#fanfic-reading-challenge

[chacusha]

Reblogging this because (1) other people might be interested, and (2) I am so so soooo behind on my fic-reading, and so I thought that something that helps me track my fic-reading and hit ACHIEVEMENTS might help motivate me to do all the catching-up that I want to do.

On the negative side, though, I took a look at the categories of tasks and they are just too many and things I'm largely not interested in tracking (anything content/title-related, including tropes, tags, etc.; also, I'm just generally not interested in stretching or challenging myself to read certain things (e.g. [x] fics with specific word counts), I just want to know what exactly I already AM reading and give myself credit for doing this).

On the plus side, looking at the list and spreadsheets gave me a better idea of what I *am* interested in tracking, which are things like (1) how many fandoms I read, (2) how many words I read (total and broken down by fandom, ship, etc.), (3) how many comments I leave, (4) where am I in each fic (which chapter, word count read so far out of [total]), (5) when I do fic-reading and for how long, and (6) which fics I want to rec. Also, I've already been doing a lot of that TEDIOUSLY and by hand last year, and kept thinking "I need a spreadsheet for this I REALLY SHOULD HAVE MADE A SPREADSHEET FOR THIS" -- and there are some spreadsheets here for this exact purpose! I will probably need to heavily tweak them, but this is definitely helpful for getting a start on all that.

The 2025 Fanfic Reading Challenge

Welcome to another year of the Fanfic Reading Challenge (FRC)!

I won't bore you with the history of the challenge, this year, but I will welcome you to check out past posts that do explain some of it, as well as include a brief overview of what, exactly, this challenge is, though it does change year to year. (Essentially you read fics to complete goals and win bragging points and an artsy badge.)

This year is especially different, as I had the extreme pleasure of having @noxsoulmate as a partner in crime in keeping me hostage on track to completing this year's FRC. Another valued member of the mod team is @jandjsalmon and speaks for all of us if you need questions answered!

As for the challenge....

This is, indeed, a challenge. Of course.

First of all... you must obviously read fanfiction. As if you don't already!

You also need to download and make your own copy of the spreadsheet, which can be found here, as well as below in the important links section.

To participate in the challenge, you read fics that match the tasks in the challenge. An example of a task can be: "read a fic with a title containing the word purple in it." Should be easy! Of course, there are harder ones.

Which is why there are different modes of challenge to the FRC. These are as follows:

Participation (Complete 1 task)

Regular Mode (Complete 80 tasks)

Hard Mode (Complete 150 tasks)

Extreme Mode (Complete 220 tasks)

Complete (Complete 250 tasks)

The challenge lasts from January 1st, 2025, to December 31st, 2025.

There are badges that go with the modes completed, and even a secret 6th badge that will be fairly obvious if you look at the spreadsheet! Doesn't mean it'll be easy to complete though. *smirks* (Blame Noxy)

Most important of all: this challenge operates on the honour system. We don't check your work, or your reading logs (see below), so I mean, I guess if you want to be slippery with the rules, you do you, and that's on your conscience, but honestly it's so much fun to see how much you can get done by following the letter of the law/tasks! You can be slippery even with following the tasks fully. It's great fun. ;D

I think that's enough for an intro, really, maybe too much.

Important Links and Reading Logs/Trackers

As there is a component of the FRC that includes tracking numbers of words read, most of us use a reading log/tracker to keep count of how many fics we read, including data such as words, of course, chapters, month completed, ship, author, title, fandom, link to the fic, and such. It's a great place to mark what fics you want to read in the future as well!

This year we have FOUR trackers on offer, quite different from one another, so take a look, play around with them and check out their "intros", and choose according to what you think will work best for you!

Fic Tracking Sheets

Juulna's 2025 Reading Log

Noxy's 2025 Reading Log

2025 Jandy's Fic Tracker

Taru's Fic Tracker 2025

Discord

We have a blast on Discord. From general chatter to sharing pet pics to being there for each other during the tough times to forming lasting friendships and making friendships you’d never make in a ship- or fandom-specific Discord, to asking for help ‘rolling the dice’ (pick a number between 1-10!) to choose the next fic to read, to finding some of the really challenging task fills in fandoms people might not have ever read but are willing to try, or finding fandoms someone has never read and is very tentative about stepping out of their box, but they’re being 100% supported and know they don’t need to complete the fic for it to count for the task, stepping out of their comfort zone… we’ve formed a very odd group of, if not friends, then companions (but there are definite friendships that have formed!! Just ask the people who have started watching NHL and NFL together in our off topic channel!).

In any case, our Discord is not necessary, but it is a worthy and tactical element to completing many of the tasks of this challenge. 💙

And.... without further ado....!

The 2025 Fanfic Reading Challenge! (link)

There is an info/rules page as the first sheet on the spreadsheet that should fill in any further questions you have. It also has more contact info than just this page if you have any further questions and perhaps need a more immediate answer for your needs.

*Occasionally you will run into something that looks like an error, and it may in fact be one! Let us know if you see it. It's hard not to make a mistake on as large a spreadsheet as this.*

Please, first of all, have fun and just read fanfiction that you enjoy! I (Juulna) did that last year and didn't even come close to completing the entire challenge, and I still had a blast because I was enjoying what I was reading and rereading. Others took the challenge right to the completed end. Others forgot about it halfway through but still had fun, and some even went back and filled in the sheet for a really good showing! The challenge is what you make of it, what you want from it. So... just have fun. Read fic. Smile. Enjoy. :)

Second of all... well, we would love if you signal boost this post!!!!

Third of all, we do have our pinned post that includes a link to this page and that will include a link to our Discord and all our trackers as well, including past links for memento and informative purposes.

Thank you, and a blessed 2025 to all!

[insanitysilver]

AO3 Tastemaker Game

You? You're an individual. You're a reader and a forager with fine tastes. You're not afraid to wade into the deep end. Browse the dustiest aisles. Get in the vents. Come, pan for gold with me in the far reaches. The game goes like this:

On AO3, navigate to your pairing/fandom of choice

Apply your standard filters

In the 'Search Within Results' field, paste this: kudos<100 comments<5 bookmarks<5 hits<500 sort:>updated

Press the 'Sort & Filter' button

Read down the line until you find something you like

Comment, bookmark, and mark it as a recommendation

For the ultimate connoisseur: Bonus Points - share your new rec off-site Hard Mode - kudos<12 comments<1 bookmarks<1 hits<395 sort:>updated

[valar-did-me-wrong]

Adar Fic Recs (1)

all ships

all genres

all Adars

🖤

Sharing all Adar fics I've liked reading till now, hoping they might catch some new eyes & love!! (ilu authors 🫶🏽)

(C - story is complete)

Forgive my children, Forgive me

by Karibookworm & HotTopicWithCrispyFinger

Adar reborn in 3rd age, helps in destruction of the one ring.. Angst, forgiveness, search for purpose!!

(I think Valar didn't do much wrong in this one :3 )

New Life in Defiance of Death C

by @eowyn7023

Adar's Funeral 💔

(👆🏽 I love these with all that is left of my heart 👇🏽)

Sinya Cuivë Anatfírië C

by 9_of_Clubs

Adar's Funeral 💔

The Enemy of my Enemy is my Dad??

by ShortForPhill

Gil galad son of plothole gets a dad, THE dad.. crack taken semi-seriously, everyone lives, Elf-Uruk peace

(Love the Adar & elves banter in this one)

Lord of the Groupchat

by Des_Evans

CRACK

The Stranger falls from the sky and makes a telepathic group chat to try and change the course of history. Shenanigans ensue.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Mordor: Uruk Blooper Reel C

by dairyair

CRACK

Godspeed to those 2 Uruk deserters! Glûg hates it when Adar uses Ohana against him. Don’t make me turn this Nampat around! Who sends messages via dead bodies?! Elrondriel, right in front of my salad!? Durin about to fucking throw down in the market over taxes.

Adariel ❤️‍🔥

An Uneasy Alliance

by magenpie

Adariel, Slowburn, Adar lives, Comrades in Arms.. Angst then fluffy fluff fluff

(I read this & re-read this teary eyed 🥹)

Redemption

by DragonTrek

Adariel, Adar lives, Bronwyn lives, Commrades to Lovers ... Angst, slow burn

(I'm a sucker for Adariel, as you can see xD )

Hold onto that feeling

by Daffodil76

Adar lives fix it, Galadriel vs. Sauron vs. Adar fight, Elf-Uruk peace treaty... Enemies to friends to lovers, Slowburn, ANGST, PINING

(The moment Galadriel actually looks at the Uruk & realises the utter lack of resources in which they are forced to live as outcasts.. loved it!!)

Sage Blossoms C

by Moriondor

Adar lives fix it, Resolved sexual tension, healing, forgiveness... Angst, fluff, Porn with deep Plot

(Absolutely loves the beautiful beautiful writing style of this!)

By The Lakeside C

by 9_of_Clubs

Adar lives i guess?!? Enemies to friends to something else... Skinny dipping, Banter, Unresolved Sexual Tension

(the strange elven-ness of them in this story is very interesting)

Adariel 2.0 ❤️‍🩹

(Adar = Celeborn)

Arien in splendour and Tilion in reflection

by @marybeatriceofmodena

SILMARILLION, Trauma, Abuse, love, 2 POVs (Gal & Cel).. angst with a happy ending

(Love the author's writing style SO much in this one!)

Stars Meet While Shadows Lie

by Twisted_Mirror

Adar lives, Deus ex Cirdan, the scandal of The Kiss™... ANGST IN ALL CAPS

(Obsessed with heartbroken Adar jealous of Elrond)

Under The Bittersweet Stars

by Draconienne

Adar lives, Galadriel falls for Adar separatly from Adarborn... ANGST

(Love a Porn with lots of Plot!)

Other pairings 💞

Our Lady of Perpetual Strength

by @celebrimborsapron

Adar x Estrid, romance, pregnancy, running away from Hagan, finding a place in the world.. "life of a woman"-core

(Love how Estrid is written in this story!)

So long, we'd become the Flowers C

by lachimera

Adar x OFC, disabled character, blind character, follows S2.. slow burn, ANGST ANGST ANGST

(Beautifully written and the story is so poignant, and touching!)

Sister Golden Hair

by our @baddybaddyadardaddy 🖤

Adar x Mirdania, zombie Adar post seige, Deus Ex Mirdania... slow burn, body horror, Angsttttt

(Love love love how Mirdania is explored here!)

Green Shoots and Ashen Earth

by @withallthatisleftofmyheart

Adar x Elrond (Adarond?) healing, forgiveness, yearning, miscommunication... PTSD, chronic pain, enemies to lovers

A Light in Dark Places

by @thephoenixandthecrocodile

Adar x Celebrimbor, past Saudar & Silvergifting, trauma bonding, PTSD, Sauron's exs unionize

(I love my two stubborn idiots in love your honour!)

Uruk Cultural Studies C

by dairyair

Future morden day Middle Earth College!AU, Adar x OFC human, Professor Adar... Slow burn, Angst, fluff & smut

(Great writing, Adar is still SO Adar in this modern setting!)

Shadows around Eregion

by @saffronstories

Adar x OFC (Celebrimbor's daughter), slow burn, enemies to lovers, forced marriage, forced pregnancy... Fix it, Angst with a happy ending

(Unresolved sexual tension; an integral part of Adar's interrogations :3 )

Awake, Arise or Be For Ever Fall’n C

by @baddybaddyadardaddy

Adar x OFC (elf), Cuvienen Adar, origin story, wife guy Adar, corruption of elves, Moriondor, good dad Adar.. ANGST, trauma, Uruk culture

(GOD. IT. HURTS!)

Saudade C

by 9_of_Clubs

Adar x Arondir, Fix it.. LONGING, Angst, Fluff, Bittersweet

Smut ✨

Seeing Double

by @niennawept

Adar Hazeldine × OFC × Adar Mawle

Curse of the Moriondor

by @whenimaunicorn

Adar x OFC elf, dubious consent

Dream a little dream of me (your worst nightmare)

series by @gingeragenda

Adar x Galadriel x Sauron in all its forms

(the infamous Adam, Marion & Falafel trio)

Like Ice Gives Way to Fire

by Mith_ril

Adar x Elrond

Bound

by elvendreamsfics

Adar x Galadriel X Elrond

Veins Dark as a Starless Night

by mildthemes

Adar x Galadriel

More than an alliance

by 100PercentRebelTimeLady

Adar x Galadriel

Astray, far away

by @lazyneonrabbitt

Adar x OFC (Porn with plot)

Endure for him

by @whenimaunicorn

Adar x OFC

Balance of Three

by sleepstxtic

Adar x Galadriel x Elrond

Seedling

by Athelise

Adar x OFC (pregnant human) Noncon

Calendar Girl

by @niennawept

Modern!AU Adar x OFC

Cream

by @lazyneonrabbitt

Adar x OFC pregnant

His to treasure

by @saffronstories

Adar x OMC

She Threw the Raspberries

by @eowyn7023

Adar x Galadriel dinner table smut

Smuts submitted on @baddybaddyadardaddy 's blog via Anon Asks are also perfection! 10/10 recommend!

[myokk]

before it felt like a sin, ch. 1

pairing: Sebastian Sallow x f!MC

word count: 3000

summary: Eloise never wanted to be different.

And yet, her differences are what have defined her life up until this point: growing up as a squib in one of the most prominent wizarding families, being exiled to muggle society, and then attending Hogwarts at the age of sixteen.

She finds herself thrust into the life she should have been prepared for from birth but was denied. As she navigates this new life and her new precarious position in her family, she must come to terms with the fact that maybe what she dreamed of her whole life isn't turning out how she ever expected it would.

a/n: Hi everyone!! I decided to post this here too...I'm slowly going through everything I've written so far, and I want to post each chapter here as I edit them. I'm hoping that this can be a way to a) get back in to writing more, and b) get better at my art as I make full illustrations for each chapter. Let me know what you think!! :)

There is nothing quite as horrible as being a muggle, Eloise thought savagely as she ripped out yet another stitch in the landscape she was embroidering. At least, it was supposed to be a landscape. Maybe with her head tilted to the left and with her eyes almost closed so everything blurred together, it might resemble one. She did just that, trying her hardest to make out some recognizable shape and blast the stupid practice of manually pushing colored thread through a fabric in some sort of -

“And what is this, Miss Babbit?”

Eloise jumped at the sound and looked up at the scowling face of her teacher, and then quickly back down at the tangled thread in her lap. Behind her, she could hear the hushed giggles of the other girls in her class.

“Oh! Er…it’s -”

“How long have you been here?” the woman interrupted.

“One hour…I just -”

“Don’t be smart with me. I mean, at this institute.”

“Five years.” Eloise glared down at her embroidery as if it had personally offended her. It wasn’t like she was actively trying to be bad at everything, but she had the distinct disadvantage - how had it ever come to be that she would be at a disadvantage to muggles? - of not having spent a lifetime being prepared for muggle society and all that it entailed. The last five years had been a monotonous, endless cycle of lessons designed to turn her into the perfect lady: French (a waste of time as Eloise was already fluent), embroidery (a waste of time as the things she embroidered weren’t actually useful), dancing (a waste of time as she was already engaged to be married - why would she bother trying to woo another silly man?), and her most dreaded class of all: etiquette. No matter how many years had been spent trying to assimilate into muggle culture, her thoughts still got muddled when she tried to remember the steps to a dance, or how to properly address the son of a duke.

Did it really matter, anyways, what the other girls thought? She had pretended her whole life to be the daughter she thought her parents had wanted - now she was simply pretending that she hadn’t been thrown into the muggle world without a second thought. What was a bit more pretending - that she didn’t care? That she hadn’t been tossed aside without a second thought?

“Exactly. Five years. And yet, you have shown no progress whatsoever. This -” a finger jabbed accusingly at the embroidery - “is absolutely horrendous. If your parents hadn’t continued to make such a sizeable donation every year, I would have deemed you a lost cause and sent you packing when you first arrived. How your family ever managed your betrothal to the son of an earl is beyond me.”

Eloise grimaced at the mention of her fiance as her teacher clapped her hands together to get the attention of the class - a wholly unnecessary action due to the fact that it was already being given. “Class is dismissed. Please collect your belongings and put them in the correct place. Remember, as future wives and mothers, you must be organized in all aspects of your life. Many of you will be managing important households and the slightest misstep -“ a slight glance to Eloise out of the corner of her eye - “can cause the biggest of scandals.”

Eloise raced to gather her things and leave the classroom before everyone else. No matter how many years had been spent at the school, she couldn’t help but hate sitting through the classes amongst the judgmental stares and snide remarks. Although things had started out shaky at the finishing school - to be expected, really, when you’ve grown up in wizarding society and then are then forced to live as a muggle - it still stung that after all these years, she still hadn’t found a friendly face. She was treated as if she were a pariah: it was as if the other girls just knew that something was different about her. But…wasn’t that the great irony of it all? She wasn’t different than them. She was a filthy squib.

When she first arrived at the school, she was an anomaly. A twelve-year-old girl who didn’t know how to play the piano or who the queen was. It was clear to everyone that Eloise wasn’t the charity case of the school - her parents were obviously quite wealthy - and yet they seemingly wanted nothing to do with her. Whereas the others got regular letters and visits from their family, it was as if Eloise were an orphan. Nothing new to her of course, but to her peers this otherness aided them in her ostracization.

Upon entering her room, she was abruptly pulled out of her thoughts. Something wasn’t right. Everything seemed the same: a twin bed perfectly made opposite a small wardrobe, a plain wooden desk placed between them. The weak afternoon sunlight shone through the window, illuminating her desk. But…there.

That…

Placed on her bed, resting on the pillow, was a letter.

She never received letters.

Eloise shoved her embroidery under her bed and hungrily grabbed at it, pausing when she saw the address. Miss E. Babbit. The Third Bedroom on the Left… It seemed vaguely familiar to her in a way she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

As she read the letter, though, it became apparent to her exactly why this was. Although not exactly the same as the one her brother had received six years earlier, it quickly became apparent that this was a Hogwarts letter. For her. For Miss E. Babbit.

Hands shaking, she set the letter down on her desk and sat on the edge of her bed. She smoothed her hands over her skirt over and over, taking comfort in the familiar softness as she tried to even her breathing.

How was this possible? She had all but accepted the fact that she was a squib. The shame of her family, a dirty secret to be hidden away and never talked about or mentioned again. Her parents had suspected as much by the time she had turned seven without any signs of magic whatsoever manifesting around her - not even a basic transformation of brussel sprouts to sweets during dinner. It was ultimately confirmed, however, when her own Hogwarts acceptance letter never arrived. She had spent the whole year before her banishment daydreaming about her life at Hogwarts, still optimistic that there could be something magical inside of her. Her brother, Leo, came home every holiday with wonderful stories of his new friends and teachers, and the subjects he was learning at school. Even back then, at twelve years old, Eloise hadn’t been sure if he was actually hopeful she wasn’t a squib, or if he had been trying to prolong the fantasy for her before it all came crashing down.

Although she had had five years to come to terms with her new life, there was still a small part of her that hoped. A small “what if…”. She had tried time and time again to squash that tiny ray of optimism that would escape every so often, tried so very hard to cultivate a hard exterior that wouldn’t let any sort of vulnerability shine through. And that optimism was a vulnerability, after all. It was that vulnerability that had made it absolutely impossible for her to fit in the muggle world, and made it so that she didn’t really want to try.

Five years to come to terms with the fact that she needed a new purpose for her life and…

…not anymore?

Eloise grabbed the letter and greedily read through it again, drinking in all of the words. She paused at the end, thinking. Was this a forgery? Some sort of awful joke orchestrated by her brother? Leo had never been cruel to her in the past; in fact, he was the one who always encouraged her and was the most probable source of the small optimism that remained within her. However, she had no way of knowing how he had changed since she had last seen him. It had been, after all, five very long years. And not once had she heard from him, even though he had promised her through huge sobbing gulps that he would never abandon her. Maybe their parents had slowly poisoned him against her. It would be right on the nose for them, after all.

Looking at the envelope again, however…Third Bedroom on the Left…no. It was too specific. Nobody in her previous life had any reason to even want to contact her again, and nobody in her current life even knew what Hogwarts was, let alone have the ability to convincingly forge a letter just to have some fun at her expense.

A light, bubbly feeling began to spread throughout her body as it sunk in that this was real. She was going to Hogwarts. Soon, a - squinting at the letter again - a Professor Fig would be contacting her and giving her things to study. A huge grin slowly spread across her face and she hugged the letter to her chest as she fell back on her bed. She read through it again. Was it the fifth time already? It felt as though no amount of times rereading the letter would ever be enough.

Eloise got up and walked over to look at the calendar on her desk. She was surprised to see that September 1st was in only two days. The days at the finishing school moved in such a strange, sluggish way. They all felt the same. Monotonous. French and Latin and embroidery and household management and Merlin even knows what else all blending into each other in an endless parade of dusty classrooms and gossip and boredom.

The light feeling left her in an instant as, after years of practice, the optimism was squashed back down. But how will you even get to London? And, her brain added sneakily, you haven’t even shown any signs of magic. Maybe you’ll just be returned back here after they realize their mistake.

No, she thought fiercely, gripping the letter. Until -

A tapping came from the window. A tentative smile returned at the sight of a tawny brown owl with another envelope in its beak. She ripped it open as soon as it was in her hands (again addressed to Miss E. Babbit) and along with the letter a small, purple pouch fell out of the envelope and onto her bed.

Miss Eloise Babbit,

I am pleased to be the wizard charged with such an important task as escorting you to Hogwarts in two days’ time. It is something extraordinary to be accepted in your fifth-year, and as such, I expect extraordinary things from you. I have enclosed a small pouch along with this envelope, and in it are some items that will be vital to you in the upcoming days. I have included books for you to study at your leisure, and a small gobstone that will bring you to our rendezvous point in London. All you have to do is touch it at noon on the 1st and you will be transported instantly.

Your family has not been informed of your acceptance. I am sure you understand why - at this, Eloise scoffed quietly to herself - which is why I will personally be your escort.

I am looking forward to meeting you and bringing you to the sorting ceremony in two days’ time.

Yours,

Eleazar Fig

The handwriting was tiny and spidery and cramped, but it didn’t stop Eloise from reading it with the same vigor as the previous letter and as many times. Finally, she turned to the small pouch that had fallen onto her bed when she opened the second envelope. It must have had an invisible extension charm, because it was filled to the brim with books on basic spellwork and general wizarding history. Professor Fig had no way of knowing, but Eloise had already read many of these books and many more during the year her brother had started Hogwarts, as she had needed to know absolutely everything about what would be awaiting her. A few years may have passed since she had stepped foot in her family’s library, but she couldn’t get the books or their contents out of her brain even if she had wanted to. She had really wanted to forget everything she knew about the magical world when it was confirmed she was a squib but it was a futile effort. As she zoned out during her piano lessons, she would find herself mentally going through the movements to cast different charms.

It was painful to be thinking about things from the life that had been ripped away from her, to know that what she was thinking about would never come to pass, that she would never be able to wield magic - and yet she couldn’t find herself able to stop.

As Eloise picked out one of the books and settled into her armchair, a steely resolve overcame her.

She would prove that she deserved to be there, and was just as capable as any of they were. She would make her parents regret ever discarding her like she was nothing.

She was worthy. She was capable. And she would prove it.

The morning of September 1st dawned cold and rainy. Absolutely perfect.

Eloise had pretended to be sick the night before, and no one had suspected a thing when she stayed in bed long after all of the other girls had gotten ready and headed to breakfast. As the last of the chattering faded away down the hallway, Eloise finally got out of bed and prepared herself for the day. It was difficult to sit still long enough to braid her hair. Her fingers wouldn’t stop trembling and she had to restart countless times. Finally, she tied the black ribbon at the end into a neat bow and turned to the drawer of her desk to retrieve the small purple pouch she had hidden away.

Everything she deemed important enough to come along with her had already been placed inside: the books from Professor Fig, the hair ribbons gifted to her by her brother many years ago, and some clothing. Nothing else was coming with. She needed the fresh start. Besides, anything else she might need would be supplied, as her acceptance letter had specifically stated that any school supplies would be provided to her.

Waiting the hours before noon came along proved to be more difficult than Eloise had imagined. Time seemed to be moving slower than the molasses that had come with the breakfast sent up to her, the steady patter of the rain becoming a sort of metronome keeping time as she paced back and forth. Wasn’t there anything that could distract her, even for a bit? She glanced at the clock. Only five minutes had passed since the last time. 10.35.

The second hand ticking away in tandem with the sound of rain splashing against her window.

What if this was all a trick? What if she arrived at Hogwarts, and they turned her away because they realized they had made a mistake? After all, why would they admit a sixteen-year-old? Surely she was too old; every other student had started Hogwarts at the age of twelve and had shown signs of magic much earlier than that. She still hadn’t shown any signs of magical capability whatsoever, and didn’t feel any different than she had before receiving the letter. It had to be a fluke.

As her thoughts started veering into the melancholy she was prone to, she shook her head. No. Today was a happy, exciting day. She wasn’t going to squash the optimism down today, not when she needed it most. All of these thoughts she was having were simply that: thoughts. Not reality. Hogwarts never made a mistake, and in all of the history books she had read, she couldn’t recall an instance of someone being turned away at the door. Granted, she had also never heard of someone being admitted so late. But, better to focus on what she did know, which was that she had gotten the letter. It must be right in its assumption that she had magic.

Trying to pass the time was easier said than done. She ended up quizzing herself on all of the charms she had memorized in the books sent by Professor Fig, moving an imaginary wand in the precise movements needed to successfully cast and focusing on her pronunciation. She had studied all of these forms late into both nights she had had the books, and when she would eventually close her eyes to sleep, the wand movements were all she saw.

Eloise was determined that she would receive pity from nobody. Nobody was going to look at her like she was lacking. She had gotten enough of that to last a lifetime, and now that she was given this opportunity she wasn’t about to waste it.

When noon finally struck, Eloise was ready and waiting. She eagerly grabbed the gobstone that was sitting on her desk and felt the familiar tugging sensation in her navel as she was whisked away to London and the beginning of her new life.

next chapter

[metalbvcky]

Stucky Reclist | Summer Reading Bingo

This summer I made it a goal of mine to read several fics, like library reading challenges as a kid, and four months later I made a blackout! I’ve compiled all the works together with links, ratings, tags, and word counts. Each fic contains different genres/tropes/AUs and authors with various abilities of weaving their words.

Thanks to @ficreadingchallenge for hosting this event!

Meow | Teen+ | 4,372 (1/1) | leveragehunters

Square #1: pets Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern: No Powers, Magical Realism, Cats, Ghosts, Happy Ending

23 Reasons I Want to Marry Steve Rogers | Gen | 764 (1/1) | FanFicAddict7

Square #2: remix fic pair Tags: No Plot/Plotless, Remix, Marriage Proposal, buzzfeed article, Journalist Bucky, Fluff

in the morning i'll be sober and you'll still be mine | Teen+ | 2,240 (1/1) | mcwho

Square #3: author's oldest fic Tags: Drunken Confessions, Kissing, Shameless Steve Rogers, Light Angst

What We Overheard | Mature | 2,015 (1/1) | Defiler_Wyrm

Square #4: secret relationship Tags: World War II, Period-Typical Homophobia, Secret Relationship, Bottom Bucky Barnes, Top Steve Rogers, Mentions of Historical Racism

Who we are | Explicit | 6,186 (4/4) | Late_to_party_81

Square #5: multichapter fic Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Pre-Serum Steve Rogers, Beefy Bucky Barnes, Daddy Kink, Daddy Dom Steve Rogers, Sub Bucky Barnes

Painterly | Explicit | 8,463 (1/1) | avintagekiss24

Square #6: high school/college AU Tags: Gratuitous Smut, Bottom Bucky Barnes, Top Steve Rogers, Artist Steve Rogers, Alternate Universe - College/University, Jock Bucky Barnes, Alternate Universe - Roommates/Housemates

finding our way back | Mature | 40k+ (series of oneshots) | brambleberet

Square #7: part of a challenge or event Tags: Domestic Discipline, Spanking, Dom Steve, Sub Bucky

when and where our eyes meet | Explicit | 2,518 (1/1) | luninosity

Square #8: happy ending Tags: Post-Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Bucky Barnes Recovering, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Angst with a Happy Ending, Implied Sexual Contact

now we’re cookin’ with gas | Explicit | 7,103 (1/1) | angeleyeavenue

Square #9: slow burn Tags: Alternate Universe - Restaurant, Post-Serum Steve Rogers, Chef Bucky Barnes, Mutual Pining, Slow Burn, Friends to Lovers

Dream Daddy | Explicit | 108,071 (29/29) | JBankai89

Square #10: longfic (>25000 words) Tags: Alternate Universe - Sugar Daddy, Sugar Daddy Steve, Sugar Baby Bucky, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Age Difference, Fluff and Smut, Slow Burn, Mutual Pining

A Boatload of Problems | Not Rated | 3,358 (1/1) | CherriOnTop

Square #11: BIPOC main character Tags: Veteran Steve, Veteran Bucky, Not Canon Compliant, Survivors Guilt, First Meeting, Sam POV, the wilson boat

Frost Caught Fire On Our Lips | Explicit | 7,393 (1/1) | the1918, kocuria-arts (kocuria)

Square #12: fanart Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Small Towns, One Night Stands, Age Difference, Top Steve, Bottom Bucky

Incredible! 100 Year Old Man Finds Love | Teen+ | 2,457 (1/1) | bangyababy

Square: free space Tags: Captain America Steve Rogers/Modern Bucky Barnes (Shrunkyclunks), Buzzfeed, Memes, Trolling, Getting Together, Marriage Proposal, Humor

so easy to love you | Gen | 2,351 (1/1) | lavenderbucky

Square #13: take your fandom to work AU Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Established Relationship, Domestic Fluff, Steve Rogers Cooks, Cooking, Baking, Bucky Goes Back to College

the bleeding heart show | Explicit | 7,756 (1/1) | Tenillypo

Square #14: canon compliant Tags: Captain America: Civil War (Movie) Compliant, Missing Scene, Escape from Siberia, Hurt/Comfort, Hurt Bucky Barnes, Protective Steve Rogers, Protective Bucky Barnes, Laying Low in Wakanda, Unresolved Emotional Tension

last train home | Gen/Teen+ | 42,070 (series of oneshots) | sparkagrace

Square #15: fic written by someone who follows you Tags: Alternate Universe - No Powers, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Established Relationship, Fluff and Angst, Getting Together, Slice of Life

Quarantine 101 with Dr. Rogers (and the Husband) | Teen+ | 5,575 (1/1) | lordeofstucky

Square #16: superpowers/no powers AU Tags: Alternate Universe - No Powers, Quarantine, Online Classes, Bucky the Husband, Steve the Professor

Haunted | Mature | 1,826 (1/1) | ThePirateStorm

Square #17: unhappy/bittersweet ending Tags: Unrequited Love, Angst, Not A Fix-It, Canon Compliant, Hallucinations

Three Men in a VW | Teen+ | 3,563 (1/1) | Brokenpitchpipe

Square #18: fix-it fic Tags: Captain America: Civil War, Missing Scenes, Road Trip from Hell, Banter, Pining

My Peach and Your Plums | Teen+ | 1,005 (1/1) | buckybarnesdeservestobehappy

Square #19: short fic (<1000 words) Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Domestic Fluff, Steve Rogers Cooks, Food as a Metaphor for Love

My Heart Skips A Beat When I’m With You | Explicit | 5,460 (1/1) | innerslumber

Square #20: Holiday Fic Tags: Valentine's Day, Topping from the Bottom, Post-Serum Steve Rogers, Winter Soldier Bucky Barnes

Ancient Dreams, Modern Land | Gen | 13,796 (1/1) | Greyspaces13

Square #21: angst Tags: Cabin Fic, Isolation, Steve Rogers Needs a Hug, Steve Rogers Has PTSD, The Retreat Safe House (Marvel), Hurt/Comfort, Evil Alexander Pierce, Angst with a Happy Ending, Protective Bucky Barnes, Canon-Typical Violence

As Sharp as Satin | Explicit | 130k+ (WIP) | blackthorn_possum

Square #22: whump Tags: Winter Soldier Bucky Barnes, Bucky Barnes Recovering, Platonic BDSM, Handler!Steve, Dom Steve Rogers/Sub Bucky Barnes

Stucky Bingo March 2023 Round Robin | Teen+ | 2,049 (1/1) | Dogsled, Girl_Back_There, Politzania, ralsbecket, Sivan325, TrinityDay

Square #23: multiple authors Tags: World War II, Captain America: The First Avenger, Steve Rogers Feels, Blood and Injury, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Hopeful Ending, Bad Flirting

Medically Necessitated | Explicit | 91,416 (WIP) | sarahyellow

Square #24: unfinished/work in progress Tags: Omegaverse, Doctor/Patient, Hurt/Comfort, Age Difference, Medical Kink

--

[curiositysavesthecat]

Third person limited follows a single character at a time, you can see into that character's thoughts, but not anyone else in the scene.

Meanwhile third person omniscient point of view lets the author peer into the minds of every character in a scene. (Source.)

*Head hopping in writing occurs when the writer jumps between multiple character perspectives in a scene. (Source.)

This poll was submitted to us and we simply posted it so people could vote and discuss their opinions on the matter. If you’d like for us to ask the internet a question for you, feel free to drop the poll of your choice in our inbox and we’ll post them anonymously (for more info, please check our pinned post).

[ps-cactus]

Shades of Silver Lining - Ch. 4 - posted ✅

Ch.3 <- | Ch.5 (coming soon) the first post aka story teaser + tags

word count: 4135 ✨ [ AO3 ] ✨ [ Wattpad ]

photos by @acslytherpuff girl you are amazing 💕

Thank you @accio-bagel for beta reading and encouragement 😭💖 love you 3000

a/n: Welcome to the other side ✨ Unreliable narrator✨ ! author's opinion ≠ narrator's pls I mean it

Summary: It's the only chapter there will be from an Antagonist aka Officer Roland Foster POV. He he doesn't trust people. Especially he doesn't trust a girl recklessly wielding the wild and destructive magic. And he despises the Gaunts, including that Gaunt boy, who thinks he's being clever with his defiance masquerading as wit. And he can't stand that stubborn and incompetent Ruth Singer.

a/n2: oh, and the next chapter will be Ominis POV. Boy has to go home to try to settle some things.

・・・

The officer’s eyes darted restlessly over the lines, ensuring the enchanted quill hadn't missed any details.

" … Why didn’t you contact the Aurors yesterday, Miss Salters?"

"People were already being threatened around here not so long ago. Contacting Aurors didn’t help. But Sebastian did. … " 

“... … you would entrust your safety to a schoolkid?”

"Yes, I would." 

"And how has that worked out for you, Miss Salters?"

The faintest smirk played in the corner of his lips. Sallow must enjoy regaling his peers with tales of his supposed importance here. Officer Foster didn’t mind. Though an unconventional addition to the office, his trainee was bound to be exceptionally helpful in so many ways.

・・・

This morning, right after Salters stepped out of his private office, was supposed to be the best chance to probe the youngest Gaunt for answers while they were still untouched and unrefined. The brief private conversation—not an interrogation, of course, that would have required too many formalities—had been fruitless, a combination of polished deflections, vague acknowledgements, and no actionable leads. 

The Gaunt boy’s posture, his deliberate pauses, even his final “Officer” and a curt nod as he left—all was too calculated. That kind of control didn’t come naturally; it was learned and practised.

・・・

Roland Foster slid his hand into his jacket pocket, brushing against the medallion he always kept with him. The faded portraits within would forever remind him of the danger posed by magic that strayed too far from the ordinary. Norms existed for a reason—everything beyond them would lead only to ruin.

・・・

“Tell me, you’re sure she remained in the castle the entire night?”

“Yes, sir.” Rexley’s patience in calmly repeating answers to Foster’s questions, as often as the latter required, was one of his finer traits. “She returned early and stayed there until Dinah Hecat escorted her here.”

・・・

“The Gaunts, yet again,” Rexley remarked grimly, gripping the letter. 

“You’re telling me.”

“Officer,” Rexley said, looking thoughtfully at the letter. “I’ve heard you want to investigate everyone who was in Hogsmeade last night. But with Bell’s absence still unresolved, I’d suggest it’s only fair to include Aurors in that ‘everyone.’”

“That’s exactly what’s going to happen, Rexley. But maybe you are implying something specific?”

“Merely that Singer’s squad appears rather prejudiced against the local criminals,” Rexley said, leaning slightly over the desk, eagerness sparkling in his hazel eyes. “After all, Bell is among her team. Naturally, we’ll include our people, too, so they can’t object,” he added, straightening again. 

“How about we start with you then, Rex?” Foster said with a grin, looking up from the second letter he was hurriedly writing. “Set the standard for the rest.”

“Not an issue, sir,” Rexley replied, mirroring the grin. “You know exactly what my wand’s results will be. Just make sure the others don’t get overly anxious.”

・・・

P.S greatly inspired by:

[esilher]

New stop in Klaine’s trip around the world: The Comic Con In San Diego for @ericdooley

[drawfee-quot3s]

i calculated average words-per-minute for a silent reading adult

okay. who said i was gonna be silent

who said i was average? i'm actually worse

i'm an above-average loud child

uhh- twelve years.

- julia, jacob, + karina

[jolalibrary]

APRIL SHOWERS MASTERLIST

here is the masterlist for the april showers challenge. currently this is still open, so please feel free to enter until the 30th APRIL!

the fishing trip by @bluestar22x [frankie m x reader]

starstruck heights drabble: carpinteria by @yxtkiwiyxt [joel x reader]

monsoon by @sawymredfox [din x reader]

caught in the rain by @burntheedges [marcus p x reader]

marcus rainy moodboard by @secretelephanttattoo

just breathe by @mermaidgirl30 [joel x reader]

heavy rain by @lunitawrites [joel x reader]

coup de foudre by @ladamedusoif [lucien x reader]

weathered in by @rhoorl [frankie x reader]

don’t let yourself go by @survivingandenduring [joel]

the stranger by @punkshort [dave x reader]

fools in the rain (nebble files story) by @inept-the-magnificent [tim x jane nebbles]

911 by @milla-frenchy [joel x reader]

intermezzo by @maggiemayhemnj [joel/jersey + ellie]

midnight rainstorms by @thundermartini

when it rains by @bitchesuntitled

happenstance by @sawymredfox [joel x reader]

when the rain washes you clean, you’ll know by @thelightsandtheroses [javi p x reader]

with you I fall down by @joelsgreenflannel [javi p x reader]

like real people do by @mrsmando [joel m x reader]

right person wrong time by @mountainsandmayhem [joel x reader]

silver by @morallyinept [ezra x reader]

island rain by @javipispunk [frankie x reader]

july by @psychedelic-ink [joel x reader x tess]

sugar drop by @604to647 [pero x reader]

rain confessions by @toomanystoriessolittletime [joel x reader]

what he wants to be… by @theweedisasterxoxo [joel x reader]

angel in disguise by @nerdieforpedro [javi p x reader]

thunderstruck by @thetriumphantpanda [marcus p x reader]

come with me and escape by @jomiddlemarch [joel x ofc!grace]

into you by @toomanystoriessolittletime [dieter x reader]

a rainy escape by @malimomo [javi p x reader]

good girl by @aurorawritestoescape [joel x reader]

when it rains by @couldsewyouastitchandsavenine [javi p x reader]

drowning in you by @flightlessangelwings [frankie x reader]

rainy day brew by @loonmartell [joel x reader]

the rhythm of the rain by @viceofdionysus [jack x reader]

raining in baltimore by @schnarfer [marcus p x reader]

[djevelbl]

I think this is my favorite little thing I've written for this project btw

[avoicebehindthestars]

Sometimes I feel like I'm in "Being John Malkovitch".

I mean, "right, I finished reading about rockstar Crowley and headmaster Aziraphale, so while I'm waiting to see what Crowley's going to do with the Aziraphale-coded cat, how figure skaters Crowley and Aziraphale are going to react to having to share the ice rink, and where the night heat is going to take the lighthouse keeper Crowley and the ornitologist Aziraphale, I can find out what the time-travelling Crowley is up to with his angel. And after that, I'm going to get back to the hungover Crowley and Aziraphale in the California wine country, and when I finish that one (probably with some breaks for the time-travellers and maybe the astronomers), perhaps I could look for 19th century ghosts with the demon Crowley and angel Aziraphale :D"

See what I'm talking about?

[arom-antix]

Time for the second installment! As the companion piece to this Valentines Day/White day reverse bang/bang event, I drew this adorable Makkachin based on the second chapter of @probablytoooldforthis's incredible fic Sweets for the Sweet for White Day! And now that you've been blessed by Makka's presence, I urge you to go read both this fic and the first chapter that was posted last month. You won't regret it!

And in case you're curious, the Valentines piece can be found here

[gleefulpoppet]

Drabble Anthology Part Three (Chapters 37-48) • 1200 Words •Released January 5th, 2025

A collection of drabbles that I wrote for the now-defunct @gleedrabbleblog challenge (most of this set was never published on Tumblr). They're finally together all in one place on AO3, and I'm filling in the words I skipped the first time. Each drabble is exactly 100 words and can stand on its own.

You can read it on AO3 [here]. The new drabbles start with Chapter 37. You can always let me know if there's one you'd like as a longer one-shot or story.

[novella-november]

Not to harsh your joy regarding your personal project, (which does sound awesome!) the fact that you keep answering the "can I do fanfic?" questions with "technically yes, but have you considered not doing that?" does not actually *feel* very fanfic friendly. (Especially for anyone who enjoys fanfic as a hobby and isn't also an ofic writer. For example, I personally write almost exclusively character studies that are an explicit reaction to canon; there is no real way to write that sort of thing except as fanfic.)

Which is just a long-winded way of requesting that you maybe consider less of a caveat with the FAQ if you make one, please.

oh that was definitely not my intention, thanks for the ask! I think it was mostly just because I got that same question a few times in a row from various anons within the same time span (including some that were not published publicly), it just happened that I was thinking of my own project(s, plural now) in the last day when I answered those two, for those who want an extra creative challenge.

There's a reason my own original thing has been in my head for the last ten years without me actually writing it while I've written and posted tons of fanfiction, and even now some of my original works are going to be based on Arsene Lupin, so they'd technically be considered fanfiction since they're based on and use an established work for the characters and settings --

--writing completely original fic *is* harder, and that's exactly why I'm *suggesting* (not requiring!) that people consider taking 1 out of short story 4 challenges to look at their work in a new light.

90% of what I read and (until I actually start and finish my original works) 100% of what I've written in my life is fanfic. I have nothing against fanfic, otherwise I woudn't even be interested in creative writing.

But its also not a diss to say "Would you consider looking at your [fanfic] writing from a new angle and try to figure out different ways of going about it?"

Honestly, being able to even consider this option *as a fun extra challenge* is meant to help improve your writing and creative skills; it's not meant as a cheap shot at people who choose to write fanfiction because I my self write and read tons of it,

it's me saying "if you want even more practice at creative writing during these monthly challenges, try branching out a little bit from your comfort zone, you may be pleasantly surprised."

People who write and read fanfiction already have tons of creative experience, and if people like me and many other fanfic writers who one day dream of being published authors, want to broaden our horizons and seek new experiences, one of the easiest exercises is to take something we're planning on writing or already wrote, and see what we would change to make it brand new and standalone--

-- something that not only helps you come up with new ideas, but also will help when it comes time to *edit*, which can be, depending on the length and complexity of your story, can be a complicated process:

whether that means having to delete scenes entirely,

changing what a character says,

altering an aspect of the worldbuilding to fix plot holes

, re-writing your character so they're not overpowered because it was ruining the stakes and tension,

changing the POV of chapters because it was ruining the flow of the story,

etc etc etc.

I love fan fiction.

I love reading it and I love writing it, and for many people who take on monthly writing challenges, it is a way to test ourselves and gear ourselves up and prove to ourselves that not only can we write x amount of words, but it proves to ourselves that we are *capable of creating*, and for many creatives, that ultimately leads to crafting our own unique stories;

if you're already taking place in a monthly writing challenge, why not push the bounds a little bit *if you're so inclined* and test the waters? Especially when you're surrounded by a community who is cheering you on, every step of the way?

Every Nanowrimo I ever won was fanfiction. Heck, even not during November I once did 40k words in two weeks for a fic.

I always stalled out when I tried to write original works;

it is much easier to start small with a single short story than it is to try to write an entirely original novel, and my encouraging people to try baby steps by *experimenting* with one short story out of four in a month is not meant to be a diss against fanfiction,

but an *encouragement to those like me* who were so eager to write original works but floundered when I tried to jump into the deep end and felt disheartened.

Many fanfic authors aspire to write original fics, and thats who that challenge is for, for the people who want to write original works but are too afraid to fully commit; I'll still be writing and posting fanfiction even if I become a published author, even If I just have to come up with a few new pen-names to post them under.

There's absolutely no judgement on anyone who wants to write fanfiction for these challenges, my "caveat" as you say, is only there as encouragement to those like me who are afraid to take the first step, or uncertain of how to even *begin* that first step, not any kind of condemnation.

TL;DR:

I did not mean for my responses on the "can I write fanfiction" to come off as rude or looking down on fanfiction, its meant to be an encouragment to all the people like me who love fanfic and started out writing fanfiction, and dream of writing original works to take the first step, with a community of like-minded people all taking the same challenge.

Like every other challenge aspect of these events, taking a fanfic idea and turning it into an original short story is completely optional and meant as inspiration, just like following prompts for events is not mandatory, and even completing the 30k word goal is not mandatory; the goal for this month is to create, get in the habit of creating, and having fun with it!

[dreamerdrop]

Imperiled // Julian Bashir/Holosuite Characters, Julian Bashir/Elim Garak // Rated E

Of course, Garak would break in when Julian has his program set for the most humiliatingly explicit ending he could fathom. Of course, his coworkers would somehow end up with their physical patterns stored in the characters participating in said ending. Of course, he wouldn’t be allowed to freeze or end or alter the program without killing all of them. Of course, this would happen to him, why wouldn’t it?

Or: Julian’s spy program has a villainous gangbang option and the universe has a really sadistic sense of humour.

Archive Warnings: Noncon, Graphic Depictions of Violence. (Really graphic, not quite gore levels but definitely described in too much detail—)

Additional Warnings: Absolutely Zero Comfort, Gun Fellatio, Every Sex Act is Forced and Uncomfortable, Rectal Tearing, Anal Bleeding, Intestinal Peforation, Strongly Implied CSA Survivor Julian Bashir, Whump, Whump, and more Whump. (<- Also strongly implied Garak trauma of varying kinds but most of that is just canon anyway.)

Literally just 8k of “Garak is forced to watch as Julian is torturted to the brink of death by his own holosuite program” as a fun little traumatic horror what-if based on Our Man Bashir.