#2020 fic writer wrap-up

[druidx]

2024 wrap up

Rules: it’s time to love yourselves! Choose your 5 (or so) favorite works you created in the past year (fics, art, edits, etc) and link them below to reflect on the amazing things you brought to the world in 2024. Tag as many writers/artists/etc. as you want (fan or original) so we can spread the love and link each other to awesome works!

Tagged by: @fairlynnthebosmer (in 2020, but shhhh)

I'm a little early for this one, but my December's going to be hectic, so better to do it now I think.

Her Countenance was Light (Titan Fighting Fantasy: Modern AU) - First started in 2017, and revised over 2024, this story has a lot of personal meaning and I'm glad I was able to finally publish it.

The Stitches Beneath (Titan Fighting Fantasy: Modern AU) - Nice bit of angst, and I feel like it showcases what I've learnt about using more body language in my works.

The Reconsecration of Anvil (TES Oblivion) - I liked exploring the Imperial Religions and trying to do a bit of worldbuilding that wasn't just "catholicism but make it fantasy".

Test not the Wrath of a Good Man (Starbound) - it's maybe not my strongest, but I had fun writing the fast-paced operational activities.

Random dialogues One & Two (Titan Fighting Fantasy: Modern AU) - I'm cheating with these two, I know, but they are only drabble-ish length. Because of HCwL, I've been on an Elo & Farren kick the whole year, and I just think these are exemplary of their relationship. Like that one post said - they're a bonded pair and I love them so much.

Dragging out the old taglist for this one, hopefully everyone on this still wants to play tag games XD

@aalinaaaaaa @thewriteflame @wildswrites @aquadestinyswriting @artdecosupernova-writing

@autumnalwalker @eli-writes-sometimes @hannah-heartstrings @oh-no-another-idea @athenswrites

@rhikasa @swordsoulwrites @winglesswriter @andromeda-grace @writingmaidenwarrior

@wispstalk @late-to-the-fandom

[oonajaeadira]

For the Love of Fic: September 30

I've been back at my reading, y'all, doing some major catch up. And what a ride. There's a METRIC TON™ of amazing writers under the cut.

Brace thyself.

🪐 = Year of Themed Creation piece

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EZRA

Kisses of Fire by @simpingcowboy 🪐 It starts with an unconventional if not favorable bargain and then evolves. If I could make Ezra fall in love with me a little over a long time, I'd be patient too...

Lucky Stars by @brandyllyn I am SO IN LOVE WITH THIS FIC. Not only does Brandy nail Ezra's voice, cadence, swagger, and world, she even gives him someone who's onto his scoundrel-with-a-heart-of-gold behavior and just barely allows herself to be charmed by it. This feels so very canon and so very Ezra and I just need to roll myself up in it and cuddle it real hard.

Saying I love you with a letter by @songsformonkeys 🪐 Hanna is one of my favorite writers of deep emotions. Her Javi G is one of my all-time faves and I will never not laugh at her Javier. But I will knock you over to get at her Ezra and this is no exception even though you're gonna need tissues. Listen. Would like to get a letter of love and missing from Ez? Because this is it. Savor it.

Lost in the Weeds by @haylzcyon Have you seen this artwork? Insert Ezra and you and you have this fic. It's a beautiful little snippet that quietly documents falling in love with Ezra, and that's my favorite kind of Ezra story.

Wild Mountain Thyme 2 by @writeforfandoms Dragon Universe Ezra is back and he is not impressed with his tagalong. She's chipper and eager and seems to be up for his brand of grumpy today. I'm excited to find out how Jen turns his cart around.

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DIETER BRAVO

Fifty Shades of Orange by @all-the-things-2020 🪐 If you love Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, you're going to love love love how Dieter fits into this crossover. I am super impressed with this fic because it is, first and foremost, a HHGTTG fanfic. And it succeeds wildly at capturing the tone and attitude of all the characters. And I love that Dieter's just what Dieter is here, not the main character, but an odd problem to be solved. As a character, he fits so seamlessly into this world, I was kind of in awe for this whole ride. Aw man. Enjoy.

Position: 69, Position: Snuggled Spoon, Position: Sit on the Throne, Position: Kneeling Reach-Around, Position: Honey Bear, and Position: Froggy Style as part of @prolix-yuy's Bangathon 2023 Listen. LJ obviously loves her some Dieter. I appreciate the sweetness and softness of some of these, that Dieter is in need of some care and connection...and someone to just come undone around. I loved all of them, but props to Snuggled Spoon for it's slowness and softness, and to Froggy Style for the moment of the reveal. The whole Bangathon is wonderful, and the Dieter fics are certainly some of my faves there.

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JOEL MILLER

It Pours from Your Eyes by @the-blind-assassin-12 I mean, yes, it's a Joel fic, but really, it's Tess. It's Tess and it's beautiful. Alyssa has woven a 1200 word spell here, expertly painting a picture of Tess's heart and how it works to keep Joel's beating. It's so gorgeous and I'm just bewitched and bereaved... I'm almost begging you to read this.

Surrender [chapter twelve] by @ezrasbirdie This chapter just wrapped me in the yearn blanket. Written in three sections from the POVs of Daisy, Ellie, and Joel, each section just pulls at a different heartstring and all of them together are such pretty music. Yes please this found family that loves each other so much...

Year of Small Joys - Candles by @keldabe-kriff 🪐 Inviting Joel over to dinner in Jackson is inviting a damaged soul to sit down and heal. He's still got a little PTSD here, but a nice meal by the light of scented candles he looted? That's a nice step in the right direction.

Let's Twist the Knife Again by @missredherring I am obsessed with this little "time travel" story. I don't know exactly the mechanics of what's going on here--is it a dream? is he being given a second chance? is he stuck in a time loop?--but watching Joel retrace some familiar steps knowing what he already knows is fascinating and I would love to see what comes next.

Hypothermia by @morallyinept Jett's cleverly come up with the "giflet," a drabble based on a gif. This one is Joel in his sleeping bag. And you're in yours. And it's cold. But it ends soft, and that's my favorite.

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PERO TOVAR

The Herbalist: Part 7: Drinking Won’t Change the Audacity But Maybe It Will Help by @blueeyesatnight I'm so caught up in this story of beasts and strange people in Victorian England. Now we learn about Pero's past and a little more, but there's also something chewing at the edges about our heroine lady sleuth and I can't wait to find out what it is!

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JACK DANIELS

F is for Forced Orgasms / Fucking Machines by @butchmandalorian 🪐 Istg Max is out to pull me out of my soft places and make a sub out of me. I am not usually into the hard stuff, but everything they write is like beautiful crack and I cannot stop. I think it's because everything is so real, there's so much checking in and trust involved, I probably sound like a broken record, but hells bells that's my kink and Max writes it so well. I will say that daddy-talk is usually a turnoff for me, but I really REALLY appreciate that Max sets the scene thoroughly and explains that it's just a title, that any word can be substituted (read the warnings). I for one used that suggestion and appreciated that heads up. Looks like someone not only knows how to write a man that takes care of his partner, but is also a writer that takes care of their readers. Love it.

Black and White by @never--doubt 🪐 I've never seen this soulmate mechanic before and it's an interesting take on the traditional mark--one that changes color when your soulmate touches you there for the first time. Oh to be on mission with Agent Whiskey when the change happens....

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FRANKIE MORALES

Not Leaving You Again by @flightlessangelwings 🪐 (With Santi Garcia) It's a two-for-one not just in protectiveness and smut but in boys! It's hard not to fall for both of them--one of them sultry, one of them sweet--and it doesn't hurt that they're up to the task of sharing.

Buck Moon by @grogusmum 🪐 Listen. If you've ever wanted Frankie for the first time, naked (well, except maybe his hat) under the full moon out in nature under the full moon, have I got a fic for you! AAAAAAAA

We Came Along This Road by @insomniamamma 🪐 When J goes angst, J goes hard, and Frankie is many times her main target. Set within the world of the movie, the reader is his girl with his baby, and he's got some substance problems. Frankie has some trouble keeping promises.

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OBERYN MARTELL

First Dance by @hopeamarsu 🪐 Asking Oberyn for a dance when you know right well what you're both after is genius. Because he's probably a beautiful dancer so you get to experience that, but also, it only ramps up what's coming. What I wouldn't give to sit on this man's lap and ask him to dance just to see the look on his face....

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TIM ROCKFORD

Black Days 7: Times Are Gone For Honest Men, Black Days 8: Eyes Were Waking Up Just To Fall Asleep, AND 2023 Summer Kiss Prompt #5: Tim Rockford - Jealous Kiss by @something-tofightfor I will knock you down to get at Rachael's Tim Rockford. This man is complicated, their relationship is starting off complicated, and their circumstances have the potential to continue to complicate matters...and yet. These two seem to fit together just fine, easy as pie and coffee. The way he cares... I so can't wait to see what (and who) comes next.

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SPECIAL GUEST CORNER

JANE FOSTER

Undefeated by @captainsophiestark 🪐 Listen. I've never played pong in my life, but if Jane Foster walked into my party and wanted in on a game, I'd pong so fast....

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BOFUR THE DWARF

Love at First Fight by @ironmandeficiency 🪐 When you swear to keep your friend safe from the man who most recently broke her heart, your drunken ass threatens the wrong man. Or, rather, the right one. Or, rather, the right dwarf.

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[smoshsfavoritepizzaplace]

I'm curious what it is like for you when it comes to Shourtney/Shartney?

I didn't start watching Smosh when they first joined nor around the time they allegedly started dating. Let me tell you though when I heard about their ship, I was HOOKED.

Which is rather strange given I knew nothing about them or Smosh for the most part, but I felt like I did, ya know? Even with what little I had to go on, I could sense something brewing behind the scenes.

On top of that I never honestly cared about youtuber relationships or anything like that, so why them?

I would probably say its their genuineness. They always seemed to be connected no matter if the other was around or not. They always managed to bring each other up one way or the other. Quite The Invisible String, if you ask me.

Thank u Department Of Weird Sounds for supporting my brainrot🤘

So when people want to say it is unhealthy to be so infatuated with stranger's I don't know, I can understand in part. Clearly we shouldn't be too prosocial, at times people told me it was because I was envious and I couldn't disagree more.

Without question I think anyone would want what they have, just listen to Court on Perfect Person @ 1:10:28. Of course I would be crazy to not want what they have, but it would never come from a negative space.

Their story just has that intangible factor to it and I can't help but root for them in every way possible! I'm talking in life, Smosh videos, fan compilations, and my personal favorite fan fics!

P.S. If anybody wants to write more Shartney fan fics that would be amazing! I love oneshots to death, but I'd kill for a long story like Milkshake Hearts again.

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I'd also like to thank all the talented writers out there for what they contributed over the years. You'll are incredible!

I can’t really give you a straight answer bc my memory is so wonky but I’m gonna try my best! So based on what I can remember, I can almost confidently say I’ve been watching smosh since 2015. 2012-2014 is very possible, especially the latter, but 2015 I know for sure I’ve been watching at least once every year since then. I don’t exactly remember at what point I started shipping the two of them, but I don’t ever think I was opposed to it. Even if you only watch a couple smosh videos you would still know how shipped they were/are, so I’m sure I was aware of it. I went through my yt history and it says I watched a couple shourtney comps sometime in 2020, so I assume it’s been at least 4 years of me liking them. BUT I don’t remember taking it seriously until the first half of last year. I think I watched their silent library and that’s when it clicked. I seen the video when it came out but I don’t recall my first impressions, but watching it sometime in April last year made me SO SUS of the two of them. Then it made me spiral into watching some compilations and I downloaded tumblr in early May and it confirmed everything for me. Then, the family guy reunion dropped and I was like OH MY GOD! So yeah, since last year is when I really knew about everything bc I’ve been a casual viewer and possibly casual shipper for 7 years so I wasn’t too wrapped up with everything. But watching everything over made me realize how sweet their love story really is. I’ve said this before, but they can really have a rom com made about them.

And here’s a little funny anecdote, as you can tell, I knew they were together for a while prior to their hard launch, but I was SO in denial of them being engaged. I seen so many people bring up a ring on here and I just did not believe they could be fiancés but I believed they were dating lol. So when they dropped the pictures, I was just as surprised as someone who didn’t know they were even together. Even though they had my heart for (at least) over a year, ever since they’ve officially announced it, I’ve been head over heels since. ☺️

[theoneandonlythorn]

Well, as those of you who are in the tiny sphere of the Amulet fandom, the last book came out about a month ago.

It was...Well. I think because I was waiting literal YEARS, starved for any content, then I accepted it and moved on.

I mean, yes, the series is technically wrapped up, but where's the satisfaction?? Where's Trellis kicking the Elf King's ass and healing from years of trauma?? Where's Emily accepting the consequences of her actions (Like blowing up half a prison, for example??) and taking responsibility?? Yes, I know she's the main character with plot armor and all that, but come on. Even I, inexperienced as I am with writing full series, make sure everything is tied up at the end; all plot holes resolved, characters getting a goodbye, the villain defeated in a satisfying way???

Speaking of unsatisfying, what's with killing off Vigo???? Like, come on!! I know he needed to die to write that book to fill in some plot holes, but really??? There could have been a better/easier/more efficient way to do it other than his death!

And don't get me started on Gablin and that whole mess!! Trellis has very clearly been working toward reclaiming the throne from his piece of shit father and returning Gulfen to its previous state of stability and prosperity. The Trellis I've been reading about for years wouldn't just roll over and give up the throne like that!!! Yes, I know Gablin saved his life, yes, I know it means he gets to rule over Cielis as Stonekeeper Supreme, or whatever, but come on???? I've heard that Kazu based him off of Zuko, but even in ATLA Zuko was able to reclaim his throne!!!

This series got me through hells and back when I was really struggling (Thank you, 2020 for royally fucking my mental health) and as much as I hate to say it...this isn't the send off I was hoping for.

This series got me back into writing, for the gods' sake!! I read it and decided to give fanfiction another shot; that turned into another fic, then another, then an original story....I literally have this series to thank for making me the writer I am.

I still have that unfinished fic sitting on my laptop, waiting for me to transcribe the final book into my own words...but I can't bring myself to do it. I mean, I'm already retconing Vigo's death (He has an adopted son in my fic and there's no way that kid is growing up parent-less again), that weird bit with Riva suddenly believing in prophecy when it's clearly established she doesn't really believe in that stuff, The Voice being an AI somehow, ect.

All in all, I'm just really....angry that this series failed in such a spectacular way. To be perfectly honest, the only thing keeping me from throwing my laptop against the wall is Motherstone's art (Go check them out; they're doing an Amulet rewrite and I love them /p eternally for that)

[thana-topsy]

Fic Writers Self-Rec

I've been tagged by so many lovely people in my time away from tumblr! Thank you so much to @gilgamish @mareenavee @changelingsandothernonsense @kookaburra1701 and anyone else I might have missed tagging me in this one.

I tag @expended-sleeper @mongoose-bite @banjotea @turbo-toast and @yesjejunus

Rules:

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Let’s spread the self-love!

Halfway to the Sky An obvious choice I think! This fic is my absolute baby. Driven by a purely OC cast, it was kind of a gamble to release into the wilds of fandom, but I'm just eternally grateful and humbled by the amount of support I've gotten through the process of writing it. To say it's been a life-changing story for me is an understatement.

Hollow Men This fic was a genre switch-up for me. I'd never really written a "Recovery Fic" before, and it certainly pushed me out of my comfort zone. But it was one of those that tore its way out of me, just desperate to get out of my head. And I learned so much about writing and about myself. It'll forever hold a special place in my heart. Also an OC-heavy narrative that showed me I could, in fact, drive a story without an NPC anchoring me to the world.

Breathing Water / Liminal Bridges Pardon the two-fer, but I had to include the sequel in this! Breathing Water was a HUGE turning point in my writing. It was the first time I'd written a super compact narrative beginning to end before posting the story. So I was able to really refine the story, plot out appropriate foreshadowing, and wrap everything up neatly. And then Liminal Bridges, a sequel born out of a pure love of Neloth and Teldryn and wanting to see them bounce around in the world some more, has spun off into something so wild and wonderful that I can't wait to start sharing new updates again.

How to Build a Home (or Die Trying) A lesser-known fic of mine, this one I wrote at the very beginning of lockdown in 2020 and it taught me a LOT about flash-fiction, vignette storytelling, time skips, and pacing. That, and I'd wanted to write something with Ralis for a while at that point. It was a fantastic remedy for a rough year. Quickburn with some well-earned fluff.

Finding Mara A spin-off of a sequel, this is one of those fics that I am so incredibly proud of, fond of, and was kind of the prototype for stories like "Hollow Men" and "Halfway to the Sky". It was poking at a lot of themes that I wanted so badly to explore, but didn't yet know how. Nilandur is a character who, in so many ways, changed who I am as a person.

[softodettes]

20 question for writers tag game

tagged by @siobhanbooks (thanks friend!)

1. Total number of ao3 works?

7 in total

2. Total ao3 word count

35,363 words

3. Fandoms I've written in

only The Empyrean so far!

4. Top 5 fics by kudos

my love is mine, all mine; your little hand's wrapped around my finger, it's so quiet in the world tonight; read it and weep; don't you ever grow up (to could stay this simple); and if i could give you the moon, i would give you the moon

5. Do I respond to comments?

yes. 100% yes. and i blush and giggle and kick my legs the whole time because everyone's always so sweet

6. What has the angstiest ending?

probably and if i could give you the moon, i would give you the moon because it's unrequited pining.

7. What has the happiest ending?

literally anything else that i've written LOL

8. Have I recieved hate?

no (do not take this as a sign to send me some, i am fragile)

9. Do I write smut? And what kind?

not officially, but i have a ton of smut that's written and just sitting in my notes app and some word docs... i'll work up the nerve to post them eventually.

10. Do I write crossovers?

not currently

11. Have I ever had a fic stolen?

no

12. Have I ever had a fic translated?

no

13. Have I ever co-written a fic?

no, but it sounds like fun

14. What is my all-time fave ship?

uhh idk? according to my ao3 bookmarks, it's zutura. but honestly, i'll read and ship anything, i'm not too particular.

15. A WIP I'll never finish

probably the violiaden smut/pwp that's like 1/3 written in my notes app, violiaden post-resson hurt/comfort, or an idea i had for a character study on mira and her signet. i want to think i'll finish them eventually, but i haven't really felt inspired to write them recently.

16. Writing strengths?

probably prose or introspection. i could go pages without writing a single word of dialogue.

17. Writing weaknesses?

dialogue. always dialogue. i read all of it aloud to myself and i feel like it's fine, but i really struggle with making each character's voice and dialogue sound unique. it's one of those things that's always going to be a work in progress for me.

18. Do I like foreign language dialogue?

i love reading it! there's a few Empyrean pics that include gaelic terms of endearment and i always love reading that. i think i'll probably end up including that in some of my own fics. but writing full sentences makes me nervous because grammar can be very nuanced and i'd hate to get it wrong.

19. First fandom I wrote for?

The Empyrean! i almost made the leap with The Last Kingdom in 2020, but The Empyrean world and how positive and nice everyone in the fandom is is what helped me make that leap a few months ago.

20. Favourite fic I've written?

probably either read it and weep or after resurrection. they're very different, but both of them are very near and dear to my heart: RIAW because it was one of the first times i felt happy and proud of what i wrote, and AR because it's very niche and just fun for me to write. i've learned a lot about myself writing it, and it's my first multichapter fic, so it holds a very special place in my heart. and don't you ever grow up is my first baby so it also holds a special place in my heart.

no pressure tags!: @taumoebaa @widebrimmedhatsblog @callsign-rogueone (liz i know you write on tumblr and not ao3 but you're still one of the writer homies 💗)

[galvanizedfriend]

2023 WIP List

I saw a writer I really love doing this here and decided to respectfully borrow the idea.

I'm feeling really bummed about writing lately, can't seem to find the least bit of motivation and have jumped from story to story without adding anything of substance over the last month or so. Nothing seems to spark joy. And yet I have thousands of words in half-written stories I'm not sure what to do with. Ideally, I'd like to finish them, but at this point, who knows 🤷‍ So this is a way for me to take stock, do some soul-searching, try to find where my heart is writing-wise at the moment and see if I can manifest some inspo.✨

These are not even all my WIPs, just the ones I have opened at least once in the last year.

▪ Speed Dating 3/3 Klaroline, friends/roommates-to-lovers

Started in June 2022

The final part to my Speed Dating sequel, which is much longer than the original story because I have no self-respect. Klaus and Caroline are roommates and idiots. The OG one-shot had them going on a round of speed dating and failing to connect the dots and realizing that what they really should be doing is sucking face with each other. The sequel is kind of an expanded universe situation, where I wanted to show a little more of their roommie chemistry and push them into situations where they are finally confronted with the reality of their feelings. But that only happens once they start seeing other people because of course.

I have maybe 60% of the final part written but for some reason, after word-vomiting non-stop for a while, I got stuck on a kind of major point in the story. I've tried to start it soooo many times and it just won't go. 🙃 I think I'm looking at a good 6 to 8k words more before it's finished.

▪ Random Fic (not the real title) Klaroline (duh), sorta exes-to-enemies-to-lovers I guess

Started in May 2020

The start of my romantic comedy phase. This predates even my coffee shop AU. It's Caroline and Klaus having a fling that ends very, very badly, but then having to come together again a year later to marry their common friend (and Caroline's ex), Tyler. I wanted it to be quick, witty and light-hearted and then at some point it got some very emotional bits in the middle and turned into something else completely. I guess it's still mostly light-hearted, but it has some ~~substance, whatever that means. I think it's an okay fic, and it's 55k words, which is not too bad, but then does anyone still read 55k all at once these days? lol

The fic is finished. I think I wrapped it up in April last year, so a year ago. But I haven't been able to go back and read it again. I've tried, and I've started it so many times, but then I always stop and never pick it back up. But like. 55k words of finished fic here. 🤷‍

▪ Pendulum Klaroline, soulmates!AU but make it sad

Originally in January 2019, started rewriting in July 2020 (lol)

I have issues with this story. It's the saddest damn thing I've ever written, but it's also my favorite storyline I've ever come up with. It got some hate at the time, I don't know why, but also some of the most heartfelt comments/responses I've ever received on any story (and I still keep them all!), so I think this is one where you either love it or hate it. But because I feel so protective of it, I have problems (of the personal brand) leaving it out in the open, and I don't want to repost it until I'm absolutely sure it's ok. As you can see, it was one of my first ever fics, so the writing wasn't the best. But I still love it, I don't care. I keep wanting to make the writing match how much I love the idea, and I don't know if that's possible. 🙃

It's the rare AU I write entirely from Klaus' POV, which is something else. I'm not sure I'm that good with Klaus. It's also an AH, but it has a little magic twist. Every time Klaus dies, his life just restarts from the exact same point. He's born on the same year, at the same place, to the same parents. Except he remembers his previous lives, and so he accumulates the knowledge of hundreds and hundreds of previously lived years each time he's reborn. And then shit happens.

First time I posted this, it was 57k words long. I have successfully finished rewriting the first of three parts, which is around 14k words, but as you can see, I have been in this process since 2020 (!!!), so I need to go back and tinker with that as well. May God have mercy on my soul.

▪ Mystic Tours (not the real title) Klaroline, friends-to-lovers but also fake dating

Started in January 2023

This was inspired by Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison, except it's not a Christmas story, and it doesn't actually have any farms. It has Klaroline fake dating to try and win a contest that can potentially save Caroline's failing business, and also loads of side-characters Sound of Settling style (including a horde of Mikaelsons and Bonnie and Enzo as Caroline's co-workers). I really like writing stories where I can fit a bunch of side characters and make the whole thing sorta absurd. But I also wanted to try to make something quicker, more dialogue-oriented and with shorter scenes. AND YET. I just can't seem to make it work, the writing kinda sucks.

I have some 6k words of this, but can't tell you how much of that is actually usable. And it's maybe 10% of the story. 🙃

▪ Friends that Ruin Your Life (may or may not be the title, undecided) Klaroline, Klefan (!!), affairs, fucked up people, angst

Started in March 2023

The five minutes during which I decided I wanted to go back to my origins and write something angsty and filled with complicated situations, a bit like Gasoline. It features Klaus and Stefan as a couple, and Caroline getting sucked into their messy marriage. So yes, Klaus is having an affair. In his defense, so is Stefan. Caroline's moral compass gets all out of sorts and she realizes the world is a lot less black-and-white than she'd previously assumed and sometimes you do get judged by your one-offs, even if your heart is in the right place.

I got super excited about this one and churned out the entire plan for the whole story, with all the scenes and most of the dialogues and the document alone is like 60k words long. I wrote that in like three days. 🥲 I don't think I could make it a one-shot, and I think that left me bummed because I didn't want it to be a multi-chapter. And then I'm not sure the writing was coming along fine enough, it wasn't flowing, and I started to question whether it was actually good or if I was totally tripping when I had this idea and this was actually insanely shitty. lol Leaning more towards the second right now.

▪ King Arthur AU (not the actual title) Klaroline, magic, fantasy, King Arthur

Started in March 2021

This is very high fantasy, and very intricate. It would be a multi-chapter, but I have no idea how long. I think I was leaning towards 10 chapters. I have four written. And the writing is fairly decent, if I may say so myself. But as it usually happens with me, I get to a point where I start wondering why am I even writing this, and then I stop. 🥲🥲 I also think I was having some doubts about how to wrap it up. It had maybe more plots than I wanted to work with. King Arthur was actually Elijah, and Klaus was Mordred, and Caroline was Guinevere-ish, a witch undercover in "Orleans" (I'm so creative!!).

Only reason this is even on the list is because I recently read the four chapters I have and thought they were pretty decent, but I haven't written anything in almost two years, so maybe I've swiped up on this one already.

▪ The Wolf III and IV 🤡

Started in October 2020 (!! when I tell you guys I've had this written for years lol)

I have technically written The Wolf 3. It's in my "headcanons" format, which is honestly a joke, because clearly I don't know how to write headcanons. 🤡 But as you can see by the starting date, it's very, very old, and it requires full rewriting and lots of editing. Chapters are 15 to 20k words long (some are longer). TW4 is a different story. I never actually wrote it down, all I have is a full, detailed plan of all the scenes and shit. My idea was to not split the two stories into two different fics, but rather continue on with TW4 in the same AO3 "document" (???) as TW3 and make it 34 chapters long instead of 21. It doesn't make a lot of sense, but also I don't have it in me to start another separate story.

But here we are, stuck on S03E17. 🤡 Gonna be honest with you, my dudes, it's been rough to find the motivation to open that document. I think I have half of 17, maybe, but I haven't touched that in over a month. Laely, I have been often sent into thinky thoughts that you really shouldn't have when you're writing fic just for the hell of it, you know. Like, this is in no way meant to be a great piece of writing, I shouldn't be worried about that. It's the fan service of the fan service. But I start to think about the real quality of it and whether it even makes sense to be writing it, I realize I wrote one fic that was good, a second one which I personally think was even better, and then I made the classic mistake of having one too many sequels. This is Jurassic Park III. It's not as crappy as Jurassic World, you have Sam Neill, but should it exist? I just want Klaus and Caroline to be together for a change, and I love adding random final scenes in every chapter where it's just the two of them being married, but - should this be written? Or rather, should this have been posted in the first place? Do we really wanna see them being domestic? Doesn't that kind of kill the vibe? I don't know, man. I don't know. Chapter one was a blast, people seemed so into it and I wrote five chapters at once and got maybe a little over-excited, and then which each update I feel like there's less and less readers and it really gets me thinking. These thoughts are sabotaging my will to write. I need to get back on my fuck it horse.

It will come to me at some point, though. I'm sure it will.

Anyway, these are all my current WIPs! Comments, ideas and positive energies are all welcome! ✨ Let's return to this in december and weep at how little progress I've made 🥲

[galaxyostars]

My Archive Of Our Own Wrap-up

I wanted to put together a thank you to all the fanfic writers who have gotten me through this year.

This wrap-up is me going through my history month by month to see which fics I'd visited the most (because you can be damn sure I read through them over several days).

So this is a celebration of the wide variety of fics I've read and/or bookmarked and/or subscribed to. Thank you to every writer on this list for keeping me entertained.

My first fic of 2023: Finding the Balance, by Amberlioness

Summary:

Events following ‘Bound’, leading up to ‘Demons’. Trip and T’Pol begin to explore what their bond means and how it affects them. Follows “Beginning in Earnest”. I’ve tried to keep as close to canon as possible, while filling in events and back story as the muse commands.

2023 in fics I kept returning to by month

January

Brand New Day, by cecilyjones

Star Wars Rebels, rated T. Completed 2023-03-29.

The Force wasn’t the only great power in the Galaxy. There were also the laws of physics. Kanan was strong in the Force, but the bind he had gotten himself into had to do with physics. (My inevitable “Kanan lives” story. He survives, and the story unfolds from there. Some of it resembles the story we already know, and some of it doesn’t. The ripples travel out.) Update: Chapter 1-8 is a complete story, you can stop reading there and get some nice closure. After that, I’m just kind of adding as I get ideas. Mostly I just like seeing Kanan get to be a dad so that’s what I’m doing. Thanks!

February

Synced To You, by TuppingLiberty

Star Wars Sequel Trilogy, rated E. Completed 2017-04-09.

Canonverse but Omegaverse: Though everyone can choose whomever they want as mate, your one true mate, the mate with which you 'sync', is your one best match in the entire galaxy. Poe recognizes Finn as his sync-mate immediately, but Finn is reluctant - extremely. Chapter 3 and various chapters thereon are explicit. This fic is now in epilogue-mode. Everything after Chapter 13 is epilogue. I will come back to it as it pleases me, which, right now, is often. :D

March

Poor Wayfaring Stranger, by lithos_saeculum

Final Fantasy XV, rated T. Last updated 2022-08-04.

Out on a mission, Cor Leonis finds a teenager, lost and sick and partway to becoming an MT. Against the advice of all and sundry, he brings him back to Insomnia. There's not a lot of love lost for MTs in the Citadel, but some of its inhabitants may still be young enough to put aside their prejudices.

April

Three Bullets, by The_Midget

Grand Theft Auto V, rated M. Completed 2021-01-27.

After Michael is shot in the street, his friends and family can all agree that it was an act of retaliation. However, none of them can agree on who pulled the trigger.

Bookmark note: The one where Jerry White is a piece of shit and also Trevor, Michael and Franklin have to deal with white supremesists. I don't think that's how supremesists is spelled. Lemme look into that.

May

Over And Over, by Nightwinging_it

Borderlands, rated M. Completed 2020-12-17.

Timothy Lawrence has resigned himself to his fate as Handsome Jack's property, even if it means losing himself. When an attempt by a friend to rescue him lands him in trouble with Jack, Timothy is banished to the casino as punishment. Angry and betrayed, Timothy is all too eager to seize the chance to escape, even if it comes in the form of a brash Operative. When Zane Flynt is hired to steal weapon schematics from Hyperion, he finds himself needing the help of Handsome Jack's Eridium addicted doppelganger. It's supposed to be a simple job, and he and the doppelganger will part ways the moment it's over. Only Zane didn't expect to get so damn attached to Timothy. (OR: Zane accidentally adopts Timothy, and chaos ensues)

Bookmark note: The one where Timothy's made to be hooked on eridium and Zane basically nurses him back to life.

June

Finding Home, by Iha_1419

9-1-1 Lone Star, rated E. Last updated 2022-08-08.

TK Strand’s life has been filled with pain and rejection. His parents, extreme traditionalists, hate him for being a male omega and have kept him isolated for most of his life. When he finds out that he is going to be bonded to an alpha named Carlos in his Uncle Owen’s pack, he doesn’t know what to expect. Years of enduring verbal and physical abuse from his parents have left him withdrawn and wary of his new mate. Carlos is determined to get the omega to trust him, but TK’s scars run deep and old habits are hard to break. Can Carlos and the 126 help TK overcome his past and embrace his future?

July

Ultraviolet, by @five-7

Borderlands, rated E. Completed 2021-11-11.

After all the shite they'd been through together, Zane doesn't quite know what to think of them. Amara might have an idea. [Shameless and massive Zane-centric fic]

Bookmark note: The one where Amara and Zane have a friends with benefits thing that accidentally falls into something more serious but then shit goes a little wrong and there's a few chapters where they're fucking dumb but it's okay because they eventually work it out.

August

Bless Those Tired Eyes, by thenewradical

The Martian, rated T. Completed 2015-12-20.

Johanssen suggests that Beck sleep in her bunk since it's closest to the med bay and Watney. This goes exactly as well as you would expect.

September

Sick Days Not Needed, by Jillie_chan

Star Wars Rebels, rated G. Completed 2015-02-21.

“You’re sick.” Kanan said, resting his hand on the back of the seat. “So?” Ezra asked, resting his head on his fist. “I’m not holding you back.” “Not holding us back?” Kanan echoed. “On missions,” Ezra clarified, “It’ll pass in a few days.”

October

True Colors, by Cinderpaw1, dancer4813

Critical Role (Vox Machina), rated E. Completed 2017-08-26.

Vex knew her father hated them. It had been obvious when he left their mother alone to raise a pair of twins by herself. But she had never imagined he would hate them enough to stick them in foster care only a few months after losing her. Now Vex is scraping by on the streets, using her artistic talent to make enough for her and her dog to eat, searching for the twin brother who had been taken away from her because of the system. She didn't realize that when her search took her to Emon, the bustling city held both promises for the future and ghosts from the past.

November

Struggle, by ela11

Mass Effect, rated M. Completed 2014-12-06.

Two people would have no idea of the struggle ahead of them… For their existence. For their love. (Femshep/Kaidan from Mass Effect 1 to 3 and a little beyond.) Contains canon, altered events, and new events. Alternative ending.

Fics saved in 2023 (My notes in bookmarks)

Two for the Road by Spacewidget - The one where Daryl and Connie pose as a married couple to gain access to a group. [The Walking Dead]

Run by justtakemehome - The one where Michael and Amanda De Santa get a bounty attached to their head and they basically have to Mr & Mrs Smith their way out of trouble. [Grand Theft Auto V]

Witch Ways by @aliquistis - The one where a druid learns to put up, like, and maybe even love Gale. [Baldur's Gate]

you can fake it for a while by nighimpossible - The one where Percy creates Vex's titles and a fake marriage, and they fall into a legitimate relationship. [Critical Role (Vox Machina)]

And They Lived Happily Ever After by @ginger-floor-goblin - The one where Keyleth and Vax get their happy ending. But also consequences to deals made. [Critical Role (Vox Machina) / The Legend of Vox Machina]

Pieces Still Stuck In Your Teeth by @howlsmovinglibrary - The one where Astarion lost all the kids in the divorce. [Baldur's Gate]

We Circle by Night by @insanitysilver - The one where Caleb goes back in time to fix his past, only to accidentally save Mollymauk from his demise. [Critical Role (Mighty Nein)]

I'm finishing 2023 with...

Ship to Wreck by Snailsol

Witch Ways by Aliquistis

Pieces Still Stuck In Your Teeth by howlsmovinglibrary

Resistance by ela11

Thank you to every fanfic writer whose work I've had the pleasure of reading this year. <3

[mylordshesacactus]

DISEASE and WRATH!

#2020

If you had to live in a setting of your creation, which would you pick?

tbh probably the rebuilt galaxy as portrayed in my Mass Efffect fics. Like yeah we all have turbo-PTSD now from the galactic genocide but other than that we're doing pretty good!

Do you prefer writing endings or beginnings?

Both, though if I had to choose, endings 100%. Genuinely though, beginnings and endings are my favorite parts. Finding the right place to drop into a story is great! And there is, genuinely, nothing more satisfying than finding exactly where a story is meant to end.

I would argue, honestly, that being able to tell when it's time to end a story is a core, essential, basic skill of writing. This applies to scenes, chapters, whole works....not knowing how to END something is how you get like. There are these monster fics that are good and enjoyable, but they're 86 fucking chapters long and by the time you get 1/3 of the way through you've completely lost track of anything that happened in the setup....but if the whole work had been broken up into a series, those four 20-chapter fics would be much easier to keep straight and the work would have a better, more cohesive structure overall.

It's actually kind of hurtful to me as a writer when I've wrapped a story up really well, tied it off, told exactly the story that needed to be there, and get well-meaning comments encouraging me to "continue" it. (Which is usually, for the record, not quite the same thing as "I'd absolutely read more stories in this setting/timeline/style if you were to write them", because that sentiment still respects that the existing work is whole, complete, and ends where it should.)

I'm not going to get MAD obviously, they don't mean any harm, but it does kind of feel like they're not actually engaging with the story that exists in any meaningful way--like, tell me you see my fic as Content TM without telling me, you know? You're not engaging with the narrative, you're just Consuming and immediately holding out your hand for more. I'm glad you thought it was good and it's obviously a compliment that you want more, but like....did you even stop to taste it?

[milkybonya]

hi friends! the time has come !! it is time to bring this milkybonya era to an end ^_^ i'm not ending on any kind of sad note ♡ i just feel like i started tumblr during the pandemic ((2020 with this first post)) as a way to write creatively in a community that shared interests. i was stressed because of physics and needed a writing escape ! now i've graduated and my stresses are no longer learning how to use my calculator quickly so i can have time to write, but what the heck i'm going to do with my life >_< i'm so anxious every day (but in a good way!?) about my future that it's hard for me to write fics, now. plus, i think the tumblr community is changing! there are newer trends, new writers that are paving new paths and a lot of these writers deserve attention.

here is what i'll be doing before i say good-bye for good ! :

- finishing my mug & spoon smau

- finishing all my drafts and/or just posting whatever i have done

- hosting a collab as my last work on this site. i want to use my platform to bring attention to all the other amazing writers before i leave ♡ so stay tuned for it !!

i'm not leaving just yet, but this is my update :] i'm preparing to wrap things up ♡

[lunacornfan2k24]

I’ve seen other fanfic writers do an AO3 wrap up and tbh I’ve been kind of embarrassed to do one myself because I was only a productive writer from May to October which isn’t even half of the year (thanks to Jedi: survivor, bg3, and everything in my authors notes) but it was also my most productive year for writing fanfic that I wanted to do something so…

Ao3 statistics don’t easily separate by year for a multi chapter fic that I started back in 2021, but I can do a rough estimate of 2023 stats and then reflect on every fic that I’ve written this year. (Edit: by the time I finish writing this we will be a week into 2024 at least)

Almyrah’s AO3 2023 Year In Review:

New fics posted: The Spy and The Actor, Phoenix the Vampire Hunter

Fics updated: The Spy and The Liar: The Movie (6x)

Word count: ~50k

Comment threads: 48

Kudos: 81+

Best comment: @agent-calivide (in Exes and Ohs, chapter 7 of The Spy and The Liar: The Movie)

I have had so much support for my writing this year thanks to the amazing I Expect You To Die fandom and the IEYTD fandom discord in particular. To be honest, you guys really make it hard to be humble with how much love is showered over my fics and I am so grateful for every kudos, comment, and bookmark I’ve received since I started the Celebrity Crush series way back in 2021 when a certain actor lived in my head rent free.

Like I said before the statistics are rough estimates and I think that the best way to celebrate all I’ve done this past year is with words more than numbers and statistics.

The Spy and The Liar: The Movie

This is probably the best fic I’ve ever written! I am so proud of how it has grown beyond ten bullet points to be the 66k story it currently is with more to come. I’ve loved weaving foreshadowing and subtext into the story that I think most people have missed.

It’s also really hard to stay humble as this is the most love I’ve ever gotten on a fic and it has somehow seemingly become the Agent Phoenix/John Juniper fic on ao3. I’ve literally dropped all my other wips for other and bigger fandoms because of how much love and support it’s gotten. Especially because of the people in the fandom discord. Maybe it’s the instant appreciation but I had never been more motivated to write than when y’all shared your love for this fic and the Celebrity Crush series in general.

The Celebrity Crush series and ieytd was the first thing that got me back into writing after going through the most traumatic and violent loss and experience of my entire life back in 2020 (wasn’t even covid related lol). Literally an entire year had passed before I could write again. To know that this story has meant as much to you guys as he has to me has been the greatest gift that could ever been given to me.

Thank you.

The Spy and The Actor

This story wasn’t really supposed to be anything. The first (and only) chapter was written on a whim in one sitting based on a conversation in the fandom discord. Just the third time I’d be rewriting the ieytd 2 with an Agent Phoenix/John Juniper twist…

But then came the comments.

For those that don’t know, the point of the fic was that it was written and published by John Juniper but to come off as a fan thirsting for John instead of John thirsting for Phoenix. At its core it was me roleplaying as John Juniper. And the discord decided to roleplay in the comments as various characters from the games and of course I had to respond in character as John Juniper!

Even when I was a teen I thought roleplay was kinda cringe. But now? I get it, like I get it! I had so much fun roleplaying as John Juniper!!! I’m usually really nice so being able to just let go and be an absolute bitch. I’m so excited to work on the next chapter but I know it’ll have to be when I’ll have time to sit down and roleplay with everyone again.

Phoenix the Vampire Hunter

This was written for Calivide for beta reading a chapter in The Spy and The Liar: The Movie. This is the first fully alternate universe fic I’ve ever written and I absolutely adore the world I’ve created. It’s a sandbox that I’d love to play in more and I’d love for others to play in the sandbox too if they ever feel like it and write their own stories of the world. The ending I have planned leaves the world open for so many possible stories for myself or anyone to explore.

And I promise that I wrote vampire!Juniper before I ever played Baldur’s Gate III and fell in love with Astarion

God this got long but these fics mean so much more to me than simple statistics can tell and I hope people can see why I chose to elaborate on everything.

With 2024 signaling the 10th year of me writing and publishing fanfiction and with last year being so productive, I’m hoping to bring all of last years productivity into the new year as long as the video game industry stops releasing so many good games (I haven’t even gotten to spider-man 2 yet lol)

[spnfanficpond]

May 2023 Angel Fish Awards

(Angel Fish design by @slytherkins!!)

WELCOME TO THIS MONTH’S ANGEL FISH AWARDS!

Every month all of you fantastic writers work your asses off to post some truly incredible stories. Our Angel Fish Awards are the way for all of us, as a community of writers and readers, to lift each other up and give praise to those who have captured our attention and deserve a few kind words.

The monthly Angel Fish Awards are peer-nominated, meaning ANYONE (you don’t have to be a member) CAN NOMINATE ANY POND MEMBER’S FIC. Everyone in this community deserves to be showered with love and feedback, and we hope that this fun, thoughtful award will do just that. (Click here to learn more about how to nominate a fic for an award!)

Be sure to read through this whole post because you may have been nominated more than once!

WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, HERE ARE THIS MONTH’S ANGEL FISH AWARDS!

Nominated by @glygriffe

Best Laid Plans by @thinkinghardhardlythinking

I usually don't read RPF but this came well recommended and it was so fluffy and sweet that I read it all in one sitting. I thoroughly enjoyed every word of it!

Prettiest One by @dean-winchester-is-a-warrior

I like when Dean opens up about his feelings. And if it takes morphine to do it... so be it! 😊

Foxholes by @thoughtslikeaminefield

The POV of Annie on our beloved characters is refreshing. It has an ethereal and reflective quality really effective in so few words. This is craftmanship!

Homesick by @mrswhozeewhatsis

I have a soft spot for fics that are missing scenes or character inner monologues for canon material of the show. This Sam POV from the pilot episode is just that, with equal parts of fluff and angst.

~*~*~

Nominated by @thoughtslikeaminefield

The Hero Always Gets A Kiss by @fandomoniumflurry

Swooned my face off at this! A little slice of Chestervelle not seen on TV but fitting nicely inside (head)canon — where I love the most.

Smokes and Sex Toys by @wayward-and-worn

This one's been lingering for a little over three years, and I ain't mad about it. I can still hear the rush of the river beside my campsite as I read this for the first time during the second lockdown in the summer of 2020. Perfect Dean characterization, a female character I'd love to hang out with, sexy as fuck, and real.

Local Legends (series) by @crashdevlin

This isn't usually my kinda thing, but Cassie's Dean is such a unique brand that I can't quit her/him! Looking forward to the drama. xox

_______ by @dean-winchester-is-a-warrior

At just 109 words it's almost an OG drabble and also makes my chest ache with its absolute Dean-ness, its tenderness, and its intimacy.

~*~*~

Nominated by @mrswhozeewhatsis

Run to You (series) by @deanwinchesterswitch

I finally got to read this series and I AM HOOKED!!! So far, the relationship has built up with no real complications, and I'm so very ready to see how everything breaks apart! (Before Kym puts it all back together, of course!!) This has delicious smut, and I'm betting it will also have delicious angst and some twisty turns before it's done. I can't wait to see where it goes!!

Go Easy by @negans-lucille-tblr

Bee has been posting a Soldier Boy series that wasn't my thing for a while, so imagine my surprise when she posted this hot and steamy Sam one shot!! I have been missing Bee's storytelling, and this was the best way to get a fix!! Don't read this one in public!! [insert ALL the sweating gifs here!!]

Show Me What You're Hiding by @dean-winchester-is-a-warrior

This is a short drabble, but it's descriptive enough of all of Dean's, ahem, ASSETS, that it gets the job done quite thoroughly! Lordy, the images this gave me were definitely rated NC-17!!! *fans self furiously*

Like We Used To by @princessmisery666

Stacey did these little ficlets to get her creative juices flowing, and she knocked all of them out of the park! This one gave me Sam snuggles, which is always a favorite for me. *SWOON*

Present Wrapping Problems by @katymacsupernatural

Tumblr took over five YEARS to tell me about this tag, and I'm gonna die mad about it, I swear. IT'S SO FLUFFY!!!! It's a Christmas fic, and I know it's not Christmas now, but if you need some super-sweet Dean fluff, go read it, anyway!

Who's Lost Now? by @glygriffe

This is a crossover with Doctor Who, the first one I've read, iirc, and I might have to find more, now! Dean just accepting so many of the Doctor's idiosyncrasies is just tickling me. He's so good about accepting people when he likes them. And I can't wait to find out the truth about the Doctor's pocket watch! (DW fans will know what I mean!)

~*~*~

Nominated by @katbratsupernaturalwhore

One Day, I'll Say Hello by @all-alone-he-turns-to-stone

That was adorable and heart wrenching and just so great 🙂 I loved it!

~*~*~

Nominated by @princessmisery666

I Promised by @deanwinchesterswitch

This is so descriptive and angsty, I was holding my breath waiting for the end.

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE AWESOME WORK AND GREAT FEEDBACK!

These are not actual awards, as in, there is no competition! This system is set up so everyone has a chance to share the love and promote a fic/author in the Pond that has grabbed your attention. The more people that participate, the better this will be :D

THANK YOU ALL AGAIN, KEEP UP THE AMAZING WORK, AND AS ALWAYS, HAPPY WRITING!

- FROM YOUR ADMINS AND MANTA RAYS, @MANAWHAAT, @MRSWHOZEEWHATSIS, @MARIEKOUKIE6661, @PRINCESSMISERY666, @THOUGHTSLIKEAMINEFIELD, AND @KATBRATSUPERNATURALWHORE!

[seashellcosmos]

What fandoms are you in?

also sprinkle noodles got me interested so what’s your original story about

Oh that’s a good question! Danganronpa, obviously- I played the games in the middle of 2020 and it’s had a hold on me ever since lol. I still really love the Mega Man comics/mangas/games and the old Earthbound/Mother series of video games (so much!!) I don’t guess I’m necessarily ‘active’ in those fandoms but I love seeing fan art/fanfics for them (and I want to draw more fan art for both lol) big fan of Mob Psycho 100 still, i was really REALLY into Legend of Zelda for awhile and I’d like to get back into it tbh, maybe replay one of the games. Does DnD count? Idk but I love DnD. I recently started watching Dungeon Meshi with a friend and it seems really fun too :D idk I like a lot of things heh heh

And I am still very nervous when talking about my original story, but it is what inspired the whole Hero AU fics in the first place! Hopefully it’ll be a very fun graphic novel one day.

(I don’t want this post to be too long so I’m putting the rest of this under a read more lol)

The short version is that it’s about a camp counselor working at a very secret and secure summer camp for the children of superheroes.

And the longer version is it’s about an aspiring writer who sticks his nose where it doesn’t belong, gets wrapped up in a big conspiracy, and ends up more or less staying at this camp to avoid being taken out. He starts working as a counselor, dealing with kids, getting close to all the other counselors and actually making friends when things start to uh…. Fall apart. He has to deal with everything he’s been avoiding, his new friends discovering what he’s running from, and someone trying to hurt all the kids at this camp.

If you like slice of life stories that go horribly, horrifically wrong, 20-something year olds dealing with past trauma and being stupid and making friends, and stories about silly superhero shenanigans you might like it!

It’s really self indulgent tbh, a big of just everything I like lol. A lot of themes and ideas from it I actually put in the Ultimate Hero AU, I was feeling pretty bad about my writing skills and wanted to just work on something like… fun with no pressure just to see if any of those ideas worked. I’ve been meaning to post more about it on my main tumblr page, I’m very excited about it and I’m trying to work on it more now :3

[hergan416]

Writer's wrap: 30

AO3 Writer's Wrap (still accepting)

This is honestly a great one for now because it's not even Christmas, I guarantee I'll write more before the year is out.

30. Biggest surprise while writing this year?

Honestly-- how much I wrote. And I mean this as more than just "oh I hit a surprising number of words" it's like... HOW I wrote so much.

I don't think I particularly grew as a writer this year. In previous years I have participated in challenges and honed my craft and really worked hard to make quality writing. Writing... kind of hurt like that. There was a lot of stress to it. I had been asked by friends or acquaintances on more than one occasion why I wrote as a hobby if it stressed me out so much.

And this year... well I won't say I never stressed myself out. The initial update schedule for Poison Paradise was insane. I don't know how I got inspiration to write a chapter a day for that many days. I am glad that scaled back a little.

But at the same time... even without looking, I guarantee you that I've surpassed 2020's word count while holding a full time job. And with hardly ever writing for an official challenge (Albert's birthday was my choice. There were a couple of very fun tumblr prompts & an angst week thing...but like. I have ALWAYS wanted to write hanahaki disease for someone & finally had a chance. And the Allou Trimester & Louiliam2023Winter at the end of the year here are extremely loose challenges with very few restrictions for pairings I would have written anyway.. and when the Louiliam fic ended up having a sherliam element & broke the rules I just.. didn't add it to the event and wrote what I wanted anyway).

Anyway, it was different from the way I treated challenges in previous years-- I wasn't stressed about it. I was having fun. Which is.. ultimately, what a hobby is supposed to be, right?

My word count has to be directly tied to the amazing, positive people I have met in the last 10 months -- who let me be my authentic self and still come back for more. I have never been more unhinged, written more dead dove, let loose like this. I've never been more freakish; and at the same time I have been gifted with the most incredible outpouring of kind words, comments, support, tumblr interactions, and readership. I cannot possibly thank this community enough for letting me thrive like this.

I feel free. I know what I want from writing and it's not perfection anymore. It is to float around on the internet and find my people, bouncing ideas around. It's like I've found my niche as a person.

And the hyperfixation might not always be yuumori. I just binged the rest of One Piece and caught back up and OH DO I HAVE IDEAS, and a friend is starting to drag me into Hetalia somehow, because "I would do good there" or something, although I'm not sure yet if I'll want to write for it. Wherever my interests go though, I feel like I can absolutely carry this energy with me into the future, even in different fandoms where it's harder to "make it." Because I have this sense of "self" and "belonging" and "worth" and "pride" that I had lost for a very long time.

Even if I write less in 2024, if I can keep this confidence moving forward, I will be happy.

[mittensmorgul]

2022 in Mittens Fic

It’s time again for the annual accounting of things I wrote this year! I’m pleased that while still a disappointingly low total for me, I still beat my total word count from 2021, so progress is being made, which I’ll always gladly take! Honestly anything is better than that 2020 total at this point lolol! I long since abandoned my goal of ever surpassing the 250k i posted in 2015, but that’s okay! I still wrote a decent bit!

For reference, past year end summaries can be found here:

2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | the closest thing I have to a 2015 wrap up post is the lil bit of text at the bottom of 2016′s post… even though my two most popular fics were from 2015 lololol

I managed a Pinefest fic, a DCRB fic, AND a DCBB fic this year, which is the first time I’ve ever managed all three, so go me I guess? And maybe I enjoy working to deadlines more than I ever assumed before? Or maybe I would’ve written even more if I hadn’t been pushing at deadlines (and letting myself slack off, even if rest is important and beneficial to writer brain, when I was far ahead of schedule...). But I’m overall pretty pleased with this year’s works.

I tied last year’s fic total, with six, but beat last year’s word count with 117,486, so go me! Not even counting the ~63k fic i’m working on for pinefest this year...even if it’s already written it’s not posting until February. Love rolling over a big fic into the new year every year like this. it feels weirdly like cheating somehow, yet I do it every year :’D

Also slightly cheating, but since I mentioned it last year, I still haven’t missed a week of my eternal rewatch podcast, @spngeorg which is still going strong! Uploading episode 91, 5.09 The Real Ghostbusters tonight! If my millions of words of written meta aren’t enough for you, you can now hear me being grumpy about this show out loud! (new episodes drop every Thursday night at or around midnight eastern time, if you’re interested you can start from the beginning on AnchorFM or wherever you enjoy podcasts!)

Let’s get to the fic! Presented in the order they posted:

Mr. Fix It (54,383 words, rated M) written for the Pinefest. It started with a photo of the shopping center sign that Mel sent me several years back, and the instruction “this is a writing prompt.” Amazingly, it was a great writing prompt! and a great art prompt, thanks to @lotrspnfangirl! Dean runs a repair shop called Mr. Fix It with Charlie, and Cas runs the bar at the other end of the strip mall, Steve’s. There’s shady real estate dealings, secret identities, and found family taking care of each other through it all.

lectio in equis (13,016 words, rated T) my first ever DCRB, and I screamed delightedly when I claimed @scarlettmichkat ’s artwork! Actually still kinda lowkey screaming about it. I LOVE this artwork. Like, wanna frame it and hang it in my living room love. Canon case fic, sort of, as Dean and Cas get to play cowboy for a day looking for a lost MoL chapter storage facility out in the New Mexico desert. Plus, Jesse and Cesar being the best retired hunters.

Baby X-File (2,698 words, rated T) Written for the final GISH hunt, a crossover scene between SPN and the X Files, canon-adjacent to both, to a prompt from my team captain who isn’t on tumblr... thank you Sammy!

honey wine  (764 words, rated T) annual deancasversary fic! They go to the rennfest, and medieval hilarity and fluff ensues

Heart Shaped Box  (43,504 words, rated M) my DCBB this year, canon case fic wherein Dean and Cas are the case. beautifully illustrated by @marvfortytwo​ and a cathartic walk through a series of memories. I mostly wanted to revisit . Set within days of Dean rescuing Cas from the Empty, because that’s exactly what happened in canon as we all know (I SAID, AS WE ALL KNOW).

The Ghost of Christmas Present(s) (3,121 words, rated T) annual holiday fic, Dean and Cas attempt holiday shopping together. hilarity and shmoop ensue.

And that’s my year in fic. Like I said at the top, I’ve already got more than half this total written to post in 2023, so it looks like I’m still not slowing down. Since I posted my To Be Written file’s stats last year, I figured I should do the same again...

lol... a year later, two pages and 1400 more words added... i swear at this rate i will never finish writing it all, which I find weirdly comforting.

Thanks to everyone who’s read, kudos’ed, commented, reblogged, rec’ed, and enjoyed anything I’ve written in the last year. I love you all. <3 See you in 2023!

[mimiwrites2000]

For the AruAni writers questions:

1, 3, 4, 14!

MOON THANKS FOR THE ASK

Ok let’s start

1- share your favorite part of your latest fic

Well, my latest fic is Legends, and its latest chapter is 22

Here’s my favorite part of this chapter:

The chandelier’s crystals meandered between stairs’ white stonted rails, threateningly pointing down, accompanied with translucent, thin selenders of glass that softly clacked against each other with the softest breeze, playing a soft melody of charms, harmonizing with the contrasted fireworks going off in the distance. The fireworks exploded in the sky, their light reflected wobbling charades on the carpet, sparks of silver and gold emitting from the chandelier in various, spontaneous directions, like fairies in the books Armin’s grandfather used to read for him.

Armin watched it all.

“Can you walk?” He asked Annie, in a soft voice, careful to not disturb the lights.

“I can walk, I am walking,” She answered him, judging him with half lidded eyes. Her arm around Armin’s shoulders and her knees bent with drunkenness as she dragged herself beside Armin, or more like Armin dragging her beside himself.

He eyed the stairs, and then eyed Annie.

“I’m sorry,” he said as he bent, putting his arm behind her knees, lifting her up. She gasped, her arm around his shoulders tightened, the other arm wrapping around his neck. “I am really sorry,” he apologized again, because he held her without her permission, even though that was the only solution at that time. He made sure his hand didn’t touch her, her dress a barrier between his fingers and her skin.

He ascended the stairs, one step at a time. He held her close to his chest, making sure her weight was secured in his arms, and a spark of happiness filled his heart as her body felt healthier, remembering the first time he ever held her, at the harbor, exactly three years prior, after years of being suspended in air, engulfed within a cold crystal.

That day at the harbor he lost her but a miracle, a Legend, paved his way to her and he found her, that day they were given a second, wasted chance.

That day, he held her out of the war's rubble, in the middle of fire and thunder, her body limping against him as he carried her to safety.

That day, he learnt about a Legend, and today, another Legend unfolded itself.

None of these Legends would have happened without them, without him, without her ; she was behind it all, an irreplaceable component in that concoction.

Because they were those Legends, and those Legends were them.

They were created to be a Legend.

The striking memory made reminiscing feelings crawl on his back with hundreds of pointy, sharp edges, reaching his fingers and numbing them, so he held her even closer to his chest. He miraculously saved her that day, maybe that wouldn’t happen today, maybe it would never ever happen, but for that moment, while the world outside was launching celebratory colorful fires in the midnight sky, celebrating their deaths, he chose this moment of peace, on carpeted stairs, at a foreign hotel.

3- If you look back at your first fic compared to your last, what’s changed?

MANY THINGS, my writing style changed so much, my English got stronger as well (it’s my second language) and overall the way I write Armin and Annie changed, I feel like I never really wrote Annie correctly until recently, I don’t think I understood her enough.

4-Fanfic authors can be harsh on themselves, espically with older works, share three things you like about your first fic.

So my first fic is called Blue, but on Ao3 it’s called Kiss, (don’t ask, I have no idea how that happened either)

I wrote it in 2019, and posted it during Armin week in January 2020

This is the first time I even look back at it during these three years, and honestly it’s so hard to read something I’ve written so long ago.

I like how excited I was about it, how excited I was to share a story I wrote with people, I like how I wrote it with excitement about these characters, and I like how I always had my own way of describing feelings, which I still do until this day.

You can find it here on AO3, and here on TUMBLR

13- Do you use symbolism when writing fics? Tell us about it!

OH YEAH I DO, I add so much symbolism and descriptions and everything, especially with Legends, I basically poured every symbolism I have into this one story

I just enjoy it, SO MUCH