would you ever consider taking commissions for fanfics by any chance? love your writing sm!
So, I don't take fic commissions for a number of reasons:
Firstly, I feel a bit weird about paywalling something like that in general. Fanfic is given for free and it's always been like that. There are legal ramifications obviously, but it's also just something that's created by and for fans to have for nothing. Charging people for it would go against what I believe in and I want everyone to have access to it, no matter their income.
Secondly, the logistics of charging become a grey area for me, personally. If I were to charge, it would be per thousand words and as I tend to write big pieces, it would get expensive very fast. I also cannot guarantee that I'd stick to a word count (likely would end up going over) and that's unfair on both the client and me. They shouldn't have to pay extra that they didn't sign up for and I shouldn't have to work for free if we've agreed I'd be compensated.
These fics also take a long time and a lot of effort to write. It would take me upwards of a month per piece and when you start dividing that by hourly rates, it's very low. I know I could just cap it at say, 5k words, but stories don't work like that. If the plot needs more, it gets more. If characters start talking, it eats up words. I can't just stick to a number like that most of the time. The only exception to this is zine work and even then, I don't tend to do zines that give me less than around 4k. I need room to play!
On top of that, sometimes I just don't vibe with an idea! If I'm not interested in writing the story, I genuinely can't do it. The words won't come. I wouldn't want to give someone a subpar piece that I've only created because I'm being paid for it. That reflects poorly on me and it's not cool for you. I have to be very invested in the concept to make a story out of it. Lots of planning goes into a fic that no one ever sees and that's because I really, really love the idea behind it. Without the desire to plan, I have no desire to create.
Mostly though, I just don't believe in charging people for this kind of thing. I don't mean to get on my soapbox, but society has forced people to feel like they have to monetise the things they draw enjoyment from and I don't like that. Fanfic helps people get through things, entertains them, and inspires them. I don't believe that should be withheld from anyone simply because they can't afford it. You have the right to enjoy things for free where possible, especially art.
I want you to have what I make for nothing. It's my gift to you. When I'm gone and in the ground, I want the existence of my stories to remain as a part of me in the world and for that soul to live on. That's what art is. Infinite, immortal.
Your kudos, your comments, the asks you send me, the fic art you make, simply reading it in the first place; all of that is payment enough :)
