#my fanfiction guides

[poussacha]

2024 AO3 Wrapped!

Hi everyone! It's been another year, can you believe it? Time for another of my AO3 wrappeds! I have a LOT of information this year so I'll be posting the overview and the mini guide first then the month-by-month break down in a different post!

Enjoy!

There is also a separate, CUTER version on my Instagram here.

Fanfiction Mini Guide!

The Santa Clause

Barlie (Charlie Calvin/Bernard the Arch Elf)

Your Lamps Will Call Me Home by Solarcat | Rated M | 8k

Charlie Calvin's life changed forever the night his father became Santa Claus, but even Charlie didn't know how much it would keep changing.

North Pole Squad by flewtooclosetothesun_inc | Rated G | 1k

Every fandom needs a chatfic and the Santa Clause didn't have one yet.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Zukka

where the stars do not take sides by WitchofEndor | Not Rated (Also Gen) | 60k

When Azula is nine, she becomes an only child. She hears the Fire Lord call for Zuko's life, and in the morning, her mother and brother are gone. Azula may be young, but she isn't naive. She knows what happened to them. Which makes it all the more surprising when Azula tracks the Avatar down and fights his group of peasant friends, only to find herself staring into an eerily familiar face.

Wooing the water tribe by lenaballena | Rated T | 60k

Zuko is courting Katara, and with every passing day finds new and insane ways of showing that he would quite literally move the spirit world and earth to make her happy.

In hindsight, it probably would've been better if Sokka had realised he was in love with Zuko at literally any time before this. Or preferably, never fallen for his best friend in the first place.

knowledge and peace by thecelerystalksatmidnight | Rated T | 29k

Sokka is a man of science. Of math. Of tangible proof. Sokka started this journey two years prior without knowing what he was marching towards. Yet quietly, a path was worn. In the silence between words, Sokka understood the fundamental truths of nature. How could he not, when his father raised him with kindness and love? Sokka is at peace, here.

/

Or, Sokka is fifteen and follows his master into the Spirit World. It doesn't go the way that he plans.

Heart's a Thousand Colors by OhMyFreddy | Rated E | 125k

Sokka regularly has great ideas, and he knows that intentionally falling behind on Fire Prince Zuko's ship to "throw him off Aang's trail" is not one of them.

He goes with it anyway, and finds himself to not be the trickster he thought he was. Instead, he’s immersed deeper into the daily routines aboard the vessel. While the pursuit of Aang and Katara continues, Sokka struggles to maintain his grip on his metaphorical shield and sword against the Fire Nation soldiers around him, as each day finds him more included.

Worst, is the Fire Prince himself, who easily bested him in his village, and who makes it clear immediately that he will hunt down the Avatar whether Sokka is aboard or not.

But the longer Zuko hosts him, the more Sokka stumbles, and stumbles against *him*, and the more he finds his closest convictions challenged.

Wasn't my body rescued, wasn't it safe by sulkybender | Rated M | 15k

“If you want to laugh you can laugh,” Zuko says bitterly.

“Nephew,” Iroh says gently.

“Go on,” he says. His face is twisted up with some emotion none of them can name. He looks almost eager for it.

“I think I need some time alone with my nephew,” Iroh says.

As they back away, Zuko buries his face in his hands.

Below the Sun by CSHFic, VSfic | Rated T | 24k

Sokka is washed overboard while working on the fisherman's boat during the storm. He wakes on a deserted island.

Or... mostly deserted.

Gen

Salvage by MuffinLance | Rated T | 127k

Mid-Season-One Zuko is held for ransom by Chief Hakoda. Ozai's replies to the Water Tribe's demands are A+ Parenting. Hakoda is… deeply concerned, for this son that isn't his, and who might be safer among enemies than with his own father.

Podfic and translations in German, Hungarian, Russian, Spanish, and Ukrainian now available! See chapter one author notes for links.

I Wanna Be The Very Best by Haicrescendo | Rated G | 3k

[“Gym Leader Zuko?” He asks hopefully, and the grin the man sends him dashes his hopes into smoke.

“Afraid not,” the man says, “Zuko is my nephew and unfortunately, he’s not here right now.”

“Shit.” Sokka squirms a little. “Any idea when he may be back? I need his badge so I can—“ Go beat up Aang for being annoying and perfect at everything and making champion at thirteen goddamn years old while Sokka’s doing this whole thing late— “Better myself and reach true enlightenment. Uh. Sir.”

The man says nothing about Sokka’s age, just hmmms in consideration and rustles his bag.

“Call me Iroh,” the man says. “My nephew is like a spring wind, vivacious and—“

Flighty.]

Or,

The Pokémon AU that nobody asked for.

Keep Moving Forward to Stay Alive by Haicrescendo | Rated T | 3k

[“Watch the tail, child.”

Zuko watches the tail and cradles the baby Charmander carefully and close. It sleeps soundly like most infant pokémon and doesn’t stir even when he has to shift its position.

He knows at that very instant that he would rather die than see it harmed, and the potent spike of feeling burns his throat and the space behind his eyes.

Azula holds her Bagon with reluctance, uncomfortably, like she’d rather drop it to the floor.

Zuko never wants to put Charmander down.]

Or,

Zuko’s life has never been easy and somehow, it always manages to get harder.

The Deepest Water Haicrescendo | Rated G | 4k

[“You’re great,” Sokka says to Iroh, “But I’m going to murder your nephew. He’s dead to me.”

Despite Sokka’s forewarning that he would be coming and Zuko’s eventual confirmation via text that he would be there, Vulca’s gym leader is very decidedly not where he is supposed to be.

“You’re welcome to try,” Iroh replies, trying way too hard to sound serious and radiating amusement instead. “If you’d like, you’re welcome to battle me in Zuko’s stead.” He has that authority, Sokka knows, because Zuko’s told him so even though Vulca’s gym regent isn’t well advertised. Nevertheless, he shakes his head.

“No. It doesn’t count as a rematch if it’s you. Besides, I need to go find him and pound some manners into his damn head.”

“Again, you are very welcome to try.”]

Or,

Sokka gets blown off, helps rescue a pokémon, and maybe rescues Zuko a little bit too.

Have The Courage To Be Bold by Haicrescendo | Rated G | 5k

[Zuko wants to cry. He drops his face to the floor and sniffles into the wood and a few tears slip out of him anyway.

“Yes, you’re very fierce, little one,” Piandao tells Druk, very gently, with his hands up. “I will not hurt him.”

Zuko stifles a quiet little sob into the floor.

“Come, now. Off the floor, boy. Up, up.” Large hands grip Zuko by his upper arms and peel him up off of the floor, lifting him bodily and setting him back into his generic blue bed with its generic blue comforter. “Who did that to your face?”]

Or,

Zuko finds rescue from an unexpected source, is definitely not accidentally kidnapped on purpose, and beats up his fellow kids.

The Extra Mile by Haicrescendo | Rated G | 2k

[“Let me remind you that I haven’t seen you in person in like, a month, Researcher Pakku gave me the week to hang out with you, and instead of giving your favorite sister your undivided attention, you’re texting some weirdo who sends you...memes?”

“They’re really good memes, though!” Sokka protests, and shows her. Katara is not impressed.

“...Sokka, it’s a picture of a dude and a Butterfree going ‘is this a Pidgey?’. I think you need better taste in memes. And maybe friends.”]

Or,

The one where Katara very seriously considers an intervention for her brother.

Don't Say Your Heart's In a Hurry by Haicrescendo | Rated G | 5k

[Piandao rarely feels anger with this kind of intensity and the cold waves rocking through him are startling to the point that all he can do is mumble his address, throat tight, and hang up. He’s numb with fury as he heads straight to the house and barely manages to not slam the door open.

It startles Zuko anyway, perched on the sofa with Druk and Foxglove bundled up on either side of him.

“Are you...okay?” He asks after a moment of silence, because all Piandao finds that all he can do is stare at him. “Master Piandao?”

“I cannot believe you,” he finally manages to force out, “Two years. Two years here with me, and you let Iroh think you were dead.”]

Or,

The reunion chapter.

Catch Me If You Can by Haicrescendo | Rated G | 9k

[“Dude, it’s like seven am.”

“Uh huh.”

Zuko looks like he doesn’t quite understand why Sokka has a problem with this. He’s way too awake, and Sokka is not awake enough.

Sokka scrubs at his eyes.

“You know it doesn’t open til eleven?”

“Yeah, to the public. Sorry for thinking you’d want to skip out on the line that’s gonna snake through the whole city. Have fun with that—“ Zuko scowls and turns around to leave, and unthinkingly, Sokka nabs the back of his hoodie and tugs.

“No, please do not do that.”]

Or,

In which everyone’s a little nerdier than anticipated, Sokka is a public embarrassment, and Zuko gets honest.

You Found Me (made me into something new) by Haicrescendo | Rated G | 3k

[It’s born in a cage, in a lab that’s all stark white and generic blandness.

It’s alone, no mother or siblings present, just a face swimming in front of its shaky, infant vision. The face is considering and then ecstatic, and it feels a jerk of happiness, the first feeling it ever has.

It’s hungry but also tired, and wants to know about the world.]

Or,

The origin story of Zuko’s fire-breathing Pikachu.

Take a Pop Shot by Haicrescendo | Rated G | 5k

[Zuko leans back hard against the bed frame and sighs heavily and tips his head back to look at Sokka.

“Have you ever jumped off a cliff with a bungee before? Or, like, a waterfall?”

“What? No,” Sokka snorts. “Why, have you?”

Zuko’s quiet and considering, and he doesn’t look away.

“It’s scary,” he says, “But when you’re falling, you never want to stop. The fall feels like it takes forever, and you could do it and be happy for the rest of your life. And then you hit water, or the end of your tether. And it hurts, it always hurts, but the fall feels so good that you keep doing it, over and over again.”

“Are you falling right now?” Sokka asks.

“No,” Zuko murmurs. “Fall’s over. I hit the water.”]

Or,

Zuko implodes and Sokka wants pancakes.

Not Until I'm Ready by Haicrescendo | Rated T | 5k

[Zuko has a traveling companion.

A people one and not a pokémon one, he tells Uncle one night when they’re on video chat.

His name is Jet, he’s a year older, and Zuko found him. Well, kind of. It was kind of like they found each other, because Jet was taking a nap in a bush, and Zuko tripped over him and fell on his head. Jet had yelled and hollered about it, and Zuko had yelled and hollered back until both of them were out of breath, and now they’re apparently traveling together because Jet won't go away.

Zuko knows three important things about Jet.]

Or,

Druk evolves, June is doing her best, and Zuko and Jet’s excellent adventure.

Field and a River by Haicrescendo | Rated T | 7k

[It’s barely seven in the morning when there’s a pounding on the door to Vulca’s gym.

Zuko waits a few minutes to see if Uncle gets it (he doesn’t), and eventually drags himself out of bed. It’s early enough that the junior trainers aren’t here and the gym is deserted. Zuko hopes that they go away.

They don’t, and the knocking continues.

Zuko slides open the door.

“Hi there,” Jet tells him with a grin.

Zuko slides the door shut without a word.]

Or,

An unpleasant reunion, a little more trauma for everyone, and someone gets hit with the feels stick.

What Good is Winning (if you lose your heart) by Haicrescendo | Rated T | 9k

[“Let it be known, nephew, that I think this idea is terrible.”

“Noted.”

“Let it be known, Sparky, that I’m normally very supportive of your bad ideas and I also think that this one is terrible on an entirely new level for you.”

“Noted,” Zuko says between gritted teeth. “If you didn’t want to help, you didn’t have to.”

Toph rolls grey, unseeing eyes and flips him the bird.

“If you think I wasn’t gonna come help the second you told me about this shitshow, you’re out of your mind. You’ll die without me.”]

Or,

In which Gym Leader Zuko learns to pick his battles and hates having feelings.

Free Up Your Mind by Haicrescendo | Rated G | 5k

[Zuko slams the magazine down on the table. He’s livid, red-faced and gritting his teeth so hard that his jaw’s going to hurt later. He slams it down so hard, in fact, that it rattles Uncle’s tea setting.

“What did the local news do to warrant such a massacre?” Uncle asks mildly, hands instinctively wrapping around a full teacup. “A good ginseng could never.”]

Or,

Gym Leader Zuko breaks the internet.

Doctor Who

13/Rose

Pertinacia by lumidaub | Rated T | Comic

Rose Tyler finally makes it back but her universe has moved on. Finding her Doctor may not be quite as easy as she imagined.

A manga style comic.

Let Wonder Seem Familiar by tsukara | Rated T | 35k

The Doctor wrecks the TARDIS (again) with his regeneration energy (AGAIN), so the TARDIS thinks 'well, why not? The Time Lords are back (for now) and can fix any cracks that might happen, let's go get Rose Tyler--the Doctor's going to need all the help she can get soon', though she can't hold on to her when the TARDIS gets caught in her rematerialization loop. With Torchwood and UNIT gone, Rose tries to find the Doctor however she can--which leads her to MI6. At the same time, strange aliens are attacking spies around the world, which is exactly the sort of thing that would draw the Doctor in.

Post-Journey's End Reunion fic set in Season 12.

All This Can I Qualify by tsukara | Rated T | 8k

At the end of the events of Spyfall, everyone--including Rose--has returned to the TARDIS. There are five planets between Gallifrey and when the Fam finally ask her about what is going on.

Or: Five Planets Where the Fam Didn't Ask Where the Doctor is From and the One They Did

Every Line is a Place on a Map by disasterism | Rated G | 1k

Time deceives, disguises itself; it is not a year, a minute, an era, but a map. This is your map from London, UK to Dårlig Ulv Stranden, Norway to the edge of time. The Doctor/Rose Tyler; Bad Wolf.

Ed, Edd N' Eddy

KevEdd (Edd "Double D"/Kevin Barr)

Pick up lines by WeepingWillow1928 | Rated T | 1k

Kevin wants Double Dee's attention, and he's just desperate enough to take Nat's advice.

An Extremely Goofy Movie

Maxley (Max Goof/Bradley Uppercrust III)

🌟🌟FRESHIE AND III BY EDDAMAEASTER | RATED T | 95K🌟🌟

It's a semester later - Bradley has been all but a ghost on campus. Until Max is wandering through the music school and happens to glance into one of the practice rooms.

(One of the best if not THE best fic in the tag, I swear to GOD)

🌟🌟FIFTH COLUMN BY MADAM_MUFFINS | RATED E | 90k🌟🌟

A single dad to a child just as head strong as he was, Max finds himself struggling with broken dreams and trying to find his path in life as he enters into his thirties.

Bradley has one last chance to prove himself to his family. His father. That chance comes in the form of a failing toy factory in a city too close to the biggest personal failure in his life.

When paths cross and egos once again collide, how can Spoonerville be big enough for the two of them?

(SCREAMING MY HEAD OFF PLEASE READ THIS FIC)

Twin-Sized Mattress by AndSheWasBeautiful | Rated E | 23k

“Now you’ve put me in a tight spot,” Max laments as he re-buckles his belt, the bulge in his pants still distractingly taught. “Give me two more minutes alone. Or, you know, if you’re willing to lend a hand, we could have this dealt with in one?”

Bradley snarls at that, wrenching himself off the door and into the bathroom.

“Don’t even joke about it, freshman. You had some girl in here a second ago - what you aren’t fussy about who gets you off? Figures,” Bradley sneers, levelling the most disgusted look he can muster at Max. The disgust comes with unsurprising ease - all it takes is one sideways glance in the mirror and Bradley can dredge it up.

“Projecting much?” Max replies coolly.

-

The Gammas host a toga party.

Consequences by plaided_koala | Rated M | 4k

Bradley knows:

If you mix the alcohol with medications, there will be consequences.

Max Goof's Guide to Getting Girls by kingofheadaches | Rated G | 14k

Bradley Uppercrust the III is a virgin to everything. Never been kissed, never dated, never fucked, never done anything with sexual intentions. But when his father demands a fiancée before his father’s big gala, he has to be willing to take some help from his archnemesis-roommate, Max Goof.

Or Whatever by criesmom | Rated E | 13k

Max disentangled himself to slide out of the booth, offering Roxanne a hand to get up. They exchanged farewells with Tank and Bradley before heading towards the stairs, but with a final glance over his shoulder, Max could see Bradley still watching them leave. His face seemed more relaxed, maybe a little hollow. The expression sat in Max’s stomach long after he’d turned around.

Or

With Roxanne by his side egging him on, Max embraces the experimental nature of college life and gives something new a go - Bradley Uppercrust III

Don't let me down by Midnightblue66 | Rated M | Comic

Max is celebrating his victory at the X-Games after party when he sees a familiar face. Has Bradley finally come around to make up for his horrible behaviour?

Victorious

Reck (Beck Oliver/Robbie Shapiro)

Love in 60 days or less by Kheta | Rated G | 9k

Beck loves Jade but hates hiding and Jade loves Beck, but she hates complicated and.

And Beck comes out of the proverbial closet and other snippets of his life.

Jori (Jade West/Tori Vega)

You be the Moon, I'll be the Earth by PrettyLittlePottyMouth | Rated M | 30k

After Tori asks Jade for a favor, Jade discovers there's more to Tori than she ever expected. Tori worries that her secret is the only thing Jade finds interesting about her. Lunacy ensues.

Sam & Cat

SamCat (Sam Puckett/Cat Valentine)

I Know it Seems Far, but Just Be Where You Are by PrettyLittlePottyMouth | Rated M | 140k

Sam's arrival in Los Angeles changes everything for Cat, including the dynamics of her friend group, especially when it comes to Tori and Jade. Meanwhile, Sam struggles to leave behind her past and start something new. Lunacy becomes their new normal.

Star Vs. the Forces of Evil

Stomco (Star Butterfly/Marco Diaz/Tom Lucitor)

The Silver Bell Ball by boredomsMuse | Not Rated | 3k

How I imagine the Silver Bell Ball would have gone if Star and Tom tricked Marco into going. (And they were totally tricking him, it wasn't like they were actually avoiding their dance or anything.)

Demoncism by boredomsMuse | Not Rated | 2k

On the day of Tom's demoncism, Marco goes out and buys all the jello he can find. Because jello is the best thing to eat after the demon-equivalent of an operation.

Sophomore Slump by boredomsMuse | Not Rated | 3k

It's been a week since Demoncism and things on Earth are getting more and more tense for Marco. Especially with Star too busy to talk to him.

Being Erica

EricaTom (Erica Strange/Tom Wexler)

Me. And Me Now by sakuracorr | Rated M | 17k

Post season two. Sometimes it's hard to let go, especially when you have the ability to really find the answers to your "What ifs?"

Jujutsu Kaisen

SatoSugu (Gojo Satoru/Geto Suguru)

all your sugar lovin', it belongs to me by Gyyuuttt | Rated G | 757 Words

just some thoughts about stsg in an idol au that i don't think i'd ever be able to write into a story partly bc of lack of skill, and partly bc of lack of motivation

Life With Derek

Gen

Ding Dong, the Prince is Dead by slipslapslop | Rated G | 500 Words

“Wake up. We’re going to a funeral.”

“Derek what are you talking about?”

[yuukirita]

Here we have the BOARD ALLMIGHTY! Which regroups all of the delicious AUs you may encounter on this blog C:

Some of them have fics in the works by me. Some don't. The ones above do. Those bellow don't

Some of these aren't original- none of them are actually. But at least you have a guide to look to when I post something and you wonder 'what is this about?'

It's mostly cute stuff- and kind of headcanons. Theres a few people that have started their own versions of these AUs inspired by my art/headcanons... And that kind of things is encouraged! Create away! (just pin me if it is inspired by me- I wanna see all of it)

There are other variations of Bee you might see on this blog- But they aren't really AUs- at least not like the ones on this post. It could be art for a fic i'm writing or fanart of someone Else's AU like the examples bellow.

Fic art for "A Bee See Dee" and "A Bee's Last Sound" on AO3

Bee's design varies according to the story he's in- If it's not from an au then it'll be in the tags! I try to tag the fic name if I want to draw a lot of art for it.

Oh and- example of art from someone else's Au. The Bodyguard!B-127 Au from @whalemleck that I LOVE. (someday I'll write something with it...)

Of course I don't draw JUST B-127. You'll find a lot more other Cybertronians here. And my art style changes depending on the days... But I hope this post will Help some of you keep up with the AUs :D I'll update this post when needed.

[stump-not-found]

AND IT'S POSTED!

Stan and the kids fall through the portal, and find themselves stranded in the Nightmare Realm, with some d-bag named Bill Cipher. Thank god Ford comes to save them, right?

...Right?

[fairyhaos]

How To Fucking Write: a guide by fairyhaos

[masterlist]

this post details:

STARTING A STORY

PACING A STORY

hi gays and gals and welcome to "how to fucking write", a post (series) where i talk about how i brainstorm for writing, plan for writing, write the writing, and everything in between. nothing too serious here lmao, but i'm definitely planning on making at least a couple posts on this bc a) it's fun and b) i wanna help! so if you find this useful then pls lmk by reblogging + drop an ask if there are any specific things u want me to give my two cents on ^^

okok and now without further ado,,, let's look at the topics i'll talk about in today's post!

#1 - HOW TO START A STORY.

.. bullet point one : have an idea

the first big thing is that you need an idea. doesn't matter if you're a pantser and don't plan out your writing before you start. that's totally fine! but before you begin, you need at least an idea: maybe it's a vibe, a character personality, a specific journey you want the characters to go on. maybe it's a piece of dialogue. maybe it's the ending- the point you want to end up at after however many thousand words.

whatever it is, it's best to have some inspiration, some idea of what you wanna do. no point in writing if you don't know what you're writing, you know?

(of course, that brings up the issue of Having An Idea in the first place, but finding inspiration to write is a whole other can of worms we can open in another post.)

.. bullet point two : practice

okay, so now you have an idea. how do you put that idea to paper? how should you actually start your story?

it’s all to do with practice.

it’s the most annoying piece of advice in the world, but it helps so much. you just have to write lots and lots and lots, to find the way that works for you. whether you wanna start your stories with pretty scene descriptions, with dialogue, with dramatic one-liners. finding your voice, your style, what’s most comfortable for you, is really really important. and takes practice.

an example, though: for me, i prefer either a line of dialogue, or one-liners that a) help immediately establish a character’s personality or can b) introduce an interesting setting.

[chan + swingset] — one-liner example

[hoshi + silly] — dialogue example 

but of course, everyone’s style is different. so i’d recommend playing around! find a list of one-word prompts and just write a few that inspire you, writing the beginnings. it’s important, also, that you’re having fun, because if you’re already struggling with starting to write, it’ll be even harder if you’re doing it while feeling stressed.

.. bullet point three (mostly just for longer fics)

maybe you don’t find a style, in the end. maybe you’re comfortable with all of them, which is totally fine! but then you look at your writing, and you think, “oh… this isn’t as good as i thought.” 

and it makes you want to give up. what do you do, then? how do you carry on with your start?

just put words to paper. it doesn’t matter if the words are terrible, if you’re making up shit and using placeholders for description words or whatever. just carry on, get to a place you’re happy with, like the end of a scene, or maybe a dialogue exchange you really like.

because now, guess what? you’ve successfully created a first draft.

making first drafts is actually so important. seriously. first drafts allow you to fuck up, allow you to write terribly. they help you fumble and trip your way to the finish line (or at least a rest point) so that you can go back and do better.

even if your first draft is terrible, it’s helped you make your way to a point you’re happy with. now you have a vague idea of what you want, even if the description or characterisation or something is way off. because now, you can edit it, or even scrap it and use only a few words from that draft in your next one. or maybe, if you look back at it, maybe it’s even decent enough for you to use. 

whatever it is, when you first start writing that story, think of it as ‘The Worst Draft’. because it probably won’t be as good as you want it, and it’s okay. just write, with no fears of it being bad, because that’s literally fine. it’s not set in stone. the backspace button exists. after your first draft is made, make another. and another, and another, because i promise, after that first draft, it only gets better from there.

#2 - PACING A STORY.

.. bullet point one : adding things

pacing is always really tricky. however, i do think that slowing a story down is easier than speeding it up, so here we go,,,,

finding out the exact way to slow down a story really depends on what type of story you're writing, but there are a few all-round things you can do which can help pretty much any setting.

if it's a scene with loads of dialogue, and things feel like they're jumping to the end topic too quickly, add descriptions. your readers are blind, writers, and they depend on you to be able to see what's going on. are your characters having a conversation on the street? take a break to describe what they see. are they in a coffee shop? maybe someone comes in with a huge noise, or their coffee arrives at their table. are they hanging in midair with nothing around them? well, describe the actions of the character they're talking to, then.

example: (from my seoksoo fic bc it's the only long fic i'm working on rn)

by adding character descriptions, movement, thoughts, instantly everything seems to have slowed down. it thickens time, allowing you to move at a more leisurely pace.

if it's a scene full of action, you can do the exact same thing. maybe there's a high-tension moment and something significant happens. slow down time there, describe something small in great detail. talk about the thoughts they're having.

and even if it's just an ordinary scene, describing is important. the setting, the characters' actions, their thoughts. it's okay to write too much. then you can delete things which make things feel like they're moving too slowly.

.. bullet point two : delete

not gonna lie, finding out how to speed up the pacing of the story can often be really specifically tailored to the setting of the story.

with stories that have loads of action (spy, apocalypse, etc) i'd recommend adjusting sentence length. you'll want short, punchy sentences, without loads of commas and clauses, but you'll also want to experiment with having those short sentences gradually get longer. it helps with tension and suspense.

it has to be short. running fast. something to elevate fear. quick, but also desperate, before they then spill over each other, picking up pace, all of the thoughts blurring together and going faster, and faster, and faster, and then-

then the penny drops.

people use the metaphor of music a lot, and it really does work that way. it needs to ascend to its climax: gently, cautiously, before sprinting upwards and only describing things like the barest emotions (the fear they feel, the panic, anger, anything) before everything reaches its peak and comes crashing down in a flurry of action descriptions.

but of course, the easiest way to speed up something is to delete. delete swathes of setting description. delete unnecessary dialogue. delete an entire scene and rewrite with only the things you remember (which can help make sure you only have the essentials in your scene, btw. very helpful).

it might take a bit of adjusting, rewriting, moving things around, but ultimately, quickening the pace of the story depends on the way in which you write things. be concise, be dramatic, and don't dawdle.

... and that's it ! if anyone has anything else they want advice on (how to structure, how to write dialogue, how to plan etc) then just shoot me an ask, because i'd love to help however i can :)

tagging: @selenicives who asked for this in the first place hehe ^^

[deedala]

How to Disappear: A Traveler's Guide for Delinquents and Miscreants

Nothing in this town is ever quite what it seems.

[bkdk-dump-blog]

This post is a collection of fanart of A Hero's Guide To Deadly Dragons by slutforwikihow_444

I'm recommending this fanfic first because (1. So far this is the only BakuDeku fan fiction that I've read twice and (2. I have read a LOT of fan fiction in my time and this one is REALLY GOOD! Actual novel worthy good!

Here are my interpretations of what some of the characters would look like (sorry that the quality isn't the best)

I thought Izuku would look dumb as shit with the helmet but he actually looks really cute <3

All Might with a beard isn't real. He can't hurt you-

My head canon after Chapter 12. If you know, you know

[nashidakyouko]

help i know nothing about sports but want to write a gelphie short where glinda is doing sports because of that line in popular ;w;

[arsuns-ramblings]

What Tommy can’t say about his new book is that it’s called Tommyinnit’s guide to survival bc Tommyinnit’s survival guide was already taken /j

[roses-descendants-hub]

We the Anti-Heroes (chapter guide)

Chapter guide for We the Anti-Heroes so the story is easy to find/chapters can be found if you’re looking for a specific one.

—

Prologue/Chapter 1 (Audrey)

Chapter 2: Move-In Day (Hadie)

Chapter 3: Roommates (Ariana)

Chapter 4: Auradonian Ethics (Hadie)

Chapter 5: Ex’s (Ariana)

Chapter 6: Aggression (Hadie)

Chapter 7: Lesson (Ariana)

Chapter 8: Mornings (Hadie)

Chapter 9: Fights (Ariana)

Chapter 10: Names (Hadie)

Chapter 11: Appointment (Ariana)

[poussacha]

My 2023 Fanfiction Wrapped

Hi everyone! It's ya boi spreadsheets back with another fanfiction wrapped! This time I actually took the time to make it look really pretty (see: I half assed this in Google Slides for my discord server's swampmas wrapped event lmao).

Without further ado, here's what I read this year.

2023 Fanfiction Mini Guide

These are fics I rated 7/7 stars on my guide that I would FULLY recommend everyone read if you're into these fandoms or ships.

Stranger Things

Gen (Steve & Robin)

As He Sinks Just Like A Stone by saintmares | Rated T | 5k

The words "Steve Harrington is sooo strong" had always made Robin Buckley roll her eyes. After all, what did it matter if some stupid jock just so happened to use his muscles a bit more than other people? But when her life comes crashing down inside a secret underground Russian elevator, Robin finds a new appreciation for the strengths of Steve Harrington... at least until she has a startling realization about her best friend and his fleeting mortality as the Party patches up his demo-bat bites.

Steddie (Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson)

Black Out Days (Fairground Nights) by OonionChiver | Rated E | 140k (background Ronance)

‘I think,’ Steve says slowly, reaches for Eddie’s abandoned, untouched beers. ‘You don’t know me very well.’

‘I don’t know you at all, man. I don’t really want to.’

Steve’s throat works. It’s subtle, but Eddie sees it. He hides it with a swig of beer, but when he sets it down, his smile isn’t quite so bright. Twice as sharp, though.

‘The self-centred asshole who can only be decent to a single human being, I get it. It works for you.’ Then he takes a thick, heavy breath. The alcohol is hitting him, Eddie can tell. ‘And I am being civil. I’m here, aren’t I? You have any idea how hard it is for me to be here?’

‘In a bar?’

Steve doesn’t answer.

Star vs. the Forces of Evil

Stomco (Star/Tom/Marco)

Monster Carvers by Raikim4Never | Not Rated | 70k (unfinished, but I think about it every day of my fucking life)

Fourteen years after Princess Star Butterfly is kidnapped from her cradle, a terrorist attack on The Underworld results in Prince Tom Lucitor being sent to stay on Earth. Meanwhile, the Monster Carvers plot to bring an end to all non-Mewmans, and Ludo learns of rumors that Tom was given the Butterfly wand for safekeeping…

High School Musical

Chyan (Chad/Ryan)

I Still Don't Dance by Rozavie | Rated G | 20k

Chad Danforth never thought that he would find himself here—washed up, past thirty, teaching at a high school, and divorced. Basically, everything in his life has gone up in flames. No longer being able to play his favorite sport, and coming off of an exhausting (although amicable) separation, Chad decides that it's time to focus on what he can control. Primarily, raising his daughter. As long as she's happy and healthy, Chad thinks that he can manage to be as well.

But when an old friend from high school stumbles back into his life, Chad's world gets just a little more interesting.

Boy Meets World

Cory/Shawn/Topanga

For a good time, call by feyrelay | Rated M | 3k

This headcanon lives rent-free in my head, constantly, and I was so disappointed in how GMW handled a lot of the adult relationships and stickier topics, that I just had to write this. It just might rot your teeth.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Zukka (Sokka/Zuko)

like the sun inside you by ofherlionheart | Rated M | 200k (Unfinished)

Sokka's expression is caught somewhere between determined and pissed off when he says, “I know you think this is your responsibility. But you’re not going to be alone in this. This is why we’re building you a council.”

“I know,” Zuko says.

“And the only way you’re going to die having done nothing but sit in meetings is if you let yourself do that. You’re not a bad leader if you take a break now and then.”

Zuko scowls. “What, so people can then say at least my father wasn’t lazy?”

Sokka tilts his head. “Don’t you think there’s a difference between laziness and, I don’t know, choosing life and happiness in spite of a terrible dad who tried to take both from you?”

----------

Zuko is sixteen years old when he’s handed a crown, a throne, and a hundred-year ancestral legacy of colonial imperialism. He’s not scared of the work; he’s scared of being consumed by the responsibilities and burdens he’s claimed. What Zuko doesn’t quite realize, yet, is that he’s not alone in this.

(do you take this jerk to be) your one and only by jatersade | Rated T | 55k

Under the leadership of Fire Lord Iroh, the Fire Nation has made every attempt to restore peace and make amends for the harm they inflicted during the Seventy-Year War. Their newest proposal is a literal proposal: a marriage to unite the Fire Nation and the Water Tribes.

The Fire Nation offers Prince Zuko’s hand.

The Water Tribes offer Princess Yue’s.

Sokka is apparently the only person in the world who has a problem with any of this.

Will We Last the Night by CSHfic | Rated T | 144k

Chief Arnook never assigns Sokka to protect Princess Yue, so he goes to fight the Fire Nation with the other men. When the moon dies, and the ocean spirit takes its revenge, Sokka is caught standing on the deck of a Fire Nation ship. Sokka should have drowned… and he would have drowned, if not for a certain Fire Nation raft fleeing the North Pole.

[An enemies-to-lovers season 2 rewrite, where Sokka is separated from the gaang during the Siege of the North, and travels the Earth Kingdom with Zuko instead].

War Crimes by Lovely_Elbow_Leech | Rated M | 90k (MAJOR CONTENT WARNING FOR SA, CHILD SA, TORTURE, MURDER, AND VIOLENCE - PLEASE READ THE TAGS AND CONTENT WARNINGS)

Book one ends with two major diffrences: 1. Sokka went on the mission with Hahn (it did not go well) 2. Zhao survives the North Pole and that proves unfortunate for everybody (except Zhao, obviously) 

Imprisoned on Zhao’s war ship, Sokka and Zuko have to work together to survive. They are not very enthusiastic about this prospect. 

And they argue. 

A lot. 

War games by Lovely_Elbow_Leech | Rated M | 428k (MAJOR CONTENT WARNING, TORTURE, VIOLENCE, MURDER - Unfinished)

After the events of War Crimes, Sokka and Zuko have escaped Zhao’s warship and are fleeing across the Earth Kingdom. As well as unfamiliar terrain, they have to navigate their shared trauma, work out where they fit into the war, and their place in each others lives.

Sokka is aware that being friends with the enemy is going to bring complications, but he probably should have guessed that being friends with Zuko in particular, was going to be a bit like dunking your head repeatedly into a bucket of angry Fire Ferrets.

Katara is also grappling with the confusion of befriending an enemy, something that doesn’t prove as difficult as she had expected with the bond of shared, furious grief bridging old wounds. (Learning a new way to look at her bending doesn't hurt either)

Azula, struggling with the Fire Lord’s mistrust, encounters a few nasty surprises and has to make some difficult decisions. Luckily, she is a great deal better at making sensible choices than her brother.

Her father may have made a slight tactical error.

In the Soft Light by CHSfic | Rated T | 84k

As the newly appointed cultural liaison to Northern Water Tribe, Zuko is the first Fire Nation Citizen to step foot inside the city's walls in nearly a century. He's determined to prove himself—to the Fire Lord and to his father—even if the Water Tribe's spirit-touched prince seems to want nothing to do with him.

or

Moon Spirit Sokka AU

These Things Written by Erisenyo | Rated E (Underage) | 222k

The letter was never supposed to be read, least of all by Sokka. But then, things happen every day that aren’t supposed to, in war.

Or,

On a particularly hopeless night, Zuko sends out a messenger hawk to nowhere. He didn’t realize that his messenger hawk is deeply committed to completing the job. And that Sokka happens to be traveling straight through nowhere, at the time.

These Things Known by Erisenyo | Rated E (Underage) | 400k (Third in series! There is a second one between These Things Written and These Things Known)

[Aang cuts him a quick, guilty look. “I didn’t mean to imply that you…”

Sokka raises his eyebrows. “That I…Focus on the present to the point of blindly committing to enormously questionable courses of action with significant long-term ramifications because they’re gratifying in the immediate moment, which is particularly concerning as our chief Maker of Plans?”

“Uh—That’s basically…Yeah.”]

Surrounded by danger and doubts, separated by war and one irrevocable decision—after the world of just-Sokka-and-Zuko crashes into the world of everything else, what comes next?

Or,

What happens when trusting someone suddenly means something far different out in the world than it did in the space of a Ba Sing Se teashop?

I'll Share the Moon, if You'll Share the Sun by anarchycox | Rated M | 400k

An alternate world where Iroh leads a coup against Ozai on the eclipse and wins the throne for Zuko. The southern water tribe hadn't sent men to fight in thirty years, instead protecting their home, laying traps, using guerilla tactics so the fire nation gave up fighting them.

Sokka and Katara found Aang, but being frozen in ice for a hundred years has ramifications and for almost four years the tribe focuses on healing the avatar.

Zuko is advised for continued peace to have an arranged marriage outside the fire nation. The best option is a the child of the chief of the southern tribe. Katara is in love with Aang and is heartbroken, but will do her duty for her people. Sokka finds a loophole that they can carefully and craftily exploit.

Aka they lie. They lie so hard and Sokka becomes the one betrothed to Fire Lord Zuko. He is sure there will be no consequences to the plan. Certainly not going to fall in love with the man he is lying to. At all. Nope indeedy, no love on the menu. Dang it.

Everything That I Am Not by Benedick | Rated T | 85k (Unfinished)

Sokka isn’t stupid. Not that his sister is, mind you (at least, he’d never call her that to her face now that she’s honed her waterbending), or any of the rest of Team Avatar, although sometimes it feels like he’s living in a different world from the rest of them — a world where running out of food means starving, and walking into a town full of firebenders with the Avatar in tow will get you killed, rather than help you free a beaten-down Earthbender colony.

Anyways.

Sokka isn’t stupid, which is why he laughs directly in Aunt Wu’s face when she tells him that he will marry the Fire Lord.

As always, if you're curious how I get my data or how to do this yourself, shoot me a DM or come bother me in my Discord Server (It's called The Swamp, we're all queer and neurodiverse with various interests and are currently having a pokemon themed Swampmas)

[candlitnights]

"Guide" Sneak Peek by CandlitNights

(Accompanied by art that one of my new Guide betas made!! @nanetchi )

Ok, so!! Be aware that these are spoilers! I made a new character for Darkrai's Guide, a Gible by the name of Ridley. I couldn't wait to introduce her and have been dying to release this, so now that the chapter is out, go wild! - CandlitNights

The cry was faint, and there was a quality to it that once again prompted some buried instinct to click into place. Mourning, pleading, and weak... Without any further thought, he pivoted toward the sound, dropping the hunk of iron as all senses funneled into a tunnel vision of sorts. He crooned softly in question—where are you?

The pathetic sound rasped further ahead, past a cranny in the wall that even his eyes had trouble noticing at first. He made promptly for it, squeezing himself through the gap and following his nose. Aside from the more foul scent of droppings nearby, he couldn’t detect the presence of another, human or pokémon. A hatchling then? Many species had no scent upon birth to avoid detection by predators... The thought propelled him more urgently forward, calling out again in earnest. Another mewl sounded in response, tucked away beyond one more bend in the cave wall, and suddenly there it was.

As Darkrai rounded that corner, several things became swiftly apparent. First, the other had, indeed, been a hatchling. And what a pitiful sight the poor thing was. Lying before him in a nest of piled rocks and grasses, a tiny Gible sprawled, shivering. Second, it was hardly larger than a Dedenne—not freshly hatched, but still recent enough. No eggshells remained in the nest, so a mother had at some point cleared them out...

Lowering as much as he could with a purr in his throat, Darkrai drew closer to sample the scents of the nest. Still, feeble as it was, the hatchling had realized by this point that he wasn’t familiar. Now it scrabbled weakly to the end of the nest with a rattle of air that might have been a wail. Its back bared to him now, he noticed the smooth contour of its dorsal fin—a female. Darkrai crooned to her once more as he took in the rest of the picture: mainly, the fact that the scent of the space was stale. No other pokémon but the hatchling had been here for a couple of days, and no scent of food lingered, either. Just the lonely and pungent scent of an orphaned, unkempt nest.

Drawing back, Darkrai fumbled with the pack at his waist. He had no meat, which was direly needed soon, but a paste of berries could only help. Spreading out one of the caster leaves he’d tucked away, he made swift work of mashing a few orans and leppas together. Then gently, he placed the offering into the nest before backing up to give the little one space.

“Eat,” he murmured. The Gible was far too young to know many words yet, let alone respond with any, but surely a mother had spoken this exhortation before? “Come, eat.”

Unfortunately, if the tiny thing understood, she didn’t move for the food. She barely took her watery eyes off of him to even consider the meal. It was only when Darkrai was about to turn back in hopes of bringing Akari that the hatchling let out a frantic chirp. Darkrai perked up with encouragement as she finally crawled forward to the leaf. She sniffed the concoction with a wary reluctance before taking a bite. Something in Darkrai’s chest swelled.

“Good.” He couldn’t help but smile. The fear that had become stuffy within the den was finally melting away as the child ate with increasing fervor. “Eat.”

Thank you again, Nan!!!

Here's the full fic if you want to read:

[stump-not-found]

take the parts of me i cannot stand, and replace them with what you can no longer carry

when i look at my reflection, let it be some rotted version of you

[imliterallysnakejaguar]

THE NEXT CHAP OF MY FIC IS OUT FINALLY YAYAYAYAY !!!

i actually cannot wait to get to the other characters' perspectives of this,, like,,,

jay realising that he could have prevented something if he'd actually listened to zane when he was freaking out about his nightmare,,, kai's whole losing his fire (and probably feeling guilty about feeling bad for himself after he found out what was happening to zane, and how he could have ALSO prevented something if only he was stronger) AND LLOYD OH MY LORD !!, imagine how terrifying it would have been seeing the brother that was the gentlest soul he'd known, someone who smiled or laughed so rarely it was considered a treasure END UP LAUGHING MANIACALLY AT HIM AS HE TRIED TO KILL HIM ???

ough i'm so business casual about them

ALSO ICE EMPEROR ART I FORGOT TO POST HERE (MINOR BLOOD WARNING)

[thefallenangel2008]

I'm writing the 3rd chapter of my fic and I'm kinda having a hard time writing Fiddleford because idk how to speak cowboy.😭

[wanderingjedihistorian]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Star Wars Prequel Trilogy, Star Wars - All Media Types Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: CC-2224 | Cody/Obi-Wan Kenobi Characters: CC-2224 | Cody, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Clone Trooper Waxer (Star Wars), Jocasta Nu Additional Tags: Alternate Universe, Sentinel/Guide, Force Dyad (Star Wars), First Meetings, Bonding, Instincts are hard, Enhanced senses are harder, Sentinel CC-2224 | Cody, Guide Obi-Wan Kenobi Series: Part 1 of Here Comes the Sun, Part 9 of 212th Bingo 2023 Summary: As soon as Obi-Wan stepped off the shuttle, anticipation started to buzz under his skin. The very Force around him seemed to hum soonsoonsoon. Obi-Wan had no idea what it could possibly mean. Then he heard a voice.

For the "Sentinel AU" square of @clonefandomevents​ 212th Bingo!

Featuring at commissioned from the lovely @amikoroyaiart​!

[haveyoureadthisfanfic]

Summary: Izuku steps towards the other teen, holding his hand out to shake, “I’m Midoriya Izuku by the way. We haven’t officially met yet, right? I don’t remember seeing you at the Entrance Exam?” The blue-haired boy pauses, studies his hand uncertainly before shrugging. “Shirakumo Oboro,” he introduces in return, hand phasing right through Izuku’s when he goes to return the handshake. Shirakumo doesn’t seem surprised by it, but Izuku whips his hand back when the intense chill climbs up his arm. or, Izuku tries to pretend eveything is okay even though his homelife is crumbling around him, there's an insanely powerful Quirk that's not entirely his coursing through his veins, he suddenly knows his childhood hero, All Might, and to top it all off, he seems to have befriend a pastel blue-haired ghost that has way too much insider knowledge on Izuku's new homeroom teacher, and English teacher. He's really just trying to survive Yuuei...

Author: @lowlywrite