i feel like a lot of people need to hear this lately but. you gotta stop taking numbers so seriously on the internet

take it from someone who went through that shit first hand. when i was on twitter, the numbers culture there utterly consumed me. it came to a point where no matter what kind of attention i got, it was never enough—because it never compared to “that one time.” i became an asshole who was constantly asking people to retweet, to share, to comment, because i was always chasing the same high from times where my work “blew up.”

it genuinely makes me sad to see so many people falling into the same trap i did. it’s okay to enjoy feedback on something you worked hard on—i’m not saying it isn’t. what you have to be careful of, though, is perceiving low numbers as failure.

just because a piece gets low notes, doesn’t mean your work is bad. it also doesn’t mean people don’t care, or that they aren’t doing enough to help you share your work around. sometimes the algorithm just fucks you over. sometimes the time of day is wrong. sometimes the subject matter is just too niche to catch people’s attention.

i guess what i’m trying to say is give yourself some grace. try and pull yourself free of the mentality of always needing more than you have. your worth is not in the numbers you get, nor are your abilities. this kind of mindset fucked me up for years, and i just hope that some of what i’m saying helps people

if i'm being absolutely completely totally honest i think that "it wasn't you" doesn't go far enough in absolving someone of the guilt of being the subject of a brainwashing or mind control plot. because at the end of the day, it was you. it was your body, your mind, potentially even your soul, being stripped of its autonomy, intimately violated and turned against you as much as anyone else. it's a kind of assault, and should be treated as such, especially in more mature narratives. i think that "it wasn't your fault" and "your shame at being made helpless and unable to control your own body and mind's involuntary responses is understandable, but you are not in any way irredeemable or unforgivable because of what was done to you" are also necessary reassurances. and i think that there should be lingering resentment in spite of words of forgiveness and miscommunication and long-term post-traumatic consequences also.

I hope every writer who sees this writes LOADS the next few months. Like freetime opens up, no writers block, the ability to focus, etc etc you're able to write loads & make lots of progress <3

The devastating difference between how much time it takes to write something vs how fast people read it lol

Happy 20k kudos of Like Father Like Son <3

“how did you get into writing” girl nobody gets into writing. writing shows up one day at your door and gets into you

Hiya! Just our of curiosity-

I know you have to log into Ao3 with an account to read LFLS now, I promise this isn’t about that. But I’m curious. I saw a previous post of yours that said “if LFLS had taken place over a longer time span just would’ve switched I it/it’s pronouns for green” and I was wondering, since I haven’t kept in touch with your blog (I’m sorry 😭)

have you decided to discontinue writing LFLS? Or do you still have plans to write more chapters in the future? I know you decided to put it on hold a while ago since you needed a break (which is ok, always prioritize yourself and your needs/health) I’m just wondering now if you’ve decided to completely stop writing it, or if you’re still just on a hiatus from it (and again, it’s ok if you are- it’s your life, you’re choice and time I can’t tell you what to do lol)

I wouldn't say that I've made the decision to discontinue it yet, no. There were several factors that led to where we are right now, one of the more important ones an interest in exploring new stories and getting more into ttrpgs after losing general interest in Rise of the TMNT, but Like Father Like Son is still very near and dear to me and I would like to see it finished. All of the story beats exist, after all, I just have to finish writing them.

I was hoping to start writing in general again around this time to ease back into it, but I made... choices and started taking a night time class every week night on independent Hollywood Screenwriting and Directing because why would I make a normal decision on how to spend my evenings. This isn't exhausting and eating up my free time at all (lying).

((I hope to eventually make my own indie cartoon pilot, so. Working on some skillsets and all that jazz.))

But, yeah! I would say you don't need to write lfls off as permanently unfinished just yet. There's still some plot points and moments I really hope everyone will enjoy. I miss the feeling of releasing a chapter out into the world.

In the meantime, I appreciate everyone's patience and maybe even interest in other stuff I may create in the interim!

worried that thing you put in your art or writing or game or music is too self-indulgent, too self-referential, too niche for anyone but yourself? fear not! you can do whatever you want forever. and you should.

why did I sign up for a class 10 pm - 1 am every week night again. MY FREE TIME.

newbie fic authors, shooting themselves in the foot: This fic is bad haha I suck at writing lol I am being mean to myself in the hopes that you will be nice to me but actually am dissuading anyone from even clicking on my fic because all I have done to advertise it is tell you why you shouldn't read it

me: I am King Big Dick of Fanfic Mountain and I have arrived in your fandom with the Express Intention of writing my Very Favorite Fics, which I will generously allow you to read. You're welcome.

ETERNALGLITCH HAS AN ETWRNALBITCH??????

What kind of phrasing... YES... SIX YEARS AND STILL GOING STRONG.

Surprise, he's been here the whole time.

who would you say has been your biggest supporter for your fic/comic/au? a friend? family member? mutual? do you think you would have come as far as you have w/ your project without them?

Lots of fandom friends I made along the way, tbh. Too many to name them all! They definitely helped push me to up the quality of my work and assist in beta reading for me.

...and also my partner, who says my writing is too dark for him but is subscribed anyways and sends me a little thumbs up emoji and "your fans must be so excited!!" whenever I would update.

Hi, how are you! This is my clumsy attempt to reach you #3 (or #4, I'm not sure) :) I hope I don't bother you! I just want to politely ask for your permission to translate the LFLS chapters that are not yet translated into Spanish. I know this great fic isn't finished yet and I'm not trying to pressure you into doing it. I just would love for the Spanish-speaking community to have the opportunity to read this masterpiece. Not all of us are fluent in English and spreading high-quality content could potentially help a resurgence of ROTTMNT :) I hope you can consider it. Thank you!

If you translate it on ao3 and link it to my fic, that is an acceptable method for me! I prefer it to stay on ao3, though.

hii! how are you doing? sorry if its too personal to ask so you ofc dont have to answer. i just know you had surgery a bit ago (and though ive never had a big surgery i know enough to know recovery isnt fun) so i wanted to check in on you <3

Apparently I do not have neat scar healing so I am getting LASERS shot at my scar soon to try and flatten it. Exciting stuff.

Thank you for the concern!

Every time I see a clip/edit from Donnie's Gifts there's at least half the comment section crying in the comments. You've really traumatized a whole fandom over here lol

What can I say. I'm just talented like that.

I just got into lfls a few weeks ago and it's actually very comforting to me. Green is a relatable and comforting character for me along with just the story in general. (Won't go into detail but I'm currently in a bad situation that I'm still trying to get out of) so tmnt and this story has honestly kept me happy throughout it. Your writing is absolutely fantastic and I hope I can write like you one day. Just here to say thanks and that I'll be supporting your stories for a long time. :)

These kinds of asks mean the world to me. I hope you get out of that situation soon <3