#this is a lovely palate cleanser for my burnt out little brain

[fazedlight]

Almost done with season 1 of Warrior Nun, why did no one tell me it was this good?!?

(Spoilers: Literally everyone did)

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Hey Steph! Any advice to a person on reader's block? I wanna read a lot of fanfics, but I'm like... stuck :/

Hey Nonny *HUGS*

Honestly? For me I either switch fandoms or go back to old favourite fics. That's it. That's why I read SO many alternate fandom fics the past couple years, simply because reading Sherlock fics, for me, felt like a chore for awhile since I have to keep meticulous track of what's in a story and how it will be filed on my blog rather than enjoy the content of the story first-time-around. It seems to have gotten better now that I took a bit of a semi-hiatus from NEW Johnlock fics, but honestly, for me, swapping fandoms OR re-reading an old fic takes away that obligation / job of fic filing, for ME.

For you, it just might be fandom fatigue, so going back to some old stuff you KNOW you enjoyed, or fics for fandoms that you really like but never thought about reading more about is exciting. NOW I'm NOT implying that the current fandom you're reading in just suddenly got bad, NO, not at all!! I LOVE and adore all our fandom authors. But sometimes immersing yourself in a different setting HELPS.

For instance, the past two years I've been alternating between Johnlock and MCU/Sci-Fi/Fantasy fandoms, with different characters and relationships with their own dynamic that's ALMOST-BUT-NOT-QUITE Johnlockian. For ME, reading a new Johnlock fic IS a job, BECAUSE I have to file it at the end, and it's easier for me to tag-as-I-go. Then I swap over to a Red Dwarf fic with a whole different universe.

AS I SAID, it's completely different for me, and I HAVE to take the break between new fics so I don't get burnt out again. Sometimes I'll re-read a recently read fic and really enjoy it, able to take it all in. But yeah, in all my years doing this, my advice is this if you're having reading burnout or reader's block:

Take a break, eat, and do some other mind-engaging stuff instead, like puzzles. I love doing Fill-In Puzzles.

Swap fandoms, maybe go back to one you enjoyed as a kid, or are lurking on the outskirts in. After, try reading the fandom you primarily stick to again, and if it's not hitting you yet, go back to another fandom. YOU ARE NOT FORCED TO STAY IN ONE FANDOM. I had a hard time accepting this, LOL. I felt like I was betraying my Lovelies by reading other fandoms, but now it only helps me reset my brain for a new fic :)

Try reading a published work! Go to your local library and just see what they have, and check out a book. Sometimes there's a LOT of joy in just... reading from a physical book.

Re-read a fic you know you love. I do this a lot, and ALWAYS have, as "palate cleansers" between stories. For me, if I read too many new fics in a row, I get the plot lines confused, so re-reading a fic helps my brain sub-consciously process the last story I read. You'd be surprised how much this helps.

If you're not enjoying a fic, stop reading it, and read an old fave. Fiction is subjective, and not everyone is going to enjoy the same things. I used to force my way through fics I knew I wasn't even going to bookmark, and one day I just finally said "why? this story is upsetting me". Again, "cleanse the palate" with an old fave to reset the brain, and start again with something else.

And finally, it's OKAY if you just simply lost interest in reading. Your brain needs resetting sometimes, and just... if it takes days, months or years to get back into it, it's OKAY. I know what it's like to REALLY want to read something, but not being physically able to do it. Take a week off of reading, and get back into it. In my case I just listen to music instead since most of my reading is done either in bed or on the bus, so yeah, just a total zone-out for a week is all you may need.

I hope this helps a little bit, and I'm sorry if it doesn't. If anyone has any of their own tips to breaking that reading block, let me know! <3

[vodkacheesefries]

I got tagged in a thing by @scattered-storyteller

I'm supposed to tag 9 people but I'm shite at remembering usernames so if you see this and wanna do it assume I want to see your answers and tag me in them 🥰

3 ships: I have Baldur's Gate brain rot so they're all from that for now lmao. Really love Wyll/Tav AND Wyll/Astarion. And I just started a playthrough as a cleric of Selûne to romance Shadowheart with and so far it's ticking all the boxes for me

First ever ship: honestly this is a tough one! Like. The first fictional couple I ever remember being INTO and making up stories in my games about was Ariel and Prince Eric lmao...but like if we're talking about the first ship I was cognizant of after learning what "shipping" was, it was probably something from Avatar (Aang and Katara) or Batman (like Bruce and Selena, or Ivy and Harley)

Last Movie: Fear Street: 1666 - the Fear Street movies are good! And God knows I love a gay horror story. That being said they were a bit too gory for my tastes. I had to look away more times than I can count. But if gore doesn't bug you, I recommend them!

Last Song: Bring Your Love to Me by The Avett Brothers

Currently Reading: Nothing! I am part of the "former gifted kid to burnt out ADHD adult" pipeline and tragically, reading is one of the things I can't quite bring myself to do anymore unless the planets have aligned JUST right.

Currently Watching: The Fall of the House of Usher - again. A little too gorey for my tastes but I love the artful weaving together of different Poe stories so I have to finish it. But if we're talking about something I am watching right at this second, I've got Great British Baking Show on as a palate cleanser post House of Usher. (Hyper realistic gore is not my favorite)

Currently consuming: Nothing, but I did have tortilla salad w/steak pieces and cornbread for dinner!

Currently craving: mhmmmmm there's bread on the TV rn so I would give pretty much just about anything for a hot, fresh dinner roll

[tomatograter]

Do you have a list anywhere of your favorite hs fics?

I suppose it’s appropriate I make one now! will prolly come back to add on at some point, but as it stands

HERE’S THE FIC RECS: (it is quite long, click the readmore)

Last updated Sept 10 2021 !

Perpetuity => https://archiveofourown.org/works/12835047

Written pre-epilogues, largely about mending damaged bridges after the game. I always mention this fic as what settled me back into hs as a fandom and dirk/jake

A Palate Cleanser  =>  https://archiveofourown.org/works/21642637

The jake eulogy we missed on candy. it’s real good. (now with a podfic version on the second chapter!!!!)

It’s only a canvas sky

==> https://archiveofourown.org/works/28718544

Their guardians dead at the hands of the Condesce, growing up in the shadow of her slow takeover of the Skaian Federation, Dirk Strider and Jake English have spent their whole lives alone up until shortly before their twelfth birthdays.

Or: Dirk fixes a transmitter, makes a friend, builds a robot, and tries to communicate affection over distance to the barest possible minimum.

(A good mix of fluff/angst/yearning, captures early & friendship dirkjake REALLY well, a good analogue au to their canon upbringing!!)

Sburgatoria  => https://archiveofourown.org/works/20726822/chapters/49242167

What if we were four lesbians stuck in an uncanny valley real housewives purgatory-esque-suburbia and we bickered then kissed 😳

Prologos 

https://archiveofourown.org/works/23961157

“Sadstuck for the discerning jakeliker”

Magnesium Ion, Porphyrin Ring  => https://archiveofourown.org/works/21787465/chapters/51988876

Jade + Jake exploration throughout their growing up years, the relationship they had to their guardians and to one another between split realities and time. 

I Know What You Think Of Me  =>  https://archiveofourown.org/works/21516589

You never knew you wanted vriska and jake to be friends but now…. you do! and they’re going to gut a mountain of salmon to get there. Hilariously masterful vrisrezi to boot.

What Happens In-Between =>

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24240424/chapters/58409713

i KNOW you aren’t done with jaded fisheries observer vriska just yet and for that i’m thankful to say, we have a sequel, and dirk is in it to her great annoyance

Drive it home with one headlight  => https://archiveofourown.org/works/19281412/chapters/45856705

The Hitchhikers Guide to Your Ex-Boyfriend ==>

https://archiveofourown.org/works/25747519/chapters/62875855

EXTENSIVELY ILLUSTRATED!!!! Post-canon fanadventure focusing on jake, brain ghost dirk, and a very concerned third party inhabiting jake’s brain that isn’t all too happy with the current turn of dubiously canon events. Still updating, very fun and smart.

The Four Kings, the God Thief, and the Black Diamond Pirates =>

https://archiveofourown.org/works/17886581/chapters/42220607

DIRK AND VRISKA. PIRACY. SONG. HOES (JAKE)

Sea shanties for Thots (Four kings sequel) =>

https://archiveofourown.org/works/22210135/chapters/53028541

jake needs to adjust to his new life and occupation overseas, ft; more songs, more piracy, and schrodinger’s hoe. Extensively jake-introspective, told through his POV.

Song of the Pyre =>

https://archiveofourown.org/works/10875459/chapters/24161439

EPIC SCALE vrisrezi space opera ft. hardass legislacerator Terezi & outlaw Vriska being forced to work together after they sort-of-accidentally kill terezi’s shitty clown ex. Feelings are caught, trials are held, there’s a revolution coming. Delightfully written. Reads as pretty solid and complete despite the 19/21 chapters done - ACT 1 counts as a book of its own, ACT 2 is solid.

Pilot Light, Pale rapture (full series)  => https://archiveofourown.org/series/1403233

“They want you on Olympus, they want you on a faraway star watching the planet turn benignly. They want the original Gods in the four corners of the earth, protectors in an invisible palace. “And the Witch sat vigil in her southern eastmost realm, looking down upon her descendants,” they’d say, “and saw that it was good.

You do not have an Olympus. You have a house that smells like burnt toast, because Davepeta did just that only an hour ago.”

Prospit kids + Really Good and Fun earth C shenanigans ensue. Incredible insightful exploration on Jade, her childhood, and mostly what happens after the curtains close and she finally has time to be awake.

After Meat, Aftermath. (full series)  => https://archiveofourown.org/series/1420354

In one universe, college!au Rose lalonde takes barre classes. In another, arguably more relevant one, Rosebot peers into her life. this will lead to inevitable chaos. incredible rose + kanaya + vriska + jake + dirk focus and one of my fav AU’s.

*below are my favorite dirk-focused works:*

Detective Pony

https://archiveofourown.org/works/2427119/chapters/5371283

At first I didn’t include this one, having taken for granted that everyone had read it already, but I think as of ‘21 the fandom is a bit different and not many have. Facts being: this is the definitive solo Dirk Strider story; seamless with the detective pony book dirk edits in homestuck-proper, deeply indulgent, funny, and cathartic, one might even say. Also an audiobook and a webseries, if that’s more up to your speed!

A Eulogy for Laplace’s Demon  (After Meat, Aftermath spinoff)  =>

https://archiveofourown.org/works/20047735/chapters/47475769

A good jump-in point for AM,A but hugely more focused on dirk arguing with his own demons. Doesn’t pull any punches.

Dualshock Desertbloom =>

https://archiveofourown.org/works/18428552/chapters/43651733

Dirk wakes up in a scalding liminal space and splinters his beta self out of his body like an amoeba parting in two. It’s a Predicament. They have to learn how to cohabitate if they want to try to figure out what the fuck is going on, and Dirk can’t help but prod and poke around to learn more about his twisted-funhouse-mirror-self along the way. Really meaty character-study, some of my favorite dirkvoice (and brovoice) passages are definitely all over here.

House of Dirk => https://archiveofourown.org/works/19156126/cha pters/45530146

dirk and caliborn, in a sitcom, holding hands. nothing bad could ever possibly happen

Timaeus, Testified. => https://archiveofourown.org/works/19479223/chapters/46368625

“go crazy go stupid!!!!!!” - dirk strider, metamonster

*Fun / short / thoughtful stories:*

Two idiots at Homoville, N69, TX

==> https://archiveofourown.org/works/26130925

Dirk freaks out and goes on r/relationships to try and figure out how to mend the semi-relationship he has with his weird roommate. (hint: his name starts with J)

Light Without Effulgence

==> https://archiveofourown.org/works/25986289

Rose is having a writer’s block. Jake is bored in the middle of his family’s own vacation. They sit down to mercilessly pick at each other’s brains, and the results may surprise you (not clickbait)

Interrogating the text from the wrong perspective  => https://archiveofourown.org/works/615521

(Calliope and Rose have fandom wars. Its really funny)

Witching Hour  =>  https://archiveofourown.org/works/12620732

Eschewal  =>  https://archiveofourown.org/works/4284384

jake goes ham

Dreamscapers => https://archiveofourown.org/works/22455073/chapters/53653849

Stygian blue =>

https://archiveofourown.org/works/23946412/chapters/57588850

Terezi and brain ghost Vriska have a conversation. (illustrated!!!)

Bitter =>

https://archiveofourown.org/works/30871334

Jaw-dropping JadeRose comic oneshot; meta, jealousy, crushes, and girls being a little off.

*FANADVENTURE CORNER:*

CHOICELESS HOPE

==> https://archiveofourown.org/works/28100313/chapters/68850048#workskin

Your name is TEREZI PYROPE.

You have been searching the depths of the FURTHEST RING for CHILDHOOD BEST FRIEND, PRETEENHOOD NEMESIS, TEEN SWEETDIAMOND, and POSSIBLE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE, VRISKA SERKET, for what may or may not have been THREE MONTHS.

-

Near the start of her search for Vriska, Terezi is offered a choice.

KITTYQUEST

==> https://mspfa.com/?s=32792&p=2

Centuries in the future, the daughter of jade harley and davepeta pierces together what it is like to grow up knowing your parents and much of your extended family are immortal beings. Incredible art, lots of really really fun cameos and incredible worldbuilding (Not epilogue compliant, barely credits compliant, remains one of my favorite extended pocket universes to this day.)

FAILURE TO LAUNCH

==> https://mspfa.com/?s=34750&p=1

It’s june egbert’s first night out! From the official TV programme summary; “Starring the one and only JUNE EGBERT! Who knows what shenanigans will ensue… Wild hootenannies? Late night pizza picnics? ROMANCE??? Tune in and find out on FAILURE TO LAUNCH!” this can only ever end well, right?

THERAPYSTUCK

==> https://mspfa.com/?s=36345&p=3

That’s right, buckos. The lot of you are going to therapy. Turns out after a member of the tight-knit god community (Sollux) decides to seek a little help, more shenanigans were sure to follow.