More feel good posts 💛

Okay, I’ve gotten six asks in the last hour and a half about the new nazi fetishist drarry art, as though I might have some insight because of what happened last year. I don’t.

I do, however have an opinion: Last year, a friend of mine reblogged art with a caption romanticizing nazi/Jewish prisoner relationships, and didnt have the best first response when people called her out on it. She was wrong, and she knows that. And I defended her actions, and her hurt feelings, without thinking about the correlation of what I was defending. I was wrong, and I know that, too. And I don’t excuse either one of us.

I generally believe that censorship is a bad thing, even of problematic ideals – in large part because “problematic ideals” are so often applied to LGBTQ rights, and POC rights, and when you allow some forms of censorship, the rest, historically, trickle in detrimentally for things that a handful of people in power believe aren’t appropriate. But the thing is, when you draw something that glamorizes or romanticizes something that devalued an entire race of people (or like, or reblog, or defend someone who has), there is no defense. When you draw something that is so symbolic of dehumanizing them and of their mass genocide that it’s instantly recognizable (or like, or reblog, or defend someone who has) there is no excuse.

I know it can be hard to hear that you’re wrong about something. It can be humiliating, and infuriating, especially if you’re sure you’re right – believe me, I know. Last year, my husband and I got into an argument about my defense of that reblog. We picked at it like a scab for weeks, going around and around. “But it was an accident!” I kept insisting, because I couldn’t understand the objection he couldn’t seem to really verbalize. Not until my husband, who is atheist by faith but Jewish by descent, said, “It doesn’t matter to the people who like you! All your defense does is make ‘accidents’ like that okay, and they aren’t!” – and I nearly cried.

Things like that are never okay. Not if it wasn’t your idea. Not if you needed the money and were getting paid. Not if a friend of yours was embarrassed and hurt. Never. And the only thing we can do to keep them from happening is be watchful, learn from history and those with more experience, and take responsibility for the wrongs we commit.

And if you disagree, please kindly escort yourself off my blog.

Reblogging with an additions, as it’s rightly been pointed out to me (through screenshots) that my post could be considered vague:

When I defended the reblog of the art last year, I was implicitly saying it was okay to promote nazi/white supremacist ideals, to glamorize something that should never be glamorized. I deeply, genuinely apologize for my part in having done that. As I said above, there is no excuse. I also, by doing that, changed the topic of conversation – which was an important one to have – and made it about me and the other blogger. That was wrong, and horrible too. And I’d like to clarify something else above: when I said I cried, it was out of shame, and no I do not deserve sympathy for it.

This is the cutest thing ever.

To critique or not to critique (of the unsolicited kind)

Spoiler alert: I firmly belong to the not camp.

A post just crossed my dash that put the worst taste in my mouth. I don’t want to reblog it, but I do want to address the contents because I think the subject is super important.

The post basically boiled down to: fanfic writers are thin-skinned babies “these days” because no one can take constructive criticism. In “my day” we all sent page-long critiques like the dedicated heroes we were! It made us better writers! Moreover, if I didn’t like something, I told the writer all about it! It was my job!

Hold up, what?

I’ve been posting fanfic online since 1998. Twenty years. Pre-archives. And “in my day” we had betas if we wanted/needed/asked for them (whose critiques didn’t have an audience). We said “concrit welcome” if we actually wanted constructive criticism. We did not show up unannounced to point out a work’s flaws because that is rude. Look, I am an editor. People pay me real money to edit things for them. I would rather cut off my own fingers than burst into someone’s comments and start “critiquing” their work without being asked first.

Here’s something that needs to be addressed: fanfiction is real writing, yes, but it is, by its nature as something that isn’t monetized, a hobby. As in, a thing people do for fun. A thing that hopefully brings both authors and readers joy! The story an author posts a is a gift; how dare anyone rip a gift apart in front of the gift-giver and all the other party attendees? How entitled and ungrateful can you be? Fandom is not a frigging battleground where authors learn to harden themselves for war. It’s a hobby. Done out of love and enthusiasm. 

Yes, some fanfiction writers (certainly not all!!) aspire to be original fiction writers. They may use fanfiction as a training ground. They may want or benefit from constructive criticism. Still, they have to ask. They have to start the conversation. I know (think?) it’s harder to find betas these days, but it’s always worth asking around if real critique is what you want. Put “concrit welcome and even begged for” in the author’s notes and hope someone takes you up on it. 

Some fanfiction writers with original fiction aspirations still don’t want criticism about their fic. Fic may be their fun-writing outlet. It may be about instant gratification (and there’s nothing wrong with that; we’re not in the business of denying ourselves pleasure out of some moral superiority here. It’s fandom). It may be the place where they post to get around their fears of showing things to others. It may be the place they take risks they wouldn’t in their original work because the stakes are lower. When you work on your original writing all day, every day—often putting that work through far more vigorous and exhausting paces than fanfic sees—the last thing you want is someone showing up during your time off to point out a frigging comma splice or shift in POV.

The point is unless someone asks for critique, you don’t know what’s going on with them. Maybe fic is the only fun thing they have in their lives. Maybe they’re writing in a different language. Maybe they are 14. Or 82. Maybe they’ve never written fiction of any kind before and this is their baby step forward. Maybe fic is just escapism. Maybe they are depressed or anxious as hell and criticism is going to push them over an edge. Fandom belongs to everyone. Not just people deemed “good” or “perfect” or “permitted” or “thick-skinned.” People don’t need to be saved from grammar mistakes or poor turns of phrase or even plotholes so wide a semi could drive through them. Authors sure as hell don’t need to be told when a reader just doesn’t like something. There is no fandom police force in charge of perfection. If critique is so important to you, advertise your willingness to beta. If you do not like a story or think it’s “bad” hit the freaking back button. 

Unsolicited criticism is not helpful. Maybe you just catch someone off-guard and startle them. At worst, you may totally shatter someone’s self-esteem while they are partaking in a hobby they 100% do for fun—and not in pursuit of some unattainable perfection.

Don’t ruin a stranger’s day or week or hobby because you “know better” and somehow think you need to prove it. You don’t.

Another real-life editor here to agree with all of this. If concrit isn’t asked for, don’t leave it. Remember that you are consuming FREE media.

Also, on a pressional note, unstructured feedback, ESPECIALLY if it’s unkind, does not actually help most writers. Effective editing is unemotional and definitely cannot he distilled into an AO3 comment. It takes multiple readthroughs, at least some familiarity with the author’s style, awareness of their goals, and many other nuances.

I’m not saying you have to be a professional editor to be helpful, but for your criticism to be effective, you do have to put in more effort than casually reading a story.

You are not providing a service, you are not helping someone grow a thicker skin. You are most certainly not improving their writing. You are in fact achieving the exact opposite by breaking them down.

If concrit isn’t asked for, don’t leave it.

Just a writer here, but just have to say, I’ve had people offer unsolicited corrections before and… they’ve been wrong A Lot.

I wrote about a particular location. Someone commented to correct me about what I described there. I worked on that street. I was at that place on the exact day mentioned in the story. What I described was definitely there.

I mentioned characters’ travel plans. I received a comment telling me the itinerary I described was impossible. I linked them to the real-life flights I had looked up and used in the story.

“You spelled that wrong!” It’s the accepted British spelling: I had used a UK spellcheck/dictionary because the story was set in the UK. “That phrase wasn’t in use at that point in history!” Multiple sources date it to about a hundred years before that point. “There’s no such thing as a mock turtleneck!” …what?…

All this is just to say… when total strangers on the internet say stuff about my writing, I have learned to give it exactly the same weight I give all information that comes from total strangers on the internet: zero. I definitely double-check when people offer corrections, and I fix mistakes. But I often find I was right to begin with.

If I don’t already know you, I don’t know if you have any idea what you’re talking about. And experience has showed me that many people who offer unsolicited opinions are just plain wrong on easily checked matters of fact, let alone opinions about a piece of fiction. That’s why I don’t welcome (or give!) unsolicited concrit anymore. I’ll ask for concrit from people I trust, who know my style and what I’m trying to achieve.

Trapped in my hotel w/out my phone charger and 14% charge left, whyyyyyyyy????? 😭😭😭

My transparent bathroom.

@tovlia good idea!!!!

My daughter's hotel's transparent bathroom and masterpiece art it inspired.

Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy

It’s been ages since I simply sat down at my piano and just played without much of a plan except for a general notion of a mood or character I wanted to capture. Now, I’m not really in the Harry Potter fandom because it scares me , I’ve only spent the last 6 months reading Draco/Harry as though it’s 2006 again. Anyway, long story shot, this fic is fantastic, really, as are all of Bix’s stories, so this is a kind of thank you for the many hours I could spend immersed in the stories you tell (and the AMAZING characterisation! serious heart eyes)

@bettydice I barely know what to say, how to respond, how to thank you. I’m sitting here with tears tracking down my face – this is so beautiful I can barely believe it’s improvised.

Honestly, this deserves every damned flail in the world but I’m just…stunned and so moved I’m actually out of words. Thank you so much for this. That Balance affected you in this way, that something this gorgeous might be a result of the feel of it, I… Thank you.

@bettydice composed music inspired by Balance, Imperfect by @bixgirl1 and it's so lovely it made me cry! The music alone, which conveys the love, longing and heartwrenching emotion of the fic, would have done the trick. Add to that @bettydice's sheer sweetness and generosity of spirit and you've got one hot mess!

stop

You know what I’m absolutely fed up with? Reposters. I’m so tired of my art getting copy/pasted onto someone else’s account without my permission. Today I ran across my own art as a suggested post for me on Instagram. On THEIR account, it had over 5k likes and hundreds of comments. On my account? 70 likes. 2 comments. No new follows. I haven’t gained a single follower on Instagram in AGES- I have less than 400 followers. And some random meme poster with thousands is getting more- and possibly revenue- from my art? Why? I gained no followers, no one interested in commissions, AND got to read tons of racist comments on my art from their account. Reposting is not only rude of you, but it’s taking away attention from the artist- most artists need that attention to make money, as their only advertising is word of mouth/posting art online. (Me! I’m that artist!) I wouldn’t have been able to pay rent this month if it hadn’t been for commissions. Knowing that tons of people are seeing my art who will never interact with me because it’s not posted by me is HEARTBREAKING. That could have been the art that got me a commission, or a job, or a friend, and now instead it’s the art that got me tons of negative reviews on someone else’s account! :) how nice!

So yeah the comics sitting in my drafts? They’re gonna be staying there for a while.

I lost followers just for posting this lmao

@deluminatorillustrator I’m so sorry 💖

Seriously guys don’t be assholes!

Yeah, don't be assholes! Seriously, get permission. At the very least, if you can't bring yourself to do the right thing, make sure the artist is clearly given credit.

Canon: and so they never met

Fanfic: here’s a funny story

Canon: There was tension and pining, but they never even kissed.

Fanfic: Actually,

Canon: Torture the cinnamon roll.

Fanfic: Torture the cinnamon roll.

Canon: When they traveled they stayed in separate rooms

Fanfic: AND. THERE. WAS. ONLY. ONE. BED!!!!!

Canon: … and they were roommates.

Fanfic: oh my god, they were roommates…

Canon: They were international assassins who assassinated assassins.

Fanfic: But hot DAMN wait till you hear about this cafe they opened

Canon: They had a coffeeshop

Fanfic: but they were ASSASSINS

Canon: they were mortal enemies and attempted to murder each other on multiple occasions

Fanfic: bUT THEY GOT MARRIED AND ADOPTED CHILDREN

Everytime I reblog this has a new addition and it’s the best

Canon: They were straight

Fanfic: Lol

THE LAST ONE IS THE BEST ONE

Anyone in the Bakersfield and surrounding areas:

This is very personal and I know it’s a long shot, but my nephew Joel Porter has been missing since 10pm last night. He’s 26, 5'9 and 160lbs, and was wearing a blue shirt and jean shorts. He’s likely tired and anxious now, possibly agitated. He was last seen on Ming and Stine but previously he’s managed to walk the entire span of Bakersfield, so he could be anywhere by now. In addition to his developmental disabilities, he’s also been having seizures when he gets dehydrated, so please, please be on the lookout for him if you’re anywhere nearby.

I’ll update once we’ve found him. Thank you so much. ❤

Suave, slow and elegant movements. I can not stop been mesmerized.

Hey friends! If you’ve got a bit of time and energy to spare, I’ve got a favor to ask. 

The phenomenal @writcraft​ has an amazing friend, C., who is going through a spectacularly hard time. Throughout the course of their friendship, Writ has often told C. about how meaningful fandom can be - how it can uplift and connect people, and how it can help us through difficult times. 

Now, while C. is undertaking a particularly difficult battle, Writ wants to extend some of that great energy to C. So, she’s written a (beautiful, omg) post about C. and their friendship here, in hopes that people will direct a bit of fannish community love and support towards C., and so that C. can experience some of the wonderfulness of fandom and know that people the world over are thinking of her and wishing her well.

Here’s the request: If you’ve got a moment, please think about going here to read about C. and leave her, via Writ, a message of support in the comments. There’s truly nothing more to the ask - no money or stuff or anything like that - and comments don’t need to be long or personal. Any and all well-wishes are a fab contribution, and if you’re up for it, you can click here to read and comment. 

<3, and thank you for reading! 

APPRECIATION POST

I rarely write anything personal on here but today I felt the need to.

I live a very quiet life: it is not by any means a bad life for I am healthy, financially safe, I have a father and a brother and a sister with whom I have a beautiful relationship, three cats that I love deeply and more than a few friends. It is, at times, a dull life, a life that lacks romantic love since I have been single my whole life, excitement, pining, and angst and also sex.

I have always been an avid reader, and my whole life changed when I found the Archive of Our Own, and fanfiction more in general. All my favourite characters, the pairing I have always wanted to see but never got canon, the stories that ended when I wasn’t ready to say goodbye, fanfiction authors gave me all of these and much more, and completely for free.

I try to always leave kudos, and comment as often as I can even though sometimes I get self-conscious because I am no literary critic and I am afraid I always end up saying something along the lines of “I loved it!!”.

But it’s so much more than that, all of you writers (and betas and artist) fill my life with so many emotions and I dare say, happiness.

So this is a post for every talented person who ever made something for a fandom: thank you, thank you, thank you.

I’m just going to tag some of my favourite authors but surely there are so many more I am forgetting: thank you too.

@tossertozier @fleurdeliser @tryslora @mistresscurvy @jjtaylor @dear-monday @cimness @waxjism @theopteryx @bexless @magpiefngrl @wellhalesbells @bixgirl1 @bleep0bleep @carpemermaid @dictacontrion @dysonrules @gracerene09 @kedavranox @femmequixotic @firethesound @l0vegl0wsinthedark @lqtraintracks @lunacanislupus-22-blog @prairie-grass @pale-silver-comb @kedreeva @seefin @standinginanicedress @thepsychicclam @wearethecyclones @weathervaanes @writcraft @shiftylinguini @noeeon @allicrain @doctortay @firethesound @tessacrowley @letteredlettered @batwynn

This is such a wonderful and sweet post! I second the impact fandom can haave on someone’s life; it def changed mine, too.

I’m so delighted to hear my writing has brought joy in your life, it means a lot to me ❤❤❤  

New Fic - Cake

Title: Cake Author: Bixgirl1 Pairing: Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy Word Count: 2.5k Rating: Explicit Warnings/Content: Public nudity, naked dancing, Semi-public (but private(ish)?) sex, frotting. Summary:On Harry’s birthday, he learns he should either never trust Luna again… Or to trust her wholeheartedly. There are a few shaky moments where he isn’t sure. Author’s notes: For @julcheninred, who’s been an utter joy to this fandom in so many ways — and who inspired this with her FUCKING AMAZING DRARRY PAPER ART which if you haven’t seen yet – poor you. LOLOL.  Thanks so much to @lower-east-side for the quick and fantastic beta!  <3

Excerpt:

“Hermione.” Harry side-eyed the massive cake again. “Just tell me there isn’t a baby Hippogriff in there or something.”

“Of course there isn’t!” she said with a dubious little blink — which did not, in Harry’s opinion, bode very well. Ron gave him a significant look from behind her and shrugged, mouthing Sorry, mate.

“Do you mean to tell me,” he shot a strained smile at Gin and Neville, whose combined singing was so off-key they were getting concerned glances from those around them, barring Luna, “that you don’t know?”

Hermione huffed. “Well, what did you think would happen when you agreed to let Luna bring the cake?” Tilting her nose up, she added, “All I know is that it’s supposed to explode with confetti and ‘something pretty’ you’ll enjoy.” Taking in Harry’s expression, she sighed and patted his hand. “Don’t worry. It’ll be over soon.”

“Funny, that’s exactly what I told myself the night I died,” he grumbled. Hermione snorted softly, then gave him a disapproving little frown to cover. She rejoined the Happy Birthday song in a soft soprano just in time for the final notes.

Harry looked over and saw Luna beaming at him. His smile felt watery as he braced himself.

Silence fell.

And Draco Fucking Malfoy exploded out of his cake.

Read the rest on AO3

Creep | A Drarry Story | Created for HD Wireless 2018

My entry for this year’s HD Wireless is finally here :) I hope you like it! Sound starts at about 10 seconds.

Stills and a link to the video can be found on AO3

Or watch it directly on Youtube

Summary: After the war, Draco is back at Hogwarts for his “8th year”. He knew from the start that the other students wouldn’t welcome him with open arms, but he did not expect that Hogwarts would feel so foreign to him now. Quite surprisingly, he’s not the only one who feels out of place.

~~~~ Created for @hd-wireless, a music-inspired Drarry challenge. Inspired by the song “Creep”, © 1992 Radiohead, which was prompted by @untilourapathy (I hope you like the result ;))

The version used in the video was performed by Brian Justin Crum.

Have you ever stopped to think that… Movies based on books… are fanarts/fanfictions… as well? Except that sometimes they are not even fans

As some of you may know, I’m Greek, and this has been a difficult week for us with the forest fire tragedy. The stories are heartbreaking and horrifying at the same time. I’m not in the country at the moment and my family is safe, but we’re all devastated. I’ve also had a tough week at work (”tough” here is a synonym for “absolute hell”).

In the midst of all this stress, I received this utterly wonderful art from @julcheninred​ a few days ago. I’m so touched and so very grateful. It made me smile :) I don’t know why art of two fictional characters showing support for my country should warm my heart so much, but it does. Thank you so much for this @julcheninred, it means a lot. 

Also a million thanks to everyone who expressed their support. You’re an amazing bunch of people <333