Don't You Think You Owe It To Readers To Give Them What They Want?

Don't you think you owe it to readers to give them what they want?

No? What an odd take. Read my fic or don't.

Side Note To Fan Fic Authors

Here’s the thing.

I read a lot of scripts.  A lot.  From professionals to aspiring writers to complete newbies.  Features and pilots.  Specs and treatments.

And 8 times out of 10 the fan fic that I’ve read over the last, oh, 15 years is leagues better than this stuff.  It’s more inspired.  It’s more compelling.  It’s genre bending and creative and heartfelt.  It’s well-paced and intense and funny and sexy and meaningful.  It’s smart and thoughtful and good.  It’s novel-quality.  Better than, sometimes.

Rare is the script I don’t want to put down, but how often have we stayed up until 3am to get to the last chapter of a 100k fic? And it’s not even a fan fic author’s day job.  This is what they do on the side.  In their spare time.  For free.

So my point is, fan fic authors, you’re good.  You’re good writers and great storytellers.  I know it doesn’t always feel like it, especially if you’re one of the authors who’s not a BNF and doesn’t get the notes/hits that a few do.  And  because some people still view fic as “not real writing.” You guys know the shit that gets made into movies.  You’re better than that.  So be better than that.  If writing is what you think want to do, then just know you’re already doing it.   You’ve already started.

And you’re more talented than you might think.

Imagine these with your bias

Do u ever read a friend’s fic and it’s like holy shit how do you consider me qualified to talk to you?

Birthday surprises, unexpected turns

C(S). Taeyong x Reader | WC. 1275 | G. Fluff

The end of June was always an exciting time. The payoff of month-long planning and hard work paid off when you were able to surprise your beloved for his birthday, however, this year the birthday plans had to be slightly pushed back due to his hectic schedule.

Taeyong had just made his solo debut and the month-long promotions included celebrating his special day with the rest of the NCT 127 members and fans, which meant you could only see him after his birthday. You didn’t mind celebrating a little later, as it gave you more time to plan your surprise for Taeyong to perfection. 

“Buuuuubbbbuuuu where are we goiiiinnng…..?” whines Taeyong from his spot in the passenger seat. 

Taking a peak at the time on the dashboard, it showed that it had been 37 minutes since you asked Taeyong to be dressed up and wait for you outside the private entrance of his dorms. Taeyong could never say no to you and happily obliged, but what he hadn’t planned was for you to remain tight-lipped about where you were taking him, despite his best attempt to coerce the information, pleading round eyes and all. 

“Patience bubu, we’re almost there” you reason, hoping that would hold him off for just a little while longer as your destination was fast approaching.

Dropping his shoulders and he turned back to face the front window. Taeyong’s attention was caught in the breathtaking fields of flowers that surrounded the road, illuminated by a soft golden hue as the sun began to settle for the night. He pulled out his phone to capture a small piece of the moment. 

As day turned to dusk, you two finally arrived at your destination, a corn field located outside of the bustling city of Seoul.

“We’re here!” 

Unbuckling your seatbelt, you hurry out of the car, allowing your legs and back to get their much deserved stretch after almost an hour and a half of driving.

Sensing a missing presence you turn back to the car and catch Taeyong still seated inside. His face now sporting another pout as he scanned the outside surroundings. 

You motion for him to come outside which he begrudgingly agrees to after a muted sigh. He pulls himself out of the car, closing the door behind him and making sure to look in all directions before walking over to your side, there was nothing there...

“If you were a stranger, I would assume you’re trying to get me killed love,” he voices, eyebrows furrowed. His eyes move side to side at the unknown sounds scattered from the field. Grabbing your hand once he hears a particularly loud cricket.

“Trust me, I intend to keep every hair on your head safe Taeyong,” you assure. “I do, however, have an amazing surprise for you.”

“I’m looking and all I see is a cornfield,” he counters, not one bit convinced of your “amazing surprise.”

“Well duh,” you poke his cheek. “The surprise is inside.”

He turns to your digging daggers into your eyes.

“I, have to go inside? Like inside this MAZE?? In The DARK?!?”

To think he would have been totally dandy going into the maze without any convincing was a long shot, but half the battle was simply getting to the maze so your surprise was still going smoothly.

“WAIT! I know what will help, flashlights.”

You rush over to the truck of the car, opening it up to find the two big flashlights you had packed, with two sets of backup batteries of course. 

Walking back over you wave the flashlights like a prize, hoping it could convince him to at least explore the maze.

“Look Taeyong, now we can get to the centre with no problem”

Taeyong sends you a glare with arms now crossed, a very clear indication that your solution didn’t convince him any further of going inside.

“In your dreams, I’m not going in there.” Tone firm and with a straight face.

“Tae pleasee,” you whine with your own version of pleading round eyes.

He looks away, fearing his will not strong enough to deny you your request. It only takes a few more “pleeease”s, and maybe a couple of kisses to convince him that all of it will be worth it if he just agrees to step into the maze. 

“Ughhhh, fine.” 

Grabbing a flashlight in one hand and your hand in the other, Taeyong takes a deep breath before walking towards the corn maze, praying he wouldn’t have any regrets after saying yes to your adorable face that he simply could never resist or deny.

Three steps inside and his steps have already come to a halt, looking both ways and trying to determine which direction to head in. 

You, having literally planned the entire surprise, pull him in the left direction. Recalling the corn maze map that you spent weeks remembering, you weave through the directions with an arm still tugging Taeyong’s arm. 

A couple more turns and twists, but right before you sense the spot in which your surprise is waiting, you come to an abrupt halt and Taeyong bumps into your back. 

“Taeyong quick close your eyes” 

“What? Why?” he asks. “How will I walk?”

“I’ll lead you to the end, don’t worry I’ll go slowly.” 

He cocks an eyebrow but nonetheless closes his eyes.

Taking his hand this time, you walk him around the corner of the maze and right into the middle of the surprise.

“Ok open now!”

The immediate sight that greets him upon opening his eyes is a gingham blanket spread out on the floor decorated with a sign reading “HAPPY BIRTHDAY TY” and seating pillows. A cooler and picnic basket is placed on one side of the blanket.

Around the shrubs of the maze are an assortment of paper streamers and fairy lights strung up, twinkling and fluttering against the moonlight shining from above.

You move to sit down as Taeyong takes in the decoration, eyes wide with fascination.

Opening the cooler you fish out the small cake box you prepared, nothing too fancy, just a small chocolate cake with strawberries shaped into roses. In your basket, you find the candle and lighter. With Taeyong still distracted you place the candle in the centre.

“Love, come sit,” you call to him.

He rips his gaze from the lights to you and rushes over, finding his spot in front of you and the cake.

Lifting up the cake you use a free hand to light the candle. 

“It’s your birthday, make a wish.” You inwardly cringe at the reference but it's enough to have Taeyong bust out a smile.

Closing his eyes for a bit he blows out the candle from the side so as to not fan the smoke to your face.

“Love!, I can’t believe you did all this for me. I can’t believe I was so scared to come but if I didn’t…..”

As he starts to ramble on and on about how amazing your surprise was and how much he loves you, he doesn't notice your hand inching up to the cake, swiping the cake of its frosting. 

You nod along, listening to him ramble until your hand reaches his face, smearing the chocolate frosting against his cheek, stunning him in the middle of his romantic spiel.

“You have a little something on your face, love,” you point out giggling.

“Oh, do I? 

He doesn’t let you answer. Leaning in and softly kissing and transferring the frosting onto your cheek. Both of you now becoming a giggling mess, covered in frosting.

“There, now we both have something on our faces.”

Any character with ice powers: Wears fur. Warm clothes. Fully covered. At the very least uses ice as body armour. Sub Zero in his tits-out-ninja outfit again: