#comment reblog kudos engage

[sotwk]

Many fanfic writers and artists are just one bad day or one discouraging experience away from throwing in the towel and leaving your fandom.

If you don't want to risk this happening to a favorite creator of yours, today might be a good day to let them know how much their work means to you. :)

#favorite writers and artists are hard to find #and harder to replace #please keep supporting #comment reblog kudos engage #support writers #support artists #fanfiction #fanart #fanfic writers #writer stuff #writers on tumblr #artists of tumblr #artblr #writblr #fandom

[xhanisai]

hey lads if you’re not gonna comment on a fic you enjoyed, at least leave a kudos man

#delete later #on like half of the stories i've written on ao3 or more #i don't even get 10% of the viewers leaving kudos on my work and that's just kinda tiring man #we've come so far from the fanfiction.net days where writers solely thrived on comments and private messages to KNOW if their work is well #received by the online people #now you can just press a BUTTON to know that you enjoyed a story and it only takes like half a second! #there are so many people online who are constantly BEGGING everyone to PLEASE comment or review or let them know somehow that you've enjoyed #their work because we get so little feedback often and it is demotivating af #but if you're not gonna comment AT least leave a kudos rather than staying silent and consuming the stories like it's nothing #one thing i loved in the beginning of the ml fandom was how interactive everyone was with fanfics and how it had such a positive status #people were happily reblogging and leaving kudos and commenting LOADS back then #now???? it's literally SILENCE #back when my writing was worse prepandemic i easily got hundreds of kudos in a few days #but now i'm struggling to reach even 200 kudos in three months on my newer oneshots #engagement rate is soooooo bad now and it's demotivating af #i think this is why i prefer to write and send drabbles on discord because people there do respond and react to my works and it gives me the #push to keep going

[vendacti]

Razor is a cute kid. Shy, just as Lisa said. His eyes wander to the pavement and nearby windmills whilst speaking, and his hands often fiddle with the buckles on his gloves. He doesn’t say much; sentences stilted, as if he has to mull over every word before he speaks it. “My name… Razor,” he greets. “Is,” Lisa softly supplies. “My name… is Razor.” Before they are sent on their way, Lisa beckons Razor closer and brushes the boy’s fringe from his eyes with an almost motherly touch. They speak softly, but still, Heizou hears her wishing Razor well, bidding he be safe and that he listens to ‘the smart detective.’ A funny little thing plays in his throat as Razor nods fervently at her words.

here's chapter 10 (making this my longest fic yet)!! in which heizou goes on an adventure with bennett and razor - and sees some things he shouldn't have.

#genshin impact #shikanoin heizou #kaedehara kazuha #yun jin #heikazu #bennett genshin impact #razor genshin impact #please reblog or leave a comment or kudos or what have you if you read the fic and enjoy it!! #been feeling kinda down bcuz of lack of engagement :(

[thunderboltage]

unpopular opinion (apparently): i love all of the attention and love my writing gets and could never really be bothered much that it only gets likes or that people comment what they wanna?

#i do wanna point out that i get it - its always to have people reblog your stuff cause it definitely helps with visibility and such #but i cannot find it within myself to tell people DONT BOTHER because they dont?? #im blessed to even get 1 like on the silly stuff i put out there lol #i just find it so rude and a good way to dissuade people from wanting to engage at all #im doing better when it comes to commenting - whether here or ao3 - but sometimes likes/kudos are kinda just themost convenient atm #until i can find that one post addressing this i just felt the need to say it here - but i def wanna reblog it over yonder as well #its just like...man..yeah validation is nice but do you for YOU #i personally enjoy constructive criticism so yes please tell me how to improve but i also enjoy knowing you simply liked what you read <3 #something something algorithm something something empty accounts - cant really do anything about them and they dont bother me lol #i just felt the need to vent a lil bit about this - i get what people are saying but whoa it comes across very rude and mean #and now i dont want to even interact with you lol because you came across waaaay to strongly about something that wasn't that deep #anyways i should go to bed its 6 am #ami sez

[ao3commentoftheday]

managing creative envy

Just like in other areas of our lives, it's easy to be jealous of others when we create in fandom spaces and post online - the online aspect of fandom just offers more opportunities for it. Hits, kudos, comments, reblogs. Whatever unit of measurement you look at, there's always some number out there ready to tell you who's "better" and who's "worse" at whatever creative endeavor you engage in.

Except that none of those numbers actually gauge skill or quality.

When we're jealous of those numbers, what we actually wish we had isn't bigger numbers, it's attention. Reassurance. Excitement. Community. Whether the number is 5 or 5000, that's what it represents. We want those things and that other person has more of them, and so we end up jealous.

To manage that jealousy, we need to understand what we need and then find ways to get it. It might not come from posting on AO3, but maybe it comes from a local writer's group. Maybe there's someone in your life that you wish cared a little more about your "silly stories" and took you more seriously when you spoke about writing. Maybe what's missing isn't related to writing at all and it's more about having someone who cares about you and thinks you're important.

But numbers are just one thing to be jealous of. Perhaps the envy is instead because of another person's abilities. They come up with such interest plots! They have such fun ideas! They always have the perfect words, the singing phrases. For them it's easy, and for me it's just impossible!

Whether it's easy for them or not isn't what's making us envious, though. It's not about them and their abilities at all. It's about feeling like our own skills are lacking. The envy comes in because that person has what we want and don't yet have.

If we want to get past this type of envy, we need to refocus our energy away from being sad or angry or hopeless because another person is able to do something. Focus instead on celebrating the things we already do well. Take the time to notice improvements. Identify specific things we want to do better, and figure out how to learn. Remember, asking for help is always an option - and it might even lead to that feeling of community that might be lacking too.

Emotions are information that we need to take the time to interpret. Take the time to reflect on what's causing it. Find the thing that's missing from your experience and then figure out how to fill the gap.

#thinky thoughts #I haven't quite got all my thoughts together on this one yet #but I want to put this out there #and see what experiences other folks have had #try to fill in the gaps in my own understanding

[swordsmans]

prompted by a baffling conversation with one of my friends + overall trends with events like big bangs. apparently i am deeply underestimating the amount of, like, actual consumption crossover between fanartists and fanwriters. i've been operating under the assumption that the majority of fanartists don't read fanfic and that fanfic is a relatively niche thing mostly shared between fanwriters with a few outlier exceptions. like, that the "communities" or w/e are relatively separate??

this is possibly because i've been out of "fandom" for a few years (or bc im not on twitter/insta where the artists hang out), but i feel like most of my friends are other fanwriters and most of the people who actively engage with fanfic on tumblr/ao3 are also fanwriters (and vice-versa with fanartists gravitating to each other). however. my friend disagrees? neither of us are actually artists tho so i'm putting the question out to the crowd. (more thoughts) ->

side note: i didn't include an option for being BOTH a fanartist/fanwriter because 1) you're like rare and exotic birds to me 2) i'm trying to figure out who falls into which category based on what community you "identify" with the most. if you write the occasional fanfic but you mostly think about/create fanart, you're a fanartist; if you mostly write fanfic but every now and then will think about/make some art, you're a fanwriter. the group you're more likely to engage with. that kinda thing.

side note 2: you will see i have included an option for fanwriters who don't/rarely read fanfic. i know you exist because that is my category. i read fanfic but do so rarely these days. i'm selective because i dont have a lot of time on my hands. this is possibly another reason why i feel like engagement between fanwriters is so high, because if i'm going to engage with a fanfic i'm gonna put my whole ass into it since that's the kind of engagement that makes me happiest from a writer's perspective.

for reference, when i say "engagement" i'm talking about leaving kudos, comments on ao3, asks/comments on tumblr, tags on reblogs... that kinda thing.

with all of this in mind, this could literally just be because fanfic writers are more willing to engage with other writers bc of their own shared hobby and/or because fanfic writers know what kind of engagement theyd prefer on their own fics and act accordingly--and non-writer/artists are just more willing to engage in general because that's the primary way you participate in fan communities. on the flip side, fanartists might just straight up be a really quiet bunch... possibly because your thing (affectionate) is "visual" more than "verbal" (if that makes sense).

basically... this is exactly what i'd like to know LOL.

#this is mostly abt one piece because i DEFINITELY feel like there was WAY more crossover between artist/writers reading fanfic in homestuck #but that was also literally a decade ago & i feel like theres been a HUGE shift in how people see/are willing to engage w fanfic these days #THIS ISN'T SHADE OR ANYTHING I'M GENUINELY SO CURIOUS #i found out some people i assumed didnt read fanfic at all actually DO and i was BAFFLED #the librarian urge to do research create categories and make lists #spiders loopey is an outlier and should not be counted lfasjlhlhsdfsdhfkjs (kidding ily) #gyro.txt

[darcydoesfuckall]

Fun Fact!

Fanfictious Authoria are a species that sustain themselves entirely on a diet of brain worms, unfinished WIPs, and kudos. As one of the three fundamental food groups, removing kudos from the fandom ecosystem causes a complete collapse of the natural order. In times of unprecedented scarcity, entire populations of Fanfictious Authoria can die out completely. This means that the production of fanfiction, in that particular region of fandom, stops entirely, often causing major ecological damage, and the subsequent deaths of fan species in the same genus. (Like the Fanfictious Artia, or the Fanfictious Editour, both of which subsist on fanfiction based diets to survive.)

In conservation efforts, experts are imploring readers to donate kudos and comments toward any fandom region that they want to stay alive.

[...]

Fan creators are human beings, not AI content generators.

They have real human feelings and real human egos. The contemporary attitude towards media engagement is skewed towards algorithmic, instant, and uncritical consumption. This is pumping straight gasoline into the beautiful lakes of our fandom ecosystem. Fandom cannot afford to treat its creators like mechanical text generators. We are not an unfeeling assembly line, only there to produce content. We are enthusiasts, engaging in our hobby. No fan creator has to show you anything. They are fully within their rights to keep their works hidden in their computer files, never to see the light of day. Every fanfic on AO3 is only there because someone had the grace to share it with you. You are not entitled to an author's work, just as they are not entitled to your kudos. We have a mutually beneficial arrangement. Do not forget your part in this symbiosis.

It's a problem that extends beyond AO3. Tumblr is a less enthusiastic place than it used to be. Fandom as a whole is drifting towards a consumption mindset. I, for one, am sick of it. Reblog things, like them, share them. Make fanart of fanart. Who gives a shit? Do the cringy thing. You don't have to cultivate your blog aesthetic. Be who you are, like what you like, and have enthusiasm about all of it. Fandom should be an expression of radical self acceptance. Embrace it. Leave essays about fics that you liked. Reblog the essays of other's when you see them. Exist in the mutual joy of seeing and being seen. You are not just an external observer, absorbing content from a distance. You are here too. Wave back at us. Say 'hi.'

An excerpt from this post about why you should comment on AO3

#ao3 #fanfiction #fanfic #GO fandom I'm looking at you #good omens #ineffable husbands #crowley #aziraphale #ineffable wives #ineffable husbands fic rec #ineffable idiots #ineffable partners #ineffable spouses

[ewanmitchellcrumbs]

If I read a story I really enjoy, my first thought is to leave a like or a kudos, and a comment or reblog. In some instances, if I am moved enough by a person’s writing, I will reach out via DM to tell them how much I like their work and ask about their creative process.

However, I have never liked another person’s story so much that I have thought “I will take this and post it as my own.”

It’s the wrong thing to do, but I can understand why people do it. You see, there is a high that people chase; when you first post a fic and the notes begin to roll in, that attention is addictive. It can be difficult to continue to supply to the demand you’re suddenly getting, and you don’t want to slow your roll because then people lose interest and move onto the next shiny, new thing.

This is where I have seen some users resort to plagiarism.

You should write because you love the process, write because the story you want to tell feels like it will continue to claw at the inside of your skull until you get it out, write because you are passionate about it.

I have fallen into the trap of being obsessed with engagement, and feeling like a failure if my fics don’t surpass a certain number of notes. It’s never gotten so bad that I have been tempted to copy the work of others, but I have worked hard to get myself to a place where I’m reminded why I fell in love with writing in the first place. I’ve disciplined myself not to look at notes, to feel satisfied with what I publish, and to strive to be better with each piece I write.

If it’s the recognition that drives you and not the creative process, then I urge you to reconsider your mindset, because a little known fact is that no amount of praise or kudos will ever feel like it’s enough. It’s addictive, and you will be forever chasing a feeling of satisfaction that you’ll never achieve.

You actually worsen this by stealing the work of others, because while you may receive praise for what is considered to be “your” work, that recognition is empty and meaningless, because you’re receiving compliments for something that isn’t yours. Subconsciously, your mind knows this, so the praise doesn’t scratch the same itch it usually does, so you double down and repeat. It’s a vicious cycle.

Please learn to find love and satisfaction in your writing, or step away until you can. The enjoyment of your craft should never be at the expense of taking from your fellow writers.

#tw: opinions #plagiarism is never okay

[seakicker]

I’ve been writing for about ten years privately and publicly and across multiple different websites, fandoms, and eras of favorite characters. I first started writing fanfiction physically in notebooks I stashed under my bed since I didn’t own my own laptop until I was 18, lol. I had originally started writing as a means to cope with feeling like The Ugly Kid because I never had a serious relationship in my pre-teen and teenage years. I was always on the chubby side and, given fanfiction’s tendency to depict readers as extremely thin and physically much smaller than the character in question, I sought to make my own stuff that would, hopefully, alleviate some insecurities and give a place to people who felt similarly to me as a kid. Well, I also started writing because I was horny and hormonal and just wanted to fuck pixels, but that much goes without saying. 

I don’t think writing has much of a place in my current life for a variety of reasons and, despite what I said the other day, I don’t see it being a part of my future and I’m okay with that! It’s a hobby that has served me very, very well for nearly ten years (roughly half of my life now since I’m 22)— I’ve learned to like myself so much more than I ever thought I would have as a teenager, I’ve opened myself up to different ways to express myself and my sexuality, I’ve met a lot of really cool people, and I think I’ve been able to help other people out quite a bit, too. I always worry about coming off as overly pretentious or self-righteous when I talk about helping people through the power of porn fanfiction, but when I’ve received so many messages over the years about how I’ve helped other plus size people learn to feel a little more secure or how I’ve helped people feel less guilty about masturbating and enjoying sex, I think it’s a fair statement to make. I’ve had tons and tons and tons of good times as a writer, but I think reading these messages about helping other people are absolutely my favorite times to look back on. It makes me feel really good. 

I’m in a completely different stage of my life now compared to when I first started writing and I don’t think the hobby appeals to me much anymore. I do think the tumblr game of notes and numbers and interactions has stressed me out some, but it’s by no means my main motivation to hang up my hat and move on to a new era of my life. I don’t care about getting a bazillion notes or a million followers, I just like to be a slut online and help other people feel good about themselves in the process, but any person who makes content will be the first to tell you that it does hurt at least a little when you make something you’re insanely proud of and it gets an amount of likes/reblogs/kudos/comments/etc you find disproportionate to your follower count or subscriber count. Nevertheless, I try not to focus on numbers too much and, while I’m somewhat successful at that, I and many other writers and artists do feel that tumblr has a major problem with interaction, reblogs vs likes, and engagement and tumblr staff’s own decisions to introduce things like community labels certainly don’t help. 

As I said, numbers are not my main inspiration to quit. I’ve experienced near endless burnout since about January of this year where none of my ideas feel unique and original, none of them excite me, and nearly all of them make me worry that other people won’t enjoy them. It’s hard to want to write when you don’t feel like you’re making anything good, and, as I’m sure you all have noticed, I’ve taken a lot of breaks this year to hopefully get myself back in the swing of things, but I never return feeling refreshed and excited by new ideas, so that was the biggest indication to me that I’ve simply grown out of another hobby and I’m a changing person with changing interests and desires, and that’s okay! I’m emerging into a new stage of adulthood after graduating college and beginning to move out of my parents’ house, and so a shift in my hobbies and likes is to be expected. I had a conversation with another writing friend of mine who gave up writing publicly about six months ago, and my feelings sounded a lot like his, so that also suggested to me that I’m just ready to be done. 

I’m infinitely thankful to everyone who’s ever been a part of my writing journey, whether you reblogged a fic once or were a regular emoji anon who stopped in frequently. I really cherish the memories I’ve made and I was always insanely excited to see people claim new emojis, see regulars in my inbox talking to me, and read nice comments and messages. When I say that writing has been a pivotal part of my life for a decade now, I mean that in so many ways, especially in the way that it has brought so many cool and nice people to me. I’ve made mistakes and I’ve said and done things that hurt other people, and I’m grateful for the forgiveness and reconciliation others have given me just as I am thankful for all the people who have supported me throughout my online presence. 

I do feel guilty about leaving, but you guys deserve a proper goodbye instead of me putting my blog on hiatus again and just leaving it there to sit. I’d like to formally leave instead of just going dormant or disappearing, and this is that formal departure. I’ve had thoughts of quitting in the past, but those were when I was already feeling upset with other things in my life so I knew they weren’t real, but I’ve been thinking about this consistently for about four months now in clear mindsets and headspaces so I know it’s a little more real. I put myself on hiatus this last month to really think about it and, while it’s natural to go back and forth on such a decision and try to talk myself out of it, I really am ready and I don’t feel like I need to convince myself to stay when I’m not happy with my content. I owe you guys regularity and consistency, and I’ve failed to be a consistent writer or poster these past few months or so, and I’m sorry for that. I’ve talked about it a lot with my boyfriend and my close friends, and I feel it’s best for me to move on now and try some new things! I’m excited for this next stage of my life as I seek out a new career, look to move in with my boyfriend and get out of my parents’ place, and maybe get engaged too ☺️ 

My tumblr and AO3 will remain up with the same usernames and whatnot. I can’t even thank you guys enough for everything you’ve given me in the past years. I’m happy to call you guys friends and the “parasocial BAD!!!!!” debate that pops up in fandom circles needs to stfu because building a friendship with your audience and allowing yourself to be human with human feelings instead of some blank figure behind a screen is literally normal, lol. When people say nice things to you, it’s normal for it to feel good. When people say rude things to you, it’s normal for it to feel bad. 

Thank you for 10 years of love and thank you for reading! 

💛💛 Juju

ps think of me whenever you see pregnancy

#lots of love forever and ever and ever #so much love in my heart for you all and excitement for my future #uhh i don’t have a twitter or anything but my discord is tartagliawife if anybody wants to say hi!

[codywanfirstkissbingo]

Codywan First Kiss Bingo, Week 2: Round-up Boogaloo

WHEW.  What a week.  Before diving in to the round-up of this week’s amazing fills, we wanted to take the time to thank all the folks who are following this blog not because they’re participating, but just because they’re liking and reblogging and sharing the work our first kissers are posting.   Please continue to be as awesome and generous as you’ve already been with your comments and kudos on the items in the AO3 collection, and remember that reblogs are love here on tumblr– help spread that love by reblogging this post and any other prompt fills you’ve enjoyed. 

And now, without further ado, this week’s splendiferous fills, which include first fills from some of our first kissers, and some fills from people posting fic they’ve written for the very first time.  Please make sure to wish them congratulations and many more fics to come!

Art:    

@dontbelasagnax (AO3 profile) our mod lasagna posted two absolutely gorgeous pieces, one for a celebratory kiss, and another for kiss of life.  

@wrennette (AO3 profile) posted two beautiful fills, fic for kiss to the temple and kiss anywhere but on the lips, and art and fic for kissing through smiles & dip kiss.

Fic: 

@babygirlbridger (AO3 lothcatthree) had a fill for climactic kiss & a kiss on the corner of the mouth.

@biscuityskies (AO3 profile) was this week’s winner of the highly unofficial category of “most fills in one fic,” filling all of these squares: forehead kiss, kiss to the temple, kiss on the cheek, climactic kiss, neck kiss, kiss anywhere but on the lips, tender kiss, & kiss on the nose .

@drauthor (AO3 profile) fill for loving kiss.  

@eloquent-apollo (AO3 IcarusFalls) had a fill for drunk kiss.

@foreverchangingfandoms (AO3 profile) is really aiming for a blackout with fills for, nose kiss, sleepy kiss, nervous kiss, morning breath kiss, accidental kiss, kiss anywhere but on the lips, forehead kiss.  

@inkformyblood (AO3 quicksilverfox3) had a fill for sticky kiss.  

@insertmeaningfulusername (AO3 profile) had a fill for sticky kiss.

@lttrsfrmlnrrgby (AO3 thosenearandfarwars) our mod lttrs had a fill for dip kiss.  

@michaelaariadne (AO3 profile) had fills for desperate kiss, sleepy kiss, and temple kiss. 

@random-letters-i-just-thought-of (AO3 profile) had fills for keldabe kiss and kissing through smiles.

Our socks are permanently knocked off and in orbit with how impressed we are with everyone's fills and engagement-- please keep your enthusiasm for all our first kissers going!

#codywan #cwfkb2023 #round up post #cwfkb round up

[saiyanmazen]

Vegebul fic recs!

I'm currently reading some great Vegebul fics that I want to share with everyone.

These are being regularly updated, so your support with kudos and comments would mean the world to them and keep the good stuff coming!

A Sinner's New Path by Katschusa. Priest AU, although not all human. Priest Vegeta is assigned to redeem a sinner. He meets Bulma, but obviously things don't go as planned and he discovers that the Saiyans aren't as pious as he had been led to believe.

Four Times by LawnchairIII. This is a great author who has a series called Learning Warmth that I highly recommend. This particular is part of the series, but can easily be stand alone. It deals with the aftermath every time Vegeta has been confronted with Frieza.

Friendiversary by @ex35life. This fic is really exciting with such a great plot. Goku and Bulma plan to hunt for the dragon balls the oldfashioned way to celebrate their anniversary as friends. But, of course, their spouses insist to join them. The author also has a great collection of 'Saiyan poems' called Let Me Count the Ways.

Crooked Ways by bajablessed. I've reblogged this before, but I'll recommend it again because this fic revolving the 3 Year Gap is so engaging. I was growing a bit tired of 3YG fics, but this resurrected my love for them!

The Last Vow by Gitane. Vegeta is a part of Frieza’s force and is outposted on Earth when he meets Bulma. They're inexplicably drawn to one another, but their evening is interrupted when Frieza suddenly decides it's time to take over the planet. Bulma is taken to Frieza’s ship.

Inhale by serenityhime1. Another 3YG fic that is just wonderful to read. It contains the POVs from both Vegeta and Bulma, but in particularly captures Vegeta’s thoughts so beautifully.

These are what I have for now, but I have several others on my to-read list.

Please reblog to share these amazing fics and add any current fics you enjoy!

#vegebul #vegeta #bulma #vegebul fanfiction #dbz fanfiction #fanfiction recommendation

[theemperorweek]

The Emperor Week 2024

The Emperor Week, a week-long event celebrating out favourite mind flayer from Baldur's Gate 3, will be held on March 11th-17th 2024 here on Tumblr, on Twitter, and on AO3!

FAQ:

How can I participate in this event? Create a fanwork centered around the Emperor and publish it during the event (March 11-17th 2024). If you post your work on AO3, submit it to this collection. If you're posting it on Tumblr or Twitter, please @ me (@TheEmperorWeek) so I can reblog/retweet it!

What kinds of works do you accept? Whatever you can think of! Fanfiction, fanart, podfic, meta, fan videos, cosplay photos, fiber crafts, anything you want, as long as it features our favourite illithid.

How many works can I submit? As many (or as few) as you like! The event runs for seven days to give everyone who wants to participate enough time to post their works, but it doesn't mean you have to make something for every single day (but you can if you want to!)

Is NSFW stuff allowed? Of course! Just make sure to tag it appropriately when posting on AO3, and follow the guidelines of the social media website you're posting your work on.

What about works featuring dark themes (e.g. graphic violence, non-con, etc.)? Sure! As a rule of thumb, if it's allowed on AO3, it's allowed here. Again, be sure to use the correct warnings and tags.

Do you accept works in languages other than English? Yes!

If, for any reason, I can't finish my work before the end of the event, can I submit it later? Sure! After the event concludes, I'll keep the AO3 collection open for a couple more weeks.

Is there going to be a list of prompts/themes for this event? Nope! This is a bit of a test run, so I decided not to have a prompt list this time, as to not overcomplicate things and give everyone total freedom in what they choose to create.

I could really use some prompts though? I need inspiration! You can check out the AO3 Tag Cloud! Also, @kelpie-bael came up with their own list of Emperor x Tav prompts, which you can find here!

I don't think I'll be able to create anything for the event. How can I still participate? By engaging with fanworks created by others! Leave kudos and comments on works in the AO3 collection, comment on and share works posted on social media, rec your favourite works to fellow fans who might also enjoy them. Before the event, if you're a writer on AO3, consider adding a Permission Statement to your profile, to let others know if they can make transformative works inspired by your fic (art, podfics, translations, fanfic of fanfic, etc.)

I have more questions! You can DM me on Tumblr (theemperorweek) or Twitter (@TheEmperorWeek), or send an email to [email protected]!

#bg3 #baldur's gate 3 #the emperor

[mindibindi]

Former and Current Fanwriters Poll

So this issue came across my dash again the other day and, as a retired fanfic writer, I'm interested to get a general tumblrina perspective. Please reblog for larger sample size.

#poll #tumblr polls #fanfiction #fanfic #ff writer #writing #writing community #fandom #fandom community #fan culture #ao3

[littlemisspascal]

2023 & Me

Been thinking a lot these past few days about everything that's happened with me in 2023. Hard to believe it's coming to end--time seriously does fly 😮

There's been some heavy losses this year. Several family members passed away to illnesses and old age, including my grandfather who I had a strained relationship with to say the least. I also had a shocking family drama bomb dropped on me earlier this month that has had a huge ripple effect I'm still navigating, but fingers crossed things will find a way of working out for the best.

I had some severe mental health depression episodes throughout the year, made me reevaluate priorities and also doubt pretty much every choice I've ever made in life, but I do truly believe I'm entering 2024 in a positive mindset so that's something to be happy about :) I'mma try this crazy concept called self-love and not think the worst about me, myself, and I.

My writing took a hit this year. Word count wise, kudos wise, engagement wise--but I also made progress on several wips and even finished a few which is a big accomplishment for a snail writer like me 😊 I want to enter 2024 not feeling guilty for being self-indulgent or trying new kinds of writing styles. I also want to shake off the belief a low note count equals it was a bad fic/waste of time -- I don't believe that for anyone else, yet my brain always uses it as a weapon of insecurity against myself and enough is enough brain 😠 no more I say!

On a more positive note, I was fortunate enough to attend several conventions this year and improve my cosplay skills (2024 Ahsoka is gonna be my best look yet I just know it 😁). I got to meet total sweethearts Jon Bernthal and Charlie Cox, Steve Burns my childhood hero, the dear Jodi Benson, the gorgeous Rosario Dawson and beautiful Ming-Na Wen, and of course I can't ever forget Andrew Garfield 😱💗 And most importantly of all I did each these cons with my sister and made some lifelong memories! (Also bought a heckin lot of stickers. A heckin lot 🥰)

And then of course the crown jewel of 2023 1000% hands down was attending the United States Formula 1 Grand Prix. Good lord y'all it was one of the best weekends of my entire life! If you had asked me a couple years ago if I'd care about a sport--any sport--I'd have laughed in your face but there's just something so addictive and captivating about the world of F1 and its cast of characters. And having the luck of getting Alex Albon and Daniel Ricciardo's autographs on my dumb lil frog bucket hat was just *muffled screaming* I literally was a shaking mess lemme tell ya--just ask @beecastle and @undercoverpena who were there with me on my phone every step of the way 💜 thanks for putting up with my addiction y'all! Much much love to you both!!

AND THE FRIGGIN FACT SOMEONE GOT A PHOTO OF ME AND DANNY TOGETHER 🥺😭😭 NEVER BE OVER IT NOPE

There are so many people on here that made 2023 a bright and kind and fun one for me---@oonajaeadira @something-tofightfor @wheresarizona @trinkets01 @kyberblade @sofasoap @grogusmum @writeforfandoms @psychedelic-ink @kteague @prolix-yuy @wildemaven @the-blind-assassin-12 @practicalghost @gnpwdrnwhiskey @bishtrouille @nothoughtsjustmeds @kirsteng42 @miraclesabound @radiowallet @harriedandharassed @hopeamarsu and dozens dozens dozens more!

Thank you to everyone who's liked, reblogged, commented on my blog + sent me messages! I appreciate and love you all so much more than words can ever express 💜💗💙🧡

2024---let's bring it on! 🥳

#i have spoken

[ao3commentoftheday]

This is my reluctant fandom rivalry story. It’s long. Please bear with me. 

A couple years ago I got into a major (read: very active) fandom. I wrote a few fics, then began what would become my longest WIP to date. That WIP generated a lot of interest, and as the smut escalated, I started getting more engagement with a fic than ever before – especially after posting a scene in which the characters finally hook up, in a very kinky and unexpected way. While working on this story I was following the work of other writers, and at one point a certain author who is pretty prolific and well-established in the fandom posted a finale to a work that they hadn’t updated in a long time. 

Seeing as how this work featured an uncommon ship dynamic for the pairing I write for – which my WIP also featured – I was interested to read this particular work. Then, when I got to their newly-added finale, I was astonished: it featured a scene that very closely paralleled the hook-up smut scene that I had just posted about a week or so prior, to a startling degree of similarity. So here were two characters in a very specific relationship dynamic—ages differing from canon—who were hooking up in the exact same way as my characters (also of this age/dynamic), down to the very same environment and scene context – the same uncommon blocking; same uncommon smut scenario – in a way that I’d thought was highly original when I wrote it (I haven’t seen anything like it before or since), and posted very close behind when mine was posted! The author even went out of their way to say that they’d actually written that scene “months ago,” and were only just getting around to finally posting it… /: *suspicious eyes*

You can see where I’m going with this. 

While not exactly plagiarism per se, that author received a tremendous amount of positive feedback from their many followers, while my chapter received a comparably modest response (though still very positive by my own standards, being so new to the fandom). I also worry that a good number of shared readers had encountered the other [popular] story, first, then caught up with mine after, only to wonder if I had copied the other author (unless they bothered to go into “chapter index” -> “full page index” to confirm publication dates, it would’ve looked like mine came after once I posted the next chapter). 

I decided not to confront them about it, though. There was no way I could prove that it wasn’t “parallel thinking,” even if it would make for a very odd coincidence. The wording was not the same, but it was structured very closely to what I’d written, including certain spicy details. I didn’t want to stir up drama in a new fandom, especially with such a popular author, lest I inadvertently alienate myself. 

But here’s the thing: I decided to just be flattered that my work had "inspired" theirs, and I tried to get past any lingering resentment by befriending them. Left kudos and the occasional nice comment on their work. Followed them on tumblr. Liked/RB’d their posts. But they steadfastly ignored me completely, for reasons I can only guess at. We have many common mutuals and they never like/reblog even my most popular posts (though these must cross their dash), though they will promote similar posts by anyone else. 

Over a year later, I’ve continued to follow this author’s work, keeping an eye out for other “coincidences” (though it’d be very ballsy of them to "borrow" from me again, since my work is more widely read now). Meanwhile, I have risen in popularity, myself, and while still not as popular as that author, I’m very proud of my own contributions to the fandom, and feel that my writing is a lot stronger than theirs. So I really shouldn’t let it get to me, but seeing them around all the time, being praised for their mid-level works and interacting with so many of my mutuals (while giving me the cold shoulder) still rankles me. Recently they even posted something about showing common courtesy by not stealing others' work in fandom, etc. that really rubbed me the wrong way. I stewed over it for way longer than is healthy. 

Any advice on how to navigate this one?

I want to enjoy my time in this fandom, but their ubiquitous, icy presence and my own lingering paranoia casts a pall over my experience.

This is one of those situations where you either need to confront them directly and let the chips fall where they may or you need to block them on every platform you share and pretend they don't exist.

You can't seem to get past what happened in the past, but you're also not talking it out with them. That means that you're stuck where you are until something changes. That thing is either messaging them directly or removing them from view.

Do not write a callout post. From what you've outlined here, you have a suspicion with no solid facts one way or the other. Writing a public post will just create fandom drama and having been tangentially involved in that before, do. not. recommend.

Personally, I think you need to evict them from your mind because they've been living there rent free for too long. But that's just my opinion. What do the rest of you think?

You can also find this ask mirrored over on Dreamwidth.

#asks and answers

[anxiouspineapple99]

Hello Pineapple Pals! In honor of reaching 212 followers I have chosen to do something a little different!

In appreciation for the beautiful people in this fandom, this event is for spreading the love and engagement boosting!

I will be accepting participation forms starting today: November 2, 2023 and will no longer accept them after November 10, 2023.

I blogs will be assigned via DM to you by November 15.

Event will begin November 15 and end on December 5.

To participate please fill out this form. You will be assigned a blog based on your preferences.

Due to the possibility of interaction with adult content, this event is open for 18+ only!

You must reblog with a comment AND/OR tag, a minimum of two (2) fics or art pieces from the blog you are assigned. You are welcome to share more if you want.

Comments don’t have to be novels. Even just a react meme is perfect! Write what you’re comfortable with!

Make sure to tag #pineapples’s 212 follower event

AO3 links will be accepted. You must reblog the link for the works to you selected here on Tumblr and interact in some way (kudos are accepted) on AO3. (AO3 engagement is on the honor system as I will not be checking)

If you for any reason have a problem with the blog you are assigned, please DM me and I will arrange a trade.

You DO NOT have to read an entire long fic if that is all the blog contains. Two chapters will be all that you have to read.

No c!onecest or questionable pairings (rexsoka, power dynamic, etc)

Ragu List: @secondaryrealm @sev-on-kamino @dystopicjumpsuit @mooncommlink @moonlightwarriorqueen @sunshinesdaydream @starrylothcat @starqueensside @mandos-mind-trick @multi-fan-dom-madness @808tsuika @msmeredithrose @trixie2023 @wolffegirlsunite @mythical-illustrator @wings-and-beskar @wizardofrozz @ladyzirkonia @eyeluvmusic21 @523rdrebel @idontgetanysleep @clonemedickix @isthereanechoinhere96 @littlemissmanga @sinfulsalutations @the-bad-batch-baroness @freesia-writes @dickarchivist @eclec-tech @dreamie411

Extra taggies for people who may be interested: @cloned-eyes @nika6q @amorfista @tech-deck @tech-aficionado @frostbitebakery @clone-anon @vimse @queenjiru @vivaislenska @zaana @lightspringrain @rain-on-kamino @imarvelatthestars @marymunchkiin @eternal-transcience

#pineapple’s 212 follower event #event time #event announcement