#A Word from Puddles

[gasolinerainbowpuddles]

991 i hav emerjenci

Wow, what an absolute dumpster fire, right? *gestures broadly* ↓Below the cut↓ are some specific things as a reader/mutual/friend/etc you can do that will make things a little better.

You come across someone posting/using someone else's work without express permission to do so:

INFORM THE ORIGINAL CREATOR/POSTER (OP) DIRECTLY ════════════════════════════════════════ ✧ Let OP know BEFORE you attempt to engage with the person on their behalf. ✧ OP will probably want to lay eyes on the situation, and, if the person stealing their work is tipped off, they might proactively block OP and/or remove posts before they can be verified as stolen. ✧ Do not harass the person who stole the work. It might be coming from a place of wanting to stick up for OP, but it ultimately doesn't help the situation.

OP is experiencing a hate brigade, nasty anons, or trolling over their fic:

PRIORITIZE ACTIONS AND BEHAVIORS THAT KEEP THE FOCUS ON SUPPORT FOR OP ════════════════════════════════════════ ✧ Reblog the fic in question with a glowing recommendation or just leave a comment under it expressing your appreciation for it. Both actions will boost the work in question as well as show direct support for OP. ✧ Reach out privately through DMs if you have that sort of relationship, or send a supportive message through asks. Keep it simple and short as they are probably overwhelmed with the shitstorm at certain points. ✧ Speaking up with a supportive comment or post for OP isn't necessarily a bad thing, but arguing back and forth with the trolls/hate brigade/etc. - even if you are doing it with intention to support OP - only fuels the fire, and some of them are doing it for the attention anyway.

OP seems down / isn't motivated to write / is expressing considerations of leaving fic writing altogether because of the current climate on this hellsite:

GIVE THEM THE SPACE OR TIME THEY NEED, BUT ALSO LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY ARE VALUED ════════════════════════════════════════ ✧ For the love of god please don't bombard them with asks about when xyz is going to be posted. This is a hobby for them, and they have jobs, families, and other life responsibilities that come first. Many would love nothing more than to sit and write all day, but that just isn't the reality for 99% of fic writers. ✧ Show their older works love, too. Many fic writers take the time to curate an organized masterlist of their works, and many have been writing for a while. There is a trove of wonderful content that can be read or re-read while you patiently wait for your fave to update. ✧ If you're waiting for an update on a specific fic, go back through the older chapters/updates and leave a comment saying you love it so much that you're coming back to visit older chapters while you wait to see what happens next in the story. I guarantee it will give them a boost of motivation for that story in particular. ✧ REBLOG AND COMMENT. Yes, do both of those things. I want you open up a fic you love and scroll down to the bottom where you can see likes, comments, and reblogs. I want you to look at the disparity between likes and comments/reblogs. Clicking a heart button is pretty much zero effort, and it comes across as such to many writers. It's not how Tumblr operates. This is a REBLOG site. That is how things make their way around. That is how posts get engagement. That is how other people can discover the fic writers you enjoy. Look, I even made a meme to show you what it feels like when after hours and hours of writing and editing you finally post a fic and then somebody only hearts it:

Even a simple "I loved this so much and can't wait to read more!" does wonders. A quick reblog that mentions your favorite part in the story is like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow for writers.

You come across people trashing a writer you like:

CONSIDER IF IT'S HELPFUL OR NOT TO ADDRESS IT ════════════════════════════════════════ ✧ People are allowed to have negative/differing opinions about things. If they are expressing their dislike, even in a nasty way, they are allowed to do so. ✧ If it is a genuinely harmful/disparaging conversation, look to see what sort of traction the conversation has. Sometimes it's better to just let something die down before it can even take off. Examples of genuinely harmful/disparaging conversation include but aren't limited to: accusing OP of something egregious without any evidence to support it, framing rumors/gossip they've seen about OP as factual, deeming them criminally or morally corrupt based off a personal opinion they have of OP/their works. ✧ Remember that while serious concerns (like the above point) might be good to share with OP, not every instance of negativity or hate needs to be brought to their attention. If it's just some random jerk on a different platform talking about how much OP's writing is amateur hour, you should probably just leave it be. OP is a person at the end of the day, and sometimes things can be more hurtful than helpful for them to see.

OP isn't acting / responding in a way that you like:

REMIND YOURSELF THAT THEY ARE JUST ANOTHER PERSON IN THE FANDOM AND ARE NOT AN INFLUENCER ════════════════════════════════════════ ✧ OP isn't in this fandom to be put on a pedestal (of course there are always exceptions, but I'm not talking about those people) and treated like an influencer. ✧ OP creates works in the fandom because that is how they choose to engage with the fandom. It is one of many ways that people can come together in a community and celebrate an actor/movie/series/etc. ✧ OP is not a content farm. They are writing and sharing because they genuinely enjoy it. They are not being compensated. They are not being endorsed by anybody or any company. They are a normal person trying to take part in a fandom they enjoy. ✧ OP is not obligated to address or comment on a situation, an interaction, discourse, etc. They are not an influencer and aren't equivalent to the parasocial relationships that influencers (aka people who make a living off the internet) have with their followers. OP is not required to "use their platform" for something. It's not a platform. It is OP's personal account where they engage and post in fandom. That is why it exists. OP is not some mega entity that has to speak on something because you demand or expect it.

OP blocked me:

THE CALL IS COMING FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE ════════════════════════════════════════ ✧ Listen, I know it can be hurtful/confusing if you are blocked, especially if it is a writer you really like. I guarantee you that it was not done out of spite and for no reason. ✧ Take a look at the circles you run in, the posts you like, the sort of comments you leave, etc. Many writers are quick to block these days because the climate of this hellsite is very charged and exhausting. If OP sees your username cropping up again and again in fandom drama or you liked a discourse post with a shitty take or your chummy mutual is going off the rails with some bullshit, you might just get caught up in the Block Party. ✧ Don't go through another channel/account to ask why you've been blocked. No, you aren't entitled to a reason. OP is allowed to protect their mental health and peace, and they don't owe anyone an explanation of why and how they choose to curate their experience on this hellsite. ✧ If you believe you were blocked by mistake (which, again, is very unlikely), just take the L, homie. I know that's not what you want to hear, but that's just how it is.

If you took the time to read this, share it, or just in general intend to apply it to your interactions, ✨thank you✨!

Here is a Pedro gif tax for your time and attention. 💜

[gasolinerainbowpuddles]

“The best thing, though, in that museum was that everything always stayed right where it was. Nobody’d move…. …Nobody’d be different. The only thing that would be different would be you. Not that you’d be so much older or anything. It wouldn’t be that, exactly. You’d just be different, that’s all. You’d have an overcoat on this time. Or the kid that was your partner in line last time had got scarlet fever and you’d have a new partner. Or you’d have a substitute taking the class instead of Miss Aigletinger. Or you’d have heard your mother and father having a terrific fight in the bathroom. Or you’d just passed by one of those puddles in the street with gasoline rainbows in them. I mean, you’d be different in some way – I can’t explain what I mean. And even if I could, I’m not sure I’d feel like it.”

— Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger

I always loved that part of the passage because it spoke to the beauty and impact found in unusual/unexpected/dirty/broken/grimy things, and I like to think that there's beauty in myself even if there are a lot of parts of me that aren't quite "right."

USERNAME LORE GIVE IT TO ME NOW YOU ALL

[gasolinerainbowpuddles]

Question for the people who steal fics: who are y’all gonna steal from when all your fave writers delete their blog/works?

Fanfic is one of the last aspects of fandom that isn’t monetized, and some of y’all are out here stealing, demoralizing, and drying up the space for creators.

Whether it be through theft, hateful anons, treating creators like content farms, feeding their works into AI without permission, etc, there is a huge shift towards very talented people deciding it’s just not worth it anymore. Their hobby and their way of participating in fandom is no longer producing joy.

When you can’t do anything in the fandom without some corporation squeezing every last dime out of you, please remember how you contributed to that and don’t you dare complain when this is how you acted when things were FREE and made with love for the movie/show/character/etc.

[gasolinerainbowpuddles]

okay all I can see when I look at this pic

is a like a senior year yearbook pic lmao

and yeah I'm next to Pedro in the yearbook bc we have the same last name bc we're married duh

[the-great-moon-hoax-of-1835]

every time youtube serves up to me on a big beautiful silver platter more than thirty seconds of unskippable advertising i will reblog this post with the words "fuck this shit and balls"

[gasolinerainbowpuddles]

oh my god they fucking got my ass

I gotta see what you get @ezrasbirdie @swiftispunk @joelscruff @kedsandtubesocks @chronically-ghosted

@ghostofaboy and anybody who wants to do this

[apocalypticdemon]

so i'm finally reading through the terror scripts and i think this was designed to cause me physical pain.

crozier was supposed to be drinking to schubert..... god

[snurtle]

Sometimes I wonder if Yachiru constantly misleading Kenpachi away from his destination was because of Kenpachi’s hesitance to actually get to where he was going. As in: If you finish something, there’s no more of it. If you reach the goal, that’s it. If you finish a fight, that’s all there is to it, etc etc.

[twink-between-worlds]

Kay so I need a professional opinion here. How many normal weight blankets do I have to stack on top of me to have the best/most comfortable weight. I should probably note that I've already got 3 and that's still not enough, so. thoughts. give me. (/silly) (pookie out)

-Hannah

hmmmm i think. 5 is sufficient. so theres not too many but enough to be comfortable!

[gasolinerainbowpuddles]

I'm here to share another brave yet controversial take.

(This is strictly about smut in fics - not plot points, characterizations, etc.)

I think there is a fundamental difference in how different ages interact with smut in fics. In my personal experience and preference, the hottest smut I've read has come from writers whose bios say 30+ or from writers who are close to that age. I think there are factors that contribute to this:

LIFE EXPERIENCE — This doesn't strictly mean number of partners (although I do believe that helps). The older you are, the more people you've come across, and this builds a bigger worldview that allows for nuance and a more understanding of how things move and interplay. It exposes you to more interpersonal dynamics, which are a huge part of sexuality imo.

SCIENCE — Our brains aren't done cooking until around 25. This means logic, decision making, patience, thinking things through, not letting emotions be the driving force behind our actions, etc. don't really solidify until we're well into our formative adult years. This ties into my first point in regards to how a person navigates their world, and there is a different level of understanding that comes with a fully developed brain.

SEXUAL PRIME — Late 20s to mid 40s is considered to be the sexual peak for women (I'm focusing on women because fic writing is mostly women). Heightened sexual fantasies and experiences align with women in that age range, and I think that is an essential factor in creating fantasies that are more erotic and visceral through writing. There is also a confidence that comes with knowing what you want, what you like, how to get those things, comfortability in expressing your sexuality and actively utilizing it, etc.

CRAFT EXPERTISE — Many of the 30ish year old writers I have seen have written for numerous other fandoms over the span of at least a decade, sometimes more. When you've been doing something for that long, it makes sense that their works would be more finely tuned in content and prose.

INTEREST — Writing fic takes a lot of time and effort - emotional and mental. If someone is around the age of 30, chances are they've got more on their plate than someone younger. Maybe they've got more job responsibilities because they've moved up to a managerial position. Maybe they've had a kid or two. Maybe they have dogs and a partner they live with and have to tend to those things in addition to whatever else going on. My point is, somebody who has a lot going on in their life and still makes the effort to write and share fic HAS TO have a strong desire to do it because it is very time consuming.

I'm sure there are more points that I've left out, but this is just what came to mind immediately. I've seen a lot of weird ageist takes on who "should be" writing smut, as if you suddenly stop being horny when you hit 24 or something.

In all honesty, maybe readers who don't enjoy smut written by 30ish year old writers just aren't ready for it? Maybe if you're 19, you're not going to resonate with someone who is in a later point in their life because you haven't come to that maturity yet? And, no, that's not me saying you can't enjoy it because you're "immature." I'm saying you're not there in your life yet, so it's perfectly fine to prefer works from someone who is more of a peer to you.

So perhaps if you find yourself age shaming, applying morality to sexuality, and denigrating fic writers who are 30ish+, maybe just stick with reading fic and smut by people who are where you're currently at in life?

[gasolinerainbowpuddles]

I really don't understand this sort of mentality. I am digitally camped out in your front yard in my lawn chair patiently and happily waiting for anything you create.

Also, even if you never finish FoF (which is in my top 3 fave fics of all time), I still would feel grateful for all the comfort and laughter and feel good things I experience(d) reading and re-reading it. It has already had such a meaningful impact on me that I couldn't be anything but grateful that you have already shared so much.

I would love to read your originals writing but would it take ten years with a bunch of side quests like you do for FoF?

it's ironic that people wonder why there's always such long stretches of time between fof updates as if those same people aren't in my inbox sending me things like this.

do you think this motivates me in any way? do you think this makes me wanna rush to finish the chapter? all you're accomplishing by sending a message like this is making me feel like shit about myself.

i'm not forcing something because some faceless asshole on the internet told me to. i want to write something i'm proud of, something that means something to me and fulfills my personal standards. i have a strong suspicion you have no idea what that even means. if you did, you would never have sent me something like this.

if it takes me ten years to finish fof then it takes me ten years, and if that means you're not reading it anymore then i'll take it.

[eudikot]

I was looking through my files and discovered a mp100 Serizawa fic I forgot I wrote. I have no clue if this was supposed to be part of a larger idea, but after giving a quick glance over what I wrote to make sure there were no glaring errors it seems like it's rather complete even if not fully revised. BUT I do know this image is from this idea so without further rambling here's the little fic:

In Unnatural Places

Serizawa had always been inside.

He started that way, hiding the world from his powers. Hiding himself from the world. Alone and dark, where nothing could be hurt.

Suzuki offered him a way out. Outside of the walls where he knew every crack and every piece of chipped paint. But even though he left his room, he never left the confines of the inside world. He should've known that an umbrella opened indoors would only bring bad luck, but who was he to turn away the first person who proved that he could be normal?

Outside his room was inside more walls. The enclosed areas were safe, as if everything outside of them did not exist. It was contained in a size that Serizawa could handle, not the infinite land and sky that he occasionally saw through a window. The only times that they truly went outside were in the short minutes between building and car, or train, or plane, or boat. From one solitary enclosed space to a moving one. In the end, it was all the same. He had learned how to function without his umbrella when inside, the walls simply functioning as a bigger umbrella, but the moment he stepped outside it went up, no matter the weather. He might as well have been a vampire, shielding himself from the sun, but in reality, it was the noises, the light, the smell, the bodies, the plants, the animals, the skyscrapers, the cars, the pavement, the sun, the clouds, the way the Earth rotated despite the ground staying still. It was too much, and it would never be enough. Not under Suzuki's watch.

Then, he got in the way. The memories of a kid who had experienced it all bounced around in his brain. The way flowers smelled in spring, the joy of the warm sun on your skin, the sounds of children laughing and playing. There were still bad moments in those memories, but they were undertones compared to the moments spent in happiness. Something to consider, to grow from. Serizawa had never had the time to develop those thoughts. Inside, the building was pristine, not a single crack lacing its walls. Suzuki was there, ensuring that this inside was just like all of the others he had been in. Safe, comfortable, known. These new memories displayed the outside clear to see. The ground torn up, building collapsed, not a person in sight. It was nothing like the glimpses he got while walking to the car. It was the signs of a power out of control.

The same person that gave him his umbrella took it away. He no longer had his safety net, and no longer his supervisor. It was back to the start, an uncatered bomb ready to shift and ignite. It was back to the walls he knew, the only place he could keep everyone safe.

Then he came. The one that Serizawa had forfeited his life for. Reigen showed him that the world was nothing to fear, that one step at a time, he too could learn to enjoy things both inside and out. It had been raining the first day he went into the office. Newly re-acquainted to society, there had been no time to explore how he could buy an umbrella for himself. They had walked downstairs when Regien noticed, opening his umbrella outside and turning back to the doorway. His hand reached out, umbrella loose in his grip. Reigen told him to take it, that he'd get wet and catch a cold and that if he did that meant he couldn't work. Serizawa didn't want to miss work. He carefully took the umbrella from his hand, thinking about how much lighter it felt than his old one. Looking up, he could see the rain accumulating on its surface. Beyond that, the buildings, the trees, the cloudy sky. He was covered, yet he could still see the outside world.

Reigen declined taking it back once Serizawa realized this meant that he now had no umbrella, insisting that his immense power would keep him from getting cold. There wasn't much of an argument, for who could question his logic?

The rain didn't let up as Serizawa walked home. Water began to pool on the sidewalks, an interesting phenomenon. It didn't belong there, it belonged in lakes and rivers and streams. If it was supposed to stay there, then it would have been there this morning when he went to work. He crouched down to examine it, a reflection of himself looking back. Although it looked happy, smiling and laughing. He did not feel that way. His heart still ached. And yet, the reflection seemed to speak to him, as if saying that it takes time. But what was “it” and how much time?

He closed his eyes like the version of him in the reflection, trying to think about what could make him feel that way. There wasn't much that came to mind, as his world had been shifted again and again.

 "Serizawa," a familiar voice called out. He looked around, unable to see a source through the rain.

 "Hello?"

"Serizawa what are you doing?"

He looked down. The image in the puddle had changed, and instead of being still it moved. Pale skin, dark eyes, ginger hair. It was no longer him, but rather…

 "Reigen, how are you in a puddle?"

"What? I'm not- I'm in my apartment, looking at you through a portal- or something of the likes."

 "Oh." Serizawa didn't know what to say. Usually he hated the feeling of not knowing, but with Puddle-Reigen here, somehow it all felt okay.

"Okay, well, why don't we figure this out tomorrow. I'm tired. Goodnight Serizawa," He said, his body shifting out of frame before being placed right back and center.

"Okay. Goodnight, Reigen." He stood up, watching the reflection fizzle away. It all felt like a dream, like maybe he was going crazy and talking to himself. A buzz went off in his pocket and he fished out the phone, also something Reigen had given him. It was a little old and beat up, but he had said that as his employee he needed some way to communicate when they were not in the same room together.

-Maybe you didn't need a phone after all [6:47, Reigen]

Serizawa smiled at every puddle as he continued his walk home. Maybe things in wrong places weren't actually bad, but rather something special exactly where you need it.

[keeps-ache]

all kinds of things happen when it rains

[pinkkittysaw]

maybe i want clive to bully me a bit 😔

[wigglygoblin]

help i need to read 7 books by the end of the year to reach the unrealistic reading goal i set for myself at the start of the year 😟

[gasolinerainbowpuddles]

hm wonder what this could be 🤭

· · ────── ·𖥸· ────── · ·

You trod upstairs to the bathroom and bite back a scream when you see Ezra procure one entirely too small washcloth from the cabinet.

“You’re only washing at the sink?” you ask in what you pray isn’t a too panicked timbre.

“You don’t think the sink is robust enough to address my filth?”

You scrunch your nose, and that’s all the answer he needs. He chuckles a little and sets the singular washcloth aside. It already has smudges of who knows what just from him handling it.

“Tell me what you propose, my Little Gem.” He has an easy smile and those dangerous, glittery eyes fixed onto you.

“I mean, if you’re too tired I could, you know, I wouldn’t mind getting you washed up.” You shrug as though it’s enough to offset your way too eager proposition.

· · ────── ·𖥸· ────── · ·

Write Night tonight! (4/4) — reblog with what you’re working on and let me hype you! ❤️

also, a little laugh for inspo 😌