#Ao3 Fic

[rosetterer]

Me with depression

I love, love, LOVE it when I can tell a fic author has integrated their specialized knowledge in a fic. I was reading a fic that at some point included the character going to visit an art therapist, and it's so clear that the author is an art therapist themself, and the details included are just immaculate and I love it. I've previously read about a character doing fencing for no other reason than the author clearly wanting to write a sport they understood. A character being given a hyperfixation on bugs just so the author can infodump themselves.

I eat it up every time, it brings such a smile to my face

[imsofreakingtired]

Destined to Meet Again (cowboy au)

Part 1

[xyywrites]

What to Do When the Middle Sags

Ah, the dreaded sagging middle—the place where your story feels like it’s running in circles, or worse, standing still. Many writers hit this wall, but don’t worry—it’s fixable. The middle of your story is the heart of the journey, the place where characters face challenges that set the stage for the climax. If your middle is losing momentum, here are some practical tips (with examples) to reignite the spark.

1. Introduce a Midpoint Twist

Give your plot a jolt by throwing in an unexpected twist that shakes up the status quo.

Example: In The Hunger Games, the announcement that two tributes from the same district can win together completely shifts Katniss's strategy and amps up the stakes.

Tip: The twist doesn’t have to be massive—just something that complicates your characters’ goals and forces them to adapt.

2. Add a Subplot That Intertwines with the Main Plot

Introduce a secondary conflict that deepens the stakes or explores a new side of your characters.

Example: In Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet's subplot involving Wickham creates tension and provides insight into Darcy’s character.

Tip: Make sure the subplot supports the main narrative. It should enhance the story, not distract from it.

3. Escalate the Stakes

If your middle feels slow, it might be because the stakes aren’t high enough. Raise the pressure on your characters.

Example: In The Martian, Mark Watney’s potato crop fails, leaving him with limited food supplies and no margin for error.

Tip: Ask yourself: “What’s the worst thing that could happen to my character right now?” Then let it happen.

4. Deepen Character Relationships

The middle is the perfect time to develop your characters’ dynamics—friendships, rivalries, alliances, or betrayals.

Example: In Stranger Things (Season 1), the kids’ bond with Eleven deepens in the middle episodes, revealing her vulnerabilities and cementing their loyalty to her.

Tip: Focus on moments of vulnerability or conflict that reveal something new about your characters.

5. Introduce a Ticking Clock

Deadlines and time limits add urgency to your story.

Example: In Inception, the middle accelerates when the characters face layers of time running out in the dreamscape.

Tip: The ticking clock doesn’t have to be literal. It can be a metaphorical deadline, like a relationship on the brink of collapse.

6. Force Your Protagonist to Make a Hard Choice

A moral dilemma or a tough decision can reignite tension.

Example: In The Dark Knight, Batman must choose between saving Rachel or Harvey Dent, pushing him into emotional and ethical turmoil.

Tip: Hard choices show growth—or cracks—in your protagonist’s resolve.

7. Change the Setting

A fresh environment can provide new challenges and visual interest for the reader.

Example: In The Fellowship of the Ring, the group moves from Rivendell to the treacherous Mines of Moria, increasing tension and danger.

Tip: Make the new setting more dangerous or unpredictable than the last.

8. Reveal New Information

Introduce a secret, revelation, or piece of backstory that changes the reader’s understanding of the plot or characters.

Example: In The Sixth Sense, the middle is packed with hints and reveals that slowly unravel the truth about Malcolm and Cole.

Tip: This new information should connect to the story’s core themes and drive the plot forward.

9. Focus on Internal Conflict

If the external action slows, delve deeper into your protagonist’s internal struggles.

Example: In The Catcher in the Rye, much of the middle is Holden’s internal conflict about growing up and his isolation.

Tip: Use internal conflict to build empathy for your character or highlight their flaws.

10. Foreshadow the Climax

Use the middle to set up elements that will pay off later in the story.

Example: In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry’s discovery of the Pensieve and his interactions with Barty Crouch Sr. foreshadow the climax involving Voldemort’s return.

Tip: Plant seeds that will leave readers saying, “Oh, so that’s why that happened!”

Checklist for Avoiding a Sagging Middle:

Does every scene push the story forward or develop a character?

Are there unanswered questions keeping the reader hooked?

Have you raised the stakes since the beginning?

[saviinika]

do i disappoint you?

Words: 6,384

Excerpt:

He’d done so many things wrong with Viktor, but his life had truly fallen apart the moment that his partner walked out of their lab wrapped in the blanket Jayce had draped around his naked, changed body. There was so little hope of getting him back now, but he could still strive to be a better partner regardless, the first act of which was to actively try to understand the motivations behind Viktor’s actions. That started with him accepting that Zaun and its people were products of Piltover’s negligence with... well, everything.

“Are you all right?” a quiet voice asked from nearby, and Jayce whipped his head around in surprise. Sitting on the bank with wide, honey-coloured eyes was a brown-haired boy no older than ten. He was tentatively examining the hammer, running the pads of his fingers along the expensive alloys of its head. Beside him in the dirt was a scrappy metal toy boat lying on its side and a stick... no, a cane. Jayce narrowed his eyes with contemplation.

“You are getting wet, you know.”

[goldenjetpack]

[maelstrom-of-emotions]

Chapters: 1/1

Fandom: The Music Freaks (Web Series)

Rating: General Audiences 

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply 

Relationships: Jake & Milo (The Music Freaks) 

Characters: Jake (The Music Freaks), Milo (The Music Freaks), Jake's Mother (The Music Freaks), Jake's Father (The Music Freaks) [Mentioned] 

Additional Tags: Family Fluff, Family Feels, Fluff, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Light Angst, Sibling Bonding, Brotherly Bonding, Brotherly Love, Jake Sterling is a Golden Retriever, Milo is a Feral Cat on a Sugar High, Dramatic Twelve Year Old, Good Older Brother Jake Sterling, Sweet, Panic Attacks, Oreo Has Like Two Seconds of Screentime But Is The Star of the Show 

Summary:

Jake Sterling is a lot of things. A singer with a voice that makes people ache. A golden boy with too much history carved into his bones. A morning mess who grumbles through his first two hours of consciousness. A walking storm of chaos and loyalty and sharp edges softened by the people he loves.

But before any of that—before the music, before the baggage, before the expectations pressing down on his shoulders—he is Jake. Milo’s big brother.

And that is the one thing in this world that will never change.

Or: Author’s brain is rotting from family fluff, and now TMF has to suffer, too.

For @agerasiaa

[a-fic-reviewer-757]

War of Hearts

by: FreakensteinXIII | word count : 68,994| AO3 | chapters: 16/16| rating : Explicit

Summary:

Hanzo Hasashi and Kuai Liang had both been called to be new instructors for the Special Forces for the time being. While there, Hanzo begins to have a revelations of feelings for his close friend. Feelings that he has a hard time accepting.

Tags :

Friends to Lovers | Denial of Feelings| Internalized Homophobia | Hanzo has a hard time accepting his feelings | Friends helping each other out| MK11 Timeline | Blow Jobs | Oral Sex |Hand Jobs | Masturbation | Masturbation in Shower | Anal Play | Anal Fingering| Coming Untouched| Violence isn't a way to talk about feelings| Aggression| Grumpy kharacters| Loss of Virginity| Anal Sex| Jealousy|Semi-Public Sex| Blood | Blood and Violence |Cock Warming | Choking|Angst | Depression | Misuse of powers| Drinking doesn't solve problems either| Drunk characters| Drunk Sex | 69 (Sex Position)| Throat Bulge| Multiple Orgasms|

Review : 💜💜💜💜💜

This fic scratched my brain in the best way possible. I love SubScorp, and I’ve been mourning them ever since the MK reboot took them away from me — so I read this to fill that void. It’s smutty, but it’s also packed with feelings, which makes it even better. Hanzo being thrown by the fact he has feelings for Subzero? Kuai struggling with his self-worth? Peak SubScorp angst. The way this fic explores their dynamic had me hooked, and I loved every word of it.

[rodamned]

imagine being aldo bellini, praying to god every night asking why he made you like that, joining the seminary in the hopes of escaping your urges only to eventually meet a man so beautiful inside and out that you fall in love with him immediately and for the rest of your life

[outromoony]

"I'm not like other girls." Well, that's good for you, but I am. I love reading books and fanfics. I love obsessing over fictional characters and screaming music at the top of my lungs. I love fangirling over celebrities and getting overly invested in ships that will never be canon. I cry over sad endings and laugh at memes no one else understands. I love getting way too excited over small things, daydreaming about impossible scenarios, and staying up late to finish just one more chapter. I love getting lost in fictional worlds, losing sleep over them, and rewatching my favorite shows a million times. I love spending hours scrolling through fan art and feeling alive through the stories, music, and love for people I will never meet. I love being like other girls.

[paper-lilypie]

been keeping up with @okiedoketm’s time travel KobyLu fic for so long and only now FINALLY gotten around to drawing something for it hehe plops these here

[bipolaritysucksbutslaps]

brb gonna daydream about writing fanfiction for several hours without actually writing a single word

[dayleebear]

drew one of my favorite scenes from my most recent fic, Against All That You Believed :)

if you like the 7th comic, speeding bullet, and hurt/comfort i really think you’d like it! <3

[xyywrites]

Tips for writing flawed but lovable characters.

Flawed characters are the ones we root for, cry over, and remember long after the story ends. But creating a character who’s both imperfect and likable can feel like a tightrope walk. 

1. Flaws That Stem From Their Strengths

When a character’s greatest strength is also their Achilles' heel, it creates depth.

Strength: Fiercely loyal.

Flaw: Blind to betrayal or willing to go to dangerous extremes for loved ones.

“She’d burn the whole world down to save her sister—even if it killed her.”

2. Let Their Flaws Cause Problems

Flaws should have consequences—messy, believable ones.

Flaw: Impatience.

Result: They rush into action, ruining carefully laid plans.

“I thought I could handle it myself,” he muttered, staring at the smoking wreckage. “Guess not.”

3. Show Self-Awareness—or Lack Thereof

Characters who know they’re flawed (but struggle to change) are relatable. Characters who don’t realize their flaws can create dramatic tension.

A self-aware flaw: “I know I talk too much. It’s just… silence makes me feel like I’m disappearing.” A blind spot: “What do you mean I always have to be right? I’m just better at solving problems than most people!”

4. Give Them Redeeming Traits

A mix of good and bad keeps characters balanced.

Flaw: They’re manipulative.

Redeeming Trait: They use it to protect vulnerable people.

“Yes, I lied to get him to trust me. But he would’ve died otherwise.”

Readers are more forgiving of flaws when they see the bigger picture.

5. Let Them Grow—But Slowly

Instant redemption feels cheap. Characters should stumble, fail, and backslide before they change.

Early in the story: “I don’t need anyone. I’ve got this.”

Midpoint: “Okay, fine. Maybe I could use some help. But don’t get used to it.”

End: “Thank you. For everything.”

The gradual arc makes their growth feel earned.

6. Make Them Relatable, Not Perfect

Readers connect with characters who feel human—messy emotions, bad decisions, and all.

A bad decision: Skipping their best friend’s wedding because they’re jealous of their happiness.

A messy emotion: Feeling guilty afterward but doubling down to justify their actions.

A vulnerable moment: Finally apologizing, unsure if they’ll be forgiven.

7. Use Humor as a Balancing Act

Humor softens even the most prickly characters.

Flaw: Cynicism.

Humorous side: Making snarky, self-deprecating remarks that reveal their softer side.

“Love? No thanks. I’m allergic to heartbreak—and flowers.”

8. Avoid Overdoing the Flaws

Too many flaws can make a character feel unlikable or overburdened.

Instead of: A character who’s selfish, cruel, cowardly, and rude.

Try: A character who’s selfish but occasionally shows surprising generosity.

“Don’t tell anyone I helped you. I have a reputation to maintain.”

9. Let Them Be Vulnerable

Vulnerability adds layers and makes flaws understandable.

Flaw: They’re cold and distant.

Vulnerability: They’ve been hurt before and are terrified of getting close to anyone again.

“It’s easier this way. If I don’t care about you, then you can’t leave me.”

10. Make Their Flaws Integral to the Plot

When flaws directly impact the story, they feel purposeful rather than tacked on.

Flaw: Their arrogance alienates the people they need.

Plot Impact: When their plan fails, they’re left scrambling because no one will help them.

Flawed but lovable characters are the backbone of compelling stories. They remind us that imperfection is human—and that growth is possible.

[penvisions]

by the grit of sandpaper {masterlist}

Pairing: Jackson! Joel Miller x F! Reader

Summary: Joel Miller is a gruff as they come, the world having changed him for the worst. But settling in Jackson with his brother changed him for the better. He's known around town as someone to help, whether it be with home repairs, construction, and hand carved trinkets. An offhand comment from you inspires him to branch out and create helpful kitchen wares. And it seems everyone has been gifted one from him, except for you. It makes you rethink the casual friendship you had developed with the man that had just begun to expand beyond patrols.

Word Count: 57.8k - finished

Warnings: canon typical violence, canon typical language, pining, unrequited feelings, joel a little mean in this, heart of gold joel, carpenter joel, woodworking joel, artisan joel, patrol partnership, mild injuries, confessions, lots of feelings, angst, hurt and comfort, joel miller's hands need their own warning, arguing, heated interactions, smut, p in v, unprotected p in v, oral (f and m receiving), jealousy, more to be added as the story develops!

A/N: now finished! this fic means so much to me, it's allowed to bare a bit of my soul with y'all and it's been received so well. thank you, from the bottom of my heart for the continued interaction with this, i love y'all

ao3 link || main masterlist || ko-fi

fic teaser || fic teaser no.2 || olive's song || artwork of olive and joel *NEW

the conversations we have -pre-series one shots:

sweetening the deal || how we pass the time || weather permitting

main series:

chapter 1 || chapter 2 || chapter 3 || chapter 4 || chapter 5 || chapter 6 || chapter 7

epilogue || honor me - a post series timestamp

[ashroomancer]

Babe, you've got to stop calling edibles class A's no one knows what the fuck you're talking about!