#ask to tag idrk

[cookinguptales]

I almost wrote a small essay in the tags of that "fanwork as content" post but realized that it would probably be better off as its own post. So now it's... a large, rambling essay. lmao

Like... to preface, AO3 is great, it's a great resource for fandom, it feels good to have a centralized location that works well. That said, there has been a steady decline in how I've felt treated as an author since we switched to an archive-only model of fic.

For people who are newer to fandom, pre-AO3 (and even in the early days of AO3), people often crossposted fic. Sometimes to websites, sometimes to journals (particularly LJ/DW), sometimes to communities, sometimes to kink memes...

AO3, while certainly one of the primary places you could upload stuff, wasn't necessarily where you would get most of your primary interaction about your fic. It was always designed to be an archive, not a social media site.

But since we moved to an archive model (and away from LJ/DW) I've noticed that fic gets almost no traction on sites that actually are intended for social interaction. I'm not saying it's easy for any creator in fandom, but god. The numbers on fic posts are just downright demoralizing.

I don't mean to sound arrogant here, but I think I'm a pretty good writer. People seem to really connect with my fic. In multiple fandoms, I've written fic that most people have read and enjoyed, to the point where people have just taken it for granted that if someone reads fic in the fandom, they've probably read something I've written.

All this is to say, I know I've written fics that people like. I know I've written fics that people connect with. And I know those posts still only get like 5 notes sometimes on Tumblr.

I'm proud of my work and I'm happy that it's gotten such a warm welcome on AO3!!! But there are times when I feel like all this means that I could write literally the best fic on earth and still no one would talk to me. People still wouldn't want to interact with me on social media sites.

I wrestled for... honestly, a long time with all this. I had a hard time putting into words why this felt so uh. Bad. Was I just self-conscious about my own writing? Yes, but that's a separate issue. Was I just jealous of others' popularity? Sort of, but it went deeper than that.

I had an issue with a fandom that I don't write in anymore. I got a lot of fanart based on my fic, which was great, which was amazing, there were even fan comics made. Visual media travels better on social media than fic. That's just a fact. And I had to watch as repeatedly, art based on the fic I wrote got thousands of notes while my fic got maybe 12. And I realized the power of social media vs. AO3 because it did get to audiences that weren't familiar with my fic and people started to give those artists credit for my ideas.

I remember watching the tags of those posts because it was occasionally the only way I'd hear feedback on what I'd written (imagine getting one comment and 5 notes on a fic, then seeing dozens of people in the tags of fanart saying that it was their favorite fic in the fandom! it was weird!) and seeing the tags gradually devolve into "oh, this is such a neat idea for an AU, artist OP" or "wow this dialogue is perfect [artist] I love it" and like

It's weird to feel so happy because so many people are enjoying your work in a transformative way but also so unhappy because you have been completely removed from the equation. No one... even knows you wrote those things anymore. You have been removed in favor of a more "marketable" version of your work.

It's uh. It's a bad feeling. I stopped writing in that fandom eventually.

So again, I felt like... idk, like there was no point in me even trying. Because I could write the best fic on earth and still somehow get erased as a person. People would want my "content," but they wouldn't want me.

I think that's what hurt my feelings so much.

What I've realized is this: what I miss is the sense of community. On LJ, you could post a fic, cross-post it to a community, and there would be comments that would become conversations that would become lasting friendships. Not always! But often. I still talk to some people daily who I met through fic on LJ over a decade ago.

In the archive model, there has almost become a death of the author. The me on social media and the me on AO3 are very different; more importantly, it's almost like it's viewed as the "me" is on social media, but the work is on AO3. I am absent. There is only the fic, not the person who created it.

And that's okay, but when you try to combine those two things on social media and it goes over like a lead balloon... idk. There's an odd sense of dehumanization. I don't mean it in like... I don't know, a dramatic human rights violation kind of way. More that I literally feel like less of a human person the way I interact with fandom these days. Like I'm no longer a person who writes fic as a way to connect with my fellow fans and more a "content creator" whose human side is separate from my creation and never the twain shall meet.

(And I'll admit it feels especially galling to be forced into the capitalistic "content creator" box when it's not even a thing I can make money off of, lmao. It's like the worst of both worlds. I feel like if I can't make money off fanfic, I should at least be exempt from capitalistic social trends during its creation.)

I'm not so much complaining about my current fandom; WWDITS has actually been one of the best fandoms for interaction I've been in since the birth of AO3. That's one of the reasons I keep writing stories for fellow fans to read -- many of those fans feel like my friends, and I want to make them happy.

I think that poster was right when they talked about how the pivot from fan to "content creator" has fucked up fandom. There is this sense that we should be treating fandom like a job, often a fast-paced one with no pay. There is this idea that we should be separated from our "content" like you might a worker from their product, and blah blah blah alienation of labor, Marx, I get it, but damn if that isn't a shitty thing to do to your fellow fans who are making art for the love of art.

There are so many things I do love about AO3. I like having a central, organized place to put my fic. I like not having to worry about my work being lost to the ages. I like having an organized comments section I can return to on bad days to cheer myself up.

But I don't like the way that fic has kind of been relegated to a portion of fandom where people aren't particularly social. I don't like the way that authors are separated from their writing. I hear people complain sometimes about A/Ns because god forbid an author leave any trace of their actual personality to distract you from their content.

I can't have DMs with someone on AO3. I can't add someone to my friends list. There are no "beloved mutuals." There is just my work and the people who are kind enough to comment on it, even if they never actually engage with me elsewhere.

It's... a weird feeling, to feel so loved and unloved at the same time. Like you keep writing trying to make something good enough that people will talk to you but like. That's really not how it works. lmao. The best fic in the world won't make you friends anymore. It won't make people see you as a fellow fan rather than a pen name under a title.

My fic is some of the most personal stuff in the entire world, but my personhood is stripped away from it. It's so fucking weird. People like my fic, but they don't like me. They remember my stories but not the person who told them. It's bizarre. It feels like having your life and experiences strip-mined for content, and then the rest of it is just... left behind.

Frankly... I work in the publishing industry IRL and I have had opportunities to write professionally. Real, tangible opportunities. But I turned them down because I've seen it, the way that trying to fit such an intensely personal art form into a capitalistic framework can be exhausting, dehumanizing, and stressful. I don't want that for my work. Fandom has always been an escape from that.

But now fandom is starting to conform to those exact same capitalistic frameworks (and ofc without any kind of capitalistic compensation) and I hate to see it. It's so stressful. I feel like we're losing a lot of what makes fandom fun for writers and we're getting pretty much nothing in return. I'm not surprised that so many writer friends I know in fandom have quit.

like damn, I just wanna have fun with a bunch of dumbshits who love to overanalyze vampires and cry over their dumbshit shenanigans, not take on a second job. one that, I reiterate, I am not being paid for.

(Note: I am not asking for payment, just that I not be treated like a worker. The tradeoff for treating someone like a worker is that they get compensated for it. If I'm not being compensated, no one gets to treat me like this is my fucking job.)

It's a weird thing, because for a lot of people, fandom has become their job. Fanartists at cons selling fanart, youtube essayists making money off videos, professional cosplayers with sponsorships, etc. And so fandom is becoming more corporate, more capitalistic, more marketable. It's frustrating for those who don't want to capitalize on our fannish output, and doubly frustrating for people who are legally unable to do so.

I'm realizing as I write this that I'm most upset about the nonconsensual capitalization of fandom, particularly when imposed on people who are unable to access the very meager benefits of capitalism. I didn't ask for any of this!

Feels like when I'd be forced to go to assemblies for the US military when I was in high school. Like I'm morally opposed to all this but I'm also not physically fit for "service" anyway, so it's doubly insulting. I feel like I've been opted into the, ah, corporatization of fandom when I'm not even eligible for employee benefits. None of this should even apply to me! ;;

Okay!! I'm all het up now so I'm gonna go eat lunch and go for a walk! No monetization of hobbies, only trees.

#I need to go look at a tree lmao #just me #vent post #ask to tag idrk

[dogerbooger]

I KNOW VALENTINES DAY IS ALMOST OVER BUT BOAT BOYS.... THE ONLY DUO EVER I DONT KNOWNIF UR STILL TAKING REQUESTS BUT BOAT B

It is in fact no longer the V of days, but I mean I got it done soooooo…also technically these aren’t ship posts so I can just do these whenever I feel like (and by extension, anyone can request at anytime)! So basically I just used this as an excuse to draw people together so you’re all good anon lmao

Besides that, you’re so right anon they are truly the duo of all time!!! It is quite silly seeing them mention each other when the other isn’t around lol

#Does this one come off more ambigious? I’m actually not sure if I should tag this because I heavily paraphrased what Joel has been saying #But I’m not sure if everyone knows that so like. like idk I guess they would know if they read these tags #smallishbeans fanart #ethoslab fanart #etho fanart #boat boys #hermitcraft fanart #hermitcraft s10 spoilers #? Idrk girl #hc s10 #hc10 #dogieboogie ask

[tobioshollow]

mildly suggestive //

-

sorry. kind of

#mildly suggestive (in a memey way) / #adventure time #petrigrof #don’t ask me about today’s episodes . i’ll start throwing shit around with my mind #my art #my funnies #suggestive #again idrk how to filter tag these things my apolocheese

[fleshdyke]

perch has become undead

#like idrk what to call her exactly?? shes zombie adjacent i guess #she sometimes grows mushrooms and pieces of her fall off sometimes and she has to sew them back on and she is also filled with bugs #taking carrion crow literally ❤️ #rambles #my ocs #perch #my art #art #furry #sfw furry #furry fandom #avian #avian furry #ask to tag

[a-scary-lack-of-common-sense]

Need opinion of yours: Scout and/or Spy with Braces?

Definitely one of my fav headcanons!! I think it'll be funny to have another father-son similarity between Scout and Spy but with t e e t h (like father like son <3)

Reference pic:

#tf2 #team fortress two #my art #tf2 spy #i also use to have braces so it's a nice little projection :) #i dont actually know if crooked teeth is genetic?? idrk.. maybe #also does anyone know why we rarely ever see adults with braces?? Is that just me?? #I don't think Ive ever seen an adult with full on braces for some reason. Is there like an actual reason for that or is it just me??? #ANYWAYS spy with braces is totally awesome <3 :D #should i tag this as disabilitymercs? #asks

[blushedfemme]

i had to look up ftm pumping… i think i’m going to lay here staring at the ceiling for the rest of the night. holy fuck

i just got so hard i can barely stand to comprehend it. if someone put one of those ON MY BODY it’d be such a mind fuck i don’t even know how i’d react. is it hot in here

🪰

sounds like that concept broke your brain a little, huh 🤭 that’s so cute

mmm fun to imagine how much of a mess you might be if that were to happen in reality…

#clarke answers #🪰 anon #idrk how to tag this but ask to tag if needed

[decaydanceredacted]

ive been fighting against submitting this but it's finally time i think. i may be crazy but i am free

ive been super stressed lately and ive been having trouble eating. im just not interested in food at all, and ive been losing weight because of it. i want dallon to be my boyfriend or someone close to me or whatever and he's been noticing how skinny im getting. the way im bony in places i didnt used to be. and i want them to cook for me and hold me in their lap while i eat. i want him to tell me how good i am when i finish a meal. ughhhhhh i just want someone to take care of me. i want her to say "just like that sweetheart," with her hand on my thigh when i keep eating even when i dont want to (bcuz i need to be eating!) and for her to praise me when i eat snacks without being prompted to. maybe when i do so good and eat three full meals, she tells me im such a good girl and jerks me off, then she holds me against her chest while i fall asleep.

.

#dw #tw feederism #ask to tag as other stuff idrk how to tag this one

[alex-just-vibing]

Hcs on Solar System finding Kel crying by himself? (With him obviously denying the claim and telling them that he's fine)

ooh, I actually had a fic idea in my head kinda like that! (not solar system, but baseball bat. but I can change a few things)

This is less headcanons and more just word vomit/a pseudo-fic lol (under read more for the benefit of everyone here lol) Cuz I know I wouldn't be able to rest until I got this out of my head now (thanks a lot anon /lhj)

Sunny, Basil, and Aubrey were walking through the streets of Faraway Town, looking for the last person they needed to complete their group. They were hoping to find somewhere to just hang out at, whether that be one of their houses or somewhere else, like the park, Hobbeez, or maybe Gino's, but they didn't want to do it without Kel.

He wasn't at his house, and when they asked his mother where he was, she told them that he'd just gone for a walk. They thanked her, and she said to them, as she always does when they stop by, that they're welcome there anytime.

After stopping by his house, the three of them decided to check the park to see if he had stopped there while on his walk. He wasn't there either. Aubrey suggested checking their secret hangout spot, and the other two agreed that it wouldn't hurt to try.

None of them were particularly expecting him to be there, but when they walked past the trees into the area, they saw Kel sitting on an old picnic blanket. He was hugging his knees to his chest, and his forehead was pressed against his knees. His face wasn't visible from where the three others stood, but it was obvious something was wrong.

Aubrey was the first to approach him. She walked up to him and kneeled next to him. He didn't seem to notice her.

"Is everything okay, Kel?" she asked. She then saw the tears streaming down his face and facepalmed mentally. Of course he's not okay, what kind of question is that? She can't recall the last time she saw him cry...

Kel turned his head to look at her, before smiling weakly. "I-I'm fine!" He brought his hand to his face and wiped at his tears. More fell, replacing the ones he wiped away. "Don't worry about me!"

Sunny and Basil had also walked over to him. Sunny sat down next to him, as did Basil. Sunny gently grabbed Kel's hand.

"No, Kel." Sunny's voice was firm, but caring. "You aren't 'fine.' And that's okay." He squeezed Kel's hand slightly.

Basil cautiously placed one arm over Kel's shoulder. He leaned his head slightly against Kel's shoulder. "We love you Kel. A lot. We want to be here for you, the same way you always are for us."

Kel shook his head at their words. "I'm... I'm fine, really! You don't need to worry about me..." His voice was shaky and broken up by sniffles. He continued trying to wipe away his tears, but they just kept flowing.

Aubrey pulled him into a hug, not saying anything just yet. She let his head rest against her chest, and she placed a gentle kiss on the top of his head.

Basil moved closer to Kel, leaning against him to hopefully be a comforting presence for him. He turned to fully hug Kel, and he buried his face in Kel's shoulder. Kel in turn moved his face to rest in Basil's hair.

Sunny scoots closer, so that he could be sitting right next to Kel. Sunny didn't let go of his hand while moving, and once he settled into a comfortable position, he squeezed Kel's hand again.

"I'm sorry." Kel's voice was barely above a whisper. "I... I didn't mean to worry you guys..." When he spoke, his voice broke, then trailed off into a near-silent sob.

"It's okay, Kel," Sunny reassured him, and he rubbed his thumb over Kel's knuckles. "You're allowed to cry. Just let it all out. We aren't going anywhere."

The four of them sat in a comfortable silence, which was only broken by the occasional sob from Kel. After a good few minutes, Kel's crying seemed to slow, then eventually stop.

Basil noticed that Kel had stopped crying, and he was the first to speak. "Kel... Would you want to talk about why you were upset..?" His tone carried genuine concern and love.

Kel paused for a moment, before shaking his head. "No... Not right now..."

Sunny nodded. "Okay. We'll be here for you whenever you're ready." The other two nodded in agreement, all three of them smiling warmly at Kel.

"Now, weren't we planning to hangout?" As she spoke, Aubrey started to stand up, and she extended her hands to help the other three up. Basil and Sunny stood up first, then all three of them pulled Kel up.

Kel smiled, chuckling lightly as he was pulled up. "That sounds nice... How about a sleepover at my place?"

#as you can tell I Suck at Writing 👍 #how the hell am I in honors ELA with this shit smh #might clean this up and post on ao3 later idrk #ignore any mistakes it's midnight for me sorry lol #also if anyone wants to hear the original baseball bat idea my inbox is open ;) /nf /hj #sorry solar system community for this disgrace of a fic </3 #my stuff #alex answers #thanks for the ask! #anon tag #anon headcanons #my fics #solar system omori #graggh I hate dialogue I suck at it I'm gonna gragghhh #omori fanfic

[dizzybevvie]

OH WAIT you havent experienced khux yet? ohohoho ur in for a treat when you finally get around to it :)))

if you don't mind me asking, how were you planning on experiencing it? (i would highly recommend damo279's fandub)

OOOOO i mean like, i havent rlly thought abt it! ik the bundle has at least ONE of those games but idk which and if its the first one i gotta play! once i get there ill def consider the dub tysm

#Cus reading it all would be very tiring #TY #idrk which order the mobile games r in #i thought unchained + union X were the same game but they have diff DB renditions??? #then theres back cover and dark road #and idfk #BUT TY. NGSHSJHD #beverly says stuff #kingdom hearts #asks #save for later #athena tag

[openedmaw]

my stomach: *showing clear signs of wanting food*

my delusional ass: oh my organs are decaying and have worms in them again

#sparks barks #corpsedog #cotards #ask to tag #idrk how to tag this #disordered eating cw #ok to rb #unreality

[napsaps-archive]

In honor of the long-awaited release of UIEUD and Dream using art to express himself, let's celebrate the amazing artists in the community! Shout-out your favorite dtblr artists :)

oh !! um artists: peach @teddybeardream nick @pandascanpvp yumi @mahikamihan im forgetting a lot of people. rey @vadergf eachtra @canonicallykayfabe eras @georgecunt and i think thats it

i dont really know a lot of writers but: jules @gogtopia milo @lasnevadastardly ennie @stonersap leigh ann @prettygnf ava @karljnap sappy @sappymix1

#hi sappy we dont talk that much but i just finished reading your cannibalism talk fic it was soooo good. my dnfies #fighting the urge to leave personal notes to everyone tagged. nick the snf art slayed eras the dnf art was awesome um. leigh ann the teache #fic was awesomeeee i loved it sm . but like just genearlly i love all of you youre awesome people and creators to me :))) #anyway yes . highly recommend each and every one of them 🫶🫶 #i feel bad bc idrk like . Anyone else sorry. most of these are my beloved mutuals I LOVE YOU GUYS #ask #anonymous

[prettyboykatsuki]

in general forced intimacy and proximity make me kookoo for cocopuffs...like....the idea of forcing someone to be lovey and intimate with you even though it's shameful and sick ohuhfdghfdhhhfdd

#dubcon cw #aristotle.txt #ask to tag #idrk if this is like. dark but just in case ill tag it w dubcon

[eroswmorals]

12?

12. What's some good advice you want to share?

If you notice someone is a red flag, walk away.

Even if you love them, even if it feels like you need them. If someone is treating you badly, walk away. Like no matter how hard it is.

Trust me, it'll hurt like hell, but in the long run it's better than getting your ass traumatized so.

Teehee on a more lighthearted note, if you ever go to the southern part of united states, try cheerwine. That's my advice :::)))))))

#asks #januscorner #answered #tw: relationship trauma #ig? #idrk #just in case im tagging it like that #ask game

[glitchtheamazingwitch]

Alrighty, three facts about me!! <3

1st : I love and I mean LOVE Indie music and rock

2nd : I'm really emotional and have severe social anxiety

3rd : I feel insecure about my weight but I'm working on building confidence! <3

WOAH FIRST ASK THINGY KINDA?? (IDK WHAT TO CALL EM) anon ur my new best friend ALSO FOR UR THREE FACTS UR SO COOL!! I've never listened to indie music or rock before, but I think its cool u listen to it?? also same.. I'm also very emotional. AND PROUD OF U BABES BUILD THAT CONFIDENCE !!! ig I should do some three facts Abt me too?? 1st: I DONT HAVE A MUSIC TASTE like AT ALL. my music taste is just whatever sounds good cause it can go from smile hd to aishite to happy all in one playlist 2nd: I have autism and ADHD!! 3rd: i am part of the Aroace spectrum!! I'm also bi, and genderfluid :3

#first ask #I'm so happy #three facts #idrk how to tag this #I should make an ask tag.. #IMA NAME IT ASK GLITCH #ask glitch #anon ur so cool

[omegamoo]

moo omegamoo do you have any advice for band/guard camp ?? 🎤🎤🎤

HIIII NOVA MY FELLOW GUARDIE HJEEHHWHSJDEEE im actually like. gonna be at band camp pretty soon! woo! my school does a sleepaway band camp, so if you don’t it’s deffo gonna b different. uh. for either kind, pack lots of water, sunscreen, bring your GLOVES esp if ur on a weapon line. comfy tennis shoes or marching shoes if that’s required. ice! uhhhhh ive never done a day camp so idk

if u r doing a sleepaway camp make sure you pack everything you need! bring lots of food and snacks and make sure you’re going to be comfortable the whole time. i like bringing my own shower stuff so i always smell like home :) uhh lmk if u have other questions?

#idrk it’s hard to like. not doxx myself in terms of when/where/how r stuff works #u can dm me or in art house bc i’ll be less anxious there i think? #asks #nova coffee tears #guard tag

[buffout-buffers]

Aight new day new shit to do and stuff I got new thoughts and I gotta yell about them. I'm gonna be attempting to make an RPG Zine every weekday because I think it'll be fun and help with my self-esteem. I'm gonna set up a Patreon at some point for people who want to throw money at me (wack) and whenever I get the equipment from my grandparents house I'm gonna do videos on YT about them (bonkers). This is mostly a me thing to give me stuff to do, force me to finish projects, and try to help me deal with the anxiety I have while my doctors try to diagnose me with one or more syndromes

#ttrpg #indie ttrpg #game design #queer artist #small artist #idrk what else to tag #first game's prolly gonna come out tomorrow #it's about adventuring as children in a post apocalyptic suburban pacific northwest #if anyone wants to make a suggestion for a game of any kind send me an ask and i'll check it out for freezil mcmeezil #my brain is broken