love this!! do u have any recs bc i've always been interested in reading more poetry but i haven't really gotten around to it.

i think a fantastic way to improve as a writer is simply to read. i’ve learned a great deal about writing by reading anything from fanfics to literature to news articles while asking myself “what does the author want to convey here and how do they do it?” many of my favorite authors within the jmj space became my favorite authors because i felt like i learned so much about writing by reading their work.

sincerely, a devoted reader since december 14, 2024

oh wow sorry to leave you hanging for so long but thank you for appreciating my writing 😭😭😭 to answer your question: in short, (eventually) yes!!

for the long version, in the pocket was kind of my first more serious attempt at creative writing, so i was mostly testing my own capabilities without much direction in terms of plot. the main reason why i took a break from it was because i just couldn’t think of a way to end the story in a way that not only felt complete but also thematically coherent. but after some time away from the fic i have some ideas? if you didn’t already know, to be ‘in the pocket’ is a term common in dance where you catch the beat at exactly the right time with your movements. it requires the dancer to have a very good sense of musicality and timing, because anticipating the beat or lingering too long in the pocket ruins the effect.

and bc jimin as a dancer is emphasized in the fic, i want to finish out the story with something related to temporality. theres this neat contrast between mj as a photographer vs jm as a dancer: mj essentially captures a specific moment and preserves it forever with her camera, whereas when jm catches a specific moment, it is fleeting by nature of how she does it. but these are just general thematic concepts for now and while i do want to finish the fic eventually, i want to give myself space for the ideas to fully develop. i am really susceptible to creative burnout and i struggle with coming up with ideas i like, so it’s really important to me that i write stories i’m motivated to finish.

2025 has been an amazing year for fics jmj-wise and here are my top ten for this year <3 

10. turning tides by haogasm

idk what it is but something about the way this fic depicts toxic homophobic family dynamics is so incredibly appealing to me. i especially love the little details added to truly flesh out jmj in this au, and it makes it feel that much more grounded– especially fitting for a fic focusing on an unfortunate reality for many.

9. warm 'til spring comes by applecola

woah sports… im going to be so real irl i literally do not know ball but i’ve absorbed a decent amount of ball knowledge solely through jmj fics <3 there’s just something about navigating romance during an ongoing competition that lends to such interesting dynamics and character work. i love this fic and it was so engaging i ended up binging all 32k of it in one day 

8. game, set, love by bonaswife

omg a sports au on my list who is surprised…. i think a reason this fic stands out to me is that at its core, it’s a fic about love– the love between jmj and the love that jmj have for tennis, and how each impacts the other. such a lovely read from a wonderful author.

7. agate sky by cobalt_sunrise

i loveeeee this little fic. cobalt_sunrise is such an incredible writer and it's such a privilege that she decided to write for jmj. this fic is so descriptive and heartfelt and it beautifully captures the concept of luxuriating in a brief reprieve for just one day– luxuriating in the way each moment becomes languid and indulgent despite the knowledge that the next day might be different.

6. the muzzle bleeds poppy-red by cobalt_sunrise

yes yes yes imagery and complicated character and tension in spades… i love cobalt_sunrise. the character dynamics in this fic are illustrated beautifully with such amazing writing that there were parts i gasped aloud at. and like i tend not to enjoy hunger games aus but this one emphasizes the social intrigue and character dynamics in such a fascinating way. also i wrote an essay in the comments if ur interested lol

5. stole your heart (and your pillows) by Anonymous

what can i say about this fic that i haven’t already? beautiful read from the author of one of my favorite fics of all time. you can see me gush over this work even more in my august wrap-up

4. armageddon (noun) - a dramatic and catastrophic conflict, especially one seen as likely to destroy the world or the human race by Anonymous

heart-wrenching. i think a common theme between my favorite fics is that they explore identity to some capacity: whether it’s how athletes reconcile their relationship with their roles and responsibilities to their team, questioning religion based simply on who you love, or simply just evolving as a person in response to someone becoming significant in your life. this fic is right up my alley in that it is essentially a gorgeous study on what it means to be human and what it means to love. 

3. her holy grail by misugyaru (sansrival)

imagine heated rivalry but with pretty girls and rowing instead of angry men and hockey and tbh i think hhg clears. This is probably my favorite iteration of a sports au and the author is so incredible with layered characterization, pacing, and tension vs payoff that i literally have not been able to stop thinking about the fic. overall this is an incredible fic from an incredible author and one of my favorite takes on jmj as a whole.

2. futile devices by nemothebuffalo

RAHHHHH ok yeah just ugh. yeah this is kind of a life changing fic for me because i have never read anything like it and i have yet to find a fic that scratches the same itch. i ADORE the lyrical style of this fic, the references to classical greek philosophy, and the incredible use of imagery. i adore literary analysis and this fic was like one of those dog treat enrichment puzzle toys for my brain with how layered, technical, and beautiful the writing was. what a privilege it is that nemothebuffalo has graced the jmj tag with their presence. and what a testament to jmj that their irl bond was able to inspire such a gorgeous work.

1. echoes of appetite + gluttony's jaws (are soaked in wine) by cobalt_sunrise

unforgettable series of fics. i glazed tf out of this series and i really just cannot give it enough flowers. this series is a gorgeous study in theming and identity and emotional intimacy and i cannot believe i got to read this masterpiece for free. you can read more about my thoughts in the august recap or in the comments of the fics LOL

bonus - gibson girl by trellisaze

this fic is a work of art. i didn’t list this with the rest because the themes lean darker than i prefer, but i genuinely think that it’s worth reading solely for the quality of writing. trellisaze is an incredible author and i keep finding new cathedrals to explore in the way they write. 

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