#(tbd?)

[transman-badass]

It's five am, I can't sleep, let me bitch a bit. It's not really a major thing but this is such a bad time to be writing fanfiction, isn't it? No feedback. Bot spam. If you do get readers, they might not tell you how much they love it, but they'll definitely let you know if you fuck up in their eyes. Combined with predatory publishing companies (a whole topic in itself), and AI (oh my GOD), it's a real fucked up situation.

I was gonna complain about my situation but it's such a minor thing. So instead I'll say... I get it. I get it if you want to stop writing fanfiction. You're probably expecting me to tell you to keep writing it, but, no, actually, I'm not. If fanfiction is no longer fun for you, if you can't find the joy in it anymore, if it's fucking up your mental health, then it's okay to stop. You are not obligated to try and make other people happy.

It's not your fault if the audience is not there. It's not your fault if the audience is there but isn't doing anything. It's not your fault if your only comments on AO3 are bots. It's not your fault if your fandom is full of hateful assholes. It's not your fault if you're afraid of having what you loved stolen.

It's okay to stop. You're not giving up, you're prioritizing yourself and that's one of the most important things you can do, especially with the world on fire like it is right now.

If you want to keep writing, that's good too. Maybe you're one of the lucky ones. Maybe you just don't care what other people think. Or maybe you're like me. I remember that AO3 is an archive first and foremost. A while back I decided I'm no longer uploading my stories there anymore to find readers, I'm uploading it because it's an archive. Your phone or computer can die at any time. Tumblr can fall apart any day now. But AO3 isn't likely going down any time soon.

And, if you really wanted to, you can turn off comments, leave a note at the end saying where people who actually give a shit can reach you, and ignore any kudos emails you get.

That's a bit extreme but you're seeing what I'm saying, right? Writing fanfiction for you and yourself only is so freeing. Not giving a shit about people reading your stuff and just doing whatever you want feels wonderful. I wish I could feel it more.

There was a point to this but I haven't slept and it's five am. I'm just trying to say... You shouldn't do stuff that hurts you. You should do stuff that makes you happy, not because it might theoretically please other people, or give you a theoretical, entirely unlikely social status boost, or whatever else. Fandom and fanfiction is about loving things and passion and if those are gone or are, again, hurting you, it's okay, even morally correct IMO, to stop.

And if fandom is still fun for you, if you're getting great comments or whatever, that's good. And if you're reading great fics, but not leaving any comments or reblogging if it's on here, that's not good.

I don't know how to finish this... Please don't kill yourself. Literally or metaphorically. Especially over fandom stuff.

[capinejghafa]

I saw a Wednesday show scene in which Morticia bans her from reading a book or something. As someone who has followed the 60s and 90s Addams family... I don't understand what I saw. Morticia would never discourage her children from pursuing their goals. Even in one of the 60s episodes, when Pugsley tried to be "normal," Morticia was very concerned but never discouraged him. The whole point of the Addams family is they are counterculture to a traditional family! They love and support each other unconditionally...

[en-theos]

looking pained because i am grisping that islatte like my life depends on it (it does)

[femivi]

trying to fight off art block .. with fmtn snuggles and little heidi cutting micro bangs by herself <3

[ghcstao3]

cw abuse / trafficking

winged au where having wings is rare, enough so that those with wings have become a novelty. something to exploit, treat as subhuman all for the entertainment of non-winged folk.

most winged individuals hide it all their lives. they wrap them in public and only let free in private in fear of encountering the wrong person only to get trafficked into a life of being put on display, to be studied or gawked at.

ghost makes it as far as roba. he’s thankful, at the very least, that his military comrades never outed him. because he was a good soldier, and that’s all that mattered.

but when he’s taken prisoner and roba becomes aware of his wings, ghost isn’t tortured—at least, not conventionally. but he’s used as a party trick for the cartel boss, toted around at events and parties and meetings so people can poke and prod at brown and white speckled wings.

ghost is stripped of freedom. he’s chained and forced to endure foreign hands over his bare back and sore wings day after day, night after night, wishing he could fly away but can’t because roba keeps him chained to a short leash. and for a while, he considers mutilating his own wings somehow, tearing out feathers or breaking bones, just so that something could change.

he never does. can’t bring himself to do it—at least, not before he’s finally found, finally rescued after years. not before a shock blanket is carefully draped over his shoulders by one sergeant john ‘soap’ mactavish, who backs away as soon as ghost is covered, to allow him space. who doesn’t stare at ghost as he breaks open his chains and finally frees him, face devoid of any telling emotion.

ghost almost flees, then. and somehow, he didn’t think soap would have stopped him in spite of the operation at hand. but he doesn’t. because maybe this could be a good different. maybe this could be a second chance.

[archaeval]

[jlmhopper]

i wish you could know me & i wish i could know you much more sometimes