Captain Writes

If you can't write: Edit.

If you can't edit: Outline.

If you can't outline: Brainstorm.

If you can't brainstorm: Rest.

Don't know if I'm swinging a bat at a hornets nest with this one I'm just genuinely curious. I have so many chaptered fic ideas and wips in various documents and I always want to share them, but i'm so nervous to share chaptered fics that I don't have a backlog finished for, in the event I don't end up finishing them.

I still hold a lot of love for these fics, and a part of me would want people to see what could have been. Maybe I'll be inspired to continue them, but maybe I won't.

I've noticed this huge trend where creators on tiktok and tumblr who will be explaining how to use Archive Of Our Own to new users and they always say "and make sure to scroll down and click completed only" or how people will go out of their way to mention they only read completed fics 'because they were traumatized when they forgot to check the dates and didn't realize this fic hadn't been updated since 2012'.

The thing is - I think by not engaging with and/or actively avoiding writer's WIPs readers are potentially adding to the aggregate of abandoned works. Now this obviously isn't the case for all abandoned fics, anything from major life events, to loss of interest, to getting busy can be a reason for a fic getting abandoned - but at least on some level I just know that writers are quitting while they're ahead when they aren't garnering any response or feedback because reading WIPs has become unpopular. If you're worried about reading something that hasn't been updated since 2012 then you can use the date updated function to sort out old fics.

Kiss It Better

I had a lot of fun writing “Kiss it Better” and I love when I see people enjoying it and the art. Because the artists are amazing too.

Summary:

Following the battle to free Xornoth and Scott from the clutches of the prophecy that hung over them, a festival and series of masquerade balls are held as a celebration and encouragement of international cooperation and friendship. Count Fwhip, nervous to attend the gatherings in Rivendell, finds the courage to attend the masquerades anonymously, hiding his identity from even Gem. Along the way, he meets a mysterious gentleman who wants to court him. With the courtship well on its way, the festival and masquerades end and identities are revealed, leading to Fwhip getting swept into a deeper and more expansive relationship.

Author: @captainalien

Kiss It Better (full image here!)

HAPPY HERMITSHIPPING BIG BANG DAY!! This piece is for an incredible fic by CaptainAlien on Ao3 and @captain-writes here that I had the absolute pleasure of making art for!! I highly recommend you check out the fic because it is so cute and fluffy and HOT and I'm ripping my phone to shreds because of it!!!!!