#on fic writing

[kaykat666]

20 questions for fic writers

Thanks @superlc529 for the tag!

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

32 published on AO3. If I include unpublished and/or unfinished stories that I have on my laptop I’d say I have a total of around maybe 45?

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

729,333. Definitely over 1 mil if I count anything unpublished. I didn’t even realise it was that much before this moment.

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Lucifer. I may have dabbled in other fandoms in my teenage years but we’re not going to talk about that right now.

4. Top 5 fics by kudos?

Joyriding with the devil - 2,051 kudos

Project Deviant - 1,079

Never to Me - 874

And I Would Do It Again - 854

Supernova - 853

5. Do you respond to comments?

I try to! Sometimes I forget though :( I absolutely read and cherish every single comment I receive though!

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Never to Me. It was unintentional really, as it was meant to be the first part of a 1 part story. Certain circumstances lead to me completely losing the desire to continue writing the second part (it’s over half finished!) and so I never posted it. That was like… at least 3 years ago. What is time? I hope to finish it at some point but I’m just too busy these days with work. This is really the only story I’ve left on an angsty note.

7. What the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Like I just said, I don’t do many angsty endings. I love to play with it in the middle of the story, and orchestrate killer cliffhangers between chapters but I like to make everything work out in the end. I always liked the John Lennon quote, “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.” So yeah, a lot of my stories have endings that I think are happy. I’m not sure I could say which one is the happiest.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Unfortunately I’ve had a few horrible comments. I try not to think about them for too long though. It’s a drop in the ocean compared to the amount of lovely, thoughtful comments that I get 😊

9. Do you write smut?

No. Far too British for that.

10. Craziest crossover?

Lucifer and Loki. My only crossover really. Also on do regretfully have not finished but it’s definitely out there in terms of craziness.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Yes, but I feel that it was more of a misunderstanding than anything and the person who did it took it down (along with a lot of others they had posted) fairly quickly.

12. Have you ever had fic translated?

Yes! A reader of mine translated Project Deviant into Russian.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Also yes! Project Deviant was co-written by myself, @oh-mylordy, and @self-indulgent-sapphism. I also started writing one with my beta @notonelineff but we never have gotten around to finishing it. Co-writing is hard. Especially if you’re writing a long project.

14. All time favourite ship?

Deckerstar I guess. The amount of fic I’ve written should be enough evidence of that.

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

Hm. Not sure on this one. There’s a few I want to finish but I’m still hoping to get around to them like I’ve said.

16. What are your writing strengths?

Uhhh. I feel like I’m decent at descriptions. I try my best anyway. I try to keep things fluid and set the scene in a way that feel natural and not just stick you with a whole block if description at once. I’ve definitely improved at plotting long fics as well I think. I personally think I’m good at writing suspense when it is called for.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

I definitely get stuck on words or phrase and will waaaay over use them until my beta tells me off. I’m really not great at keeping things short either. And it’s not even like my one shots keep turning into long fics, but more that I can definitely over describe and draw things out more than is necessary. I don’t really know what else. I’m sure I have many things that I could improve but I do write for fun and so I try not to get myself too down about what I could be doing better. As long as I can convey the story/scene/emotions that I want to it happy.

18. Thoughts on dialogue in another language?

I’ve tried it a couple of times. Never more than a like or too, just to convey the purpose that I want it to. For example I would love to show Lucifer being omni-lingual more because it was something I did love about his character in the show but it’s so hard to do in writing without making it overly complicated for the reader. Therefore I settle for throwing in a line here or there and leaving it at that. Also, my knowledge of language really doesn’t extend past Google translate so I don’t want to end up saying the wrong thing.

19. First Fandom you wrote in?

Doctor Who when I was about… 15 or so. They are no longer on the internet. It’s probably for the best.

20. Favourite fic you’ve written?

Ahhh asking me to pick a favourite fic is like asking me to pick a favourite child. I really do love the universe we built in Project Deviant though, and the sequel A Glitch in the System. I thoroughly enjoyed every part of plotting and writing those fics, and dabbling in the universe of one of my favourite games. It also allowed me to write a lot of things that I’d wanted to for a while so that was nice.

However, I also really do have a soft spot for All That Remains. Writing that fic emotionally wrecked me but I still love it.

Also I’m pretty proud of Resistance is Futile writing and plot wise. It was just a fun thing that I wanted to write but I was pleased with the case part more than anything. I wanted it to kinda feel like an episode of Lucifer and I personally think it does.

I did a top 3 instead of 1. Like I said, you can’t make me pick. It’s just not fair.

Anyway! I don’t know who to tag really but if anyone writes fic and wants to do this please feel free!

#on fic writing #my writing #long post #text post #ask game #ask games #lucifer fanfiction #fanfiction

[pocketpadfoot]

proud to announce that ALTDB has officially reached 50k in my rewrite !!!!

#chatter chatter #on fic writing #ALTDB #i was aiming for it to be around 100k total but I'm only 1/3 of the story line in so let's see how that goes #wolfstar

[unspeakable3]

god i haven't posted here in forever

BUT

wanted to share that i've finally finished writing ✨ stars shine more darkly ✨ and will now be updating it weekly!! (i think? is that still the frequency people prefer? or twice-weekly? i feel so out of the loop idk 🥲)

and i've also started writing ✨ stars shine most darkly ✨ which is v exciting but also v sad so. there.

my goal was to finish both by the end of the year so ig i'm kind of still on track? who knows!

#regulus black #stars shine darkly #on fic writing

[theprocrastinatingredkitty]

When your passion for writing starts dying, what do you do? Do you let it die? Or do you let it rest like a phoenix in the ashes, waiting to be reborn from a heartbreak, a traumatic event, a catalyst that will change your life just to pick up the pen and create again?

I am close to retiring from writing fiction, that's why. Writing had been my lifeblood for more than a decade and counting, but now it's nearing its end

I just want to finish my pièce de résistance and then fade away after it's done

#ao3 #ffn #ao3 fic #on fic writing #fic writing problems #archive of our own

[zenaidamacrouras1]

While on the topic of Backhoe, I just wanted to say that that fic is held so near and dear to my heart. Seriously one of the best pieces of fandom I have ever gotten the privilege of experiencing. Feels warm thinking about it—cannot wait to give it a reread later this year around the fireplace with a hefty mug of mulled wine. Thank you for all of the efforts you put into writing (and for sharing it for free 😁🥰)!

Aaaaahhhhhh thank you. I was talking to someone about the Appalachian mountains a few weeks ago and I said some of the hollers (valleys between mountains) are so dense/narrow you hardly get any sun in the winter and I started to get claustrophobic when I was living in one of those spots and think, "I need to see the skyyy."

And he said, "No it's like a hug! The mountains are hugging you the way they've always been hugging your family for generations."

And anyway this is the kind of casual conversation I have over beers. I am so glad I captured the feeling of the hug of the mountains in this fic and that it gave you a hug and made you feel warm.

(And probably some of the occasional claustrophobia slipped in as well).

#Backhoe #On fic writing #Authors notes #lovely people #Thank you this note was also a hug

[sinigangsta-ao3]

Thursday Thoughts: A contemplative moment...

In typical Nina fashion, posted a day late on a Friday lol...

I'm still struggling to wrap my head around the fact that it's already December... and, with the onset of this month, the fact that I'm quickly approaching eight months of writing and posting fanfic on AO3.

It has been quite a journey, admittedly, as I embarked on fic writing at this stage in my life. A lot of ups and downs. My first intentional foray into dealing with strange online personalities. Making and losing friends. But, most importantly, re-establishing a creative practice and rediscovering the joy of doing something purely selfish, for no other reason than to rejuvenate my soul.

I've shared before that this is something that I never thought I'd get back to doing. It is so interesting how, as I'm moving through my 30s and as I've grappled with a lot of societal pressures of being a mother, a wife, a working professional, a millennial, etc., I have just given fewer and fewer fucks about being cripplingly selfless. And how I am unabashedly and unapologetically deciding to take up more space, to protect more of what makes me happy and more energized.

That last part, especially, is so hard for me to embrace. There has been a slew of traumatic experiences I've had in my youth and young adulthood that have made it physically painful for me to do things simply because I want to do them.

But, God, after the initial pain and discomfort of taking those first steps of being selfish, it is also so energizing and freeing to make and do something for me. Full stop.

So, as I am wont to do at this time of the year, I'm feeling very introspective about my journey so far. I have a lot of gratitude for what I've produced and shared (Nearly 120k words! 12 works!). I have a lot of grief toward the pain that I've felt when I've had some unsavory interactions, the crippling insecurity when I felt like I wasn't doing enough. And I also have a lot of excitement about how I can continue to grow — as a writer, as a person — as I move into 2023 and continue writing and creating and telling stories.

There are some ideas that I'm excited to tackle when the new year starts. But, before we get to that stage, there are a few commitments that I'm making to myself. I think it's important for me to get these things done first so that I can continue writing with renewed vigor in the new year.

Commitment No. 1: By the end of the year, I will complete the following in-progress fics:

"house of the rising sun"

"straight/edge"

Commitment No. 2: By the end of the year, I will post the following new stories to my AO3:

"purgatorio"

"Gaudete"

Commitment No. 3: I will take a little hiatus in January.

I still plan to work on all my stories throughout the month — I particularly want to get back to working on "sins of our fathers." But I just want to relieve myself of the pressure of putting something out there for others.

Plus, January is my birthday month. I want to treat myself to a little creative retreat of sorts — returning to the little bubble of writing for myself, full stop.

I also just want to write a little note of thanks to everyone who has come along this journey with me so far. Even those with whom I no longer engage regularly. And especially those who still read what I write, who comment and leave me kudos, who send me anonymous asks, who keep me going when this feels a little solitary.

You all have been such special parts of this stage in my life. And I just have so much gratitude and love and appreciation for how you all have formed this experience.

Much love, now and always, Nina 💕

#personal post #thursday thoughts #on fic writing

[i-sveikata]

five things you might find in my fics

tagged by the wonderful @ejunkiet who is actually so right because this would make an AMAZING ask game tbh. i've never actually had to think of this before so defs an interesting one! though im sure ive got some really obvious patterns lol

character/relationship study- i think that a lot of my fics tend to focus on the characters and their relationships with each other and how that affects how they move through the world. like there's always a plot obvs but i do feel like the character is always the drive of the story so if i don't find them or their relationship interesting it's not going to get all that far if that makes sense? so most of the characters i write are usually introspective or they've got a unique POV that's fun to write

humour/comedy- i cannot keep this one out of any of my fics no matter how dark or depressing they can get. i love the importance, of humour and how it can undercut the tension in a moment with ease. its always just a wonderful way to remind everyone that theres joy in literally everything if you're looking hard enough and i love the idea of a story that gives people a sensible chuckle (though my sense of humour might not always hit the mark lol)

snark/banter- i love this kind of dialogue. that kind of one two step, it's almost like a dance and its such a great way to learn more about the characters as well as ramping up their sexual tension. of course theres always so much more in what's left unsaid but the way they talk to each other is really a sticking point for me especially if they're giving attitude or arguing or flirting. i just love snappy dialogue tbh i defs think its so important to a story

cliff hangers- i am such a sucker for a good cliff hanger. and whilst im not always trying to go for the most dramatic cut/fade to black pause between chapters, i do always like to leave little things unresolved to build up tension and to make the payoff more enjoyable when its revealed along the line later on.

unusual/out there storylines- i tend to end up writing really random kind of plots or ideas which is great because then my fics always end up feeling pretty unique to me- almost like going against the grain in a way. i do feel a bit like an on the fringe kind of hermit writer, emerging from my cave to throw out something utterly bizarre before vanishing again into the mist until i reappear with another weird fic to share lol

there's probably hugely obvious ones that im missing or can't think of rn lol but that's what came to mind! i'm gonna tag @wellhalesbells @midnightfoxsinger @ririsasy (no pressure!) and honestly anybody who wants to do this too!

#tag games #on fic writing

[yeehawpim]

a comic about fix-it fanfics

#original comic #fanfic #fix it fic #fandom #dr who #bbc sherlock #avengers #my comic #my art #been thinking about the truly dumb amount of time I've spent reading fanfic #i started writing fix-it fic like a couple months ago and I Get It #teenage pim was a dumbass

[whatsnewalycat]

Made this for u 💝

#if there were a fourth soldier it would be my shitty jokes #meme #writing meme #fic writing

[innerenigma]

•Normalize Fanart for Fanfics Again You Fools•

It's not cringe anymore (it SHOULDN'T be cringe anymore), just do it. You're doing something you enjoy, who cares what anybody else says! So spread the words my fellow internet brethren.

Spread the Word :)

#fanfic #fanfiction #fanart #normalizefanartforfanfics #normalize fanart for fanfics #wattpad #archive of our own #ao3 #fanfiction.net #quotev #crossover #crossovers #fandom #fandoms #readerinsert #reader insert #xreader #x reader #oc #oc's #au #alternate universe #podfic #pod fic #fic rec #fanart for fanfic #fanartforfanfic #fanart for others #fan fiction #fan fic writing

[unspeakable3]

idk whether this is a universal thing or a me thing but i feel so FREE when i've finished a longfic/Big Writing Project!!

i'm enjoying spending some time drifting about between short(er) fics: this week i finished something for the black brothers fest + started drafting something for @firstwizardingwarfest + thought up some ideas for another FWW fic + for 2 or 3 @siriusblackfest fics.

idk if i'll get any more of them finished (i'm putting off claiming until i've done a rough draft, at least - minimum pressure, maximum fun!) but it feels nice to be working on something/s different after spending so much time in an anxious regulus's head ✨

#on fic writing

[k9effect]

Reblog for a larger sample size!

No "show results", if you're not a fanfic writer just be patient.

I saw a post about an anon saying it was embarrasing to have an ao3 account in your 30s (it's absolutely not), so I want to do a poll and see what the age range actually is.

#sam polls #fanfic #ao3 #fanfiction #fan fic #fan fiction #writing #authors #writblr #fanficblr #wattpad #quotev #live journal #fanfic.net

[ao3-anonymous]

What in the fanfic hell is this?? 😂😂

#ao3 #tag your faves #and then send me the fics when you write them

[pixiemage]

Please, for the love of god, please don’t be this person. No matter how long it’s been since an update, no matter how many unfinished stories are sitting on their account, no matter what - do not be this person.

Not only is it insanely rude, but you also do more damage than you think be being such a self-entitled ass about something someone created for free and for fun. “This author” can see what you say.

RIP decency indeed.

#Archive of our Own #Ao3 #Ao3 Comments #Writing #Fanfiction #Fanfic Writing #I wrote over 100k on that fic before burnout took hold #I poured my heart into what I did manage to finish #adhd’s a bitch that doesn’t always let me write what I want to write but I got that far #don’t make me feel ashamed because you didn’t get to see the ending

[sinigangsta-ao3]

hihi! #7 #31 & #32! hugs, nina!!

hi hi, my lovely Ro! thank you for the asks (and sorry for the delay!)

[7] Any worldbuilding you’re particularly proud of?

An apt question from the worldbuilding queen! 👑 I suppose "sins of our fathers" is the one I'm most proud of so far. I've done extensive research on the structures of various gangs in the U.S. and how they interact with one another, as well as crafted an entire sociopolitical history of this fictional town in Northern California. I don't know if I'll ever post anything explicit about the roles of each gang member or all the different political history of Paradise, but I hope that the worldbuilding will come through as the story unfolds!

[31] What’s your ideal fic length to write?

I know I was briefly in my smutty one-shot era, but I actually prefer to write longer fics. I think it just gives me more breathing room to tell the stories I want to tell. Around 10k words is my ideal for shorter fics for me. I haven't yet written anything longer than 38k words, but I'm plotting out some longfics that will definitely be closer to the 60k-80k word range.

[32] What’s your ideal fic length to read?

I also prefer to read longer fics too! Multi-chapter AUs tend to be my jam. I like following along the writer's journey as their fictional world unfolds, and I'm always really blown away by the raw talent that is apparent in a greatly written longfic.

#ask box #ask games #fic writer #on fic writing

[spectralsleuth]

Reblog and put your rare pair in the tags/comments! I want to see the depths people will go to create, for the most random two characters in the most obscure media.

#poll #fanfiction #writing #ao3 #my answer is 4 i am curious if anyone can beat that #rare pair #fic #rare pair in question is Iron Bull/Carver Hawke just ftr #unhinged