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Where is the fun in Fandom?

Back on Tumblr because Reddit is so frustrating.

What’s happened to fandom recently? It’s so bad out there. It’s just not fun anymore. Sorry if I missed a memo, but isn’t fandom meant to be fun?

What’s with these over-zealous mods? They suck all the fun out of fandom.

Yesterday we were discussing new content in a fandom. The new content is inspired by Greek mythology. I looked up the original Greek myth on Google, of course, because like there’s another search engine out there that’s as accessible - posted the result, just a screenshot, because I was tired (it had been a long day), but I still wanted to share what I’d found and join in the discussion.

The mod locked my comment thread and posted ‘low-effort AI’ as the reason. On a comment!! It wasn’t even the post. I’d understand if it was the post. Apparently we’re not even allowed to consult Google on a comment thread.

Good luck consulting Google on anything if you wanted to avoid AI. Good luck looking up anything on the internet and discussing it, if you wanted to avoid AI.

Good luck posting that in a comment thread if you didn’t want to become the victim of an over-zealous moderator.

Okay, I get that you want to avoid AI content in a subreddit- but my dudes, you can’t be on the internet and completely avoid AI because it’s everywhere. You might as well close down your accounts, and bin your smartphone right now.

So, tired, but still wanting to share - “hey guys, look at what I found” in a comment thread - not even a post - a comment thread - I’m meant to re-type that search result into my own words and post it in a comment, otherwise you accuse me of low-effort AI posting?? Excuse me?

That’s excessive. And totally unrealistic. And also gatekeeping. I have a full-time job and I’m a parent. Yet I still enjoy discussing things online with my fellow fans. Yet woe betide me if in a sleepy stupor I post a screenshot from Google instead of typing it out myself.

What happened to being able to react with memes and gifs? Let alone just a screenshot of search results. It just seemed heavy-handed. It hurt to the point where I felt like crying. I left, muted the sub and deleted the app too.

So where’s the fun in fandom?

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I'm not a hater but so much shit is stupid

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10 World-Building Aspects You Probably Overlooked

When crafting a fictional world, it's easy to focus on the big picture—epic battles, grand landscapes, and memorable characters. However, it’s also important to flesh out your world-building to create a ‘real’ world. Some aspects to consider when world-building are: 

1. Local Cuisine

Consider the types of food your characters eat and how it reflects their culture, geography, and economy. Unique dishes can reveal societal values and local ingredients.

2. Currency & Trade

Explore the forms of currency used and the trade systems in place. This can include bartering, precious metals, or unique items as currency, influencing economic interactions.

3. Timekeeping Practices

Different cultures may have their own methods for measuring time, whether it's a unique calendar system, seasons, or celestial events, affecting daily life and traditions.

4. Cultural Taboos

Consider the unspoken rules and taboos that govern behavior in your world. These can drive conflict and character motivations, adding depth to societal interactions.

5. Local Flora and Fauna

Unique plants and animals can shape the environment and influence the culture, whether through medicine, food sources, or as part of local mythology.

6. Rituals and Festivals

Incorporate unique rituals or festivals that celebrate historical events, seasonal changes, or important life milestones, providing insight into cultural values and traditions.

7. Language Nuances

Explore dialects, slang, or even the use of sign language that reflects the culture and social dynamics, enriching dialogue and interactions between characters.

8. Architecture and Housing Styles

The design and materials of buildings can reflect climate, resources, and cultural values. Unique architectural features can tell a story about the society that built them.

9. Social Hierarchies and Classes

Examine how social structures affect character relationships and interactions. Class distinctions can influence everything from daily life to political power.

10. Environmental Impact

Consider how the natural environment shapes societal behaviours, resource usage, and conflicts. Climate and geography can drive migration patterns and societal development.

Looking For More Writing Tips And Tricks? 

Looking for writing tips and tricks to better your manuscript? Check out the rest of Quillology with Haya; a blog dedicated to writing and publishing tips for authors!

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Me:

Bonus, Eric Nylund:

hot take! prequels are better than sequels. there’s something so deliciously tragic about knowing the ending but still hoping for a different outcome.

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There’s something utterly enchanting about the spellbook from The Worst Witch (1986). That iconic scene where Mildred flips through it — it’s pure ‘80s fantasy nostalgia.

For anyone who grew up loving quirky magical worlds (long before Hogwarts became a household name), The Worst Witch hold a special place in our hearts.

What’s your favorite magical book from film or TV? Let’s reminisce about the stories that inspired our inner witches. 🌙✨

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my plot ideas are like ikea furniture: good in theory but hard to assemble without major frustration

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writers will spend 3 hours naming a character that shows up for 2 seconds

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The thing that really gets to me about this series is that The Dragon Riders of Pern is a far older and superior story, yet if they every adapted it for film or tv now, people will just accuse it of ripping off this series.

Which is annoying.

Anyway, go read Dragonflight. Thank me later.

Oh so it’s exactly like the real one, but it looks ten times worse. 🙄

I’m tired of being here.

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Okay, so...

Writing sometimes doesn't feel like writing. It's sounds crazy but when you're so into it, it can feel like the couple you're writing about is talking right in front you. It can feel like you're siting in the middle of chaos and you can almost smell the smoke and feel the heat from burning rubble.

It can feel like you're directing a movie sometimes or it can feel as if you're engulfed in this vivid, make believe world.

Writing isn't just writing and sometimes it feels otherworldly...Either way, I wouldn't trade in the hardships of block and rare inspiration for anything else.

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This needs to be shared more.

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‘We must do without hope,’ [Aragorn] said. ‘At least we may yet be avenged. Let us gird ourselves and weep no more! Come! We have a long road, and much to do.'

The Fellowship of the Ring, J.R.R. Tolkien

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This is near-perfect, there’s only one tiny thing I would add. Please leave a short message for the author, tell them ‘Downloaded!’ It’ll make their day to know that something they wrote was so important to you that you downloaded it to make sure it was always there. <3

If any one of my posts is to break containment, make it this one.

Before January 2025, download your favorite fics, especially those with smut or queer content.

If Project 2025 goes into effect (which it very likely will now that we have three red branches of government in the US), they may attempt to restrict the use/sharing of media on sites like ao3.

This particularly applies to fics with smut or any type of queer content, because the official Project 2025 document states, "Pornography, manifested today in the omnipresent propagation of transgender ideology and sexualization of children, for instance... has no claim to First Amendment protection... Pornography should be outlawed."

Now, I don't expect ao3 to disappear or go anywhere without a fight, but it's best to be on the safe side these days.

To download your favorite fics:

Go to archiveofourown.org and open the fic you want to download.

At the top right corner, to the right of the 'subscribe' button, is a button that says 'download'. Click it.

A drop-down menu will give you the option to choose the format of your download. Choose your preferred format (.epub and .pdf are my personal favorites -- .epub lets you open a fic in the apple books app and .pdf is compatible with like every device and program out there).

When you click the button for your preferred format, a pop-up window appears confirming your choices. The title of the document will default to the title of the fic, so be aware of that and consider changing conspicuous titles to something ignorable, especially if you share the computer.

You're done! Now do this with all your favorite fics!

Stay safe out there, your favorite characters are rooting for you <3

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“The major problem—one of the major problems, for there are several—one of the many major problems with governing people is that of whom you get to do it; or rather of who manages to get people to let them do it to them.

To summarize: it is a well-known fact that those people who must want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to do it.

To summarize the summary: anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job.”

- The Restaurant at the End of the Universe (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Secondary Phase), by Douglas Adams

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I can’t believe that I woke up to this shit. Anyone but a brown woman, huh? smfh

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V for Vendetta is essentially the same story with fireworks.

Can you even imagine Erik's influence...Like him or other iterations of him have influenced so many staples of modern pop culture like modern Batman villains, Darth Vader, Berserk, Mewtwo, Daft Punk...He's that iconic.

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People be like "ohhh you can't ship Erik with Christine, it's toxic and goes against the themes of the story!"

1. Babygirl , I understand those themes just fine. I am just choosing to currently play with the characters like barbie dolls now. Get out of my sandbox.

2. It's called gothic romance for a fucking reason, their chemistry is really hot. He may be murderous and deranged but I can fix him. (Not Christine, me. It's my job as the fanfic author to put him through the Horrors™️ until he gets it together enough for her.) If Del Toro can watch Creature from the Black Lagoon as a kid, get mad when the lady doesn't get with the evil swamp monster, then grow up to write and direct an elaborate fantic where the fishman and the lady fall in love and fuck, then get critical and audience acclaim, I can write whatever I gottamn want

3. Try and stop me, bitch.