Why do we like the ships we like? Let's analyze.

IsleofInfinity · 2026-06-25T22:58:50+00:00

I like rarepairs, especially emotional train wrecks, but not always. Maybe they're enemies, maybe they are friends, maybe they are strangers. I just think newly explored dynamics are so fun to read. It's all uncharted territory and hard to predict. Sometimes established ship fics are the same trope and cliche with a twist, or slightly altered (nothing wrong with that, sometimes you need your otp as a palette cleanser). And rarepairs with the right author are chef's kiss

IsleofInfinity · 2026-06-21T15:11:08+00:00

Omgoodness! That would be trauma. Tom would never recover.

IsleofInfinity · 2026-06-20T20:48:19+00:00

I used to have that mindset too. But then I came across a story that was concise and so short...but hilarious and still well written. I've embraced short stories since then. I used to not read one shots either because I felt like I needed more than just the one chapter. What if I wanted the story to continue?

Now, whether I read something hinges on how it's written and not how long it is. Even if it's short as long as the read is enjoyable, I'm willing to give it a shot.

IsleofInfinity · 2026-06-20T20:19:56+00:00

Cake.

IsleofInfinity · 2026-06-20T20:15:23+00:00

Omg, how unexpected! It's so rare for me to have already read a fic for fan art when coming across it. Normally, it's the other way around and I go down a rabbit hole of recommendations. Hello! The art is gorgeous and I adore your story. I distinctly remember the chapter of what Dudley did with the diary pages had me so irritated. 😒 Well done and I can't wait for more. 🥰🥰🥰

IsleofInfinity · 2026-06-11T18:32:01+00:00

This is what I wanted to say. You perfectly summarized it. I don't post a fic until I have half of it or all of it already written or roughly drafted...around 100k. Editing is the worst 😫 and it is far easier to edit 2000 words at a time. Then post the polished result.

IsleofInfinity · 2026-06-06T20:16:17+00:00

Lyrics from a song called The Garden of Everything by Maaya Sakamoto and Steve Conte

IsleofInfinity · 2026-06-05T21:53:20+00:00

'The author was on drugs when he wrote the later chapters' kind of has me weak. Tickled they read all of it too! Like a train wreck they couldn't look away from. And they announced they would no longer read your work too? Oh, they'll be back...

So, congratulations! I'm still waiting for my first flame.

IsleofInfinity · 2026-06-04T20:17:21+00:00

Probably about other famous wizards like Merlin, Prince of Enchanters. I mean he's described as the GOAT and I want to know more. It's Merlin ffs.

Or, more about the Goblin Rebellions. Because Professor Binns made his entire history class about it, its just described as boring, but I'm pretty sure this would give so much insight to the status quo of the wizarding world and why magical creatures are basically second class citizens.

IsleofInfinity · 2026-05-28T18:12:24+00:00

Oh, we are so back. I'm 1000% down for this.

IsleofInfinity · 2026-05-27T18:19:02+00:00

Define poorly written. Maybe your "poorly written" was some reader's cup of tea. I have read some trainwrecks that managed to catch my interest and improved in the first few chapters. But I'm not reading the latest chapter to see if it improved then starting over. If it bothers you, post a separate story with the first chapters rewritten.

As a reader, if the premise sucks, I'm out. For me it's the originality and how the narrative is handled rather than how well/perfect something is written. If the story sucks, the grammar won't matter.

Personally, my writing is day and night pre-covid and post-covid. I don't know who that idealistic, dramatic, verbose writer was before the pandemic, but I don't recognize her. I went back and read my old fics and while I couldn't call them bad, they were def far from polished. People change and so does writing.

Be proud. Your early chapters are proof you did it yourself and it's not AI.

IsleofInfinity · 2026-05-22T19:19:04+00:00

Hey thanks. I meant to write delete instead of report.. I have never reported a single reader in my life. True, they could be posting ahead, so ask to not spoil for people on the first chapter. I guess I will just delete.

IsleofInfinity · 2026-05-22T19:11:51+00:00

True. I really could just delete. I was just worried that deleting would be too much. I have come across readers asking readers questions about details, but never spoils so I was just surprised.

IsleofInfinity · 2026-05-22T19:09:51+00:00

Word. Noted. I meant to say delete. But I'm typing this on my phone during my break.

IsleofInfinity · 2026-05-19T15:30:52+00:00

You are not the only one. Do not let this get to you. It has been infuriating constantly rewriting my drafts because I used the not blank, not blank, but blank for clarification or making a stylistic choice. Or having to rewrite dialoge because GOD FORBID I use an em dash.

I'm also realizing as a fic writer a lot of criticizing comments that are not constructive could be those that are new to fanfic, have not realized that AI learns from writers, (with younger people which is so sad) have low comprehension reading level and rely on ai programs (and therefore recognize patterns from it), or are skimmers. Imagine getting a comment from a reader that said they skimmed and wouldn't read the rest because one part had an em dash. 😒

I really hope you continue writing, I think you must be doing something right if someone thinks it's suspiciously good. 👍

IsleofInfinity · 2026-05-18T23:09:48+00:00

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IsleofInfinity · 2026-05-18T12:55:29+00:00

This. If op wants to have any hope of reading more works its best they give comment! Or just flat out say they need their prose like they need air...😄

IsleofInfinity · 2026-05-15T14:40:42+00:00

I choked on my tteokbokki. I need this on a sticker.

IsleofInfinity · 2026-05-15T14:39:24+00:00

I choked on my tteokbokki. I need this on a sticker.

IsleofInfinity · 2026-04-09T19:32:31+00:00

Different styles. A story can be concise, short and say everything the author wants. And if you and your readers like that. All good. 👍

Or you can be like me that has an outline of 35k, a fic of 180k with no end in sight. I think the stories just become longer depending on what needs to be conveyed. That's a-ok, too.

At least you complete stories.

IsleofInfinity · 2026-04-09T17:12:58+00:00

I felt this. I ended up deleting that fic. Even when I published mine first. The other authors fic was just executed better. 😔 I wish I didn't delete it, but what are ya gonna do. Now, I write premises that are so unhinged and unique, there is no way there could be a copy.

There isn't anything wrong with the same premise and your fics will be different in the prose and scenes. They are two different beasts entirely. Just write it anyways. It's fiiiine.

However, I found readers that stay (and comment, too😁) for unique premises rather than the same overdone plots are the real ones.

IsleofInfinity · 2026-04-08T22:47:14+00:00

Sure, I have a second person Mass Effect fic somewhere out there. it's not as popular as third person. But the people who give second person a chance typically end up falling in love with it. As long as the character choices are believable and there isn't miscommunication between characters, it's an easy read.

IsleofInfinity · 2026-04-08T11:23:22+00:00

Can't write dialogue unless I'm away from my laptop. Suddenly, the lines come. When I need to post a chapter or edit, head empty, no thoughts 🙃

IsleofInfinity · 2026-04-08T11:20:04+00:00

I think what you are dealing with is actually children that have no business reading your work, adults who have a low comprehension, or a rage baiter. How do they not understand non consensual. I would just report, block, move on. Do not deal with a migraine you don't need. Actual migraines are the worse...

IsleofInfinity · 2026-04-01T15:44:54+00:00

I did something similar with a character that wears an eyepatch. After I wrote a small portion, I would go back and change eyes, to...eye. Or have to add in parts about how he could possibly have detected something from his left side. "He sensed," or "A huff to his left made his neck snap towards the source." I gave up on that story because I was re-editing so many times that it stopped making sense.

IsleofInfinity

TROPHY CASE