I Had Three Fic Ideas. Wrote One. I Still Have Three Ficideas. This Is Not How Math Is Supposed To Work.

i had three fic ideas.  wrote one.  i still have three fic ideas.  this is not how math is supposed to work.

Me writing a time travel fix it fanfic for MDZS/CQL: First they are going to need to get their swords back.

Also me writing the same fanfic: They'll fly to get their swords back.

Me rereading: On what swords?!

Me, enlightened: Clearly they steal some swords.

Just had to talk a friend down from a two cakes crisis. Her cakes - meaning her fic - are absolutely fine, but she felt a little down and checked out the rest of the dessert table. She got caught up in the whole comparison thing. "Oh man, this fic is way better than mine 😞."

And hoo boy, have I ever been there. When I was writing prolifically, I just wouldn't read. I couldn't because I knew I'd go into that fic measuring mindset and declare myself the loser, have to step away from the keyboard and stare out the window a while. And if I had an exchange deadline? Absolute worst timing.

Not everyone goes through that of course, but it's more common than you think, even with so-called established writers. I've seen people delete wips or even their whole account over that burden of doubt. So here are some possible tips to crawl out from under that burden:

Table it. You're done for the day. You've been staring at that cursor for too long. You have no perspective on your work anymore. Go do something else: play with your dog/cat/fish, go for a walk, eat something, go to bed if it's late.

Re-engage with the source material. Watch an episode, read a chapter, listen to that podcast, whatever it is. Find that voice in your head that sings in harmony with the source.

Read positive comments left on your previous work. Trust what they've told you. Because the liar here is your doubt, not your readers.

Hit up that friend you trust and ask them to tell you your strengths. Even if you don't believe it right now, you have strengths as a writer. Maybe it's worldbuilding, maybe it's dialogue; your friend will give you concrete examples. You don't need a beta right now, that will come later.

You're not alone. This is a community. Even if it's a rarepair or gen fic in a niche fandom - and especially then! - someone will be so happy that you brought that cake to the table.

I wanted to do some fan art and wanted to play with a different style and a different brush than I usually use. So here's Jiang Yanli. I imagine her in Koi tower, bending down to pick up toddler Jin Ling.

Based on this photo

What missing words?

Hello welcome my ADHD themed gameshow, "So you were holding it literally moments ago but now it's gone" the where YOU look for whatever you were just holding while going increasingly mad

You ever look at a tag and see discourse and go: Whew I am glad I don't even go here? 😅 Cause that was me tonight. Time to go back to my franken-canon fanfic nonsense and drawing things.