#snowbaz friendship

[pitchswift]

started making carry on friendship bracelets and decided to share my progress!

first one so far, im making watford themed bracelets with all the main characters

[twinkle-twinkle-up-above]

Carry On Countdown 2023 Day 2: Confession

Baz rubs her back and lets her cry into his shirt. I love him so much, and I want to tell him so. But I've never managed to say it, and now is definitely not the time.

(Simon didn't quite manage to confess here, but I think it still counts because it's the first time he tells us he loves Baz.)

@carryon-countdown

[j-nipper-95]

Ok, so I’m posting this just after midnight on Sunday Missouri time as I’m still stateside, and I know I’m not going to have any time during the day to post anything (trans-Atlantic travel is my newest travel ick).

That being said, thank you so much for the tags recently @artsyunderstudy @aristocratic-otter @larkral @orange-peony and @aroace-genderfluid-sheep . I love reading what you’re all working on at the moment, and it never fails to brighten my day to see you tagging me. This fandom and you beautiful people are honestly the greatest things to come out of the past few years for me.

I’m still chipping away at my COTTA, and have big plans for my original fiction going into the second half of 2023, so keep your eyes peeled for both COTTA and ASR stuff coming soon. If you want more ASR updates, you should check out my instagram handle jess_bookpress.

Without further ado, enjoy a few sentences from my COTTA piece (that I definitely need to find a title for, but I’m just not even going to worry about until camp NaNoWriMo is done and I’m less focussed on just pumping out words!)

Simon POV

He holds himself over me and blocks out the sun, casting himself in this ethereal glow that, if I hadn’t already fallen for him years before, would’ve struck me dumb. What right does anyone have to look this good in every kind of light anyway, but especially in this golden hour glow? It brings out the reddish hues in his skin, the blueish tint to his raven black hair. He has every right to be vain. He drives me crazy every second of every day, but right now all I want is to drag his hips down to mine and kiss him silly.

But I keep my hands to myself.

Tagging: @artsyunderstudy @aristocratic-otter @larkral @orange-peony @aroace-genderfluid-sheep @palimpsessed @dragoneggos @prettylightsbigcity @stardustasincocaine @fatalfangirl @cutestkilla @ileadacharmedlife @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @chen-chen-chen-again-chen @ebbpettier @martsonmars @erzbethluna @hushed-chorus

[the-lincyclopedia]

Winter holiday fics by lincyclopedia

Thanks for the tags, @cricketnationrise and @doggernaut! When you tagged me, I wasn't sure if I had any winter holiday fics. I have 12, across four fandoms. In my defense, I have over 200 fics total, so I lose track of what I've written sometimes. (Also, looking back through my AO3 account, it's like, man, I used to write. Unfortunately I've been too depressed to do much of that for a while now.) Anyway. Here's what I've got, organized by fandom:

Check Please

Deck the Halls with Balls of Holly

Ransom misunderstood the lyrics to "Deck the Halls," and he and Holster wind up making some interesting Christmas decorations for the Haus.

This is a super short one-shot featuring platonic Ransom & Holster friendship from Bitty's POV. (It's part of my series of fics based on misheard song lyrics.) The relevant holiday is Christmas.

Palentine's Day Karaoke

This fic is inspired by @softfloralbro's story "Shitty Knight's Palentine's Day Spectacular" and is basically a karaoke playlist wrapped in narration. The basic idea is that SMH has a karaoke party on Valentine's Day, and everyone serenades their friends. Set in February of Year 2.

This fic is full of SMH friendship, music, and not much else. The relevant holiday is Valentine's Day.

In Your Warmth I Forget How Cold It Can Be

In a world where the graduation kiss never happened, it's winter break of Bitty's senior year, and Bitty and Jack are both out and single. The plan is for Bitty to spend New Year's Eve with Jack at Jack's condo, but that plan goes awry when Bitty and Jack return from the airport to find a homophobic slur painted on Jack's parking space. TW for homophobia.

Basically, this is canon-divergent Zimbits getting together. The relevant holiday is New Year's Eve.

too long i've been afraid (of losing love i guess i've lost)

Dex gets disowned after coming out as gay. SMH is there for him.

Basically, angst, hurt/comfort, and platonic Frogs content, plus some platonic Dex & Bitty. The relevant holiday is Christmas.

Five Times Lukas Was Homesick Plus One Time He Didn’t Have to Be

It can be hard to go to school in another country where everyone speaks a different language and no one celebrates your holidays. Luckily, Lukas has friends to help when he’s homesick.

Okay, this is a 5+1 and only one of the scenes is actually about a winter holiday, but I like that scene, so I'm including this fic on the list. The relevant holiday is St. Lucia Day.

When Lucia Day Dawns

For Lukas's senior project as a music major, he has to plan/lead a public music performance. He decides to form a choir to sing Swedish Lucia/Advent/Christmas songs on St. Lucia Day (December 13). This is the Friday before finals and everything is stressful—until the concert starts and suddenly it’s perfect.

This is another Lukas-centric fic about being Swedish. The relevant holiday is St. Lucia Day.

Carry On

Right Now

A one-shot set during Christmas break of Simon and Agatha's fifth year at Watford. Even though they're not ultimately meant to be, they made sense as a couple once.

This is very jossed by Any Way the Wind Blows, but I still kind of like it. It's pre-canon Simon/Agatha. The relevant holiday is Christmas.

Stranded

After leaving Baz's house and dropping Penny off in London, Simon and Agatha get stranded in a ditch in the middle of a snowstorm. Ex awkwardness ensues.

Unlike "Right Now," this fic features Simon and Agatha as exes. The relevant holiday is Christmas.

Sounds Like a Date

Baz is a barista stuck working on Christmas Eve. Simon is a handsome customer.

This is a coffee shop AU featuring a Snowbaz meet-cute. The relevant holiday is Christmas.

Yuri on Ice

Ice Quality

One of Yuuri's college friends invites him to spend Christmas with her family, and Celestino approves as long as Yuuri promises to skate while he's there. Trouble is, the town's indoor rink is closed for renovations. A one-shot set during Yuuri's time in college in Detroit.

This is a pre-canon platonic Yuri & OFC fic. The relevant holiday is Christmas.

Happy New Year, Otabek!

Yuri and Otabek have been best friends for four years, and Yuri's had a crush on Otabek for a while, but he never expected Otabek to like him back. Until, that is, Otabek gets drunk at the Grand Prix Final banquet and says some things Yuri doesn't expect. It's going to be a very interesting New Year's celebration in Almaty . . .

This is a post-canon Yuri Plisetsky/Otabek, and it's the only multi-chapter fic on this list (though it's still pretty short). The relevant holiday is New Year's Eve.

Sherlock

Over the Table and through the Giggles

John has insisted on hosting a Christmas party. Again. Everyone but Sherlock is drinking, and John is telling stories about Sherlock, and suddenly Sherlock decides to kiss John. Plotless fluff.

This is a canon-divergent Johnlock getting-together scene based more heavily than you might guess on my sober-but-sleep-deprived friends and me being ridiculous in high school. The relevant holiday is Christmas.

I'm guessing a lot of people have been tagged, especially from the Check Please fandom, but I'm going to try to pull in some Queen's Thief folks. I tag @worldsentwined, @newtsoftheworldunite, @hoeratius, @eponymiad, and anyone else who wants to play!

[captain-aralias]

randomised trope/tag grading game

clearly today is a day of doing memes (i posted a list of 9 favourite books earlier today). i know it's a tuesday and normal people are at work, but i'm writing some posts, hello!

Rules: Generate your own personal list of 10 AO3 tags to rate. How much do these tags affect your decision to click on a fic? -10 -> very dissuaded 0 - don’t care either way +10 -> very enticed nope -> if it’s a hard no and you’d never click on a fic with that tag or or you even have the tag blocked or you’d insta click out of the fic if it wasn’t tagged Bonus points for explaining the rating and whether it’s conditional.

i was tagged in a very similar post by @bookish-bogwitch a few weeks ago. at the time i read her post, i felt like our opinions were so aligned that there wasn't a good reason for me to write my own post. (well done, great opinions!) the only exception really is that if a snowbaz fic was tagged age gap i might choose to read it - less because the trope is for me, and more because that's kind of weird for snowbaz. so, maybe it would be interesting! and i guess i feel pretty meh about H/C, sorry folks.

anyway - i decided to tweak the meme into the form that you see in this post. here's my 10 random things and what i think about them👇

Amusement Parks: -2

harsh judgement right out of the gate. i've read some good ones but i feel like generally a fic about an amusement park is likely to be some quite gentle fluff, maybe a modern AU, and that's not my favourite.

Unconventional Families: 0

maybe all slash fics that are kidfics are unconventional families? if so - i actually quite like kidfic, a not that secret shame, but i sort of like it less if the fact that they're gay parents is now worth flagging because it makes life difficult - since i am a gay parent. and i dont want to read about how it will be hard. so it averages out to a 0. if the family is more unconventional.... who knows? i would neither click nor not click.

Rough Sex: 8

how sad for me that this is my first clear yes and highest rated. i probably would click unless other tags or the summary put me off.

Public Transportation: 3

i went with a yes here, as i'm intrigued. it's oddly specific and suggests an interest in the specifics, and i am a fan of public transport. i've read some nice fics where snowbaz meet on trains (yes, often modern AU, but i dont dislike them all), like the classic 15-across by @ninemagicks and the equally classic remix 2-Down (A 15-Across remix) by @carryonvisinata (who also wrote a theme park story i like, so the -2 is definitely feeling mean. ah well, press on.) Bickering: 7

i mean - i prefer banter, but i assume if someone has written bickering they kind of mean banter. unless it's like sibling bickering and then maybe not.

Phone Calls & Telephones: 0

this is almost text fic (which i like less than most people like it) but not. i often write in a phonecall, it's part of what i think of as the friendship to lovers arc...... idk. i'm also going to add here that i keep thinking about plots that rely on people not being able to call each other, which is kind of the opposite. or you have to get to a pay phone - i dont know that i would want to read a fic like that, but there are some fun movies and books that you'd have to rework now. most recently i was watching madonna in 'desperately seeking susan'.

Redeemed (character): 7

this really depends on who they are, obviously. i can imagine it being really annoying if they never show any redeemability, but i've given it a strong 7 because i come from a world of redeeming the master from doctor who over and over again, so it would feel silly not to have it as a yes. and i kind of want to redeem the mage....... but it would be weird if he just was redeemed in a fic, and so too the master. it would have to be kind of about it.

Quests: 7

yes. not a 10/10 insta-click , because i can imagine it going on a bit too long if it was a fic about a quest rather than, say, two people realising they loved each other, but i would like it to be in the background. snowbaz has some good quest fics. Song of Sirens (rated E) by @scone-lover is such a fic or A Gift From the Propheseals (rated M) by @skeedelvee and @letraspal another.

Cats: 3

this feels mean, i have 3 cats myself - i like cats to be in a fic because cats are nice, but i also dont have many feelings about animal transformation and if snowbaz adopt a cat in the future... that's fine by me, i hope they do, but i probably don't want to read about it for more than a few lines.

Sociopathy: 2

probably not if it's a serious examination of this, but plenty of my villainous favs could be described as sociopaths, so... i give it a 2!

--

anyone who wants to do the meme in this form - please do!

i tag everyone already tagged in this post, the people i tagged last post, and a few others: @giishu @orange-peony @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @carryonvisinata @alleycat0306 @fight-surrender @cows4247 @messofthejess @mysterioussheep @ivelovedhimthroughworse @nightimedreamersworld @cutestkilla @fatalfangirl @artsyunderstudy @larkral @forabeatofadrum @ileadacharmedlife @facewithoutheart happy tuesday.

[aristocratic-otter]

Trope Grading

I've not been on Tumblr much, so this missed me, and it looks like a lot of fun. So thank you, @bazzybelle for the tag, I'm gonna give it a shot!

I'm not picky either, though I've got a few hard nos. But I can even put those aside for a really compelling story. For example, I'm driven away generally by MCD, but my two favorite fics right now, What's Left by @cutestkilla and The Mirrors that Hold Us by @artsyunderstudy both involve MCD, so clearly I don't hold to my principles that hard 😂

Rules: How much do these tropes affect your decision to click on a fic?

-10 -> very dissuaded

0 - don’t care either way

+10 -> very enticed

nope -> if it’s a hard no and you’d never click on a fic with that tag or or you even have the tag blocked or you’d insta click out of the fic if it wasn’t tagged

Bonus points for explaining the rating and whether it’s conditional.

Age gap: +6

Not my favorite, but one of my favorite previous ships was Grissom/Sara from CSI, which is a twenty year age gap, so clearly I'm not that bothered by it.

Codependency: +5

This doesn't bother me precisely, other than you see it a lot in fluff fics and established relationship fics, and neither of those is my jam.

Obsession/Possessiveness, jealousy: +7

I like this generally, though if there's a power imbalance in the relationship it can be squicky. But if it's SnowBaz, it's a guaranteed angst-bringer, and I love the angst.

Opposites (grumpy/sunshine etc): +8

I don't need this in my fics, but I do like it. Exploring how people are different from each other is fun!

Enemies to lovers, Enemies with benefits: +10

Fuck yes

Friends with benefits: +8

This is lower because (especially with SnowBaz), I feel like it's unrealistic. They're so deep into each other that I don't feel like they'd ever settle for friendship. There are a few fics that have done it well, but it's just not as angsty, so I don't like it as much.

Sex to feelings: +10

It's hot, 'nuff said. And often angsty, which is brilliant. If you disagree, I challenge you to read Someone Wicked by @artsyunderstudy

Fake dating/relationship: +8

This can be good if it's handled in a fun way. I truly loved The Wedding Bet by @facewithoutheart and How To Avoid a Scandal by @you-remind-me-of-the-babe

Friends to lovers: +8

Just like Friends with benefits, I may enjoy this when it's done well, but I find it less exciting and realistic than enemies to lovers (at least in the Simon Snow fandom)

Found Family: +8

I like this, but not if it's the only point of the fic, because then it verges on fluff, which I don't enjoy.

Hurt/Comfort: +5

I don't mind this, but not if it's the whole point of the fic. I prefer more depth to the stories I read. But I never mind it being an aspect of a fic that has more than just that!

Love Triangle: +5

I don't feel one way or the other about this, but I'm guilty of using it to ramp up the angst when I write. I've liked plenty of fics with this trope though, and written quite a few myself!

Poly, open relationships: -5

This is my only negative! I think because I'm ace, and I can't imagine wanting MORE than one lover, I find it off-putting when I read it. I'll make an exception when the point is pure smut, but I prefer monogamy in my serious fics.

Mistaken/hidden identity: +5

This can be very good when it's done well, but mostly I find it's hard to do it in an original way.

Monsterfucking: +10

Duh.

Pregnancy: +10

So, this requires a little background. From the time I was a child, I'd tell myself stories to help me fall asleep at night. And without fail, sooner or later, a baby would happen in those stories. I don't know what deep psychology explains it, but I can say I love seeing how couples deal with the unexpected, and an unplanned but desired pregnancy fic is great for exploring that. So yes, given I'm entrenched in the Carry On fandom right now, I'm a diehard mpreg fan.

Second Chance: +0

My only zero, and this is because I fall solidly on the fence here. I love a fic where Simon and Baz never got together, but connect later on and fall in love. It's one of my favorite things. But I hate a fic where Simon and Baz were together, fell apart and then get back together. I guess it's because I can't handle break-up fics.

Slowburn: +10

I love angst and what's more frustrating and angsty than a slowburn?

Soulmates: +10

Odd as it seems for my science mind, I'm unapologetic when it comes to soulmate AUs. I love them all.

Tagging (again, haven't been on Tumblr much, so feel free to ignore if you've done this): @artsyunderstudy, @annabellelux, @bookish-bogwitch, @carryonsimoncarryonbaz, @frjsti, @fatalfangirl, @facewithoutheart, @giishu, @hushed-chorus, @ionlydrinkhotwater, @ileadacharmedlife, @ivelovedhimthroughworse, @jasonfunderberkerthefrogexists, @krisrix, @larkral, @messofthejess, @moodandmist, @prettylightsbigcity, @penpanoply, @raenestee, @theearlgreymage, @stardustasincocaine, @tea-brigade, @thehoneyedhufflepuff, @you-remind-me-of-the-babe

[shrekgogurt]

Okay! I Knew A Boy I Knew A Man chapter five will be out September 5th which kickstarts an actual posting schedule. Each chapter will be released around the same time events take place within the story. As a result, you can expect roughly two chapters a month. SO! Get ready to take on the 23/24 Premier League season with SnowBaz!!! (I promise it’ll be so fun to read live! In the meantime, you can catchup on their season so far here!)

A little more Simon POV to hold you over:

My history with Baz runs along inherited fault lines and willed fracturing. Penny knows better than most that when we break, we expose bone. Now, her witnessing our delicate friendship feels incredibly urgent.

Tags under the cut!

@alexalexinii @artsyunderstudy @asocialpessimist @blackberrysummerblog @brilla-brilla-estrellita @captain-aralias @confused-bi-queer @cutestkilla @ebbpettier @facewithoutheart @fatalfangirl @forabeatofadrum @giishu @hertragedyconnoisseur @hushed-chorus @iamamythologicalcreature @ileadacharmedlife @ivelovedhimthroughworse @jasonfunderberkerthefrogexists @larkral @moodandmist @martsonmars @onepintobean @palimpsessed @prettygoododds @raenestee @supercutedinosaurs @theearlgreymage @theimpossibledemon @thewholelemon @umdiasujo @valeffelees @whogaveyoupermission @youarenevertooold @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @yellobb-old

[iamamythologicalcreature]

Trope Grading

Yeah, I know, I'm super late to this party. I love getting tagged in these, though, even if it takes me ages and ages to actually join in! So thank you to @aroace-genderfluid-sheep, @brilla-brilla-estrellita, and @you-remind-me-of-the-babe for the tags!

Okay, Imma do this thing.

Rules: How much do these tropes affect your decision to click on a fic?

-10 -> very dissuaded

0 - don't care either way

+10 -> very enticed

nope -> if it's a hard no and you'd never click on a fic with that tag or or you even have the tag blocked or you'd insta click out of the fic if it wasn't tagged

Bonus points for explaining the rating and whether it's conditional.

Age gap: -3

It really depends on the age gap, but some of the larger age gaps do kind of put me off. I'll still read the fic if there are other elements that really intrigue me, but I'll probably try to pretend that there isn't a two decade gap between the two (usually) lovers. That said, there are odd exceptions, like when supernatural stuff gets involved - longevity, immortality, etc. However, even in those cases I really need to see a reason why someone with so much life experience would go for someone of a less than mature age. It's doable, but it takes effort. (Vampires are why this is a -3 and not a -8 or something, won't lie.)

Codependency: 0

I'M NOT SURE. IT DEPENDS. *agonized* Okay, not really agonized. There are a lot of codependent relationships that somehow just work in fiction. Some that are even magically healthy lol. But I feel like "Codependency" could be a warning as much as it could be an asset, so it really does depend on how it's treated within the fic for me. That said, there are my ships that are totally codependent, and I refuse to be parted from them XD

Obsession/Possessiveness, jealousy: +7

Om nom nom. As with all things, there can be too much of a good thing, and one must recognize that nummy possessivness in fic does not translate necessarily to possessiveness in real life. But honestly, that's true of like all of these LOL I love a (nontoxic) possessive protag. Show me a guy who twitches when someone else eyes his significant other, and then show me that same guy reminding said significant other why he is the one for them in a sweet, sexy way. Ahem. I think beyond jealousy, though, I appreciate how "possessive" can also translate to "protective." Again, see the disclaimer that this isn't real life. In fic, I love it when two people are protective of each other in their unique ways. So basically, I don't like jealousy or possessiveness for the sake of simply having a jealous tantrum. It has to be built into the character, with reasons and depth and all that good stuff. But when that happens? Gimme. (See Snowbaz)

Opposites (grumpy/sunshine, etc): +10

You'd have to work pretty hard to get me to not enjoy this one. It's such a powerful dynamic that one can do so much with.

Enemies to lovers, Enemies with benefits: +9

Enemies to Lovers is my candy. Especially when combined with the above trope. And maybe the one before that, too. Enemies with benefits can be really fun too, but I'm not really into chemistry-only scenarios (I just don't get it) so I like seeing them catch feelings along the way. By accident. Oops. XD

Friends with benefits: -8

Ummm. Well. Again, I don't really understand the allo chemistry angle, so I usually have to connect with characters on an emotional level to get anything out of any story (romantic or not). I love a well written friendship and I value those relationships highly, but it feels awkward to me for them to get busy. >.> If the friendship grows into something more romantic to complement the physical intimacy, then that works for me.

Sex to feelings: +5

So long as the feelings don't drop in at the end like a deus ex romantica, this is a trope that can be excellent to explore. (Caveat though: I generally don't go for stories that begin with casual hook-ups. I need a more personal and/or solid premise than dumb luck at a dumb bar. Ahem. I may have opinions about the prevalience of that premise in the romance genre.) Character growth through sex can be absolutely beautiful, and I'm usually game to give any fic with this theme a try at least. I love a sexy slow burn, too, where the sexual tension is positively sparking, and all their carefully built emotional defenses are slowly peeled away like so much silk and satin and-- Yeah that. Also. Everyone already knows this, but just in case go read Someone Wicked by @artsyunderstudy for the best possible example of this trope EVAH.

Fake dating/relationship: +10

Why is this so awesome? WHY IS THIS THE BEST? But it is the best. It's just the best. (And actually I could write an essay on why it's the best probably because I think too hard about these things, but you don't really need me to, right?)

Friends to lovers: +2

Okay, had to think about this one. I'm not sure what counts as strictly friends to lovers, tbh. I love angst and pining and hopelessly-in-love-with-him situations. (Of course I do.) So if this includes that, with either one or both of the characters holding back because they don't want to lose what they already have with their friend and OMG THE ANGST then hell yeah, bring it on. But I've also read one too many "and then they fell into bed" situations (where it's just lazy writing, not the good kind), which knocks my rating down a bit. Oh, but I also like how friends to lovers can build over a slow burn fic, where the foundation for a truly awesome relationship starts with something platonic. (Also love a good QPP, though the tension has a completely different tone, and usually is explored in a different way than with romantic stuffs. But yeah, show me two people discovering their bestie for life while defending the kingdom from dragon AI or something.)

Found Family: TOP BILLING

This is the dream. I will never EVER get tired of seeing characters find their families, no matter the shape, size, form, whatever. Show me the power of love comes in so many forms and show me the healing. Show me protagonists finding HOME and I will fucking cry my eyes out every time and love them eternally. Pretty much all my favorite stories, throughout my entire life, have at least some element of this in play.

Hurt/Comfort: Um.... 0?

I had to ask an expert in the field about this one because I legit didn't know what it meant. (la la fanfic newbie la la) Now that I know what it means, I'm sorta like... well. Yeah? I mean. Yeah? Cause I wouldn't much care for hurt/hurt and comfort/comfort is really only fluff, right? IDK maybe I still don't understand it. But I see this tag everywhere, so it's sort of non-impact thing for me. So here's what I like: ANGST WITH A HAPPY ENDING. Give me the PAAAAIIIIN. And then give me RELIEF when it stops and the good picks up as a reward for all that painful growth. TORTURE MY HEART but then kiss it and make it better at the end. XD If it's that, then fuck yeah +10.

Love Triangle: -8

I used to be into these when they were all over the YA market in the aughts. (I was Team Edward but only because Bella was obviously stupid for him.) Now though, I find them kind of annoying unless they're handled with crazy good clever care. (Seriously though, I've read some really bad ones, bordering on offensive, lately. So I'm not optimistic.) I want a happy ending for the characters I care about, though. That's really hard to do in a love triangle.

Poly, open relationships: +3

I'm monogomous by nature, so that's where my interest tends to lean when looking at romantic set-ups. That said, I've recently read some very sexy reverse harem books that gave the characters some solid emotional connections. So I'm open to it, and will usually take a peek at a fic with this tag. But I really need to be able to believe that the poly set-up is truly best for everyone involved and not something someone is settling for just so they can be with that One Person They Actually Want.

Mistaken/hidden identity: +10

Yeeeeesssss. There is something so delicious about not knowing the exact identity of the person you're falling for. Mystery lover can be extremely sexy, but then it doesn't have to just be a chemistry thing, either. I love the search for the unknown person that inevitably follows, and the mystery solving necessary. Sometimes the scavenger hunt LOL Unexpected usages of this trope get ALL my attention. It's one that pretty much requires a unique premise, so I'm all for it whenever I see it.

Monsterfucking: +10

The hardest ones to love are the ones who need it the most! Also. Cool accessories like wings and horns and fangs and what-have-you. Abso-fucking-lutely.

Pregnancy: Uh. What? 0? Or... -5 mpreg?

Not sure I've actually seen this outside of mpreg (which is usually not my jam). There are exceptions, though, but I'm very picky when it comes to mpreg. As for straight up regular biologically female pregnancy? Uh. I guess? It can be romantic in a way if it builds the relationship and they're taken care of and everything. But I don't think I'd pay special attention to it. (I've written fic where there was a pregnant woman in the story, and there were romantic moments with her husband, but it wasn't the central storyline.)

Second Chance: -10, unless it's Snowbaz

Simon and Baz make it work because the good outweighs the bad. But outside of that, it's a big turn-off for me. I got really burned out on this in the romance genre in novels. Some girl would move back home and run into the farm boy she left behind cause he broke her heart blah blah blah. It got TIRED after awhile. Also, why did they break up? Is that just... not an issue anymore? The only example of this working outside of Snowbaz for me is the movie Sweet Home Alabama. Cause he worked for it.

Slowburn: +9

As if you didn't know already by now LOL I'm almost always here for it. It's also one of my favorite tropes to write. I'm willing to wait for it. I'm willing to watch the simmer in anticipation of the moment it all boils over. Give them time to build something in addition to the chemistry, give them more than just a flash in the pan. (Good gravy the food metaphors here are plentiful.) Don't drag it out unnecessarily, but if there's character growth, REASONS for it, then I will take that journey. But if there isn't a payoff at the end, Imma be mad XD

Soulmates: +5

Okay, look. I just. I just like fated mates, okay? Ahem. I love a good fated mates story. (The best one I read was one where they met, realized they were fated, and then had to awkwardly get to know each other and come to terms with the fact that the universe just decided for them... but also... he's pretty great, must admit... XD) Outside of the "Fated Mates" subcategory, it gets a little less definite. I take other types of soulmate tropes on a case by case basis. I don't like it when it's used as a crutch to get people together (even in fated mates, there's gotta be a process and a reason and all that), but when it's done well it can pack a really powerful punch. It can also break my heart. So I handle with care.

OMG DID I DO IT? Holy cats that was a journey. LOL I know I'm waaaaay behind on this, so if you've already done this and I just missed it, please forgive me (and maybe link me, if you have the time, cause I'm genuinely curious)! No pressure tags: @cutestkilla @whatevertheweather @ileadacharmedlife @alleycat0306 @raenestee @prettygoododds @facewithoutheart @fatalfangirl @aristocratic-otter @rimeswithpurple @hushed-chorus @anxious-m3ss and anyone else who wants to share, cause I'm quite interested to see people's answers!

[you-remind-me-of-the-babe]

Trope Grading Game

Thank you for the tags @aristocratic-otter and @artsyunderstudy! I really love hearing what y’all are into and why.

Rules: How much do these tropes affect your decision to click on a fic?

-10 -> very dissuaded

0 -> don’t care either way

+10 -> very enticed

nope -> if it’s a hard no and you’d never click on a fic with that tag or or you even have the tag blocked or you’d insta click out of the fic if it wasn’t tagged

Bonus points for explaining the rating and whether it’s conditional.

So the short answer is 0 for everything because I don’t read tags anymore because they never affected my choice to read a story the way a summary, snippet, rec or author gushing about their work would. But! even choosing with these methods the tropes bleed through so here are my rankings

Age gap: -1

I’m not opposed to it per se, I just don’t see the appeal. I just finished a book with side characters in a relationship with a big age gap and I tried to be open minded but it creeped me out a bit. Although I did write Baz as a 200 year old vampire so I guess there’s that! 😅

Codependency: +5

Yeah, give me two people leaning on each other. I think we suffer in silence too much. I think we need human connection. Gimme two people who aren’t afraid to ask for what they want. Yeah sure, it can be problematic but mostly I think it’s nice.

Obsession/possessiveness, jealousy: +5

I fucking love possessive Simon. Sometimes this trope isn’t done well in other stories but with Snowbaz I eat that shit up.

Opposites (grumpy/sunshine etc): +8

I looooove it. Working past your stereotypes? Becoming more open minded? Seeing someone on a deeper level? Grabby hands

Enemies to lovers, Enemies with benefits: +8

This is the majority of Snowbaz so obviously, yes. Sometimes I’m not a fan outside the fandom, but here it’s so good. And enemies with benefits??? Please. Cue me foaming at the mouth reading Restoration Ecology by @captain-aralias or it’s fabulous remix by @royalasstronaut.

Friends with benefits: +8

Yes please. As long as there’s some deep feelings involved, even if they come later, I’m there. And often with friendship you’ve got the platonic love there that sometimes builds to more so yes. More Than Friends by @fatalfangirl is an EXCELLENT example of this where they are just pining idiots from day 1 and I’m obsessed.

Sex to feelings: +10

FUCK YES. I will take it every time. I love sex, I love a good slow burn, I love sex with feelings. Make them earn it? PLEASE. Someone Wicked does this so well. @artsyunderstudy is the queen of sex with feelings.

Fake dating/relationship: +8

Yup, this is a goodie. even just fake friendship a la RWRB. Lovely. But yeah when their dating and they gotta kiss to sell it? And the other thinks they are faking but really that’s how they feel? Mmm hmm. Yummy.

Friends to lovers: +10

Y’all know this is my thing. I’ve written it several times. They love each other SO MUCH but they are too afraid to ruin their friendship so they feel they can’t make a move. The angst is right there and I love it.

Found family: +1

This can be great, but if that’s the whole premise I might pass. Fluff can be fun but if that’s all there is, I usually pass. But! If this is a theme in a longer fic with more complex plot? Then it can be really good.

Hurt/comfort: +1

Idk why but I associate this tag with shorter fics that just doesn’t actually hit that hard. Like, the hurt is little and immediately followed by the comfort. Give me the BIG angst. Hurt me good before you make it better. I looooove angst with a happy ending. So if that’s what we are doing then give it to me good.

Love triangle: -3

Meh. I always feel bad for the odd one out. I don’t like seeing the pining and angst without the pay out. And usually this is how it goes. If the third person is an asshole you just have to nudge out of the way, then maybe.

Poly, open relationship: -3

I’m actually quite curious about this and I bet it can be done right, but I usually go for a single OTP. Give me your recs though, I’d love to be convinced otherwise.

Mistaken/hidden identity: +10

Hell yes. They didn’t know it was that person all along? And they fell for them anyways? Fantastic. Even better is when they fall for the same person twice. Both hidden and not. And then! All is revealed and it’s the same person! Think love letters from a secret admirer, masquerade, etc. I mean there’s a reason network connectivity problems is the highest kudosed fic in the fandom.

Monsterfucking: +10

And bless this fandom for introducing me to it and going whole hog with our boys and their monster parts.

Pregnancy: -3

Been there, done that, don’t find it sexy. There’s some good mpreg fics in this fandom though so there are exceptions! Orange Juice by @orange-peony is a GREAT one that I really adored. This fandom just really delivers in any area.

Second chance: +9

Yes please! Unless own person is truly awful and doesn’t deserve it, but typically I love someone getting a chance to try and learn from their mistakes and try again. Don’t we all wish we could have a second chance at something?

Slow burn: +10

ITS SO SATISFYING! The payoff is so good after they’ve worked for it. My favorite.

Soulmates: +1

I love when characters can choose each other despite their destiny. I need conflict. I don’t know if I’ve read any Snowbaz ones. I think because I like them at odds and assume they won’t be. @artsyunderstudy is giving me recs to help me see the light LOL.

Who hasn’t done this? Tagging those above who haven’t done it plus a few more, if you’re up for it @whogaveyoupermission @iamamythologicalcreature @facewithoutheart @bookish-bogwitch @cutestkilla @thewholelemon @ivelovedhimthroughworse @ileadacharmedlife @raenestee @valeffelees

[forabeatofadrum]

WIP ASK ME GAME

Thanks @bitbybitwrites for the tag. Like many, I am always down to clown about my WIPs.

I just have so many of them, so I am only going to talk about the ones I am focusing on. RIP to the many others who are in the far away ward in my WIP Hospital.

Under the cut because I ramble:

Partially published WIPs:

February Friday Event 2024 - Radio Silence (Alice Oseman)

Only one chapter is up. This is just a collection of 4 short fics that are set in post-canon of Radio Silence. They're based on the prompts from the February Friday Event. 2 of the 3 remaining chapters are partially written, but not finished. One will be about Carys and her thoughts on Universe City. The other is about friendship, but Carys and Aled are once again reminded by how badly their childhood was for them.

Ljubili se - Glee

MY BABY. This is the sequel to Ljubim te, the fic where Kurt and Blaine meet in Ljubljana. Now they're back in America and long-distance, with Blaine being in LA and Kurt in NY. My main reason for being stuck is admittedly that it's getting too ambitious and I need to figure out how to tell a coherent sequel. It's quite difficult, because Ljubim te was written without a sequel in mind and without much space to do more, but I love this world I made so here I am anyway.

Dancin' on that bamboo ceiling - Glee

A series of standalone fic that explore Asian identity and casual racism in glee. I've been working on and off on it for years and I have published some. But I really want to finish more. Right now I have a story about traditional dress and feeling removed from your heritage in my mind.

The Sarah Jane Adventures Extended Universe (SJAEU) - The Sarah Jane Adventures

Yes, my SJAEU is back on my mind. It's a spin-off of the Sarah Jane Adventures (which is in itself a Doccy Whomst spin-off) and it focuses on Luke after he left Bannerman Road and well, my unofficial title is Luke's Big Gay Oxford Adventures. The thing I posted is an overview of the AU, but I have been cooking up actual fics that are set in this AU since 2017 and they're simmering again.

Not published WIPs:

Just Some Guy - Carry On

Also known as MCD! It's the seven years of Simon and Baz's rivalry (and eventual romance) from the perspective of an outsider who has absolutely nothing to do with it. After all, it must be fucking wild for Watford students to see this wacky enemy to lovers. Matty Chris D. is the blandest person you'll ever meet, which is also why I am stuck. Go Matt, give us nothing.

Untitled TOTK-inspired Snowbaz fic - Carry On

This was marinating in my brain recently. Not sure I will get back to it soon, but hey, it's on my mind! As the "title" suggests, it's a Tears of the Kingdom inspired Snowbaz fic, which takes place after Wayward Son. The gang is back from America to find floating islands in the sky of the World of Mages. 7 years after their return, and 7 years after Simon went missing, Baz decides to find a way to the sky islands in order to find Simon. I don't wanna brag, but this idea slaps and I should get back to it.

Glee x Sense8 crossover idea - Glee and Sense8

I came up with a Glee x Sense8 crossover years ago and this is also back again on my mind. Just like the SJAEU, it's more of a concept with some overall thoughts than an actual coherent fic. It's back in my 2024 vision because, hey, I posted the SJAEU, I could possible post my Glee x Sense8 AU on AO3, because I think it's pretty cool. And yes, it's a crossover, not an inspired by thing. The Glee part is entirely an AU, but the Sense8 part is post-canon where the BPO has reformed, so that the sensates can figure out their shit in peace. And also, Puck from Sense8 will show up at one point. Two Pucks in one fic (because Puck from Glee is one of the sensates).

Anyway I have many more WIPs, like the Zimbits time travel one, or the Glee x Carry On crossover (begone Klaine and Snowbaz, Blaz OTP!) and UGH so many WIPs. If you wanna send me an ask about any of these WIPs, feel free.

Also, I think @bitbybitwrites already spread this in the Glee world, so let me spread it to the Carry On world by tagging @cutestkilla @artsyunderstudy @wellbelesbian @martsonmars @larkral @nightimedreamersworld @blackberrysummerblog @bookish-bogwitch @facewithoutheart

[hadesbullshit]

ik they're meant to be a Drarry parity but i was rereading Carry On and fucking hell Snowbaz are Jegulus coded. they are the "emo rich boy who think he's underserving of love but also thinks he better than everyone else because of his family (the most powerful magical family no less)" x "literately the sun. a little bit dumb and overly trusting with soft curly hair and an unbreakable friendship who enjoys the company other others. did i mention THE SUN MOTIFS"

[scone-lover]

Northern Downpour is complete! 🌧️

If you are still following along- thank you. I am so so grateful. I can't even begin to share how much every single kudos, comment, tumblr tag, and discord message has meant to me. My readers are all very special to me and truly the reason I've kept writing for three (!!!) years. ❤️

I have been lucky to work with the most amazing betas, many of whom have been by my side working on this fic for literal YEARS. @thehoneyedhufflepuff, who read my first chapter and told me yes- you have to continue! @ninemagicks, whose writing advice I'd trust with my life. @augustslaundry, my resident Norwegian who helped with all the cultural bits. @stillmadaboutpetra, who not only created some beautiful art but beta read as well. @sillyunicorn, whose infectious energy and enthusiasm for this fic has given me so much motivation. @bookish-bogwitch, who has this magical skill of interpreting the meaning in my own writing better than I do. And @giishu , my number one cheerleader. I actually cried on a bus when you sent me the art you commissioned from @heeytwelve, and half the inspiration for this fic has come from the incredible photos you're always sending me from your adventures. I cannot thank you enough for your support and friendship!

The fic is linked here and above!

I have some updated photos as well in this post.

In bittersweet news, this is probably my last snowbaz piece—which some of you may have guessed from my extended absence lol. This fic is my baby and I really, really wanted to finish it. I don't have too many other loose threads left hanging. I will probably come back to writing soon for other fandoms (considering atla, our flag means death, she-ra, and the witcher?) but this one is, of course, the most special and has a place in my heart forever. So thank you, Carry On fandom. I would never have come back to my love of writing without you!

I hope you enjoy the ending. ❤️

Northern Downpour

Snowbaz Sweethearts Exchange gift for @arca9! 💕

@snowbaz-sweethearts-exchange

Summary:

Undredal is a charming village. Nestled among the remote fjordlands of Norway, surrounded by steep cliffs and glassy water, it’s like something out of a fairytale. (One could even call it magical.)

But Undredal has been harbouring a big secret—and it’s not the amazing goat cheese.

Baz Pitch doesn’t know it, but he’s about to find out what it is.

A canon divergence AU — magical, exceedingly escapist, and wintery in the coziest and most romantic of ways. ❄️

Check out the playlist here!

Read on AO3

[j-nipper-95]

CHARACTER ART REVEAL

Today’s the day!! I’m finally sharing the artwork that Ashton (@artsyunderstudy ) has done for the main character of my novel, ‘A Survivor’s Revenge’!

Meet Lauren Marie Atkins. A first year university student, trying to cope with everything life throws at her … whilst also dealing with her vigilante shit.

She’s also a chaos gremlin, and I adore her! She’s everything I wish I could be (minus the trauma). She’s brave, she’s sassy, she’s strong, she stands up and fights for what she believes in. She also has the best friendship group, that includes a certain cinnamon roll that even my aro/ace self is jealous of.

Ashton nailed this character art, she is unbelievably talented and I am so blessed to be able to call her a friend!

Check out her handle if you haven’t already, especially if you’re a SnowBaz fan, because her fanart is also off the chart incredible!

And also, maybe keep an eye out for more ASR goodness in the future from her 👀

[the-lincyclopedia]

20 Questions for Fic Writers

Pretending I got tagged by @cricketnationrise!

How many works do you have on ao3?

As of an hour ago: 214. I just recorded a podfic tonight.

What's your total ao3 word count?

494,201. I really hope to pass the half-million mark this year. It won't take much. I just haven't had basically any writing energy lately.

What fandoms do you write for?

These days? The Queen's Thief, when I write fic at all. Historically also Check Please, Carry On/the Simon Snow trilogy, Sherlock, the Lizzie Bennet Diaries, Yuri on Ice, PJO, Boyfriend Material, Good Omens, and more.

Top five fics by kudos:

Love in the Time of Influenza - Carry On - Snowbaz sickfic

Face the Future with You - Check Please - autistic!Jack x ADHD!Bitty

The Aftermath of Angelic Assumptions - Good Omens - Ineffable Husbands sickfic

Man Oh Man, You're My Best Friend - Check Please - Zimbits fake dating

Nightmares - Carry On - Snowbaz hurt/comfort

Do you respond to comments?

Basically always.

What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

the only soul who can tell which smiles i'm faking - a Kent-centric ficlet set just after Jack's overdose

What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Most of my 200+ fics have happy endings, so I don't really know how to answer that.

Do you get hate on fics?

Not recently, but it was a pretty regular and normal occurrence when I was on FFN in my teens. Once, someone sent me flames on 18 separate chapters of a multi-chapter fic in a two-day period. It sucked. But also, comments with concrit were so, so common for me to receive in my teens that I figured they were a normal and expected part of the fandom experience, and I have so much cognitive dissonance when people say they're not and never have been. I've neither given nor received unsolicited concrit in quite a few years, and I fully understand that they're not part of the culture on AO3, but two of my longest-lasting fandom friendships began with concrit on FFN (once giving, once receiving), and I think "this has never been a normal part of fandom culture" is an overstatement. I also think there's a difference between hate (which I've received several times) and the majority of unsolicited concrit that I've received. Not everything that's rude is hateful.

Do you write smut?

I have written M-rated grinding once and E-rated sex once. Not sure if I'll write either again. I'm pretty darn ace.

Weirdest crossover:

A Little Help - Lizzie Bennet (firmly of the Lizzie Bennet Diaries canon, not the original P&P) meets Eric Bittle at Vidcon and the two of them become close friends.

Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not to my knowledge. I know of at least three spinoffs of fics of mine, though.

Have you ever had a fic translated?

Not to my knowledge.

Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Not exactly, but when I'm in a relationship with someone I share fandoms with, the alpha reading/cheer reading/yes-and-ing/etc can blur into co-creation. And honestly I've also had key alpha readers who I haven't dated.

All time favorite ship?

Gosh, I can't pick.

What's a wip you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

My Queen's Thief fic where the characters all study abroad together. I have a detailed outline and a few thousand words, but I've had so little creative energy for the past several months.

What are your writing strengths?

I usually say persistence, but I don't know if I've had as much of that lately. Um . . . clarity, SPAG, and like--I have a really clear memory of what it was like to be younger, and I think that brings life to the stuff I write about college/other parts of life that I've already passed through.

What are your writing weaknesses?

Describing things. I prefer writing dialogue, but I'm also never sure if my characters sound like people. Realism in general is tricky for me--I get too hung up on logistics and then completely fail at writing people with realistic motivations. So lots of stuff.

Thoughts on dialogue in another language?

I almost never do it. I could maybe swing it with Swedish, although one time I tried and got corrected by a Finn (which was welcome and they were right, but it made me wary of trying again).

First fandom you wrote in?

I don't want to answer this publicly because I feel like the story of me getting into fandom/into writing in general is pretty unique, and I might tell it someday with my real name attached if I ever get published. (I just checked, and there are literally zero fics on AO3 for the book I first wrote fic of. The fic that I wrote is not on AO3, since I was ten years old and it was 2006, and I'm very grateful that, although I entered online fandom young, I didn't enter it quite that young.) The first fandom for which I posted fic was probably the wizard one that we're no longer naming. May have been Artemis Fowl or PJO, though.

Favorite fic you've written?

To Every Single Kid I Used to Be - an epistolary fic in which 25-year-old Jack Zimmermann writes letters to his younger self, one letter per year of his life. Featuring autistic!Jack and a whole lot of real details from my own life.

Anyone who wants to play, feel free to say I tagged you, but I'm specifically tagging @doggernaut, @eponymiad, @worldsentwined, @cartograffiti, and @the-knights-who-say-book!

[ionlydrinkhotwater]

Happy Six Sentence Sunday

Here's another TW sneak peek:

Fall asleep at your own peril Simon cause Agatha and her roommate have some rougue, lipstick, mascara and fake lashes with your name on them

Thanks for the tags

@confused-bi-queer @palimpsessed @stillmadaboutpetra @bookish-bogwitch @tea-brigade @kohatenz @johnwgrey @aroace-genderfluid-sheep @pacey-bunce-loves-joey @tectonicduck @artsyunderstudy @aristocratic-otter @captain-aralias @stardustasincocaine @fatalfangirl @angelsfalling16 @annabellelux @dragoneggos @frjsti @mrskrementz @krisrix @urban-sith @prettylightsbigcity @henreyettah @carryonsimoncarryonbaz @skeedelvee @orange-peony @cutestkilla @messofthejess @martsonmars @facewithoutheart @ileadacharmedlife @ivelovedhimthroughworse @nightimedreamersworld @sailor-blossoms @maedhrosrussandol @whatevertheweather @bazzybelle @erzbethluna @yellobb @subparselkie

[best--dress]

Five plus One fic recs 😍

Thank you for tagging me @thewholelemon! Your Eden fic is a fav of mine - every character is portrayed so perfectly ❤️ And thanks for coming up with this whole concept @facewithoutheart - I love this approach to recs and it's so cool to see what ya'll are inspired by.

This took way longer than I expected it to, whoops, but here's my list:

Paperback Writer by BasicBathsheba

It's all too easy to write Simon as all brawn and no brains, someone who solves his problems with his fists and his sword instead of his words (especially since this is how he describes himself! solving problems with his sword or at least his mouth...), so I love this fic for having a very in-character Simon whose smarts really shine through. And I tried to avoid listing two fics by the same writer, but I have to shout out network connectivity problems which I think was the first AU I read where Baz pushes Simon down the stairs - which sounds so silly, but it kind of encapsulates for me the moment where I recognized the way fic can twist canon into something that feels like it's winking just at you.

Behind the Magic by @bookish-bogwitch

It was a struggle choosing just one of Em's fics for this list - I think her writing is hilarious, and I aspire to write anything so funny. The amount of canon callbacks in this fic is incredible, and the appearances from Rainbow herself? Genius.

before the lightning hits the ground by @mostlymaudlin

This is the definitive fem snowbaz fic for me and the reason why I kept Simon's and Baz's names the same in my fem fic. I love the low-stakes enemies-to-lovers arc of this fic, and I ADORE Agatha in it too.

And We Still Do by @facewithoutheart

Likewise it was so, so difficult to choose a Christina fic! I love the creative narrative framing in this one, the characterization of Baz and Simon, the way we get so many brilliant little AUs but it's still canon-compliant. It's incredibly smart, sweet, and so funny. (I also have to shout out vroom vroom and its sequels because I think about them all the time. Way to take a canon detail- Baz's love of cars - and spin it into something so cursed and hilarious yet sweet and in-character.)

tripping over stars by @mooncello

This one is still a WIP but it stands out to me for the stunning way it depicts Simon's anxiety through his physical actions. I think about this fic every time I'm writing a nervous or provoked Simon. Also the little hint of steaminess that we get in the published chapters drives me crazy. Heath's writing is just damn beautiful.

+1 Who Are You In The Dark

When I set out to write a sexy fem snowbaz fic I didn't realize I was actually going to end up writing a deep dive into female friendship but, ya know, I don't really have any control over my muse. Getting to use fandom as a place to write about something near and dear to my heart, and having other people fully understand what I'm talking about, is such a dream. And I will never get over the thrill of seeing @arthurkko bring my girls to life in such gorgeous illustrations. (This fic is still a wip but I have a couple thousand words written of each of the unpublished chapters...it's just slow going with Life Stuff.)

Tagging @iamamythologicalcreature, @martsonmars, @emeryhall, @blackberrysummerblog, @onepintobean to play along! Plus anyone I tagged above ❤️

Five plus One, fic recs

A post is going around about fics you consider classics in the Snowbaz fandom. I’d like to take it a step further by asking …

What are five fics you consider your inspiration/influences for writing, plus one of your fics which you think best represents what you want to bring to the fandom?

5. Hang the Moon by @captain-aralias

@captain-aralias is, to me, the snowbaz fandom fic writer of our time. Her commitment to detail, to nailing Rainbow’s voice, while infusing every fic with a heart and purpose that will leave you changed. Every fic of hers is chef’s-kiss-perfection but I’m highlighting Hang the Moon specifically as a fic I often think about (Baz, wet tennis clothes, helping Simon fight the merwolves), and a fic that was my introduction to what fanfics could be/do. I think I finished this fic and just stared at the wall for an hour because I was just like, oh. Oh.

4. The Pitch by basic-bathsheba

Local Hero is one of my favorite fanfics but I wanted to highlight this fic because it’s just such a powerful and understated story. It’s love in the details. This Simon is the model for all of my Simon’s, just a complete simp for Baz haha but also a man who is comfortable and confident being the man who loves Baz even if he doesn’t get to claim it publicly.

3. Stay Up With Me by @sharkmartini

Not sure what to say about this that hasn’t been said a million times. It’ll break your heart; it’ll put you back together. The concept is brilliant and the exploration of two Simon’s will definitely put your emotions through a wringer. Time travel/what-if fics will always grab my attention but this one in particular makes the same case Rainbow posed in Carry On: what if the villain isn’t the villain? And takes it a step further, because Simon realizes he could be the villain, too. Absolutely beautiful.

2. Can’t Find My Way Home by @carryonsimoncarryonbaz

This is one of those fics that just has so much heart and sweetness. I love a good second chance AU, and this one has such Hallmark vibes in the best way. I just love the slow burn of it, and the amazing ending. A perfect holiday fic to snuggle up with. Reading this feels like being cozy up by the fire with someone you love. Actually writing this makes me wanna reread this so much; now that I live with actual Fall I wanna feel cozy like this again.

1. Basil Pitch’s Diary by @bookish-bogwitch

I know it’s a bit weird to rec a WIP as an influence, especially one that’s being written as we speak, but working with/beta-ing Em’s works have made me a sharper, smarter writer. I know this fic is a classic in the works and it’s something I think about on a weekly basis. The Baz Em gives us, to me, feels like canon Baz taken to the next level. What if Baz was the villain … but only to himself? Em’s writing really is just economical in the best way; every line hits, every paragraph teaches me something. And then the heart. It’s genuinely so hard to do what she does and I’m so lucky to get to see her work in realtime.

+1 This Will All Go Down In Flames

I think, at the end of my fandom career, I want this to be the snowbaz fic people associate with me (Spadey being a close second hahaha). But I do feel like it’s got a lot of fandom in-jokes, humor, and sweetness, plus the fun high-stakes of them being in the spotlight. I got to celebrate the Austin I love and miss, as well as poke fun at my own hipster upbringing. I put a lot of Me™ in this fic and it always feels so lovely when people like it. Besides, I got to work with the amazing @tea-brigade and their art just takes this fic to the next level. A dream collab.

(Throwing in the caveat that I started reading long before I got an ao3 account so it’s very likely I’ve missed some amazing fics from before 2021; I’m so sorry!)

Tagging everyone listed above and six more peeps to start: @cutestkilla, @you-remind-me-of-the-babe, @larkral, @ileadacharmedlife, @thewholelemon & @aristocratic-otter