The Archive

changethenarrative at Archive of Our Own. asianscaper at Fanfiction(dot)net.

[asianscaper]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

“Hey! What’s the deal!” Sabine called after Shin. She ran to Shin’s side, grabbed her arm, and forcibly turned her. “Don’t do that again, okay?”

“Do what again?” Shin growled, stepping into Sabine’s space to both stop and intimidate her.

Sabine held her ground, which infuriated Shin even more, and gesticulated, “That thing! With the Force! Like you’re choking the life out of me.”

--

Chapter Summary: Shin loses control to the Dark Side. Ahsoka struggles to find a path forward for two Padawans, maybe one that lies beyond the Jedi rubric.

Day 2 Prompts: Sparring/Dueling Day 3 Prompts: Hurt/Comfort Day 5 Prompts: Dreams, Bending Reality, Madness

Day 5, my final day for WolfWren Week 2023 is done! Admins and contributors, you are all such legends. Thank you for making Tumblr a haven for Wolfwren content.

[asianscaper]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Here's Day 4 as I continue to post on the very (very) tail-end of Wolfwren Week 2023. Check out all the fic and art! Fandom has been very busy and I feel very spoiled.

Never least...Kudos to the admins, what absolute legends!

-

“You’re trying to kill me,” Shin gasped, her eyes darting to Ahsoka as she accused them both.

Sabine took a long breath in, and another, longer breath out. “If I was, I wouldn’t have wasted all this bacta on you.”

-

Chapter Summary: Will Shin accept Sabine and Ahsoka’s overtures to help, maybe even their company or friendship?

Day 3 Prompts: Beginning, Healing, Hurt/Comfort Day 4 Prompts: “Let me help you”, “Going somewhere?”

[asianscaper]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

WolfWren Week 2023 was epic and the fandom was thoroughly fed with marvelous content. Check out all the art, fic, and everything in between when you can! I'm pacing this particular fic for a weekly post, so even if the Wolfwren week is up, here's Chapter 3 (of day 3) for @wolfwrenweek

-

Shin shook her head, her throat dry. “You should have left me to die.”

Sabine chortled, “Why in the two galaxies would we do that?”

“If I cannot make it on my own, then I am not worth saving.”

-

Chapter Summary: Sabine reluctantly deals with Shin’s presence in their camp.

Day 3 Prompts: Beginning, Healing, Hurt (without the comfort)

AO3

[asianscaper]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapter 2 is up with Day 2 prompts for Wolfwren Week 2023!

Ahsoka realizes she has a problem with these two disaster Padawans. What will Ahsoka, Sabine, and Shin have to do or even sacrifice to bring balance to the Force on a planet touched by the Mortis Gods?

Chapter Summary: Luck runs out for Sabine and Shin in Peridea's grasslands.

Day 1 Prompts: Wounds, Blood Day 2 Prompts: “Intricate Rituals”, Piercings, Restraints

AO3

[asianscaper]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

The grasslands of Peridea are an unforgiving place, a wasteland. The mysterious mercenaries, the nomadic Noti, and Peridea’s remaining Force-wielders must forge a tenuous alliance, balancing their relationships to the Force, the planet, and with each other to survive Peridea's hazards.

Or, Ahsoka realizes she has a problem with her two disaster Padawans. What will she do or have to sacrifice to bring balance to the Force on a planet touched by the Mortis Gods?

Prompts for Day 1: Rivalry, The Hunt

AO3

[pixiemage]

Please, for the love of god, please don’t be this person. No matter how long it’s been since an update, no matter how many unfinished stories are sitting on their account, no matter what - do not be this person.

Not only is it insanely rude, but you also do more damage than you think be being such a self-entitled ass about something someone created for free and for fun. “This author” can see what you say.

RIP decency indeed.

[mondengel-deactivated20231111]

I was literally about to post a chapter once and got a snide comment similar to this - not addressing other readers, just me - and decided to keep the rest of the story to myself. It's still there. I could post it anytime. But I'm not going to.

I also got a glowing compliment on a fic and went into a flurry of writing, suddenly inspired, then by happenstance got a nasty, impatient comment on that same fic a few days and moved onto writing a different fic that didn't have that associated annoyance.

Like. I am writing for fun. For me. I reread and enjoy my fics all the time because they're exactly the story I want to read. I get the same enjoyment out of a fic wither or not anyone else ever sees it or knows it exists.

I'm sharing it for fun too.

I'm not going to share if sharing isn't fun.

[pixiemage]

I’m not going to share if sharing isn’t fun.

[vmures]

I once got a comment on a fic that just read RIP with my username. It's really fucking demotivating. Maybe the work will end up abandoned, maybe it won't, but don't fucking leave this sort of shit on a fic. It's more likely to prevent any future updates than encourage them. Authors are not vending machines. You can not shake us and force the story out (believe us, many of us have tried doing this to ourselves because we want to finish the story but sometimes life and other shit gets in the way).

[asianscaper]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Title: The ties that bind (Chapter 7: Resolve)

Fandom: Star Trek Picard

Pairing: Raffi/Seven, past Seven/B'Elanna

Rating: Explicit

Word count: 3,100+

Chapter Summary: While B'Elanna recovers from the events revealed to her in the holodeck, she familiarizes herself with Seven and La Sirena's crew. This story is the sequel to “The slow walk towards a better life”.

Warnings: Spoilers for season 1 and canon divergent from season 2. Also, a bit lot of humourless crack for good measure.

A/N: Thanks for your patience despite the long wait between chapters. Legends!

[boydykedoctor]

ao3 comments will be like “i like this line of your fic” and my reply will be like “fantastic thank you here’s my entire thought process about how i ended up with that particular line and also an outline for another fic i have and fifteen resources i used to research 1980s politics” and nobody asked for that chill

[yokothetypo]

i asked for that

[lizardlicks]

No we 100% asked for that.

[spacecasehobbit]

Definitely asked for that, and also here’s the other three dozen lines from your fic that I liked and the outline for the fic they inspired me to write plus some extra character meta that at this point is only tangentially related to your fic but was definitely inspired by those 1980s politics resources and -

[greenjudy]

Yep.

[saathi1013]

This is literally how I made most of my fandom besties.

[sweetiepie08]

Listen…

Fic Commenters: If you ever want to make a comment going on depth about a part of a fic that stood out to you, but think “does the author really want to read all this?” The answer is YES! YES WE DO WANT TO READ ALL THAT!!!!

Fic authors: If you ever see a comment that makes you want to explain your thought process behind your writing, and you think “does the commenter really want to read all this?” The answer is YES! YES WE DO WANT TO READ ALL THAT!!!

[asianscaper]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Title: A shared future

Fandom: Andor (Star Wars)

Pairing: Vel Sartha / Cinta Kaz

Rating: General Audiences

Word count: 900+

Summary: Vel and Cinta share a moment as the Alliance matures under Mon Mothma's leadership.

A/N: I can't believe Star Wars finally gave us canon queer ladies! I had a desperate need to write about these two and to imagine them alive and well, enjoying a measure of peace during their struggle.

[asianscaper]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Title: The ties that bind (Chapter 6: Witness)

Fandom: Star Trek Picard

Pairing: Raffi/Seven, past Seven/B'Elanna

Rating: Explicit

Word count: 2,800+

Chapter Summary: Nothing is better than a good meal before things go severely pear-shaped. This story is the sequel to “The slow walk towards a better life”.

Warnings: Spoilers for season 1 and canon divergent from season 2. Also, a bit lot of humourless crack for good measure.

A/N: Once again, thank you so very much for such thoughtful comments. I cherish every one.

[asianscaper]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Title: The ties that bind (Chapter 5: Peril)

Fandom: Star Trek Picard

Pairing: Raffi/Seven, past Seven/B'Elanna

Rating: Explicit

Word count: 2,000+

Chapter Summary: La Sirena and her crew hone in on their target. This story is the sequel to “The slow walk towards a better life”.

Warnings: Spoilers for season 1 and canon divergent from season 2. Also, a bit lot of humourless crack for good measure.

A/N: This is a short chapter, to be followed by a longer one. Commenters, you are absolute legends for taking the time to write your thoughts and feelings about this fic! Without you, I’d assume (wrongly!) that this story exists in a vacuum. You inspire, motivate, and challenge me to do better. Your words and insight affect the story, the characters, and its themes in numberless ways. Your feedback, whether fleet-footed or long-winded, is a wonderful gift for any fic writer. Thank you so very much for taking time out of your day to let me know what you think!

[asianscaper]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Title: The ties that bind (Chapter 4: Reckoning)

Fandom: Star Trek Picard

Pairing: Raffi/Seven, past Seven/B'Elanna

Rating: Explicit

Word count: 2,800+

Chapter Summary: An unlikely ally helps in La Sirena’s search for B’Elanna Torres, and Raffi untangles the political web they’re caught in. This story is the sequel to “The slow walk towards a better life”.

Warnings: Spoilers for season 1 and very canon divergent from season 2. Also, a bit lot of humourless crack for good measure.

A/N: Crew, I have a confession to make. I don’t like what Season 2 did to La Sirena’s crew. I’m going to cover my eyes and ears, and pretend none (or mostly none) of that happened. I’m relieved this story is set in an AU. Scream at or with me here, or convalesce in the Ao3 comments. Also, the unholy crack will now commence in earnest and to that end, this chapter gets plot-heavy. Join me as I move another light year farther from canon!

[asianscaper]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Title: The ties that bind (Chapter 3: Uncertainty)

Fandom: Star Trek Picard

Pairing: Raffi/Seven, past Seven/B'Elanna

Rating: Explicit

Word count: 2,900+

Chapter Summary: La Sirena's crew gets a moment's peace as they leave Earth for Klingon space. This story is a sequel to “The slow walk towards a better life”.

Warnings: Spoilers for season 1 and canon divergent from season 2. Also, a bit lot of humourless crack for good measure.

A/N: I've finally started Picard Season 2. It looks like we're staying in Alternate-Universe-land for the foreseeable future. Also, thank you for everyone's patience while I sorted out real life before putting up this update. Thank you very much for your support, and I hope you enjoy this next installment. Please note that the story’s rating has changed from Mature to Explicit.

[asianscaper]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Title: The ties that bind (Chapter 2: Favours)

Fandom: Star Trek Picard

Pairing: Raffi/Seven, past Seven/B'Elanna

Rating: Mature

Word count: 4,000+

Chapter Summary: Sequel to “The slow walk towards a better life”. The past weighs heavily on Seven’s shoulders, and the tangle of her present connections catches La Sirena’s crew in its web.

Warnings: Spoilers for season 1 and canon divergent from season 2. Also, a bit lot of humourless crack for good measure.

[asianscaper]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Title: The ties that bind (Chapter 1: Respite)

Fandom: Star Trek Picard

Pairing: Raffi/Seven

Rating: Mature

Word count: 2,500+

Summary: An old acquaintance enlists Seven's help for a dangerous mission. La Sirena races to prevent a political disaster, as one of the Federation’s oldest, most powerful allies spirals towards chaos and a terrible, looming conflict. A sequel to “The slow walk towards a better life”, which details Raffi and Seven's relationship through the challenges of identity, belonging, and Federation membership for the synths and xB’s on Coppelius.

Warnings: Spoilers for season 1 and canon divergent from season 2. Also, a bit lot of humourless crack for good measure.

[asianscaper]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Title: The slow walk towards a better life (Chapter 1: La Sirena)

Fandom: Star Trek: Picard 

Pairing: Raffi / Seven 

Rating: Mature

Word count: 3,700+

Summary: Raffi and Seven deal with their personal lives and their new but tentative attraction to each other as they’re caught in a web of sabotage and shifting loyalties while the planet Coppelius negotiates its place in the Federation. Set after the events of 1x10. 

This is the long, meandering fic I was inspired to write by a prompt from ToniH on AO3: “Maybe something around the xBs and the Borg Cube? They just kind of got left behind in the season finale and you have to know that Raffi would have been a big help in getting that cube fixed….” 

[asianscaper]

Whoa, I can’t believe it’s been over a year since I published this. I managed to plan this story well and to finish it in less than 6 months, even with real life chipping away at every hour of free time. Even today, I’m trying to find time to plan and write a sequel. Apparently there’s more to explore even after this story’s triumphs!

“The slow walk” was a story that taught me a lot about how and why I write. It taught me a lot about myself, the many challenges I’ve managed to overcome and the life I’ve been able to build despite of and because of specific hurdles brought on by who I am. It was a study on how I felt about Trek, about how I desperately wanted more queer representation and intersectionallity in the stories they were telling.

Man, this fic. I’m deeply touched and happy that readers saw several layers in the narrative, and that it spoke to them in many different ways. All the long comments, all the readers’ revelations just made this fic worth writing. The reactions I got from this represent some of the heights of what fan fiction is to me --a way to change the narrative, a vehicle of hope that I can build for myself, and hopefully, one that touches the readers in joyful and unexpected ways.

[parentheticalaside]

The bookselling behemoth is making life harder for writers, but so is the public perception that art doesn’t need to be paid for

“People have always felt a sort of ownership over art, and that’s actually good. It’s why you keep a book on your shelf and return to it, it’s why you hang a picture on your wall that speaks to you. But when this gets out of hand and you mistake access or a personal connection with your rights, as happens so often in our Internet age, it leads to a dangerous sense of entitlement. That’s why readers feel empowered to complain, directly to the creator, that a book or show doesn’t have absolutely everything they want: the romantic pairing they’d hoped for, the language they find most friendly, the ending they desired. And it’s also why, for instance, the last Harry Potter book leaked on the internet before it was officially published: fans saw the book as something they were owed, not the product of labor that deserved compensation. Not that J.K. Rowling needs more money—but she, and all authors, deserve to have their work recognized as work.

“Consumers hold a pernicious power, so this trend towards free content won’t reverse itself unless we want it to. This is a sad thing, and we will all be much worse off if we can only hear stories from people who can afford to write.”

[roane72]

Please please please do NOT pirate books if you want to keep having books to read. The median income for full-time authors in 2017 is reported at $20,857. That means half of all authors reporting income made LESS. 

And of the authors that reported that they were, in fact, full-time authors, only 63% had ANY earnings to report. The average of those who did earn something was $43,247. Which means, looking at the difference between the median and average, the average is heavily weighted by the superstars.

MOST of your favorite authors are either working a second (or third, or more) job, have a partner who earns more money, or is living hand-to-mouth, or some combination of the three. 

Libraries are your friends. Most have ebook collections now. I know readers gotta eat, but writers do too.

Signed, Someone whose book isn’t out for another 4 months, and is ALREADY being pirated :( 

[fishwrites]

Oh gosh :( this really hit me: “This is a sad thing, and we will all be much worse off if we can only hear stories from people who can afford to write.”

[stelamaris]

A post from Maggie Stiefvater’s deactivated Tumblr about pirating killing the Raven Cycle boxset

Another post about how piracy meant that her publisher cut the print run on the last book because the previous book wasn’t selling as well and how she teamed up with her brother to prove that online piracy was responsible for the lower sales

[starry-eyed-guttersnipe]

If you cannot afford to buy books, please go through your public library! When you get a library card, you’ll also be able to sign up to rent audiobooks; a librarian can help you if you’re not sure how. Libraries are an important part of the book ecosystem, and when you get a book for free from the library, you’re still supporting the author.

[inthemidstofbuddie]

just throwing this post out there bc i break down how an author gets paid, for anyone who’s confused about how pirating books can tank an author’s career