#ao3 chaos

[cryptid-crow-writing]

Okay. I’m laughing cause I keep coming across AO3 things here on Tumblr. What’s so funny? Simple. The way I sort fics on AO3 when looking for something new to read.

How do I sort them? Simple: I’ll show you. 😂 {Brackets for non-specific specifics}

And you can also see why I’m huffy that AO3 (Blessed be their staff cause I know it’s all volunteer work) hasn’t added a [Filter Out] section yet.

I will use this set up for searching works frequently. I’ve actually found some really good works this way. Cause it isn’t by “popularity” it’s by the amount of words and when the latest update was. It gives me newer works (Cause I have honestly gone through so many at this point) and with novel length material already finished. …. Please keep in mind I finish around 90,000 words in a day or two, so I need the extreme enrichment.

[lovelybaka]

Dear Tumblr,

I've stoped counting hours.

I'm waiting.

I think I've lost some sanity and I even talked about some tv shows during my break. To my coworkers. To people.

Archive of our own, I miss you.

Dearly.

[cryptid-crow-writing]

… I’m not even gonna deny this. Why? Cause I’ve done this exact thing. The very definitive: Not interested, Not interested, Not interested, Not interested, Oh? What’s this?, meh, maybe?, Not interested, Not interested, Not interested, WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?, Not interested, Not interested, Interes- oh, it’s been incomplete for the last 8 years, Not interested, don’t care enough, Not interested, ooo! Completed! *reads only to end on author’s not stating discontinued* god damn it, Not interested, Oh Shit! This is good!, repeat and cycle in variety.

So yes, the very definition of a “we take everything” goodwill bin when it comes to fanfics. Please read responsibly. 🤣

looking for fics about your favorite character on ao3 be like:

dont care

dont care

dont care

what the actual fuck

dont care

ooh that sounds- what the fuck

unfinished

don't care

the best fic ive ever read in my life. this absolutely ruined me and ill never be the same ever again

dont care

[nondelphic]

sometimes the best writing advice is "just let it be bad." revolutionary. terrifying. but it works.

[xyywrites]

The Power of Silence in Dialogue

We often think of dialogue as something that’s just about what characters say, but let’s talk about what they don’t say. Silence can be one of the most powerful tools in your writing toolbox. Here’s why:

1. The Unspoken Tension

When characters leave things unsaid, it adds layers to their interactions. Silence can create a tension that’s so thick you could cut it with a knife. It shows things are happening beneath the surface—the real conversation is happening in what’s left unspoken.

Example:

“So, you’re leaving, huh?” He didn’t look up from the table, his fingers tracing the rim of his glass, slow and deliberate. “Yeah.” “Guess I should’ve expected this.” (Silence.) “You’re not mad?” “I’m not mad,” she said, but the way her voice broke was louder than anything she'd said all night.

2. Building Anticipation or Drama

Sometimes silence can heighten the drama, creating a pause where the reader feels like something big is about to happen. You don’t always need words to convey that sense of dread or anticipation.

Example:

They stood there, side by side, staring at the door that had just closed behind him. “You should’ve stopped him.” She didn’t answer. “You should’ve said something.” The room felt colder. “I couldn’t.” (Silence.)

3. Creating Emotional Impact

Sometimes, saying nothing can have the biggest emotional punch. Silence gives the reader a chance to interpret the scene, to sit with the feelings that aren’t being voiced.

Example:

He opened the letter and read it. And then, without saying a word, he folded it back up and placed it in the drawer. His fingers lingered on the wood for a long time before he closed it slowly, too slowly. “Are you okay?” He didn’t answer.

TL;DR

Silence isn’t just a pause between dialogue—it’s a powerful tool for deepening emotional tension, building anticipation, and revealing character. Next time you write a scene, ask yourself: what isn’t being said? And how can that silence say more than the words ever could?

[seekerknight557]

i think it is a very powerful thing when the story inside you is so loud that you are forced to relearn how to draw, write, and talk to people to get it made into a real thing

[avxlyse]

"The Marvel series “Agatha All Along,” in which she plays the romantic antagonist to Kathryn Hahn’s “WandaVision” witch"

- The New York Times

[zunaki]

Wangxian in public being disgustingly in love and the Juniors on a matchmaking mission

[liesandnights]

Do you ever feel like you're just sort of there?

Like all your friends go out and do things and get into relationships and like people that like them back and have fun and do stupid things with their best friends and instead of doing all that you're just sort of this mildly entertaining thing that people take an interest in once in a while but they wouldn't really care if it was gone.

Like you just sort of exist but you don't really mean anything.

[ao3-shenanigans]

In my (very nerodivergent, very queer) dnd group, we have a singular neurotypical cishet guy who plays a character that’s just him- very much Just Some Guy™️ energy, he likes horses.

Each week we are blessed with teaching him a new aspect of queer culture, last week it was the word ‘Twink’ (“oh! I thought you were talking about twinkie’s!”), this week it’s Ru Paul’s Drag Race (“like with cars??”)

What we talk about next week? No clue, but it sure won’t be the session that I had carefully and meticulously planned

[cranberry-queen]

My first drafts are chaos incarnate. No character descriptions, no setting, no weather—just vibes. Grammar? Spelling? Sacrificed to the writing gods. Accuracy? Left crying in the corner. My first draft has ONE job: exist. Everything else can clock in for the second draft.

[coldemergency]

Harry: Why does this potion smell like sociopath

Hermione: Harry… that’s Amortentia

Ron: Wtf does ‘sociopath’ even smell like??

Harry: It sort of smells like Voldemort

Hermione:

Ron:

Harry: OH

[spiderlilyx]

"Oh my God why would they do that????" I say as I write someone doing something bad with my own ten fingers

[nondelphic]

i sit down to write and suddenly i am the most distracted human alive. the chair is uncomfortable. my coffee is too hot. my playlist isn't quite the vibe. i need to research what victorian houses smelled like in 1872 for exactly 45 minutes even though my story takes place in space. and yet the moment i'm trying to fall asleep? every single sentence i've ever needed just lines up perfectly in my brain like some kind of creative parade i'll never get back.

[xyywrites]

Pacing Through Sentence Length in Writing

You ever notice how a scene can feel like it’s dragging or speeding up based solely on the length of the sentences? Sentence length isn't just a technical detail—it’s a pacing tool. When used right, it can control the speed and tension of your story. Here’s how:

Short Sentences = Speed, Tension, Impact

Short, snappy sentences are like quick breaths, instantly pulling the reader’s attention. They mimic fast action, nervous energy, or urgent thoughts. They create momentum. Think of action scenes or emotional moments—often, less is more.

Example: The door slammed shut. His heart raced. She was gone.

In just three sentences, you feel the urgency, the chaos, and the emotional weight of the moment. It’s all about breaking up the narrative with these quick hits to keep the reader on edge.

Long Sentences = Build-up, Reflection, Depth

On the flip side, long sentences slow things down, adding complexity, reflection, or tension. They’re great for moments of introspection, world-building, or setting a scene in rich detail. These sentences create a flow, pulling the reader into the character’s headspace or the atmosphere of the moment.

Example: The wind howled through the narrow alley, carrying the distant sounds of a city that never seemed to sleep, never seemed to rest, and in that eternal hum, he wondered, not for the first time, if he would ever find peace here or if, like everyone else who tried to escape the shadows, he would simply become another part of the city’s endless noise.

Here, the length of the sentence mimics the complexity of the thoughts—heavy, reflective, almost hypnotic. It builds tension not with action but with an overwhelming feeling of being stuck or trapped in thought.

Combining Both = Dynamic Flow

The real magic happens when you mix short and long sentences. This creates a rhythm—suddenly, a break in the flow, a quick shock, and then back to a longer, more drawn-out moment. It reflects real life: quick bursts of action or emotion followed by moments of pause or thought.

Example: He reached for the door. It was locked. His heart pounded, each beat a reminder of how badly he needed this. There were no other options. There was no way out. The key could be anywhere. And he could not afford to wait any longer.

TL;DR:

Long sentences = build tension, create depth, set mood. Short sentences = ramp up urgency, show action, make an impact. Mastering this flow is a game-changer for pacing!

[seekerknight557]

Just write the thing. for 5 minutes. If there's more than 5 minutes of work, great. If not, you had the 5 minutes