#and leave a comment and kudos if you like it!

[jolapeno]

I’m embarrassed to ask but so many fav’s are going there so how do you use ao3?

hello hello!

do not be embarrassed at all! and hopefully, i can try and help.

now, i wish to preface this by saying there's likely guides already on tumblr and i don't mean to be rehashings what they might already say/have shared, but I'm going to try and give a run down of things that might help. now, I've done this as if you're a reader, but if you're a writer and want help, pop back in!

I asked my good friend @toomanytookas for help with this one so I knew we was covering off a lot and she lovingly helped me with finding some additional resources to support my bits!

searching for your people

there are a few different search options available on AO3 to find the things you want. if you know the name of the user, you can use the search bar (as seen below).

or if you're after a certain pairing, you can use the search option.

you can then search from: works, bookmarks, tags or people.

i tend to use "works" but, others may have their own preferences. but i find this is the easiest way for me to find the things i'm after.

i don't tend to fill in every bit of info, but the ones i do are in 'work tags':

fandoms

relationships

additional tags

i might check 'single chapter' (in work info) if i just want to read a one shot, but most of the time i just see what spits up. for me, additional tags is what makes navigating AO3 so much easier because I can filter by a trope (friends to lovers, colleagues, second chances) or i can filter by a "mood" (smut, fluff etc.). when you've filled in your desired bits you can click search and then your results will show.

ANOTHER great way to search is if you already know the pairing you're after. so say you're reading a Francisco morales x reader and you want MORE of that, click that tag on a piece of work and a new search will show up of all the works with that pairing.

you then have a new filter choice on the right where you can 'exclude' tags or characters too.

there's also this guide i found from 2020!

there’s also this way of searching too! with an addition from @burntheedges

another cool resource on excluding too

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2. supporting your people

so, you've found yourself a writer you adore, and you've read a piece of their work. if this is a one shot, you can:

drop a kudos (like a like, but you can only ever give it once)

leave a comment (even writing "love it" or an emoji makes a day)

bookmark (this is more for you if you loved it, you can bookmark things and they save to YOUR bookmarks and you can read again without searching for it - like a lil library)

now, say that piece is a multi-chap/collection, and you want to subscribe and be notified, you can 'subscribe' at the top of the fic

bookmarks do not notify you of a new chapter, but a subscribe will.

if you love the writer and want to know as soon as they drop anything, you can click their name, go to their profile and click 'subscribe' just under their name in the top right.

here’s a resource too!!

here’s a resource on why bookmarks/comments are cool

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3. going back in time... the AO3 way

okay, we've all been there when you're engrossed in something and then life happens and you close a tab or your phone crashes (tumblr app, grr) and then the work is lost. on AO3, if you're logged in, you have a thing called 'my history' and in this is every work you've clicked on. wahay! this has saved me so often because i flick between phone and laptop a lot.

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4. a final thing to be aware of...

warnings - a writer can choose to give a warning to the piece. many will use 'creator chose not to use archive warnings' or 'no archive warnings apply', but there are a few to keep an eye out for, such as:

graphics depiction of violence

major character death

rape/non-con

underage

'choose not to use warnings' is a read at your own risk, and i always recommend checking out the additional tags for the piece just so you know if there's any trigger warnings.

a resource on excluding (mentioned above too)

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this is just a top level thought process of what i thought might help, but if there's any specific questions i will deffo try to help. this resource has a ton of helpful things too. there's also AO3 FAQs which might be able to help if i didn't actually help. and this absolutely brilliant guide created too!

thank you for the ask, and happy AO3'ing 🧡

[windybreeze12]

Keith was on autopilot. He knew he was fighting the bot and he was able to avoid every single strike, but his eyes always wandered to Lance. His bot was still on the far end of the room and advancing rapidly as Lance struggled to fire in a straight line. If anyone knew anything about Lance, it was that one of the things he’s most proud of is his aim, straight and true and never misses.

Well, until today it would seem.

His bot was growing dangerously close and Lance had begun to show panic, eyes wide and teeth pressed tightly as he whispered a string of curses and kept missing.

Closer…

Closer…

Shit.

[stiffyck]

Giving all fanfic authors a smooch on the forehead <3

And also giving a little flower to everyone who comments on their fics <3

[bluelolblue]

Wickblr support your writers on ao3 and tumblr

[binch-i-might-be]

my toxic trait is that when I finish reading a fic I enjoyed and go to leave kudos, but then see that the notes at the end say "leave comments or you're an asshole, I'm sick of y'all not just pressing the kudos button, it's literally not hard", I will simply close the tab and not leave kudos. unfortunately!

[sir-camelot]

Here it is. The first chapter of my first fanfic ever. Hope you all enjoy!

[waitineedaname]

the experience of writing fic for svsss has been absolutely insane so far. I posted a fic less than 24 hours ago and it already has twenty comments. I have been in so many fandoms where you have to BEG to get comments, where you'd be lucky to get more than ten comments and the ratio between hits and kudos/comments/bookmarks was vast, but so far the scum villain fandom has been super responsive! The hits/kudos/comments/bookmarks ratios have been super tight, even on my fics which have all been oneshots under 10k!

And it's not just me! I regularly see fanart for svsss fics, which was a rare sight in a lot of other fandoms I've been in. People reblog minifics that get posts to tumblr and leave tags and replies on them. I've written for a lot of fandoms in my time, and this a shocking amount of fic engagement compared to many other fandoms I've been in!!

I can't help but wonder if it's because of the nature of scum villain itself? Other people have talked about how the story uniquely appeals to writers, and it ultimately is about the relationship between a writer and reader, especially in a fan space. I can't help but wonder if the combination of this being a fandom with a high density of writers and it being a story about engaging with writing encourages a fandom culture that is super engaged with fanfiction!

[pepsiiwho]

Something I see so often on tiktok with the new age of fandom is that they’re all so mean and ungreatful in regards to free content.

“I hate [X] all the fics are so bad and short, where’s the 1000k long burn enemies to lovers we need!” Or “these authors need to get to work and finish these fics already” or “this is so ooc and bad why even write for [x]” there’s just such a blatant disrespect for not only someone’s craft and passions, but for what is— at least in how these fans functionally use it— a free never ending library of endless almost tailor made content.

We all bitch about stuff in private, be that art of writing throughout fandom and that’s fine, but to make this trend and common attitude of publically and loudly talking down to and about — and I can’t say this enough— FREE content is insanity.

You pay for nothing yet ask for more? You don’t comment, you don’t talk to authors, you don’t engage with work unless you’re trying to insinuate we aren’t making good enough shit— what are you here for? What do you bring to these spaces other than just consuming the work?

It’s just upsetting because there’s such a disconnect already between reader and writer it seems and the new fandom spaces only exasperate that further. It doesn’t help that fandom authors don’t have the ease of access of commissions the way artist do, so even if they wanted to charge premium for “high quality work” they can’t. It’s such a shit show.

Shit is discouraging. And frankly it’s a good thing I don’t write for big ships or fandoms bc If, god forbid, a work of mine went “viral” I’d lock it behind a paywall. Bc clearly we can’t act right

[heartstringsduet]

okay give me a single second to be a #whineybitch but

I've kind of gotten over the pain of getting fewer comments lately. It is what it is. I truly cherish the ones I do get because they're often so thoughtful and clever and sweet and then who cares about the quantity? I do NOT get how even leaving kudos has tapered off? Not just for me but in general. Like, nearly 500 people at least looked at my fic today. Maybe the majority noped out. That's fine. But of those just purely guessing here but even if only 100 people finished it...17 left a kudo. I'm not even mad for myself (though there are days I am), I just get mad for the wonderful other writers in this fandom, possibly getting discouraged to write. Yes, we all write for ourselves. But we all write for readers, too. And if you finish a fic and you found it at least pretty okay? What's the harm in leaving a kudo? What I'm saying is, I get time is a limited resource. I get why commenting can be daunting. But to give an indication that you read through the end and at least appreciate the time and effort a writer has put in by clicking the kudo button - I think isn't too much to ask.

[holopossums]

While I do think there is a small problem with people not engaging with or sharing creative work/fan work on here (or other sites that don't run on algorithm like AO3), I don't think the answer is to be ridiculous about it either.

A much better way to address it is leading by example: reblog/share and add positive comments yourself! People will catch on that it's cool, that it's okay and they have nothing to be anxious about, and start doing it too.

Wagging fingers or complaining tends to do very little. Thankfully, people emulating those they admire is a powerful thing. You can simply model behavior you want to see and some people may start catching on.

But it won't get any better if you don't do your part too. So don't worry so much about others. Focus on what you're doing and how you engage with creative works and fandom. Be a positive force yourself and the rest will follow.

[muldxr]

laur’s whumptober 2023 master list

This month, follow along with me as I post a variety of short fics using some of the daily prompts from @whumptober. Fandoms and pairings will vary! You can click 'Keep reading' below to view a list of works, or go directly to my Whumptober series on AO3.

collide —

John Carter/Lucy Knight [ER] Rated T, 1K words DAY 1: "How many fingers am I holding up?"

man down —

Evan "Buck" Buckley/Eddie Diaz [9-1-1] Rated M, 777 words DAY 5: Debris | Pinned Down

pawns —

Fox Mulder & Dana Scully [The X-Files] Rated T, 1K words DAY 7: Alleyway | Radio Silence

rescue me —

Kerry Weaver/Kim Legaspi [ER] Rated M, 3K words DAY 8: Overcrowded ER | Outnumbered

outlast —

Original Character [Survivor] Rated T, 841 words DAY 12: Insomnia

let faith oust fact —

Fox Mulder/Dana Scully [The X-Files] Rated M, 1K words DAY 14: Water Inhalation

sanguis —

Spike/Buffy Summers [BtVS] Rated M, 1K words DAY 17: Touch Aversion

headlights on dark roads —

Danny Concannon/C.J. Cregg [The West Wing] Rated M, 3K words DAY 22: Vehicular Accidents

dearly departed —

Kevin Garvey Jr./Laurie Garvey [The Leftovers] Rated M, 1K words DAY 23: Stalking | "Who's there?"

midnight oil —

Josh Lyman/Donna Moss [The West Wing] Rated T, 2K words DAY 26: Working to Exhaustion

choke —

Alex Law/David Stephens [Shallow Grave] Rated E, 2K words DAY 28: Bloody Knife

paper bag —

Fox Mulder/Dana Scully [The X-Files] Rated T, 1K words DAY 30: Borrowed Clothing

[buck-up-buck]

Summary:

"Buck?" Blinking his eyes open, he looked up to see Buck's bright blue eyes looking so softly down at him. The man was crouched at the side of Eddie's bed, smile so gracious that Eddie felt his heart skip a beat. God he had missed that smile.

Or

Buck comes to say his final goodbye.

Eddie threw himself face-first onto the left side of the bed, his energy seeping out of his bones as he melted into the mattress.  The new probie had muttered the Q-word right at the start of their 24-hour and the bell was nonstop, the calls getting weirder and more tasking as the day went on.  Eddie was never one for superstitions but he could have killed the kid with his own bare hands as the shift came to a close. By the time he made it home, Chris was already asleep and Eddie was about ready to sleep for the entire 48 hours he had off.  Chris had finally started sleeping through the night again and Eddie was entirely grateful for it, even if he struggled sometimes. But with how bone-deep tired he was, he knew sleep would come a lot easier than usual tonight.  He doesn't even remember falling asleep, his shoes still untied, loosely hanging off his feet that weren't even on the bed properly, but boy was he sleeping deep.  Until he breathed in deeply and his brain short-circuited, the scent of an earthy cologne trickling up his nostrils. Then, a hand carded through his hair, so softly, he could barley feel it, but it was there.  "Eddie, baby, you have to wake up." Surely not, because Buck wasn't- he was-  "Buck?" Blinking his eyes open, he looked up to see Buck's bright blue eyes looking so softly down at him. The man was crouched at the side of Eddie's bed, smile so gracious that Eddie felt his heart skip a beat. God he had missed that smile. "Hey, baby."  "How are you here?" Eddie didn't understand, how long had he been asleep?  Buck looked as gorgeous as the last time he saw him, still wearing his white v-neck t-shirt that was just a little too tight around his biceps, his light blue denim jeans with the one rip in the left knee that Chris always insisted looked stupid and misplaced, whereas Buck just thought he looked trendy. Eddie never had the heart to disagree with him, even if he did agree with his Son.  But Buck was also so beautiful in Eddie's eyes no matter what he wore.  "You need to wake up baby."  "I am awake. I've missed you." Eddie was still lying face down on his bed, cheek mushed into his pillow, a little bit of drool sliding down his chin that Buck wiped away with his thumb, a giggle escaping his lips. "Chris will want to see you." God Chris has missed him so much, he will probably latch onto Buck's leg and never let go, not that Buck would mind.  "He's still asleep. He is going to need you, Eddie."  "He needs his Buck." A sad smile lessened the glow in Buck's blue eye.  Eddie let out a wounded sound from the back of his throat; he hated seeing Buck so sad. "I love you so much."  "I love you too. I don't want you to ever forget that, okay?" Buck ran his hand down Eddie's cheek with a sigh, a lone tear rolling down his cheek. "You are so strong, Eddie, and I am so sorry."  "Sorry?"  "I need you to wake up." Leaning down, Buck tenderly placed a kiss on Eddie's lips, the man turning his head off the pillow to kiss him back, a content sigh slipping past his lips. It was slow, passionate, and everything that Eddie had missed. "Wake up baby."  Eddie's ringtone caused him to jolt off the bed, almost rolling off the side. His lips were tingling and he fumbled around to grab his phone, mind slowly coming back online. He looked around confused, hadn't- no? But he was so sure.  "Hello?" Eddie didn't even look at the called ID when he answered, voice groggy from sleep.  "Eddie-" Athena's voice cracked down the line, an icy feeling of dread sending a chill down Eddie's spine. No- he couldn't- "You found him." It was more a statement than a question, his feet numb as they hit the floor, shoes still on.                 He is going to need you, Eddie. You are so strong, Eddie. I love you too. I am so sorry. I need you to wake up. "Athena-" "We found his body. Eddie, I am so sorry." 

read on ao3

[applebyraven]

Our Ours update!

Chapter 17:

Through fire, nature is reborn whole.

Every ending is a beginning. We just don't know it at the time.

[romaritimeharbor]

ao3 users leave comments and not kudos challenge (impossible 😔)

[yelmor-boots]

chapter fifteen : farewells

we're almost at the end boys

but seriously, even if you got this far, thanks a ton for reading. this was extremely indulgent incorporating elements like the four horseman, worldbuilding alien planets, and season 1's beginnings so I'm glad i ended up making it entertaining enough to keep some of ya'll hooked

i haven't started writing the sequel yet (mostly because i won't stop coming up with new ideas that are crowding my brain and other things) but i will eventually start writing the next (and most likely last) part.

and big shoutout to @voltrohgodwhat for the awesome comments and @headspacedad for always reblogging these under fic rec even though it isn't finished yet. not to get frebby fazbear on you but ya'll are my superstars

[suffarustuffaru]

Have you read one fanfic on AO3 titled Re:Incarnated? One of the most interesting and new aspects of this story for me was Subaru being reborn as a half-elf by Satella. I bet no one has ever thought and acted on that idea before, but there are some questions that bother me, for example, in the canon series there are moments where Subaru relies on Earth's modern technology and knowledge to solve difficult problems, Subaru becomes a half-elf in the world of Rezero and that means that he forgets about his previous life on Earth in Japan, and then when faced with the same dilemma How should Subaru solve it? But I feel these questions should go wait for the original author's update to get answered.

I have to say that fic opened a new door for my inspiration, and I also started to think about creating my own Subaru's elf or half-elf AU, and even imagined a crossover with Lord of the Rings (after all, there's a ton of Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter crossover fics on AO3 and fanfiction) Like one day Subaru is for whatever reason transported to Middle-earth by Satella accidentally and experienced something there, and then how he was found and adopted by the elves of Middle-earth, I think it would be very interesting how the elves of Middle-earth were surprised to find out that elves existed in the Otherworld, Subaru looks similar to them but differs in a few places,and then how Subaru got along with the elves of Middle-earth, and how he explored his own existence and self-worth,how would it be different than the canon series (My half-elf Subaru's character isn't too far off from the canon) Sorry I'm getting a bit carried away, I'm an incorrigible and extreme fan of crossover tropes, I hope you don't mind too much!

yoo sorry i took so long to reply to this ask but please know im delighted to see any asks in my inbox and pfft its interesting hearing about what people are thinking + what they find interesting themselves!!!

as for re:incarnated - i read a chapter or two AGES ago, so i really dont remember much of the fic sadly T^T but ill consider possibly going back to it and reading through it!!! i have a very long to read list though so ill see pfft. and yeah i think that fic was def like. one of if not the first fic to have like half elf subaru as an idea be explored and it also shows a Different method of the isekai trope (being reincarnated!!!) which is fun i think!! plus like. putting "re:" in fic titles is EXTREMELY extremely common in this fandom which i suppose makes sense given. the source material is called rezero. granted most of the time (this is just my opinion btw and i mean no harm by it HAH), to me a lot of fics with "re:" in the title dont justify why the "re:" is actually there. "Re:Incarnated" though is an EXTREMELY good use of the "re" imo. i love the pun <3

yeah as for the fic material itself - i do think its interesting to like change small bits of characters. not in the sense that youre changing like the Core of who they are but i Like seeing experimentations with characters to see like small differences. which is why i love aus (such as the literal canon aus we get in the form of the What Ifs and such!!). if that makes sense. that probably makes more sense in my head HAH anyway!! i always feel like changing a characters backstory is SO HARD to pull off without completely changing a character bc it shapes them a lot. but half elf subaru is definitely an idea that can be done in an interesting way imo and im curious to see how re:incarnated handled that. i know ive considered like emisuba roleswaps myself where emilia was isekaied from earth and subarus a half elf which was kind of like re:incarnated but also not like re:incarnated bc subaru had a similar backstory still but now with a fantasy world background (and vice versa for emilia) aljdfdlsjf. but yeah like i like seeing people experiment with these characters and make fun aus!!! and for me personally its hard for me to find ones i like in this fandom + this fandom doesnt do all the usual fic-isms (like there is next to zero soulmate aus for example HAH) so. interesting i suppose!!

as for your own half elf subaru au - im delighted that you were inspired by re:incarnated and are having fun with your own au as well!! :D while i basically know next to nothing about lord of the rings, your idea definitely sounds interesting, though i dont usually read crossovers that arent fusion aus - but i REALLY love the idea of like two different elf species from two different worlds going ??? at each other HAH thats fun stuff!! and i definitely like when despite all the AU things going on, characters like subaru arent too far off from canon in all the big important ways (ie his whole personality) bc for me, its like - theres a reason why we love these characters and i love trying to capture the heart of who they are even with au things, you know? :o but hah yeah ive made my own crossovers though in private (not to post, just for fun pfft) and i hope you keep having fun about your own half elf subaru au bc it sounds very neat <3 ty for sharing anon!! :D