#tunemyart

[chainofclovers]

20 Questions for Fic Writers

Thanks for the tag, @tunemyart!

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

162

2. What's your total AO3 word count?

695,994

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Ted Lasso is the only fandom I'm actively writing in right now. In the past I've also written for Grace and Frankie and The Devil Wears Prada (DWP) as an actual active member of the fandom. I've also dabbled in Doubt, a specific National Theatre production of Twelfth Night, Dead To Me, Killing Eve, 9 to 5 (film), Supergirl, and Carol.

4. What are your top five fics by kudos?

Even now, all five are DWP Miranda/Andy fics. That is wild.

Clean Rooms and Dirty Light

Lightyear

Twenty Questions

Ice Water

Calibrated

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

I do! I think I've replied to nearly every comment I've received. I really, really appreciate comments no matter how quick or detailed they are and while I don't think writers have an obligation to respond to anything they don't want to, I always love hearing back from writers when I comment on their fic. Receiving a fic comment feels like an incredible opportunity to thank someone for reading and chat about the story. One of my favorite things about fandom is the interactive component; when I publish something in a lit mag, I might hear from a few people about it, but when I publish fic there's a built-in audience/community and I do not take that for granted.

6. What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Maybe "Millimeters" (Grace/Frankie), in which Grace ends the story pining for Frankie, who is in a relationship with someone else? But even that story doesn't actually have an angsty ending; by the time I published it, I was already in the process of publishing a multi-chapter fic that was the third and final part of the series and that has a very happy ending.

No matter how much angst I put characters through in fic, I am pretty committed to endings that have some degree of hope and at least the possibility of joy!

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

I could answer with so many fics, but I'll go with "The Adventure" (Ted/Rebecca) because its ending is explicitly about Rebecca appreciating her life, sharing this appreciation with Ted, and feeling happy about her immediate future.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

If I have, I've blocked it out. I often put a note on my fics saying I am open to constructive criticism, and while I occasionally get criticism/questions/requests for additional tagging/etc. (all of which I welcome!), I've never gotten a properly hateful comment.

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

Absolutely! The sex I write tends to be relatively feelings-y, but that doesn't mean it isn't smutty! I absolutely love writing sex and a significant portion of my stories contain some kind of explicit content. I'm not totally sure what "what kind" means but by this point I've written solo sex, couple sex, and group sex in a variety of queer and hetero contexts. I've written more femslash sex than anything else, but I love writing it all!

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

I have tried but never successfully published any. I was really trying to make a DWP + Grace and Frankie crossover work for a long time but it just isn't the way my brain operates. I did write a story about Grace and Frankie watching Killing Eve with their ex husbands, though! :D

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not word-for-word/reposted, but I've had significant passages and concepts from fic plagiarized. It annoyed me.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Not yet but some may be in the works?! I've had lots of fic podficced before, and while all the podfics are in the same language, they still feel in some ways like a delightful act of translation.

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

Yes! The Ted Lasso Ted/Beard podfic @boglady, @podklb, and @rockinhamburger "Just Missed You," which we created for @pod-together.

I've also collaborated more loosely on a couple fics, like the Ted/Rebecca fic "Rebecca Welton, 2021" (@boglady wrote the first chapter and gave me permission to write chapter two and @diane-lockharts permission to write chapter three) and the Beard/Ted + pre-Beard/Rebecca/Ted fic "Before and After" (@theodore-lasso wrote the first chapter and gave me permission to write a chapter two).

I might be forgetting something older, but those are the ones that come to mind.

14. What's your all-time favorite ship?

Impossible question! When I'm fixated on something it's my most favorite thing forever in a way that sort of limits my ability to think broadly and actually answer the question. So it FEELS like my answer is a tie between Ted/Rebecca and Ted/Rebecca/Keeley/Roy and Beard/Rebecca/Ted and any Ted/soulmate situation and that might actually be accurate because I can't recall my brain deep-diving into character quite like this before. But also, Miranda/Andy?! To have started writing about them in 2008 and to still read them sometimes and to have beta-read stories about within the last few months...that's some wild staying power, man.

15. What's the WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

Oof, I've had a couple barely-started AU ideas for Ted Lasso that I am just 100% sure I'll never have the energy to write. Everything else, never say never! Either I don't want to finish and won't or I want to finish and might!

16. What are your writing strengths?

Detail, I think? I really love thinking about super-specific sensory experiences and exactly how a character would feel and respond, and trying to carve "meaning" from the ordinary little details that stack up to form life.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

I sometimes struggle with blocking and describing movements. I also struggle a lot with conveying big feeling transitions. For instance, I might be able to write yearning, and I might be able to write that same character in a reciprocal relationship with the person they once yearned for, but that moment when things change can be really hard to write.

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

As long as it's in-character, yeah! I don't think I've really had cause to do this. The closest thing recently might be Rebecca sending a text message in Dutch. I didn't translate it; translating it wasn't required to understand the meaning of the story, so it was more like a bonus for anyone who cared to translate it.

I don't love it when a character who speaks multiple languages peppers their speech with random well-known-to-English-speaking-audiences words in a non-English language when it feels like the writers is just reminding the reader about this fact about the character. But I love it when it's done in a way that resembles how people actually switch between languages as they speak!

19. First fandom you wrote for?

The Devil Wears Prada, back in 2008!

20. Favorite fic you've ever written?

Fic I haven't published yet! Always gotta have aspirations. <3

"Lavender II" (Beard/Rebecca/Ted) is a fic that I worked incredibly hard on and feel proud of because it just ended up being what I wanted and needed it to be, so maybe that's my favorite out of stuff I've actually already written.

tagging in a no-pressure way: anyone who was tagged throughout my answers + @talldecafcappuccino @dollsome-does-tumblr @broadwayfreak5357 @itsagutthing @kittensittin @thesumdancekid @fandomfrolics @waywardted @sapphicscholar @majolination + anyone who sees this and wants to do it (I probably meant to tag you anyway!)

[deirdresart]

When fates collide…

[lonely-night]

2.01 / 11.01 / 11.05

[wistfulwatcher]

Wow, this is a follower milestone I absolutely never expected to reach! I am beyond flattered that so many of you have followed me over the years, and especially that so many of your have stuck with me through the many, many, many, fandom changes.

In celebration of this milestone, I am taking gif and drabble requests! Please send me one of the words below, and an additional prompt(s) appropriate to the category.

FOLLOW; tell me which fandom/character/ship/etc. you followed me for, and I'll make a gifset of it. INTRODUCE; tell me one thing I introduced you to, and I'll make a gifset of it. MISS; tell me a fandom/character/ship/etc. you wished I giffed or wrote more often, as well as a 1-2 word prompt, and I'll make a gifset or write a drabble. REMAKE; pick a specific gifset I've made and I'll remake it now that my skills have (hopefully) improved! REMIX; pick a specific post I've made (gif, graphic, fic, meta, etc.) and I'll remix it by changing POV, colors, style, etc. CONTINUE; pick a meme from my open projects list and I'll make another gifset in the series. TEXT; give me a lyric or quote and a fandom/character/ship and I'll make a gifset or write a drabble inspired by it.

It's also been far too long since I've done a follow forever, so I'd like to give a special thank you to the mutuals I can't imagine tumblr without:

Some of you have been with me for over ten years, which makes me stupidly emotional tbh! Since there's a mention limit I have to be extra choosey, but even if I don't tag you directly please know that I truly value each and every mutual's presence on my dash ❤️

THE BESTIES AND IRLS: @dykedolly, @laurabenanti, @cobalts-beau, @samcat18, @its-a-pack-thing-babe, @ladysarabii

BLOGS THAT HAVE MADE MY TUMBLR EXPERIENCE EXTRA SPECIAL OVER THE YEARS (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER): @acheleismyobsession, @aflawedfashion, @agathasajax, @alinaandalion, @banrions, @chilly-flame, @chocolate-cream-soldier, @damelola, @darthsavior, @debbielouocean, @delilahmidnight, @evilswan, @fireracesundermyskin, @fitchersvogel, @imusthavebecomesomething, @iwouldlovetoeatyourtoast, @jewishsuperfam, @kutekoolkat, @lesbiangabriellle, @littlebamflamb, @lizbethborden, @lizmitches, @lluthor, @loveexpelrevolt, @lucyllawless, @mariskahargitay, @missgrantscheerleader, @phoenix-91, @reflectingiridescent, @shatterthelight, @shinyalice, @singinprincess, @sophiedevreaux, @strangesmallbard, @tessaservopoulos, @thesnowymeadows, @tunemyart, @warningsine, @whenfatecollides, @when-fates-collide, @whodoesnataliehave, @xxtorchxx

and an extra special shout-out to my longest mutual @redfield5x5 ❤️ I am just as thrilled to see you on my dash today as I was 10+ years ago!

[tunemyart]

Chapters: 1/3 Fandom: Law & Order: SVU Rating: Mature Relationships: Olivia Benson/Alexandra Cabot Summary: The baristas are looking at them significantly. One of them is about to come over and inform them it’s time for them to leave. Alex hesitates on the verge of asking Olivia if she wants to – she doesn’t know, take a walk? Have a drink? Have dinner?

As if Olivia’s reading her mind, she beats Alex to it. “Hey, uh, here’s an idea,” she says, eyes on the table until they pop up to meet Alex’s. “You could come with me.”

---

After escorting one of her DV network's clients to Woodstock on the weekend before Christmas 2023, Alex runs into Olivia Benson on her way out of town.

[dollsome-does-tumblr]

@tunemyart tagged me to list nine of my favorite first watch movies from 2023! :) (i was too lazy to dig up the movie poster images, so i'm just listing old school style. ✨)

No Hard Feelings

Saltburn

Barbie

Next Goal Wins

M3GAN

Rosaline

Rye Lane

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

Puss In Boots: The Last Wish

Update: I just realized I forgot Quiz Lady because I watched it so recently (my brain is a disaster) but it's definitely a fave so I'm just cheating and taking a moment to say also here: QUIZ LADY!!!!!

tagging: @nilesandcc @ladytharen @queenofattolia @theladyragnell @mattatouile @chainofclovers @ksfd892 and also YOU, if you'd like to do this! yes, you! go ahead and make it a top 10 by accident, even. there are no rules!!!

[90stvqueen]

I was tagged by @tunemyart in 20 Questions for Fic Writers like a week ago and I just now saw it so THANK YOU FRIEND

How many works do you have on AO3?

27

2. What's your total AO3 word count?

235,642

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Xena: Warrior Princess (14 works)

Abbott Elementary (10 works)

The X-Files (2 works)

Stranger Things (1 work, is an outlier adn should not be counted bc I wrote it to meditate on internalized homophobia and not bc I ship it)

4. What are your top five fics by kudos?

say it again (Stranger Things LOL)

remind me tomorrow (Xena)

succ (Xena)

Fritole (Abbott)

No Matter What (Xena)

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

I try to! It depends on how swamped I am with life stuff, but I like responding to comments because for me, writing is about starting a conversation and building community and connecting.

6. What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Depends on how you define angst but probably the fic with the angstiest throughline (like, it starts angsty, stays angsty, ends angsty) is glory glory glory to the night that shows me what i am (Abbott Elementary). But I think the best angst I've written is probably After (also Abbott) because it's a smutty slow-motion trainwreck.

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

take these years of mine (Abbott) is probably the happiest thing I've ever written, period. remind me tomorrow has the happiest ending (and is the most lighthearted) of all my Xena fic.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

No, but sometimes I get demands for more or for specific plotlines. I worry that if (and WHEN) I don't follow those requested/expected plotlines, there might be some pushback.

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

Almost exclusively. Although I've been branching out a little more. But yeah. Mostly F/F, some F/F/M and F/F/F, also a decent amount of gender fuckery in various configurations. I would say my smut leans more vanilla, but I've written some kink, and there are definitely elements of kink in some of the vanilla stuff, too.

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

I do not write crossovers. Maybe someday. But probably not, unless it's purely for the lols

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

God I hope not! Not that I'm aware of!!

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Somebody asked me if they could translate my fic once, but I don't remember what the fic was, and I don't think it ever actually happened. Would love that, though!!

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

Lots and lots. My first big foray into cowriting was with @angelsarenamederika, with whom I wrote a massive amount of trans!Mulder X-Files fic that we never posted anywhere but was an absolute blast to work on. I'm also working on a 5+1 piece for the Work Wives (Abbott) fandom with @the-frankenman-writes, @this-barbie, @katiehoughton, @wolf-government, and @vanillabeanwrites. OH AND! @deirdresart adapted Eromenas into a comic and it's AMAZING.

14. What's your all-time favorite ship?

Xena/Gabrielle

15. What's the WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

I refuse to answer this question. I WILL FINISH ALL MY WIPS SO HELP ME GOD

16. What are your writing strengths?

Dialogue and interpersonal dynamics and internal reflection (or, in unreliable narrators, lack thereof)

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Stealing @tunemyart's response word for word here: Action, movement, and description of setting. I'm really trying to get better about grounding the characters in the world around them instead of some nebulous room. Also writing action without getting bogged down in unnecessary details. It's hard!

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

Maybe if you know the language and it serves the story or the way the story is being told. Never say never, but it's not something I usually do, because I don't ever really have a reason for it.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Harry Potter lol

20. Favorite fic you've ever written?

Right now, it's After. I worked so hard on it and I learned a lot writing it and I found a community (partially) because of it! I think it's just a really satisfying, angsty/bittersweet read, start to finish. Honorable mention to Eromenas (again plugging the comic here) and five times it was quiet and once it was loud.

This was fun! I'm tagging the people I've already tagged in this (my dear friends and collaborators) and anyone else who might want to do this <3

[alexcabotgf]

TAGGED BY: @tunemyart (thank you sm! 💫) to post my favorite 2023 first watches

the matrix franchise + docus (1999-2021)

knock knock (2015)

fried green tomatoes (1991)

jackie brown (1997)

el mismo amor, la misma lluvia (1999)

point break (1991)

snow cake (2006)

chocolat (2000)

saw x (2023)

[cargopantsprentiss]

🛼🥤🍬

🛼 - describe your latest wip with five emoiis

👩‍🚒 🛏️ 😳 🤦🏼‍♀️ 💦

🥤- recommend an author or fanfic you love

Pretty much anything @ofwordsandcoffee or @gothprentiss writes. Also @audriesfic, @beezyland, @tunemyart.

🍬- post an unpopular opinion about a popular fandom character

Reid is a horrible stereotype of autism 🤷🏼‍♀️

[dadrielle]

tunemyart replied to your post: Gabrielle to Xena in Callisto’s body: …could you...

I would’ve been interested to see Gabrielle’s requests/makeover attempts if it had lasted longer. (Also, somebody should have told Brunhilde about her type lololol)

lmao GOD if I wasn’t neck deep in three other major projects right now I would totally draw that.

[lucyllawless]

tunemyart replied to your post: Since I’ve gotten a few questions about my Xena...

oooh what are the differences between the ones you just got and the 15 year old ones? I got the latter bc I wanted the bonus content.

The only real difference is that the ones that have the purple banner have a disc with exclusive interviews. I wanted back up sets, so I was hunting for a good deal on the Best Buy exclusives and finally had some luck! 

[lonely-night]

elementary/svu crossover [pt.1]

after leaving witness protection, alex was working at the 11th precinct instead of returning to special victims unit at the 16th precinct.

special thanks to @tunemyart​ for indulging me with her awesome ideas and tags of this crossover during the past few weeks.

[thegirl20]

yakuzalex replied to your post “Where and how can I watch Xena? Is it on any of the streaming...”

I bought the box sets used from a local music store

lavillainelles replied to your post “Where and how can I watch Xena? Is it on any of the streaming...”

The whole series in on the SyFy app too!

tunemyart replied to your post “Where and how can I watch Xena? Is it on any of the streaming...”

Not sure where you are, but the NBC app still has it all for free.

I assume the NBC and SyFy things are in the US? So, there you go @mermaidontoast. Options :)

[tunemyart]

Chapters: 2/4 Fandom: Law & Order: SVU Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Olivia Benson/Alexandra Cabot Summary:

The baristas are looking at them significantly. One of them is about to come over and inform them it’s time for them to leave. Alex hesitates on the verge of asking Olivia if she wants to – she doesn’t know, take a walk? Have a drink? Have dinner?

As if Olivia’s reading her mind, she beats Alex to it. “Hey, uh, here’s an idea,” she says, eyes on the table until they pop up to meet Alex’s. “You could come with me.”

---

After escorting one of her DV network's clients to Woodstock on the weekend before Christmas 2023, Alex runs into Olivia Benson on her way out of town.

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2

[dollsome-does-tumblr]

Also - I thought you might be tickled to know that I started watching Reign the other day because of your rewatch! I hadn't realized what a mood I was in for vaguely historical costume dramas and 2014-era music (a kinder era!)

Oh, that makes me so happy!! The weirdest and most beautiful, sparkly show in the world! I do think that it’s got a bit of Xena in its DNA in terms of fluctuating wildly between Slapstick Comedy and The Darkest Angst You Will Ever Know at all times. <3

[90stvqueen]

hey tumblr girlies! @tunemyart and i are doing some writing exercises and we want ideas! my ask box is open for sapphic collab prompts <3