My god fellow AO3 writers: if you're posting the first chapter of what you know is an ongoing story, mark it as an unfinished multi-chapter fic (with or without a final chapter count), not a completed fic that just grows more chapters as you continue.
I'm not talking about discontinued works or one-shots that authors go back and add more chapters to - IMO that's a totally valid use of "completed." But I feel like I'm seeing an uptick in people mislabeling their obviously work-in-progress fic out of what I suspect is the assumption that people auto-filter out incomplete works. So look, a) I promise I don't, I read uncompleted stories all the time, and b) tricking readers into thinking your fic is complete will not endear you to them! Own your WIPness!
"People mostly write and read very character driven, specific ship focused fic, because what most people want out of fanfiction is to focus on the romance between characters they're not getting in canon so they can soak in the vibes."
Yes, absolutely. And thank hell for all the authors who write character-driven, ship focused fic for us to soak in the vibes to.
But also…
thank hell for all the authors who write angst, whump, and hurt no comfort, for us to luxuriate in blorbo's hurt and pain and cry or cackle.
thank hell for all the authors who write cheating, love triangles and affairs for us to consume large quantities of popcorn to and yell 'oh no, they didn't'.
thank hell for all the authors who write case fic, mission fic, and intricate, plot-driven stories to replicate the feel of canon, when canon has stopped or gone wrong.
thank hell for all the authors who write 'fix it' fics when canon has betrayed us with bad vibes, plot holes and deaths.
thank hell for all the authors who write poly ships when what we need is just for everyone to get along and screw instead of screw up.
thank hell for all the authors who write gen fic when we're not interested in romance.
thank hell for all the authors in fandom, and all the wonderful, different kinds of fanfiction they write for us.
Bought a pen for my tablet because I was hoping that taking notes when I read would help me retain the information better. Reality: I just get distracted and doodle now 🤡