Fic Writer’s (& Moodboard Maker's) Year In Review - 2019
Having a go at this again even though I'm months late.
General fic stats for 2019
Word count on AO3:
127,878 says Ao3 but I'm not sure how it calculates that.
My own figures suggest I only posted 86,632 (it'd be a bit more for moodboards but not by more than a few thousand).
Average Words Per Story:
3609
Number of fics on AO3:
24 fics (also 8 fanmixes, 1 meta, 1 vid and 217 moodboards)
Fandoms written for:
The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, Arrow, Primeval, Teen Wolf and Harry Potter.
+ for moodboards:
(and ficlets in some cases) also – Fringe, Glee, Good Omens, Supergirl, Batwoman, Buffy, Uncharted, BBC Sherlock, Stranger Things, iZombie, The 4400 and OUAT.
Total Words Written:
164,175 – I wasn't the best at keeping track but this is my estimate. Same as in 2018, I seem to have written about twice what I posted. I need to get in the habit of finishing stories...
Some moodboard stats, out of 217 moodboards:
43 had a ficlet or story blurb with them 40 were non-Arrowverse29 Polyam51 Femslash28 Slash33 Het76 Gen
Shortest Story:
Not counting any moodboard ficlets it would be the 1st chapter of Potential Energy (for my Hartmon drabbles) "Just For Context" at 304 words. I really want to do more short fic for my favourite pairings, makes it more likely I'll finish them.
Longest Story:
“I Can Only Stare” which I added another 12k to this year. Longest story fully completed this year was “Simply Things Steady In My Heart” though, at 7697, my ensemble gen piece for DCTVGen Valentine's that I was quite proud of since it was the first time writing a lot of those characters.
Looking back, did you write more fic than you thought you would this year, less, or about what you’d predicted?
Slightly less than I expected based on 2018 – my aim was 208,000 words written and also that much posted - but then 2019 was not a good year for me, so in that regard I think I did more than I might expect based on circumstances. I definitely wrote less on certain fics mind you. I really hoped to get ICOS finished in 2019 and thought I'd do more on “Why Should I Trust You” too.
What pairing/genre/fandom did you write most?
Pairing: Answering this for moodboards too, that was definitely Snowest (with Snowbarry and Hartmon following closely behind).
For fics... most was Snowbarry at about 20k, followed closely by Savisnow at 17k and then Snowestallen at 12k. I was pleased I created more for Hartmon and for Coldwestallen this year, as well as a little bit for Westhallen.
Genre: Angst with a happy ending for fics I think? And AUs for moodboards since that's what most play around in.
Fandom: Definitely The Flash.
What pairing/genre/fandom did you write that you would never have predicted in January?
Pairing: Olivarry. Not because of any lack of liking it but because I was convinced I couldn't write Oliver but I tried anyhow and managed a ficlet. Similarly for Sterek even though I only did a moodboard, but it was more than I'd previously managed or thought I could do. Similarly with Coldflash too (see a pattern...) but I'm getting better at writing Len. Sometimes it really pays to just try.
Fandom: In terms of fic, Harry Potter, because I didn't think I had any inspiration for it anymore but I wrote a small poem "Almost Anything" that I initially had anon for it and also a few moodboards. For moodboards, Batwoman because I didn't know about it at the start of the year.
Genre: Maybe the meta I posted. I hadn't considered posting that on AO3 before but I decided to because I wanted to test out an rss bot for Fringe fanworks on the discord server I set up and with postings so rare in the fandom it made most sense to find something to post myself to test that with (the first bot didn't work out but someone liked the meta being posted). Moodboard wise I did a couple of more adult themed moodboards, only one of which got posted so far.
Did you take any writing risks this year?
I think mainly the risks were in writing new pairings, especially in writing Coldwestallen for the rarepairswap. But also it felt risky posting a very dark fic chapter (Deserve Your Silence) because I wasn't sure anyone else would enjoy that but I was wrong there.
For moodboards I started off the year with the ambitious plan of 31 days of Snowest and other than being a bit behind on a few near the end I did manage it overall. Didn't manage so well with a board a day planned for Femslash February (only 17) and Multiamory March I think I did about 19. I surprised myself with how many I'd made overall for the year but I do find it relaxing and really enjoy the visual storytelling.
Do you have any fanfic or general writing goals for the new year?
Going to try the same goal as last year to post as much as I write, though I expect most of the posted will be stuff I wrote in previous years. Probably only aim to write/post 156k this year though.
I also want to focus at least as much on some of my older fandoms (Sherlock, Fringe, SGA and Uncharted) and get a few WIPS posted even if maybe no one will read them.
I want to make good progress on my (now 3) bingocards for Bad Things Happen Bingo, DCTVGen Bingo and new Hartmon Bingo.
Moodboard goals I have a few – currently want to do more of the Femslash boards I didn't get to in February, as well as Multiamory March boards. Also intending to have a gen focus in April and using May to focus on moodboards that have been in progress for way too long.
From the past year of writing, what was your...
Best story of this year:
Not sure how to judge best but I'd go for “Tell Me What Were We Meant To Be” which was my Snowbarry Elementary AU. I loved blending the two settings and I loved how it turned out and other people loved it too. :)
For moodboards, maybe Thallen - Fake relationship for an investigation. I so wished I could have written the fic to go with it, it was mostly so clear in my head but I didn't have time.
Most popular story of this year (by kudos):
For fic Ao3 says “Why Should I Trust You” and “I Can Only Stare” are top with 139 and 117 kudos but those were both started before 2019 and I think it includes older kudos. My most popular 2019 fic was one of my shortest, my 2nd Coldflash ficlet "Burden of Proof" that got 92 kudos.
Sterek mystery AU was my most popular moodboard at 166 notes. I was just wow at how many as most of my moodboards are around 30 to 50 notes.
Personal favorite:
"Don't You See (What Could Be)" a Snowbarry Lust for love AU because it has humour and angst and complexity.
For moodboards, my fav is probably Bisexual Eddie Thawne. Partly because Eddie and nobody can pry this headcanon outta my hands. Probably also because of the cinnamon roll visual joke.
My favourite fic to write:
One I haven't finished/posted yet, oops. Out of the posted ones I found this SB memory issues fic "To See You As You Are" pretty fun due to seeing Caitlin unburdened and carefree for a bit.
For the imagery that was most fun to play around with, my SB role reversal summer and winter spirits with ficlet to go with it. It wasn't that popular but I love the colours and felt really proud of the scenario created.
Most fun to write:
"A Force To Be Reckoned With" because Helen Cutter is always fun to write.
Moodboard most fun to make Coldwestallen White Collar AU. :D
Story with the single sexiest moment:
One that's PWP and on a secondary account so no link to that... In which case I think this was the only smut I wrote on my main account was Saivsnow ch1 of "Trust & Other Negotiations" so is sexiest by default.
Moodboardwise my Snowestallen BDSM board for Barry Allen week.
Most “holy crap, that’s wrong, even for you” story:
I wasn't sure I have one like that but thinking more on it "Deserve Your Silence" maybe considering the theme of wanting to be free of suffering via any means. My hinted Hartmon other Earth tragic fic “Not Precisely A World Away” has Cisco going a very dark place so maybe that fits.
For Moodboards there's 3 contenders. Dark!Oliver/Felicity/Savitar, Savitar/Cobalt Blue!Eddie or Dark!Eddie as Godspeed.
Most challenging to write:
I think "We'll Get There Sometime" Coldwestallen fic because Len POV is hard. I'm verbose and Len is a less is more character.
Also on moodboards my Snowest Pacific Rim AU because of the manips involved.
Funniest fic:
I'm not sure my moodboards are very funny but closest is the pan joke on Pansexual!Kara.
For fic, the Lust for Love AU fic mentioned before, but I can not honestly claim credit since the funniest lines are taken from the original film.
Fluffiest fic:
Probably my Hartmon ficlet "Just For Context" - I can do cute!
Moodboards I do more fluff than with fic but it's hard to measure. I think Snowest New Year's?
Saddest fic:
Deserve Your Silence again. Or "Almost Anything" the regretful Draco poem. In Flash fic "Words are necessary evils" for Iris POV on Savitar and how the speedforce/duty Barry feels keeps affecting her.
On moodboards, maybe the one for OUAT Killian Jones.
Fic I’m proudest of writing:
"Lead You Home" it was challenging getting the plot and pseudo science parts well enough that timey wimey BS made rough sense. Also emotionally getting that character turn around was difficult. The speedforce characterisation was a further argh what am I doing but it was so worth it. I feel proudest of how it turned out and I knew it would never have much readership but the person I wrote it for enjoyed so there's that.
Also "
Would You Fight The Stars
" which was dear to my heart as a view into canon Hartley's downfall. There's so much to unpack with how Eowells treats Hartley and Cisco as employees, and as pawns pitted against each other.
In terms of moodboards, I felt so pleased with how my lyrical Sterek board turned out, though it was nowhere near as popular as the mystery AU for the same pairing.
Also honorable mention for my Hartley joins Team Flashboard/ficlet.
Least popular fic:
My Helen whump ficlet mentioned earlier, because she isn't a popular character and the fandom is old so.
I thought least popular moodboard would be The 4400 one with 2 notes but Eddie/Caitlin is only 2 as well and there's a couple with just the 1 note.
1) Joyce Byers moodboard. Figure it's because I'm not really in the fandom and maybe it doesn't show up in tags.
2) My Christina McGee board is also 1 note but she herself is underappreciated too.
I have 3 different fanmixes with 0 kudos too (Savifrost, SavIris and Savisnow, there's certainly a pattern there). Fanmixes rarely get much feedback though.
Biggest disappointment:
Nothing? I don't post things I'm not at least reasonably happy with. There were a few things I hoped for more kudos/comments on but rarepairs be like that.
General writing reflections:
Two thirds of my creations are for events or requests. I maybe should focus more on just creating without those, even though they are helpful motivators at times. Less deadlines, less stress. I'd already figured out I should not sign up to big bangs for writing or too many exchanges per year anyhow.
Writers You Should Read:
Anything by @ttinycourageous (AO3:define_serenity) or @kitkatt0430 (AO3:kitkatt0430). Also @kleptoandpyro (AO3:kleptoandpyro) and @sophiainspace (AO3:SophiaCatherine) do great stuff. There's so many more fab writers about though, so I am otherwise just gonna point to my bookmarks again here.
Favorite character to write:
Yet again it's Savitar but I did figure out why this year. The tldr; is... grappling with writing anger when socialised as AFAB to not show anger and catharsis at crap hands of fate.
Favorite opening lines: Not many it turns out.
When he meets Caitlin Snow, she is hunched over a microscope in Harrison Wells' living room, a makeshift lab setup sprawled across several sturdy tables. (Tell Me What Were We Meant To Be)
Favorite closing lines:
He won't let himself think of how many things he is capable that wouldn't leave a mark, at least not on him.
And he can't see past his plentiful excuses to the real reason: relief at continuing his path of least resistance towards its inevitable conclusion
.
(both from different drabbles on
Julian Albert shorts
)
Trusting in them, he relaxes into their embrace in a way he hasn't ever before. (We'll Get There Sometime)
Other favorite lines:
He didn't see how much it was he didn't want to be a burden like he'd felt he might be, how much it was a comfort to him as their lives changed drastically.
Times change; this feeling he has, as he steeps his thoughts in a sinkful of crockery and cutlery, doesn't.
Those she missed more because as time went on she had nothing left of the people they left behind too.
Of all the things Len stole, stealing away himself was the quickest, the hardest, the most harrowing because what he took was priceless and irreplaceable
A new taste, like a new line read, a new page in her story that's for her alone.
No matter where else he belongs in his life, he will always belong here in a timeless fashion – as Ray and Nate would say, one does not simply stop being a Legend.
(all from different character segements of "
Simple Things Steady In My Heart
")
Those thoughts were the precursors to his creation, the devaluation of Barry Allen's life in the face of everyone else who could live and live fully, unlike him. (I Treat You Wrong)
For every moment he feels like his warmth is infectious enough to melt her a little, there is always another push back – an equal and opposite reaction.
Still, it's so bizarre compared to how he'd dreamt this moment would be, but so much better, because those were idle dreams and this is really her, really into him
. (both from "
Tell Me What Were We Meant To Be
")
All the words muttered across timelines and universes, as one of them kisses another, merging into near meaningless murmurs. (Burden of Proof)
“Lucky we heal in a flash then, or a frost,” he teases and she playfully swats his arm at the joke. (To See You As You Are)
There's anger to be sure, but deeper there is a fear hidden - the stomach tightening clutch of disappointment, a feeling so unfamiliar after eons that he can't name it anymore.
"Oh, my beautiful boy, if you're saying that you don't understand,” she says with a mournful shake of her head, “That's like asking to be saved from gravity.
(both from "
Lead You Home
")
Even a rhyming verse - practically a spell - pressed close to her ear like a secret delivered just for her. (spirits of summer and winter ficlet)
At best, they've had to reforge a friendship, hammer it out into something new and tenuous.
(
Trust & Other Negotiations
)
The lie is so carefully constructed – from the faded postcard on the pin-board sent by her best friend who moved away when she was 13, to the My Little Pony she knows is in a box in the top of the closet that would now be collectible if not for the bite mark from the neighbors dog, and the quilt spread over the bed with patches of her old clothes sewn in - she doesn't want to tear the fabrication down yet because she has nothing to replace it with.
(
Elements of Belonging
)
There are no answers, just infuriatingly soft smiles from a woman who is not a woman, not a person, who is not his mother but he follows anyway, with his own matching smile that strikes new fear in her heart.
(
Words Are Necessary Evil
s)
And some favourite moodboards...
Rip Hunter
Molly/Mary
Barry/Cisco role reversal
Barry/Caitlin scifi horror
Nina Sharpe
Caitlin/Iris criminal AU
Caitlin/Iris artist AU
Caitlin/Iris Coldflash AU
Caitin/Iris Fifth Element AU
Caitlin/Iris valentine's date
Caitlin/Iris HP AU
Savitar/Frost Khione/Poseidon
Savitar/Frost/Reverb
Barry/Hartley/Cisco
Sara/Kendra
Barry & Julian friendship
Barry & Kara friendship
Seblaine moviestar accidentally married AU
Barry/Caitlin college Halloween AU
transgender Cisco Ramon
Cisco/Hartley mobster AU
Cisco/Hartley Beauty & the Beast AU
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