writeblr | about | "All they needed to do here was to exist. To be themselves... That night they reconnected, because what else was there to do but to begin to heal?" | Ao3
Synopsis:Ā A story that follows the general day to day life of a semi-closeted bi girl that goes to a Christian school in the middle of the Bible belt. She currently has a boyfriend, but she's recently met a girl and may be catching feelings.
Main Characters: Beatrix, Harper, and Leona
Supporting Characters (So far): Alexis and Evelyn
Tagline: She dates boys, but falls in love with girls.
Excerpt:Ā The folks in town said that sheād blown in on the winds of a summer storm, but none of them really knew just how accurate that was. It happened in May, just before the end of the school year. Most people would really still consider that spring, but to any high schooler around, summer was in the air, and it was there to stay.
Let me know if you want to be added to the tag list!
anyway. I'll never be over the poetics of, as my uncle was passing away, the nurse remarking that he had a strong heart. like. yeah. you didn't even know him and I know you're speaking anatomically but yeah. that's exactly it. you got it. he does have a strong heart.
I am a PASSIONATE commenter on fanfiction, but sometimes it slows down my reading because I don't want to read if I don't have the mental energy to leave the long comments I want to
Still, as an author, I know even a short note can mean the world.
So, I put together a little guide with different ālevelsā of comments, so itās easier to leave something without overthinking!
As someone with cognitive impairment, who is also extremely passionate about leaving comments, I too put off reading sometimes because I know it takes additional energy to comment.
So, if I may add another couple of tips for fellow readers who don't always have the time/capacity to leave well thought out comments:
Reading a multi-chapter fic and finding it difficult to say something new every chapter?
- It is TOTALLY fine for your comments to fluctuate from dissertations to just a sentence or two, or even just some enthusiastic emoji from chapter to chapter! The author will still appreciate the love, no matter what.
Just got an Update email on your fave WIP, but you know you don't have capacity to read and leave a comment in the same sitting?
- When low brain capacity means I only have enough juice to read a chapter, but won't have enough for a long comment after, I usually post something like "Loved this update! I'll leave a longer comment once I've had time to really process everything that happened."
Then, I set myself a reminder to go back and post my thoughts when my brain recharges a bit. Oftentimes, this method actually leads me to noticing even more details when I go to write down my thoughts.
Have you ever read a fic in multiple sittings, then gotten to the comment section and suddenly, you can't remembering every little thing you loved?
- I have short term memory issues, so this happens to me even when I read something all at once. To combat this issue, I always have a note open in another window, or even just a scrap of paper nearby, and I write my live reaction notes as I'm reading.
I really like this method, because it means my comments are sort of a play-by-play. When I've had authors reply to these comments, they usually add some insight into the fic I wouldn't have gotten otherwise! It's like unlocking bonus features š
No matter what your style is, commenting is an integral part of fanfiction. I promise you, no matter what you end up commenting, we authors appreciate it!
NOTICE: As more and more fanfic writers are using generative AI for their works (you uncreative dweebs), I hereby swear on everything I hold dear that I have not and will NEVER use generative AI in ANY of my written work. Everything I post will be organically and creatively my own.
There is nothing more precious to me as a writer than the comments left on AO3. Whenever I get that email notification, I wonder what kind of comment was left. To have a little fun, I'm going to sort the typical comments into a few different categories and share my reactions to them as a writer.
If you feel I missed a comment type, please let me know. I'm curious to learn what other classifications you think exist (positive comment types only please - let's not make this negative). Also, if you wanted to tag yourself, I'd love you know what type of commenter you think you are.
The Polite Conversationalist - Your comment confirms that you read and enjoyed the fic or chapter. You offer praise for the author's efforts and encouragement for them to continue. - If this is you, please know that I'm imagining us holding a book club together. I brought us snacks.
The All Caps Reaction - You left the most unhinged comment. - You were screaming as you read it? I was screaming as I wrote it. Let's be friends.
The How Dare You - The angst is real. And painful. And I'm sorry but the story needed it. - This is a compliment of the highest order and I'm so glad you left it.
The Conspiracy Theorist - You are so invested that you are trying to figure out what comes next. - I'm so excited to read your ideas. They let me know the story tracks for you. And I'm either smiling because you guessed right and I'm excited for you to read what comes next, or I'm grinning because I know the plot twist is going to blow your mind.
The Catch-Up - You haven't commented in a while and are letting me know you are catching up. - I'm so glad you are back! I missed you. I know life gets busy and it means a lot to me that you took the time to read my story.
The Giggle - You laughed at my jokes and let me know. - Did we just become best friends? I'm already making you a bracelet.
The Callout - You found my favorite line in the chapter or fic. - I love you so much. You just made my day, my week, my month. Seriously, all the love for the reader. xoxo
The Repeat Customer - could also be any of the above, but every fic, every chapter, there they are with something kind to say and a wish to see you again next week/month/whenever. The pfp/username combo you could pick out of a sea of people in an instant.
The Happy Insomniac - "I just wanted to let you know that it's 4 am and I stayed up all night bingeing your work" say no more fam, me and my keyboard are yours for life now
The Book Report - You identified a major theme/motif/metaphor/all of the above that I was trying to draw out, and even found some clever use of language/character/symbolism that even I didnāt realise was in there - I am proposing marriage on the spot.
The Emoji Drop - Youāre not sure what to say or maybe youāre a little shy so you just left a <3 Thank you so much, youāve made my day! Big puffy hearts back atcha!
my all time favorite, the personal essayist: told me exactly how my work came into their home and called them out personally, and how they will be carting this fic to therapy with them next week
The Commuter - Apparently spends a lot of time reading fic on the train / bus, occasionally bemoans having lost a more lovingly detailed comment to dodgy internet, "this fic was tied with the sunrise for the best thing that happened to me so far this morning."
There should be a fanfic writing game called the showrunners challenge where someone writes a story and partway through someone else can play things like "actor leaves after 4000 more words" or "topic now too politically sensitive due to unforeseen world events" or "lost rights to that reference"
I do not have the energy do do a full layout right now b/c it is kickstarter season and I am under water, but here's a prototype that can be solo-played (you can also have a friend just pick from the lists if you want that pvp feeling.)
Showrunner's Challenge
By Runawaymarbles
(also sorta by sprintingowl)
Begin writing a fanfic. It is a feature length television program being watched every week by thousands. There is no plan. The industry is in shambles. The writer's room is barely hanging on.
At the end of each chapter, roll a d12.
1 Everything at once. Roll twice, use both. If you get this again, keep rolling. Your only way out is to stop getting 1s.
2 Product placement! The next chapter must center (and subtly promote the features of) a product belonging to the most recent brand you've seen.
3 Fan favorite. Your most recently mentioned character (or named object) is now beloved by the audience. You must give it a bigger part in the story, a special destiny, or an important new romance or friendship. If you get this twice for the same character or object, the adoration cools and you must go back to treating the character or object normally.
4 Executive meddling. You must change to a different genre. You cannot go back to a genre until you have changed genres three times since then.
5 Audiences are craving more coziness. The next chapter must be completely low stakes and set you at ease.
6 Audiences are craving more suspense. The next chapter must take place entirely in a single location, ideally just a single room, and build tension with every exchange of dialog.
7 Audiences are craving more action. The next chapter needs to involve at least one extended fight scene, and the weapons must be the last three objects mentioned.
8 Audiences are craving more romance. The next chapter needs to involve a deep, sappy confession of either love or admiration between two characters that have not previously been romantically involved.
9 Go to the most recent line in your fic that references a brand. Due to ongoing legal action, that brand cannot be mentioned again, but you score 1 audience point every time you allude to it in a way that paints it in a negative light.
10 The two most recently mentioned characters' actors have, IRL, gone through a VERY messy divorce or friend breakup. You cannot put them in the same scene, but they must both remain relevant parts of the show. If you get this with the same two characters again, they reconcile.
11 The most recent negative event (stabbing, poisoning, banishment to jupiter) is now the center of a very real IRL news story. You must immediately pivot away from all plotlines involving it and, if possible, also find away to apologize for even thinking to include it without breaking character.
12 The most recently mentioned character's actor has decided to leave the show. You must write them out in the next chapter. If you are brave, also roll a d12. 1--6, they were well loved and their sendoff must be as flowery as possible. 7--12, they were despised by the cast and crew. Mulch them.
You win if you can complete the fic in a state of relative coherency.
Alternate Game Mode: TV Digest Version
Don't write full chapters, just summaries of what happens in each chapter.
Alternate Game Mode: Realism Edition
Start your fanfic with your own telling of the first episode of an existing show, then proceed from there.
I'm gonna tell you about how I wrangled my shitbird brain into being a terrifying word-churning engine and have written over 170K words in under a year.
I wanna be clear that before unlocking this Secret Technique I was a victim of my unmedicated ADHD, able to start but never finish, able to ideate but not commit and I truly and firmly believed that I'd never write a novel and such a thing was simply outside of my reach.
Now I write (and read!!) every day. Every. Single. Day. Like some kind of scriptorial One Punch Man.
Step the First
Remove friction between yourself and writing.
I personally figured out how to comfortably write on my phone which meant I didn't have to struggle with the insurmountable task of opening my laptop.
I don't care if this means you write in a Discord server you set up for yourself, but fucking do it. Literally whatever makes you write!
(if you do write somewhere that isn't a word processor PLEASE back your work up regularly!)
Step the Second
Make that shit a habit. Write every day.
For me, I allow myself the grace that ANY progress on writing counts. One sentence? Legal. Five thousand furious hyperfixated words? Also legal.
Every day, make progress. Any progress.
I deleted Twitter from my phone and did my best to replace doomscrolling with writing. If I caught myself idly scrolling I'd close whatever I was looking at and open my draft and write one (1) sentence until I made THAT a habit, too.
Step Two-point-Five
DO NOT REWRITE. If you are creating a first draft, don't back up or restart. Continous forward motion. Second drafts and editors exist. Firsts are for ripping the fucking thing out of your brain.
If you're working on revisions after an editor or beta readers or whoever has given you feedback, then you can rewrite that's OK (and it counts as your writing for the day!)
Step the Third
Now that you've found a comfortable way to write and are doing it every day, don't stop. Keep doing it. Remember, just one sentence is all you need. You can always do more, but if one lousy sentence is all you can manage then you're still successfully writing.
Remember: this is what worked for me. Try things until you find what works for you.
a poem i can't write in front of [name redacted] (and then i did)
and when my prayers go unanswered
when my shouts and cries dissolve on the wind
her arms are still there to hold me
her fingers still press firm into my skin
āi love youā answers my anguished exhalations
āyouāre mineā smoothes away my tears
comfort in the wholly human
upstaging the silence of the divine
I have new prayers nowānew exaltations
āi love youā
āmy darlingā
āmy light, my love, my lifeā
these prayers, they receive answer
and i no longer wonder as to godās location
because she spends each night in my arms
PSA to fan creators who don't have a lot of regular contact with children: They are almost always bigger than you think. A 1-year-old baby may already be walking. A toddler is likely already hip-high. A 10-year-old may already be taller than at least one of their parents. A 14/15 year old may already have reached their adult height.
First day of class. You look lonely, so I sit at a seat closer to the front than I normally would. Just the two of us, and the start ofā¦ something.Ā
October 25
Group project. There's three of us now, but our third backs out at the prospect of a late night adventure. The donut shop is a three hour round trip away. Donuts are fine--maybe not worth a three hour drive at two am--but who gives up on an adventure when it's just getting good? (This is the beginning of so. many. sleepless nights.)
October 27
Crush is a funny word, when you think about it. I don't know that it'sā¦ the right word, either. It's the one I've got though. The thing about sleep deprivation is that it does funny things to your brain.
October 29
Good nights with good friends always leave you with a funny sort of feeling when you go home, don't they? If you're given a choice or an opportunity, be careful about who you're gravitating to. This is a make or break moment.
November 17
"Hey, beautiful girl with the laptop."
What did you mean by that? Thatās notā¦ thatās not just something that people say. Not for no reason, anyway. What are youā¦ doing?
November 19
Thank you, for the offer to talk. It didnāt work out, and itās probably better that way, but thank you all the same. Iāll let you know if I ever need a raincheck, okay? Do me a favor, keep me penciled in.
November 20
We were supposed to hang out. We didnāt. We didnāt, but we were supposed to. And then āI canāt tonight.ā And thatās fine. Really, it is. Sometimes things just donāt work out. You could have maybe said that from the beginning, though. I donāt like how long I had to wait.
November 21
āJust admit youāre crushing on meā
Iād really rather not. What purpose would that serve? Weāre both too busy to even hang out right now, so what would be the point, if thereās nowhere for the sentiment to go? I donāt embark on pointless endeavors, I should tell you that now. I wonāt let this be a pointless endeavor.
November 21
Lying is a funny thing. It is to me, anyway. Itās funny because I can do it perfectly well, sometimes. In the name of self-preservation, usually. Iām good at it, too. You wouldnāt be able to tell, if I wanted to lie to you.
I donāt, though. I have no reason to. I didnāt want to tell you this early in the game, but now that youāve asked me straight out, thereās no reason not to tip my hand; put all the cards on the table, as it were. Sometimes I wonder if you could see the cards all along and you were justā¦ playing the game.
The answer is yes, okay?
November 21
āThe worst thing that can happen is they say no.ā Did you know thatās not true? Because Iām learning. And anyway, even if it was true, do you know how much ānoā hurts? The answer is a lot. A crazy amount, actually. Anyway, if the worst answer I can get is a ānoā, then explain to me why Iāve never gotten a straight no. Actually, I think the worst thing that can happen is āI would, but.āĀ The worst thing that could happen is āI always say yes as a rule and youāre welcome to take advantage of that, but I canāt make a commitment now and you need to know that.ā The worst thing that could happen is a ānoā that isnāt a ānoā but a āmaybeā instead, that changes every rule I thought I knew. Because itās closer to the answer you want, but not close enough. Close enough to give you hope, far enough that itās only going to torment you. Donāt hinge your hopes on āI would, but.ā Iām begging you.
November 22
Same goose, different feathers.
November 22
Iāve never felt so out of my depth as I do talking to you. My scripts donāt work, I canāt ever predict where our conversations will go. You always manage to throw me off of my track so thoroughly that I feel like Iām treading in open water, and the funny thing is that I canāt swim. I just want to know whatās going on for once.
November 23
Sometimes itās hard to remember that Iām not the only real person in the world. Other people exist, and theyāre just as important as I am, and none of the other people in the world can read my mind. And I canāt expect them to. That isnāt fair. It isnāt fair, but I really wish that it was.
November 23
āSo whatās your definition of flirting?ā
āComplimenting with emotional intent.ā
November 24
āAdmittedly I think you text me too much.ā
Ouch.
Thatāsā¦ thatās all I really have to say about that. Thereās really no polite way to tell someone to leave you alone. I know that. Itās a sticky situation from either side, Iām not blind or stupid, contrary to popular belief. After a little over a month of almost constant communication, though, you would think that this might have come up earlier.
Maybe thatās the problem.
November 24
I was at Thanksgiving. This is not the time.
November 26
I know that I should maybe be concerned about my fixation on the aesthetic attractiveness of death. That seems like something you donāt look too hard at, though.
November 29
I didnāt know I was the jealous sort.
Thatās a lie, actually. See, you believed me, I bet. I did know, but I never actually expected it to rear such an ugly head. Again, note to self: I am not the only person on the planet. And Iām certainly not the most important one, or the most available. A lack of face-to-face communication is as much my fault as anyone elseās.
Is it too much to ask to be thought of, though?
December 2
We talked. For real. Things are okay.
Funnily enough, isolated communication isnāt good for you. It does bad things to your brain, when youāre trying to talk to someone but the reality is you, all alone in a room. I suppose thatās the best advice that Iām able to give anyone. Just actually talk about it. It might hurt, a little bit, sort of like pulling a tooth, but if you donāt, the only thing youāll have to show for your stubbornness is rot. And the rot hurts. Rot isnāt worth it.
I want to sit on her floor the way I would sit in my motherās kitchen. I want to sit quietly in her office, my laptop sitting atop my legs, getting things accomplished because she is there, watching, being proud of the progress that I am making. I want to sit and be quiet and have her be there too because sometimes I worry that I only go to her when the days have been long and bad and I just want someone to hear. Sometimes I worry that I donāt understand how relationships of this sort are supposed to work and the boundaries that are meant to be enforce that I step over as if theyāre dirt dusted over the ground. I donāt know where all of me is meant to go, but I want it to be on the floor in her office, quiet and inobtrusive in the corner, allowed to breathe and exist without getting in anyoneās way or being trampled by too eager feet rushing quicker than me to be free of this place.
I want to sit on her floor the way I would sit in my motherās kitchen. Some days I think that she would let me, if Iāve worried her too much in the days previous. Some days I think she should kick me out, but she never does without a good reason. Some days are crying days and I always go to her on those days, and theyāre becoming more frequent than they have been before. I am not her responsibility, not really. Not in the way that I want to be. She is not my friend, no matter how much I treat her as such. They donāt make words for the people like us, not in the traditional sense. A one or two or three word phrase, thatās the only way to describe us. And itās too much. And itās not enough.
I want to sit on her floor the way I would sit in my motherās kitchen. Like a cat, curled up in her corner, watching everything with bright eyes and a quiet sort of intelligence -- the kind Iāve never quite managed in the form the good Lord gave me. Or maybe I want to sit atop the filing cabinet, peering down on everything from on high, providing both silent support and a nearly oppressive judgement on those who donāt meet my standards. I can fit. I can be small. I can be quiet. All I want is to be quiet. I can do it, I donāt have to be loud, I donāt have to be overwhelming, I donāt have to be worrisome, I donāt have to be the thing that you dread.
I want to sit on her floor the way I would sit in my motherās kitchen. But I donāt sit in my motherās kitchen either, and I think thatās the best metaphor I could ever create.
Iām pretty sure Iām not the only one who has trouble remembering developmental milestones. I put these together, but canāt take credit for any of the photography. Hope someone finds them helpful!
Every writer needs to see this because Iām really tired of otherwise competent novels in which a two year old is like āmother dearest I do believe I am quite frightenedā or conversely theyāre supposed to be five and going āme hungie!!!ā
id: first image is the tumblr halloween icon, which depicts a skeleton-like ghoul in a spooky red robe. the second image is the same ghoul, now photoshopped to look like they're dabbing. end id
