From: "NATALIE J EARL" 
Subject: Just a quick hello before my nap
Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1999 14:45:16 -0000


Now here's your update questions: 

1. Why did you want to put up a site (or page) devoted to something about
Degrassi?

I was disappointed to find very few websites on the 'net dedicated to the
Degrassi series.  I fruitlessly scoured the libraries and video rental
stores in my area trying to find anything related to Degrassi. I did not
even see any Degrassi tributes on the CBC and WGBH Boston websites.  I
couldn't understand why there were no Degrassi sequels, or at least a
"Where are they now?" television special. It seemed perfectly natural
because 1980s nostalgia was really hot for a while. Finally my husband
installed a satellite dish and I was able to get my Degrassi "fix" from
TRIO.  The sentimentality inspired me to write fan fiction episodes and
conduct recent interviews of the cast and crew members.    

2. When did you come up with the idea to have a Degrassi site?

In April 1998, Mark and I co-developed Degrassi World Fan Fiction. Back
then I did not have a domain name yet, the fan fiction started as a
supplement to the Degrassi Digest. Then when I started conducting
interviews, I decided to make a big project out of my Degrassi frenzy by
registering http://www.degrassi-junior-high.org/

3. How did you finally decide to put it up?

Through e-mail and ICQ I soon learned that there are a lot of Degrassi fans
out there. For years I could not find anybody who even knew that the series
existed. It seems as through most of the fans are based in Canada,
Australia, and Israel so the Internet was the only way for me to interact
with other fans. This project was truly an emotional experience for me
because the show mirrored my own life. Our close knit community seems more
like an extended high school reunion rather than your typical celebrity web
ring.       

4. How has it evolved?

My project began as fan fiction then progressed into current interviews,
ultimately leading to the Degrassi Convention in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 
The hardest phase was the first three months because it took a lot of
intricate research and "dead ends" before I was able to contact the alumni.
 A fun side project to my website was writing summaries for my other
favorite television shows and films. Since many of us grew up between the
mid 1980s to the early 1990's, we watched a lot of the same shows.         
 

5. Have you gotten emails from Degrassi cast and crew?

Yes, I keep an ongoing correspondence with several of the cast and crew
members. Some I have "met" through letters, phone calls, and e-mail. Others
I have met in real life. I am very grateful for the fact that the actors
took my project seriously, they could have easily snubbed their nose at my
hobby "fanzine".  

6. Any future plans for your Degrassi site?

Well, after my pilgrimage to Vincent Massey and Centennial College and
meeting the alumni in person, there is not much left for me to conquer.
Gradually I am withdrawing from my website to work towards my dreams in
journalism, multimedia arts, and television. Degrassi participation on my
part is probably going to be slow from this point. However, if I do hear
any news I will definitely pass it along to everybody else.