Icon and Fanfic

[foxinthestars]

I just changed my default icon from my old cartoon fox to my SCA coat of arms. The first time I showed up to a meeting of my shire, I said I was there to nerd out about history (hence the book) and do crafts (hence the knot), and that has been holding up well.

Been busy the last couple of days and haven't posted. We got my mom ready and took her to the doctor, which is a big job these days, but we got it done and hopefully the doctor visit will result in some progress.

On the fannish side, for the first time in years my fanfic spigot has opened, and draft Honzuki fics are pouring out. I've got one complete draft one-shot and another that's most of the way there. I don't know how long this will last, and I kind of don't know what to do with them? Like, "post to Ao3" is the obvious thing, but where does one find beta readers these days? Do I need a beta reader that much? Do I need to do canon review (and if so, how many of the canon's three-dozen-plus volumes need reviewing)? What do I want out of posting these fics? It seems like a waste not to, but if I ask myself whether I want comments and kudos the answer seems to be "not that much" (on the other hand, disabling comments is not an appealing notion). Well, these are solvable problems if I calm down and work through them.

Comments

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> I just changed my default icon from my old cartoon fox to my SCA coat of arms. <<

I like it!

>>On the fannish side, for the first time in years my fanfic spigot has opened, and draft Honzuki fics are pouring out.<<

Go you! Strike while the iron is hot.

>>I kind of don't know what to do with them? Like, "post to Ao3" is the obvious thing, <<

Ideally, post in multiple places, like AO3 and DW. A03 is plagued by outages and other issues nowadays; people who are still using it freak out frequently.

>>but where does one find beta readers these days? <<

See betaplease.

>> Do I need a beta reader that much? <<

Depends on your skill level. After a pause in writing, you might try it at least once, to blow the dust off.

>> Do I need to do canon review (and if so, how many of the canon's three-dozen-plus volumes need reviewing)? <<

Not necessarily. Many writers find it helpful, but that really depends on how tightly your stories are based on the canon.

>> What do I want out of posting these fics? It seems like a waste not to, but if I ask myself whether I want comments and kudos the answer seems to be "not that much" (on the other hand, disabling comments is not an appealing notion). <<

Keep mulling it over. Most folks do enjoy feedback, but it doesn't have to be your primary reason. Some just want to make things and save them for personal enjoyment.

>> Well, these are solvable problems if I calm down and work through them.<<

True.

Re: Thoughts

[foxinthestars]

Thanks! That's helpful, especially the update re: Ao3.

You didn't mention FF.net; what's the conventional wisdom about it these days? Last I knew the formatting options there were frustratingly limited, and it got more traffic but that traffic was less likely to produce mature and thoughtful engagement. Lately every single PM from there has been an artist-collab scam.

Re: Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> You didn't mention FF.net; what's the conventional wisdom about it these days? <<

I haven't used it in years. I found the interface clunky to read with; I never posted anything there.

>> Last I knew the formatting options there were frustratingly limited, and it got more traffic but that traffic was less likely to produce mature and thoughtful engagement. <<

That matches my observations.

>> Lately every single PM from there has been an artist-collab scam.<<

I've heard this from lots of folks. It seems a current reason why people are leaving.