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Recently got back into some stranger things fic (don’t ask why idk)

And I see a lot of people complain about the fandom because it’s “cringe”.

Hot take, but the stranger things fandom is not cringe enough. Fandom is all about cringe and weirdos. It’s a community for people who love a piece of media and engaging with it in every way they can.

I’ve seen people complain sm (especially in the early pandemic and when season 4 came out, but even now) about how cringe all the edits, or the cosplays or shipping two characters that hardly interact or writing fic is. And I’m like, what do you think fandom is? If not this?

The stranger things fandom is EXTREMELY tame as far as fandom goes. There’s just so many more mainstream fans that come into fandom spaces and shit on things that they don’t understand.

Fandom is for the freaks and weirdos, and that’s what I love about it. And that’s especially true for a show where the main characters themselves are outsiders and nerds. Like what are we talking about?

It boggles the mind.

Anyways, cringe is dead, send fic reccs lol.

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By the way, fanfiction isn't the place for reviews or criticism.

When you're a published author, it's like you're preparing a meal in a food competition. You expect a rating and to be told what worked and what didn't to improve your craft and embark on your career.

When you're a fanfiction author, it's like taking some of your free time to enjoy the process of baking cookies and then offering them to someone to be kind.

If you take a cookie from the plate, you don't spit it out and tell them it sucked.

Unless the writer asks for your opinion, you can keep it to yourself.

Adding this to clarify, and you don't have to agree with this by any means, I cannot force you to, but the reason Ao3 and Fanfiction isn't the space for criticism and ratings...is that it is a fan space created by fans for fans.

It isn't school.

It is a space where people with the same interests can congregate and enjoy the same fandom.

When you think about commenting on an fanfic authors fics, don't think if it as fishing around in your pocket to give them a compliment.

Compliments are nice. Most everyone likes compliments.

"I like your character development."

"You paint wonderful imagry."

Those are comments that are compliments. Speaking for myself as a fanfic writer they're nice, but they're not what my fan heart craves.

I want engagement with my readers.

The best comments I get aren't talking about my skill as a writer, but what just happened in the story because you and I (the reader) are already fans of the world created.

Comments like:

"NOOOOOOOO!"

"Did she actually just do that?"

"EXCUSE me?!?!"

None of these comments are compliments and none are critical. They are emotionally aligned with the story. They are engaged and with this engagement we create a little community in this tiny little space we get to call ours.

I cannot stop people from saying cruel things, but I can inform those people of the "dangers" so to speak when people treat fandom spaces like Ao3 as if it's Goodreads.

Writers, who write for themselves and offer it to you out of kindness, can decide that if people are just going to spit out their cookies they don't need to post about them anymore and that is how fandom spaces die.

If you don't like the flavor of cookie they made, or you're allergic to one of its ingredients...don't eat the cookie. Put it back for someone else to enjoy and then go find the flavor you do like.

Edit:

Allow me to offer another analogy, as there some who still believe it to be okay to leave reviews and criticism on a fanfic. This analogy comes from tinawithana and what's she says is this.

Imagine you walk into someone's home. It's an open invitation party so you walk on in with the expectation of maybe having a bit of fun. You walk through their house and you find out that they crochet stuffed animals as a hobby. Now, mind you, this host of the party does not sell these crochet animals. They picked up this hobby as a stress relief and it makes them happy. Now, imagine you take their crochet animal to them, in front of everyone, and begin telling them everything they can do to work on improving it.

Oh, look here's a loose thread and these colors don't match on a color wheel and you really should use more quality yarn.

Now...if you still think it is okay to do something like that, then I really don't know what to tell you because it is, at this point, basic decency to not shit on someone's hobby.

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sorry, I can’t talk, I need to cry because of Merthur

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- The Once and Future King -

[Image Description:

Fanart of the character Arthur Pendragon from the show Merlin (BBC).

Hand lightly grazing a torn map of Camelot and the surrounding kingdoms, Arthur gazes down with a light frown on his lips. He wears his armour with his Pendragon-red cape falling over his left shoulder, draping down his body. There is a warm glow to him.

End of Description.]

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I don’t choose ships. They choose me, and then destroy my life.

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Fanfiction is free therapy, except the therapist is making you suffer on purpose and you're thanking them in the comments.

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me: I ship them

friend: oh like romantically?

me: no. like cursed object passed between hands for centuries, they are cosmically linked, probably bonded by blood ritual, I think they’ve fought in a war together in at least three lifetimes, and their souls make direct eye contact every time they breathe in the same room

friend: so… romantically?

me: yeah. like. with kissing.

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“How could you recognize me

after all these years?”

“What a stupid question.

I was born knowing you.”

Dedicated to @thiamsxbitch

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to go along with the final chapter of my merlin rewrite ‘the once and future kings’ - here is an artwork i did to accompany it

read the fic here on ao3

and read my authors note for the final chapter below the cut 💕

This fic has truly changed my life, I cannot even put into words how incredible of an experience this has been to write and to share with all of you. When I started 'The Once and Future Kings' almost four years ago so much was different. Writing this has genuinely been such a life changing thing - it has pushed me to pursue my dream of being an author again, introduced me to a whole new interest in life (arthurian legend) and challenged me to see what I can achieve if I really dedicate myself. I don't know where I'd be without it, and even knowing how much time, sweat and energy it would take to get here, I do think I would do it all again if given the chance.

A massive thank you to Rachel, my editor, without her, OAFK truly wouldn't have been possible. And also a huge thank you to every friend, and loved one who has listened to my endless rants and rambles about this fic.

Thank you to all of you for every single kudos, comment and kind word you've given this fic. I have read every comment, I have cherished every message and heart and smiley face you have sent my way. You have made this experience so wonderful, and I owe a lot to you all for getting me through to the end.

Here's to the end of OAFK, I hope this fic has brought you as much joy and enjoyment as it has to me - please let me know what you thought of this final chapter and I hope you will all continue to stick around to see what I do next 💕

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I never know if I should recommend this series or mind my own business because, you know, ✨trauma✨

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EPIC

Photo from Portland Pride 2019 © The Oregonian

[Photograph of a man dressed as Captain America, from behind with his shield on his back, waving a rainbow-striped American flag]

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bitches be like i'm fine and then cry about dead gay wizards from the 70'

...anyway have some wolfstar

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REAL! I firmly believe that they both liked each other at different times. They make me insane

unrequited marylene will be the death of me

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omg he loves him so much that makes them look stupid

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Treating myself with some soft Merthur :>