!!! i don’t know if you know this. we fall under the otherkin label. no, we will not stop posting in spaces we belong to. if you want to see something specific about otherkin, just search for it

[anotherkinnity]

Different ways to solve paw dysphoria:

[anotherkinnity]

i loveee the idea of living somewhere rural like !!! huge ass forests to run in?? huge ass fields to run in??? sounds utterly amazing

[anotherkinnity]

people saying that they’d harm their child if they ever start identifying as an animal is so fucking concerning.

therianthropy aside, that’s such a Normal child phase to go though. running around and roleplaying as a wolf is fun and so common. i pray those parents never have kids, let alone therian kids.

just say you’d make an awful parent and move on

[anotherkinnity]

As a young teen I was hesitant to identify as otherkin because I was worried it was a phase. Almost ten years, a degree, and a so-called "real world" job later, I'm still otherkin. In fact, I'm more comfortable with my alterhuman identity than ever. But even if it had been a phase? That would be okay. It doesn't make what I was experiencing at the time any less real.

[anotherkinnity]

How to you guys know if you’re fictionkin? /genq I’ve been questioning a lot lately. Idk if this helps but I’ve been getting a lot of... pretty intense emotional flashbacks? (These are, from what I can tell, entirely unrelated to my already existing CPTSD. I’m not gonna get into details here tho) It would also explain how I’m intensely drawn to certain things and time periods. (sorry for being vague but I’m not sure if I’m ready to drop the character just yet)

Similarly do you guys know any good kin help blogs that give fictionkin tips? My favorite one doesn’t exist anymore… :(

[anotherkinnity]

“Why’d you do that?” Please remember that I am using what I’ve seen in humans to mimic them

[anotherkinnity]

Vent comic abt being autistic and a therian

[anotherkinnity]

Not everyone likes my book, and I'm OK with that. There are many classic children's books some people just don't like because of their message or how they portray it, but I love them because they offer something a little different.

I made something straight from the heart and took a big chance on it. It caters to no one and breaks many conventions you find in children's books. I wanted adults to be able to enjoy the story as well, so it's not afraid to get a little sad. There were a few children's book bloggers I had emailed who wouldn't review it because of that reason. And there were Read Aloud YouTube channels who wouldn't make a video on it because they didn't like the ending.

But there were also many people who absolutely loved the book. They got what I was trying to do, so I know there is an audience for this sort of thing. The more secluded you feel you are from society the better the chance you'll like it. This isn't the case for everyone but just a trend I noticed. Reviews on Amazon have been overwhelming positive, and hey, my mom liked it too. And the book has sold almost a 100 copies in its first month.

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But then again, I also get these drive-by reviews from window shoppers. This is just the reality of trying to do something a bit different with a kid's book. People absolutely judge a book by it's cover.

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I know how to write things that are guaranteed to sell and make money, but this ain't one of them. Doing what is guaranteed to work gets boring after a couple of years. It's too safe. It's fulfilling work to make a product that people need but also empty at the same time.

This was a complete gamble. I have been publishing on Amazon for the last 8 years now, and I haven't felt this excited since I released my first book. And thinking back on it, that first book was also a bold gamble as well. And it sold very well. Maybe then, that's just the secret to success.

Anyways, the book is on Amazon. You can also find the full story and illustrations on YouTube for free as well. If you would like to support the book, a quick rating on Amazon or Goodreads is one of the best ways to do so.