It's just cat stories

[solargoose]

Scrambled Rewrite Resources Masterlist

The Prophecies Begin

Allegiances - TC1, RC1, SC1, WC1. TC2, RC2, SC2, WC2. TC3, RC3, SC3, WC3.

Family Trees - Thunderclan, Riverclan, Shadowclan, Windclan.

The Fic - Fic Cover

Shadow and Blood

Not out yet. - Fic Cover

Shallow Roots

Not out yet. - Fic Cover

Solar Winds

Not out yet. - Fic Cover

Bitter Gifts

Not out yet. - Fic Cover

Shadows Within

Not out yet. - Fic Cover

The Prophecies End

Not out yet. - Fic Cover

Thanks for Reading!

[orteil42]

given the current climate this pride especially i feel i must mention that i love my trans friends, i stand with trans people in the fight against transphobic legislation and those who would enforce it, and this blog is not a good place for you to be if you do not vibe with that

[secondlina]

No transphobes allowed, only transborbs.

Check out my stuff!

✧Read Namesake✧ ✧Read Crow Time✧ ✧Store✧ ✧Patreon✧

[pipermca]

I got another spam comment today on AO3, and I want to share it as a PSA. But before I do, I want you to understand that you SHOULD NOT DO what this comment is asking. Ok? Ok.

See that bit at the bottom? Don't do that. Insert ParamedicGuy.gif going "Don't."

Other malicious spam comments I've gotten seemed designed to make an author question their writing, or outright encourage them to delete their stories from AO3. This one is different, in that it tries to get you to destroy the work on your own computer.

If you ran that command, it basically locates your Documents folder, then deletes everything in it, including all subfolders. It also does it without any prompt, so you have no chance to second guess your actions.

This is just fucking trolling.

Coincidentally, we just did training on a cyberattack similar to this, called a ClickFix attack. You can read about how that works here.

As a general rule, if ANYONE or ANY WEBSITE tells you unsolicited* to do anything in Powershell, CMD RUN, command prompt, shell command, or something similar, DON'T.

*There are legit reasons for running commands in PowerShell or the command prompt, but in those cases you are likely seeking out a solution to a problem you are already experiencing. Don't just run random commands on your computer as recommended by some unlogged-in guest on a fan fiction site.

Always think and consider before taking action, and get a second opinion from a trusted source. When I got this comment I was pretty sure what the command would do, and it took me about three seconds of googling to confirm it.

Be safe out there!

[hardwiredweird]

This isn't just trolling. Nor is it a simple malicious attack to fuck with authors.

All of these things, starting with making people delete their stories from AO3 to now this, are all specifically designed to kill any digital paper trail so people can steal and make money off your fanfictions by just scrubbing the serial numbers off (and probably training AI on them).

These scammers have realized that even if people delete the stories off of AO3, authors can still prove that they are the original owner of the story by having locally stored documents that prove when the story was originally written.

That said: I want to impress on people once again to never EVER run any commands on your PC unless you know EXACTLY what you're doing! ESPECIALLY not if it's just a rando on the internet telling you to.

[solargoose]

Okay, after a good nights sleep I can acknowledge that, while it FEELS like it, the entire publishing team at Harper Collins did not break into my house and beat me to death with a shovel. (Just one shovel) (They have to share)

Jokes aside, I am still disappointed that Birdflight (and Gorseclaw and Spottedpelt) weren't used at all in the actual story. They're the perfect characters to add texture to the plot, and it wouldn't even be difficult. You could give Birdflight literally ANY opinion about Stormclan and her backstory would make it make sense.

She loves the idea of Stormclan? Well sure, she wasn't born into either clan and doesn't have the same level of attachment. Plus neither Galestar or Stripestar were in positions of power when Skyclan was driven out, as opposed to Snakestar (who was deputy) and Birchstar (who was leader), so she'd be more likely to side with them.

She hates the idea of Stormclan? Well, she's already had to switch clans once, surely she doesn't want to go through that again. Plus it has to be hard, hearing these leaders work together so closely when no one would offer that help to Skyclan.

She doesn't care that Starclan rejects Stormclan? Of course, Starclan abandoned Skyclan so why would she care what they think? Skyclan's ancestors probably left with Skyclan, so is Starclan even looking out for her anymore anyways?

She cares a lot that Starclan rejects Stormclan? Of course, she's probably worried about seeing Cloudstar and her family again and Starclan is their only hope at reuniting.

She wants to leave with Stormclan? The opportunity to leave all those bad memories behind and start somewhere fresh must be appealing. Plus, she might find some trace of Skyclan on the journey!

She doesn't want to leave with Stormclan? She's already lost one home in the forest, she's not going through that again! Plus, if she leaves how will Cloudstar know where to find her when he comes back to get her?

She stays behind and joins Riverclan or Shadowclan? Moving from Skyclan to Thunderclan was hard but she lived, she can do it again.

She stays behind and becomes a kittypet or rogue/loner? The clans have hurt her over and over, she's done with this mess. She already switched clans once, she doesn't want to do that again. (She would probably have to rejoin Thunderclan at the end, since we know she ended up in Starclan, but tbh that can be handwaved. All that really has to happen to be canon-compliant is that one of her kits needs to have kits in Thunderclan.)

She doesn't even need to have a real opinion! Just acknowledge that she's there and it adds so much to the story! Birdflight helping the Windclan queens settle into the Thunderclan camp because she's done that before. Birdflight comforting some cat who's staying behind while someone they care about is leaving, because she's done that before! Even just mentioning Birdflight or her kits during the opening arguement about Skyclan, or having Stripepaw offhandedly go "Yeah they argue about this all the time in Thunderclan because Birdflight lives with us."

It just really feels like they wrote the whole book then went "Oh wait, if this is right after Skyclan leaves then Birdflight, Gorseclaw, and Spottedpelt should be in the allegiances. Add them in real quick."

Anyways thanks for coming to my TED Talk, the TLDR of which is:

[solargoose]

Stormclan's Folly Liveblog Update - First Gathering scene they argued about Skyclan but Birdflight didn't speak and wasn't even mentioned. A devastating blow to Local Birdflight Enthusiast Solargoose, more at 12.

[solargoose]

Live Update 2 - Several Thunderclan warriors described in chapters 2 and 3, but none of them Birdflight or her kits (probably). Erin Hunter is Taunting Me Specifically.

[solargoose]

Live Update 3 - Chapter 7, still no mention of Birdflight but a tortoiseshell Thunderclan warrior is mentioned and there are only 2 cats fitting that description. I'm choosing to interpret this as Spottedpelt and no one can stop me <3

[solargoose]

Live Update 4 - Chapter 9, jfc. No sign of Birdflight, which was really disappointing. She's seeing another group of cats leaving the forest and they don't have a second to have her comment on it?

In vaguely Birdflight related news, why was Kestrelflight with them??? My old boy didn't believe in Stormclan, he was the first to know Starclan wouldn't approve (which, listen, I'm not the type to say you should never disobey Starclan but that is something he cared about). Did they just need a cat we were slightly attached to to die in a horrible way and figured he'd do? Was there some character motivation to him going that we just didn't get to see?

[solargoose]

Not. One. Single. Mention.

Why even include her in the allegiances at that point? Just to taunt me specifically? Erin Hunter hates me personally??

She was forced to join another clan, raise her kits among strangers, had her mate publically declare that her clan wouldn't follow Starclan anymore

AND SHE HAD NOTHING TO SAY ABOUT ALL THIS?? NOT EVEN A THROWAWAY LINE??

[solargoose]

Stormclan's Folly Liveblog Update - First Gathering scene they argued about Skyclan but Birdflight didn't speak and wasn't even mentioned. A devastating blow to Local Birdflight Enthusiast Solargoose, more at 12.

[solargoose]

Live Update 2 - Several Thunderclan warriors described in chapters 2 and 3, but none of them Birdflight or her kits (probably). Erin Hunter is Taunting Me Specifically.

[solargoose]

Live Update 3 - Chapter 7, still no mention of Birdflight but a tortoiseshell Thunderclan warrior is mentioned and there are only 2 cats fitting that description. I'm choosing to interpret this as Spottedpelt and no one can stop me <3

[solargoose]

Live Update 4 - Chapter 9, jfc. No sign of Birdflight, which was really disappointing. She's seeing another group of cats leaving the forest and they don't have a second to have her comment on it?

In vaguely Birdflight related news, why was Kestrelflight with them??? My old boy didn't believe in Stormclan, he was the first to know Starclan wouldn't approve (which, listen, I'm not the type to say you should never disobey Starclan but that is something he cared about). Did they just need a cat we were slightly attached to to die in a horrible way and figured he'd do? Was there some character motivation to him going that we just didn't get to see?

[solargoose]

Stormclan's Folly Liveblog Update - First Gathering scene they argued about Skyclan but Birdflight didn't speak and wasn't even mentioned. A devastating blow to Local Birdflight Enthusiast Solargoose, more at 12.

[solargoose]

Live Update 2 - Several Thunderclan warriors described in chapters 2 and 3, but none of them Birdflight or her kits (probably). Erin Hunter is Taunting Me Specifically.

[solargoose]

Live Update 3 - Chapter 7, still no mention of Birdflight but a tortoiseshell Thunderclan warrior is mentioned and there are only 2 cats fitting that description. I'm choosing to interpret this as Spottedpelt and no one can stop me <3

[solargoose]

Stormclan's Folly Liveblog Update - First Gathering scene they argued about Skyclan but Birdflight didn't speak and wasn't even mentioned. A devastating blow to Local Birdflight Enthusiast Solargoose, more at 12.

[solargoose]

Live Update 2 - Several Thunderclan warriors described in chapters 2 and 3, but none of them Birdflight or her kits (probably). Erin Hunter is Taunting Me Specifically.

[solargoose]

Stormclan's Folly Liveblog Update - First Gathering scene they argued about Skyclan but Birdflight didn't speak and wasn't even mentioned. A devastating blow to Local Birdflight Enthusiast Solargoose, more at 12.

[solargoose]

Finally got around to reading Stormclan's Folly and WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TELL ME MY GIRL BIRDFLIGHT IS IN THE ALLEGIANCES??

No clue if she actually appears, I'm literally on the allegiance page now lol but Birdflight mention!!!!!! My girl!

That also means As the Bird Flies is no longer canon compliant lol but I'll take that if it means my girl gets acknowledged <3

[solargoose]

Teaser or ooc spoilers for firdays weirdness?

Hmmm....I think the only thing I can say is that it's not a vision <3

[solargoose]

Um, I know this isn't like the point of your blog so I hope it's ok to ask, I thought I would since you talked about bot comments before

what's the problem or point or whatever of the praise spam comments? I don't really get whats wrong with them if they're just saying nice things?

You're good, I don't mind answering! Although if you want examples specific to AO3 you may want to talk to the AO3 people, my answer is going to be based on my experience across multiple sites :)

So the problem is usually that they aren't just saying nice things. A commenter that just says something nice, even if they're saying nice things on every chapter or multiple times on a single chapter, isn't necessarily spam.

Spammers/scammers don't usually stop at that, though. It's more like a honey pot scam. They say nice things to gain your trust, then use that to manipulate you. That's where the second half of that bullet point from the AO3 post comes in - unsolicited advice. Of course, not all unsolicited advice is spam/scam (although it can be a bit rude if the author didn't ask for advice). That's part of what makes these bots/scammers harder to spot.

Some of the potential outcomes/goals of these types of comments:

Flooding the comment section with bot comments to discourage other commenters or the writer

Manipulating the writer into making changes they don't want to make (to flex power or as part of some other goal)

Gaining your trust, then convincing you to contact them outside of AO3 (where they can then steal your data or manipulate you further)

Trying to convince you to pay for a writing class run by them (a class that may or may not exist)

That last point almost happened to me once, but not on AO3. A commenter started off saying lots of nice things, and then they had a few tiny suggestions, and then they had much bigger suggestions, and then they said I should take a class to refine my writing and wouldn't you know it they just so happened to offer a course that would be perfect and it would only cost $50! I was 13-ish at the time, so I had no money and knew enough not to steal my parent's cards, so I declined. And then this person who had been so nice to me before got kinda mean, pushing me to "just find a way" to scrape together the money, and then stopped talking to me entirely all of a sudden.

Having said all that, these types of spam/scam comments are harder to spot than the ones that lie from the jump or say hateful things. Most nice comments aren't trying to trick you, and sometimes people offering unsolicited advice are genuinely trying to be helpful. You can't approach every interaction like it's 100% a scam, but you also shouldn't ignore red flags when they pop up.

Here are a few red flags to look out for when trying to spot these types of scammers/spam bots:

Originality of the comments: Are they commenting a lot, but it's all the same copy and pasted? Depending on the comment itself, this could be a low or high red flag. Longer comments copy and pasted is a big red flag, but shorter ones could just be someone with low energy. I know I've been guilty of commenting just "I love this!" on multiple chapters in a row because I was tired when reading but wanted to leave a comment. Use your best judgement and check for other flags.

Frequency of the comments: If the comments are appearing at a rate too fast for humans, that's a bot, likely trying to flood the comment section and overwhelm you.

Something off with the suggestions: Are they leaving suggestions that don't seem to line up with your fic? Like suggesting something that doesn't fit the genre or wouldn't make sense in the AU you're writing. Little things could just be a difference of opinion, but if it's something more obviously wrong it may be a sign that the comment is from a spammer/scammer who isn't really reading the fic.

Escalating suggestions: Did they offer small tweaks at first but then started suggesting more significant changes? They're either spam/scam comments or a legit commenter being rude.

Reactions to you: How do they react when you don't follow their suggestion? Do they start insulting you, guilt tripping you, or pressuring you? That's bad!

Reactions to you 2: If you do implement one of their suggestions (whether intentionally or if it just happened to be something you'd planned on doing anyway), how do they react? Do they gloat, start escalating things, or even demand compensation for their "service"? That's also bad!

Taking things off-site: If they start pressuring you to switch to emailing them or joining their private discord server, that's a red flag. I know discord is pretty popular with The Youth, and not every invite is inherently nefarious. Someone asking if you want to join their writers group may be perfectly nice and not malicious at all. But be aware of other red flags and stay cautious.

[transformativeworks]

Spambot Comments on AO3

As spam continues to be a problem on AO3, here's an update on the types of spambot comments you may see, what we're doing to combat them, and how you can help! Read more at https://otw-news.org/mr42w8j9

[solargoose]

I just finished reading the latest warrior cats book and I gotta say - unfortunate timing. Because I also have a Sneaky Snuffler in SR (I think in Monday's chapter, but don't quote me on that), and now I'm mad that canon got one first >:(

(This is a joke, I'm not actually mad. Also I'm 99% sure the canon Sneaky Snuffler and mine will turn out to be very different Snufflers. I did do the spiderman pointing meme though)

[solargoose]

I'm looking forward to Saturday the 17th :)

[solargoose]

I'm canceling SR and redoing it as a comic instead, I expect to be done sometime in the next 150 years, sneak peek at the first chapter below <3

Plus a bonus silly

April Fools, of course!

(My pen was running out of ink and I didn't try very hard to make the text legible, but there are image descriptions that include the text for each one)