#wonderful fandom friends

[tracingpatternswrites]

Last week I received a parcel in the mail. I knew it was coming, of course, because I’d given my address. Also, @brinkworth and @marley1031 had asked if I’d mind if they bound my fic.

Nothing, however, prepared me for the absolutely gorgeous binds that arrived. In the end they did four of my fics and the thought and care put into this is absolutely mind blowing.

They have posted beautiful photos that are much better than mine in their own blogs, please go and have a look:

Wilder than Mountain Thyme

Unbound by you

Married at First Sight

over blackened water

Each of the fics did not only come out looking absolutely gorgeous, but they also all had a unique bookmark with a charm. The art chosen throughout is also absolutely amazing.

Inside, there are beautiful blurbs and a foreword for each of the longer ones, written by a fandom friend.

I cannot begin to say how this made me feel. It’s truly an amazing gift to receive and when I unpacked it and read all the little things I cried so much I had to stop for a while.

Thank you to @heartofspells, @narcissa-black-supermacy and @squintclover for your beautiful and kind words.

And most of all, thank you @brinkworth and @marley1031 for the time, effort and care you put into this. I’m so grateful and humbled. This has truly made my whole year.

I’m putting some more photos below the cut.

[merlinsbudgiesmugglers]

✨🌈SEND THIS TO OTHER BLOGGERS YOU THINK ARE WONDERFUL. KEEP THE GAME GOING🌈✨

[kawareo]

I have drawn these gross old men so much in the last year oh god

[crazy-ache]

I’ve been interacting with new fanfic writers and also been seeing some folks share the fact that they care about hits, bookmarks, and comments on their work as if they’re embarrassed by that fact.

I’m just here to say you shouldn’t ever ever ever feel that way.

Writing, in this case fanfiction writing, can be a very lonely journey at times. If you’re brave enough to post online, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to receive validation. Because when you don’t, I think that’s the equivalent of playing or singing a song and nobody claps once you’re done. Imagine the Olympics or local sports arena or little league game with empty stands. Not a single soul cheering at the end of a concert. Nobody shows up to the art gallery. Nobody eats the baked goods you made with love at the party. All of those scenarios undoubtedly hurt.

Yes, you did it for yourself. Because you love this passion of yours. Because you’re working on your skills. Because you’re proving something to yourself.

But there’s a reason so many of humanity’s passions happen in front of a crowd.

Art is meant to be seen, music is meant to be heard, and yes, fanfiction is meant to be read.

We all want to know our art made an echo.

And yes, we all want to know somebody clapped for us. It validates us, it encourages us, it motivates us to keep going when we’re burnt out. It’s also just plain fun. All of these apply to world class musicians or athletes. For fan fiction writers, the audience cheering is as simple as a hit or a comment. It’s someone engaging with our work in a positive manner. So if you’re feeling that way and you feel bad about it—remember you’re human. And your passion and hobby is just as worthy of receiving audience reception as anybody else.

Fanfiction is a communal space, not just a solitary act. Give love back. Engage wherever and whenever you can. Open yourself to viewing this as a two way dialogue with other writers and readers. Give yourself grace and compassion when you’re disappointed. And when it’s your turn—don’t forget to clap.

[that1notetaker]

The ringmaster and the amphitheater. The chessboard and the player. Round and round they go.

[ladyloveandjustice]

I think you definitely pulled that ambiguously creepy vibe off, Ms. Midorikawa.

(this is Junji Ito, for people who don't remember)

[filmbro-girlblogger]

what a fucking loser no wonder he has no friends (i say while panting and shaking like a dog)

[clowningcrows]

so do we think that neil was always the first one to include people and support and accommodate them bc he knows a little too well what it’s like to be on the other side of it or

[mikeluciraphgabe]

Reminder to not make things weird between Walker and Leah!!

[hitwiththetmnt]

With camp over, I think that uranium’s getting picked up @kaiga555

@tmnt-fandom-family-reunion

Cabin #7 (7Wonders of the Turtleverse)

[merlinsbudgiesmugglers]

@sophie-hatter-jenkins how dare you make me cry when I haven't even been drinking 😭😭😭

Day 10: A Fest/Event Fic

Title: Whiskey, Neat (Rated E - 4k words - Remadora)

Author: @merlinsbudgiesmugglers

Summary: A rough day leads Tonks to a muggle bar after work, where she meets a stranger who will change her life in more ways than she knows.

Why I'm Reccing It: Two reasons!

Firstly, because its by Merlins, so it is beautifully written. The depiction of Tonks is (of course) superb. Her thoughts, emotions and motivations leap off the page, and I love how unapologetic she is. On top of all that, the atmosphere throughout the fic is both vivid and compelling, and it is (also of course) super-hot. It made such a lasting impression on me that it even inspired one of my own WIPs!

Secondly, because it was written for the Behind the Greenhouse Fest run by the fantastic @greenhouse-seven crew (of which Merlins is one half) this summer. Not only did I have an absolute blast writing for it myself, GH7 has been a source of inspiration, support and comfort for me ever since I first wandered through the doors earlier this year.

@hprecfest

[souenkun]

Roughly-done manga and anime comparison for yorishima's debut! ✨️

[edenfenixblogs]

Well Drawfee is officially no longer safe media for me :(

Karina liked multiple tweets conflating a PSA for antisemitism with Israeli propaganda and claiming that Israel planned its assault to coincide with the superbowl…

Julia liked posts claiming that the war isn’t a war. Nobody has liked anything about antisemitism or even acknowledging Jews are in danger right now.

TBH I’m devastated.

I have Drawfee art all over my home. I was actually gonna become a patron this year. I’d literally been saving to make it feasible. This is crushing. I feel sick.

[phightingscreenshots]

Phighting screenshot day 329

This is from @mossy-paws :3c

[were-wolverine]

thinking about. how both tim and dick lost their best friends. ones they never thought they would have to lose because of their powers. ones they never thought they’d outlive. ones they got back.

(this is about donna & wally/kon & bart)

[starrspice]

I've been meaning to ask, in the Silent Shanty au, how do Eclipse and Y/n know each other? And why doesn't Y/n remember him?

Well, they spent a summer together a long time ago.

Eclipse would travel overseas with his father during the summer, and while playing on the beach one afternoon he got swept out to sea by the current. Y/N helped pull him back to shore, and the two played together everyday that summer.

Those summer memories have always held a place in Eclipse’s heart, and he’s spent years trying to find them again. But it was such a long time ago Y/N’s nearly forgotten