Talk:Sophie and Fitz/@comment-24.115.246.196-20190204045241

So I've seen some comments over the past few months wondering if Shannon would choose a ship based on which side has more shippers. This doesn't exactly answer that question, but i still think that it might help people who are worried about that. ( Its from a q and a Shannon did) How much “shipping” pressure do you feel from fans who want Sophie to end up with one boy or another? Does this impact your decision making at all?

Oh, the pressure is *real*—which was totally unexpected, since the crush stuff is really just a side note to the much bigger plot threads of the series. But I’ve gotten thousands and thousands of messages, all making pleas for their Teams to win—and these aren’t just, “Please put Sophie with boy X” kind of notes. These are page after page of detailed arguments, often citing passages from the books as evidence for their case. ( some of which I had never thought of as evidence myself) It’s both adorable and terrifying. Mostly I try to tell myself it’s proof that both boys are strong, interesting characters. But I’m definitely nervous about what the reaction will be when everyone sees how it all ends. I’m hoping that by trusting the story and keeping my own preferences out of the mix (I work very hard not to pick a favorite boy), and refusing to let any of the fan opinions influence me, that maybe everyone will agree with the final decision. They may still wish their Team had won, but I hope they’ll be able to see why Sophie makes whatever choice she does and that will be enough. Might be a naïve hope—but I’m clinging to it with everything I have!