#sflf day 1

[vesperthine]

day 1 - comments, part i of iii

there’s no better feeling than seeing that you’ve got a new comment in your inbox. no matter the length, it never fails to put a grateful, humble smile on my face. i’m so grateful for and impressed by all you readers who tirelessly comment and encourage us writers; making sure that we feel our work is appreciated and important enough that we’ll keep writing. 

a special shoutout to @arindwell @juliandem @aimitis, @tuuleloe​ @modestytreehouse and hopetoseeyouagain @ ao3  for almost always leaving heartfelt and honest comments on my fics, no matter what. then, all the love to @tristealven and @irazor for the beta work they’ve done for me, and still always leaving comments on the finished work (something i sometimes forget to do...). thank you, darlings ♡♡

these are just a few of the comments that have really stayed with me, but to each and every one who’s left a comment or a kudos on any of my fics: you're so appreciated, and i can’t thank you enough. as a writer i know it takes effort to comment, so i treasure every one i get ♡

fic: take you to where the sun shines [...]

@uannsett: [...] a really unique writing style here, one that fits even perfectly. i love how you use it, and i love the atmosphere it creates, and i love it when something reminds you of all the things you can do with words

@junkshop-disco: You've really captured the tension in the aftermath of violence, that it's not as easy as tending to someone's physical wounds, it's a whole emotional roller coaster for both of you.

fic: will it wash out in the water (or is it always in the blood) / och det sprider sig som blod i vatten

@friedaechte: [...] dette IKKE er mørkt. Tvert imot, egentlig, det er jo en positiv fremtidsvisjon av Isak og Even, i all sin realisme. [...] Jeg liker veldig godt at Isak får tre frem som sin egen person, med sine egne problemer og sine egne vanskelige tanker.

@ Peer: Denne skulle jeg så veldig ønske du får lyst til å skrive videre på. Din skriving inspirerer meg.

@eiqhties: In fact I found this fic beautifully poignant, and very true to real life. Honestly, your characterisation of both Even and Isak was so wonderful here! It really felt as though they were real, and breathing, and you were picking the thoughts right from their heads.

@whatexactlyismylife: It’s such an intricate and quite complicated topic imo but you deliver it so well and I can find great comfort in knowing that people share my sentiment about children like you do.

@vanqoh  - i'm not the biggest fan of angst, but i love it when it's used effectively = this is a great example of effective angst writing because it felt balanced, and my heart was aching

fic: som i ett isolerat system / in an isolated system 

@ hopetoseeyouagain: Jeg synes alltid din måte å framstille Isak og Even på, hvordan de er med hverandre (bare nydelige) men også det de strever med oppe i hodene sine, er svært troverdig. Og parentesene dine gir en helt egen stemning - hold fast ved dem!

@tristealven​: Å, så fint sagt! Älskar allt du skriver, vet bara inte hur jag ska uttrycka mig själv när min hjärna är en röra av svenska och norska (och finska och engelska). Men <3

@champagneleftie​: Jag blir helt golvad av det du skriver, varje gång. [...] Du klarar det där konststycket att få det väldigt specifika och personliga till att bli universellt, vilket är en av mina favoritaspekter av Skam överhuvudtaget - det här är så mycket Isaks berättelse, så specifik för honom och det läge han är i och hans förhållande, och samtidigt så är det världens igenkänning. 

@skamskada:  Slengkommentarer i garderoben som man kan forvente men som vi ikke ser i canon og Isak som strever så mye med det her at det ikke går, så vakkert bygd opp med parantesene og alt, hele strukturen og hele reisen Isak gjør i tankene sine. Jeg har fått ny favorittfic. Uansett fandom. (i will never be over this comment, immy ♡)

@juliandem: I really, really loved how you wrote Eskild here. It’s perfection.

@ inflammatorywit21:  You really created a space between two people that feels so private and intimate that I almost feel like I’m intruding just by reading this.

@tuuleloe​: You conveyed stunningly how difficult (also how easy and natural other times) is mental and physical intimacy. Unable to forget insecurities, inner reflections, outside world, how easy to feel shame. With your lover, loved one, friend. And how rewarding it is for Isak to understand his desires, himself and being able to yearn, want, share and talk about it. With Even.

[newyearsirresolution]

Skam Fic Love Fest, Attempt #1

This is actually not even close to what I had in mind (namely, commenting a fic for each of my favourite tropes), but I guess you gotta start somewhere, so here’s the three fics I tried to show some much deserved love.

right click > save as by @towonderland72

will you share your soul with me? by @evenshands

i always knew by @greathalesonfire

Thanks @evaksbinder for this lovely fest. 

[nessauepa]

#SFLF2018 Comments - Cheesy AF, bear with me

I'm sorry if I'm late, but I really need to talk about my comments/commenters, I need to spit it out. And since this event started the same day it completed 1 year (Aug 20) since my first published chapter, it felt even more special. (<3 @evaksbinder )

If your name is here, I would love to talk to you on Tumblr, just send me a message! Please.

First, 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to 136 people that left me comments till this day, you brought me so much happiness, tears, laughs, flushed cheeks <3

..., 3STB, Allieverwas, Altair_Hyperion_Black, Always_and_ever, Alwaysevak2121, Angel, Ashnalk, Audrey, Aurora, Bacongirl72, Beey95, Biluojulia, BlueNiinja_123, C_Stress, Cath8558, Coniferophyta, Dramaqueen_yes, Ericka1991, Evakkk, Felixfelicis, Girl, GirlInTheWardrobe, Haveyouever, Holmelka, Hula_Fisch, Im_a_bird, Irinilemu, Judi, Kattmatte, KittyGreenleaf, Krumme, Lee_tandld, Lelouchvibritt1, Lija, Lily_2015, LoveThem2121, Loveevak, Lovingthem, LullzAurora, Margi, Mari, MarysC, Memine, MisaAbadeer, Miss_Fi, Ninna, Noworriessarah, OLGA, Onlylove, Pipepus, PropLN, Rapunzel75, Ray, Raya R, ReadingDreams07, Riskiks, Rogueleader1987, Saby, Sara, SashaVinter, Sassy3, Sea_legs, Sinceslicedbread, SofiValtersen, Soniishawty, Stardust9909, TGSantiaga, Tammarita, Tara, Tuii, Xyla_23, Ymellil, anyadarkseid, aria, asexualalpacas, atashi7, aurora, bhenny, biancaneve, biluojulia, bliherforalltid, bonbonschnecke, burnthebruja, carryonevaks, cattyfur, chan, charlyflowers, chocolatecake, chocolatecake097, decraziness, depressed_mermaid_53, empty_venom, flowercrownisak, flowerxboy, frenc, hannakin, helleh, howmanyisaksandevens, ines azim, inflammatorywit21, ipacox, jueentjueen, lemaltine, lexixoxomaria, limegreencapes, lovershidden, ls.multifandom, lsxkam, maia_nn, mazarin01, merthurforever, nancynotruth, nveld, p_r_o_v_i_d_e_r, pagnilagni, panworld, pimsplane, pucomano, reiects, scorpionfish, sevcar_99, sherllycolmpels, skater110599, skyler, snaksak, solosilenzio, starry_eyed, subsooninen, sweetspicyho, unknownusername, w_julie, warlocked_mundane, yllawonders, Étoile

Commenters <3

ls.multifandom (aka Leigh) I just discovered you are my top commenter 27 chapters, 8/10 fics. You plotted with me, you shared your internal monologues, you re-read and commented AGAIN (WHAAAT), you fucking dedicated your first fic to me I FUCKING LOVE YOU, you brought so much happiness to my days <3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3

loveevak/@loveevak21  my dear co-author and someone that I admire a lot <3

Evakkk/@hollybursey7 for being such a huge support, always commenting extra comments <3

aria The best first comment anyone could receive

Biluojulia Always present on my fics (7 out of 10, whaaat). A fic is not worthy without you commenting <3 

Ericka1991 Ericka should receive a prize. She's the most active commenter through fics I've ever seen! You are such a boost of inspiration

flowercrownisak You made To The Boy With Green Eyes a much better experience (wait for it!)

Angel The most extra commenters ever!!! You made me laugh so much with your comments <3

Tuii Thank you for the huge support. The best couple of this fandom Tuii <> Laika_the_husband. <3

tbhenny Thank you for the most passionate comments a writer could receive, for inspiring me with such words.

And fuck, so many more that I could list, you all have a special place in my heart <3

Comments

Aria @ Every Minute - Chapter 1 - THE BEST FIRST COMMENT

https://archiveofourown.org/works/11859027/chapters/26775096

So, English isn't my first language, and when I posted my first fic I was scared as fuck, expecting people to laugh or trash me. Then aria posted the comment that made me tear up and shake (literally, literally).

skyler  @ Secret Admirer - Chapter 17 - THE ONE GO READER

https://archiveofourown.org/works/11916678/chapters/30288753

Always_and_ever @ Best Half of My Soul - Chapter 2 - RETURNING FOR UPDATES

https://archiveofourown.org/works/12306387/chapters/31644816

Angel @ To The Boy With Green Eyes - Chapter 14 - THE EXTRA, THE REFRESHER

https://archiveofourown.org/works/13646373/chapters/32119872

Stats :p

Since I'm a number freak, I compiled some numbers!

Top Commenters (chapters count)

27 ls.multifandom

24 Evakkk @hollybursey7

22 flowercrownisak

22 Biluojulia

21 Angel

20 Ericka1991

19 Loveevak @loveevak21

17 Tuii

14 tbhenny

Top Commenters (fics count)

8 ls.multifandom

7 Biluojulia

5 Evakkk @hollybursey7

4 Tuii

4 Loveevak @loveevak21

4 Ericka1991

[to-stay-inspired]

葛飾 応為  Katsushika Ōi (Daughter of 葛飾 北斎) - 1

Masterful...

Just chill and always enjoy your day… 

SFLF

[kapplebougher]

Commenter Appreciation Post!

So for the comment appreciation day of SFLF today, I just wanted to take a moment to give a shout out to all the lovely commenters of the fandom!

It always makes me feel so guilty whenever I get an amazing comment on a fic and all I’m able to say is thank you, thank you, thank you because it really doesn’t feel like it’s enough to convey my gratefulness? Thank you feels so inadequate.

Because what I want to tell every commenter is that their comments have the ability to just completely brighten my day! I want to tell them that it never ever fails to put a smile on my face to see that Inbox (1) on my Ao3 dashboard when I log in. It’s just such a lovely feeling, because as a writer it often just feels like I’m rambling into the void whenever I post something, but to actually get something in return is so, so nice. And I know for me personally, in real life only a few handful of people know I like to write (or should I say liked to write lol, they’re under the impression that I don’t have time to write anymore - which I guess is still sort of true true, except I just make do by writing when I should be doing other trivial and insignificant tasks like paying the bills, getting 8 hours of sleep, doing work, etc.). Virtually no one I know in person has actually read anything I’ve written in the last five years, largely because I’m too terrified to tell anyone; writing is such a personal form of self-expression for me.

So to get those comments in my inbox or ask box is the only kind of feedback I can get whenever I write anything, and every word means the world to me. I still remember the feeling of once going onto Ao3 to see that I had 27 comments in my inbox (27!!), and I still cannot describe how amazing it felt to see that. It was the most overwhelming and giddy happiness ever. I was on cloud nine for like, an entire week. Weeks, maybe? Who knows, thinking about it still makes me so happy. I was so blown away.

And the thing is, writing comments are not easy! I know myself from experience that so often I’ve read a fic that is just so incredibly well written that when I was finished I was so overwhelmed that I had no idea what to say other than garbled keyboard smashes and omg!!!!!’s and rambly, incomplete sentences, so I hold back from commenting at all. Which is really just the most hypocritical and ridiculous thing I could ever do because as a writer I know that incoherent and keyboard smashing comments are just as wonderful as the grammarly-correct ones.

And I also know I myself am SO guilty of not commenting myself when just didn’t have the energy for it, because it’s so, so easy to just read and tap away to the next fic in line. So the fact that there are people out there who have actually taken the time to send me a nice message or compliment about my writing, means everything. Even if it’s just a small little, I love this! it’s so nice.

Everytime I hit a wall of writer’s block, want to stop writing, or feel like everything I write is just utter trash, it’s people like you guys that convince writers to not give up and to keep going. I can never say it enough but thank you thank you THANK YOU <3

[folerdetdufoler]

this is what i look like in the morning, when i check my email and read all of your comments. i hug my phone. sometimes i leave a few unread just to save them for later, an afternoon pick-me-up. but usually i can’t resist. i eat up every word, from the lengthy comments with play-by-play reactions to the simple heart emojis. they’re all so wonderful.

unfortunately i do this thing where i don’t respond to any comments unless they’re questions that need to be answered. i’m sorry i do that. it’s obviously more common, and polite, and encouraging to respond to each person who has taken the time to read your writing and leave such heartfelt praise, but i’m too scared to. i’m afraid i’ll say something wrong, or i’ll just repeat myself over and over and sound insincere. i don’t want to scare the commenters away. so instead i end up being rude and not publicly acknowledging them at all.

but i read every single comment, and i love them all. i love seeing how you saw the chapter, how it made you feel. i love learning from what you share, if something felt true to you or completely out of character. each comment keeps me writing and helps me improve the story for you. your feedback is crucial; you are invaluable.

i went back to my inbox and found the first comment anyone left, on chapter two of scene three, take two. a “sterek+evakfan” said “Love it <3″ and every comment since that one, no matter the length or depth, has given me that same love and attention. it’s warmed my heart and helped me look to the future. not my future, exactly, but isak and even’s. you’ve given me that little push into the next chapter, and, well...i guess into my future too. what you wrote yesterday got me to today. what you write today will get me to tomorrow. each comment is a question in disguise: more?

i can’t make any promises, but i’ll try. thank you for getting me to try. thank you for getting me to tomorrow.

i didn’t realize it until i was back in my inbox, but @isisisak​...you were one of the first, kermit-arm-ing your way through my first fic. and user Ericka1991, who i still see at the end of every chapter, you were there too. i might have never responded to you, or know your name, but i know your handles and somehow picture you when i read your comments. you regulars, you’re absolute darlings for leaving love after every sporadic chapter. thank you for putting up with my lack of posting schedule, and pausing a binge to share every little reaction. i see you, Lelouchvibritt1, the_moonboots, @thisfeebleheart, kardamomme, haveyouever, iriswests, noworriessarah, sinceslicedbread, @crazyheartfics, noellerose, and many many more. (i’m sorry if you have a tumblr but sometimes i either can’t figure out who is who or tumblr just won’t let me link your name.)

and @screechingperfectionstarfishblr​, lee! god none of these are anyone’s actual names but by the time any of us get to actually talking it’s too late. i’ve dubbed you something and it’s stuck. lee, you’re great. your rambles are the sweetest, and they make me giddy.

gaya gaya gaya, @greathalesonfire. i don’t...we didn’t know each other until we met in oslo i think. but there you were over a year ago, sending your love. you know i don’t like to talk about my writing but i just adored listening to you talk about yours, to seeing what you did to breathe life into your characters, from your research to your friendships to your absolute desire to tell the stories that deserve to be told. thank you for the ones that hurt a little and the ones that comfort a lot and each one that makes our hearts sing.

haidee, you li’l fireball. it would crack me up getting notifications as you plowed through a bunch of chapters in one go. thank you for the avalanche of love that i continue to feel every day. london, soon, i promise.

thank you @coolauntskam, for being such a cheerleader, such a mascot for this fandom. i think you are the only person who has ever seen anything i write before i post, even if it’s just pixely photos of my dirty (heh) screen.

and heidi and silje...probably not your actual names, but i see you liking my writing asks from anons and thanks for that. i know i spam your dashboard with that stuff, but i really appreciate that you read all of the background things too.

kitt, babe, thank you for reading, even though my american shit isn’t your cup of tea. it really means a lot, and i’m so honored to have connected with you during the secret santa. i appreciate your high standards, because they really pushed me to be a better writer, and pay more attention to what characters needed to be real. thanks for your support and your library and you emo “phase.” ;)

user haveyouever: god your paragraphs after each chapter just kill me. yours are the comments i try to save for last, juicy desserts that i gobble up too fast. thank you honey, baby, sweetheart.

dee! my sunflower. thanks for your comments here, there, and everywhere. you know just what to say to fix my heart, and you pick up on those moments that i treasure the most.

and y’all. y’all. have you met my queen, nadège? ms. @wehave4ever? perhaps you’ve seen user afuturewithme pouring her heart out on ao3, or hollering at authors on twitter, or announcing updates and capslocking in the discord chat. she probably does stuff on facebook too but i don’t see what goes down over there. anyway: i think a majority of the world’s love and emotion is stored in her heart, and she opens the floodgates with perfect timing and precision. i feel her comments. i probably write for her as much as i write for myself. nadège makes me proud of myself, of what i can create, which is damn near impossible to do. je t’aime.

to the anonymous commenters here: thank you for your messages. i don’t publish all of them, only the ones that i can answer,  but i appreciate each one and reread them whenever i’m checking my inbox. you’re extra sweet to take the time to track me down and leave a note here.

fuck. i didn’t want to do this because i wouldn’t be able to mention everyone. i hope you don’t feel left out; i’m just running out of time. but i see you all. i’m hugging you all. i’d shower you with kudos if i could.

thank you @evaksbinder for finally kicking my ass into doing the right thing, letting these readers know how important and loved they are. and after writing all of this out i actually realized that i talked about people instead of their comments, and people are the focus of day seven. shit. whatever. it’s technically already day two so we’ll just tag this hot mess and move on.

so: you’re all part of these stories. your words keep them going, you shape them as i write. thank you for that.

and i’m sorry for all of the cliffhangers.

[vesperthine]

day 1 - comments, part iii of iii

as said in the first part of this trilogy of comment appreciation, i do treasure each and every comment i get. even if it’s just a sentence, it can make my day. and when i’m feeling low -- as a writer or as a person --  and i’m doubting that i’ll ever write something good again, i go back and i re-read them all; seeing all the love that people has sent to me, how moved they’ve been by my words, and it helps. 

that’s a truly powerful thing. 

so never think that your comment doesn’t matter. i can only speak for myself, of course, but i know there are hundreds of writers out there who share this sentiment. comments really makes writing easier, smoother and so much more joyful. thank you, readers, for everything. you keep fandom alive and thriving ♡

fic: i dimma är det svårt att se klart / and this mist, it makes it hard to see

@champagneleftie: .Jag kommer inte ihåg senaste gången jag blev såhär tagen av en fic, V.

@sjiiraff:  [...] kjente nesten været på kroppen mens jeg leste. Følelsen av myk hestemule på skulderen, stormene og kulde, kulde, kulde... og heldigvis varme også, mot slutten.

@nofeartina:  Din kærlighed skinner sådan igennem her; din kærlighed til Isak og Even, til islandske heste og til Island, og du er så varsom med dem. Som altid elsker jeg det du skriver, men det her er, for mig, noget af det fineste du har skrevet.

@skamskada:  Så nydelig subtil og tight den er, du holder leseren i helspenn hele veien, på en god måte. Hvert ord er helt presist og nødvendig, ingenting er overflødig. Skriv original fiction, vær så snill.

@lavenderforluck: The slow-burn and steady pacing is really tricky and amazing here, as it builds and swells, ebbs and flows, and as the reader I feel totally caught alongside Even in this wrestle with hope something will happen.

@fille-lioncelle:  [...] took time and both of them needed to do things that were hard, but in the end there wasn't any drama or grand anythings. Just talking and dealing with things.

fic: ett laddningsbart batteri

@himmelskys:  Jeg rives og slites innvendig av å lese dette. Det er noe med det mørke, det tabu, det uttalte som Isak går og bærer på som gjør meg spent som en streng går gjennom hele ficen. Og han føler det så sterkt, kjemper med følelsene sin hele veien. Det må ha kostet mye bare å foreslå det, å åpne opp den døren ovenfor Even. [...] Å, dette er så komplekst! Jeg kommer til å tenke på dette i dagevis nå...    

@modestytreehouse:  Det är så tätt och intensivt och även om allt är okej, överenskommet, ganska genompratat, de älskar varandra osv - så ligger det liksom en svärta över det hela, en liten ångest liksom som gör det ännu mer laddat, för att använda dina ord

fic: waxing, waning

@juliandem:  You always write them like they deserves to be written, if you know what I mean?

@S (solrose):  You always manage to write even the smallest things in a beautiful, poetic way!

fic: in retrospect, better

@nofeartina :  You have such a way with words. This is so soft and loving, and it's just like being there and watching them all over again.

@juliandem:  i don't miss skam much because of writers like you <3

[vesperthine]

day 1 - comments, part ii of iii

continuation of the post for skam fic love fest 2018! i’m so grateful for all the comments i’ve gotten since i started writing, but these are justa few that i carry with me ♡

fic: det kommer regna på fredag, den tjugoandra december / it’s going to rain on friday, the twenty second of december

@Svermeren: Det føles nesten ut som man beveger seg innover, enten det er i følelsene til Isak, eller i små detaljer. [...] Også synes jeg du fikk godt til den litt haltende måten Isak kommuniserer på, der han bruker flere forsøk på å få frem det han egentlig vil.

@Soapbark:  Finns flera meningar som jag kan relatera till i min relation till min pappa. Kanske inte just runt jul, men i många andra situationer. 

@topazera: I felt all tensed up myself because the weird tension of not knowing how to right things was so real. Especially Even not looking at him, augh, that just killed me. 

fic: samma amplitud och period / the same amplitude and period

@himmelskys:  Det er så fint. Også er det noe med hvordan du bruker sexen mellom dem som middel for Isak til å finne ut av hvordan bli tryggere på egen seksualitet. At han skal tørre å slippe løs for å bli trygg.

@arindwell: You write about sex and sexuality and the emotions surrounding them in such a stripped-down, raw, and realistic way that it’s almost a visceral reading experience. (this is one of those comments that spelled out to me what i want to achieve ♡)

fic: pusselbitar / pieces of a puzzle

@nofeartina:  [...] en fantastisk måde at skrive de her to på, du fanger bare essensen af dem, og jeg kan ikke forestille mig at jeg nogensinde bliver træt af at læse noget du skriver. 

@irazor:  Stillheten och lugnet som plötsligt blir så hetsigt och sedan mynnar ut i stillhet igen. Det är verkligen som att vi får vara med dem i ögonblicket - nästan som att inkräkta på en helt privat stund.

@whenispeakicrossmyfingers: The broken intimacy with which you write them is completely unmatched. [...] how you manage to show the problems with such emotional clarity (while still keeping the problems vague enough to be left to the imagination) but also include that tiny flicker of hope, in every single one of your stories.

@ Anne: such a beautiful yet realistic depiction of a loving, long-term marriage. their life might not be perfect but i love how they still get moments like this to remind them that they've got everything they need and how perfectly imperfect their life is.

fic: ventiler / vents

@Peer: Det er så sterkt, vesperthine. Og det er forholdet mellom Isak og Even også, i det grelle lyset på badet, både når de tar seg av Alma og når de er der bare de to og gjør rent, rydder og snakker ærlig, håndleddene til Even, uten arr. 

@tuuleloe : I reread your future series, so moving and remarkably in-depth, brave, intensive, honest. Your writings give such an important perspectives and reassurance.