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. ForsterFics: 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 AO3You 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 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 Cleave Fandoms: Harry Potter, The Good Wife Fics: Storge by copper_dust, The Seam Between by copper_dust, Wattleford, Bumbleby. 'Potterwatch: Underground Radio and the Voice of a Revolution.' Hogsmeade: Widdershins, 2006 by @rosalui, children by pebblysand, Merry Men by copper_dust, a louisville slugger to both headlights by pebblysand, the fault in faulty manufacturing by pebblysand, Desperado by fluorescentgrey, If death is a doorway, I am gate seeker by dwellingondreams, Bad Oracle by we_built_the_shadows_here, Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow by TheDevineComedian, and yes i said yes i will yes (or: four weddings and a funeral) by honey_wheeler, Hush Lane Where the Holly Grows by copper_dust, castles by pebblysand, pompeii by orbythesea, Lilac Falls by copper_dust, the wolf is just a puppy (and the door’s double-locked) by pebblysand Films: Love Story Music: Complicated by Avril Lavigne, Love Story by Taylor Swift, Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood, Details in the Fabric by Jason Mraz, Murder Most Foul by Bob Dylan, Pompeii by Bastille, Skinny Love by Bon Iver, Holes by Passenger TV: Mad Men, Other: pebblysand’s tumblr post explaining the castles chapter titlesYour recommendations for this week are:One Look ThesaurusAndor (TV) 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) 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 until the end of the year, the podcast will be released on a monthly basis, instead of fortnightly. This is to ensure that it remains sustainable for us on top of our other “real life” responsibilities. This week, we mention: Books: Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella, Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding, Normal People by Sally RooneyFandoms: Harry Potter Fics: castles by pebblysand, In Search of Mythical Kings by copper_dust, Check the Spindle by copper_dust, Merry Men by copper_dust, The Seam Between by copper_dust, the fault in faulty manufacturing by pebblysand, children by pebblysand, Lilac Falls by copper_dust, toxicology by speechwriterTV: Peaky Blinders Your recommendations for this week are: Not a House or Even a Tent by rheaitis (The Charioteer) The Wilderness by speechwriter (HP)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 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 also answer two listener questions: one about creating different styles for individual stories, and another about the balance between appreciating other people’s styles and finding one's own voice.This week, we mention: Fandoms: Harry Potter, The Good Wife Fics: castles by pebblysand, In Search of Mythical Kings by copper_dust, Check the Spindle by copper_dust, Merry Men by copper_dust, The Seam Between by copper_dust, Run by ToujoursPadfoot (the platform this was published on no longer exists, the link is from the wayback machine), ce ne sont que des cailloux by pebblysand, the fault in faulty manufacturing by pebblysand, Minuet by fluorescentgreyWriters: orbythesea, lowriseflare (see livejournal for TGW fics), dirgewithoutmusic, fluorescentgrey Books: His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman, It by Stephen KingPrevious episodes: S1E1. What is Fanfiction (Or, Children with Unsupervised Internet Access in the Early 2000s), S2E2. Outgrowing Fandoms (Or, The Harry Episode) Your recommendations for this week are:Kimbeen’s Maurice fics Hated in the Nation (S3E6 of Black Mirror) 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 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 into their writing. Lastly, @turanga4 asks about the playlist that Jo made for her longfic castles and she gives a little backstory around her song choices. This week, we mention: Fandoms: Harry Potter, Ancient Greece, Silk, Peaky Blinders Fics: castles by pebblysand, In Search of Mythical Kings by copper_dust, Hush Lane, Where the Holly Grows by copper_dust, Check the Spindle by copper_dust, Merry Men by copper_dust, Children by pebblysand, A Handful of Dust by fluorescentgreyBooks: Utopia Avenue by David Mitchell, Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy, Incendiary by Chris Cleave, Trainspotting by Irvine WelshMusic: My Chemical Romance, Yellow by Coldplay, Taylor Swift, Don’t Look Back in Anger & Wonderwall by Oasis, the Eurovision Film: Marie Antoinette by Sofia CoppolaYour recommendations for this week are: Maurice by E.M. Forster, Alec by William di Canzio, The Mask of Apollo by Mary Renault Orchards by @whinlatterYou 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 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 the Stranger Things fandom and how she developed her reader character to create a compelling story. We hope you enjoy. This week, we mention: Fandoms: House MD, Fable, Rush, Once Upon A Time, Stranger Things, Peaky Blinders Fics: Don’t Stand So Close to Me by word_wytch S1E3. Original Characters (Or, Starting Fandom Fires!)Interactive Fics Chrome ExtensionYour recommendations for this week are:Youtube channels: Abbie Emmons ; ShaelinWrites ; Hello Future Me The Tale of Jenny and Screech by Ren. (TW: gun violence & DV)You can find us online at:The Fanfic Writer’s Craft: tumblr ; spotify ; ko-fi Lani (@copper-dust): tumblr ; AO3 Jo (@pebblysand): tumblr ; AO3 Word-Wytch (@word-wytch): tumblr ; AO3

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: The Good Wife, Harry Potter, Ancient Greece, Alexander the Great Fics: castles by pebblysand, In Search of Mythical Kings by copper_dust, here is a map with your name for a capital by lowriseflare, Hush Lane, Where the Holly Grows by copper_dustBooks: Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Grief Lessons: Four Plays by Euripides by Anne Carson, Looking for Alaska by John Green, Fire from Heaven by Mary RenaultPrevious episode(s): S1E4. “Shipping” (Or, Imagining Vietnam Vets Reading Our Fanfiction) Your recommendations for this week are: lowriseflare’s The Good Wife fics on livejournal. The author is also on AO3 (although their fics weren’t cross-posted). Bookmarking the stories you like, please!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) 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 accuracy, and striking a balance between staying true to the original work and adding their own twist to the story. Lastly, they answer a question from their lovely listener, @sugareey-makes-stuff, about how the keep track of all thei research material. This week, we mention: Fics: castles by pebblysand, Merry Men by copper_dust, the fault in faulty manufacturing by pebblysand, Storge by copper_dust, The Seam Between by copper_dust, Check the Spindle by copper_dustResearch resources: sci-hub (academic papers), archive.org (books)Books: Enfand de salaud by Sorj Chalandon (French book about 1980s Nazi trials)Other media: Nail Bomber: Manhunt by Daniel Vernon, Has Coachella Fallen Off? by Lucy MoonYour recommendations for this week are: Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue Expectation by Anna HopeYou 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, 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 Iliad S1E10. Multimedia in Fanfiction [Part 1] with @crazybutgood & @newsom (Or, Fooling the Security Cameras by Reading Fanfic at Work)S1E6. Writing in English as a Second Language with @venom0usbarbie (Or, Feeling the Académie Française Looking over my Shoulder)Fic: High-Flying Bird and you’re a walking disaster, and yet - by @johaerys-writes Achilles in Vietnam by Johnathan Shay Supernanny (TV series)Your recommendations for this week are: Gold, All That Glitters and Sunset In Your Veins by viscariafields You can find us online at:The Fanfic Writer’s Craft: tumblr ; spotify Rosalui (@rosalui): tumblr; AO3; livejournal Lani (@copper-dust): tumblr ; AO3 Jo (@pebblysand): tumblr ; AO3

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: Animal Farm by George OrwellOther media: Hamilton, The West Wing, The Good Wife, Election  Your recommendations for this week are: Cologne by Ben Folds Child of a Dream by Valerio Manfredi Lily Allen talking about politicsLily Allen - Backstage PassLily Allen on Politics, Trolls, and Her New RecordLily Allen on George Ezra and Friends You can find us online at:The Fanfic Writer’s Craft: tumblr ; spotify Lani (@copper-dust): tumblr ; AO3 Jo (@pebblysand): tumblr ; AO3

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 obviously contains discussions of certain sensitive subjects so if you do not wish to listen to this episode, please don’t hesitate to pass. This week, we mention: Fics: castles by pebblysand, Merry Men by copper_dust, Lilac Falls by copper_dust, a louisville slugger to both headlights by pebblysand, Check the Spindle by copper_dust Books: Beloved by Toni Morrison, The Little Red Chairs by Edna O’Brien, Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes Your recommendations for this week are: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver Gold by viscariafields Incendiary by Chris CleaveYou can find us online at:The Fanfic Writer’s Craft: tumblr ; spotify Lani (@copper-dust): tumblr ; AO3 Jo (@pebblysand): tumblr ; AO3

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 free in a world ruled by capitalism and the merits of coming back to writing after a burn-out and long hiatus. This week, we mention: Fandoms: Harry Potter Fics: The Squib by @btelling, Knowing Where to Look by @ala_baguette, the Armistice Series by annerb, Manacled by senlinyu, castles by @pebblysand, the roar series by @pebblysandAO3 Wrapped Stats The Consumerist Dystopia of Harry Potter by verilybitchie (video essay) Thoughts on Hermione and Courage by @pebblysand S1E6 Writing in English As A Second Language With @venom0usbarbie  The Stand by Stephen King Beautiful World, Where Are You? by Sally RooneyYour recommendations for this week are:The Last of Us  Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica This Way Up  You can find us online at:The Fanfic Writer’s Craft: tumblr ; spotify Blayne (@btelling): tumblr ; AO3 Jo (@pebblysand): tumblr ; AO3 Lani (@copper-dust): tumblr ; AO3

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 America The Daily Show with Jon Stewart  Wattleford, Bumbleby. 'Potterwatch: Underground Radio and the Voice of a Revolution.' Hogsmeade: Widdershins, 2006. by RosaLui The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty MediAvengers by nottonyharrison Steve Rogers Might Wear Tights, But He’s Not Your Pin-up Girl by RosaLui and whatalchemy tin soldiers by idrilka Bird Lovers, Backyard by Thalia Field Macarthur Park by Richard Harris Warrior Cats by Erin Hunter Check The Spindle by @copper-dustYour recommendations for this week are:No recommendations this week but Jo would like to push The Every again, which she just finished and insists is incredible.You can find us online at:The Fanfic Writer’s Craft: tumblr ; spotify Rosalui (@rosalui): tumblr; AO3; livejournal Lani (@copper-dust): tumblr ; AO3 Jo (@pebblysand): tumblr ; AO3

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 do when your fandom friends develop different obsessions from you. This week, we mention:  Spare by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex The Good Wife (TV series) Rent (Musical) Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace   Silk (TV series) House (TV series) children by pebblysand & castles by @pebblysand Merry Men by @copper-dustYour recommendations for this week are: Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion Black Ships by Jo Graham Sunset In Your Veins by viscariafields The Circle & The Every by Dave EggersYou can find us online at:The Fanfic Writer’s Craft: tumblr ; spotify Lani (@copper-dust): tumblr ; AO3 Jo (@pebblysand): tumblr ; AO3

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 scenes. Obviously, this episode contains explicit chats, so beware. Also, please note that Celeste and Jo generally write smut in the context of straight relationships, which is what we mostly discuss here. If you are a writer of LGBTQ+ relationships and would like to come on the podcast, please feel free to hit our ask box on tumblr or contact me through DMs. We would love to have those conversations as well!This week, we mention:  my dad wrote a porno (podcast)Your recommendations for this week are: Normal People by Sally Rooney “The Ultimate Guide to Writing Smut Fic” by QuinnAndersonSmut Thesaurus on Tumblr A quick guide on what makes something mature/explicit (the envelope post)Reddit - if you type in “smut” to the search bar in the fanfiction subreddit, you can find a whole lot of opinions and examples of smut. Just today (7 Jan) there was a post about what folks would like to see more of in smut. Every few days there’s a smut related post. Read through them and see what you like and don’t like - and don’t take it personally when others disagree with what you like. Fanfic and smut is about curating your own experience, whether reading or writing, and you do you. Lewd Vocabulary You can find us online at:The Fanfic Writer’s Craft: tumblr ; spotify Celeste (@Celestemagnoliathewriter): tumblr ; AO3 Jo (@pebblysand): tumblr ; AO3

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 hearts, we’d like to thank all of you for listening and engaging with this crazy project of ours, and we look forward to what the new year has in stock. Particularly, we would also like to extend our thanks to the amazing writers and creators we’ve been lucky enough to have on this first season: @venom0usbarbie, @tessiete, @crazybutgood, @newsom and @ala_baguette Just a quick word of warning, in this episode, I read out one of the comments I got this year, which mentions the topic of sexual assault. If you want to skip that, it’s around the 39 minute mark, and lasts about 6 minutes. This week, we mention:  castles, vicious as roman rule, the fault in faulty manufacturing and the wolf’s just puppy (and the door's double-locked) by @pebblysand  Storge, The Seam Between, Check the Spindle and Merry Men by @copper_dust Dancing With The Lion by Jeanne Reames (@jeannereames)Jo’s tumblr post about controversial writing, the reasons behind chapter 8, and the ask.  HP favourites: seven simple machines by fluorescentgrey (@yeats-infection) and thirty-five owls by letterblade Non-HP favourites: Rous'd His Drowsy Blood by lanyon (The Iliad), A Matter of Apples by  Apollo_Xandos and Clean Dresses, Brass Tits, and the Importance of a Good Hatpin by voodoochild (@shes-a-voodoo-child) (podfic by originally) (Peaky Blinders)castles playlistYour recommendations for this week are:Trying to set a low and achievable daily wordcount goal Patronising your local libraryHaving a good holiday seasonYou can find us online at:The Fanfic Writer’s Craft: tumblr ; spotify Lani (@copper-dust): tumblr ; AO3 Jo (@pebblysand): tumblr ; AO3

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 on a pretty long tangent about tumblr’s latest obsession: Goncharov (1973). This week, we mention:  American Vandal a Netflix mockumentary that mimics the genre of true crime documentaries Goncharov (1973), Tumblr’s fake Martin Scorcese film Seinfeld, a show which Jo (writing this post), has never seen and doesn’t really know what to say about, apart from the fact that Lani made a lot of references to it in the pod, so there.  Curb Your Enthusiasm, mentioned in our discussion of whether comedy can sometimes go too far.  Mr Bean, for physical comedy (Jo approximates that her mother has probably watched that Christmas turkey episode 124 times) The Office (US), for American comedy (also, before anyone asks, yes, Jo has watched the UK version. Yes, she liked it better. But, she has issues with Ricky Gervais, not all of which are Ricky Gervais’ fault) Fleabag, for cringe comedy  Death at a Funeral and Derry Girls on making light of heavy subjectsYour recommendations for this week are: ViscariaFields (@hexcore-juggler) whose amazing fanfic Lani recommended for the Iliad fandom My Dad Wrote a Porno, the funniest podcast Jo has ever heard (and advice on how not to write smut)You can find us online at:The Fanfic Writer’s Craft: tumblr ; spotify Lani (@copper-dust): tumblr ; AO3 Jo (@pebblysand): tumblr ; AO3

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. This week, we mention:  castles and ROAR by @pebblysand  Knowing Where to Look, Left Behind and A Lonely Path by @ala_baguetteOur previous episodes on OCs and Point of View @ala_baguette also mentions Jo’s fic “written in future tense” - vicious as roman rule Your recommendations for this week are:Neil Gaiman’s masterclass The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins ReidYou can find us online at:The Fanfic Writer’s Craft: tumblr ; spotify Ala_baguette: tumblr ; AO3 Lani (@copper-dust): tumblr ; AO3 Jo (@pebblysand): tumblr ; AO3

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. This week, we mention:  Merry Men, Check the Spindle and Storge by @copper-dust castles and slipped by @pebblysandJo’s post about a broader definition of war Fluorescentgrey’s historical AUs This scene from Peaky BlindersJo’s post about right and wrong in Castles Your recommendations for this week are: The Regeneration Trilogy by Pat Barker because it's great example of historical fiction based on WW1 Achilles in Vietnam by Jonathan Shay because it offers an interesting take on the war in Vietnam and trauma Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card because it's an fascinating example of a sci-fi/fantasy war Peaky Blinders by Stephen Knight and the BBC because maybe then Jo will finally shut up about this show You can find us online at:The Fanfic Writer’s Craft: tumblr Lani (@copper-dust): tumblr ; AO3 Jo (@pebblysand): tumblr ; AO3