Shows
The Fanfic Writers' CraftS4E4. The Evolution of Fandom Etiquette from Quizilla to TikTok with @tinawithana (Or, Imagine Being Normal About the Media you Consume!)In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Blayne (@btelling) are joined by their very first guest of 2024—TikTok creator and fandom commentator Tiana (@tinawithana)! If you’ve spent any time in fan spaces on TikTok, chances are you’ve come across Tiana’s funny, sharp, and often brilliantly blunt takes on all things fandom and fanfiction. From tagging etiquette to reader engagement, she has published countless videos aimed at readers and writers alike, commenting on best practices while acknowledging the shifting culture of online communities. We were thrilled to sit down with her for a wide-ranging, deeply energising conversat...2025-05-131h 15The Fanfic Writers' CraftS4E3. Crossovers, AU Rewrites and AI (Or, If You're Our Employers, Don't Listen To This)In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Blayne (@btelling) settle in for a more casual, catch-up style episode where we ramble about a few different fanfiction-related topics. We answer two great Tumblr questions from listeners - first up, from an anon who asked us for advice about writing crossover fics. We share our takes on why crossovers are so tricky to write, how to make them work, and whether we’d ever read (or write) them ourselves. Then, we dive into the world of canon divergence fics with a question from @anartiscticandautisticstararcher. We explain why they require careful thought to su...2025-04-121h 14The Fanfic Writers' CraftS4E2. Fights! (Or, Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!)This February, Jo (@pebblysand) and Blayne (@btelling) celebrate Valentine's Day/Month with a dive deep into writing arguments and fight scenes! Because what’s more romantic than a well-crafted battle of words (or wands)?In this episode, we discuss the purpose of fights in fiction, the importance of tension leading up to them, and how to make them feel organic in our narratives. We explore different types of fights, from small spats to full-blown confrontations, and how they impact character development. We break down the writing of physical fights—including why they’re so difficult to get ri...2025-02-221h 14The Fanfic Writers' CraftS4E1. Canon-Compliance (Or: AO3, Written by People Who Can't Write, Read by People Who Have No Taste)In this episode, we kick off 2025 with an exciting new chapter for The Fanfic Writer’s Craft! This marks our first episode with my new co-host, Blayne (@btelling, aka Nargles15 on AO3), who you may remember from her fantastic guest episode in Season 2 on writing dystopian hellscapes. We chat about what’s ahead for the podcast, our evolving format, and introduce a brand-new segment: fanfiction news!In this discussion, we dive into a hot topic in the fanfiction community: the removal of Manacled by SenLinYu from AO3 and its transformation into Alchemised, an original novel published by Peng...2025-01-311h 01The Fanfic Writers' CraftS3E8. 2024 Wrap-Up (Or, Stop Treating Fanfic Like Social Media)In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) & Lani (@copper-dust) reflect on their 2024 fanfiction journeys and podcast highlights. They discuss notable shifts in fandom dynamics, including the growing conversation around engagement and the impact of binge-reading culture on commenting. They share their favourite reads and writers of the year, personal writing milestones, and thoughts on scenes or lines they especially enjoyed creating. They also highlight some fun podcast statistics and celebrate milestones, like their interview on @mindthetagspod.As you will see, this episode comes with a bittersweet announcement: Lani (@copper_dust) will be stepping back as a regular...2024-12-2750 minThe Fanfic Writers' CraftS3E7. Writing Emotion (Or, Not Everybody Has To Have Trauma)In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) discuss the art of evoking emotion in fanfiction, focusing on how to craft narratives that resonate deeply with readers. They explore the importance of allowing readers to connect with characters through their positive traits, rather than relying solely on trauma, with Lani emphasizing the "show, don’t tell" approach to avoid emotional manipulation. Jo shares how she draws inspiration from observing others, while Lani incorporates her own emotional experiences, particularly when handling intense themes like grief and trauma. They also discuss the challenge of pacing emotional sce...2024-10-2151 minThe Fanfic Writers' CraftS3E6. Money, Business & Economics (Or, Here's The Link To Our Ko-Fi)In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) discuss the significance of writing about money, business, and economics in fanfiction. They explore how these themes can add depth and realism to stories by reflecting the financial decisions and social class differences between characters. Lani touches on how class dynamics and poverty are central to her stories, while Jo discusses how economic power imbalances are intentionally woven into castles. They also share challenges in portraying historical economic realities and prices, and in making business plotlines engaging. They finally show how using these themes can enhance character development and world-building, making...2024-09-2143 minThe Fanfic Writers' CraftSummer Hiatus AnnouncementThe pod will be going on hiatus until September! If you want to stay in touch, you can find us online at:The Fanfic Writer’s Craft: tumblr ; spotify ; ko-fiLani (@copper-dust): tumblr ; AO3Jo (@pebblysand): tumblr ; AO3Have a lovely summer!2024-06-1901 minThe Fanfic Writers' CraftS3E5. Motifs & Symbolism (Or, We're Okay Being Associated With S&M)In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) discuss motifs and symbolism in writing. Lani goes through the different motifs she either intentionally or unintentionally uses in her own work, and they both caution against the use of clichéd symbols, like relying on weather to reflect a character’s emotions. They also address misconceptions about symbolism and Lani insists that not every detail in a story is symbolic. They encourage writers to develop their own personal motifs and use of symbols in their own works.This week, we mention: Books: The Great Gats...2024-05-2143 minThe Fanfic Writers' CraftS3E4. Use of Time in Narrative (Or, Defending the Artistic Merit of your Vampire Smut)In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) delve into the use of time in narrative, focusing on techniques such as flashbacks, foreshadowing, and non-linear storytelling. Lani discusses her approach to incorporating time in her fanfiction, emphasizing the importance of moments of emotional intensity. They explore the use of non-linear narrative structures, discussing how they can enhance character development and mirror immersive thinking. They also share our strategies for handling transitions and overcoming challenges when incorporating time-related elements into fanfiction.This week, we mention: Books: He Said/She Said by Erin KellyFandoms: Harry Po...2024-04-221h 01The Fanfic Writers' CraftS3E3. Outlining (Or, Is This Just An Ad For Miro?)In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) come back to the topic of outlining, which they briefly touched upon in our first season. Outlining is defined as the process of creating a structured plan before drafting a story, and is seen as crucial for both original fiction and fan fiction writers. They discuss their individual approaches to outlining, including the various tools they use, from quick notes they leave in notes apps to full visual boards. They delve into benefits they feel they gain from outlining in terms of maintaining coherence, aiding in pacing, and ensuring consistency in...2024-03-2148 minThe Fanfic Writers' CraftS3E2. Hot Takes & Nitpicks (Or, Pause This Podcast Right Now And Delete The Phrase 'Thin Cotton T-Shirt' From Your Fic With No Further Penalties)In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) discuss their fanfiction hot takes and nit picks. Jo talks about engaging with comments, improving AO3, caring about statistics, and the misinformation that exists online about the monetisation of fanfiction. Lani expresses her desire for more creative additions to fanfiction, such as multimedia elements, and urges accuracy in portraying certain settings. Their nitpicks include issues like organizing one-shots within fics, clunky exposition, lack of extended worldbuilding in fantasy and sci-fi, redundant comparisons, and unnecessary material descriptions.This week, we mention: Books: Harry Potter by JK R...2024-02-2149 minThe Fanfic Writers' CraftS3E1. Audience (Or, Chances Are: You’re Not Going to Win the Nobel Prize for Fanfiction)In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) embark on an exploration of the intricate relationship between fanfic writers and their audience. They talk about navigating strategies for audience growth, emphasizing niche awareness, participation in fests, and the leveraging of social media. They delve into the importance of engagement, sharing tips on responding to comments and maintaining authenticity. They discuss their perspectives on the "write for yourself" advice, acknowledging the motivational impact of audience feedback and touch on the evolving culture of fandom over the past decade. Lastly, they explore the delicate topic of responding adequately to criticism and...2024-01-201h 07The Fanfic Writers' CraftS2E17. 2023 Wrap-Up (Or, We Don't Need to Talk about MH370 Right Now)In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) engage in a year-end roundup exercise, reflecting on their fanfiction writing, favourite reads, and their podcasting wins of 2023. They discuss their word counts for the year and talk about the lines or scenes they enjoyed writing. They highlight some great comments and reviews they’ve received, and answer a listener’s question about what surprised them in 2023. Lastly, they also chat about their podcast statistics and discuss plans for the upcoming year. This week, we mention: Books: Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, Maurice by E.M. F...2023-12-2054 minThe Fanfic Writers' CraftS2E16. [BONUS] Platforms & Wattpad with @MyLittleDuckies (Or, Please, Save Your Works!)In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) catches up with Baby Doll (a.k.a @maycandrawtingz) who has written a number of reader-insert fanfics in multiple anime fandoms. In this interview we talk about Baby Doll’s work, but also particularly about her use of Wattpad as the primary platform on which she used to post her work. Unfortunately, last summer, Baby Doll saw one of her very popular fics be deleted by Wattpad due to a breach of their terms and services, the ramifications of which we discuss in the episode. This week, we mention: An...2023-12-0144 minThe Fanfic Writers' CraftS2E15. Worldbuilding (Or, 'I Like It When People Get Stuff Right About Women')In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) delve into the intricacies of worldbuilding in fanfiction. They begin by discussing their individual perspectives on worldbuilding, and how their definitions of the word have changed overtime. They talk about the importance of detail in the worlds that they create, and touch on the common mistakes they often see writers make in that realm. They also explore the inspiration behind worldbuilding and share examples of well-executed fics. They conclude with reflections on the dynamics of "fix it" worldbuilding, a trend that is getting traction in fanfiction these days.2023-11-2142 minThe Fanfic Writers' CraftS2E14. Titles (Or, Why'd You Have To Go and Make Things So Complicated?)In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) discuss the importance and process of choosing titles for fanfiction works. They talk about how titles often precede the fanfiction itself and debate the challenge of ensuring readers understand the full meaning of a title. They express our appreciation for certain title "trends" like using song lyrics and unconventional formatting and address the significance of compelling titles for attracting readers. This week, we mention: Books: Normal People by Sally Rooney, Ulysses by James Joyce, Incendiary by Chris CleaveFandoms: Harry Potter, The Good WifeFics: Storge by cop...2023-10-2051 minThe Fanfic Writers' CraftS2E13. Long Fics (Or, Is This Abandoned?)In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) return from their summer break to discuss the world of long fics. They define what a "long fic" is to them, and explore the advantages of writing longer stories, including building a dedicated fanbase. They also offer insights on chapter length, update frequency, and the possibility of revising past chapters. Lastly, they tackle challenges like writer's block and address @annaistryingAO3’s questions about character development and maintaining a balance in slow-burn romances within fanfiction. In terms of admin, we also wanted to let you know that unt...2023-09-201h 08The Fanfic Writers' CraftS2E12. Writing Style (Or, Homer is an FF.net Writer)In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) discuss the topic of building a writing style. They explore the question of whether fanfictions writers should strive to imitate established styles - like that of the author of the source work - or embrace their own unique style. They also touch on the relationship between their writing styles and their natural speaking voices, and Jo explains why she personally prefers a casual storytelling approach. They reflect on what they would like to change about their own styles and share their influences, including original fic writers and specific fanfiction authors. They...2023-06-2354 minThe Fanfic Writers' CraftS2E11. Music and Fanfiction (Or, Anyway, Here's Wonderwall)In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) discuss the connection between music and fanfiction. They explore how music and writing are linked as means of artistic expression that can evoke emotions, tell stories, and inspire individuals. Lani shares that music plays a significant role in her life and influences her writing, with different stories having different relationships to music depending on the theme. Jo talks about how she uses music as inspiration, incorporating it into fic titles, and sometimes having a specific theme song for a fic. They also discuss creating playlists for their fics and incorporating musicality...2023-06-1047 minThe Fanfic Writers' CraftS2E10. Reader-Inserts with @word-wytch (Or, POV: You're Dating Eddie Munson)In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and her guest, @word-wytch, talk about reader-insert fanfiction. If you don’t already know, reader-insert fanfiction is a type of fanfiction which allows readers to become characters in the story and often explore romantic scenarios with their favourite characters. They talk about the growing popularity of reader-insert fanfictions and about the different levels of character-building involved in creating “reader” characters. They discuss how the readers' desires and expectations are balanced with the writer's ideas and the challenges of satisfying readers while maintaining the writer's own vision. @word-wytch also shares her experience writing a reader-insert fic in...2023-05-2651 minThe Fanfic Writers' CraftS2E9. Romance (Or, They're Cousins. They're Lovers. It's Fine, It's Ancient Greece.)In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) talk about romance in fanfiction. They explore what defines romance as a genre and how it differs from platonic love and sexuality. They also discuss the concept of the OTPs and whether a story can be romantic without being about romantic love. Lani shares some of her favourite romantic quotes from original fiction, and they dive into which story elements we consider most important in writing romance. They also offer some advice on writing kissing scenes, using tropes, and pacing. This week, we mention: Fandoms: Th...2023-05-1255 minThe Fanfic Writers' CraftS2E8. Research (Or, Shifting into Draco Malfoy's Girlfriend)In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) talk about research in fanfiction. They discuss the importance of it, but also their drastically different approaches to it. Lani reveals how she researches every fic that she writes, while Jo explains how she mostly integrates things she already knows from other sources into her stories. They touch on the different methods of conducting research, from being broadly interested in a historical period and place, to researching specific details of canon as you go along. They also discuss the challenges of researching for fanfiction, including finding credible sources, the need for...2023-04-281h 03The Fanfic Writers' CraftS2E7. Fanfiction and the Classics with @johaerys-writes (Or, Wangxian Tags Achilles' Heel, No More Sexytimes For Ao3)In this episode, Lani (@copper-dust) interviews author @johaerys-writes from the Song of Achilles fandom. They talk about what it means to write fanfiction based on an ancient classic, especially one which occupies such a culturally dominant role in Johaerys’ home country, Greece. They also discuss writing for a fandom that is ostensibly in the public domain, writing a very foreign culture context, and finding relevance in an artwork that’s nearly three thousand years old. We hope you enjoy!This week, we mention: Fandoms: Dragon Age, The Song of Achilles, The IliadS1E10. Multi...2023-04-1452 minThe Fanfic Writers' CraftS2E6. Politics and Social Issues (Or, Who Has the Energy to be a Teacher and a Spy at the Same Time?)In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) talk about writing about politics or social issues in fanfiction. They chat about the ins and outs of building a fictional political system, the challenges in making sense of canon, and the ethics of tackling more controversial topics. They also touch on art being a medium for social justice and political dissent, and discuss whether we think artists have a duty to be politically engaged. This week, we mention: Fics: castles by pebblysand, Merry Men by copper_dust, the fault in faulty manufacturing by pebblysandBooks: An...2023-03-3140 minThe Fanfic Writers' CraftS2E5. Writing Dark Stuff (Or, There's No Substitute For Going to School)In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) talk about writing dark stuff. Topics that involve wars, deaths, assaults, and all those very nice things that often give rise to trigger-warnings. They discuss why writers are drawn to tackling these issues, the cathartic experience of writing and/or reading through trauma, and the boundaries they may set for themselves when they write their stories. They also touch on trigger-warnings themselves (when and how to use them), and on the ethics of writing in the darker corners of storytelling. While they do not discuss anything that is explicit, this episode...2023-03-171h 07The Fanfic Writers' CraftS2E4. Writing Dystopian Hellscapes with @Nargles15 (Or, Here's Harry and His Poorly Named Children)In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) interviews @btelling, also known as Nargles15 on Ao3, author of the brilliant Harry Potter AU fanfic, The Squib. They talk about being in the online fanfiction trenches of the late 2000s, and @btelling’s love for writing what she calls “dystopian hellscapes”. They discuss the appeal of writing about the post-war Harry Potter world, and the reasons they are both drawn to exploring dark themes. @Btelling details her experience pursuing an MFA and talks about the art of building tension and suspense in her works. Lastly, she and Jo discuss the frustrations of writing for fr...2023-03-031h 14The Fanfic Writers' CraftS2E3. Multimedia in Fanfiction [Part 2] with @rosalui (Or, Snackleholt Bingsley LARPs Warrior Cats on the Amazon Kindle)In this episode, Lani (@copper-dust) interviews author and multimedia artist @rosalui. They talk about Rosa’s work in a huge number of fandoms featuring anything from fake newspaper articles to academic pastiches. Rosa talks about the appeal of non-conventional storytelling and the draw of writing pieces because you can’t find them anywhere else. This is a short episode, but a very sweet one, which we hope you enjoy!This week, we mention: Fandoms: Naruto, Mo Dao Zu Shi, Harry Potter, Avengers, Captain AmericaThe Daily Show with Jon Stewart Wattleford, Bumbleby. 'Potterwatch: Underground Radio...2023-02-1730 minThe Fanfic Writers' CraftS2E2. Outgrowing Fandoms (Or, The Harry Episode)In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) talk about outgrowing fandoms. More specifically, about a Tumblr post by the writer @annerbhp regarding her vision of what it means to “outgrow” (or not) a fic or a fandom, and the relationship we might have had with it. Lani and Jo discuss what makes them obsessed with a particular piece of media enough to write about it, but also what makes them fall out of love with certain source materials. They chat about the differences between writing fanfic and interacting with the wider fandom, and give advice as to what to d...2023-02-0352 minThe Fanfic Writers' CraftS2E1. Smut with @celestemagnolia (Or, Just Call It A Dick!)In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and her wonderful guest, @celestemagnoliathewriter talk about smut. A fic genre in and of itself, generally encompassing what is known to the rest of the world as erotica, smut is an integral part of fanfiction writing and culture online. They discuss the purpose of writing smut, the different kinds of smut and the appeal it can have for some of us who don’t necessarily relate to mainstream pornography. They also discuss the ethics of writing consent, the difference between writing sex and smut, and the level of detail required to write good smutty sc...2023-01-201h 04The Fanfic Writers' CraftS1E15. 2022 Wrap-Up (Or, We Have At Least Three Listeners)In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) do a 2022 fanfiction wrap-up. They look back on the year they’ve just had, talk about their feelings about fanfiction and fandom in general, and answer some of your questions about their personal favourites. Lani tells us about the impact the pandemic had on her writing and Jo gets fairly emotional answering one of the questions we received. We also talk about our plans for 2023, both with fanfic and the podcast, and give you all a few, end-of-year recommendations to take away. From the bottom of our...2022-12-211h 08The Fanfic Writers' CraftS1E14. Humour (Or, Are Goncharov Fanfics Crackfics?)In this episode, as suggested by a Tumblr anon, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) talk about humour in fanfiction and, more specifically, how to write comedy without being cringey? Not just for crack fics, but also how to write something that’s supposed to be funny and that also has a plot. They dive into the question of what a crack fic even is, as well as the cultural specificities that are inherent to comedy, and make it one of the hardest genres to write. They also talk about the merits of cringe, and go...2022-12-1044 minThe Fanfic Writers' CraftS1E13. An Evening Chat with @ala_baguette (Or, People Are Interesting!)In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) sits down for a chat with a lovely guest and fantastic writer, @ala_baguette. They talk about writing very similar fics in the same Harry Potter niche, both covering a similar time period, similar themes, and which seem to have similar audiences. They discuss @ala_baguette’s love for OCs and "Gen" fanfiction, as well as her determination to break the fanfic “stigma” in real life. Lastly, they also touch on the topic of self-promotion, the importance of comments and engagement for fanfic writers, and @ala_baguette's experience, going through a ten-year writing hiatus. Th...2022-11-261h 09The Fanfic Writers' CraftS1E12. Writing War (Or, All Of Us Are Going To Geneva)In this episode, in honour of Remembrance Day, Lani (@copper-dust) and Jo (@pebblysand) have a chat about war. Specifically, they discuss how to research war, write war, and explore the aftermath of war in fanfiction. They talk about what they find interesting about it, what drives them to write about it, and how they use these armed conflict situations to paint a picture of the broader world we live in. Please note that this episode does contain discussions of war-related violence - nothing graphic but still, if that’s not your thing, feel free to pass. ...2022-11-1159 minThe Fanfic Writers' CraftS1E11. Writing Habits and Routines (Or, People For Whom Forward Motion Is A Challenge)In this episode, Lani (@copper-dust) and Jo (@pebblysand) talk about writing routines and habits. They chat about when they write, for how long, what tools they use and what they wish they could change about their writing “bad” habits. They discuss the feasibility of writing day, whether or not they find it easier to work on multiple projects at the same time, and the struggles that sometimes exist trying to balance our social life, the 9-to-5 grind, and writing.This week, we mention: Merry Men and Check the Spindle by @copper-dust the fault in faulty manufa...2022-10-2849 minThe Fanfic Writers' CraftS1E10. Multimedia in Fanfiction [Part 1] with @crazybutgood & @newsom (Or, Fooling the Security Cameras by Reading Fanfic At Work)In this episode, @copper_dust (“Lani”) interviews two wonderful guests about the use and integration of multimedia in fanfiction, and storytelling in general. With @crazybutgood (“CBG”), she explores the presence of origami and paper art in fandom, and discusses CBG’s creations and inspirations, as well as her collaborations with other artists and writers. @newsom (“Ruby”) later joins to discuss her use of coding and AO3 workskins to integrate letters and papers to her fics, and, tangentially, the quirkiness of getting into fandom as an adult. We hope you enjoy this episode! This week, we mention: @getawayfox’s...2022-10-1435 minThe Fanfic Writers' CraftS1E9. Point of View (Or, Who In The World Ever Is Reliable?)In this episode, Lani (@copper_dust) and Jo (@pebblysand)discuss point of view, a topic which was requested by one of our listeners, @turanga4. They explore the different types of point of view that exist in narration, the choices writers make in deciding to tell stories from a particular perspective, and debate the dreaded concept of head-hopping. They also touch on the sensitive subject of second-person narration, and question whether reliable narrators really even exist. This week, we mention: Then we came to the end by Joshua Ferris - a novel told in first-person pluralTo Kill a...2022-09-3059 minThe Fanfic Writers' CraftS1E8. An Evening Chat with @tessiete (Or, Do Lupin and Obi-Wan Vibe the Same?)In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) sits down for a chat with wonderful guest and long-time fandom friend, Tess (@tessiete). They talk about meeting online ten years ago on the The Good Wife fandom, about quasi-stalking their favourite writers and about their experiences moving from small fandoms to huge fandoms - in Jo's case, Harry Potter, and in Tess's case, Star Wars. They explore Tess’s work re-writing myths and venturing out into the wild world of original fiction, and go on very long tangents about silly things like… copyright law. They also have a good few laughs about...2022-09-161h 14The Fanfic Writers' CraftS1E7. Dialogue (Or, Lemons and Lemonade)In this episode, Lani (@copper_dust) and Jo (@pebblysand) sit down to discuss the ins and outs of writing dialogue and finding your character’s voice. We talk about monologues, about the hardship of not having professional actors reading the lines we write, working on dialect, and letting go of expectations of perfection. Lani also introduces us to some of her favourite television pieces and tells us why she thinks those exchanges work so well, and Jo talks about how, as an ESL writer, when life gives you lemons, you learn to make lemonade.Your recommendations for th...2022-08-1944 min
The Fanfic Writers' CraftS1E6. Writing in English as a Second Language with @venom0usbarbie (Or, Feeling the "Académie Française" Looking over my Shoulder)In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) sits down with a guest, Barbie (@venom0usbarbie), to discuss her experience going from writing original fiction to fanfiction, as well as a topic that is of great interest to both of them: writing in a second language.Barbie is French and writes both in her native language, and in English. In this episode, she and Jo explore the reasons why they, just like so many other writers online, write in English as a second language, dive into the advantages and disadvantages of having two cultures to draw from, and give some...2022-08-051h 06The Fanfic Writers' CraftS1E5. Past Tense v. Present Tense (Or, Trendy Kids Breaking the Rules?)In this episode, Lani (@copper_dust) and Jo (@pebblysand) sit down to debate the use of the present tense as a main narrative tense in fanfiction, and its opposition to the more 'traditional' past tense. They discuss the prevalence of this 'trend' in young adult original fiction in recent years, and why they believe it permeated fanfiction in the mid to late 2000s. Jo defends her love for the present tense, both as a reader and as a writer, whereas Lani expresses her more reserved attitude towards this shift. Your recommendations for this week are:The S...2022-07-2251 minThe Fanfic Writers' CraftS1E4. "Shipping" (Or, Imagining Vietnam Vets Reading Our Fanfiction)In this episode, Lani (@copper_dust) and Jo (@pebblysand) sit down to chat about the portrayal of romantic relationships in fanfiction, also known as “shipping”. They discuss the importance of romance in fandom, the high popularity of gay pairings in fanfiction (especially male/male pairings), and debate what they believe even qualifies as “romantic” in writing. Lastly, they talk about writing non-romantic fanfiction content, also known as “gen,” and why they both gravitate towards it, these days.Your recommendations for this week are:Desperadoby fluorescentgray (HP, Sirius Black/Remus Lupin) - recommended by Lani for its treatment of...2022-07-081h 01
The Fanfic Writers' CraftS1E3. Original Characters (Or, Starting Fandom Fires!)In this episode, Lani (@copper_dust) and Jo (@pebblysand) talk about original characters in fanfiction. They discuss how they come up with them, how they name them, the purpose they can serve in fanfiction, and touch upon the somewhat controversial subject of self-inserts and "Mary Sues." They also talk about the differences between fanfiction and original fiction when it comes to writing characters, and about the different techniques writers can use to craft well-rounded protagonists.Resources mentioned in the episode:random name generatorthe sorting hat chats personality "test"Our recommendations for this month are:...2022-06-241h 10
The Fanfic Writers' CraftS1E2. How to Plot? (or, Vibes - It's 90% Vibes)In this episode, Lani (@copper_dust) and Jo (@pebblysand) sit down to chat about how they come up with new ideas for fanfic, their relationship to plotting and outlines, how they usually try and dig themselves out of plot holes, and the value of getting comments from their readers as they go along. They also go on a rather long tangent about a condition Jo has, called “aphantasia,” and how that impacts her writing style.Your recommendations for this month are:Knowing Where To Look by ala_baguette for some HP post-war politics and an unusual POVT...2022-06-101h 09The Fanfic Writers' CraftS1E1. What Is Fanfiction? (or, Children with Unsupervised Internet Access in the Early 2000s)Lani (@copper_dust) and Jo (@pebblysand) sit down for a general chat about fanfiction, original fiction and the origins of the podcast. They discuss discovering fanfiction as kids with unsupervised internet access in the 2000s, what it means to write fanfiction as adults, and how blurry the line between fanfiction and original fiction can be.Your recommendations for this month are: The Elements of Style by Strunk & White for writing and stylistic tips!dirgewithoutmusic on AO3 for excellent, non-cliché HP ficthe divine comedian also on AO3 for someone so good they could get published if they fi...2022-05-2557 min