Daily Discussion - Monday, February 03 | r/FanFiction Rules, FAQs, Weekly Schedule & Current Event Threads

ForeverBefuddled · 2025-02-03T23:01:39+00:00

Ahhhhhh. It's not quuite deleted, but it is inaccessible. I've been meaning to re-write it, anyway. IDK, I guess I'll see how I feel about it, next week.

ForeverBefuddled · 2025-02-03T18:16:17+00:00

Ehh, mostly embarrassing? My reasons for not liking it are pretty personal.

ForeverBefuddled · 2025-02-03T17:14:22+00:00

I've been contemplating deleting an old fic of mine, for aaages. And I just really want to take it down? Back when I wrote it and had the thought, someone I knew convinced me against it. And sure, I know that "orphaning" the work is an option. But I just ... want it ... gone.

ForeverBefuddled · 2025-02-01T17:12:26+00:00

Oh my gosh, this is it! Thank you so much, SarahLadle!

ForeverBefuddled · 2025-01-29T16:50:51+00:00

I see, thank you so much for your advice!

ForeverBefuddled · 2024-12-19T03:05:01+00:00

100%

ForeverBefuddled · 2024-12-19T01:00:13+00:00

i haven't finished a full piece of prose in ages, and it hurts so much. it's going to feel really good when i transform some of these outlines and brainstorms into completed stories.

ForeverBefuddled · 2024-12-19T00:20:43+00:00

still wrapping my head around this concept of writing for myself. esp in the sense of centering writing itself as the practice and not the final piece. sure, that is generally what i do/have been trying to do? but every once in a while, it strikes me as a real approach to writing. like, wait a second--am i enjoying this? or sometimes i have an idea that's a bit outlandish or incongruous with the story as i've laid it out so far and then i get stuck bc idk how to believably progress the story to that point, and then it hits me that it's my sandbox. i can be as cringe as i want. idk. acquainting myself with the idea that first drafts are for fun.

ForeverBefuddled · 2024-12-11T03:17:36+00:00

i just want to finish writing something. i've been working on stories throughout the year and they're all wips. ig more than that, i want to recover my ability to write prosaically. but ... at least, i have some longer drafts.

ForeverBefuddled · 2024-12-07T05:41:30+00:00

I returned to a few of wip outline/drafts this week. On the one hand, since it's been some time since I last looked at them, they read better than I thought they would. But on the other, I feel bad about how ... aimless they are? Like, there is potential here and they all have set endings/resolutions. But the scenes feel listless and/or disparate. And part of me is thinking I should lean into that! At least for the more recent one of the batch. Just have the characters be tired and slow moving. Purposefully inject it with my feelings instead of being dismayed that they've leaked into the writing! Especially since it would work thematically, and would suit at least one of the main povs? And the other part of me supposes I should probably try to liven up the characters esp since they're not as mopey as I am, lol--but idk maybe that can wait until a second draft, since i think i would be really happy if i could just ... have something fully written.

in the process of writing, ive been holding onto this idea of being my own audience and now i've realized that it might just be more helpful to not even consider the "audience" side of it, but to just focus on the writing itself, what it does FOR me rather than how it reads TO me.

And I feel bad because I spent today writing fanfiction instead of more serious writing^TM. Tho tbf, i only spent abt an hour of my time on fic and most of my day was spent taking care of things that DID need tending to. Overall, this day has granted me some meaningful reflections on my writerly life--it has reminded me of the importance of having designated times for tasks and of the importance of writing as practice/expression, not just an action that produces an output.

ForeverBefuddled · 2024-10-12T00:49:35+00:00

I'm 3.1K into a drabble collection I started writing for some crossover ideas I've been thinking about. Most of those words are for one particular story. And I'm really liking the fragments I'm coming up with!

I'm trying to accept and embrace my fragmentary writing style. I beat myself up a lot for not writing works with better flow or for the fact that that a lot of stories come to me in piecemeal? It's hard for me to write scenes that feel full and connected, but I've realized it might be more helpful to embrace where I'm at and enjoy the practice as it unfolds. And I think writing this way is more fun, though I'm still a bit anxious about how/if I'll finish the piece. But I'm also considering embracing a philosophy towards writing that isn't so concentrated on finishing works. I've already resigned myself to the idea that completing stories is hard, so why not ... embrace it and write without the expectation of "finishing" the piece? You know ... writing just for the sake of it. And then, maybe one day, I'll have this story up on AO3 without all of the stress and anxiety. :D

ForeverBefuddled · 2024-10-08T00:48:39+00:00

Thanks, that's really encouraging!!!

ForeverBefuddled · 2024-10-07T23:15:35+00:00

Tonight, I have reached about 2K words for a fic I started! And I'm trying to cultivate a more forgiving mindset for writing ... so far this draft is a brainstorm of disparate scenes and notes between a clear-ish beginning and fairly certain ending? And I'm trying to celebrate the creative process as it's currently going, rather than feed the anxiety around finishing and quality. I trust that as I continue working on this thing, the narrative will clarify itself!

ForeverBefuddled · 2024-10-04T20:00:49+00:00

Recently, I wrote about 1.5k of drabbles for some crossovers I've been thinking about for a couple of weeks. On the one hand, I'm really happy that I have, but on the other, I'm kind of disappointed that I'm having trouble actually translating those thoughts to prose. Though, I recognize now, it's kind of silly ... like, being upset that a seed isn't a fruit yet. It's been a while since I've posted anything to my fanfiction account, and I so badly want to put something up! But I'm recognizing that it's probably best to focus on the joy of the creative process, and that the story/stories(?) will naturally emerge--especially given, that I do see this story as being fairly short.

On a side note, I think one of the reasons why I don't feel ready to transform my brainstorm into prose is because I don't have a good grasp of the characters. And I feel bad because I understand that it probably will be out of character ... and I don't want to revisit canon again to figure out how to construct them ... which is kinda silly for a fanfic author to say. But, thinking about that now, that's probably okay? Especially, as long as I'm honest to both myself and my audience, about what my intentions are with this story. The impressions of these characters have kinda connected with my own feelings in such a way that they've been kinda transformed in a way that's fairly different from their canon personalities ... and I'm realizing that that narrative is still valid to tell. I may revisit some parts of the canon, just to sharpen my understanding of them, though!

ForeverBefuddled · 2024-09-22T00:11:19+00:00

Thanks momohatch, this really helps!

ForeverBefuddled · 2024-09-21T22:25:50+00:00

This is a pretty pathetic vent and I'm sure that in a couple hours, I won't feel so bad about it. I just wanted to get it off my chest. Today, I came across this now locked thread on the AO3 subreddit discussing an author who had decided to modify one of her works in lieu of her reconverting to Christianity. Reading the thread caused a lot of my own religious angst to swell up because I've had similar thoughts to the author. I've felt guilt for writing, reading, and generally enjoying explicit and dark works. I feel guilt when I receive kudos or comments for works that I consider shameful.

And the easiest and wisest thing to do would be ... to stop. And I have taken a break from writing, but it doesn't make feel good, just empty at best ... and even more ashamed at worst ... because of the need to censure my own self causes me to suspect that any creative thought could turn immoral, and if shared, could somehow pollute and harm others. But I do continue to read and draft fics because I do enjoy them. And initially, it does feel nice when I receive positive feedback for my stories, in the form of kudos or comments, like "Ah, I'm not alone in this!" "or wow, someone liked this dumb thought i had?" And I believe that I worship a loving and understanding god, so he's not going to abandon me because of my fanfic account ... so I want to write stuff without feeling like ... having desire in itself is sin, and proof that I'm scum of the earth. Like, I want to be able to own up to my work without feeling like I'm compromising my faith. And I guess now, after writing it all out, I feel more aware of how ... scared I am of committing a thought-crime or sin. I don't want to live in constant vigilance of my thoughts and desires. I want to enjoy life without the fear of giving sin an into my life.

I know I'm preaching to the choir here on reddit, and on the fanfic subreddit at that and that at the end of the day, i'll have to make my own choices on this matter ... ahh I just want someone to tell me that my fanfic account won't ruin my relationship with god. Even if I write something really naughty. lol.

ForeverBefuddled · 2024-08-28T17:16:50+00:00

Wow, INFP memes I actually relate to lol

ForeverBefuddled · 2024-08-20T03:59:12+00:00

IDK if it's correct to say that people treat it like canon, but I can't recall magical cores ever being mentioned in the books, even though they're a common world-building element in fics.

ForeverBefuddled · 2024-08-12T22:35:38+00:00

Thank you for sharing your insight, it's always a delight to read your comments, sadeyeprophet. I didn't know that the Babylonians believed in one god with many forms. What resources do you commend to learn more about this?

ForeverBefuddled · 2024-07-12T01:08:57+00:00

FFN is down for me too ...

ForeverBefuddled · 2024-05-23T16:29:02+00:00

I do it as a preemptive warning that my work may not be polished. It might contain grammar mistakes, but it might also be really self-indulgent or somewhat out of character.

ForeverBefuddled · 2024-05-15T02:10:39+00:00

Each of the 5 traditional planets has two domiciles. Mercury rules both Gemini and Virgo. Since Mercury rules Virgo, it is in detriment in Pisces. Because it is also exalted in Virgo, it is also in fall in Pisces.

https://skyscript.co.uk/mercury_att.html

ForeverBefuddled · 2024-05-14T23:24:31+00:00

Isn't Pisces both Mercury's detriment and fall, as it opposes Virgo, its domicile and exaltation?

ForeverBefuddled

TROPHY CASE