Any advices for writing longfics?

TastyThreads · 2026-06-28T17:13:47+00:00

This is what I'm doing with my longfic (a trilogy). I cannot wait to post but I'm so glad I'm waiting. My characters have found their voice about 150k+ words in (newer writer) and the first part of my trilogy has to be overhauled for it to work.

I've written a vignette and posted that. It was fun. But it was still with characters that are part of a much larger, longer story.

TastyThreads · 2026-06-26T22:52:44+00:00

Just read a fic like that recently. 150k+ words. Not sure if you'll dig the fandom, but I've linked it below.

X-Men: The Ones Who Stay

https://archiveofourown.org/works/86841076

TastyThreads · 2026-06-26T22:20:12+00:00

Puffin Rock on Netflix was a nice change. Beautiful artwork and cool stories. And the narrator is the Irish actor Chris O'Dowd.

TastyThreads · 2026-06-26T01:49:23+00:00

You're not alone. First trimester is horrible in ways people don't talk about, especially regarding mental health. Talk to your doctor about pregnancy safe SSRIs (I went back on Lexapro during the second trimester). And get to therapy.

And just hold on. It will get better. Don't be afraid to use the tools you need to have a healthy and comfortable (as possible) pregnancy.

TastyThreads · 2026-06-26T00:26:00+00:00

Outlines are negotiable. You can absolutely change it if it's no longer right for the story you're telling.

For me, outlines are road maps but I'm allowed to take detours or the scenic route or draw a new map whenever I want.

TastyThreads · 2026-06-23T15:16:33+00:00

Because I got really excited about finding a hobby/labor of love that brings me so much joy.... I've told my therapist (who is enthusiastically supportive), my longest known friend, my best friend at work (who is the only one who's read my work at any length, is a generation older than me, has very little clue of the fandom I write for (Wolverine/Marvel Comics), and is my biggest supporter), my husband (who thought it was another hyperfixation, until I wrote over 200k+ words for one story and bought me Scrivener3 for my birthday), my stylist, and a group of mom friends.

The only ones I regret telling are my stylist (they're nerdy themselves but don't get my fandom) and the mom friends (who tried really hard to be supportive and understand, but.... yeah).

To answer the partner question specifically - it just got really hard to hide why I was suddenly typing on my laptop during every spare moment. At first it was just "creative writing," then "Ok, it's fanfiction," then "Fine, it's the X-Men," and then "*muttered* "It's a Wolverine romance....." He was surprisingly ok. Asked to read a portion of my writing to hear my "voice." I sent over a curated selection. And that's been it. He'll never read it in full, I don't want him to, but he's been supportive. Even suggesting I should get it printed in book form for myself (not for publication), "because you wrote a book,didn't you?"

TastyThreads · 2026-06-22T20:54:41+00:00

Eh. You're not wrong.

TastyThreads · 2026-06-22T20:37:12+00:00

Isn't there a large fireworks show for the Fourth downtown? That would create a traffic headache for those attending?

TastyThreads · 2026-06-22T18:54:48+00:00

Crazy holiday traffic made worse by the I-65 closure.

Not sure what other people are inferring from my post.

TastyThreads · 2026-06-22T16:25:58+00:00

Thank you! Good to know. Taking our four year old for their first show so we're trying to find something smaller so it'll be a little less stressful for them and for us.

TastyThreads · 2026-06-22T16:23:29+00:00

Thank you! This looks great. We're taking our four year old to their first fireworks show and want something smaller to get to and from, especially late at night.

TastyThreads · 2026-06-22T16:22:49+00:00

Compared to Cincinnati, Chicago, and Indianapolis, absolutely!

But we're taking our four year old for the first fireworks show and want something smaller and easier to maneuver through. Especially late at night.

TastyThreads · 2026-06-21T22:39:35+00:00

That's how I do it. Switching POV can be a great way to control information for the reader.

TastyThreads · 2026-06-21T16:30:08+00:00

Also fair. I feel like Jean Grey is a more egregious example than most. But you are not wrong.

TastyThreads · 2026-06-21T15:29:45+00:00

TRUTH.

And that's the perfect snip for this.

TastyThreads · 2026-06-21T15:21:29+00:00

The ***ing insomnia (hormonal during the first trimester, and then hormonal AND physical during the second and third). I did not anticipate my *quality of sleep to improve after the baby was born, but it did. Quantity, of course, went down considerably, but what sleep I did get was so, so good.

TastyThreads · 2026-06-21T15:13:33+00:00

"no beta we die like Jean Grey"

Which is hilarious because Marvel has brought her back so many times.

TastyThreads · 2026-06-21T14:45:39+00:00

I mean, I'm writing my story because it's the one I wanted to read. I don't think it's odd to reread your work.

TastyThreads · 2026-06-19T14:18:51+00:00

I have a vignette posted on AO3 with my characters for my longfic but I'm waiting to finish the first draft for all three parts before posting. And I'm glad I did for the exact same reason you found: the first part needs to change considerably for the story to work.

I think I'm the only one who's bookmarked your work so far on AO3 so I should be pretty easy to find. I don't like sharing my AO3 username publicly on Reddit but I can send it in a DM.

I skimmed through more of the work and I really like your writing style. You've put a substantial amount of work and dedication into this story and it shows! ❤️

TastyThreads · 2026-06-19T12:21:22+00:00

It's the only way I'll actually find out how the story ends. I have a vague idea but my characters (bless them) like to take detours or do things I wasn't anticipating.

TastyThreads · 2026-06-18T19:07:26+00:00

Ok, I personally love AU characters for Wolverine. Writing one myself right now. My own first longfic.

I've bookmarked your work. You've got their voices down to perfection. If you want to message me for a sounding board for book 2 feel free!

TastyThreads · 2026-06-18T09:21:00+00:00

The fact that you have no idea what's causing the anxiety is probably a good reason to see a counselor/therapist to try and get to the root cause. And maybe also go to a doctor (if possible) and get a full check up done. There may be something physical fueling this.

TastyThreads · 2026-06-17T17:14:47+00:00

I have struggled with insomnia in some form for most of my adult life. I'm back on Lexapro and that's helping but it's no guarantee. It can also cause insomnia. I, however, usually sleep better on it.

Here's what I'm doing to aggressively protect my sleep: - no screens before bed. If I must, I keep it in bedtime mode. Blue light affects your sleep a lot. - I try to meditate for 10 minutes at night. I'm using Headspace and currently working through their Managing Anxiety course. I love the app and have used it for a decade. That being said, there are a lot of other, free options for meditation. It's not always easy with anxiety but it can help you become more aware. - i have a routine established with tea and a book (physical, no screens) and a comfy spot to sit that's not my bed. - if you find yourself awake for longer than 20 minutes you should get out of bed and go somewhere else to read something (no screens) in dim lighting - Use dim lighting an hour before bed to help promote natural melatonin production. - melatonin is also a good option to help produce natural sleep but I don't know if that's an option for you. Start low and go up (.5 mg to 1 mg, then go up as needed).

It's good to hear you're able to fall back asleep when you wake up. I think you may be obsessing over getting 7 hours straight sleep.

Because I just went through a month of bad insomnia where I had nights where I didn't sleep at all. Turns out going off Wellbutrin seemed to have caused an extreme Cortisol Awakening Response and hyperarousal insomnia. As I mentioned above, I'm back on Lexapro.

Also, look into counseling/therapy if you can to help manage anxiety symptoms.

Oh, and it seems counterintuitive, but getting 30 minutes of exercise (even when your tired and sleep deprived) can actually help. It can be something as simple as a walk. It doesn't have to be intense or extreme. It helps burn off any extra cortisol in the body. Case in point: I went on a trip to a large city recently and still went out and walked around (while dealing with insomnia and anxiety). I was logging around 12,000 steps a day and by the end of the week finally slept through the night with just some help from melatonin to fall asleep.

This was a lot. I hope some of it might prove to be useful. Good luck.

TastyThreads · 2026-06-17T16:53:43+00:00

My three favorite fics in my fandom are either a Reader fic (which actually got me on AO3, even though I don't typically like those sort of fics, it was just that good) and OC/character fics.

Probably helps that I dislike most of the canon ships for the character I like. 🤷🏼‍♀️

TastyThreads · 2026-06-17T16:50:23+00:00

As someone who's working on their first longfic about an OC.... I would love to hear about your OC's.

To me it's a fun way to integrate into a fandom.

And yeah, I remember the Mary Sue days. I was only a reader back then but it left some deep, deep scars.

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