#if there is a fic you like leave a comment!! keysmash in the tags!! tell that artist how much you think their art is rad!!

[delivish]

‎

[thesightstoshowyou]

When you leave comments like this:

here’s what I see:

“I don’t actually appreciate the work you put into writing this fic. I don’t think about the time, the care, the love, the effort it takes to write something this intensive. Just drop everything you’re doing to give me, specifically, more, more, more.”

There is no next part, commenter. This is part 6, the final installment of a multichapter fic I’ve been working on for 3 years, with many other fics that branch off of this concept. This is the hardest I’ve worked on any story in my entire 30-some years of writing. I love it with all my heart.

Now, I don’t actually believe you intend these comments to come off this way. You don’t mean to discourage me, or to leave a sour taste in my mouth, or to make me consider ending everything I’m currently working on and deleting this blog forever.

So, let me help you. In the future, when you comment on a writer’s work, try this instead:

“I loved this! I particularly liked (insert favorite part here). This made me feel (insert emotions here). Thank you so much for blessing my dash with this masterpiece. I would love to see more of these characters.”

This is so much more constructive. I’ve received comments like this before and, let me tell you, I got to work on that next chapter almost immediately (even if I hadn’t originally planned to write one).

On that note, thank you to the people who have stuck with me this long, who leave amazing comments, who reblog, who keysmash in the tags. You encourage me and make this all worth it ❤️

[tasteleeknow]

hihi jade !! i’m fairly new to tumblr and wanted to ask what’s the best way to reblog a post? i want you and my other favourite writers to get the attention + support you deserve but i’m still quite not sure on how it works ><

hihi !! that's really nice to of you make the effort to understand ! i'll put a little tutorial under the cut for you and anyone else that would like to learn. this is one of the best ways you can support writers on tumblr and i really encourage readers to stop and read this !

main or side? if you have no problem reblogging fics onto your main blog you can skip this section! this is just for people who don't feel comfortable putting fic on their blog for whatever reason.

tumblr has a thing called sideblogs where you can make secondary blogs on the same account. no one else looking at that blog will know it's attached to your main unless you tell someone. it's a great option for people who want a blog only for fic they read. the downsides is that you can only reply to posts from your main and send asks off anon from your main. but it's a great option for reblogging fic.

on mobile: just go to your blog then press your name and then 'create a new blog'

on web: click the profile icon then 'new'

how to reblog this part is easy! the best way to help writers is to reblog any fic you read and enjoyed. leaving a little comment in the tags is a lovely bonus and i'll show you how to do that soon. first i'll show you how to reblog really quickly with no comments. it's as easy at liking!

on mobile: at the bottom of a post, HOLD the reblog button. the icons of all your blogs will appear. DRAG then RELEASE over the blog you want to reblog the post to. your main or any sideblog you've made. that's it!

on web: hold the e key on your keyboard and icons from your blogs will pop up. then hover over the icon you want to reblog to and click. same deal as mobile. will reblog to the blog you clicked, quick and easy.

adding feedback/tags this is the bonus step that will make any writer's day. i read every single comment people leave in the tags of their reblogs! here's how you can add comments to your reblogs!

bonus: using tags is also how you can organise your blog. if you add tags like 'minho' or 'favourite' and then search them on your blog later, you can find your favourite fics. much easier to organise than likes.

on mobile: press the reblog button instead of holding it.

where it says '+ add tags to help people find your post', click and add any and all thoughts about the fic you just read. it can be a little keysmash or it can be an essay. adore anything you feel like offering. type a sentence or word then hit return on your phone keyboard then type the next word or sentence. and so on and so on. (this is also where you can put your organisational tags). then when you're done press reblog.

on web. click the reblog button. you'll get a popup like this. type your tags. all your thoughts. then any tags to help you find the post later. hit reblog!

bonus: if you really do want to write an ESSAY (always welcome). this is where you can put your thoughts into the caption instead of tags. where i've written 'long comments/essays here' on mobile screenshot and where it says 'go ahead, put anything' on web.

when should you reblog? whenever you finish a fic that you enjoyed! tumblr works by sharing posts with others through reblogging. when you follow people any posts they reblog will show on your dashboard. it's great for organically sharing content without algorithms like other sites use. fanfiction is all about fandom and community. writers write. and readers share and comment on the writing they enjoy. healthy ecosystem!

what are likes for then? exactly what it says on the tin. hey, i liked this! a lot of people use them as bookmarks. i can only see this being a good use of it if you also reblog fics once you've read them. i can only imagine how many liked posts some people have. they must have to scroll for ages to find anything. i use it just as a like button. literally, i liked this! or to just show support for my mutuals personal posts. if i find a fic i want to read later, i'll use it for that sometimes too.

what if i'm shy? firstly, tumblr is entirely anonymous. i don't know who you are and all i'm doing is reading whichever tags you've decided to add to my work. no one you know can judge you for the fic you read if you make a blog just for fic. and i'm certainly not judging you. i have anxiety myself, i understand the struggle. exposure therapy! just give it a go, see how you feel. i really feel you if you just make the effort to start doing it, you'll realise it really is okay! writers on here adore feedback and they'll appreciate you a lot for being a reader that reblogs and comments. reblogging with no comment to start off might help you ease into it.

writing takes a lot of time and effort. the only thing i've ever seen asked in return from the people that write is for you to let them know what you thought of it in the tags of a reblog! it's a very minor action compared to the time and effort it took to write the fic as well as the time and effort it took you to read it!

anyway, appreciate anyone who made the effort to read this and understand. readers who reblog and comment are the reason anyone is still on this site writing! ♡

ps. if you use desktop you can add the extension 'xkit rewritten' to chrome or firebox and use the feature quick reblog which makes tagging and reblogging even easier. the quick reblog feature looks like this. xkit rewritten is also how i make tag bundles that i can add to posts with one click instead of typing 20 tags out everytime i post a fic.

[medusapelagia]

Comment bingo - 4th line!

Andrew (my octopus friend, who is way more technological than I am!) gently pointed out that by copying and past I'm tagging people like 200 times (sorry!) so from now on I'll tag only the latest addition to the bingo but I'll keep all the other fics' links because I love them and I want to keep them with me.

Sorry for the inconvenience!

If you want to participate the @feedthefandomfest has another bingo card: the bingo card for beginners (which I will probably try to fill as soon as I finish this one!)

As always go give them some love if you want to! And keep commenting!

comment that is at least half keysmash: start by pulling him out of the fire by pricklywhicket, rating: E, complete, Steddie. This fic is SO good, I'm just at the first chapter but Wayne's characterization is amazing! If you are a Wayne lover (as I am) you have to read it!

The other fics that helped me fill my bingo card under the cut!

Comment on a fic posted today: All I want for Christams is you, by LexiRoseWrites. rating: Teen and Up, Steddie, Complete. A sweet Christmas omegaverse fic!

comment detailing emotional devastation: hold me, scold me , by lydiah135 - rating: E, complete, Steddie. This fic has everythig! Transmasc Professional Dom Eddie, emotional pain and wonderful OCs! This is the 4th part of the series, I recommend to start from the first one!

revisit fic you read in the past & leave a(nother) comment: If I stare too long by brawls (brawlite) and ToAStranger, rating: E, complete- The first Metalsandwich fic I have ever read. It's hot, and fluff, and cute and it has incredible art!

Holy trinity: kudos, comment and bookmark: Sea of waking dreams by Oonionchiver, rating: E - Steddie, WIP. As everything that Azriel writes is intriguing, hot and supernatural!

Unhinged liveblogging reaction: Everybody wants you - Whataboutthefish - rating: E, complete - Harringrove. A sexy and painful song fic. It hurts so good!

Highlight & explains 3 favorite quotes: Baby, I got sick this morning (heal me, darling)by TheRedHarlequin - rating: E, a lovely WIP with my favorite threesome: Steve, Billy and Eddie! Half sick fic and half magical AU!

Find a comment you agree with & replay explaining why: The Long Night, by - Nox_Wiked - rating:E, another threesome Steve, Billy and Eddie and another WIP half survival and half unconventional omega fic!

Comment on a every chapter of a multichapter fic: Just add water by Just_my_latest_hyperfixation ( @just-my-latest-hyperfixation) -rating: E, complete, a super sweet Mermaid AU Steddie fic!

Comment on a WIP: To B, With Love by Triddlegrl (@fizzigigsimmer - rating: E, WIP an incredible Harringrove Omegaverse Western AU!

Comment on a fic posted at least 3 years ago: i think of you (i want you, too) i'd fall for you by To A Stranger - rating: E, complete, a Harringrove Criminal AU with hurt/comfort!

Leave a comment that is half emoji: what's mine is yours (to leave or take) by througheden - rating: M, complete, a Steddie sugary sweet AU with baker Eddie and nurse Steve and a lot of cakes!

Comment of a fic post in the last three days: Baby, It's Cold Outside by StitchedFox - Rating:M - complete, a Steddie Christmas fic about traditions and compromises!

promote a fic on Tumblr and/or Discord & tell the author so: All those fic!

[triforce-of-mischief]

Supporting Creatives: Do's and Don't's

These tips apply to artwork, writing, gifsets, and every other kind of creative work. Textposts are exempt from most of these rules depending on your blog style.

On Tumblr, do:

reblog

like and reblog

comment and reblog

like, comment, and reblog

reblog and leave your thoughts in the tags

@ your friends to show them

On Tumblr, do not:

like without reblogging (this does nothing for visibility)

comment without reblogging (use the reblog space to share your thoughts)

like and comment without reblogging (why. just why)

@ the creator in your own post to write a review

copy and paste the creation and pretend that you made it

copy and paste the creation and 'credit' the creator (that's what reblogs are for. they share the creation to your blog while keeping the direct connection to the creator)

On AO3, do:

kudos

comment

kudos and comment

comment a heart or a keysmash or a scream if your mental battery is too low

On AO3, do not:

blame the author for writing something you don't like (the tags are there for a reason)

Anywhere, do:

ask if they are receptive to gifts (fanart, fanfic, etc) if you want to give them one (you are never obligated to make gifts, but they will almost definitely be overjoyed)

tell them your favorite part and/or leave incoherent screaming/keysmashes

Anywhere, do not:

say anything negative. ever.

offer constructive criticism unless it was explicitly asked for

demand more content

ask when there will be more content

self deprecate as a form of praise (it's not. it doesn't work for either side)

say anything along the lines of "i thought this looked like __" when the art is clearly not

tell the author what you think should happen unless they explicitly ask for ideas

complain about 'overused' tropes or 'mischaracterizations' according to your standards (this is guaranteed to scare at least one new creative out of sharing their work. keep it to yourself or a private chat with somebody who you know agrees with you)

Please keep in mind:

reblogs are the best way to support your favorite creatives on tumblr

spam reblogs are never annoying unless the blogger explicitly says otherwise

talking in the tags on tumblr makes you a hero

commenting on fics that have been on ao3 for years makes you a hero

commenting on every chapter of a longfic on ao3 makes you a hero

likes do nothing on tumblr. they will not improve visibility or encourage the creative to keep creating

don't like it? keep it to yourself

the block button on tumblr is always available

[kazoosandfannypacks]

i love you people who comment on the first chapter of a fic to let me know you're on board i love you people who comment on the really good chapters of a fic to let me know you want more i love you people who comment on every chapter of the fic so i never feel like i'm yelling into the void i love you people who comment on the last chapter of a fic to tell me you love it i love you people who dm me to tell me how much you loved my fic i love you people who leave in depth analysis i love you people who leave a keysmash and heart emojis i love you authors who reply to comments i love you conversations started in the comment section of a fic i love you people who say second kudos in the comments i love you people who comment with a song the fic made you think of i love you people who reblog with reaffirming tags i love you people who comment about what you were doing while you read my fic i love you people who comment on my favorite minute detail i love you people who comment on minute details i didnt even notice i love you people who comment years after a fic is posted i love you people who draw fanart of fics i love you i love you i love every single person who's ever shown appreciation for my fics you are the reason i share my fics i love you guys

[the-nameless-wacky-inventor]

💘🌻🎈📡☯️🪄(I had such a hard time choose XD) for the fanfic ask!

💘Is there any posted fic you want to rework/re-edit/re-write?

Like all of my old works but specifically Shooting at Myself and the Mad Ducktor Thingie. I haven't read them in a while but Ik they need a good looking at. XD They're still my top DT fics tho, so I assume it's not as bad as I'm thinking. XD

🌻what makes you want to give up on writing? what makes you keep going?

I don't know if I've ever purposefully given up on a fic or wanted to give up on writing altogether. Usually with fics it's just a sudden realization that I haven't touched my WIP in like three months, and as for wanting to quite writing altogether it's just like.... what else am I supposed to do with my day then?? XD

🎈describe your style as a writer; is it fixed? does it change?

Oh I have no idea... succinct, maybe? Unless I don't want it to be, then I can go on forever about something. XD I'd say it's pretty fixed. XD Ik there's a few fics where the writing feels a little different somehow (Can't You Tell feels like that for some reason), but it's pretty much the same.

📡why is writing and sharing your writing important for fandom?

Idk! Ig I've never thought about what the fandom specifically gets out of it, it's more like what do I get out of it by the validation I get when people like it sslkjfsldkjd XD

☯️how do you think engaging with each other through tumblr, twitter, comments, kudos, creates healthy fandom experiences? How do you deal with that if you're not a social person/experience social anxiety?

It lets people share their ideas!! The whole reason I got an ao3 and tumblr was specifically so I could have input in the fandom and be able to show y'all the stuff I'd written. I'd been writing a lot before I got one, and finally I just decided I wanted to show it to everyone. XD I usually try to leave small encouraging comments on things when I have time, and I've found that reblogs are a very fun way to interact as well. Watch me tag an artist's post with ten keysmashes and then make a friend 'cause they appreciated that. XD

🪄what is your post-writing/sharing aftercare? How do you take care of yourself or celebrate yourself when you've finished a fic?

Usually for bigger fics it's just take a break. XD I love writing, but oftentimes finishing a giant one (Welcome to the Madhouse comes to mind first, actually- that was 50k words I wrote in a month) I'll let myself not feel bad if it's taken me a week or so to get back to writing. Looking back through my posting dates, I finished Where's My Mind in September and only have one other fic (that was like 2k words) that I put out that month. Which is pretty slow for me.

[rllybadfanfic]

Fandom is about human engagement with other human people who share your interests. The reason people stop posting art and fics they've made isn't based on a numbers game like the way some people accuse. A person with 50 notes but the notes are replies and reblogs with comments or tags is having a better time than a person with 1,000 notes that are all likes. A person with 5 comments on a fic that are from the same 5 people who left kudos is having a better time than a person with 1,000 kudos and no comments.

I'll tell you a secret, those people making art and fics will continue to have ideas and maybe even make rough sketches or fic outlines, but why would they put the time and effort into making it a finished product if no one is actually going to interact with it? If no one cares? They'll keep making, sure, but you'll never see it.

And no, you're not always going to have the energy to leave a comment, reply, or witty tag, but you can save to drafts or bookmarks and come back later. Even a keysmash is better than nothing. This at least tells the person who made it that you felt something about it.

And Tumblr is one place that's great for fandom creators, bc when you reblog, even without a comment, you re telling the artist or writer or gif editor that you liked it enough to want other people to see. That you felt that the thing they put time and effort into was worth sharing, worth making.

Not people saying “Fandom has always been like this” in that vent post I made. No. It hasn’t always been like this. Fandom has NEVER been like this until recently and if you were in fandom pre-tumblr purge, pre-twitter, pre-netflix boom, pre-tiktok….then you would fucking know it was nothing like this.

We still had the drive to create. We still sold prints and charms and made zines…but it was never like this.

The introduction of streaming, binge shows that drop all at once, tiktok and vine RIP i still love u vine but you were the beginning of a particularly ugly era) creating this bite sized, quick paced ‘content’ era of creation and it bled out into fucking everything else.

Fandoms didn’t die down when the show ended or the season was over. You didn’t mass unfollow artist, writers or moots just because they changed fandoms. There wasn’t this need to please the algorithm in order for your posts to get seen by people and enjoyed.

Fandoms used to last YEARS. Star Trek is literally the oldest running fandom out there and you got people in there that could care less about the new stuff and still have been happily prancing through their fucking fifty year old fandom today. Hell, even SPN after all it’s fuckups and shitshows has a dedicated fanbase STILL creating tons of art and fic.

There is no patience anymore. No calm feeling of taking in fandom and friends at a pace that which doesn’t make you stressed and is still fun.

Do I blame fandom for this? Of course not, but people are complacent with it and start changing their vocab to accommodate and end up making the situation so deep it cant be fixed.

We call Art & Fic Content now, completely stripping the value of what it is to a level of consumerism instead of personal entertainment & community bonding.

[redwinterroses]

I keep seeing posts and comments about how "it's so hard to leave comments on a fic" because either readers don't know what to say, or it's just too much emotional/mental work to come up with something.

So! Here's a quick cheat sheet. Feel free to copy+paste these to make commenting and supporting/encouraging fic authors easy and painless! (also, consider: you can leave as a comment any of the keysmashing you'd do in tumblr tags. Go nuts.)

Most of these can also be used on videos, art, and anywhere else you might leave feedback on a creative project.

Tier 1: Easy

<3

Love it!

thanks for the chapter

!!!!!

great chapter!

OH MY GOSH

oooooooh...

O.O

:D

Tier 2: Simple

I loved this chapter! Thanks for the update

I am up past my bedtime reading this.

I'm reading this at work/on the train/in class/at a party and I'm loving it

So good! Can't wait for the next chapter!

Was so excited to get the notification for this!

I love your writing

I enjoy/enjoyed this fic so much.

I'm sending this to a friend!

Biting this. Eating it. Devouring, even.

Awwww! Them.

Tier 3: Requires Input

I loved when [character] [did thing]

I loved the part when [thing happened]

[literally just copy+pasting a line you like and adding !!!!!!!!! to it]

My favorite part was [the part with the thing]

I love how you write [descriptions/dialog/specific person/etc]

Oh no, [character name]!!

Tier 4: Prompts

Point out a line you liked and what it made you think/how it made you react

Ask a question like, "Is Hardened Detective Man's mother still alive in this AU?" or "Does Brave Space Princess know about the [macguffin mentioned in chapter 2]?" or "Who's your favorite character to write in this fic?"

ask a rhetorical question of the characters, like: "Lovable High School Character! Do you have any idea what you're doing???" or "Dinosaur Researcher, are you aware there's a whole series of movies about why this is a bad idea?" or "Dark Vigilante Father Figure, do you even see what your adoptive acrobat son is trying to tell you?"

Address a statement to the characters (similar to above)

Tell the author how you found their fic

Tell them you're subscribed and you get excited whenever they upload

Comment that you can't wait to see how [story element] works out.

Commenting is the best way you can encourage a fic writer and inspire new content. And comments aren't book reviews (or at least, they don't have to be. We do love those though lol) -- they don't have to be long and complex. Keysmashes and emojis and one-sentence reactions are MORE than awesome!

If you don't have the energy or time to comment (and remember, even a !!!!!!!! is a great comment), at LEAST leave a kudos and consider saving a link to the fic to come back and comment later.

Now go forth! Support writers! Be a part of a healthy fandom ecosystem!

[50yearsofqueen]

Fun with Comments! A Super Simple Guide

Comments are brilliant. They support and encourage writers and artists, they are a great way to connect with people and make friends, and often enough they spark the idea for the next fic or fanart.

And the best thing is: comments don’t have to be long and complicated to work their magic. Here are some ideas for short and simple comments that will still put a big smile on a creator’s face.

The simplest comment ever

❤️

One emoji is enough for a comment? Yes, it absolutely is! However, emojis work great in strings:

💔😭😭😭🙏😥 (Sad)

💕😊💕🥺💕🤗💕🥰💕 (Fluffy)

🔥🔥🔥🥵💥 (Hot)

...or combination with and with some general praise

💖 I absolutly love this! 💖

That was so hot! 🔥🥵💥

I want to leave a thousand kudos! 🙏🙏🙏

And why not throw in a keysmash and allcaps:

😍 askdjfhaglglafdhkjg THIS IS SO CUTE I CANNOT!!! 💕

If you want to be more specific

You can say what’s your favourite part of the story:

Your descriptions are breathtaking/beautiful/creative/evocative/poetic/hilarious...

This is a wonderful take on this character/their struggles/this particular situation

The world-building in this AU is fantastic! I love all the details!

'Idiots to Lovers' is one of my favourite tropes, and you wrote it perfectly!

The dialogue feels so real, I could hear it all in my head!

Or you can quote a bit of the story you particularly liked:

"And then they rode off into the sunset together" What a perfect ending!!!

"She curled up on her bed and didn't hold back her tears any longer" 💔😥

You can say what the story made you feel or do:

This made me cry/smile/dance around with joy (be careful with explicit sexual reactions, unless you know the author is fine with it)

I stayed up until 4 in the morning just to finish this.

I'm an emotional mess after reading this.

I laughed so hard I scared my cat!

I have been in that situation myself, and your description really resonated with me.

I was having such a bad day, and your story really cheered me up/comforted me.

You can talk to the characters directly...

Noooo, don't just walk away like this, he loves you too, you idiot!

OMG BRIAN!!! 😂

...or to the writer:

I'm so happy you chose this prompt!

Looking forward to the next chapter! / Can't wait to see what happens next! (if it’s a multichapter)

Thank you for sharing this with us!

And keep in mind:

You can totally repeat what other commenters have already said!

You can totally leave the same or similar comments on several stories!

Don't worry if your English isn't perfect! We don’t mind, honest! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

For more inspiration:

Comment template

Emoji-based comments

Comment starters

An excel-based comment builder

Advice for commenting novices

And another How-To

So, this is the 'Do' side - but what about the 'Don'ts'? If you like, you can read more about that under the cut.

What about critical comments?

Look at the author's notes. Does the writer specifically ask for criticism?

In that case - and that case only! - you can leave a critical comment. Make sure that your comment contains praise too, and that your criticism is constructive (”concrit”). Constructive means that you offer the writer a concrete idea of how to improve their story, like:

"Freddie is spelled with -ie, not y."

"You change from past to present tense halfway through - its better to choose one and stick with it."

"If you change the dialogue from [this] to [that] during the love confession, it would sound more natural."

Here's an instructive tumblr post on what concrit is and isn't: x

What if the author doesn't ask for critical comments, but I still want to tell them how to improve the story?

Don't. Writers become better writers mainly through writing. Unsolicited concrit can be incredibly disheartening, and may put people off writing and sharing their work - and then they won't ever improve. Here are some detailed posts about why sending unsolicited concrit is not a good idea: x x

If you want to help writers with their fic, leave supportive comments and kudos. Encourage them. Tell them what works. If you're up for it, you can also make it known that you're open to beta people's fic. It's a lot of work, but it's very rewarding.

What if a fic really upsets me?

Did the author not use an archive warning when they should have? Did the story contains a really common trigger that wasn't tagged (a racial slur or self harm, for example)? Did a g-rated story contain porn?

Then see if you can find a way to contact the author privately (click on their Profile to see if they've got an email-address or tumblr link there) and send them a message, off anon. Explain the issue without insulting them or assuming the worst about them, and ask them to make the appropriate changes. In extreme cases of missing archive warnings and misleading ratings, you can report a fic to the archive.

However, be aware that there is a lot of room for interpretation. Some people might rate something "teen" where others use "mature". Some authors tag "dubious consent", where others would use a "rape/non-con" warning. Some authors prefer to tag everything under sun, while others feel it's giving the story away. Tags are voluntary, so make your point, but be prepared to let it go if the writer replies with, "No, I'm not going to change my tags."

In the context of this event, feel free to contact @quirkysubject or @emmaandorlando, and we'll see if there's a way to moderate.

If you're upset because "I hate it when character X is written that way" or "that entire trope is overused and sexist" or "this pairing shouldn't exist" or "why doesn't anyone write about this thing I'm interested in?" - find a place to vent your feelings that is not the fic's comment section. Go rant to a friend who you know shares your views. Pour all your rage in a google doc and then don't post it. Give a 15 minute lecture to your cat. Write the story you want to read yourself.

[corpsesbaby-main]

poppy did you get hacked??? ur last post really didn’t sound like you it was kinda hurtful like saying your fans weren’t good enough

to the people who have reblogged, send asks with feedback, send replies, done anything but just liking: fucking love and appreciate you! genuinely the only people who kept me going for 6 chapters! i smiled at ever reblog, every small comment, every keysmash. every time i saw anything other than a like i got so damn excited truly. so to those people: thank you, from the bottom of my heart <3

now to the hurtful and fans not enough thing:

nope not hacked just insanely tired

these ratios are abysmal truly

71 reblogs against 1,457 likes??? are you kidding???

likes aren't good enough for me to keep pouring hours of effort into not just writing the fics but also creating social media edits which take forever to make it as authentic as possible

we writers thrive off comments to tell us if people liked the chapter or not and that is not achieved by likes

likes are for bookmarking, nothing else

it's especially sucky if people come into your askbox demanding the next chapter but never interact with said chapter

it's terrible that people ask to be on a taglist only to either not interact or just like the fic despite the effort it takes to make sure everyone is on the taglist and tagged?

i've seen so many super talented people being driven off by people either thinking we're writing machines, people not appreciating them, or them not getting any kind of feedback which is what keeps us going

likes aren't enough, they just aren't, and until these ratios are equal, i refuse to post here

i get that it's not fun to hear that likes aren't enough and that you aren't a true fan if you just simply press like on a fic, but in my eyes, you really aren't. i've made several posts explaining how much it hurt me to see these numbers. a reply, an anonymous ask (for whatever reason, all are valid), a reblog, that is what counts. that is what makes you a fan. bookmarking something and being a fan is something else entirely.

people have started blocking accounts who just like and tbh i agree with them.

tumblr is a blogging site, it works because of reblogs. and people are just not using this site correctly and it's harming us writers.

and before anyone is gonna say it: fanfic writers do write for themselves, but we post for you. so i'm gonna do the first, and leave the second behind.

[actualaster]

I think people should also keep in mind that trying to guilt or shame people into commenting, even if they get a comment, will not give them the community they crave. What they'll get is an empty, hollow social ritual from a reader who doesn't actually want--or is unable to maintain--a conversation with them.

I'm already seeing that, actually--for a while there it was popular-ish to go "just leave any kind of comment! Second kudos, a heart emoji, a keysmash! Anything!" and now I'm seeing an uptick of writers getting annoyed at those and considering them spam comments. I mean, what did people expect? That "please, even just tell us 'loved it'!" was going to magically entice tons of readers to do a literature homework analysis mini-essay in the comments section??

And, as a writer myself, I'm also seeing more pressure to respond to reader comments and readers feeling slighted by not getting responses to their comments. That's just exhausting to even contemplate for me.

Community is wonderful and good but you cannot demand it from everyone who happens to pass through. Even in real life depending on where you live you won't know or be close to everybody in your community. Fandom will be the same--there will be people just passing through who keep to themselves for the most part because they simply aren't extremely socially out-going by nature.

(Personally, as a writer, there's also the stress of comments emails being a grab-bag until you open them because it's like "did they like it, are they a jackass who's making it my problem my fic didn't cater to them personally, or are they a jackass who ignored the tags and content warnings and is now upset they saw something icky?" I've gotten enough of the latter two that I avoid opening comments emails for ages sometimes)

I'm going to start this post off by saying that I write fic, and I know the pain of putting something out there and not getting a response. It sucks and it hurts and it puts a dent in my self-confidence. If I have the choice between posting a work on AO3 and getting only comments or posting a work on AO3 and getting only kudos, I'll probably choose comments let's say 8 times out of 10.

But with that in mind, posts that attempt to shame or guilt readers into commenting don't actually work.

Negative reinforcement (in the form of shame, guilt, or other worse emotions) doesn't make anyone want to do the thing. It just makes them want to avoid the guilt, etc. Rather than encouraging someone to talk to you about your writing, you're making that person want to avoid you so that they don't have to feel bad. That's just human nature.

I've said before that I think a lot of writers are looking for community rather than comments, and I still think that's true. The reason I love both writing and receiving comments is because it makes me feel like I've made a connection with someone. I may never know their real name or what they look like or where they live or anything else but what fandom we have in common, but we've reached out to each other in this text-based medium and we've shared words that made each other feel something.

I know that these posts are written out of frustration or loneliness or needing support or a hundred other reasons I could list off the top of my head. But when I read "you should be grateful for the things I give you and show me proper appreciation" it just reminds me of my parents telling me to clean my room or to follow the rules while I live under their roof.

It's so much more vulnerable to admit, "I don't know if this story is any good and I really wish someone would reassure me right now."

It's much harder to say, "I feel so alone in this fandom, and I want to make friends with someone."

It's difficult to admit, "I worked so hard on this for so long and I'm so tired, but if someone out there likes it then all of that effort will be worthwhile - and if no one says anything, then I'll feel like my effort was wasted."

I'm not trying to shame the people who made those posts, and if that's how this comes across then I'm sorry. I'm just trying to explain why I think those posts will harm more than they help.

I also hope that any readers who see this post will understand that those writers are just people who are feeling a lot of different ways, and they're venting their frustrations. I've been there. I've reblogged those posts before when I was feeling frustrated like that too.

If you're able to comment, those comments are appreciated. If you're not able to comment (for whatever reason), that's okay too. ❤️

[mymadmedleyw]

Fic Writer Review

I was tagged by @dp-marvel94 (I am just saying this is my very first occassion to by tagged in a thing like that, so filling this made my day really, thank you!)

1) How many works do you have on AO3?

22 – wow, that sounds many…

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?  

206.997, and more than the half belongs under one idea – that’s creepy…

3. How many fandoms have you written for and what are they?  

Oh, it’s many… once, I am into something, I have to write in that – surprisingly I am addicted to DP for nearly a year, and nothing else.

(But little bit of history, from the newest to the oldest: Danny Phantom, The Irregulars (that was really a short one), Guardians of Childhood/Rise of the Guardians (my very first finished multi-chaptered one was in that), Dark, Charmed (the old one, not the new series), Gravity Falls, Venom, Doctor Who, a crossover within Tangled: The Series and Milo Murphy’s Law, Death Note/Death Note: Another Note; and I had some ideas about a Rick and Morty and Gravity Falls crossover, and it seems I never uploaded here my concept about a not crossover Tangled: The Series idea, and either an independent one in Rick and Morty, hm… shame. Most of those are not finished. Okay, like 99% of it…)

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Core (Danny Phantom), stand-alone, ~3k

What The Past Holds (Danny Phantom), wip, ~91k

Pitch’s Secret (Guardians of Childhood/Rise of the Guardians), finished, ~14k

We are not alone (Venom), really short one, ~1k

Phantom (Danny Phantom), stand-alone, ~2k

5. Which of your fic do you want more attention for?  

Definitely it’s WTPH. It’s my current work. The idea about it came in December, and since that, I am working on that constantly. At first, I had ideas for eight chapters, and nothing else. Now, it grew into this monstrosity: a side-line (Bonds Over Time), and a collection that contains the deleted scenes or ideas that appeared in my mind and could fit into the story (Bits Of The Past), and also an entirely finished concept for Vlad’s past (Certain Moment Of Time), that could be connected to it too.

I also put many headcanons in that, and ticks of characters, and parallels, and layers that I just love: like Vlad having a sister and some details about his family background, Dan having Vlad’s memories too, how the explosion in the Nasty Burger happened and how Dan turned out like that… some precious things, really, but I won’t elaborate much, in case of anyone wants to give a read to it. Overall, I tried to make the TUE-mess into a somewhat more reasonable logical mess – if I managed to do that at all. I don’t know I’m just like a mother with a new-born with it: look, it’s my child! I made it! I developed it! here, hold it! and love it too, as much as I do! (Sorry, I don’t know how that metaphor came…)

6. Do you respond to comments, why or why not?

Even if it’s a kudo, or a keysmash as a comment, I write back. I mean, if someone writes – literally anything – and spends time with it, I write them back too. (And my very bad habit, that sometimes, if the comment hits an interesting thought, I tend to explain the background behind that more, and accidentally spilling some things I shouldn’t yet... In many cases, it’s like a brainstorming, and then I use that idea. I mean as, for example many of @dp-marvel94’s comments on ff, made me to realise some things, and how then I fixed those forgotten parts made my story along with it much better – once, I will list them, and you’ll be surprised how long is that list, and how obvious things I forgot about entirely…)

7. What’s the fic you’ve written with the angstiest ending?

Okay, I don’t have many finished story – shame on me. So, I’ll count the shorts. I think it’s then Phantom. It rolls around the idea what if in Forever Phantom, Danny can’t change back to Phantom, and his parents blame Phantom for the disappearance of Danny, and they start chasing madly the ghosts, making them leave the human realm once and for all – which means, Danny has to go with them. It’s really a short fic, but I very like this idea, and it was my very first in this fandom. (I was watching DP that time, I mean, getting familiar with it, but this idea got stuck in my head as I watched that episode, so that was my introduction here. Also, I watched my very first DP episode that time, which means, less then a year ago, so, I am that newbie here…) I am not spilling the end of the story, but it doesn’t have a very happy end I could say.

8. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

Uh, yes? I have a crossover within Tangled: The Series and Milo Murphy’s Law. It’s unfinished, but that time I thought Milo and Varian have the same vibe, including clumsiness. It was only a short idea that time, but it’s definitely worth once to continue or finish somehow. I have a crossover within Rick and Morty, and Gravity Falls. That is standing within my very big idea, but it’s halfway written on my original language and English and that’s like after how a certain trilogy end, but it has some mentioning of ideas I never finished, so yeah… it’s not even published anywhere. Maybe, once, I’ll decide what language I prefer for that, and translate the other part and then, hardly, but I’ll finish it some day... – or, never, it actually would be a very big bite if I try to imagine it.

9. Have you ever received hate on a fic?

I don’t remember to that. I mean, my main story (WTPH) kind of not everyone’s preference, ’cause of Dan, so that’s already divides the readers and I haven’t got all in all many comments yet on my stories (kudos are appreciated too, I am shy too to leave comments on fics, so don’t worry, I get it), so I think I haven’t got any. But I'd be curious to experience if someone reads one of my stories and leaves behind a comment that then criticizing it. I mean, I’d be open to learn what part is not fitting, or just too much. (I am surprised that no one ever mentioned my ’weird’ sentences. I mean for me those make sense, but those make sense for a native English person too? I’m always worried about that…)

10. Do you write smut? if so what kind?

Uh, yeah, I did. Not very proud of it, though I don’t have a heart to orphan that work. I mean, it belongs to me too. Sometimes I wonder to delete some of my works, but then I realise, no, that’s me, I won’t pretend where I came from, and shove into the dustbin my mad thoughts... All in all, my stories now, for a while, are much more family-friendly – if, anything within DP could be really counted as ‘family-friendly’…

11. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Yeah, I was very proud of my story back then, called Metamorphosis (Death Note), and I had a crazy idea and tried to translate it. So now, the first chapter is out there both in English and both in my native language, but I got stuck at the second chapter. I couldn’t translate wisely and logically the title of it to give out the many meaning it has in English. And I once tried to translate California (Gravity Falls) to English, but that would be a hard work, so I left it behind – maybe once…

Over that I sometimes has a crazy idea to translate back and forth my stories, no, beyond that, I haven’t had a fic translated from anyone else. And I think I am the only masochist that it ever crosses my mind, I guess…

12. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

No, not really. I’d be curious to once do that – maybe, but I’m not sure...

(To tell the truth, I’d be worried about that. I’d be glad to do that once, but I am anxious if I could understand my co-writer, or not. I mean, do you have any idea that I have to give five reads to any longer comments to understand it? I understand those (and I really love getting those!), but I have to give many reads to make sure I understand those well, and then, making sure, I answer back right, and my sentences make sense. My fics have ’fancy’ words, and I love working in English, but sometimes it’s a curse it’s not my native one. So then, I’m constantly worried about interactions, if I receive well something, and if my sentences are understandable for others or not. So, in short, you can see my struggle here… same reason I don’t do Invisobang, but I am considering it...)

13. What’s your all time favorite ship?

I’m not very much a ship-type. But I count Danny and Sam, as a fix point. (Danny and Val was nice and I’d have been very glad to see them in more episodes, but let’s face it, that wouldn’t work, because both of them are too stubborn to choose their other life and if once, they would face with each other, knowing everything about the other, they’d remain allies or at most very good friends.) If, the question is, what are the ships in my head (but not necessarily just ‘romantic’) that I prefer to read, well, it’s Dan and Valerie. I love their dynamics, especially in Deliverance. I don’t know why I just love reading it. 

For other reasons I ship Dani and Valerie. Though I can’t write romance and stuff like that, but in one of my planned ideas they are dating - sort-of...

14. What’s a WIP that you want to finish but don’t think you ever will?

Okay, there are many. Surely, it’s my Gravity Falls story, called California, but that’s a huge one, and the first one in a trilogy (plus some additional side-lines), and mainly in my head for years, so yeah… I think I won’t ever reasonably finish that as it should be finished. A Tale of Fords (Gravity Falls) could be count as one too. Oh, and Envision and ties (Doctor Who). Sad to say, but yeah, I am always saying, “maybe once”, but I am not sure when…

15. What are your writing strengths?

Okay, this is a funny thing, but I’ve realised I can’t deal with many characters at the same time. So, I think my strength are dialogues and interactions within two people. And I get into their thoughts, so I guess if I have to word it somehow: it’s character-studies then.

16. What are your writing weaknesses?

Can’t handle more than two people. No, seriously, somehow it always turns out, the third is unconscious, sleeping, leaves the room, and so on. I’ve just recognised it recently, and it was a hilarious recognition…

I am also bad at actions, like very very bad, I don’t even try that, because my brain just simple can’t come up with fight-scenes at all. I think I only can write character-studies, and nothing else.

17. What are your thoughts on writing dialogue in other languages in a fic?

Oh, man… does it count I am not a native English-user? So, technically I ‘always’ write dialogues in another language? But jokes aside, sometimes, I have ideas that the people use another language, and I am like “are you aware, you can’t even write English slang?”, so then, I gave up. Right now, though, I am planning to add ASL in one of my future ideas. I am wrecking my mind, how to do that nicely – but that’s only a forming plan, and dated for next year, currently, I am only collecting ideas for that.

18. What was the first fandom you wrote for?  

Does it count my very first fic was a fanfiction of one of my friend’s fanfiction in high school? She wrote a really good story – not shared anywhere, we were just giving each other the hand-written exercise book (oh, the old days…). If I remember well, it was a crossover within Supernatural and Queen of the Damned (the movie, not the book). I had no idea about Supernatural, but the story was good, but I was not satisfied with the end, and in secret I wrote another end for it, to myself. I’m not sure where is that anymore, but I clearly remember that was my very first written stuff, and that’s how my origin story began and how is I am here now.

(Oh, and once, I wrote a H2O fanfiction short story to my sister as a name-day present, in which she was a mermaid, discovering her powers during a holiday at a beach (we were at that time in Croatia in a family holiday, so the timing was fitting), and that was one of my very first fandoms to write in it too… God, I have no idea why I wrote it down, it just crossed my mind, and I remember I thought it was cute, I think she was eleven or twelve that time, so I am not sure she appreciated as much as I found it fun to write that…)

19. What’s your favorite fic you’ve written?  

This is mean… anyway, currently it’s WTPH, for obvious reasons. But I am very proud how the Angst Week turned out (my work for that is called Certain Moment of Time). First of all, I doubted I would be able to write for every day, since I planned to do the whole DannyMay, but things turned out differently and I am still sad, I haven’t done many. But I did not just managed to write for all days, but all could be counted under one idea, and also each of the chapters could be read independently at the same time. It includes a little bit of background story about Vlad, about a rewritten time, his struggles at the hospital, things around Danny’s birth, how Danny managed to survive the Portal incident, how Vlad was informed about the Ghost Boy, and that actually Danny’s separation was just a ‘plan B’ that Vlad tried to avoid… it’s complicated to describe the many things in that, but when I feel WTPH an unescapable mess, and I am frustrated by the lack of proper words to finish the coming chapters, CMOT is my absolute favourite. And I love the whole idea about it. No, I’ll be honest, that’s my beloved so far (just because it’s finished). But I like so much too my idea about Dan and Dani in Bonds Over Time, how they try to live together a normal life… okay, let’s admit it, this question is mean, I seriously can’t tell, and I am thinking right now only my current ones…

20. What fic are you most proud of?  

Okay, this is mean too. I am proud of my old works as much that I always go back to them when I am in a nostalgic mode. (I haven’t read any of my old ones in ages, because I try to avoid distractions, and knowing myself, I’d start thinking about the continuation and never finishing my current works at all...)

I am proud of Pitch’s Secret, because that was my very first multi-chaptered one idea that I actually managed to finish. That in fact, gave me the courage to start working on a multi-chaptered DP one. (My original plan was to be brave and aim doing eight chapters, to top the five, and I would have been very proud of myself, but instead now it’s way longer than that original idea, and I seriously don’t know when it will end – twenty chapters maybe?)

I think, if I don’t include the previous question. (It’s the same, isn’t it?) I am very proud of the first chapter in my Doctor Who fic. That doesn’t tell anything about the plot or about anything, that just gives a very good atmospheric background. Every time I read that, it gives me shivers.

---

okay, I don’t know who to tag, anyone who feels like it, serve yourself, I am curious... :)

[alienheartattack]

I understand that feel. The last time I brought up my frustration with writing and fandom recognition, I got lectured that I should write for myself (which I already do) and shouldn't care about whether or not I get a response when posting. I hope you don't get the same because it sucked!

ETA: I want to preface this that I’m not trying to call out anyone, this is me expressing my anxieties and insecurities about writing. The last thing I want to do is make readers feel like they’re not doing enough because no one is obligated to react to fanwork, and I know a lot of you struggle with mental health, just as I do. I’m just having a bad brain day today and needed to vent. (Classic anxiety move to barf out an anxiety post and then get anxious about inadvertently hurting someone’s feelings with my anxiety barf. Having a brain is stupid.)

Thanks for reaching out. It’s good to know that other people feel the same way. Writing is such a difficult process and I think people’s first instinct is to keep all those anxious and uncomfortable feelings inside, but that just leads to more anxiety and more negative feelings around writing. One of the reasons I stopped writing fanfiction in the first place is because I started feeling like no one really gave a shit if I was putting out work or not, and when I got comments they’d be weirdly demanding about continuing stories that were marked complete. (Those were mostly from FFnet.) It felt like people wanted to engage with other people’s work with gush posts and metas and fanart, but not mine. Eventually I got in my head about it and stopped wanting to write because whatever I was doing, it clearly wasn’t enough to make people care.

Whoever lectured you is a jerk. Writing is so intensely personal but it’s also a communal act, a sharing of ideas. If we didn’t want people to engage, we wouldn’t post. (Almost all of my fanfiction pre-2014 exists only on my computer, because I really was only writing for myself.) It hurts to pour so much time and effort and energy into something with little or no result. No one wants to feel like they’re shouting into a void. I struggle with being a fanfiction writer generally because fics are always going to be less popular than fanart and other visual fan media because the latter are easier and faster to consume, so we’re already working at a disadvantage compared to fanartists and graphic makers. It’s human to seek out responses. It’s human to want someone to read your work and like it. It’s human to be upset when that doesn’t happen.

Ironically I don’t get a ton of engagement on here, at least in terms of messages. I got a few messages welcoming me back to Tumblr and that was really great. When I announce that I’m taking prompts then I’ll get a few, but other than that my inbox is quiet. I can’t even remember the last time I had an anti or some other troll try to bother me. Once in a while I get someone reaching out to say that they like my work and read my stories over and over, and that just makes my entire week. Sometimes, if I’m feeling particularly discouraged about my writing, I’ll go back and reread comments on my fics for a little boost. (Watching the ship have a horny meltdown in real time when I first posted Another Taste of Pomegranate was legitimately one of the high points of my life.)

I’m also not the best with commenting and such on fics myself, so I feel like a hypocrite when I’m like “waaaaahhhh please pay attention to my woooork” but I’m trying to be more active in that regard. And I feel like it’s unfair of me to expect anything from anyone, especially during covid times when everyone is already stretched so thin. It’s just really hard to pour your heart and soul into your writing and not get feedback, whether you’re in the process of writing and you want reassurance from a beta reader or you’re putting out stories and no one seems to notice. The process of writing is terribly lonely because it’s just you and your thoughts and your words. It’s natural to want a connection past that.

tl;dr, Writing is really difficult and emotional and so am I! If you’re a reader, please consider leaving a comment on a fic or reblogging it with a comment or tags. If there’s an author you love, tell them. Even if you’re just keysmashing or posting something like “I love this” or “fave,” it’ll make someone’s day.

[kedreeva]

Regarding 'pls update' ask (and critique not requested by the author): Writers have a right to not receive negative feedback. Readers have a right to not leave kudos, or comments if they don't know what to say.

I personally got a msg on AO3 from one writer that asked that I not provide spelling corrections because it made them feel stupid. I've had writers who beg for critique, but get mad when they get 'negative' feedback. I've seen posts from authors that say comments are better than kudos. I've had people get pissed off at readers who provide non-consensual feedback. I've seen posts that say 'don't just leave a keyboard smash; wtf does that even mean?', and other posts that say the opposite. The posts mention are tumblr posts.

As a reader, I have only so many spoons to deal with the myriad variety of the type of feedback authors want. At this point, I've learned to make use of the backspace button copiously if there are many (or very atrocious) spelling errors, or if an author says they won't post the next part of a fic on AO3 unless they get X number of kudos or Y number of comments. (Don't ask for examples; I backspace so fast once I see that type of AN.)

I no longer provide spelling critique to authors, unless it is unclear in the text what they are going for. In these cases, I ask what word they meant, as it is unclear in the text.

I still provide kudos, but unless it's something that really moves me (or I have read the story repeatedly/followed the author for a long time, and know they are ok with messages of this nature), I don't leave messages much anymore.

Writers have a right to not receive negative feedback. Readers have a right to not leave kudos, or comments if they don't know what to say.

On the one hand you’re correct, on the other hand, there is ALWAYS the fall back of a simple “thank you for sharing” after reading a story. That’s not something a reader has to invent, it’s a common courtesy after receiving a gift you said you wanted (via searching for it, and continuing after reading the tags etc). Readers absolutely have a right to not leave any comments they don’t want to, but it definitely isn’t fostering any good kind of environment for writers if “hey thanks” is asking too much of readers.

I personally got a msg on AO3 from one writer that asked that I not provide spelling corrections because it made them feel stupid.

another example of why even “simple” corrections shouldn’t be left unless they’re asked for

I've had writers who beg for critique, but get mad when they get 'negative' feedback.

They shouldn’t have been asking for critique if they didn’t want critique, and that’s not on you if you provided it after they asked.

I've seen posts from authors that say comments are better than kudos.

They are

I've had people get pissed off at readers who provide non-consensual feedback.

As well they should

I've seen posts that say 'don't just leave a keyboard smash; wtf does that even mean?', and other posts that say the opposite. 

Everyone is going to have their own opinions about specific comment types, but I believe that the majority of people are fine with keysmashing, as common social interaction makes this one apparent as a good thing not a bad thing. There’s always going to be people who don’t like X specific type of comment, even if that comment is broadly socially acceptable, but at that point, that is on them, not on the reader. A “pls update” is poor form from a reader because it is a demand for additional free work, a writer getting mad over “a;kglksdjfhs” is poor form from the writer because it is scorning a reaction that has been broadly socially-agreed-upon as positive even if it is not eloquent. Of course we all wish for long, detailed praiseful comments on our works, but writers should absolutely understand that.... they’re the ones that are writers. Readers, like the title suggests, are readers but not necessarily writers (although some are both, since you cannot tell which are which, it’s best to assume they are readers only). Expecting every reader to be a writer for you is going to lead to disappointment.

I’m glad that you’ve learned to use the back button instead of commenting negatively or with critique. I’ve never understood the “won’t post more until X reaction has been reached” notes either, and I also do not read those kinds of fics. I back out if there are too many spelling errors, I back out if it’s a wall of text, I back out if dialogue isn’t separated by speaker, I back out if I see first or second person..... the back button is a friend!! It helps you avoid things you don’t like, and prevents you from ruining anyone else’s day.

It sounds like maybe your mainstay of interaction with fic previously was critique, and if so, then I know that the current shift in commenting etiquette is probably rough on you. On the one hand, that sucks, but on the other hand, I am glad you’re adapting how you need to in order to carry on. Change isn’t always pleasant for everyone involved, but it is worth it in the end.

[fuyunoakegata]

The AO3 meme

tagged by the lovely @merfilly

How many works do you have on AO3? Only 8, and some of those are incomplete, sorry

What’s your total AO3 word count? 36,737

How many fandoms have you written for and what are they? On AO3, only DC Comics/specifically the Batfam

What are your top 5 fics by kudos? Precious Things; Collar Me (Don’t Collar Me); Turn, Turn, Turn; Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground; Flaws [Collar Me co-written with the amazing @caramelmachete]

Do you respond to comments, why or why not? Yes. I try to respond as soon as I see them, but sometimes I’ll miss a notification, because of work/family obligations or I missed the email. PLEASE feel free to poke me about those! If you sent me ANY positive comment, even a keysmash, then I definitely want to thank you and acknowledge it.

What’s the fic you’ve written with the angstiest ending? On AO3? It’s probably Warning Sign. They would eventually have a happy ending, but... I didn’t finish them so they look pretty grim *cough*

Do you write crossovers? I have, but not on AO3. And they’re unpublished, just some collabs with friends (Batman and Naruto, Batman and Inception, and Batman and Ghost in the Shell)

Have you ever received hate on a fic? Not hate, just a comment over me cherrypicking details to fit the story I wanted to tell as opposed to the exact canon timeline. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Do you write smut? If so what kind? I have. lots of different kinds, but I haven’t posted those on AO3, sorry :)

Have you ever had a fic stolen? nope

Have you ever had a fic translated? nope

What’s your all time favorite ship? As if I could pick just one? ahahaha. I do have a very soft spot for Dick/Roy, or Birdflash if it’s YJ-verse. And I love DickKory and DickBabs, depending on when in the timeline it is. They’re both important in his life.

Whats a WIP that you want to finish but don’t think you ever will? Maybe Warning Signs, just because that was for whumptober, year before last. I’m reworking Flaws and still want to finish Collar Me.

What are your writing strengths? I’ve been told I’m good at getting imagery across, and showing things through the senses. 

What are your writing weaknesses? Finishing things :D

What are your thoughts on writing dialogue in other languages in a fic? I prefer just writing it in English and putting it inside <  > Because I wouldn’t want to get someone else’s language wrong.

What was the first fandom you wrote for? On AO3, it’s only been the Bats. (off AO3, it was X-files)

What’s your favorite fic that you’ve written? Probably Collar Me. But for finished ones, I really liked Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground.

tagging @caramelmachete and @daringyounggrayson and @thychesters and @fanfictiongreenirises and @zombiesbecrazy and @hood-ex and @preciousthingsareprecious and anyone else who wants to do it :)