Songlin @songlin - Tumblr Blog

Hey ! Do you happen to know of any fics where Sherlock is openly, unambiguously gay? thanks!

Hey Nonny!!!!

PERFECT, I'm using your ask to make a list I genuinely thought I already made, LOL LOL!!! And it gives me an excuse to have a new LGBT-themed fic for Pride Month this year!

Check out these fics where it's explicitly stated in the story (or author tags) that Sherlock is gay! Note that not ALL will be unambiguously open fics, but I'm hoping for the most part that the Marked for Later section DOES have them! <3

Happy pride month, Nonny!! And of course, friendos, PLEASE suggest your fics for the next list!!

GAY SHERLOCK

BOOKMARKS

Cadet Holmes: A Detective Undercover by Talizora (E, 6,388 w., 1 Ch. || Military Kink, Public Sex, Homophobia, Captain John, Gay Sherlock, PWP, Case Fic) – Sherlock took a deep breath and reached out to lightly brush his fingers across the heavy fabric of the uniform. The shudder that rocked through his whole body was entirely involuntary and hateful. He needed to get over this reaction fast because if he was this affected by an empty uniform on a bed how would he deal with being surrounded by fit men wearing the uniforms while they got hot and sweaty. Part 4 of the My Tumblr Ficlets and Drabbles series

The Real Great Perfumers by shelleysprometheus (E, 45,355 w., 68 Ch. || Case Fic, Alternating POV, Gay Sherlock / Bi John, Canon Compliant with Divergence at TRF, Friends to Lovers, Oral / Anal, Pining, First Kiss / Time, Dev. Rel., Drugging, Body Worship, Bathing, Love Confessions, Travelling, Bottomlock, Cranky Sherlock, BJ’s, Alternating POV, Jealous John) – The case, this case. This extraordinary, fascinating, scintillating case. A house. Designed entirely by its eccentric owner, built by no less than five hundred expert tradesmen in the heart of Marrakesh. A house that had, seemingly not only driven its owner out, but also to his quite unpleasant death. And a perfumer, a chemist no less, the very thought of the secrets that house could reveal, would reveal was irresistible. Sherlock had to have this case ... and it seems, he also had to have John! Part 1 of the Forethought and Fire series

Fade To Black by twistedthicket1 (M, 93,389 w., 29 Ch. || Dissociative Identity Disorder, Action, Romance, Violence, Implied Rape/Non-Con, BAMF John, Fluff and Angst, Baskerville, Human Experimentation, PTSD, Implied Self Harm, Trauma Amnesia, Past Child Sexual Abuse, Protective Sherlock, Smoking, Meddling Mycroft, Past Victor/Sherlock, Gay Sherlock, Sherlock’s Past, First Kiss/Time, Happy Ending) – John Watson believes one day he'll just fade. That he'll drown in the black spaces of his mind, and that one day he will no longer exist. It's always been like this, the dark spots marking out moments in his life he can't remember. Where for just a moment he's someone else. Having a Dissociative identity disorder, he can't even be entirely sure he's really who he says he is. Then he meets Sherlock Holmes. A brilliant detective who when he looks at you can read your entire life story. John is immediately fascinated and afraid, half-wondering if maybe Sherlock can see the other personalities in him and half terrified of the thought of him finding out. Becoming his flatmate seems at once to be a wonderful and horrible idea. Yet as John's Blackouts become more and more severe and his other personalities begin to truly awaken and show themselves with Sherlock's help, the two soon discover that sometimes even the kindest person can harbour a demon best left untouched inside of them. Because not all of John's other personalities play nicely and some may be hiding secrets best left undisturbed...

Forethought and Fire Series by 7PercentSolution & shelleysprometheus (E, 352,650+ w. across 5 works || Series WiP || Johnlock and MorMor || Original Characters, Case Fics, Alternating POV, Bisexual John, Gay Sherlock, Travelling, Developing Relationships, , Revenge, Betrayal, Blood and Torture, Trust, Bereavement, Entrapment, Extortion, Suicidal Ideation) – "The real great perfumers are not perfumers, they are the bees, the winds, the rivers and other things that carry and mix scents in space" ~ Serge Lutens.

MARKED FOR LATER

Coffee Date by scribblecure (T, 1,440 w., 1 Ch. || Coming Out, Pining Sherlock, POV Molly, Gay Sherlock) – Molly narrowed her eyes. “Is this something to do with John?” “No,” he said quickly. “You sure?”

The Möbelaffär by topsyturvy_turtely (T, 2,676 w., 1 Ch. || IKEA, Developing Relationship, Shopping, Gay Sherlock, Bisexual John, Fluff, First Kiss / Time) – möbelaffär. Noun. Swedish. Meaning 'furniture store'. Prompt: doing a chore around the house. Part 29 of turtely's OTP challenge

One Second and a Million Miles by itsalwaysyou_jw (M, 4,197 w., 3 Ch. || Angst, Bed Sharing, Bi John / Gay Sherlock, POV Sherlock, Canon Compliant, Music Inspired, Stag Night, Love Confessions) – Neither Sherlock nor John had expected the stag night to end in the bedroom. In the aftermath, after years of silence, Sherlock finds the courage to confess the depth of his love for John. With everything on the line, he cannot afford to hold back now. In light of these confessions, John is forced to make a critical decision.

The Future isn't Binary by topsyturvy_turtely (T, 4,570 w., 1 Ch. || Gender Confusion, Nonbinary Sherlock, Established Relationship, Feminine Sherlock, Shopping, Makeup, LGBTQ Themes, Gay Sherlock, Bisexual John, Anxiety Attacks, Mental Health Issues) Harry Watson, her fiancée and John help Sherlock exploring his gender: Harry is the queer expert, Nora is the expert for clothes and makeup. And John... well, John doesn't really do much but nearly drooling upon seeing Sherlock in feminine clothes. Part 20 of turtely's OTP challenge

Human Urges by topsyturvy_turtely (T, 5,861 w., 4 Ch. || Tooth-Rotting Fluff, First Kiss / Time, Bisexual John, Gay Sherlock, Cuddling, Hugging, Mutual Pining, Crack Fic, Shy John, Idiot Friends to Lovers) – John hated it. He utterly and truly hated it. He despised himself for it. It was going on his nerves. In fact it annoyed the fucking SHIT out of him. That stupid, always present, torturing urge to be kissed!

Need to Know by fictionallemons (M, 14,461 w., 10 Ch. || Post S3 / HLV, First Kiss, Bed Sharing, PTSD, Jealous John, Bisexual John, Gay Sherlock, Therapy, Misunderstandings, Drug Use, Light Case Fic, No Baby/Rosie, Pining) – “What were you going to say, on the tarmac? I know there was something else. I may not be able to tell when you’re lying, but I can tell there was something else. Please. I need to know.”

Life's Uneven Kilter by theslovenlyfool (T, 14,877 w., 4 Ch. || Canon Divergence S3, BAMF John, Secretly Married, Camp Gay Sherlock, Dancing, John is a Good Actor, Fake Relationship, Mycroft Plays a Role) – "According to Sherlock, the game began on September 21, 2005 at precisely 10:37:04 am. John complained that, with that logic, the game had actually begun on January 7, 2000, at around 1:30 am. But for Sherlock, games are only fun when others are willing to play. What is a game without an adversary, after all? And what is a proper dash across London without a partner? Now, Sherlock thought as he assessed the doctor with the unforgivable cane, the game is on."

To a Friend Who Sent Me Roses by AlgySwinburne (E, 16,152 w., 6 Ch. || Post S4 / Ignores TFP, Five and One, Friends to Lovers, Insecure Sherlock, Parenthood, Declarations of Love, First Kiss, Bisexual John, Gay Sherlock Oblivious Sherlock, Morning Sex, Anal Sex, Press and Tabloids) – Five times Sherlock is mistaken for John’s partner and Rosie’s father, and one time it isn’t a mistake.

Of Dinner and Desires by IneffableHusbands95 & KittieHill (E, 16,663 w., 5 Ch. || Fake Relationship, Established Mystrade, Powerful Mycroft, Bisexual John, Gay Sherlock, Sexual Tension, Drama, Jealous Sherlock, Confused John, Sad Wanking, Masturbation, Banter, Big Brother Mycroft, Possessive Sherlock, Anal Sex, Virgin Sherlock, PWP, Blow Jobs, Shower Sex, Marriage Proposal) – Mycroft bared his teeth and glared before softening. “Surprisingly, I do have better things to do than watch you drink yourself into a self-pitying stupor.” He looked like he might get up and walk out, but he inhaled, fixed his collar and then ordered a gin and tonic from the bar staff who looked at the strange man but scurried off to fix his drink immediately. “We need to discuss your attraction to my brother.”

Walk of Shame by 72reasons (E, 30,822 w., 18 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting AU || Meet-Ugly, Bisexual John, Gay Sherlock, Alternating POV, Sad John, Suicidal Thoughts, Casual Sex, Strangers to Lovers, Implied/Referenced Drug Use, Threesome, Hand Jobs, Blow Jobs, Frottage, Anal Fingering, Anal Sex) – John is just back from the war and wanders the city wondering what he’s going to do. One of his distractions is having casual sex with a beautiful, but annoying, woman. Sherlock usually refrains from sex, but in trying to stay sober he indulges in it now and again. Sherlock meets John on the street and sparks fly. Casual sex is one thing, but what about something more?

Caesura by emilycare (M, 36,608 w., 10 Ch. || Five and One, Mutual Pining, Love Confessions, Sherlock’s Violin, Friends to Lovers, Past Abuse, Past Drug Use, Angst with Happy Ending, Suicidal Thoughts, Oral Sex, Blow Jobs, Domestic Fluff, Soft Sherlock, Gay Sherlock, Bisexual John) – The violin is a retreat that eases the quiet of Sherlock Holmes' solitude. It also speaks for him when he cannot bridge the gaps his defenses create. Moments when music helps Sherlock reach out or let others in, like his stalwart flatmate and, in time, the doctor's daughter. Five times Sherlock Holmes played the violin, and one time he did not.

Cockaigne by HollyShadow88 (E, 38,566 w., 7 Ch. || Steampunk AU || Pre TRF Canon Divergence, Fake Relationship, Art Shows, Porn With Plot, Case Fic, Developing Relationship, Gay Sherlock, Exhibitionism, Hand Jobs, Coming in Pants, High Heels, Blushing, Blow Jobs, Deep Throating, Hair Pulling, Light BDSM, Orgasm Delay/Denial, Aftercare, Dildos/Buttplugs, Enthusiastic Consent, Anal Fingering/Sex, Painplay, Military Kink, Lipstick, Corsetry, Love Confessions, Mutual Pining) – When John’s contacted by an old uni friend about problems in his new art exhibition, he doesn’t think it will be worth Sherlock’s time. After a glance of the crime scene, however, they’re both pulled into the project in ways John didn’t expect. Will a week of erotic performance art finally be enough to bring them together in the way they both secretly hope? (Spoiler: it’s a tropey fic, of course it will)

My Pictures of You by 72reasons (E, 50,527 w., 19 Ch. || Fashion AU || Model Sherlock / Photographer John, Bisexual John, Gay Sherlock, Past Viclock, Past Warstan, Cocaine / Drug Use, Mary is Not Nice, Angst, Pining, Case Fic, Kidnapping, Human Trafficking, Past Jolto, Blow Jobs, Hand Jobs, Frottage, Oral / Anal, Fingering, Dancing, Non-Con Drug Use, Rimming) – John Watson, a photographer, gets an assignment to shoot gorgeous, young fashion model, Sherlock Holmes. He feels an instant connection, but Sherlock uses drugs and has an old friend who's just landed himself in a lot of trouble. When Sherlock comes to John for help, he reluctantly agrees. Angst, past loves, and insecurities threaten to end their budding romance, but ultimately love and trust wins out.

Focal Point by PuffleLock (E, 60,913 w., 13 Ch. || Post-TRF Divergence / Different Reunion, POV John, Slow Burn, For a Case, Friends to Lovers, Suicidal Thoughts, Sad Wank, Sherlock in Makeup, Dancing, Mentions of Torture / Depression / PTSD, Love Confessions, Idiots in Love, Frottage, Blow Jobs, Scars, Rimming, Anal, Toplock, First Kiss / Time, Gay Sherlock / Bi John) – John comes home early from a medical conference to find that every once in awhile, Sherlock can surprise the hell out of him. Can John surprise him back?

Follow Me Down by 221BeStillMyHeart (E, 67,725 w., 15 Ch. || Alternate First Meetings / Professions AU || Captain John, Daddy Kink, Suave John, Slow Burn, Pining, First Dates, Gay Sherlock, Jealous John, Case Fic, BAMF John, Caring John, Insecure Sherlock, Protective John, Protective Lestrade, Big Brother Mycroft, Fluff, Masturbation, Gentle John, Flirting Sherlock, Jealous Sherlock) – Sherlock Holmes is a 23 year old genius working as a forensic analyst at Bart's hospital. John Watson is a 38 year old army captain just back from war, working as the lead surgeon in the trauma ward. A chance meeting brings them together, and no one is ever the same.

Suddenly All the Songs Were About You by Anna521614 (E, 175,955 w., 38 Ch. || Teenager / High School AU || Friends to Lovers, Gay Sherlock, Confused John, Slow Burn, Anal, Rimming, Blow Jobs, Loss of Virginity, First Time, Virgin Sherlock, Fluff, Humour, Coming Out, Coming of Age, Banter, Mutual Pining, Top John, Bottom Sherlock, Farmer John, First Love, Angst) – When Sherlock's mom is sent to work at a research campus in the southern United States, he is less than thrilled about having to pack their family up. But once his eyes fall on straight football player and high school senior John Watson- he starts to think it might not be so bad.

hired gun by simplyclockwork (E, 232,524 w., 40 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting || Post-TRF Divergence, Mercenary John, Enemies to Lovers, First Kiss/Time, Pansexual John, Gay Sherlock, Action & Romance, Mutual Pining, Slow Burn, Alternating POV, Mutual Attraction, Violence, Angst with Happy Ending) – After faking his suicide in response to allegations of fraud, two years into dismantling Moriarty's network finds Sherlock Holmes in Morocco. Nearing the end of his mission, he is apprehended by a man with the mercy of a doctor, the control of a soldier, and the brutality of a mercenary. Through capture, betrayal, and unexpected danger, both Sherlock and John Watson, gun-for-hire, will have to learn who can really be trusted. Part 1 of Redemption

Sherlock Holmes Live by emilycare (E, 488,496 w., 73 Ch. || Theatre AU || Immersive Theatre, Romance, Slow Burn, Fake / Pretend Relationship, Fluff, Bisexual John, Demisexual Gay Sherlock, Alternating POV, Falling in Love, Eventual Case Fic, Soft Sherlock, Panic Attacks, Hurt/Comfort, Angst with Happy Ending, Pining John) – Down on his luck John Watson answers an advert for a paid role in an experimental play. Enter William Scott with a most unusual proposition: help him test run a two person immersive experience, oh and by the way there is sex and romance involved.

WORKS IN PROGRESS

I Didn't Know I How Much I Needed You by Jaci4Narnia (M, 4,270 +w., 3/? Ch. || WiP || Teen Ballet/Rugby High School AU || Ballet Dancer Sherlock, Rugby Player John, Gay Sherlock, Underage Sex, Graphic Violence, Teenage Drama, Blow Jobs, Anal/Oral, Spanking, Implied Past Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Drug Abuse, Prostitution, Sex Worker Sherlock, Pimp!Moran) – Sherlock is an orphaned boy raised by his abusive foster father. He's under the control of an over-bearing and cruel pimp, Sebastian Moran, who makes a lot of money off of Sherlock's ability to seduce anyone. Treated like a worthless whore, Sherlock feels loved for the first time when he meets John Watson, a rugby player with a hard life. The two boys are drawn to each other instantly and thus begins a beautiful relationship that neither of the boys have ever experienced before.

A Seed of Love by SosoHolmesWatson (E, 31,840+ w., 5/25 Ch. || WiP || Weddings, Parentlock, Established Relationship, Domestic Bliss, Anal/Oral Sex, Surrogacy, Mollstrade, Hand Jobs, Fluff, Kidnapping, Eventual Heavy Angst, Angst with Happy Ending, Alternating POV, Insecure Sherlock, Caring John, Wedding Planning, Bisexual John, Gay Sherlock, Family Drama, Family Fluff, Case Fic) – Two months after moving back in together, the Baker Street Boys have finally faced their past and confessed their love. Still, finding their way into their new relationship poses a lot of challenges neither of them could have foreseen. Can their seed of love take root? THIS WORK IS CURRENTLY ON HIATUS

Limitless Ocean by angel-loving-star (M, 150,730+ w., 21/36 Ch. || WIP || Post-TLD / S4 Fix It, Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn, John's PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, Sherlock Whump, Alcohol Abuse, Past Drug Addiction, Fluff, Parentlock, Coming Out, Nightmares, Panic / Anxiety Attacks, Dissociation, Alternating POV, Suicidal Ideation, Self-Harm Ideation, Internalized Homophobia, Closeted John, Angst, Insomnia, Domestics, Cuddling / Snuggling, Gay Sherlock) – Sherlock is recovering from the Culverton Smith case. But there are some things that time or body can't heal. When John and Rosie unexpectedly move back in 221B the day after Sherlock's birthday, nothing is as it used to be. Both he and John are treading on thin ice. It is only a matter of time until the first cracks appear. Until they begin to sink into the freezing waters of the ocean beneath, and are forced to face their demons, each other, and what has been lurking in the dark for far, far too long. Until it is only them, the promise of sky above the surface, and the limitless ocean flooding into their hearts.

Reichenbach Falls by VeeTheRee (M, 551,435+ w., 105/303 Ch. || WiP || Gravity Falls / Multifandom AU || Alternate First Meeting, Gay Sherlock, Mutual Pining, Unilock, Summer Romance/Love, Fluff, Insecure Sherlock, Villain Mary, First Kiss, Slow Burn, Doctor Who, Supernatural, Canadian John, French Canadian Lestrade, Insecure Sherlock, Mystery, Domestic Fluff, Developing Relationship Summer Love, Light Angst, BAMF! John, Case Fic) – Two Canadians, two Brits studying in Canada, and an upkeeper walk into a Mystery Shack…. and live there. Summer holidays are here, and the step-siblings, Irene Adler and Sherlock Holmes, find themselves in a boring town called Reichenbach Falls, Oregon, USA. It isn’t as boring as it seems, however, once Sherlock stumbles upon a mystery journal, and the author is unknown. The journal contains ciphers, a strange colour wheel, and information about magical creatures that are said to be looming in the Northwestern forests. With mysteries to solve in hand, he and Irene set out to get to the roots of the town, and the abrupt disappearance of the author of the journal. But they’re not alone - John Watson, quite the handsome nephew of the Mystery Shack owner Greg Lestrade, is on their side to help out, plus mess with Sherlock’s feelings, in a good way. Shenanigans, romance, fun, danger, and deductions ensue. Oh, and there’s also occasional SuperWhoLock and two dorky Winchester brothers to spark up the action later on. Part 1 of the Reichenbach Falls series

inevitably-johnlocked

sleipnirlokison said:

Here are a few to help get the list going, most are from memory/description so might not be 100% accurate: The Art Of Seduction by flawedamythyst, The Faithful Compass by KeelieThompson1, Say You'll Stay With Me by justacookieofacumberbatch (buffyholic), Whirlwind by rubyofkukundu, Pull the Stars from the Sky Universe by roane, Amateurs by lbmisscharlie, You're On the Air by prettysailorsoldier, Boyfriend Material by PoppyAlexander, The Doubtful Comforts of Human Love by PoppyAlexander, Leveling Up by philalethia, The Watsons by GubraithianFire

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The Art Of Seduction: A Study In Pulling by flawedamythyst (M, 25,279 w., 1 Ch. || Queer As Folk Inspired AU || John/OMC, Additional Tags to Be Added Upon Reading) – Sherlock ran a website called The Science Of Seduction, on which he gave advice on the best ways to get laid, wrote blog entries detailing the results of his various sexual 'experiments' and generally contributed to the stereotype of 'every gay man is a sex-mad playboy'. John avoided the thing like the plague.AU in which Sherlock treats sex like he does crime in canon. Inspired by Queer As Folk UK, but it very quickly went its own way. Part 1 of The Art Of Seduction

Say You’ll Stay With Me by justacookieofacumberbatch (E, 63,349 w., 21 Ch. || Pretty Woman Fusion || Prostitution) – It was just supposed to be an ordinary business trip, but when John’s car stalls out on Hollywood Boulevard, he meets someone who just might change his life.

Whirlwind by rubyofkukundu (E, 4,721 w., 1 Ch. || 90s College/University AU || First Time, Porn Without Plot) – Obligatory 'they meet as students' fic. It's the mid-90s! John meets Sherlock in a club. Sex ensues :D Part 1 of Whirlwind

Pull the Stars from the Sky Universe by roane (E, 77,721 w. across 7 works || Punk / Rock Band AU || PTSD, Drug Addiction, Humour, First Kiss/Time, PWP, Oral Sex, Anal, Rimming) – It’s the fall of 2000, and to help him out after his military career has ended due to injury, John Watson’s sister Harriet gets him a job as US tour manager for rising star of the industrial scene and enfant terrible, Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock’s not long out of rehab and there are plenty of doubts as to whether he’s serious about recovery. Plus, the music industry is shaking in its boots over the Napster mess. All John has to do is keep the money coming in and make sure his star doesn't screw things up. After the army, that should be easy, right?

Amateurs by lbmisscharlie (E, 4,335 w., 1 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting AU || Amateur Porn, Porn With Plot, Public Sex) – AU wherein John and Sherlock did not meet at Bart's. Instead, they meet in a seedy studio for a bit of gay-for-pay amateur porn. John is doing it because he genuinely, desperately needs money and he'd heard an old army buddy say it paid well for almost nothing; Sherlock's doing it for a case, of course.

You're On the Air by prettysailorsoldier (M, 20,616 w., 1 Ch. || University AU || Matchmaking, Radio, Christmas, Christmas Fluff, First Kiss, Friends to Lovers, Sherlock POV, Pining Sherlock, Flirting, Bisexual John) – The Consulting Detective and The Woman dominate the airwaves of their university radio station, doling out advice on everything from meeting the parents to sexual positions. When their ratings start to dip before the holidays, however, manager Mike thinks it's time for some fresh blood, and who better to fill in the gaps than rugby captain--and notorious flirt--John Watson? Part 1 of 25 Days of Johnlock

Boyfriend Material by PoppyAlexander (E, 151,282 w., 58 Ch. || American Hockey AU || Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Closeted John, POV John, Pining, Casual Sex / Hook Ups, Rom-Com) – Boston Brawlers' team captain John Watson longs for two things: a championship before he retires, and a boyfriend. Assigned to room with goaltender Sherlock Holmes--known around the league as both a genius and a "weird dude"– on Brawlers' roadtrips, John discovers the things they have in common that lead to an easy friendship and a convenient arrangement.

The Doubtful Comforts of Human Love by PoppyAlexander (M, 61,500 w. || Ballet / Rugby AU || Ballet Sherlock / Rugby John, Est. Long-Term Relationship, Marriage, Case Fic, Blow Jobs, Implied Infidelity, Angst, Dirty Talk, Violent Outbursts, Arguments, Relationship Discussions, Love Letters, Grand Gestures, Hopeful Ending) – UK Ballet principal dancer Sherlock Holmes and assistant rugby coach John Watson met and fell in love as ambitious, optimistic teenagers. Twenty years on, they are entering midlife, facing the break-down of their bodies and the ending of their careers, and contemplating what the future holds for two middle-aged men forced to start over. With a frightening crisis unfolding at the Ballet, Sherlock must balance the demands of his career, his friendships, and his marriage with his own struggle against bitterness and discontent, while John takes a long-overdue glance from the outside, in, and stutter-steps toward making a kind of peace.

Leveling Up by philalethia (M, 36,961 w., 48 Ch. || Video Gamer AU || Different First Meeting, Epistolary, Gaming, Internalized Homophobia, Sexuality Crisis, Past Drug Use) – John plays video games, Sherlock writes a guide on GameFAQs, and they get on quite well together... eventually.Told entirely through emails, text messages, and voice chats.

Save Me or Let Me Drown by GubraithianFire (E, 72,986 w., 16 Ch. || Shameless AU || Dysfunctional Family, Alcoholism, Recreational Drug Use, Angst, Humour, Clubbing, Bipolar Disorder, Custody Battle, Mutual Pining, Family Fluff, Smut, Handcuffs, Anal Sex, Shower Sex, Rimming, Come Shot, Angst With Happy Ending) – How Sherlock escaped from his family, John sacrificed everything to his, and how, together, they built their own. Part 1 of the The Watsons series

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The Faithful Compass Series is no longer online since it was published.

Thank you for all the others!!!

inevitably-johnlocked

Happy Wednesday!!

jester-nonconforming

btw i love when dubcon is used in fiction as a way to explore characters. i love when characters don’t understand how to “properly” ask for consent because they have never had their consent respected in their lives. i love when traumatized adult characters make potentially unwise choices about what to do with their bodies because they have the autonomy to do so. i love when characters make choices that i personally wouldn’t make, but i can totally understand how they got there. i love when characters have complex, fucked up, unhealthy dynamics, but still care about each other and want to do better. i love when writers trust audience members to read between the lines instead of spoon feeding them moral lessons. i love when characters are allowed to actually fuck up and have mistakes to learn from!

animentality

sabertoothwalrus

I know it’s mermay and all but godddddd so many mermaid aus are so boringggggg like it’s not even au you just made up entirely new characters. if you’re not going to incorporate any aspect of their canon dynamics then what is even the fucking point. btw I’m allowed to be a hater about this because my birthday is in may so I reclaim it

sabertoothwalrus

ok leaving the haterism bit to answer this genuinely

honestly this applies to any au, not just mermaids, but I’d much rather read something where the writer considers WHAT the universe-altering aspect REPRESENTS and what it replaces. did the original world already have magic, and can it be substituted by mermaids (and does it work with the whole world and not just the bits related to the ship you’re writing this au for)? if not, did the original world have a narrative where characters are separated by factors beyond their control? was there a character with a canon arc that could translate well to being/becoming a mermaid? I feel like this is often ignored in favor of just retelling the little mermaid, but this time the characters look like and are named after other characters.

oftentimes, aus fail to interest me because they change the backstories to such an extreme degree that the characters couldn’t possibly be the same people anymore. for example, there’s no real way to do a modern no-magic coffee shop au of avatar the last airbender that doesn’t remove most of the stakes of what makes aang—a kid thrust into a war with the responsibility to save the entire world at the age of twelve, who feels responsible for the demise of his entire civilization and culture—interesting!! if you take all that away from him, then why does the character in question need to be aang if you could replace him with, like, peter parker and get the same outcome.

ALL THIS TO SAY!! you can do whatever you want. There’s no right or wrong way to participate in fandom. personally, I like engaging with fandom by playing with the material given and doing character/narrative analysis, and some people don’t!!

I mean this in a very positive and uplifting way, but I think some people will have so much more fun (and freedom!!) once they realize they are already making original stories with original characters and that they should lean into it!! I think that is just as much of a special and wonderful thing as creating fan content!!!

songlin

I also feel similarly! It's why whenever I approach AU writing, I always start with what connects my original content to the source material.

For me, Sherlock doesn’t have to be solving crimes in every universe. Other readers and writers think otherwise! Part of creating your story is teasing out what has to stay.

mephistopheles

"bottom" please consider 🫵 whether the word you are looking for is in fact "submissive" ! because if we decide that taking dick means your personality & character r inherently subservient 😃 we might as well just throw in the towel on the most basic premise of feminism & 🔫 kill ourselves 🎉

cosmogyros

canonkiller

many people sharing the writing post today... hard to keep up with..... know my universal advice:

if it sucks you should still write it

if it'll be unfinished you should still write it

if you never share it you should still write it

if it's not a linear fiction adventure you should still write it

if you will have fun writing it you should write it :)

there-is-no-hucow-level

Shout out to anyone who can't or struggles with cumming and is so sick of how everyone talks about it.

I need you to stop making cumming the goal post, the goal of sex should be mutual enjoyment and if you start talking about making someone cum and they tell you that's unlikely or won't happen your response should not be "I always make my partners cum don't worry I'll be the one to do it" or "you just need more care and patience, we'll go slower and take all night, you can trust me" or "you just need more stimulation, let's get you this and this and this and I'll be extra rough and dominant" those all suck, unless this person has specifically asked for your help, this person is telling you what to expect going in and hearing all that when you know and are comfortable with how you are is just annoying. That won't happen but we can have plenty of fun other ways, focus on that. I don't need you to fix the nothing wrong with me thanks.

wafflewarrior111

So... I found this and now it keeps coming to mind. You hear about "life-changing writing advice" all the time and usually its really not—but honestly this is it man.

I'm going to try it.

missroserose

I love the lawyer metaphor, because whenever I see “John knew that...” in prose writing I immediately think “how? How does he know it?” Interrogate your witnesses. Cross-examine them. Make them explain their reasoning. It pays dividends.

heck-in-a-handbasket

All of this, but also feels/felt. My editor has forbidden me from using those and it’s forced me to stretch my skills.

ineedthesons

This is your "show not tell" advice explained!

tarysande

Editor here.

First, let me preface this with something very important: you can treat all of this advice as SECOND-DRAFT ADVICE. It is so much easier to rewrite this kind of stuff once you have words on the page. Telling yourself the first draft is totally appropriate and acceptable.

What we’re talking about here are FILTER WORDS (and to some degree verbs of being). Yes, “thought” words are included. But so are “heard, saw, looked, tasted, smelled” etc.—most words having to do with the senses.

This isn’t black and white advice; sometimes you’ll use these words and that’s okay. They’re not WRONG. They’re just weaker. And they’re weaker because they create distance between the reader and the experience of the character.*

If you want your reader to feel like they’re experiencing the story right alongside the character, you want to cut down on filter words.

*This is particularly important with first person and close third POVs. The reader always knows whose eyes they’re seeing through and thoughts they’re privy to. So you don’t need to tell them “I saw X.” Or “I heard X.” Or “I thought Y.” You can just jump into the action/observation as it’s happening.

This is also where you want to pay attention to verbs of being.

“It was rainy.” Versus: “The rain pounded against the roof.” Or “The rain howled like an injured animal.” Or “The rain tapped against the window like an anxious lover.” All of these are inviting the reader deeper into the experience of the story by using stronger verbs and similes. And, at the same time, they stir feelings (instead of TELLING feelings). And feelings keep your reader engaged. Engaged readers keep turning pages; engaged readers become FANS.

the-haiku-bot

This is also where

you want to pay attention

to verbs of being.

Beep boop! I look for accidental haiku posts. Sometimes I mess up.

defilerwyrm

The most valuable advice that Author Ex gave me through the years that we wrote together was this: the problem with all these filter words is that they create distance in the POV.

That means that when you read a line like

John saw that the curtains were open.

It immediately takes you OUT of the character's perspective and instead tells you what they experience as a secondhand observation.

You don't have to get fancy or purple with how you rephrase things like this. Not everything needs a ton of breathing room.

You wanna know what's perfectly impactful while keeping a tight POV?

The curtains were open.

Simple as that.

songlin

This was one of my all time most powerful writing lessons! This mindset shift makes you a stronger writer immediately in a way that just keeps getting easier and better for you.

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Songlin