#and writers are intimated

[thisliminalspacedaydreams]

A Reflection on Quality vs. Quantity in Writing (as per some witnessed Tiktok and other posts)

I’m back again with a long post about quality vs word count quantity.

I think I’ve touched on this before and only recently realized what that may have come across as.

I think I’d like to clarify—just to make sure I was understood and not misinterpreted the first time around.

I’ve had the chance through Tiktok and Tumblr to meet a lot of fanfiction writers or aspiring writers. A version of what I’ve heard of, too many times, is some version of I will never be able to write a story, because I can’t write long ones. This fear of not being able to meet a certain word count often prevents the story from being written at all.

I don’t think word count should be a barrier to starting a story.

I don’t think anyone who’s ever started a long fic has ever thought to themselves, I’m going to write however many thousand words. No one who embarks on a story typically sets out with a specific word count in mind.

It happens, because it’s how the story’s meant to happen, and because that’s what the brain wants, what the characters need for their development.

A compelling story doesn't need to be long. Nor does it have to be short. It simply needs to resonate with its audience, and this can happen regardless of length, because we’re all looking for different things in fandom.

What I am trying to say really is for the writers who aren’t able to, or feel like they will never be able to either finish their stories or write anything bigger than a oneshot, or a small novel-length story: You don’t have to.

What I am trying to say is, people who write long fanfictions are able to take the same characters and explore dozens of emotions, adventures, issues, relationships within one story. Conversely, others can produce multiple shorter works, each focusing on a specific theme.

In the end, we are all doing the same thing, just going about it differently.

The way we think, the way we each explore our own inner turmoil also presents itself differently based on our past, our ability to focus, and what we want from the story we’re writing.

Amélie Nothomb has written 32+ short stories/small novels. Each one is dedicated to a specific genre, a specific topic. That’s where she thrives. And people read her stories. George R. R. Martin, renowned for a single series that interweaves countless topics across the characters' journeys. And people read his stories.

I could go into details about each author but just step into a library or a bookstore and you’ll have every single possible word count for a novel/anthology/series/whatever. They all found their little space on the bookshelves, and they all deserve to be there, and there is not one work that deserves it more than another.

AO3 is a bookshelf.

We are all human, we can’t all work the same way, and long works shouldn’t intimidate you out of writing at all.

This is what I want to say.

If you have something to say, you should write it. Doesn’t matter if it fits in 1K or less. Doesn’t matter if it fits in 900K or more. It’s going to resonate with someone.

No one sets off to resonate with thousands. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't, but you can’t work through your turmoil hoping to resonate with people; you must do it because you want to solve it within yourself first. The resonance is a by-product. It cannot be the end goal, only the happy happenstance.

I hope this helps.

If you want to write, write.

If you start something and stop because half-way through, you’ve decided that actually, you’ve worked through it, then isn’t it enough?

You don't owe anyone your writing, just as no one owes you their readership, praise, or positive feedback. These are all wonderful by-products of your work resonating with others, if you're ever so lucky, but it cannot be what you write for.

AO3 is a bookshelf like Mary Poppins’ bag. Ever-extending. There is space for every length, every type, every genre, every fandom, everythingeverythingeverything.

The only thing it doesn’t have space for, is hate.

[shadowseductress]

In another universe, you have my photo in a heart shaped locket.

[thenotoriousscuttlecliff]

One subtle way that Xena got around the studio censors was to have Xena and Gabrielle always sleep side by side, with zero personal space, rather than on opposite sides of the campfire.

Even when they'd get to sleep in a bed, they'd always share it.

They might not have been able to come out and say it, but the show made it clear that these two slept like an old married couple, and on rare occasions, when studio heads weren't looking, they even got to cuddle.

[beccawise7]

The aftermath of craving & desire is almost always the most beautiful moment.

Your body spent. Your mind empty of worries, only focused on her breath against your skin.

Still connected as you relax into her arms. Her fingers soothing you after you completely owned every part of her.

Beautiful. Intimate. Priceless.

~beccawise7💜🖤

[arta-enigmaticei]

Your darkness danced with mine.

@arta-enigmaticei

[dangerouslyfurrydragon]

I will always believe that if someone wants to, they will, because when I wanted to, I did.

[mj-iza-writer]

"Why are you pulling away from me?", Whumper pulled Whumpee's leash harshly making them fall forward, "whatever is going on better stop before you get punished."

Whumpee whimpered as Whumper grabbed their collar and pulled them close.

"Please", Whumpee gulped, "please don't hurt me, I-I'm I'm", Whumpee started to stutter and shake.

"You're what?", Whumper impatiently pulled Whumpee until they were face to face.

"I'm nasty, and-and dirty. I think I smell", Whumpee gasped as the collar tightened.

Whumper looked at Whumpee with disgust, "what did you say?"

"I saw myself in the mirror earlier. How can you be okay with touching me and being near me", Whumpee gasped, "I-I can't breath very well."

Whumper realized and released their grip on the collar.

Whumpee fell down into Whumper's lap and scrambled to the floor to get away.

"Do I own you?", Whumper sat back.

"Huh?", Whumpee looked up in fear.

"Do I own you?", Whumper repeated, "is that not my collar around your neck?"

"Ye-yes master", Whumpee looked down and began fiddling with the dog tag.

"Are you saying I own things that smell and are dirty?", Whumper frowned, "is that a thing you should say about your master? That they own something gross."

"I-I'm sorry", Whumpee bowed, "I didn't mean it like that. I just..."

"It's not a pets place to say that they are dirty, it's their Master's place", Whumper sighed, "you are not allowed to have such human thoughts. Am I clear?"

"Y-yes Master, please forgive me", Whumpee kept their face into the carpet.

"Remember what belongs to me can't be dirty", Whumper lifted their leg and rested their foot on Whumpee's head, "am I clear?"

"Y-yes mas-master, please have mercy on me", Whumpee pleaded, face now shoved into the carpet by Whumper's foot.

A while later Whumper stood from their seat.

Whumpee shyly watched from the corner of their eye as Whumper left the room.

'They're mad at me', Whumpee sighed to themself, 'I'm an idiot.'

Whumpee heard water running, it sounded like it was coming from the bathroom.

'Here comes my punishment', Whumpee groaned, 'I wonder if it will be scolding hot or ice cold', Whumpee almost wanted to run to Whumper to plead for forgiveness, 'will they hose me down, make me sit in it, or hold me under', these thoughts made Whumpee shake.

"Come"

Whumpee shook their head a little to get rid of the thoughts.

"Are you deaf? Come here", came the command again.

Whumpee quickly looked over to where the voice was coming.

Whumper stood with their hands on their hips, making their impatience known.

Whumpee quickly crawled to Whumper.

"About time", Whumper sighed, "you were thinking again, weren't you?"

"Yes Master, I'm sorry. I was just thinking of all the ways you were going to punish me. I hope I may find grace in your eyes, please", Whumpee begged.

"I'm not going to punish you", Whumper sighed, "I considered your feelings, and have decided to let you have a bath."

Whumpee looked at Whumper in shock.

"You mean it Master?", Whumpee couldn't believe what they had heard.

"Follow me", Whumper led the way to the bathroom.

Whumpee looked into the tub and saw a bath had been drawn with bubbles.

"These are for your hair and of course soap. Do you need any help, or can you manage?", Whumper pulled out a towel and wash cloth from a closet, "you can take as much time as you like."

"I can do it Master", Whumpee happily looked at Whumper, "thankyou so much for allowing me to clean up."

"You're welcome. I'll allow you to have a spa day once in a while as a treat that you must earn for good behavior. The better you are, the more I will add for you to enjoy", Whumper frowned, "I will help with your teeth and nails as I normally do, the rest you can do for yourself. I will continue taking care of your hair as well."

Whumpee nodded, "I could hug you right now, this means so much."

"I'd rather you didn't", Whumper frowned, "I'll be in the living room. Come find me when you're all done."

With that, the door was closed and Whumpee was alone.

They reached their arm into the water. It felt so warm, it sent goosebumps down their body.

They climbed into the tub and just sat in the water for a while. The bubbles sizzled on their skin.

A few more minutes passed, and they started to clean themself. They scrubbed every body part they could reach.

"This feels so good", Whumpee sighed in relief.

When the water started to cool, they unplugged the tub and watched the water level go down. They frowned at how much dirt and grime had come off.

Whumpee turned on the shower head and started to clean their hair.

When satisfied they lathered up their body one last time, and did their final rinse.

Whumpee dried themself with the towel, then wrapped the towel around their soaked hair.

They fiddled with their collar for a while. The thing was soaked, but Whumper didn't remove it, and they had no right to remove it on their own.

"Master didn't leave a brush for me", Whumpee looked around, "they did say they wanted to continue taking care of my hair."

Whumpee opened the bathroom door and got down to crawl.

Whumper smiled as Whumpee rounded the corner.

"Feeling better?", Whumper sat up.

"Y-yes master", Whumpee crawled to Whumper's legs and happily nudged their head against Whumper, "thankyou so much."

"Good, go ahead and sit down", Whumper pointed then reached for the brush, "I'll brush out your hair."

Whumper unwrapped the towel from Whumpee's hair and watched it fall to Whumpee's shoulders.

"I will admit you do smell better", Whumper started to run the brush through the damp hair, "I suppose that's nice."

"Did your pet have a good idea Master?" Whumpee looked up at Whumper, "I hope I did."

"Yes I suppose you were due for a wash", Whumper untangled some of the hair, "did you enjoy the bubbles?"

"Yes Master, they felt good", Whumpee looked up at Whumper again, "it all felt good."

"That's good", Whumper continued to brush until they were satisfied, "your hair feels softer as well."

Whumper eyed the collar, "I forgot to take this off, it's wet", they reached for the clasp and removed it, "we'll let this dry for a while."

Whumpee happily nudged their head against Whumper's leg again.

"I guess you are feeling better", Whumper leaned back, "climb up here, come on. I'm sure you would love a nap after that shower. Too much for a dog to do in an afternoon."

Whumpee did as they were told and climbed up onto the furniture. They rested their head on Whumper's lap.

Whumper patted Whumpee's head for a few minutes before resting their hand on Whumpee's back.

"My silly little pet having human thoughts", Whumper chuckled, "that stupid brain of yours should only worry about pleasing me, that's all it's good for."

Whumpee gently nodded, "yes Master, please forgive me", Whumpee whispered, "I will work hard and be a good pet for you Master."

"Very good", Whumper grinned, "now go to sleep."

Taglist. As always please let me know if you want to be added or taken off of the list. It's not a problem at all. @villainsandheroes @the-beasts-have-arrived @sacredwrath @porschethemermaid @monarchthefirst @generic-whumperz @bloodyandfrightened @freefallingup13 @notpeppermint @cyborg0109 @idontreallyexistyet @thebejeweledwatercat @painfulplots @whumpbump @everythingsscary @skittles-the-whumpee @expressionless-fr @theforeverdyingperson @legendarydelusiongoatee @candleshopmenace @whumpanthems

[fallencalliope]

Red lace accentuates my curves,

Exposing every shape and form of my body,

Giving you the access that you need,

To take me as you please,

Come and show me love...

©️randik86

[kaybedenlerkulubu10]

Aesthetic.

[futuristic-koala]

[dia-viller]

Forehead Touch

Soulmates in every universe

"There is beauty in imperfections"

"All I want is my partner back"

"Together"

[blueeyesfilledwithpassion]

Taste Life Twice

ANAIS NIN

[beccawise7]

Connection. 💜🖤

"I've got you." Can be communicated in a million different ways, without a single word spoken.

~beccawise7💜🖤

[arta-enigmaticei]

I wrap my holy legs around his heavy head and let his tongue swim toward salvation.

Rupi Kaur

[dangerouslyfurrydragon]

I been craving a lot of intimacy lately. Not like in a sexual way though. I just want to be loved on in a healthy way.

[mj-iza-writer]

Whumper came down the stairs and glanced at Whumpee.

"Come on, you smell horrible", Whumper stood at the bottom step.

"Yes Master", Whumpee worked to stand up. Their small naked frame shook with the exertion of moving. They fell forward, but caught themself.

Whumper watched them semi concerned, "you okay?"

"Um yes Master, just a little weaker than normal", Whumpee limped toward them, "think I'm a little cold, that's all."

"Mmm-hmm, so you get two options for bathing today. Option one, a warm bath with some medical attention, but you do not get a meal tonight. Option two, you get cleaned by the hose outside, but I'll give you a nice meal for dinner."

"Uhm, may I have a warm bath", Whumpee followed Whumper up the stairs.

"Yes you may, that was a fast decision", Whumper started to walk to the bathroom.

"Yes Mas-master it's cold downstairs, so I think it's cold outside", Whumpee watched as Whumper prepared the tub, they glanced at the toilet.

"You're right it is cold outside", Whumper started the bath.

"Master you said I was right", Whumpee gleamed.

"Yes, I guess I did. You're right occasionally", Whumper grinned.

"Master may I use the toilet instead of the bucket", Whumpee looked at the toilet again.

"Go ahead", Whumper watched them.

"Alright, try not to make too much of a mess, and enjoy.... it... hold on", Whumper noticed something.

Whumpee froze as they had just gotten into the water.

"I'm sorry Master did I do something that made you unhappy", Whumpee worried, 'was this all a joke', Whumpee thought to themself.

Whumpee's skin quivered as Whumper felt around their back.

"No, I think you have an infection on your back", Whumper frowned, "I'll take care of it when I do your medicine."

"Yes Master", Whumpee lowered into the water and exhaled a sigh of relief.

Later Whumpee waited for Whumper in the living room.

Whumper had already finished medical treatment and decided to trim Whumpee's nails.

Whumper came out carrying a steaming bowl of something that caused Whumpee to drool.

Whumper set it on the coffee table in front of Whumpee.

Whumpee didn't dare look at it, but they savored the smell.

'I don't get dinner tonight', Whumpee reminded themself, 'I chose this.'

Whumper sat on the couch and pulled out their phone.

"You can eat that if you like", Whumper didn't pay any mind to Whumpee.

"Master you said I didn't get any dinner", Whumpee sat up on their knees to get closer.

"I know, but that infection on your back is pretty bad. I think your body is weak because of it. It would be better to give it sustenance to help", Whumper watched Whumpee sniff at the bowl.

"You going to eat it?", Whumper frowned.

"I'm sorry Master it smells so good", Whumpee looked at Whumper, "I appreciate this."

"You're welcome, now eat it."

Whumpee almost fell over with how good the food tasted. 'I haven't had warm food in so long and I had a warm bath today even', Whumpee smiled to themself. It made them feel almost human again.... they didn't dare tell Whumper that though.

"I'll get you some better medicine tomorrow when I go out", Whumper eyed the infection again as Whumpee ate, "hopefully we'll get that under control."

Whumpee looked up happily.

When done, Whumpee followed Whumper down to the basement again.

"Why are you acting sad?", Whumper frowned, "I did more for you than I originally intended."

"Yes Master, I apologize. I enjoyed being upstairs with you", Whumpee looked at Whumper sadly, "I'm lonely down here."

"I have one more surprise down here for you", Whumper pointed, "but this is where you stay. Right?"

"Yes Master", Whumpee looked at where Whumper pointed and saw a blanket waiting for them.

They limped quickly to the blanket, "is this for me?"

"Yes for right now at least", Whumper turned to go back up, "don't make me regret my kindness to you."

"Master, thankyou so much", Whumpee looked up at them with a smile.

"Yep", Whumper called from the top of the stairs.

At the sound of the lock, Whumpee pulled the blanket over themself and cuddled into it. They limped to a corner of the room and laid down.

The next day, Whumpee overheard Whumper leaving.

They hadn't seen Whumper yet, so Whumper hadn't taken the blanket away yet.

Whumpee was going to soak in all of the warmth they could.

Whumper now stood in the medicine aisle, looking at all of the options available.

"Sorry, I'm coming beside you", someone stepped closer and grabbed something, "got an infection?"

"My friend does, they're not able to make it into see a doctor right now. I thought I'd help them out. I had no idea there were so many medications though", Whumper frowned.

"Coming from a doctor I suggest they get into see one, but these should help hold them over until they can", the person grabbed something off the shelf, "I always recommend these to my patients."

"You're a doctor huh?", Whumper reached for the products, "thankyou so much, I appreciate this."

"Yes the names Caretaker", they reached a hand out.

"Whumper", they extended their hand for a handshake.

"If your friend needs a doctor, here is my card", Caretaker offered a business card.

"Thankyou", Whumper felt the wheels spinning in their head.

During the next week Whumper watched Caretaker, he knew their routines perfectly.

The medicine that was recommended had cleared up Whumpee's infection perfectly.

"Master, I feel so much better", Whumpee smiled as Whumper applied more medicine to the infected area.

"It definitely looks better", Whumper studied Whumpee's backside, "I'm glad."

"So I'm going out for a drive tonight again", Whumper stood and started to go to the stairs, "what does that mean for you?"

"I am to be good Master", Whumpee smiled up at Whumper, while trying not to draw attention to the blanket that was still down there.

"Good Whumpee", Whumper turned to go, but eyed the blanket, making Whumpee's heart sink.

"Are you enjoying having a blanket?", Whumper turned to them.

"Y-yes Master", Whumpee nodded.

"Good", Whumper sighed as they walked to the stairs, "I'll see you later."

Whumpee cuddled into the blanket after Whumper had left. They were careful not to let it touch the medicine, Whumper would punish them harshly if they messed it up.

Whumper watched Caretaker leave the office and get into their car.

Whumper followed Caretaker to a store they often frequented.

On the way out Caretaker found his path blocked by a car, then noticed his car was on fire.

Before he knew it, he was pushed into the car and they were speeding off from the scene.

"What is the meaning of thi....?", Caretaker was met with a gun, "who are you?"

Whumper had hidden most of their face with a mask.

"Place your phone in your bag and put everything in the backseat", Whumper commanded.

Caretaker sighed as they followed orders.

"Are my things back here? You broke into my car?", Caretaker frowned.

"How do you think your car caught fire", Whumper handed over a set of handcuffs, "put these on, hands behind your back."

Caretaker frowned as a firetruck sped by, "you are twisted."

Whumper chuckled, "you have no idea."

Whumpee heard Whumper crash through the door, and force open the bars that locked the basement.

"Oh no, they're mad", they pulled blanket closer trying to get every ounce of warmth before it was taken away.

Whumper came down the stairs, but someone was with them.

"Whumpee I've solved your loneliness issues, and your medical issues", Whumper announced as they guided the person to a kneeling position, "I can't take you to the doctor, so I brought one to you."

Whumper yanked off a blindfold they had forced onto Caretaker.

Caretaker looked around and locked eyes with Whumpee.

"Where am I?", Caretaker then glanced up at Whumper, "you?"

"Yes, you should really be careful with your personal information", Whumper chuckled, "you never know what someone is capable of."

Whumper unlocked the handcuffs, "if you move before I am at the top of the stairs you'll regret it. Am I clear?"

"Yes", Caretaker felt his throat tighten, this couldn't be happening right.

The bars slammed shut, clearing Caretaker to move.

They stood and quickly went up the stairs.

"It's locked", they came back down and eyed Whumpee.

"How long have you been here? Are you a captive too?", Caretaker frowned.

"I've been here a long time.... yes", Whumpee nodded, "if I may give you some advice."

Caretaker frowned, but nodded.

"Listen and do what they ask, or you'll look like me", Whumpee wasn't brave enough to pull off the blanket yet.

Caretaker sat down in the corner across the room, "I-I'm sorry, I need a little bit to think about what just happened."

Whumpee nodded, "okay", they whispered.

After a while, Whumpee noticed that Caretaker was shivering. They still had clothes on, but it was still pretty cold down their.

Whumpee looked down at their coveted blanket.

'I'm more use to this down here, than they are', Whumpee weakly stood and cautiously carried the blanket over.

Caretaker turned quickly when they felt the blanket cover them.

They looked up and watched Whumpee limp back to their spot.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know you were naked under their. Please take this back, you'll catch a cold", Caretaker started to get up.

"No please, it's okay", Whumpee whispered, "I'm more used to it down here than you are. We don't always get a blanket down here."

Caretaker frowned, "what have they done to you?"

"I don't really want to talk about what I've been through", Whumpee looked down at their beaten body.

"Okay, I'm sorry", Caretaker sighed.

"Hey Whumpee", Whumper called from upstairs.

Whumpee got up as quickly as they could and went to the stairs.

"Yes master?", Whumpee limped up a few steps.

"Catch these", Whumper tossed down two bottles of water and another blanket, "I'm going to bed, don't be up too late."

Whumpee nodded, "thankyou so much Master."

Whumpee handed Caretaker a water bottle.

"This blanket is probably cleaner than that one if you want to switch", Whumpee showed the blanket off.

"It looks thicker though, you use it", Caretaker gave a weak smile, "if you like, I'll give you a full checkup tomorrow, I can't imagine the last time you've seen a doctor."

"It's been a while", Whumpee sat down again, "I take it you were the doctor Whumper said recommended the medication I've been getting."

"Yes that was me", Caretaker nodded.

"Thankyou so much, I didn't feel good. I feel better now", Whumpee smiled, "Master says my back is better as well."

"That's good, I'm glad it helped", Caretaker watched Whumpee curl up on the floor.

"I hope it's okay, I'm quite tired", Whumpee yawned.

"I'll probably turn in soon to", Caretaker sighed. "I guess I don't have much of a choice right now."

Whumpee nodded, before resting their head on the floor, "goodnight, um doctor."

"Goodnight", Caretaker felt their heart ache.

'How long have you been here, and no one knew?', Caretaker thought to themself, 'the world went on, and you've been in the basement of a madman.'

Whumpee stretched out as they made happy sighs.

"I'll take care of you, and I'll get us out of this... somehow", Caretaker whispered, "I promise."

Taglist. As always please let me know if you want to be added or taken off of the list. It's not a problem at all. @villainsandheroes @the-beasts-have-arrived @sacredwrath @porschethemermaid @monarchthefirst @generic-whumperz @bloodyandfrightened @freefallingup13 @notpeppermint @cyborg0109 @idontreallyexistyet @painfulplots @whumpbump @everythingsscary @skittles-the-whumpee @expressionless-fr @theforeverdyingperson @thebejeweledwatercat