some people in this fandom love the idea of people doing what they want with these characters and stories, putting their own spin on it and all - until it's something *they* don't like
EYUP.
You know you're in a Real Catch 22 with this fandom.
- One hand you strike out on your own do your own thing have a blast letting your creativity flow but no one cares because it doesn't fit the "Fandom Precedant" everyone is accustomed to so you're literally on your own and hard pressed for anyone to ask or show interest in it.
- Or you can conform to the "Precedant" draw the Nostalgic Status Quo, and yeah, get traction and attention and people following you. But nobody cares for what YOU bring to the table just the Conformed Status Quo you add to the already huge generic pile. Who gives a shit about your unique stuff when you have #5694 of Ticci Toby to write/draw?
Either or you're losing in a different way.
I fully agree with this. And for Tumblr, especially, Aus do well with engagement (asks) and if your au falls into option one then you're basically rambling into void until you find mutuals that like your niche.
Exactly. And you learn to cherish those Mutuals or build from there, but you're still going to spend a LONG time screaming into that void until they come along.
