Fanfiction blog dedicated to mostly SessKag and whatever other fandoms I decide to dabble in! You can find me wherever you get your fics.
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Here are we again, another Sunday, another Spotlight! This time, it’s @forgettable-fox!!! Fox, please forgive me if there are mistakes in this one. It’s been a crazy week, and I barely got this done in time!
Before I begin with this week’s spotlight, some things to note:
1. These Spotlight Sundays are my way of saying thank you and giving some love to my friends and other content creators in the fandoms I’m in. SO, as long as I am physically able to, I will spotlight someone. If I haven’t gotten to you yet, chances are, I will, at some point in the future.
2. If you want to nominate someone for it, or want to nominate yourself (hey, give yourself some credit too!) then please go ahead and add their name to the sheet I have up here. My only request is that if the artist or fic writer does do a lot of NSFW work/writing, you note it for me. (This sheet is so updated. I am giving everyone access to update it if someone has the time to do so).
3. I’m always looking for help with these! Please DM me if you are interested in helping! As you’ve noticed I’ve moved these to Sunday to give myself more time to work on them, so expect these every Sunday in 2022! That’s 51 Spotlights, and I could use some help getting through them all!
4. REBLOGS ARE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!
That all said, here we go with this week’s Spotlighted Author (and artist):
FOX!!!!!!!!
To start, I guess we should say I met Fox about a year ago when I ran into one of her stories over on Dokuga. Which one? Calamity’s Tempest: Miko’s Melody is the one I’m referring to. Shamefully, I have not finished it, but here’s all I have to say about it. The reason I got to know Fox in the first place was because I read it, I fell in love with her story, and I saw it had like no reviews on Dokuga. And this is coming from an author whose story is just spectacular! By this I mean, her characterization is brilliant, including for her OC characters. Her attention to detail is just amazing! And the way her words keep you hooked and on the edge of your seat? Yeah, there’s that too. All in all, I was floored that I had met such an amazing authoress, and I can safely say she’s in my top 10, if not my top 5, of all time amazing SessKag authors.
And that was just the beginning.
Now, Fox has fifteen SessKag stories, but like I’ve been doing, I’m going to only highlight five or so, so that you all can click your way through the rest of her stories.
Now, I’ve covered you and explained to you all that one had me hooked from the beginning, so much so that I put Fox in the top 10 SessKag author list! .So, you can bet that the next four I cover before I get to her answers, are going to be just as amazing yes?
Let’s start with her other chapter story: A New Leash on Life. This one is my absolute favorite of all of Fox’s stories. Why? Well, to be honest, I know the amount of research and dedication Fox put into choosing the setting and the myth, and being a historical buff and one who craves accuracy in fiction (I do research too so I like it when other authors do), I fell in love. And her take on the “Sesshomaru is trapped as a beast” trope is such a unique one. From the way Kagome finds hm all the way to the end of the story. Sadly, this is yet another one I have to finish! But, I plan on doing like 0 events this year, so yeah, time to catch up on stories!
Next, let’s talk about Fox’s love of Sci-Fi, specifically space Sci-Fi. So, Fox really likes this genre, and while it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, I highly encourage you all to read it. If you’re like me and sci-fi isn’t really your thing, you’ll still nonetheless be drawn into the story she weaves for you in Reach for the Stars is just phenomenal! It’ll literally have you on the edge of your toes. And the plot twist with the jewel was so well done!
And oh, one more thing: turns out, I’m not the only one who thought this story was lovely. It was nominated for Best Onehshot in the 2021 2nd Quarterly Inuyasha Fandom Awards.
Next, let’s talk about The God Particle. This is yet another story that features Sci-fi elements. This one has Kagome acting as a scientist and well, that’s already interesting enough to make this one worth reading. I actually liked this one more than Reach for the Stars. But, honestly, if we’re trying to put a “Best of Fox’s work” list, then it would take forever to decide which ones get on it.
So, now, if you’ve been following along, you’ll see I’m at my last recommendation. But, like I said above Fox has fifteen SessKag stories, meaning you can easily find a lot more of her stories to read (10 more in fact!)
And so, before we get to what Fox has to say, let’s take a look at the last story: A Whole Latte Love. This is a coffeshop AU that will have you giggling and sighing as you read. This is a tried and true trope, but the way Fox goes about it makes this story stand out! There’s a lot of amazing things about this fic, but the beginning, where she describes the coffee shop is so beautiful. Fox, you have such a lovely attention to detail in your stories, and I enjoy reading them so much!
AND now, that I’m done talking: let’s hear what Fox has to say!
What got you into writing in the first place?
The pandemic and, ultimately, the Inuyasha sequel. I was watching it as it came out and was very disappointed in the story as it progressed. I thought to myself: I could come up with a better story than this - and proceeded to write! It was my first time writing anything in over a decade and it felt good to stretch those creative muscles, so I’ve kept at it.
What is your favourite fandom/pairing to write?
Definitely SessKag, but I find myself branching out as of late to explore other pairings and fandoms.
What stories are you proud of? Any reason why?
I’m proud of all of my stories - but in particular I’m proudest of my first fic: Calamity’s Tempest: Miko’s Melody I wrote 300k words over the course of 5 months and it made me fall in love with fandom. I’ve spent over a decade lurking within the community, but writing that story really pushed me out of my comfort zone and into the community. I discovered a lot about what makes compelling story and how to bring my thoughts out for other’s to see.
Is there anything you’ve posted on Tumblr but not Ao3?
Nope! I typically post all my stories on AO3, FFN, and Dok.
Is there anything in particular you want in the Spotlight?
I am so thankful to be part of this amazing fandom. For those who don’t know, I’m working on a new SessKag site that is set to launch 1 April 2022! There you’ll be able to find SessKag news, fanart, and fanfics! We just hit a major milestone in completing our base fic database and are excited to begin our beta test later this month.
And now, a gif to end things! Fox, I hope you understand that this gif means I’m just one of your, I’m sure many, fangirls! And I look forward to reading all of the stories you share with us!
Awww man you guys - Kaoru was nice enough to choose me for her spotlight this month and I feel so honored. She had so many wonderful things to say about my works and it really warms my heart. Thanks lady! Hopefully things have slowed down on your end!
Since last year’s daily drabble was such a success, I was asked to do another! This Daily Drabble Challenge Event will take place from 1 Feb - 30 April. That’s 88 prompts to get your creative juices flowing!
First things first - The Rules:
Any Fandom
Any Pairing
Any Rating
100 Words Only! No more. No Less.
Post to the AO3 Collection for other’s to see!
I’ll be updating a Google Doc every day by 8am EST with the day’s prompt. Below you’ll find both the collection, and the link to the doc!
AO3 Collection
Google Doc
Good Luck and have fun! Please let me know either here, or on Discord if you have any questions!
I know it’s been a minute since I’ve been on Tumblr - honestly the holidays are a busy time for all of us.
I just wanted to give a little bit of an update on how the new SessKag site is coming along and talk about some of the progress that we have made, and some of the delays that we had had.
Originally, I announced the idea at the end of October 2021 and began doing fundraising for the project. The turnout and support from the community was really heartening and I am happy to announce that we raised enough funds for our initial build, and to cover the costs/fees that come with creating a site.
I had already been working on the project for about a month by that time, but the funding allowed for me to hire a website developer to help me with some of the things I wasn’t proficient at or didn’t have time to learn. Keep in mind that I work a full time job and have a family - so working on this project is definitely a passion, but there are times when other things take priority.
I hired a web dev to create our fanfiction database and I built the base site myself, using the inputs from the community. For those that don’t know, there is a Pink Moon Observatory (PMO) discord server that has been taking in everyone’s ideas, thoughts, or suggestions. Below you’ll find the link if you’d like to join us!
https://discord.gg/X68hnXRbbB
Now, we did have some hiccups at the beginning of December; the web dev that I hired was no longer able to do the job. Which spurred on a new job posting from me and a new search to find someone to create our database. I did about 12 interviews and finally settled on our current web dev who’s been working diligently to meet our goals!
This did cause a slip in our timeline though. Our original plan was to have the PMO up and ready for the community by 1 Feb. Our current goal is to launch by 1 April 2022. The change in web dev meant we had to start from scratch and he’s had a ton of great ideas to help with ease of access and the user interface.
But hey! We are still working like crazy to bring this idea and project to life! The goal is to create a one-stop shop for all things SessKag, and I honestly think the community is going to be thrilled with the result.
Right now, we are going for a functional launch of our platform and ensure everything works right and well for the community. After that, we will plan continuous updates for the site and the database as a whole. I’m not looking to create something and just leave it as is - I really want a living, breathing, platform that continues to grow right along with its users.
The PMO will be a long-term SessKag, community-based space.
Again, thank you to everyone who has supported the cause - by either well wishes or financially. I update as often as I can within the aforementioned discord server since Tumblr isn’t my usual platform.
Let me know if you have any questions, comments, or concerns and I’ll be happy to answer them!
As an additional note - be on the lookout for some PMO Launch Day events and community outreach within the coming months! We’ve had some great ideas about how to build up the community and promote our new site.
Several people have asked about donating - we are still taking donations up until site launch. Here’s the link! Thank you.
SessKag Site GoFundMe Page
This is a friendly reminder that The 12 Days of SessKag - Smutmas is fast approaching!
Event Date: 1-12 Dec 21
I wanted to share the AO3 Collection Link so everyone has it on hand when the event starts!
Writers - Please post your works to the aforementioned collection.
Artists - Please tag us here @orderofthepoisonarrow with your creations for the event.
Anyone positing on tumblr - Please use the tag #SessKagSmutmas and #Smutmas2021 so we can collect all your posts to share!
If you need a reminder on the rules or the prompts, check out our original post!
Q: Where can we find you and your stories?
A: AO3, Dokuga,and FFnet
Q: How would you describe your writing style?
A: I tend to focus a lot on world building and my writing style really reflects that. I want my readers to know exactly where they stand in my story - What does it feel like? What can you see? What can you hear? I want my stories to be immersive to the point that if you close your eyes, the scene plays out like a movie in your head. Coupled with that, I have a love of metaphor and allegory and try to come up with creative ways to incorporate them into my stories to better understand the character’s views, emotions, or thoughts.
Q: What’s one thing you’d tell someone who is considering reading one of your fics?
A: I suppose, prepare yourself for the unexpected. I like a lot of twists and turns when I build my stories and I’m not afraid of Main Character Death (MCD) if it furthers along the plot in a meaningful way.
My stories tend to go one of two ways: they’re either humorous and fun or some type of dark epic. Occasionally, a story may fall somewhere in between. I love character development and imbuing my characters with realistic flaws that they must overcome. I don’t want perfect characters - I want them to struggle and find that resolve within themselves to evolve into someone worthwhile. I want a sense of realism - and that sometimes means my characters are incapable of meeting that goal; that they stay flawed and suffer the consequences of their own actions.
So for someone considering reading my stories, keep that in mind. Not everything can be a happy ending and sometimes things don’t turn out the way we expect them to.
Q: How do you get/stay inspired to write? (ie: playlists, aesthetics, fanart, this blog, etc.)
A: I have a wonderful group of fellow fandom writers who inspire me every day. Sometimes we’ll talk about something silly and I’ll think “Write that down! Write that down!” It’s great to be able to bounce ideas off of other people within the fandom. I have a love of AU, so me thinking “What if SessKag were ______” - and then my mind goes down the rabbit hole of how that would work and I’ll bring it up and someone else will add to it and say “Ooh! And what if you add THIS!” and then the ideas spiral out of control from there.
I find myself inspired a lot by music as well - specifically lyrics or a certain vibe a song has. Sometimes other books that I’ve read will inspire or a prompt I’ve seen out there. Inspiration is everywhere! It just takes an understanding of the cycle of things - you write, you finish a work, you wait for inspiration to strike you again (and not necessarily in that order!
Q: What’s your favorite SessKag moment from Inuyasha and why?
A: Probably a lame answer, but that first episode where Sess is introduced in the show and they’re battling for Tetsusaiga and the look of shock Sess has when Kags pulls it out of the pedestal. I think that is where that trope comes from of “Oh damn, Kags is *strong*, I love her” comes from.
Q: What do you like most about the SessKag fandom?
A: I really love the *resilience* within the community. Next year Inuyasha will have been around for 2 decades in the US. That’s 20 years since that first episode aired! That’s wild! And STILL the fandom is putting out amazing works and refuses to dissolve into obscurity. The amount of individuals who I’ve spoken to who have said “Inuyasha was the first anime I ever watched” or “Sess was my first 2D love” is astronomical! This is a fandom full of passion and I find that’s especially true for this ship. People have taken RT’s original work and have melded it into something greater, imo. They’ve filled in plot holes, developed the characters, and have just poured all their love and creativity into the fandom. It’s amazing.
Self Rec Time! List the fics that you are most proud of writing.
A New Leash on Life
Calamity Tempest - Miko’s Melody
Reach for the Stars
Rec Time! List your top 3 favorite SessKag fics of all time.
In the good old days when FFN was more active (at least in the Inuyasha fandom), I started playing around with the search filters–just looking to see what pairings were out there–and I eventually found SessKag! I was originally an InuKag shipper, but I very quickly shifted over after I found SessKag. There was just something *about* it.
How long have you been a part of the fandom?
In Inuyasha? Since 2003-2004? In SessKag? Since 2005ish.
What is your writing/art process like?
Well, I don’t really write one fic at a time until it’s complete–I get burned out. So I came up with a “work rotation” thing, where I’ll write a single *chapter* of a fic, post it, and then work on a one-shot, and then when that’s done I go back to a chapter fic!
If you could let your fans know one thing, what would it be?
I love your comments so much! Thank you to each and every one of you who has read and commented on one of my works. <3 I seriously appreciate it. Kind words keep me going!
Also–yes, my Inuyasha fics are named after birds. It’s a long story, but basically I like to keep a different “naming convention” for each fandom I write for. Inuyasha is birds, FullMetal Alchemist is sciences, Mass Effect is space terminology–and any new fandoms I write for I have to come up with a new theme for the fic titles!
Do you have anything you’re working on right now that the fandom can look forward to?
For SessKag, I’m working on Nighthawk, the sequel to my other story, Hawk! I’m currently working on a horror SessKag one-shot, called Cassowary. Outside of SessKag, I have a FullMetal Alchemist story I’ve been working on (RoyEd, if you’re curious), along with a few one-shots for that fandom, too. <3
What is your favorite thing about this ship? - Specifically, what drew you to writing for SessKag?
I just love the dynamic of those two so very much. Enemies to Lovers is like catnip for me, and it’s such a popular trope among all fandoms! I love Sesshomaru’s regal, deadly, sarcastic nature juxtaposed with Kagome’s kindness, resourcefulness, and earnestness. I think those two would bring out the best in each other, and I think that’s what we all love about this ship at its core.
I’ve read the majority of your SessKag works and it amazes me that you manage to put a different tone to each one and STILL include amazing smut - Where do you get your inspiration from?
Thank you so much for reading!!
This is kind of a tough question to answer, honestly. I know that one thing I’ll think about when writing smut are scenes from movies and television shows I like (there’s a particular moment from Shameless that I want to incorporate into a fic one day, and I’ve thought about it for *years*). Another is certain tropes I like but I want to make them “different.”
But I think, mostly, I try to avoid writing sex scenes that sound like clinical instructions (“peg A into slot B”). I keep it sensual–I write about the way it feels to have someone’s warm breath on your skin, the way a someone feels *through* their clothing, and I build the anticipation. I tease, but I deliver!
And I like to write about the way people connect through sex (not just in the obvious way, lol). After-sex talks are probably my favorite thing to write. I get to write characters being close with each other, learning about each other, being vulnerable with each other–the dialogue can go anywhere, and that’s always fun for me.
For those that have never read your stuff, what’s something you want your readers to know about you and your works?
While, yes, I write smut most of the time, I try to avoid pure PWP. I do porn with *feelings*! I’ve also written horror and MCD!
Are there any topics that are off limits for you or that you won’t write about?
Underage and/or “barely legal” characters. It’s just off-putting for me. Other than that, I wouldn’t say anything is off-limits, or that I have a hard line on things to *not* write about. It’s just about tweaking it to make the subject matter more palatable for me. One of the things I tell other writers is “Write what YOU want to read,” and I take that to heart for myself too!
What are your top 3 recs that you feel everyone should read?
1. “Risks In The Dark” by troubleinshangrila (the fic that made me fall in love with SessKag–I have to re-read it from time to time. I think about it often.)
2. “Tease” by Resmiranda (this is just a hilarious and sexy read. I love Kagome’s personality in this story, lmao)
3. “A Mere Digression” by elle6778 (this one inspired my story, “Hawk”! It’s a bit more dubcon than my fic, just a fair warning!!)
It’s been so long, I can’t honestly remember for certain. I was coming up out of the worst depressive episode of my life, so my memory of that time is somewhat spotty. I do know that I was surfing the web, looking for distractions and entertainment. Probably, for anime-related topics. And I tripped over Dokuga! I had seen a few episodes of Inuyasha by accident back when it was first airing, dubbed, here in the US. It didn’t stick to me at first, but the idea of a non-canon pairing like Sess and Kag, and a whole website dedicated to nothing but, struck me as intriguing. I believe the first fic I read was Nostawen Allesiel’s “Laying Amongst Dokatsu” while it was still being written. It remains unfinished, but it lit a tiny little ember and I went on a researching binge. First, I inhaled the anime, start to finish. This solidified my interest in SessKag over the canon pair. I went on to voraciously consume everything SessKag I could find. The rest, as we say, is history!
How long have you been a part of the fandom?
That may depend upon how you define “part of the fandom”. I’ve been consuming SessKag at least since 2008/9, though it took me a long while to work up the nerve to make a Dokuga account and “identity” in the fandom. Dokuga says I joined 8 years ago, so 2012/13-ish. I probably started writing my own fics after I read LadyBattousai’s “Seven Feudal Fairy Tales” in 2010 or so. I didn’t start *posting* stories until 2019, with an abortive attempt to join in SessKag Week.
What is your writing process like?
Overwrought chaos! I will often get a fic idea and jot quick notes down, then leave it alone for a while. Days, weeks, sometimes even months. If, at some point, the bug bites me to revisit that idea, I’ll get started by writing whatever it was that first came to mind. I see my pieces as movies running through my head, so I do my best to describe them as they go. Unfortunately, that means I tend to give too much description and I generally wind up having to go back and take a machete to my work in the editing process. I usually write chronologically, beginning-to-end, from a very general outline of what I intend to happen in the fic. Sometimes a scene will come to me whole first and then I’ll have to go back and write what comes before. Rarely, a story will give me bits and pieces that I write, and then have to figure out the connecting bits, plus start and end.
Research is my favorite part of writing, OG or fanfic, so I lose a lot of time in doing research for historical context, or timelines, or what to call the particular piece of clothing I can see but do not have a word for. I also spend a lot of time reading things aloud to myself (the cat and dog are so tired of my shenanigans, they ignore me) to make sure wording and phrases read properly. I’m a professional copy-editor, so I always go back over everything at least twice before it gets posted. And sometimes, I find that typos have *still* gotten through to the post!
Anxiety and depression, plus a fairly busy RL, mean that sometimes I just don’t have the creative juices to write with. 2020 and 2021 have been pretty brutal where that’s concerned. I’m learning not to feel guilty about that and to give myself permission to feel how I feel when I feel it and then move forward from there. It’s difficult, but I’m slowly finding that doing so means that I end up with more creative energy more often, rather than less. It’s hard to accept that’s part of my process, but in the end, it’s very worth the trouble!
If you could let your fans know one thing, what would it be?
Be kind to yourself and to your fandom peers. We’re a relatively small niche in a much broader fandom context, so a habit of kindness can go a very long way. Remember that we’re all of us human, and fallible, and RL happens to everyone. We do this for fun as a hobby, and if it stops being fun, there’s no shame in taking a break. If we all practice kindness for ourselves and others, the fandom will be here when we need it for a good, long time to come!
Do you have anything you’re working on right now that the fandom can look forward to?
I *promise* that I am still working on “Dreaming On”, and that I will never abandon any of my ongoing fics! It’s been a tough couple of years for everyone, and I’m no exception. I have a new chapter in the works there, it’s just taking its sweet time in speaking to me again!
That said, I’ve also started the next installment of the “Traditions” series and have half my second SAFE fic still on the fire. It’s a werewolf!Kagome AU, and even if I fail to get it finished in time for SAFE points (RL went wonky on me again right in the middle of the event), I’ll still finish and post it for fun.
Additionally, I’m working with ForgettableFox and crew to get the new Pink Moon Observatory site up and running, and I’m really excited about it! I’m slated to be a site mod and a blogger, so I’m working on cooking up some fun fandom-related blog entries to go live after the site does. We’re working hard to make it a safe, inclusive, one-stop shop for All Things SessKag.
Thank you so much for your interest! I’m looking forward to this fandom flourishing for a long time to come. Hope to see you along the way!
What are some of your favourite fanfiction tropes to read or write, and why do you love them as much as you do?
For reading, I love Found Family perhaps most of all because it speaks to me on a very deep level. I’m part of my own found family, and reading it applied to the characters of Inuyasha gives me all the warm fuzzies. Especially when Shippou and Rin have been adopted and are being parented by SessKag. That’s why this is also a big favorite for me to write, too.
I also really adore reading Coffee Shop AUs. They’re a fluffy, guilty pleasure I indulge especially when I want to go brain-off and just drown in floof. I’ve never written one, mostly for lack of an idea to grab me. Maybe someday!
I write a lot of Hurt/Comfort, Friends or Enemies to Lovers, and Slow Burn, and I certainly enjoy reading them as well. I like exploring the sorts of possible scenarios that might bring our favorite couple together, and these are rife with possibility. Virtually everything I write is Canon Divergence of one sort or another, for fairly obvious reasons - SessKag ain’t canon, but I like to write in the Feudal Era because I’m a history nerd at heart. I’d been seriously studying Japanese history with particular emphasis on the “Warring States Period” long before Inuyasha ever caught my attention.
I also like Yakuza fics because, well…tattoos! Swords! Codes of honor outside the norm! This is where my “Traditions” series was born.
Inuyasha is a pretty old fandom, and SessKag one of its oldest, most prominent ships at this point. What keeps you going with your writing these days?
Mostly, I haven’t explored all the possibilities for this couple that I would like to, and the fun bit about that is that every time I think I’ve seen everything, someone throws something new on the pile for consideration! I write because, as WP Kinsella wrote in his book “Shoeless Joe”: “I have to write. I could work at selling motels, or slopping hogs, for fifty years, but if someone asked my occupation, I’d say writer, even if I’d never sold a word. Writers write. Other people talk.” It is in me to write, has been in me to write since I was a wee small thing (thassa loooooooong time ago, for those keeping track), and if I don’t write down the things I see in my head, I think my head might just explode. If I can throw them out into the world and find others who like what I’ve written because I like it? So much the better! I have found my folks! All the rest of the fun is icing on the cake!
Being nice all year is exhausting. Keeping that in mind, we here at the Order of the Poison Arrow have created a new holiday event celebrating the naughtiness which is SessKag! Taking place this December, we present to you:
Smutmas!
Event Date: 1-12 Dec 21
In the next post, you’ll find a list of Smutty Holiday Themes for each day of the event, as well as a sublist of helpful prompt ideas. The prompts are not mandatory, merely a guide in case you’re drawing a blank and need some inspiration.
Rules:
All Creators are welcome! Artists and Writers are both free to participate
There is no word limit! Write as much, or as little as you’d like
You don’t need to participate for each day of the event
Does only a handful of the Holiday Themes appeal to you? Do you not have enough time? No pressure! Do 1 day or all 12 days! Smutmas is a time of self-indulgence!
All ratings are welcome! The smuttier, the better!
Writers: Please tag appropriately based on AO3 guidelines
Artists: Please be sure to follow Tumblr guidelines
Feel free to tag us here at the Order as well - We’ll be putting together a master list of all the fics submitted during the event!
Please post to the Smutmas Collection on AO3 which will be open on 1 Dec
We’ll release reminders and a daily post for each day of the event
You have 30 days to try create some smutty masterpieces!
Good luck!
We can’t wait to unwrap these naughty gifts!
And special thanks to @mama-ino if creating our fantastic banner! If you haven’t checked out her work already, you are definitely missing out on a phenomenal SessKag artist!
I apologize if this was addressed in the FAQs, but will the new site be only donor supported or combined donor and advertising? I’m not sure I saw anything related, and I did skim the details a bit.
Hello!!! Thank you so much for the question and it wasn't addressed there - but I'll be sure to add it. The site will be only donor supported - I do not plan on having any advertisements or non-SessKag affiliates linked to the site after its launch.
As many of you already know, I have taken on the endeavor of building the community a new SessKag site, and I wanted to share some of the details here with you as a matter of transparency.
First things first, this idea did not sprout up overnight. In earnest, it has been an idea that has been festering in my brain for several years now. It wasn’t until recently though, that I had the wherewithal to attempt to take on this project. You see, I’ve been a lurker within the community for over a decade, quietly supporting the fandom without actively taking part. It wasn’t until December 2020 that I decided to take the leap and become an active member of the SessKag fandom.
That leap is what really opened my eyes to the general struggles of the community at large.
The sequel, for example, seems to have opened up a can of worms for the fandom as a whole. There’s a distinct divide between the groups, with many of those in support of the sequel acting aggressively towards other ships. It makes for websites (such as tumblr, which has always been a haven for most fandoms) a metaphorical battlefield - where cruising down your feed gives the same feeling as attempting to avoid landmines.
It’s anxiety inducing.
It makes the fandom feel unsafe.
Now, unlike other ships, we - as a SessKag community - have been absolutely blessed with our very own website that has been around since 2008. It’s been a staple within the community and has provided one of the few, true, safe spaces for us. It offered a sense of community, a place where you could go to see things especially curated for our OTP. It was, and still is, a wonderful place!
But, over the years, there has been a definite decline in user involvement, and updates to the site have been almost nonexistent since 2014. This is not my opinion on the matter, these are irrefutable facts. The platform is outdated in terms of functionality and has had significant data loss.
For instance, last year there was a major loss of fanart from the community. All fanart between April 2010 - August 2020 was lost. That’s about 40% of the collective fanart created by the community - gone.
This is the issue with having a sole source provider - if anything goes wrong, that’s it, there’s no additional entity to support the cause.
This is my field of work irl - I’m a Senior Program Manager and I deal in the defense industrial base. I literally work with companies who go through this very issue on the day to day, and try to help mitigate these types of risks. Having sole source providers is seen as an unnecessarily high risk that we try to avoid if at all possible. I deal with massive projects that span multiple years - so I find myself highly qualified to take on the project of creating a new space for us - and in the unique position of having resources and professional contacts to help this project come to fruition.
Many of you have voiced concerns about the validity of the project and have asked “ Is Dokuga going to disappear? Why isn’t Dokuga being updated? Are the works going to be ported over? ”
Here is the immediate answer to those specific questions:
Is Dokuga going to disappear?
I honestly can’t say. Dokuga and the new website (The Pink Moon Observatory) are not affiliated with one another. They are two separate entities that are functioning within the same fandom. I’ve spoken to Wiccan about the creation of a new site and I have her support. She had a list of very reasonable requests that I follow and I was more than happy to oblige. However, I have no control over what happens to Dokuga, nor am I responsible for its care.
Why isn’t Dokuga being updated?
Again, Dokuga belongs to Wiccan and her mod team - I am not going to speculate as to why the site hasn’t been updated in all these years. The addition of a new site provides opportunities for a community as a whole to broaden their horizons, and maintain content continuity.
Are the works going to be ported over?
No, not at this time. Again - the PMO and Dok are two separate entities entirely and currently are not affiliated with one another. Under no circumstances will I be taking anyone’s work and post it on the PMO without their permission. I do plan on keeping open communication with Wiccan and the Dok team in case they need support in the future. If at any point they need a place to store the history of the fandom - the PMO’s doors will always be open.
Maintaining our history is something I feel very passionate about.
And please, don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions, comments, or concerns about this issue or others. I understand that the realization of a new site felt abrupt - I kinda kicked the hornets nest when I announced - but that was me saying “Hey, this is happening, it’s already in progress and now is your chance to contribute on the ground floor before too much development gets under way”.
I am a creator of change - it’s what I do. With that title I know that change can be scary. People don’t want to be left behind but the idea of the unknown is also terrifying. I want everyone to feel included in the project and feel that they have a voice. Everyone’s voice matters! Not just the big players within the community, but every reader, every artist, everyone who loves SessKag deserves a voice.
But, with these types of projects, discussion is the death of progress. I have a dedicated timeline already set, milestones that I need to reach within a certain time frame to meet my estimated launch date, and other individuals who are waiting for inputs before they can proceed with their parts. This means that things need to get done in a timely manner, and I reserve all administrative and executive decision rights.
So! Let’s start talking about the new website and let me share some of the background and resources for the community to use:
As many of you already know, I have taken on the endeavor of building the community a new SessKag site, and I wanted to share some of the details here with you as a matter of transparency.
First things first, this idea did not sprout up overnight. In earnest, it has been an idea that has been festering in my brain for several years now. It wasn’t until recently though, that I had the wherewithal to attempt to take on this project. You see, I’ve been a lurker within the community for over a decade, quietly supporting the fandom without actively taking part. It wasn’t until December 2020 that I decided to take the leap and become an active member of the SessKag fandom.
That leap is what really opened my eyes to the general struggles of the community at large.
The sequel, for example, seems to have opened up a can of worms for the fandom as a whole. There’s a distinct divide between the groups, with many of those in support of the sequel acting aggressively towards other ships. It makes for websites (such as tumblr, which has always been a haven for most fandoms) a metaphorical battlefield - where cruising down your feed gives the same feeling as attempting to avoid landmines.
It’s anxiety inducing.
It makes the fandom feel unsafe.
Now, unlike other ships, we - as a SessKag community - have been absolutely blessed with our very own website that has been around since 2008. It’s been a staple within the community and has provided one of the few, true, safe spaces for us. It offered a sense of community, a place where you could go to see things especially curated for our OTP. It was, and still is, a wonderful place!
But, over the years, there has been a definite decline in user involvement, and updates to the site have been almost nonexistent since 2014. This is not my opinion on the matter, these are irrefutable facts. The platform is outdated in terms of functionality and has had significant data loss.
For instance, last year there was a major loss of fanart from the community. All fanart between April 2010 - August 2020 was lost. That’s about 40% of the collective fanart created by the community - gone.
This is the issue with having a sole source provider - if anything goes wrong, that’s it, there’s no additional entity to support the cause.
This is my field of work irl - I’m a Senior Program Manager and I deal in the defense industrial base. I literally work with companies who go through this very issue on the day to day, and try to help mitigate these types of risks. Having sole source providers is seen as an unnecessarily high risk that we try to avoid if at all possible. I deal with massive projects that span multiple years - so I find myself highly qualified to take on the project of creating a new space for us - and in the unique position of having resources and professional contacts to help this project come to fruition.
Many of you have voiced concerns about the validity of the project and have asked “ Is Dokuga going to disappear? Why isn’t Dokuga being updated? Are the works going to be ported over? ”
Here is the immediate answer to those specific questions:
Is Dokuga going to disappear?
I honestly can’t say. Dokuga and the new website (The Pink Moon Observatory) are not affiliated with one another. They are two separate entities that are functioning within the same fandom. I’ve spoken to Wiccan about the creation of a new site and I have her support. She had a list of very reasonable requests that I follow and I was more than happy to oblige. However, I have no control over what happens to Dokuga, nor am I responsible for its care.
Why isn’t Dokuga being updated?
Again, Dokuga belongs to Wiccan and her mod team - I am not going to speculate as to why the site hasn’t been updated in all these years. The addition of a new site provides opportunities for a community as a whole to broaden their horizons, and maintain content continuity.
Are the works going to be ported over?
No, not at this time. Again - the PMO and Dok are two separate entities entirely and currently are not affiliated with one another. Under no circumstances will I be taking anyone’s work and post it on the PMO without their permission. I do plan on keeping open communication with Wiccan and the Dok team in case they need support in the future. If at any point they need a place to store the history of the fandom - the PMO’s doors will always be open.
Maintaining our history is something I feel very passionate about.
And please, don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions, comments, or concerns about this issue or others. I understand that the realization of a new site felt abrupt - I kinda kicked the hornets nest when I announced - but that was me saying “Hey, this is happening, it’s already in progress and now is your chance to contribute on the ground floor before too much development gets under way”.
I am a creator of change - it’s what I do. With that title I know that change can be scary. People don’t want to be left behind but the idea of the unknown is also terrifying. I want everyone to feel included in the project and feel that they have a voice. Everyone’s voice matters! Not just the big players within the community, but every reader, every artist, everyone who loves SessKag deserves a voice.
But, with these types of projects, discussion is the death of progress. I have a dedicated timeline already set, milestones that I need to reach within a certain time frame to meet my estimated launch date, and other individuals who are waiting for inputs before they can proceed with their parts. This means that things need to get done in a timely manner, and I reserve all administrative and executive decision rights.
So! Let’s start talking about the new website and let me share some of the background and resources for the community to use:
Firstly, the wonderful @EchoHuntress has put together a detailed FAQ Page and a Community Wishlist based on the conversations that have already happened within the fandom. Feel free to take a look at them and see what we have so far!
I started this project officially 14 Oct and have been working endlessly on getting the base site built and mapped. The goal is for this to be a one stop shop for all things SessKag and we’re partnering with members of the community to bring their unique contributions into the fold.
Thus far, we’re working with @deadlyglacier who’s done a wonderful job revitalizing the SessKag awards! She has so many plans for future SessKag awards and has agreed to make the PMO her “home base” for the awards in the future.
I’m also working with @chierafied to figure out how we can incorporate the SessKag Tumblr Archive into the website!
Recently, her and I have been working the SessKag Events page as well and I have already built into the new PMO site an all-encompassing community calendar for events. In it, you’ll be able to see every SessKag event in an easy to view format with detailed info (who’s the event runner, where can you get more info, what dates does the event take place, etc).
The forum has already been built as well! Giving the community a designated place to communicate easily with one another - with plans for a new discord server to be launched congruently with the site.
We have plans for a detailed fanart gallery that has a tagging system, comment system, and filtering options - as well as private NSFW folders.
And of course, our fanfic database will be the backbone of the website - with me highlighting user functionality and ease of use. I already have the web dev working diligently on this task and we’ve spent many hours outlining which aspects we’d like to cannibalize from sites like AO3 and FFN to create a unique user experience for us.
I also have a wiki page in the works that will provide the community with step-by-step instructions on how to use the new site as well as: fandom terminology, generally accepted head canons, and writing/artist resources.
I’d also like to implement a writer/artist spotlight highlighting members within the community. Not just the big well known names - but newer creators as well! I want everyone to feel included and have their works seen by everyone!
Finally, I plan on hosting a rotating group of bloggers to post pieces hosted on the PMO. They’ll be writing on anything and everything - from SessKag opinion pieces, resources and advice, to how different styles of writing effect different people. We are in the process of creating some interesting topics for the community and are open to suggestions.
If you’re interested in being a blogger - please reach out!
As you can see - I have big big plans for the community! Lots of parts and pieces in the work; but, I can’t do it all by myself - I’m only one person and I still have irl responsibilities that I need to attend to.
Within the coming weeks, I’ll be finalizing and announcing the mod team. These are vetted individuals who I trust to not only support my lofty goals, but have been reliable pillars within the community.
Many of you have reached out with your support and have volunteered to help! Echo has been great and made a list for me so I can keep tabs! It’s these types of actions that are going to make us successful - having the ability to delegate tasks and spread some of the responsibility of success amongst the community. So thank you to those who have volunteered and I look forward to the amazing initiative you bring to the table.
Finally, this part is never easy, but I humbly ask for a bit of financial support.
Creating something of this size has a hefty, initial, financial burden. I’ve already purchased the hosting server, the domain, premium features, and a web developer for this. I’ve paid for it using my own funds but am looking for a bit of support from those who will be benefiting from the site’s creation.
You can find the gofundme page here: https://gofund.me/c484fcdd
My pledge to you is that ABSOLUTELY NO FUNDS will be used for personal gain or profit. The $2k I am raising was a very purposeful number. I did quite a bit of interviews with web developers/designers to get a plethora of estimates prior to selection. This price was on the higher end of the spectrum - but included many of the “premium” features that the community wanted such as: mobile/dark mode friendly, ability to download to an e-reader, and continued support from the web dev after launch. I am a very firm believer of “You get what you pay for” and want this site to be both professional, atheistically pleasing, and - most importantly - functional.
The web designer I chose has years of experience, and builds websites for many large companies. I’ve viewed his work and he does a fantastic job. Not only are the sites he builds pretty but they have purpose and functionality. The icing on the cake is he is also part of a fandom community (not IY), so he knows the working of sites like AO3 and understands the features we are looking for.
Throughout the process I plan on having full transparency and keep the community up to date to the site’s progress. As of right now, we are slotted for having the site up for beta testing early January 2022 with launch end of Jan/beginning of Feb.
This date may slip a bit because of the holidays (which isn’t unusual for projects of this nature - people need time to spend with their families, myself included). But if that does happen, the community will be the first to know. There is a link to the website discord server posted in the already established SessKag servers. Or, you can PM me directly for a link.
All ideas, thoughts, and opinions are welcome.
Just know that we are looking for individuals who are actively looking to contribute, and provide solutions to make this a successful endeavor. If that is not your strong suit, I politely ask that you find other means of contributing (such as a donation or volunteering) to the cause.
Again - please feel free to message me here or on discord with any questions you may have.
Thank you and I look forward to your continued support within the community!
She ran; ran as fast as her human legs could carry her. Damn stupid newt! Why did this always happen to her? All she'd wanted was to pick a few blueberries for the road. Was that really too much to ask for?!
She'd left her bow back in camp because the damn thing was huge, and nothing seemed amiss. Wrong. So Wrong.
Sesshomaru stood hearing her heavy footfall and short winded cursing. What had the miko done this time? He lifted her kyudo bow and quiver, hearing the heavier crunch close behind her.
Bursting through thw tree line she barreled towards him. Skidding to a hault, she panted taking her bow and a single arrow from her quiver, "Thanks-"
He uprooted her from her place, holding her firmly against his chest plate as he'd moved far quicker than she ever could. The salamander's attack landing right where they'd been seconds ago, "Release my meal mutt."
If he was annoyed, he didn't show it-but Kagome was clearly not good at this game, "Who you calling mutt?" She grit her teeth in a harsh sneer, "I'd say yer mama, but you won't be around for that era!"
Sesshomaru's claws lit toxic green as he gently touched the tip of her only arrow, catching her attention. "Please miko," he scoffed, "The cur likely doesn't even know his mother. She likely knew the mongrol wasn't worth her time," he spoke as she notched the now toxic arrow.
She snorted a laugh, releasing the arrow, "HA! BURN!" She giggled to herself as her arrow struck true. Turning to smile at the demon whom still held her firmly high against his chest, "You get it right," she said with a grin. "You know, burn, like you've been served and well, dead now obviously," she smiled impishly waiting for his response.
A ghost of a smile reached his eyes, causing her to burst into a fit of giggles. Was it wrong that he was enjoying the weight of her body against his? That he found her odd sense of humor refreshing?
Was the miko melting him down? Because he sure as hell couldn't, she was immune.
Mod Chie and I have been discussing more events for the fandom and she had the fantastic idea to come up with a SessKag Fandom Appreciation Week! This event will be hosted right here through the SessKag Events blog. It will include a fun-filled week opened up to the fandom to express their - you guessed it - appreciation to others in the community!
Event Date: 8-14 Nov 2021
Now you may be thinking to yourself: I wish I could find out more about my favorite content creators within the fandom to help show my appreciation!
We were thinking the same thing!
As part of the event, we will be conducting creator interviews based on YOUR suggestions.
If you would like to participate, please fill out THIS FORM indicating:
- Which creator (artist or writer) you would like to have interviewed
- What questions you are dying to know the answers to (up to 5)
Mod Chie and I will compose a list, interview those creators, and post their responses throughout the Appreciation Week!
The last day to nominate creators is: Sunday, 17 Oct 2021
Be on the lookout for more information concerning this event as we draw closer to the event date!
We look forward to sharing our gratitude with this wonderful and vibrant community!
We are 6 Weeks into game play! The Teams are moving around the board quickly and gathering points as they go. The completion of our second Team Activity really helped bolster a lot of the Teams!
Overall, we had a total of 27 new works created just for this event! That’s phenomenal!
A Quick Reminder at our Event Schedule:
October 22 - Final Day to Receive New Prompt
October 29 - Final Day to Submit for Points
November 1 - Winning Team is Announced
Don’t forget, all Teams can get additional community points by commenting or sharing fics created during this event. As well as completing the Team Bonus Prompts that other players have landed on.
Let’s take a look at our current board!
The majority of our players have made it to the more difficult side of the board - this is where the non-conventional and more halloween themed tropes lie! These past few weeks, lots of players have landed on Shippo’s Bag of Tricks as well. Unfortunately, not all the tricks he pulls are good. Several players have rolled increased minimum word counts or have lost a few total team points. But! That’s part of the fun!
Here are our current Team Points!
Team Kitsune has been in the lead, but Team Okami is quickly catching up! Team Inu is trailing the pack a bit, but not to worry - there is still plenty of time to get more points! Nothing is set in stone as of yet.
Great job everyone! I’d also like to thank you all the great feedback that we’ve received thus far - it’s definitely going to help us create a better event for next year!
Remember, this is our first year running the event - so there are bound to be some growing pains as we develop!
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