Writing Advice Blog

This was a writing advice and writer moods blog to start with. It sort of started being a calling-out-antis-on-their-bullshit blog too and I'm just running with it because this issue some people have of not being able to split fiction from reality and demanding purity instead of taking responsibility for what they engage with on the internet is concerning and far more harmful to others than someone's favourite 'problematic' fictional ships and fictional art/writing.

[marsdaydream]

To the people who pile hate on AO3 for hosting what they deem as “inappropriate” conduct:

Do you also spend your time boycotting libraries?

Public libraries across the country continue to carry thousands of books like Nabokov’s Lolita (pedophilia), VC Andrews’ Flowers in the Attic series (incest), and Emma Donoghue’s Room (rape). Those books are available for free to any number of underage people who happen to have a library card. They are often “untagged.”

Do you also spend your time boycotting pirate/torrent sites? Many movies with inappropriate content are available online to download for free.

How about TV? What about popular songs with inappropriate subject matter? Do you have a problem with radio? With Spotify? Do you know how many ways there are to expose someone to content that mentions pedophilia, rape, incest, murder, or basically any other evil thing in the world?

Why do you get to decide what content is okay to publish on an online platform designed for and by adults? Why do you take issue with a site that posts its budget online, refuses to run ads and provides an absolutely free publishing platform for writers to share their work with a wide audience? Why do you take issue with a site that requires an age check and provides ways to helpfully tag works for particular content, in a way that most other content distributors do not?

Let’s talk about the bottom line, here: writing about something is not the same as endorsing it.

Let’s say it louder for the people in the back: writing about something is not the same as endorsing it.

You all think Stephen King is a murderer? How about the people who write every disturbing episode of Law & Order: SVU? How about the creators of any of the zillions of teen dramas that show teenagers having sex? Why is that content any different than the content available on AO3?

There’s a standard in the United States for what does and does not constitute child pornography. It’s called the Miller Test. Read it and familiarize yourself with it before you hurl around damaging accusations.

But that’s kind of irrelevant, because: AO3′s policies specifically prohibit the hosting of actual child pornography. Their Terms of Service page outlines, in detail, the kind of work they will and will not host.

AO3 makes it possible for countless writers and artists to create transformative work. They have an endless supply of creative content and they choose to make no money from this venture. They also pledge to help legally defend anyone’s right to create fan works.They don’t require you to buy a book or a theater ticket or a monthly subscription fee to read all of this work to your heart’s content, without popup ads, without selling people’s information. AO3 has been hugely responsible for making fanfiction possible, period. 

And if you censor some of it? You censor ALL of it. There is no fair or reasonable way to determine what content is okay and what is not okay, because fiction is not math, and there is no scientific formula for “appropriate.”

EVEN SO, refer again to the Terms of Service above, in which AO3 does set specific limits on the content it will host. 

Do you know what isn’t appropriate? Censoring artists. Telling writers they can’t write about certain topics. Bullying fans who don’t write the pairings you personally deem “okay.” Policing people for writing fictional stories.

In short: Donate to AO3. They make fandom possible on a daily basis.

[doomhamster]

But that’s kind of irrelevant, because: AO3′s policies specifically prohibit the hosting of actual child pornography. Their Terms of Service page outlines, in detail, the kind of work they will and will not host.

So for anyone who actually believed the “this is literally about child porn!!!” version: this is about the AO3 using the legal definition of what child porn is, as opposed to the one antis prefer. (Which can include things like minors chastely kissing, or relationships between adults if the age difference is “too large”.)

[reallystellacadente]

Not to mention, the US Code (aka, federal law) specifically states that only visual imagery can be considered child pornography. This is an excellent explanation from the DOJ, which somehow has not been removed by You Know Who. Written depictions are legal in the US and OTW is governed by US law. 

If you wish to advocate against something you find disgusting, there are ways to do it without trying to fuck people over, bully them or enforce censorship. 

[octopuscato]

All of this. It’s even specified in the TOS, look, you don’t even have to click the link, let me show you:

The person before me also linked to the Citizen’s Guide to U. S. Federal Law, where they explain what is defined as CP. Quote:

Section 2256 of Title 18, United States Code, defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor (someone under 18 years of age).  Visual depictions include photographs, videos, digital or computer generated images indistinguishable from an actual minor, and images created, adapted, or modified, but appear to depict an identifiable, actual minor.

AO3 forbids actual, real child pornography (as defined under US law because that’s where the servers are located at), as any website should, because that stuff shouldn’t exist. And given how the OTW have lawyers etc. to make sure it’s all waterproof and safe for them as well as us authors, you can bet they know what they’re doing.

[valtsv]

i think it's so fun when characters recognize that what they desire - fame, fortune, power, recognition, unrivalled skill in their chosen field - can consume them, but they consider themselves an exception. because they're different; they're self-aware, they're smart, they know what they're doing. they're not going to get caught up in the rush and forget that what they're dealing with has teeth. so they feed it and they let it grow and they feel so certain that it will never eat them alive because they're giving it what it wants, and you don't bite the hand that feeds. until one day they wake up and realize that they crawled right into its open jaws and let them shut behind them and swallow them up a long time ago and they've been living inside its stomach cavity ever since.

[jaasminttea-archive]

I am actually so serious I think it really messes with a childs creativity and joy to tell them to never make a mary sue OC. Like that unbridaled form of joy where you make a self insert OC who super cool and everyone loves them and they have every superpower in the world SHOULD be something a kid makes, it nourishes their ability to create things for fun and not be stifled by "oh but what if my character is too overpowered and cringey...". whatever

[writingadvicecollections]

Being able to recognise good writing AND be as 'cringey' as you want whenever you want to just have some goddamn fun for a change are both important for good writing skills development actually.

[palant1r]

"this work is problematic because of how it handles [subject]": reasonable premise for media criticism

"this work is problematic because it depicts [subject]": do not pass go do not collect $200 this is, as a general rule, a functionally reactionary and conservative argument

[cantotallyeven]

I think even more importantly:

"this work is problematic and you should be critical of the viewpoints it presents while engaging with it": reasonable premise for media criticism

"this work is problematic therefore everyone who engages with it is evil": do not pass go do not collect $200 this is, as a general rule, a functionally reactionary and conservative argument

[lumism]

my most unpopular stranger things related but not stranger things exclusive opinion is that i am very bored with how almost every story that has paranormal or scifi elements eventually evolves into a story about stopping the end of the world. and i do know that apocalypse media has its enjoyers however i am not one of them and i very rarely choose to consume it so you see why it would exhaust me that so often all my horror shows and podcasts turn into an apocalypse thing

[az-is-back]

[writingadvicecollections]

I hear you and fully agree!!!!!!

Also having a character falling in love and that romantic love giving them the power to succeed and not like, at the bare minimum the power of friendship (which should be treated as stronger because it is if you think about it but the alloros apparently have to saturate fucking everything they touch with their values to the point only a few things in media get to be literally anything else for a change), or better yet, the character themself overcoming through their own inner strength built over years and years of suffering and rage and spite and need to be treated like a goddamn person and fuck you for treating them this way like so many other people have they're better than this they deserve better than this you're hurting everyone they love not just their romantic interest and they're done being a pawn in your fucking pathetic vendetta for power and defeating the villain that way. Otherwise it's just fucking empty and so damn dismissive of everything characters like Eleven|Jane have been through to just be all 'oh it was the power of fucking teenage romance'. Get fucked and go learn how to respect your own characters and write literally any other plot device for a change. (Also work on pacing because oh my god everyone should have died like ten times over at least by the time Eleven|Jane got moving, ffs. XD )

(Sorry I've been holding that in until I saw a Stranger Things Season 4 critical post it would be ok to express things on rather than coming into positive enjoyment fandom people's space with my bullshit unprompted. XD )

[ao3commentoftheday]

less talk about "he wouldn't fucking say that" and more talk about "he would absolutely fucking say that if the producers would let him"

[ao3commentoftheday]

reading the notes on this post is just

[writingadvicecollections]

XD

[thewhumpyprintingpress]

This is a friendly reminder to never, ever publish your book with a publishing company that charges you to publish with them. That is a vanity press, which makes money by preying on authors. They charge you for editing, formatting, cover art, and more. With most of these companies, you will never seen a cent of any royalties made from sale of your book. A legitimate publishing company only makes money when you make money, they will never charge you to publish with them. If a company approaches you and says "Hey, we'll publish your book, just pay us X amount of money," tell them to go fuck themself and block them.

[whumpy-words]

Remember, kids: money should only ever flow FROM your publisher TO you.

Here's a very well-maintained resource by the SFWA (Science-Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association) that lists contests/editors/small presses/etc. with predatory behaviours:

WRITER BEWARE® - SFWA

About Us Mission Who we are, what we do, and why. Includes information on how to contact us. Overview and Site Map What you’ll find on the W

Go forth and publish safely!

[linseedling]

A highly scientific diagram

[noirandchocolate]

Having headcanons is so fun because sometimes you’ll be like “I believe Blorbo suffered childhood trauma, specifically abandonment and ostracism from their community, and this is the reason they took X action in canon. I base this off these brief but telling conversations they had with others in five different episodes, plus their reaction when Skrimblo disappeared for two days.”

But then also sometimes you’ll say “I think Glup Shitto is lactose intolerant.”

[ao3topshipsbracket]

AO3 Top Relationships Bracket- Quarterfinals

James T. Kirk/Spock (Star Trek) vs Aziraphale/Crowley (Good Omens)

Kirk/Spock

Aziraphale/Crowley

Voting ended onOct 9, 2023

This poll is a celebration of fandom history; we're aware that there are certain issues with many of the listed pairings and sources, but they are a part of that history. Please do not take this as an endorsement, and refrain from harassment.

[fuckyeahgoodomens]

OH DEAR WE ARE LOSING! VOTEEEEEEEE ❤

[neil-gaiman]

There is, as Spock would point out, no dishonour in losing to the greatest pairing of all time.

[writingadvicecollections]

Shame we have to put "this is not an endorsement" on fictional men. For fucks sake people. Calm down and let people like fictional content without making people have to pander to puritans every 30 seconds or risk a mobbing.

Also Neil Gaiman is absolutely correct.

[homunculus-argument]

Worldbuilding stuff:

If your story has an idle nobility class, their culture shouldn't just be different from the general population, it should be an over-the-top caricature of the common folks' culture. Whatever the population generally agrees is ideal, fair, admirable, or good, the nobility will take into stupid extremes.

Contrary to the beliefs of many, people are actually not at all happy when they're idle - a person with no assigned task or duty will go out of their way to come up with one. And all around the world, whenever there's been an upper class with nothing to do, they've started to compete with each other over stupid shit, but always stupid shit that the culture they live in considers positive qualities.

From the noblemen in Europe challenging each other to a possibly lethal duel over insulting someone's hat, to a Chinese noblewoman being moved to tears by the beauty of someone's calligraphy, bored elites everywhere have always wanted to outdo each other in their expressions of possessing all the noble traits that this culture in particular holds in value.

You can, and should, use this as a way to highlight what the actual values of this society is. In a setting where being religious is held as an admirable trait, there is nobility coming up with new ways to one-up each other in their expressions of worship. Society that values art and music will have them competing over who hires the most artists, and who employs the most talented musicians. Aggressive, war-like people will have fuels to the fucking death over a stupid hat.

Literally anything can be competed in, and bored people with far too much time and money in their hands will become competitive over the most ridiculous things. This isn't just an useful tool in worldbuilding, but also a fun one.

[frownyalfred]

Alcohol tips for newbie writers (or non drinkers!):

At bars, people who order “chasers” after their shots are ordering something to wash down the taste of their shot with. This can be juice, soda, more alcohol, or even pickle juice

Hard liquor is generally sold in stores as shots (tiny bottles), fifths, liters, and handles or in ml (50, 100, 200 etc)

Most people can’t finish an entire fifth of hard liquor (vodka, etc) on their own without being very ill

Conversely, many people can finish an entire bottle of wine on their own without being ill

Liquor can be “bottom shelf” or “rail” or “well” – all synonyms for the cheapest version of alcohol a bartender has. Bars generally keep several “levels” of alcohol stocked

You order a drink with the alcohol first, then the mix – e.g., a “vodka soda” or a “Tito’s and tonic”

When you “close out a tab”, you pay for all of the drinks you’ve had that night. Either the bartender already has your card (you “opened a tab” earlier) or it was quiet enough that they just kept an eye on you and tallied your bill up at the end

“Doubles” are drinks or shots with double the standard pour of alcohol

In the US, most shots (pours) are 1.5 oz by default. 

Mixed drinks (gin and tonic, vodka lemonade, cosmos, etc) are generally made up of 1-2 shots and a mixer 

If you don’t specify which type of alcohol you’d like in a mixed drink (vodka cranberry, for example) the bartender will put whatever the “house” liquor is – and this depends entirely on the establishment. A dive bar will pour rail by default, whereas a nicer tavern might make all vodka cranberries with Tito’s

PLEASE TIP YOUR BARTENDERS THEY WILL REMEMBER YOU I PROMISE

[thatgirlonstage]

Ao3 subscriptions are so fucking wild to me. Every time I write my silly fanfictions and post them 124 people get an email just to let them know that this idiot is posting their fanfictions again. I send 124 people an email every time I write smut. Imagine sending 124 physical letters out just to be like “hello everyone, I put some guys we made up in our heads through the horrors again.” Absolutely absurd. I am kissing all of you on the lips.

[writingadvicecollections]

XD

[kjscottwrites]

Truly the all time funniest writer thing is when you're doing edits and you think to yourself "omg I've got the PERFeCT sentence to add right here!" and then you stick it in all excited, only to find that literally three lines down you have virtually that exact same sentence in the draft already.

[writingadvicecollections]

XD

[cowboydeanwinchester]

is he … you know … open to interpretation?

[cowboydeanwinchester]

nobody on this webbed site can read

[wormcoded]

[cryoverkiltmilk]

i love how tumblr users play with etymology like dolls

[writingadvicecollections]

XD

[veronicamarsconfessions]

🪷

[dduane]

Always RB: because there is never enough love. And fanfic love is some of the purest.

[loving-parasite-moved]

you can always give your blorbos mobility aids btw . you can always make them disabled its always morally correct

[loving-parasite-moved]

Thats what i mean with this now . Fuckign commit violence against that beast until they have your disability we're getting representation the hard way 2night

[felinespaw-deactivated20260506]

[id: tags by peppermintfreak that read #i agree with your sentiment op but i would love to read this as you persuading us to break their legs or something / end id]

[writingadvicecollections]

XD