#I have all the fic and video ideas but I lack the skill of patience so I’m just making aesthetics instead

[mistressheroine]

Keep me honest,

Keep me kind,

Keep me as your finish line.

Keep me, keep me on fire.

TWD season 11 AU - After a difficult first week as a Commonwealth Peacekeeper, Daryl goes for a drink with Carol and there’s an open mic night at the bar. A girl with long blonde hair and faded scars across her face starts to sing the next song and he instantly recognises her voice - it’s Beth, singing the song she wrote thinking they would never see each other again 🤍

[rubatozis]

i think because this sounds like obvious advice people just don't say it bc its kind of an unspoken, common-knowledge sort of thing. but it kinda isn't.

the best thing you can to do improve your writing is to read actual books.

"fanfic writing" as a vibe, descriptor etc is often used in a negative way bc a lot of fandom is based around visual media, which means the only writing references that fic writers have.... is each other.

think about it for more than a second. if everyone references each other, everyone's art is going to end up looking exactly the same. the same tropes, the same vocabulary, the same wording, the same prose, the same style, the same lack of basic writing concepts and/or principles, the same often bad grammar; the list goes on. that's what people mean when they say a book sounds like it came from wattpad.

here's a little science analogy. if coacervate droplets (which would become the first protocells) exchange molecules - like rna - with each other with too much ease and within seconds, then they're going to end up looking like clones of each other. this means they won't mutate, which means they won't evolve, which means life would not exist. ...it's kind of a similar thing. if everyone just gets inspiration from each other, inside a single, limited space or bubble (fic communities but also specific genres or groups of authors), then everything will look and feel exactly the same. as such, nothing will change, adapt, or become unique. it will all be clones; the originality now long gone leaving only a feeling of dread and boredom because everything is just bland.

thing is. apparently when rainwater came in contact with the droplets it formed a barrier around them which allowed for the rna to stay for longer without being exchanged. so they could mutate and change. and so they ended up different from each other. that's what gave way to evolution.

the books are your rainwater. it's this external thing that is likely out of your bubble - especially if you're reading a genre you're not used to - that is going to enrich and thicken your writing style with new ideas. the result is that your writing will likely feel different from other people's and you'll just improve in your skill in general.

this was a really weird analogy but it's not my fault i'm both a literature and science nerd.

read classics but also read trashy romance. read fantasy but also read teen dramas. read cozy but also read horror. honestly- if you have a bookshelf at home with fiction books that belong to someone else who lives with you, read every single one of them.

"i don't have the patience" turn your phone off. use a pomodoro or just a timer. grab a drink or a snack. listen to instrumental music or ambience videos. uninstall or block distracting apps like tiktok. mute your notifications. close your door. or do none of these things and just start reading impulsively. bring it with you somewhere you know you'll feel bored after a while like school or something and read it instead of using ur phone. start with short stories. maybe try a novel. maybe a series. percy jackson is what made me get into reading so maybe that would be a good recommendation.

and once you start, get to the end and reward yourself. save quotes you think sound nice. memorize them. let the book transform your writing. then, when you feel ready, write something.

it will look completely different than it was before.

[alun1r]

As a person who got a degree in writing ( journalism) as well as had to take several English courses to graduate, and now works as a professional writer— it’s very easy to tell.

It’s not so much that it lacks depth or soul. But rather that it sounds the exact same from fic to fic. In regards to terminology.

Not only that but often times the bot will use very big words, words that aren’t even commonly used in our day and age, and it often contradicts what’s being said.

I’ve used this analogy before but for example the bot will write:

“ the car was speeding by, slowly”

It’s easy as a writer to make this little slip every so often. I do it too when describing features on people and I go back like “ okay Alunir make up your damn mind”

But when it comes to fics that feel they’re written by AI, these kinda lines are CONSTANT. And obvious within the first few paragraphs when it comes to describing a scene.

I don’t even read many fics anymore because I got so tired of reading AI generated shit. I felt like I was reading text from Ch.AI and not a person’s voice.

Using it for translation, or to help conjure up some ideas isn’t a bad thing. I chat with C.AI to get ideas when I’m stumped on how to portray a character.

But within this fandom- for some reason- it’s used much more frequently. And if I’m honest I feel it has to do with a weird need of people in this fandom to be “ popular”.

I mean I’ve blocked several people because they complain about not getting recognized CONSTANTLY. Or spew hate on others who do get popular or find weird loopholes and reaches to witch hunt those creators.

And tbh I think that’s why the fandom has dwindled down to .. whatever the hell it is now.

A lot of good creators dipped and moved on to better things. Creativity in this fandom died due to an attention seeking need. The mentality of “ I’m just here to be a memorable creator.” The quickest way to do that? Have a robot just make everything for you.

But Creativity takes work. It takes heart. And it takes soul.

Humans are very social creatures that can internally tell when someone’s heart and soul was put into something. As well as when it was just made by a robot imo.

And yes I am openly against the use of AI in full writing of fics. AS WELL AS THE PROFIT OF IT.

That includes When it comes to

- AI voice videos ( all my videos are free and will never be monetized. I am not the voice actor. I will not profit off their hard work. I just like making silly jokes for fun)

-AI writing ( Now why the hell would you pay for something you could have just done yourself 🧍🏽‍♀️)

- AI Art ( I understand making it to make your characters come to life when you may not have the skill or money to pay an artist. But profiting off it is gross. Especially when Ai art engines have been shown to steal from actual artists.)

I mean as we speak, real journalists are suing ChatGPT for using their writing to teach the computers how to write.

If you don’t have the skill to create, or the patience to learn how to create something. Then you are not a creator. Or a creative of any sort.

I’m constantly seeing posts here and elsewhere where people are alluding to (and calling out) fanfic that has been “AI generated”. My honest question is…how would you know?

With AI art it is (generally) easy to spot but with writing? I know the “complaint” is about smut, etc. but realistically most stories are going to follow the same patterns and/or tropes, especially within the same fandom. Also, one author’s stories are bound to have similar structure and prose—that isn’t AI, that’s their writing style!!!!

Those posts also imply that authors “crank out” an impossible amount of writing for it to be realistic but again, how would you know?

I feel like the posts come from a place of jealousy. There are times when I can write 10k in one day and then go weeks with writing nothing. Maybe those authors have more free time or are just really good at getting the words out?

But mostly how would AI even write a fic for you? I can understand it maybe suggesting lines or filling in gaps but a fic in totality?

What do you think ?

👀

[keysmashchronicles]

my history in phandom and fandom

I’ve always been an avid reader. If I’d have been born twenty years later than I was and grew up in a time when every kid has tablet or a phone, that need for stories might have been filled by TV or other formats instead, but in my childhood years it was all about books, and visiting the library as often as possible. I often daydreamed about the characters in books the books I read, mostly egocentric thoughts of what it would be like if I were to somehow find myself in the stories I was reading. What would it be like to have them as my friends, to be part of those adventures? Of course, in typical Mary-Sue fashion, it wasn’t the real me that I imagined in those daydreams, but some idealised version that was cleverer and funnier and prettier and of course, someone all the other characters either envied or adored.

As I got older, and we moved beyond the stage of just having one TV in the house, my obsessive nature shifted to include TV shows as well as books. The first show that really caught my imagination was Dawson’s Creek. I loved it, the over-articulate teens with all their angsty problems heightened by their hormones going haywire, going through mental health issues and struggles with sexuality and of course, the classic love triangle. I couldn’t wait to tune in every week and catch up on what was happening in Capeside.

I’m not sure how it happened, but one day I was online on our cranky old computer and stumbled across some Dawson’s Creek fanfiction. I was amazed, and fascinated, and also terrified that someone in my family was going to walk in and catch me reading it. But I read every story on that website, and then started looking for more. I couldn’t believe there were other people out there like me, people who didn’t just watch a TV programme and then forget it about it until the following week.  There were others who thought about the characters in a TV show so much, it was almost like they became real. People who wanted to analyse every aspect of the relationships the characters had on screen, and also take these characters off into plots and stories and worlds that were nothing like what actually happened in the show, imagine them in endless different scenarios and see them experience every kind of emotion and think about how they’d react. People who wanted to write or read over and over again about the same characters because they found more and more to discover about them every time they did.I had found my happy place!

Over the years, the obsession with fanfic remained, but the focus of it shifted.I’d go through a cycle – discover a new fandom, immerse myself in it for maybe a year or two, then slowly lose interest. There would be a period where I wouldn’t read fic for a while, maybe 6 months or a year, and then all of a sudden, a new show would capture my attention and I’d be off and running again.

After my interest in Dawson’s Creek had run it’s course, the show that took its place for me was Buffy. As I recall, I had only watched a few episodes here and there and then a writer I was already reading started to post Buffy fics. I read a couple and realised that there must be much more to this show than I’d thought if it was inspiring such good writing. I think that obsession must have lasted a good 3-4 years, one of the longest I’ve had.  There was just so much good stuff for writers to work with - a whole cast of interesting well-developed characters, the good vs evil narrative, the endless possibilities of spells and demons and alternate universes and origin stories and the threat that the world might end at any moment….the list goes on. And also, there was the smut  - I’d read a fair amount in my previous fandom, but Buffy fics took it to a whole other level (this by the way being a major cause of the confusion I had when trying to work out my own sexuality - how can I be asexual? Have you seen my AO3 history???)

After that came the West Wing, followed by House, followed by the other behemoth of my fandom life, Sherlock. With all of these, although I read a hell of a lot of fic, that was always as far as my involvement in fandom went. I didn’t feel the need to join any fandom communities, in fact I don’t really think I would have known much about where or how to get involved if I’d wanted to. In the early days, the fic I read was on fan-hosted sites, with the aid of webrings to help you discover other authors. Then for a long time it was fanfiction.net, livejournal and finally AO3 where I read most of my fic today.

So how did I get into phanfic? In the aftermath of Sherlock series 4, it felt like my engagement with fic in that fandom came to a bit of a stop – there wasn’t really anywhere much to take the story in terms of canon, and a lot of people felt that the whole Eurus plotline had been kind of a jumping the shark moment. For myself, I’d got to that stage where it felt like there was nothing new under the sun. I was feeling the fatigue that always eventually came when I’d overread a fandom, and no matter how hard I’d try to find something to interest me, nothing seemed to capture my imagination any more.

I left the fic alone for quite a while, turning mostly back to traditionally published media – I dipped a toe back into Sherlock fic on occasion, read a bit of MCU here and there but nothing significant.

Then one evening in June 2019, I was scrolling through Twitter when I decided to check what was trending and saw a name I didn’t recognise – Daniel Howell. I had no idea who he was, but lots of other people were clearly very excited by something he’d done, so I thought I’d have a look and find out why. Usually when this happens, it turns the person is either on a reality TV show or plays sports of some kind,  but on this occasion I saw the words ‘YouTuber’ and ‘coming out video’ and it piqued my interest. The only experience I really had of watching YouTubers was through my step niece, when she’d had an obsession with Miranda Sings and we’d watched a lot of her videos together, including collabs, so I knew a few names but not much beyond that.

I clicked on Dan’s video, fully expecting that like with most random clicks, I’d watch for a minute or two before getting bored and looking for something else to occupy my attention, but that didn’t happen. The video was incredible and I was absolutely transfixed for the whole 45 minutes. I thought it was brilliant - the deeply personal story that was being told, the humour, the well-thought out and confidently delivered arguments – I don’t think I’d ever seen anything like it. As someone who had come to identify as asexual and panromantic but not until they were in their late 30s, and who was (is?) still in a place of trying to understand what that meant in my life, it was also hugely resonant to me on a personal level, helping me to realise the unacknowledged but damaging internalised acephobia and homophobia that I was still carrying with me.

I went to Dan’s channel and watched some of his videos, then was curious about that guy named Phil that he’d mentioned, so I watched some of his videos too. I came across the first PINOF and was completely charmed by it, by their rapport and silly humour and how they clearly felt so comfortable just to muck about and be themselves.

For a while I was happy just going through all the content on their channels. It didn’t really occur to me to look for fic until it was referenced in one of their videos. Up until then, RPF had really not been my thing – I’d seen some fics written about the actors who played characters in my various fandoms and I’d avoided them because it had made me feel uncomfortable about what they’d think if they saw them. I’d also scrolled past a lot of 1D and BTS fic when browsing on AO3 tags and to be honest, had had a pretty snobby opinion about it.

But having heard Dan’s story, and then seen dnp’s obvious connection in their videos, I was curious to see what the fans’ take had been on their relationship, and also to see what was being written about them now that Dan had come out. I looked to see if there was anything about them on AO3 and bam! There it was, my next fic obsession had grabbed hold of me and there wasn’t anything much I could do about it!

Since then, I’ve not only read a ton of fics, but even had a go at writing a few. It’s painful because they never come anywhere near the standard of the fics and writers I really admire. I have the desire to want to write well, but also a complete lack of the patience and dedication it takes to develop the necessary skill. But for the first time I didn’t let that stop me from publishing a few fics as I realised I was really writing for myself, to have an outlet for thoughts and ideas that had been going around in my head, and if anyone happened to read it, that was just a bonus.

Then through reading the Seven Basic Plots, I realised that what I’m more interested in at the moment than learning to write fics myself is to come to a greater understanding of how they work, and what exactly has been fuelling my fic obsession for over 20 years (wow....that was weird to think about! Such a long time!)

So that’s my history in fandom, and in phandom, and explains why reading a book about the nature of stories and their purpose made me immediately think that I wanted to examine those ideas in relation to something I know and love – phanfiction.

the seven basic plots // 1st plot - overcoming the monster

[watolocke]

Watolock Figure Skating AU

So this all came to me at once and I wrote a lot of plot points and possible moments down. I’m not much of a fic writer so if you want to force yourself through this disconnected block of text, have fun! I sent this to the Miss Sherlock Discord but I’ll give it its moment in the Tumblr tag lmao.

Sherlock began as a rising star in the junior figure skating community when she was 15, holding an excellent track record of consecutive wins. She had excellent technical skills and creative flair. Her interaction with fans was minimal but she remained popular regardless. 

Unfortunately her teenage years appeared to be the peak of her career when her abilities began to crash after the death of her parents (and some other secret angsty backstory involving figure skating) soon after she turned 20. She began crashing in competitions and her renowned self-choreographed routines fell flat. Her heart and soul was no longer in it.

The only time she feels fully at ease on the ice in her early 20s is in private.

Wato is a hobbyist when it comes to skating. While she is fascinated by the sport she is by no means a religious competition follower and while she could probably list a handful of names she's read about, she wouldn't be quick to recognise. Admittedly she is a bit of nerd surrounding the physics of figure skating jumps.

She uncovered years old tape recordings of the Olympics in her parents' attic and pored over the figure skating footage in her free time while getting through high school. (I honestly just needed an excuse for her not to be a Figure Skating Fangirl who would know Sherlock immediately).

She continues to practise into her college years when she has short breaks between working for her medical degree. It's always in public rinks and it is never more than a hobby.

Kimie Hatano is the rink owner. Gentaro Reimon is Sherlock's coach. Tatsuya Shibata is a pairs skater.#

Their first encounter is at the end of Sherlock's private rink time. She begins to unlace at the back to avoid being rudely talked to or god forbid, asked a question.

Enter the public. Among the groups of friends and couples, a shorter frantic woman stumbles in. She's hefting an assortment of bags and dressed terribly in Sherlock's opinion. Sherlock watches her hastily tie her laces connected to her ratty old skates and push in earphones before she steps onto the ice amidst the rush. For some unknown reason she seems to stand out despite the lacklustre attire. Her expression is just so full of will and determination.

She is soon gliding effortlessly and stepping rhymically across the ice the best she can amidst the admittedly sparse public. There are stammers and blips occasionally and it would be a lie if Sherlock didn't admit one or two falls escaped the woman. It wasn't completely fluent but the beauty and luminescence of the her character easily erased the most minor of errors.

She begins to slide into more advanced step sequences before launching into a series of single jumps. Sherlock hadn't been aware, hadn't even considered the thought, that what she'd seen had simply been a warmup for this assumed amateur. She throws herself without almost any hesitation, catching herself when she underestimates a landing. She continues, never letting the proud glow leave her eyes.

There's a moment where she seems to *prepare* herself, remaining motionless on the ice and taking a breath before she sets off again. Moving with unexpected strength and a spark in her eye. Jump. Sherlock holds her own breath as she sees this woman take off with the clear ambition of a toe loop. One revolution. Two. Three. Landing. Slicing into the ice on the right back outside edge, she lands with only a slight wobble. An almost flawless triple toe. Sherlock is enraptured. Of course, she can do such moves in her sleep but, here she is... Awestruck.

Frozen in place, Sherlock doesn't appear to notice the glee and surprise on the woman's face as she pushes herself to the exit, breathing heavily and reaching for a discarded bottle of water by her bag.

Sherlock practically falls out of her seat in an attempt to catch the woman during her break. Sherlock knows how much she herself despises being interrupted. She fills with a strange emotion as she approaches slowly in the building afternoon crowds. Nerves? She has not been noticed. She could still turn away. No, not Sara Shelly Futaba! She's a figure skating prodigy... with nerves of steel! And really she should take note of potential competition that could jeopardize her consistent wins.

Sherlock: Who's your coach?

Wato, pulling out her earphones: Eh? Sorry?

Sherlock: Do you have a coach?

Wato, looking bemused.

Sherlock, taking in Wato's scuffed and worn skates and attire: No! Of course you don't. What am I thinking! 

Wato, quickly growing angry and scoffing in disbelief.

Sherlock, failing lamely: No no... No! Sorry I just... Uh, what's your name? 

Wato: Tachibana... [Sherlock is clearly waiting for her to elaborate] Wato.

Sherlock: [to herself] Tachibana Wato... Listen- [cut off by phone buzzing, glances away] Ugh..! Listen- [Wato has disappeared; initiate frustrated Sherlock stomps and hair mussing]

Sherlock rushes out instantly, knowing she has no time to hunt down this newly named mystery girl without incurring the wrath of her ballet instructor. She spends the whole lesson a little out of focus and enamoured by Wato. It certainly doesn't go unnoticed. She's endlessly teased by Shibata on the sidelines as her (usually flawless) form is corrected. Sherlock obviously gives him a murderous look and already has 4 possible scenarios in which she can end his career.

The next time she's at the rink, she casually attempts to ask around about a Wato Tachibana. Yet we all know that Sherlock lacks any semblance of discreetness and of course Kimie Hatano, rink owner and Sherlock's designated moral support, knows the "sweet girl who has been showing up for about a week now and oh! She is so lovely, she'd probably even like you, Sherlock! Whoops, I didn't mean that..! Anyway, since you like her so much I'll introduce you both!". Cue Sherlock indignantly denying any interest but not denying the offer.

Mrs Hatano is endlessly encouraging Sherlock to speak to Wato but let's face it... She's a hopeless lesbian. 

Wato has just returned from a gap year in Syria she took in pursuit of her dream as a doctor. She was doing training as a nurse and was further encouraged to chase a higher medical career. Now in the summer building up to her final year in university before she enters medical school she is taking her free time to pursue an outside hobby she enjoys to lessen the pressure of such a demanding course.

She becomes close friends with Mrs Hatano during her visits and praises Wato each time she sees her but Wato is much too humble and even unaware to admit she's any good. Mrs Hatano remarks on her days as an ice dancer and all the many incredible men and women she met (in more ways than one). Wato laughs along at her stories that would be unbelievable if they weren't coming from her lips. Sherlock is often seen moping in the sidelines lamenting her inability to approach Wato after their awkward first encounter.

After some long, hard talks with Mrs Hatano Wato decides that she can afford to fish out money for a few lessons, purely to occupy her summer *obviously*. Sherlock, who is usually opposed to assisting any beginner's lessons jumps at the chance when Mrs Hatano mentions Wato. 

However, the instructor insists she just show what she can do first lesson while Sherlock is lurking in the back of the rink seating. Wato gets off to a shaky start due to her nerves but is soon smoothly gliding across the ice and doing moves, slowly increasing in difficulty. Amid this she is periodically throwing out single and double jumps. Sherlock is convinced she needs to speak to this girl and maybe advise her on how to improve her technique. Sherlock can already see the magic if Wato were to improve her rotations and unstable landings. Although these things never come out quite as smoothly she skates...

So unfortunately the first time they speak sherlock unintentionally comes off as pretentious and the two get into some verbal combat despite being interested in each other.

Kento definitely approaches Sherlock later and she pouts and mopes about how badly she handled that situation but that Wato was *totally* in the wrong too..!

Sherlock thought she was being constructive when advising wato on her technique but she was just pointing out everything wrong. She didn't have time to get to the positives before Wato was offended and began the verbal warfare.

They also both make the mistake of going to Mrs Hatano, wondering how they could apologise. Mrs Hatano, of course, has a genius idea: Coffee. However, when both women arrive and suddenly there's four coffees between the two of them. There's a lot of uncomfortable fumbling and light blushes as they talk over each other attempting to defend themselves. Sherlock tries to act cold and unaffected but they're eventually both giggling. 

Conversation is still awkward as they both lace up before Wato's first proper lesson but Sherlock lightly nudges Wato before shoving a piece of chocolate in her hand. Before Wato can reply Sherlock has turned away, shoved on her skate guards and marched off. And lucky she did because she may have melted if she saw the soft smile Wato had on her face.

Next thing you know Sherlock is pretending nothing happened and patiently leading Wato in a beginner's class. Sherlock notoriously doesn't have the patience for *anyone*. Period. On the side we have a slightly stunned Mrs Hatano. Sherlock is so caught up in explaining successful landing technique in detail that she doesn't even notice them. Shibata films it as "blackmail material" but Sherlock steals his phone. Before deleting the video she sends it to herself... because Wato looks so cute in it but she'll never let anyone in on that.

As first professional lessons usually go, Wato falls over an unimaginable amount of times by over-rotating on her jumps and Sherlock rushes over each time to check that she's alright.

Wato, grinning: You know I'm getting a medical degree, right?

Sherlock, holding the sides of her face gazing very intently at Wato's pupils: You can't determine your own concussion!

They probably look in each other's eyes for a few moments too long before clearing their throats and getting back to practice.

Sherlock leads Wato through the appropriate motions by lightly placing her hands on Wato's hips and waist and demonstrating the leg and arm movements for better balance. It's all in the name of sport yet it ends up achingly intimate.

By the end they are both glowing and Wato is gazing up as Sherlock rambles about everything and nothing all at once and she can't take her eyes off her. They end up beside each other once again, yanking off their skates and mindlessly discussing breathtaking routines from *decades* ago because of course Sherlock has endless knowledge on all her interests. They end up sat there late into the afternoon as the public passes in front of them and Mrs Hatano brings them drinks and snacks. 

Wato talks about her school life and how exhausting it can be but how much she adores it. Sherlock laughs at her affably for not following modern skating competitions. Wato jokes that Sherlock isn't as popular as she claims she is. Conversation is cut short when Wato cheekily requests to see one of Sherlock's apparently *incredible* routines. Sherlock stalks off with a less than friendly farewell and Wato has to use all her energy not to chase after this woman she's barely known a day.

Sat speechless she confides in Mrs Hatano who halfheartedly mentions Sherlock's "moods", although it seemed like more than a mood to Wato.

They each spend that night pondering the fun they had and just how much they want to see and speak to each other again.

The next time that they meet Sherlock stomps up to Wato with a phone number and a proposition. The number is to organise additional practises with Sherlock who gets extra rink access because "it's practical, Wato! Don't be dense!" The proposition is an invitation to witness one of Sherlock's routines privately during one of the previously mentioned additional practises. Sherlock requests that she set the date for it but Wato quickly agrees.

It takes a week more of practises in the presence of Mrs Hatano and various instructors before Sherlock finally approaches Wato to make good on her offer that night.

When Wato enters the rink it is the quietest she's ever seen it. She doesn't even see Mrs Hatano shuffling about. Admittedly it is quite late in the evening on a Sunday. She calls out, spotlights flash and as she blinks Sherlock appears from the other side of the rink all booted up with a long, *extremely fashionable* coat draped around her. Wato laughs loudly at her dramatics and Sherlock badly covers a smile as she skates to the centre of the ice.

Wato shades her eyes from the lights as she tries to see who's in the tech booth although she's almost certain she already knows. She hears a  yell of "catch!" before feeling the impact of a coat on her face. Before she can protest Sherlock has assumed her opening position and she is... *dazzling*. Her outfit is delicately sequined and elegant.

The music sets off at a somber pace and Sherlock possesses all the majesty and grace of a prima ballerina. The pace picks up and though she feels slightly wobbly in front of this new audience she slices through the air, elevating herself half a metre off the ice and landing with perfect balance.

Sherlock does the most impossible choreography and Wato is *beyond* amazed. She is void of speech or even breath to fully convey the beauty of what she'd just seen.

Sherlock bows deeply after showcasing one of her early successful routines and twirls, waving timidly to the audience of one.

As Sherlock begins to exit the ice Wato rushes over and grabs her arm as she sings her praises. Sherlock goes to shake Wato's arm off in habit but is stuck halfway through putting on her skate guards by Wato's fascinated expression and sparkling eyes.

Since this is just a very long sneak peak of my ideas... I’ll stop here. Feel free to send me asks with your thoughts and questions about this AU though. I am very invested in it.

[gammafish]

Fanfiction writer asks Thank you @saantha and @writerforthetylwythteg ! ^^ <3

Okay, Caroline first cause you sent this to me like a week ago :’D 1) How old were you when you first starting writing fanfiction? My answer is really similar to yours, I think? I started years and years ago, maybe when I was 15 or 16? But I didn’t even know what fanfiction was lol. But before that I was writing a long looong story, kiiinda origina but also kiiiinda with a character based on an existing character from a show ^^’ I first published an actual ‘proper’ fanfic on AO3 when I was 19.

12) Who is your favourite character to write for? Why? Surprise surprise, but my I love writing ‘dark’, tortured, angsty, and tormented characters, wow, who would have thought xD I wrote for a few fandoms and I guess I have a favourite in each? In SNK it’s Levi, in X-Men it was Charles, in BBC Sherlock it’s Moriarty, and in Black Butler it’s... well, both Ciel and Sebastian. But I’d say that out of all of those, at least recently, I’ve been enjoying writing Sebastian; I wrote over 25k words of a series recently entirely from his POV, as you know, and it was fantastic to write, that fic is my little baby, my little pride and joy :’D I remember you saying that the fic read like something I was born to write, and that that demon was my perfect muse and my dude, it sounds so right XD

13) Who is your least favourite character to write for? Why? Hmmmmmmmmmmm no one comes to mind, really? Logically progressing from the previous question, I’m not the biggest fan of writing overly-happy, bubbly characters XD But I don’t think I have one I actually dislike. If I really hate a character, I probably won’t include them in my fic, or as little as possible.

16) How did you come up with the idea for xxx?  (Guide Dog) Whump. I just wanted to write lots of whump xD And fear, and abuse, and recovery from these; describing the slow mental process of a character progressing from being scared of their own shadow to - through someone else’s kindness and patience - learn how to function again. I’ve wanted to try this for years and years, it’s been brewing in my head for so long, and I had so many plans and drafts, but somehow it just never took off until I came across SNK, and Eren’s story. And then of course it got a bit political, but honestly I’m kind of glad it took that kind of turn, I think it made it a more meaningful story than just an attempt at a feels-fest XD

21) Tell me about another writer(s) who you admire? What is it about them that you admire? Well, you know I obviously like your works because of how wonderfully fucked up they are, right up my street so :D In the SNK fandom, I love acidtowns who wrote Junkyard Dogs, and also julieofthwatertribe, and I’ve STILL got to read pinkheichou’s massive Ereri fic but people love it so I’m sure she’s good too x3 There are tons and tons of fics in that fandom that I love but these are the first few that come to mind. In BBC Sherlock fandom, Mad_Lori wrote this absolutely infamous ‘Alone on Water’ fic which is basically just a rollercoaster of angst and tears, it was amazing. SD_Ryan wrote amazing fics too, with Moran/Moriarty. I had a friend on deviantArt years ago, who wrote really good Rammstein fics too, she even wrote one for me!  And of course, in the SPN fandom, the top of the top of Destiel fics; Twist and Shout by gabriel and standbyme. It’s the highest-rated (in terms of kudos) Destiel fanfic on AO3, and I can absolutely understand why. The angst in this is just indescribable, I wasted like an entire tissue roll on my tears. And then there were two fics; ‘To high places by narrow roads’ by Fossarian, and ‘Carry On’, by TamrynEradani. I don’t remember the first one too well, but it had lots of angst and issues of slavery like in Guide Dog, so I loved it lots, but the second one, ohhh the second one. The writer described a dom/sub relationship in the most perfect, wholesome, realistic way I ever saw written anywhere. I need to reread it soon now actually, because it’s a feast for the soul, I’m not even kidding XD And then finally, Black Butler fandom; chromehoplite, gxlden both write awesome stuff (and they collaborate a lot too and the results are aMAZING and they grace this fandom with sooo much content :’3) Severus_Divides_into_H is also writing a fantastic multi-chaptered fic which is so beautifully sad, dark and gothic and full of feels, honestly you can clearly see I have a type, when it comes to fics :’D

33) What’s the biggest compliment you’ve gotten? I couldn’t choose a single one, I’m flattered whenever I get any kind of compliment :’) But I live and breathe for the moments when people tell me that my fic made them cry. And honestly you gave me some of the best compliments lol, I wanted to launch myself into space when you said that Ciel’s death from my fic affected you and that you randomly found yourself thinking of that scene the next day, because you’re not even in the fandom T__T <3 And I wanted to do the same thing when a few people told me before they would buy a physical copy of Guide Dog, like, people would pay money for what I wrote?? How possible, nat.exe has crashed, reboot now. And hahah, recently when I comment on some Black Butler fics, once or twice I got a response that the author was glad to get a comment from me because they read my fic and they liked it, and that just blows my mind because???? Someone recognised me??? how possible?? Reboot again

49) Can you remember the first fic you read? What was it about? Uuuuuum I think it was actually a Rammstein fic, based on the ‘Ich Will’ music video. Angst and death all around ;-; But again, at that stage I didn’t really know what fanfiction was lol. 

Bahaha I hope you enjoyed your novel, my GOD that took me so long XD

And hóhóhó Jázu thank you for asking too ( ͡◉ ͜ʖ ͡◉) <3

8) Where do you take your inspiration from? Uuuuugh that’s a tough one. Maybe overall just some messed up movies or books or other fics, and when I’m actually writing, it’s usually some dark or sad gothic music, or whatever else fits lol ^^ But I don’t write THAT much, so I don’t need a constant IV with inspiration, I suppose ^^’

18) Do you have any abandoned WIP’s? What made you abandon them? Yeeeeesss ^^’‘‘ Guilty as charged lol. I have at least one abandoned WIP in the BBC Sherlock fandom, X-men fandom, and supernatural fandom (in the last one, I remember it was some heavy angst - what a surprise - destiel wip that I actually tried to find a few days ago, but couldn’t which made me very sad lol cause I wanted to read over it :( ). I guess I abandoned them because there was no solid plot, and I only started writing them because I wanted to write some quick whump, or some feels, but didn’t have the determination to write a whole story around it XD

25) Have you ever cried whilst writing a story? ABSOLUTELY, with the amount of angst I try to squeeze in everywhere, I take it as a personal offense and lack of skills if I can’t make at least * myself * cry x’D Although, I’m writing this long multichaptered fic for Attack on Titan that I think I mentioned to you, and its close to 200k words, and there’s lots of angst, but it hasn’t made me cry as much as writing this other for, Black Butler, which is only 24k words. I cried for at least half of it lol, maybe because it’s much closer to canon, and the canon itself is so tragic and has me upset whenever I think about it ;__;

HOH ALRIGHT that’s me done, I think this actually took me around an hour to do XD But thank you guys, that was fun :3c <3

[manchasama]

i cant reply to posts but some of your msa or tmnt to dos if you still wanna do those?

Oh man, is there anything MSA related I didn’t share??  Ummmmmmm....

*goes diving into folders*

Aha!  I didn’t post that Vithur week drabble I think!  >_>

So my friend, buddy, pal, I honestly miss MSA.  I miss the easy writing that was fun, even if it ended up kinda stressful too.  That was the most productive I’ve ever been?  Aaah, I need to go back to it sometime.  Full disclosure, I haven’t watched the second video.  I know!  But here’s the thing; I really wanted to wait until I was in a good mental state for writing, and was hoping that watching it would inspire me to get back into writing drabbles again.  And lately...man, lately, I have not been in good head-space for writing.

I did hear the third video is coming out soon too!  Fingers crossed it’s good too, I can’t imagine it won’t be!

Before I get to posting the MSA drabble, a quick note on the TMNT folder.  It holds exactly one file.  *laughs*  Long ago I took a creative writing class, and I had to do a character study piece.  I made an OC *gasp scream!* who was a newbie NY cop.  The idea behind the vague “fic” idea was that it was set pre-2007 movie, when Raph is going around Nightridering around.  They keep butting heads, sort of, but the more Raph brings in the criminals the more the cop is grateful for the help.  I know I have more notes somewhere, but I think they didn’t make it onto my googledrive.  I’ll need to go searching for them sometime.  If you want to read the little piece where the two, eh, “meet” for the first time, lemme know and I’ll post it!

And now, on to the Vithur

It was mid-way through her Junior year when he walked through the classroom door, and Vivi immediately sat up and took notice.  He was shorter than her, and that was saying something as she wasn't the tallest girl out there.  Maybe a bit shy of average height, so for a guy?  That was pretty small.  His colorful hair fell around his ears and in his eyes in an adorably messy way, and from the way he hunched in on himself as he shuffled up to the teacher all but screamed at his discomfort.  No one else in the class seemed to take much notice, a few heads popping up from the test they were all taking, but they quickly ducked back down as the pressure of the dwindling time-limit drew them back.  She couldn't understand how they managed it; there was something about him that was completely drawing her attention.

Vivi was absolutely going to become his friend.

Arthur was a couple of years younger than she was (well that explained why he was so short), and one smart cookie to have skipped so many years of school.  Vivi quickly discovered that it wasn't any sort of bravado or parental pressure; he was genuinely interested in learning and excelled at anything he put his mind to.  The key word being 'interested'.  Arthur was abysmal at their english classes.  He didn't have the patience for grammatical structure or analysis of dead writers, not when there were new and exciting creations he could build and/or blow up.

Because of his age and his interests, he didn't fit in with his older peers very well.  Even the few who would bother to try to befriend him hit the wall of his abysmal social skills.  It took patience to get more than a monosyllable response from him, and teenagers were not well known for that.

So Vivi had wormed her way in to the shy boy's life by volunteering to tutor him in english, in return for the same from him in their various math and science classes.  At first it was slow going.  Arthur didn't trust her (she could guess at the story behind that particular lack of trust), and had been painfully formal in their interactions.  Vivi hadn't let it bother her, and had responded with her normal levels of enthusiasm and friendliness.  

Slowly under the unending assault of the charm that was Vivi's, Arthur began to relax.  The first time he'd cracked a joke with her (it had been some sort of stupid pun), she'd stared for a full ten seconds before keeling over backwards with a shriek of laughter.  Less from how funny the joke was, and more that it had been Arthur to tell it.  

When she'd first brought up her supernatural interests, she'd expected disbelief from Arthur.  Prepared for it even.  Those that were kinder had only played along with it or put up with it until her unending stories and speculations got on their nerves.  Those that weren't kind….  She'd learned to keep it to herself, after a while. But she trusted Arthur, and it was such a big interest for her, that she had to tell him.

Arthur was such a logical person that she hadn't held any hope that he'd believe in the spirits and ghosts and entities that fascinated her.  But he'd surprised her by taking her seriously, asking questions as he tried to understand how such creatures could exist in the world, in a way she'd never considered.  He believed, in a very different way from Vivi, and she was delighted at the new avenues now open to her.  She was more and more thrilled with each passing day.  And an idea began to grow in the back of her mind.

They were, without a doubt, friends.  Even Arthur admitted that much, with that shy crooked smile of his that set her heart a flutter.  Now Vivi wanted more.  But it was the end of the year, and she was heading off overseas to visit her family for most of it.  Arthur also said he'd be busy, but promised to keep in touch with her through emails, texts, phone calls, any means available.  So Vivi had held her peace for now, but held bright in her mind her intentions come the start of the next school year.

It was a bright, sunny day, a perfect start to their final year of school.  Vivi had been unable to contain her excitement at seeing her friend in person again.  Her question was at the forefront of her mind.  She couldn't wait much longer!.  Scanning the hallways, which were not terribly crowded as she'd arrived early, she didn't see any sign of him yet.  Arthur had promised to meet her, so where was he?

"Vivi!" a voice, much deeper than she'd been expecting, caused her to wheel around.  Then look up.

Well.  Arthur had apparently had his growth spurt over the summer, because he now had a few inches on her.  And he'd done something with his hair; it no longer fell around his head in messy waves, but had been styled back, showing off his youthful face and bright eyes.  It was very flattering, she admitted.

Vivi felt a smile bloom on her face, and she opened her mouth to greet him properly, but the only thing that came out was, "Will you go out with me?"  Whoops.  

Arthur was turning a bright shade of red, confusion warring with disbelief on his face.  "W-what?!" he squeaked.  Actually squeaked!  It was too cute!

"Awww," she cooed, unable to contain herself.  All those warm and gooey feelings were returning tenfold now that she was in his presence again.  And she felt no need to hold back, at least not until Arthur gave her a yes or no!  "Stop being so adorable!  It's so not fair.  I asked if you wanted to go out with me.  See, I was going to ask you last year, but I wasn't going to be around all summer and knowing you, you'd overthink things and start doubting and stupid stuff like that.  And if I wasn't going to be around to reassure you, well, I wasn't about to take the chance."  

She took a deep breath, aware she was rambling but unable to stop.  Hey, she was allowed to be nervous, and Arthur was still giving her a scandalized look.  It wasn't the best sign.

"But now, look at you!  There's no chance that I'm the only one who'll notice you now, but I saw you first, and I already love that big brain of yours, and the way you crinkle your nose when you're concentrating on a new idea, and—"  She stopped herself from blurting how how much she appreciated his support for her supernatural hobbies.  

That had caused her enough grief, and she could feel the interested eyes of the other students on them.  Whoops again.  She really should have thought this through, but that wasn't her strongest suit.  She was much more spontaneous, to her current regret.  Arthur hated being the center of attention, and here she was putting him at the mercy of the entire school….

"A-and how you always listen to me," she said, stumbling only slightly as she changed what she'd been about to say.  "Among at least a million other reasons.  So yeah.  What do you say?"  She wasn't holding her breath, really.

Arthur blinked, face still cherry red as he cast a furtive glance around them.  Some other students had stopped to watch the impromptu entertainment unabashedly.  Vivi tried to glare them down, but couldn't call much heat up.  Not when Arthur was still not saying anything.  Had she really made that big of a mistake?

"Say yes already!" some voice called out from behind her.  "We're getting tired of waiting!"  It was, Vivi noticed as she shot a perturbed look behind her, one of their fellow seniors who'd been in their math class last year.  The girl gave a pumpkin grin back, unabashed.  

"Uh," Arthur said eloquently.  Vivi looked up at him, widening her eyes piteously and sticking her lip out in an exaggerated pout.  It caused him to grin faintly, some of the tension draining from his shoulders.  "Uh...sure.  I mean yes."

There was a cheer from some of the seniors and other enthusiastic students, and Vivi let out a breath.  Okay, so it hadn't gone exactly how she'd meant, but it was a yes!  She threw her arms around Arthur's neck, a bubble of relieved laughter leaving her.  He buried his face in her shouldering, now having to hunch over to do.  She could hear him muttering at her, "Oh my god Vivi really?  Did you have to do it here?  I hate you so much."

"Love you too, bae," she crooned.  She was utterly unable to wipe the silly grin off her face when she felt his arms hesitantly wrap around her in a loose embrace.  This year was going to be the best.