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 Kelly
• Fandoms: Harry Potter, Silk (BBC)
• Fics: Maps to the Stars’ Homes by Lizbee, The Atoners by copper_dust, The Seam Between by copper_dust, Check the Spindle by copper_dust, castles by pebblysand, Children by pebblysand, Merry Men by copper_dust, Seven Simple Machines by fluorescentgrey, the fault in faulty manufacturing by pebblysand, ce ne sont que des cailloux by pebblysand
• Film: Memento, Inception
• Previous episodes: [BONUS] Wattpad & Platforms with @MyLittleDuckies (Or, Please, Save Your Works!)

Your recommendations for this week are:

• The Tortured Poets Department by Taylor Swift
• Bad Blood by John Carreyrou (and the Bad Blood: The Final Chapter podcast)

You can find us online at:

• The Fanfic Writer’s Craft: tumblr ; spotify ; ko-fi
• Lani (@copper-dust): tumblr ; AO3
• Jo (@pebblysand): tumblr ; AO3

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 the narrative. Finally, they also note how outlining can serve as a tool for overcoming writer’s block and facilitating brainstorming sessions.

This week, we mention:

• Fics: The Arcane Thief by Snollygoster, Check the Spindle by copper_dust, The Seam Between by copper_dust, Merry Men by copper_dust, Lilac Falls by copper_dust, slipped (and said something sort of like your name) by pebblysand, castles by pebblysand, the fault in faulty manufacturing by pebblysand
• Podcast: S1E2. How To Plot? (Or, Vibes - It’s 90% Vibes)?
• Screenshots: for those of you who are curious, including here some links to the outline “board” for castles. Overall view ; Excerpt from the timeline ; More timeline notes ; Chapter outlines: example #1, chapter 18 ; example #2, chapter 19
• Other: Webnovel contracts article, Miro, The Sorting Hat Chats test, pebblysand’s tumblr posts on outlining #1 & #2

Your recommendations for this week are:

• God is alive, magic is afoot by Buffy Sainte Marie
• Rome by Solann
• Taking a break from writing!

You can find us online at:

• The Fanfic Writer’s Craft: tumblr ; spotify ; ko-fi
• Lani (@copper-dust): tumblr ; AO3
• Jo (@pebblysand): tumblr ; AO3

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 Rowling ; The Elements of Style by Strunk & White
• Films: The Truman Show ;
• Fics: Manacled by senlinyu ;
• Past episodes: S1E10. Multimedia in Fanfiction [Part 1] with @crazybutgood & @newsom (Or, Fooling the Security Cameras by Reading Fanfic At Work) ; S3E1. Audience (Or, Chances Are: You’re Not Going to Win the Nobel Prize for Fanfiction)
• TV: The Good Wife
• Other: @crazybutgood’s origami work, @getawayfox’s pie illustration work

Your recommendations for this week are:

• The Terror (novel & TV series) by Dan Simmons
• The Giver by Lois Lowry
• Occupied (TV series) (Netflix)

You can find us online at:

• The Fanfic Writer’s Craft: tumblr ; spotify ; ko-fi
• Lani (@copper-dust): tumblr ; AO3
• Jo (@pebblysand): tumblr ; AO3

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 hate.

This week, we mention:

• Fandoms: Harry Potter, Peaky Blinders, Spooks
• Fics: Sunset In Your Veins by baejax, Sleeper by orphan-account, All the Young Dudes by MsKingBean69, the fault in faulty manufacturing by pebblysand, Merry Men by copper_dust
• Other: Alexandre Astier Interview (French), Title of Show (Musical)

Your recommendations for this week are:

• Girl A by Abigail Dean
• Fool Me Once (TV series)
• Bodies (TV Series)
• Society of the Snow (Film)

You can find us online at:

• The Fanfic Writer’s Craft: tumblr ; spotify ; ko-fi
• Lani (@copper-dust): tumblr ; AO3
• Jo (@pebblysand): tumblr ; AO3

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. Forster, Spare by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
• Fics: castles by pebblysand, The Wilderness by @batmansymbol, A Happier Year (Near About) by @peopleshooterhat, Harry Learns the Hard Way by copper_dust, a louisville slugger to both headlights by pebblysand, Merry Mean by copper_dust, Orchards by @whinlatter, Undefined by orbythesea, Sunset in Your Veins by baejax
• Podcast: S2E2. Outgrowing Fandoms (or The Harry Episode), S2E3. Multimedia in Fanfiction [Part 2] with @rosalui (Or, Snackleholt Bingsley LARPs Warrior Cats on the Amazon Kindle)

Your recommendations for this week are:

• The Rougarou by @evesaintyves
• This Word Lies at the Bottom of a Lake by berhanes
• Rewatching, rereading something you love

You can find us online at:

• The Fanfic Writer’s Craft: tumblr ; spotify ; ko-fi
• Lani (@copper-dust): tumblr ; AO3
• Jo (@pebblysand): tumblr ; AO3

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:

• Animes: Demon Slayer, My Hero, Jujutsu Kaisen

Your recommendations for this week are:

• Writers, always save your work!

You can find us online at:

• Baby Doll: tumblr ; AO3
• The Fanfic Writer’s Craft: tumblr ; spotify ; ko-fi
• Lani (@copper-dust): tumblr ; AO3
• Jo (@pebblysand): tumblr ; AO3
  
  

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.

This week, we mention:

• Books: Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, Maurice by E.M. Forster
• Fics: castles by pebblysand, Beasts by @whinlatter, The Wandsmith’s Apprentice by @marycontraire, The Wilderness by @batmansymbol, Man-eaters of Kumaon by ignipes, A Happier Year (Near About) by @peopleshooterhat
• TV: Mad Men
• Podcast: S2E8. Research (Or, Shifting Into Draco Malfoy’s Girlfriend)

Your recommendations for this week are:

• How To Tag Fics on AO3

You can find us online at:

• The Fanfic Writer’s Craft: tumblr ; spotify ; ko-fi
• Lani (@copper-dust): tumblr ; AO3
• Jo (@pebblysand): tumblr ; AO3