#plus a MILLION OTHER AMAZING PEOPLE IN THIS FANDOM…..

[myokk]

herbology💓

Bea: @the-ozzie

Leo: me

[steddieunderdogfics]

This week’s writer spotlight feature is:  @midsummer-semantics! QueenOfSwords1312 has posted 51 fics to AO3 in the Stranger Things fandom and 50 of them are in the Steddie tag!

@tedewitt recommends the following works by @midsummer-semantics:

A Kind of Merry War

Free-Use Health Care

Dia de los Muertos

The Fool, The World, and Everything in Between

Don't threaten me with a good time

"Jordan is an incredible writer first and foremost. They have a passion for writing that you don’t see every often. Their fics transport you into the world they’ve built and breathe new life into familiar characters." -- @tedewitt

Below the cut, @midsummer-semantics answered some questions about their writing process and some of their recommended work!

Why do you write Steddie?

I’ve somehow managed to make these guys my entire personality since they very very briefly interacted two years ago. Weirdly enough, I wasn’t even a huge fan of Steve until s4 (blasphemy, I know), but the Steddie brainrot took hold immediately and I feel like they’re genuinely such adaptable characters that putting them in a million different situations and seeing how they’d interact is one of the best parts.

What’s your favorite trope to READ?

Getting together, hands down. I will read them getting together in the same way a million times and never get tired of it, but everyone writes such interesting ways that it’s always good every single time.

What’s your favorite trope to WRITE?

Didn’t know they were dating. The small acts of domesticity that leads them to the realization they’ve basically been together without the kissing (and other things) all along it so fun and funny to me. Especially if it’s what leads to Steve’s sexual awakening.

What’s your favorite Steddie fic?

“Come what may (i will love you until my dying day)” by emurph_24. It changed my life in so many amazing ways and I credit that fic as the reason why I got into the fandom space itself and not just writing my little fics for funsies. Plus, the author is my wife now.

Is there a trope you’re excited to explore in a future work but haven’t yet?

Eventually I’d love to write a proper Getting Back Together fic, but I hate making them fight and break up so it’s going to take some mental and emotional gymnastics in order to do that first before the good thing happens.

What is your writing process like?

It varies. Either I start with a proper detailed outline, every major plot point I want to hit laid out with a checklist and I go through each part until I’ve hit them all. Or I have one single idea or inspirational quote/event/story I heard somewhere in mind and I just insert Steddie into it instead. The first one takes me weeks to get through. The second I usually end up writing 10k in a day. Either way, I talk through pretty much everything with Tara (TEDewitt) and Erin (emurph_24) before and during the writing, and they’re the best hype-people and betas anyone could ask for.

Do you have any writing quirks?

I almost always start fics with the name of the person whose point of view will be used within the first sentence. “Eddie Munson is a fool.” “They’ve been dancing around each other for months and it’s driving Eddie up the wall.” “Steve knows he and Eddie are close.” I’m not sure why I do that, but I think it just makes it easier on my brain to know right away whose brain I’m using. I also hope it makes things clearer for people who read my stuff.

Do you prefer posting when you’ve finished writing or on a schedule?

I tend to post when I finish writing (once Tara and Erin have had a chance to look through it), but I’d never published an entire fic chapter by chapter once it’s entirely written. I usually post chapters as I finish them, which makes me pretty bad about irregular updates (Sorry!). But I’ve been part of a few events now that have posting schedules and those have been WORLDS better about keeping me on track for things.

Which fic are you most proud of?

It’s a toss-up between “The Fool, The World, and Everything in Between,” “Free-Use Healthcare,” and “A Kind of Merry War.” The first is my longest fic and what I feel is the first real deep-dive into the characters, and it’s my baby. The second just did really really well and I’m still a little in shock by it. And the third was not only fun but everything I like to see in Shakespeare adaptations so it was a successful adaptation in my book.

How did you get the idea for Don't threaten me with a good time?

We all know the phrase “write what you know” and I’ve, frankly, lived a really weird life. So the story is literally just a Steddified version of a celebrity run-in I had on my birthday a few years back.

When writing The Fool, The World, and Everything in Between, what was something you didn’t expect?

I didn’t expect it to be as long as it is lol I mean, I knew it was going to be 22 chapters, but I didn’t really know going in how long those chapters would be.

What inspired The Fool, The World, and Everything in Between?

The major arcana, and my desire to write a fix-it of volume 2. I just really think Eddie deserved to live and the major arcana do tell “the fool’s story” so it was a great way to make that happen.

What was your favorite part to write from Dia de los Muertos?

The first kiss. Well, the entire thing was fun to write, but again, I’m a sucker for those boys getting together, and Eddie’s little panic attack when he surprise-kisses Steve the first time because he just can’t help it was so fun.

How do/did you feel writing Free-Use Health Care?

Like a horny goblin took over my brain and was controlling me Ratatouille-style until suddenly there was 10k words in less than 24 hours. It wasn’t even supposed to be two parts, it was only going to be one with an open ending, but I literally couldn’t stop thinking about a part 2 as I was writing part 1 so here we are.

What was the most difficult part of writing A Kind of Merry War?

Textual interpretation. I’m really familiar with Much Ado About Nothing from years of working with it, but trying to make the actual lines from the play that are featured in the fic make sense in a way that is easily understandable to non-Shakespeare fans without derailing the pacing or taking people out of the story was an insane balancing act. I like to think I nailed it, though.

Do you have a favorite scene and/or line from any of your fics?

In “Where lovers used to live (But they’ve been gone for quite some time)”, Steve finally gets to have the post-Eddie breakdown he deserves, but interwoven in that breakdown is repeated flooding of memories of how they got together before Eddie died. My favorite is when they’re getting a small moment in the RV just the two of them and Eddie is reading the Silmarillion to Steve, and Steve makes Eddie promise that when they survive the battle, they’ll run away together. Broke my own heart writing it, but god it was good.

Do you have any upcoming projects or fics you’d like to share/promote?

I always have something up my sleeve, but the current and most exciting is the Eddie Munson Big Bang. I’m working with helpimstuckposting on an omegaverse Practical Magic AU called “Pressure in Increments,” coming very soon!

Outside of these questions, Is there anything YOU would like to add?

I’ve really met some of the coolest people in the world through this fandom and I think their friendship has really helped this not die for me even when there’s times it gets overwhelming or I feel like I’m losing momentum to write. I know that no matter what else is going on, I have the boys and my friends in my corner, and that’s the best part of it all.

Thank you to our author, @midsummer-semantics and our nominator, @tedewitt! See more of QueenOfSwords1312's works featured on our page throughout the day!

Writer’s Spotlight is every Wednesday! Want to nominate an author? You can nominate them here!

[hyperfixation-symposium]

Hey all, sorry for the delay in my overly sappy end of QSMP post but I've been so so busy and unable to work on it! (I will also be getting you all in the tag games soon, watch out >:) )

This project has made a huge impact on my life in many ways. I originally made this account because I was dealing with a lot of anxiety around being publicly in this fandom, but I've grown so much and I'm so lucky to have met so many amazing people.

This project allowed me to meet people from all over, expanding my community and understanding of other cultures in a way I couldn't have dreamed of before. I'm learning a second language seriously for the first time, with the help of those I love. I grew and learned a lot about myself and, sometimes, what the Internet had in communities I didn't even know existed.

Though the qsmp is over, and I will probably slow down on this blog, I never want to lose the connections I made. plus, who knows what the newest hyperfixation will bring?

Genuinely, though, this wouldn't have been nearly as incredible of an experience without qsmpblr being there through every bump in the road. For updates, for encouraging words, for.. everything. Thank you all.

Okay before I get too caught up in my own sappiness- special thanks below the cut!

Love to my fellow co-parents and egg children admins @shadowfloofster @angel-astre @qsmp-a1-updates @justpuppi @eyesofcrows @froggiest-multifanboy @finleyisgayforreal and everyone else I don't have the tag for. I don't have words for how much this silly server and all of you in it mean to me :)

To @Ridd for being such a cool friend the entire time (I can't find your Tumblr acc if you see this I'm hunting you for sport)

@heartkade I'll forever miss your theories and running back and forth in the tags

@zerosalt LITERALLY THE COOLEST EVER WHAT

@kays-artstuff Talking to you and seeing your art always did and always does make my day

@q-starhalo Holds the most correct opinions ever and I will not take criticism

@6flyingosprey6 MOST UNDERRATED QSMPBLR PERSON EVER

@iminyourbookshelf @lacavedalex @the-crimson @pokidragon @cosmic-d1ce @whoturnedgravityoff and else who made this experience so special

@tubborucho for always having correct opinions on everything

@soratsuart of course, for getting me into the server and @rannlwitch for all the amazing conversations we've had and your awesome storytelling in RLSMP

I'm very tired and I'm sure I forgot a million names but don't be afraid to reach out!!! I love you all, thank you for taking this journey with me.

This is not a goodbye, per say. A see you later seems more accurate :)

But for now,

Boa Notie, Buenas Noches, and Goodnight qsmpblr. Love you all

(I hope this is comprehendible I'm so tired)

[orange-peony]

20 questions for fic writers!

Thank you @artsyunderstudy for tagging me in this game!

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

65 works, one active WIP and several works in the making.

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

1,365,752 (wowsers, I am very verbose)

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Mainly HP and Carry On, but I used to write in loads of other fandoms back in the days.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Constellations on your skin (drarry, 56k, E) Feather (drarry, 35k, E) New Slang (drarry, 25k, E) Graceless Heart (drarry, 132k, E) The birds and the bees (drarry, 32k, E)

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

I usually do because I like thanking people for their kindness. Receiving a comment usually gives me a spark of joy, so I feel like replying is the least I can do. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with a particular fic, and I end up not replying, but I still read every single comment and cherish even the ones with an emoji.

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I only write happy endings, sorry.

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

All of them? I've been told that some were sappy, but I genuinely can't say which are happier than others. For me they're all just as they should be.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Yes, sometimes. I used to get upset, but now I just reply with an a "write your own fic, then" or delete and move on.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

Always and the emotional kind (hopefully).

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

I have only written one, and I've deleted it from AO3. It was a snowbaz story set at Hogwarts, so an HP crossover. I had a lot of fun writing it!

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Hopefully not!

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Yes, only once because I don't usually allow translations of my stories.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

I have for a fest, and also did it ages ago with friends for fun.

14. What’s your all time favourite ship?

This question is way too hard! Drarry and snowbaz. Don't make me choose because I can't.

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

I have quite a few that are in the planning stage but are kind of languishing at the moment. I don't want to jinx it, but there's a very angsty malepreg drarry fic that I don't think I have the heart to write (I can't put them through that much drama) and the snowbaz where Baz writes fics, because someone told me it already exists and it has shitloads of kudos, which put me off the idea because my brain went "why bother?".

16. What are your writing strengths?

No idea. Feelings? I pour a lot of them into the mix and somehow people find some kind of resonance.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Descriptions. I suck so much at describing places and things. Always have, and I do try to describe more, but I just forget to. I'm bad, I know...

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

I've done it, and it was a lot of fun.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Gosh, that was a million years ago. I want to say Lord of the Rings, but I am not sure.

20. Favourite fic you’ve written?

I can't pick one, but I've got my favourite five here:

Broken (Snowbaz, 43K, rated E) - Lady Chatterley's Lover AU, so many feelings. There's star gazing and a Simon with a fever, plus Buckle the dog. Monster (Drarry, 71k, rated E) - my first collab with the wonderful @pato-roldnart. Such an amazing experience! Featuring Veela + werewolf Draco and an extremely touch-starved Harry. Chilly Feet (Drarry, 13k, rated E) - soulmates AU with soulmarks that are not there. Draco knows so many facts and is possibly a little bit on the spectrum in this one. He's one of my very favourite Dracos. On your skin (Snowbaz, 30k, rated E) - tattoo parlour/flowershop AU that I posted before My Rosebud Boy came out, so it felt very special. I love these Simon and Baz an awful lot. Graceless Heart (Drarry, 132k, rated E) - I've recently re-read it and decided that I really like it. I poured an awful lot of myself into this fic, and it still feels quite raw, but I like how it turned out.

Tagging @crazybutgood, @bubble-gumhead, @avenueofesc, @rockingrobin69, @larkral, @facewithoutheart, @martsonmars, @hushed-chorus, @captain-aralias, @cassiaratheslytherpuff, @m0srael, @toast-the-unknowing, @vukovich and anyone who fancies doing this.

[hangmanbradshaw]

20 questions for fic writers

Tagged by @urmomsonfire and I figured I should keep going with the writing questions today!!! (thanks kale, love u)

1. How many works do you have on AO3? 17

2. What’s your total AO3 word count? 796,198 (do we think I can crack a million in close to a year we'll see)

3. What fandoms do you write for? I'm still living in Top Gun summer so I'll just be vibing here for a while

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

i want to brainwash you into loving me forever (nfl fake dating au)

baby, i'm howlin' for you (wolves & foxes au)

i can't stop you putting roots in my dreamland (rival princes au)

loose lips sink ships all the damn time (pirates au)

Love (Suite Love) (my travlor inspired AU lmao)

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not? I try to!! I'm really behind right now because I get really sucked into writing (and life, been very busy with my social calendar at the moment) but eventually I'll go through and catch up. Writing like this is for community, ya know? Engagement? Making friends, being crazy together, it's the vibe. (Plus every time a comment notification dings, an idea angel gets its wings lmao it's my fave part- talking to people)

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? Unhappy ending? Don't know her. I guess you can make my wish come true just cuz it ends with them deciding to kidnap the president and cyclone being like oh my god

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? it's 2am and i'm cursing your name is pretty stupid sweet but also wanna be your left hand man/iwtby left off prettyyyyyyy sweet

8. Do you get hate on fics? Everyone's always been sooooo sweet.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind? *glances at my work from the corner of my eye* yes. just yes.

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written? My mummy fic has actual mummy characters. But I've written a lot of like inspired ones? Some loose, some closer. One based off the Mummy, one that's a mummy/national treasure crossover LMAO, one off Jurassic Park, one off Twister, one off Beauty & the Beast kinda, one off princess & the frog, one kinda princess diaries 2/how to lose a guy BUT I actually have an insane idea I came up with recently that would be a uhhhhhhh crossover I guess........I'm giggling as I think about it

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen? I don't think so? I hope not.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated? some people have asked! So maybe soon.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before? nope! but I love to riff with other writers. i'm way too particular about my own work to co-write probably tbh

14. What’s your all time favorite ship? Hangster currently! prev: buddie, destiel, sharpay/gabriella from hsm (leave me alone lmao).

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will? if I post I am going to make myself finish but I have some I've never posted that I doubt I'll finish (one's a rivals fake dating destination wedding)

16. What are your writing strengths? I'd say melancholic fluffy humor and banter, others have told me world building and being lowkey emotional

17. What are your writing weaknesses? being concise and angst actually- I struggle with that sometimes

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic? Amazing when people can do it, but I tend to avoid writing it since I'm not fluent.

19. First fandom you wrote for? High School Musical and then I took a massive break and started with Top Gun again.

20. Favorite fic you’ve written? I love all my babies for different reasons but IWTBY & That Little Farm are currently my true loves

Tagging anyone who wants to do this, also @paulmezcal as a welcome to tumblr (no pressure you def don't have to do it haha)

[scarecrowmax]

misc. tag game...

Thank you for the tag @the-cinnamontography-is-amazing <3

a band you don’t like that many others do:

not technically a band but taylor swift. i just never really liked her music and i find her so overplayed that it's actually gotten to the point i get annoyed when i hear it played.

a childhood memory that you remember vividly:

one day i came home from school after we got to visit the school library and i borrowed the bailey school kids book about cupids and so when i got home i laid down on my top bunk and read the whole book and finished just in time for dinner and i was so proud of myself for finishing it so fast until i remembered it was gonna be a full week before we got to go back to the library

least favorite animal and why:

i don't necessarily have a least favorite animal but i guess small dogs? i just find them weirdly unnerving and so often they're so loud and badly trained and not washed often enough so they smell and i just don't really like them

hot fandom take:

just because someone/something is popular in the fandom it doesn't mean it/they're good. sometimes people or concepts just suck either in general or for your experience and it's fine to not interact/block/not consume that content if it isn't doing it for you.

do you wear any jewelry, if so, what’s your favorite piece:

i wear a ring on each hand every day and i wear earrings and necklaces sometimes too. i love my rings, my hands feel naked without them honestly, but my current favorite piece is probably a necklace i made out of a broken ring. it was an adjustable one and one side snapped off so i snapped off the other side, added a jump ring through an open part of it and added a chain. it's a spider holding a skull. its super fun and very different to a lot of my other pieces.

a movie others liked but you didn’t:

i'm not really a fan of the original evil dead trilogy. like the concept is cool but the humor, the stop motion animation, and a lot of the deadite makeup is just not really my taste. i do love the 2013 movie though. big fan of that one.

three things you love about yourself:

i've learned to be just okay at things and still have fun doing them, i have really pretty eyes, the fact i make a lot of things be it food or crafts or fandom stuff i just like making things

a place you hope to visit in the future and why:

i'd love to visit somewhere outside the us sometime because i never have before

an actor that gets on your nerves and why:

there's several and honestly it's either their energy or they did some fucked up shit and im tired of people talking about them. im not gonna name names though.

things you’re excited for in the nearby future?:

i'm gonna see a band I really like on the 17th of next month and it's gonna be so great because it's a small venue so I'll almost assuredly have a great view. plus tickets with service fees were $17.50 a piece which rocks. im spending more on gas to see them than on tickets which i find funny.

least favorite ship in a fandom you’re in:

i have zero interest in naming names here, i'll keep that in my exclude tags lists on ao3

what’s the most toxic fandom you’ve been in?:

i don't think i'm actually in any. i don't interact with shit like that because i'm in fandoms to have fun and enjoy shit so i stay out of drama and will block people who suck and then forget they exist

list three things you find beautiful about life:

people care about each other even when we don't know each other, there's a million little joys to be found in life, you can meet someone and have a great time together at an event and never speak again but you'll remember them fondly and do it over and over again.

any dreams for the future?

uhhhh, not really? I've never been a big dreamer. i'm a day by day girlie from way back

how are you really feeling today?

not too bad, i was good earlier but i played a couple video games too long earlier and now my ability to focus my eyes is a little screwy and I've got a bit of a headache

tag you're it if you're up for it @rossmccallsqueen @fromcrossroadstoking @tvserie-s-world

[heart-like-a-haunted-house]

Collection: Letsby's Birthday Post & Celebration Graphics, 2021.

[ Original Post Date: October 5th, 2021 ]

[Gif created by me ( @heart-like-a-haunted-house ) — — Robert Downey Jr. images found via Google search. Editing program used, and source for other stock photos/visual elements/templates included: Canva - Pro Membership.]

🌟🖤 Happy Birthday, @letsby 🌟🖤

Vicky! My beloved Partner In Suffering! My fellow Creaky Thirsty Girl! 😍 It's your special day! 😄 Goodness, where do I even begin? I hope you have the happiest of Birthdays! You deserve all the best, today and every day. And even though I can't be there to party with ya', know that I'm thinking of you, and sending endless amounts of warm wishes your way! I love you so very much! ❤ I'm beyond grateful for your presence in my life. You make my life so much brighter, just by being a part of it. It's true that great things often come about when one is not looking for them. I believe that to be true. I remember, the first time we interacted, it was when you sent me an ask. And I'm so glad you did. Because that simple action was a seed, that has since bloomed into the beautiful friendship we share today. We've been friends for many years, and I can't wait to see what future shenanigans await us. From Fandom, fanfiction, and thirsting, to life's happiest and hardest times, plus a million things more. We've been through it all together. And I wouldn't want it any other way. I hope you know how sincerely I cherish our bond ❤ At this point, our Direct Message thread feels like home to me ❤ Whenever I see you in my notifications, or on my dashboard, it honestly makes my day, and brings a smile to my face! You are incredible! Absolutely amazing! You're the greatest friend anyone could ever ask for, and one of the hardest-working people I know. Your dedication and enthusiasm toward the things you love is glorious. You're a fabulous writer and Roleplay Partner.... You never fail to leave me in awe, with all of your stellar work! Your kindness, patience, confidence, and humor... They are gems, along with all the other outstanding qualities you have! What I'm trying to say is: I think you are marvelous! There just aren't enough words to express how much I love and appreciate you! Your friendship is truly a gift within itself. So, today, I hope you can feel that affection from me, and from everyone else in your life 💖 I hope that fuzzy feeling envelops you like a warm and comforting embrace, surrounding you with peace and happiness. Because you deserve all that positivity, and so much more. Cheers to you, and to another year, my dear 🍾🥂 We celebrate you today! WOOO! 🥳 Thank you so much, for everything you do, and for everything you are! Remember, you are so loved, by so many people! Happy Birthday to you, @letsby ❤

Now, on to the presents. ...What? You didn't think the gif was the end of it, did ya'? 😏 Oh, no, no... 😘

-----

*Please click on each photo to view it in clearer quality*

-----

Vicky's Birthday Festivities at The Stark Mansion:

[Photo collage created by me ( @heart-like-a-haunted-house ) — — 'Iron Man' film trilogy screenshots captured by me. Editing program used, and source for other stock photos/visual elements/templates included: Canva - Pro Membership.]

Vicky and Tony's Romantic Birthday Celebration:

[Photo collage created by me ( @heart-like-a-haunted-house ) — — 'Iron Man' film trilogy screenshots captured by me. Editing program used, and source for other stock photos/visual elements/templates included: Canva - Pro Membership.]

Birthday Banner Photo:

[Photo banner created by me ( @heart-like-a-haunted-house ) — — Robert Downey Jr. images found via Google search. Editing program used, and source for other stock photos/visual elements/templates included: Canva - Pro Membership.]

-----

How was that for a surprise? 😉 Yep, I did something Tony/RDJ related! 😁 Years ago, I know I told you that I would eventually watch the 'Iron Man' trilogy. Well, as a necessary preparation for making these, I finally did just that! And after gathering roughly seventy screenshots, I tried to dust off my photo editing and creation skills, plus dive into a new application I've wanted to try, haha. I hope you like the results! Of course, I couldn't settle on making only one 😆 What can I say? Inspiration struck! These were all truly labors of love, from me to you, and you deserve all the gifts that I can possibly give 💌 Mentioning that, a lil' Birthday love letter from Negan is also incoming 😘 I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 🎂

[myokk]

I love you all so much🥹♥️♥️♥️

@thingsmaygetalittlecrazy @n0va25 @ravenwind-75 @rypnami @okeydokeylackey @honeyed-blossom @light-of-the-room YOU ARE ALL SO SO SO SWEET FOR TAGGING ME🥹🫂🫂♥️♥️😭♥️😭😭🫂🫂🫂

When I joined the fandom in April/May of last year, I didn’t expect for it to become This. I’m normally just a lurker online, posting with 0 engagement and having a lot of fun seeing everytbing anyways, but leaving comments and seeing everything you all post while I drink my morning coffee has become the highlight of my day!!! I genuinely love talking and connecting with all of you so so so much♥️♥️♥️

Special shoutout to my Canadian alter-ego yapping gremlin @choccy-milky (im almost back🤭😈) you’ve made being in this fandom so much fun!!!

@thingsmaygetalittlecrazy IM TAGGING YOU AGAIN😤😤🤭 Dani why are you so sweet and amazing!!!! I LOVE YAPPING WITH YOU SO MUCH & YOUR ART IS INCREDIBLE♥️♥️♥️ I was already excited to see your art before you posted & then you blew me away with your talent🫨🫨🫨

@elliecutte AN ABSOLUTE ANGEL !!!!!!! I’m so happy you found my fic and my blog and that we started talking!!♥️♥️♥️ seeing notifications from you always makes me smile🥹🥹🥹

@latymerct the only girl here who understands that older music/rock is the BEST & Lyle is the only mc that is canon to Eloise for me🥰🥰🥰 I hope you’ve had an amazing time over the holidays!!♥️

@bassicallymaestra Kelly, you were my FIRST fandom friend & my first ever ask (about the pencils😆😆♥️) AND I ALWAYS LOVE TALKING WITH YOU WHEN YOURE ON HERE!!!!!!

@kay9leo THANK YOU for being you & for always being so sweet and supportive!!! I need to catch up on your writing, but I LOVE your writing style/voice so much & your art is so cute🥹 I may or may not have lots of little sketches with Iñaki and Eloise I need to upload soon🤭♥️

@sparxyv and @syaolaurant for some reason you two sweet artists came into my life at around the same time & I always love supporting you and seeing your AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING ART!!! & watching you both grow SO MUCH & experiment is literally the coolest thing ever🥹🥹🥹

@writing-intheundercroft for being my first writing friend♥️♥️♥️ idk how we started talking but I love it so much & you already know what a special spot your Theo & Sebastian have in my heart🥰🥰🥰 plus your writing is just so good & always scratches that itch in my brain🤌 plus all of the art you’ve been posting recently is SO CUTE !!!!

@holdmymallowsweet THE SWEETEST PERSON ALIVE !!!!!!!!!! ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ I don’t know if iou know this, but you were the first person to actually leave comments on my fic (i’d been posting it for months to an audience of: me before you found it😆) & it really gave me a lot of motivation!!! Plus it started a friendship with one of my favorite people on here🥰🥰🙏🙏🥹🥹 I love all of your writing: oneshots, the long fic, and now, your art !!!!

@traceyc-uk one of my first artist friends here!! We joined around the same time & I always love seeing New Fifth Year (may he never have a different name), your comics, and how your art evolves so much🥹♥️🥹♥️

@heylorrain tía, tu arte es increíble y estoy muy agradecida por coincidir contigo en este fandom😭♥️♥️♥️♥️ flipo cada vez que veo tus cómics y Lorra es una mc MUY especial para mi🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

@espressoristretto-patronum DES I LOVE YOU SO MUCH😭♥️😭♥️😭♥️😭♥️ my Italian counterpart…you literally have NO reason being so sweet and supportive & the best person ever🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂

@light-of-the-room SUCH A SWEETHEART🥹♥️🥹♥️🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂

& a million other people, but I ran out of tags😫 I love coming on here & talking with all of you talented people and seeing what you post♥️♥️♥️ sometimes i feel guilty and overwhelmed bc my algorithm doesn’t always show me everything, or I don’t have the energy to leave comments. I always try my hardest to comment on everything i see & like from my sneaky main blog though, & I always want to make sure everyone feels supported here!!

At the end of the day I’m just one girl who comes on here when i have a bit of free time, in addition to writing, creating little fanarts, and doing a million other things that have nothing to do with this fandom (plus work boooooooooooo🥲). So I’ll always be here when I’m able to & support you all♥️♥️♥️🫂🫂🫂 I’m excited to see what 2025 has in store!🙏

[velvetvexations]

This? After over a MONTH?

What a stunning example of the failures of radical feminism, which is to say that the audience one cultivates as a radfem can rocket someone to being the most talked about published author in the field for a hot second and then immediately throw that same person away the second she's nice to a group they don't like. Telling trans women to kill themselves they let slide, they all do that, but the second they catch wind their icon is friends with a detransitioner, suddenly really big "transfeminist" blogs are breaking the One Sacred TRF Law to reblog a callout post about a trans woman over it.

Like, seriously. I take a lot of effort to limit how much specific people are brought up or responded to on this blog, regardless of how much I like them or the things they believe. After carelessly and callously responding to an old post by a much smaller blog than me and causing them distress, I began implementing policies about the way I interact with people on Tumblr to minimize the potential for incidents to occur while still being able to discuss things happening out in the aether as a moderately popular blog.

Yet now people like txttletale, with a million times more influence than me, and who insist you can never do callouts of trans women, even if you know for a fact the trans woman did something deeply evil and harmful, because it's just so inherently transmisogynistic an action, have finally been roused to do exactly that. Seems to have worked well, too. Is this the 'social murder' of trans women TRFs are always talking about TMEs doing? it's been stunningly effective at poisoning the well so far, if these numbers are anything to go by.

And hell, the except they dug up from T/R/F is honestly pretty bad! I mean, celebrating the detransition of a trans man as a step to the road to a gender-free utopia? Wild! But I don't even think the other radfems actually had a problem with that, that's just something they can disingenuously use to back up the adjacency to a despised group in and of itself. The callout post kinna skips over the alarming stuff to talk about how the detransitioner in question oversteps her bounds as a tee-em-ee.

Plus, like, they read the book before right? They read it? While they were running around trying to force telling people to read the author into being a meme catchphrase? Surely they read the damn thing and came across that passage before, yes?

Maybe not. This is the crowd that cares more about the idea of theory than what the books they stack into Jenga towers actually say. Recently one gave me a book to read and insisted they wouldn't give me a page number for the relevant information because that would be "out of context" and I had to read it all, which is so far from how citing academic text works that I literally laughed out loud.

In all honesty, this has to be without a doubt the perfect dissection of how radical feminism is a failure and the worst possible foundation for any transfeminist theory. It really is amazing how just two people, and with so little effort, can reveal an ideology to be nothing more than a doomed, irrelevant, niche fandom on dying social media websites. It's almost some kinna miracle, because what mortal hands could do the job with such clockwork precision?

I'm sorry, this post has probably gone on way too long. I tend to ramble sometimes and there's just so much to analyze with this situation. But I guess, to put it as succinctly as possible, what I mean to say here is basically this:

Announcing a new podcast centered on radical transfeminism!

@taliabhattwrites and @dolphin-diaries unveil their evil lesbian radical transfeminist agenda: to end both Manhood and Discourse with a single podcast. Cracked Ivory is an examination of popular feminist discourses and the scholarship (both good and very, very bad) that spawned them!

In addition to our website at crackedivory.com, you can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever else you listen to your pods.

Please support us on Patreon!

[hoodoo12]

At Times Like These--

--we have only each other.

This past weekend was a blur but my exhaustion is worth it.

I splurged and saw the matinee on Sunday and well as the final show.

First, Andrew Kober as Beetlejuice for the matinee. He is AMAZING. It felt like watching the show for the first time again. People have their favorites and fans like us can appreciate the differences all the understudies put into the role, but Kober is the second best Beej. Full stop. He has a fantastic mix of desperation and manic energy, with an underlying menace that, ngl, Alex sort of lost as the show went on.

During the matinee there was audience participation I haven't heard ever happening:

Kober says his line, "All I want is for someone, anyone to look my way and say “Hey."

Couple of audience members say loudly, "Hey!"

Kober continues, "I see you."

More audience, "I see you!"

Kober, "I accept you."

More audience, "I accept you!"

Kober, "And I fear for my safety around you.”

All of the audience, "And I fear for my safety around you!"

Kober, pauses. Then, "Nope. Didn't work."

We, the entire audience, lost.our.minds.

Now. The closing show ...

Fucking hell. I mean that in the best possible way.

Standing ovations from the beginning. For every actor.

It took so long for Alex to even drop the newspaper. He tapped his foot. He leaned back (allllll the way back) to lean on the coffin. He got on the floor. Then, and only then, did he drop the paper to renewed enthusiastic applause.

Every actor played along with their rightfully deserved ovation and applause during their entrances. It was so heartwarming.

I know everyone has seen all the "what happened during the last performance" posts that people are doing, but NO ONE has mentioned these things:

1) at the end of the TBS reprise, Alex ran up the stairs with a clone and started aggressively making out with them as the set changed

2) when Adam stops him from murdering Charles and goes into his "you have groped me, etc" speech, Alex made these increasingly feral, increasingly loud snarling noises like he was getting ready to scrap (. . . or screw)

3) during the Adam and Beej kiss, it went hard. Alex groped David's ass and pretended to dip a finger between his ass cheeks/shove a finger in him, then smelled his finger when David was pulled away. Then he stalked after David for more before Kerry grabbed him.

(I know I am looking at all that though the lens of a smut writer, but hoooo boy.)

Alex Timbers' speech was nice, but not allowing anyone else to say anything?! Fuck whoever made that decision. Alex was actively walking forward for the mic when the curtain stared coming down. He and Elizabeth looked surprised, so they weren’t told about it, obviously, which is unfortunate and understandably upsetting. Here is someone who had been active with the show since 2017 helping to make it what it became plus a new star that embraced (and was embraced by) the fandom, to the point she cracked during the very last word of the show, and they were denied? I'd heard from reliable sources that other cast members had some things prepared as well, and they didn't get the chance to say anything either. It was just abrupt and crushed the energy that had been wild up till then.

This show has meant so much to so many people, including myself. Alex Timbers told us what we already knew: Over a million people saw Beetlejuice on Broadway. That the audience for Beetlejuice was statistically younger than the average for Broadway shows. That Beetlejuice was the first Broadway show for a huge number of audience members. That the fact that fans were so engaged and active that we helped bring it back from the dead. We said his name three times, and Beetlejuice returned for a real send off, one the show deserved, to 1600 adoring Netherlings.

[samaspic31]

I know people writing posts aggressively compelling people to not just like but also reblog creations mean well, but as someone who was a passive silent reblogger now posting my own stuff, and is still a creation consumer, I must say I find it to be the opposite of helpful. Encouraging to reblog is amazing and I thank them for trying to stand up for us, and it’s frustrating if people refuse to change their habits to support us better to do the content they consume, but it’s getting a bit too close to guilt tripping for my liking. And as we know guilt trips tend to have the inverse effects than what is intended, not comply

I know for certain that now people will overthink and evaluate longer if this or that art really “deserves” a reblog, if it warrants being queued, if the artist will get mad for liking only, when truly even if the likes to reblog ratio can be disheartening I don’t think any artist gets legitimately enraged at the idea someone liked their art enough to engage with, and especially not at individual users.

Some people still aren’t aware reblogging is better, some like fanart of fandoms they’re not in, therefore don’t know the context of and do not want to publicly endorse it or the artist, some people reblog only their favorite pieces to find them easily, maybe they’re tired or scrolling too quickly, they don’t want to spam their followers, i could go on, there can be a million reasons why someone liked but didn’t reblog that have nothing to do with the art’s quality.

And sometimes, yes, they don’t like the art enough to reblog it ! it’s their right, but some users would still like it otherwise to encourage the artist. it takes social energy to interact, yes, even silently reblogging, and guilting people for not having it is wrong. Plus, as much as we need it, and plenty of small artists deserve more of it, we aren’t entitled to people’s time

Anyways that said, keep on supporting artists, writers and other creators  as much as you can ! Your reactions is what keeps us going, and reblogs are what gets our content seen, we need as many eyes on it as you guys can spare !

[angel-is-not-creative]

SwampCon

I have to admit, I was a little embarrassed walking through all the Honor Society students and the middle school science fair kids in cosplay at 9 in the morning but I persevered.

I did go to high school in cosplay once for spirit day however I was insufferable in high school so I try not to think about it. I've never been to an actual convention before though so this was a first.

I am pretty heavily involved in fandom culture but god I was shocked by the amount of anime I did not know. I also felt incredibly old because where were the Hetalia cosplays?! I didn't see a single one and it just feels like as a community we have forgotten our dark past. Though I did see a homestuck cosplay so I have some hope left.

I attended for the entirety of the day on Saturday, most of my time was spent volunteering but I did manage to spend $80 somehow like I really don't know what came over me.

Volunteering was very nice and laid back and it is something I will likely be doing next year as well. I was a bit upset that I didn't get to check out the maid cade because I was so busy but I know that it will be back next year so it's cool.

I really enjoyed watching the kpop dancing panel, I don't know anything about it but the dancers looked really good and everyone seemed to be having a lot of fun.

To be honest, I don't think I have complimented this many people in my life, there were so many cool cosplays and a lot of them were from some of my favorite shows (lots of sk8 the infinity which I loved, a few soul eater and danganronpa ones as well).

The artist alley is where I lost all of my money. There were so many talented artists with amazing pieces and I'm a huge sucker for supporting small artists. Here is my haul (plus a pair of horns that are not pictured).

For the record I have never even seen My Hero Acadamia I just really love Present Mic and this print was just so cool I couldn't not purchase it. The posters are so amazing and I had to stop myself from buying more things. These were all an investment into my happiness and honestly, cash isn't even real money.

Javi's bad fanfiction reading panel was so funny, I feel a little guilty for contributing in the emotional turmoil of a couple dozen people with my very enthusiastic vote for the most horrendous fanfiction known to man, but also I think those people left just a little more cultured. Fanfiction is a vital part of fan culture and we cannot deny how much of it is just straight-up horrible and frankly disturbing so much of it is (I read over 15 million words of fanfiction last year so I am qualified to speak on this). I did have to leave a little early because at that point I had been at the con for over 12 hours and was starting to fall asleep in my chair.

I met a lot of cool people throughout the day, and it was really nice just knowing that you already have a shared interest. Within the first few hours of being there, someone asked me if I was a "button, keychain, or sticker autistic" and when I told them I was a sticker autistic they handed me a swampcon sticker. It was a really nice moment for me I don't know why.

The other volunteers were also all so kind I didn't really come to the con with anyone but I was always talking to someone throughout the day because everyone was so friendly and open. I even got to talk about Hetalia ships with someone which just made my day. I ran into a lot of you guys there as well which was so fun. If you saw me after like 1 then my wig was off because that thing was way too itchy to wear for a full day, I only made it like 4 hours.

Next year I will not be spending all of my money and I'm gonna drag some of my friends along to make sure I get to do all of the activities like maid cafe and the Miku concert (I did not attend but I helped pass out glowsticks so you may have seen me hehe). This was actually so much fun and I would have attended on Sunday as well if I didn't have so much homework to do.

This was me at the beginning of the day with my volunteer badge :P

[queerdeans]

funnn thank you for the tag!!

Favorite character(s): dean by a fairly wide margin, and then cas, charlie, bobby, crowley, rowena, jack... plus like a whole lot of others, but those are kinda my main gang

Favorite moment/episode/season(s): SEASON 3!!!!! it has everything (except cas). the dean studies potential is just incredible, I love how it's sandwiched between the deal and going to hell, and I just love the way the inevitability of going to hell hangs over everything. the fact that they try again and again to avoid it and it happens anyway, that's chef's kiss for me

Least favorite moment/episode/season(s): i straight up will not watch the one where dean turns into like a dog or whatever, i honestly don't even know what that episode is about, i cannot abide by it.

Favorite storyline(s): seasons 3-5 are really peak tv to me. and then coming in second is the mark of cain storyline, though I have some gripes with how it was like, mark of cain -> demon -> mark of cain again? and demon dean should have lasted 1 million episodes and he should have massacred people like godstiel

Favorite quote(s): "freedom is a length of rope. god wants you to hang yourself with it." that's just amazing writing

Favorite monster/enemy/big bad(s): death 1.0 and lucifer are my two fave villains. i love crowley as well but he really goes from enemy to frenemy to whatever the fuck they've got going on in the later seasons.

Favorite ship(s): destiel obviously

When did you start watching? What got you into spn? i watched a few episodes way back in high school but didn't start watching until fall of 2015. sped through pretty quickly and was caught up by spring 2016. watched in real time for a very brief period, but didn't love the fandom at that point and struggled with the weekly episodes continually just being a disappointment lol. plus the actors' and creators' rhetoric at the time toward destiel was just... discouraging. started a rewatch in summer 2024 and finished in record time and decided to jump back into the fandom world, and really enjoying it!!

How many times have you seen spn? i've watched it all the way through twice, but have rewatched a handful of episodes a bunch of times

What do you like most about the fandom? i feel like at this point people are mostly pretty chill, there's not a lot of drama (at least that i've seen), and the events are all so fun and keep the creativity going!

(not tagging anyone bc it stresses me out)

Supernatural themed ask/tag game

Thought I would do one of these since I have only recently joined in and want to know more about my mutuals

Favorite character(s): Cas, Dean, Charlie, Jack, Bobby (not really any particular order, also could name a ton more)

Favorite moment/episode/season(s): Castiel's entrance, ending of season 8 (angels falling), "Baby"

Least favorite moment/episode/season(s): 02x02 "Everbody Loves a Clown", I do not love a clown, especially if it stands outside my window in the dark. 15x14 "Last Holiday" why is there no Cas? 14x13 "Lebanon": John

Favorite storyline(s): Mark of Cain, season 4/5 apocaplypse

Favorite quote(s): "I'm the one that gripped you tight and raised you from perdition"; "My people skills are rusty"; "Family don't end in blood"

Favorite monster/enemy/big bad(s): Angels, Death

Favorite ship(s): Destiel

When did you start watching? What got you into spn? I started watching around 2019/2020, when lockdowns were happening and I didn't have the excuse that it would take too long to watch anymore. I had seen it before on tumblr and was really intruged.

How many times have you seen spn? I'm only on my second true rewatch (have seen some episodes multiple times though)

What do you like most about the fandom? How welcoming everyone has been. (I know there's also a different side and I'm very glad I'm not on it.)

Feel free to answer with as many answers as you want. And add explanations if you want to.

Non pressure tags: @fatallyaddictedtofiction @dralruni @bluehandprint @heyassbuttlmao @queerdeans @markofcastiel @morallygreyintrovert @treezenith @strawlessandbraless @blanketforcas and anyone else that sees this

[ralalalsblog]

i like season 2 of shadow and bone!!

…but i also hated it. listen shadow and bone season 2 was an amazing experience like i LOVED tolya and tamar’s entrance and seeing 5 of our crows together warmed my heart but it was too not shadow and bone for me to absolutely love it. my memory might serve me wrong but in siege and storm the death of the sea whip was emphasized a LOT more in comparison to the show which i feel kind of dimmed the significance and ‘greatness’ of this mighty amplifier the sea whip. also am i wrong or did sturmhond or nikolai have different faces in the books? because i know that also highlighted how different these two personas are to nikolai like he views sturmhond as a whole other person who has freedom and everything he wants but can never attain but in the show there was very little emphasis on this. this whole nikolai and sturmhond being different thing also added on to nikolai’s personality and development as a character in the books which is why i feel that it not being as significant in the show would rlly not do nikolai’s character good in the long term. another thing is i wished there was more emphasis on genya and her whole ruined thing because the fandom absolutely ate up that line where genya said she wasn’t ruined she was ruin and that line came from a place of insecurity and pain from her being called ruin yet if that same place isn’t as developed in the shows we won’t get to see the same strong genya we love emerge from people calling her ‘ruined’ and getting over her insecurities. i absolutely HATED how in the last few episodes everything changed leigh and the writers might have wanted to give the readers a nice surprise with this change which is cute but we were expecting to see all the iconic scenes we had pictured a million times in our heads actually happen in the show for us to actually SEE instead of imagining like i personally was so excited to see some moments come to life. plus why did they kill david off so early and changed the triumvirate?? that just told me that they were gonna either change or not go with at all the plot of king of scars because the plot of that duology was heavily based on the idea of the triumvirate which consisted of genya, david and zoya. it also gave the whole idea of alina obtaining her peace more development cause she didn’t need to be in power or fight anymore yet alina staying in ravka with nikolai and being a part of the triumvirate has changed her entire character for me. i also wished we got to see more of wylan and jesper being introduced instead of them immediately knowing each other because now we won’t get to hear the iconic ‘not just girls line’ in show. anyways i liked it a lot but season 2 will not hold as special of a place in my heart as the books did because season 2 has just made me see the show and the books as two separate plots with the same characters.

[lululawrence]

Can u please be nicer on ao3? Maybe you should try answering people's comments

when i read the first line i was honestly flabbergasted and wracking my brain trying to figure out when in the world i wasn't nice on ao3 ever. because i honestly truly try to be nice to everyone always, even when i'm angry or frustrated or people are going after those i love and want to protect. if there was a time i WASN'T nice on ao3, i wondered if it was maybe because my comment had been misunderstood or someone saw me razzing an author i'm good friends with and they didn't get that we are close and i said what i did with so much love and appreciation, you know? like what??? did i do???

but then i read your second line. and please forgive me if i come off as rude in my response to this, because honestly i'm in a pretty bad spot mentally and emotionally in general right now, but PARTICULARLY today, and this ask triggered an anxiety response in me. so. i'm trying really hard to word this in a way to educate without being condescending or mean, but i might not succeed.

firstly, thank you for your comments i'm assuming you've left. i'm also assuming they were nice comments, in which case extra thanks. i'm sure i'll send you effusive responses on ao3 when the time comes.

secondly, please understand that sending an ask like this, on anonymous no less, is incredibly entitled. writing is not my profession, i receive no compensation for my works that i post for free online, and as a part of that it is not required of me to respond. i do my very best to reply to every comment i receive, but it is not always in a timely manner, because i have other priorities in my life. all of which leads us to my third point, which is:

writers do not owe you a reply to your comments. end of. there are no other qualifications or quantifying modifiers to be added to the statement. is it nice to be acknowledged and know your comment was seen? sure. but do they OWE you one? hell no.

in fact, i'd like to offer you a suggestion. a way of tweaking your thinking about the comments you leave on fics. instead of looking at comments you leave as being something that deserves a reply from the author, think of your comments as your way of paying the author for the gift of their time and talents that they have shared with you by posting their fic. that's how i think of the comments i leave for authors. i'm giving them my thanks for the words they've shared! i want to help THEM feel as amazing as they have made ME feel when i read their fic. in fact, my hope isn't necessarily a response from them, but instead my hope is THE GIFT OF THEM SHARING MORE FIC WITH ME. i'm a selfish bitch in that way and i always want all the fic to read. i never want that well to go dry. one way i can ensure that doesn't happen is by supporting authors and being kind to them and spreading all the love and excitement i can about their writing in the hopes that my words will inspire them to share more.

because whether they reply or not, i GUARANTEE they are seeing your comments. i PROMISE they are. and for all you know, your comment might be the one that keeps them writing even when their words aren't coming easily or when they are tempted to give up.

but, again, please remember that no matter what, these authors (including me) don't actually owe you anything.

the rest of this is going under a cut, because honestly my reply is already far too long and i have a LOT more to say now that you've gotten me started.

now, all of this in mind, i'll explain to you why i'm not great with keeping up with comments made on my fics the last couple of years. i don't owe you this explanation any more than i owe you a response to your comments, and i'm honestly not sure you deserve this explanation either, but i'll still offer it anyway. it'll help me feel better knowing i at least put this out there, whether you care or not, mainly because if i don't do that it will cause me greater anxiety having you possibly think i am not responding to people because i feel all high and mighty or that i think i'm better than the comments or whatever the fuck kind of motivation you're attributing to me to see my lack of a response as something "not nice" towards the commenters.

i'm not sure if you've noticed, but i put out a lot of fic. like a lot. a lot of words and shit. i love writing, it's often my therapy and a way for me to help keep my anxiety and depression and ptsd at bay.

now, more personal shit for you, i've got three kids ages 9 and under. the oldest has adhd which we have yet to find a med for that helps to the extent she needs without side effects that aren't healthy for her to continue with, she also has anxiety, AND she's extremely gifted and starting a new program at a new school, all in the midst of a pandemic. and all of those situations exacerbate her anxiety! huzzah! she's also dealing with the beginning of her tween growing up shit, which is great fun because it means where she used to be pretty damn understanding of her younger brother, she is finding it much more difficult to. because the second oldest? he's autistic with some pretty significant gross motor, speech, and socialization delays that have only been exacerbated because of the previously mentioned pandemic. PLUS he transitioned from his special needs preschool to a fully integrated elementary school for kindergarten last year and then had to deal with all the ups and downs of the switch from e-learning to hybrid to all in schooling when everything in him screams for a normal schedule he can rely on to keep his own anxieties and fears and struggles at their minimum. and that youngest child? he was born in january of last year. he STILL barely leaves the house and has only met other children in close range a couple of times because, once again, pandemic!

add onto all of this my own mental health issues, the fact that my husband ALSO battles major clinical depression, adhd, and anxiety, AND we live with my parents who have their own health issues, both mental and physical. i run the home for our house of seven. i keep this place functioning, fed, clothed, clean, and everywhere we need to be for all of our five million appointments every. fucking. day. there is a REASON i've been borderline burnt out for the last fucking year and a half.

now, for fun, i have fandom shit. i love it here, even if it is a dumpster fire on the best of days, and getting to be a part of the writing community is so very lovely. i adore it. honestly, it's because of those friendships i've built with other writers that i have been able to keep writing and have found just how helpful it can be for my mental health. but i'm REALLY. INCREDIBLY. BUSY. i hardly have time to get on tumblr for just a quick swipe through my dash most days. i put off asks so long i forget i have them. i don't have the mental and emotional capacity to talk to people on here or interact fully a lot of the time. but i do my best to do so and be kind while i'm at it even when i don't want to be.

then, on top of that? i also run fic fests like @wordplayfics and help friends run their own. because not only am i a writer, i'm a reader. i LOVE fic. fic has saved me soooooo many times over the past seven years that i've been here. i want to do what i can to support other writers the best way i can, which is to provide a space for them to create their works that welcomes and helps promote them, but also by doing my monthly fic lists and pocast highlighting what i've been able to read, reblogging their fic posts, and then commenting and kudosing their fics too.

sometimes i get really fucking down on myself because i'm so behind on replying to comments, but my brain is very much a "if you start this, you have to finish it" kind of a brain, and i feel even WORSE sometimes if i reply to comments on some fics and not all of them. but i do my best and reply when i can. i was actually really fucking proud of myself because i had a couple days to myself in june, and i spent hours replying to comments on 20 of my fics. when you have almost 150 fics (i think? i don't even know how many fics i've posted by now), that is only scratching the surface. but i tried and i was so so happy i did that many fics at once. it's exhausting, though, and takes a lot of spoons for me to reply to them in mass like that plus time consuming. so i tried to be happy with those 20 fics and the comments i responded to there and told myself that when i ha a moment to breathe, i'd go and work on replying to some more.

but see, that again causes anxiety and guilt. because i haven't replied to all of them. and that anxiety and guilt can cause me to put it off further OR to put off important things like feeding my children or getting sleep in order to finish it, so i have to make myself put things into perspective and ensure i'm doing the important things, like taking care of myself and my family, first.

and then, i have a moment where i CAN go ahead and reply to comments... but i also have MANY fics that are on deadline and i actually have a schedule. a SCHEDULE. for when i'm going to focus on which fics. i can spell it out for you if you really want. i made it back in APRIL to make sure i didn't sign up for too many fic fests because there are so many going on right now that i want to participate in, but i know i can't do all of them so i had to pick and choose. and when you are SO overscheduled and busy that back in APRIL you had to figure out what fics you would focus on at what time to ensure you got everything written when you wanted to through THE END OF THE YEAR, more choices have to be made.

for example. my writing time and time for myself came down to only one evening a week for ALL fandom things i'm doing and a part of right now once the kids were out of school for the summer. it quickly became apparent that for my own self care i needed more time, so i worked with my husband to find two other days i could carve out at least 30-60 minutes to myself to write every week. and i did. but if i'm already only getting that much time and have committed to those fics and fests and things that you're running etc, you have to choose am i going to use this time to try to squeeze in some comment replies? or am i going to write? and i choose to write. simple as that.

so yeah. see it as selfish if you want. see it as mean. you can honestly see it as whatever the fuck you want, but for me? i know that as soon as i possibly can and i can breathe freely for once and not feel like i am constantly drowning in my day to day life and am doing pretty well when it comes to my fic deadlines and getting started on those christmas cards i'm once again going to be making by hand for everyone on tumblr who chooses to sign up for one this year out of the KINDNESS of my heart and the love i really do feel for so many of you, then i promise i'll be on ao3 catching up and commenting. my friends laugh and make fun of me for it sometimes, because they will sometimes get 10-12 replies to their comments in a single day. they know that's how i work. i WILL reply to every single comment i get, no matter how old it is. but for the love of all that is holy, do NOT add to the anxiety and guilt i already feel over it. the only place that will get you is the ask/comment getting deleted if it's a good day, a fucking long rant like this one if it's not, and a block if it's a REALLY bad day.

if you're asking me to be nice on ao3, then i ask in return that you also be nice by not demanding things of people that they are not in any way obligated to give.

[tetralea]

Okay, so here is the thing, and it is just my personal/professional opinion, since I work with this shit I can’t not have not a strong opinion on it.

I love like 99% of the vlog, it’s beautiful, thought through, shows many aspects of his life, from different angles, Monaco is gorgeous, the parts with his mom are marking me cry, like it’s so wholesome, I love it, so happy she was featured!

The thing I’d never go for/advise is taking a tour into your home like that. Mostly when in like 2 months you had to put out a story because people were going to your home, and you asked them to respect your privacy, and also you proceed to say you wish people would leave your private life alone, well then don’t fucking take them to your house. Like showing the kitchen is fine, one angle from his living room, perfect, something we already saw like the area around his piano, great! These are great places for a set, making it personal but not too personal. Like your bedroom, with your bed unmade. Stuff all over on the floor which is fine I am messy too, but don’t put it into a place where millions will see, mostly since you already have issues with people over stepping. Want to be relatable?you can’t cook and you show it, lovely! And then don’t even get me started on the bathroom part, I cried, mostly over the sitting on the toilet while putting socks on part lol like just, babe, people don’t need to see this. You respect your own privacy first, then you ask others to do so. If you put things like that out there people will over step because they are just like that unfortunately. Maybe do a funny TikTok or a behind the scenes about it, but as a sm manager I’d never advise my client to do anything like that.

Plus, great experience from other fandoms when people were drawing maps of this poor actor’s home because he did lives and videos while being in quarantine, and it was scary what people did with those. People over analyse every little thing on socials already so I think the less you give them in this regard the better. I saw so many people withdrawing from socials after letting people into their private zone too much with a good heart and then people took it and made it scary and cringe.

So yeah, I loved the vlog, amazing as always, but please respect your own privacy first and stay safe from the creeps. (Same goes to everyone on the internet, just don’t show much of your personal space like that.)

That is it folks, thank you for whoever read through my rant, I got a few asks about it, but I’ll just leave this here for anyone who is interested.

Let me just cry a little about Charles’ vlog.

Some parts are wholesome but god I wish I didn’t work in social media because some parts are just a big no no. 💀 like just, no.