Reading fics about clizzy has honestly been something that makes me feel more at home in the fandom. As a lesbian it’s nice to read about two women in a supportive relationship and seeing fic writers expand on their relationships and go where the show hasn’t gone yet makes me less alone. I also can’t wait to hopefully see more Helen/Aline fics pop up in the future!
biggaymood
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The bonds that are created between a writer and those who read their works are so special – there’s just something about knowing that someone took the time to read your work, and got the enjoyment out of it that you hope for. That’s why comments mean so much, because it’s an acknowledgement of the effort put in, and it’s a reminder that we’re kind of not just screaming into the void, but it’s also a way of connecting. When someone points out a line that they really like, it means that the writer has left an impression, even just for long enough for the comment to be written, and that’s incredible. (I remember once, someone commented asking when I was going to write for the show, and I still haven’t forgotten that comment – it still spurs me on.) I think one of the best parts of writing fanfiction is the bond that can be made with the readers. It’s a wonderful bonus to the fandom experience. […] Connecting with readers makes it feel less like the writing is all happening in a vaccum, it’s a fun reminder that there’s a real life person on the other end, reading these words that are so often spun in solitude; I’m a big believer that once something is published, it becomes the readers, for them to enjoy and keep and just make their own; it gets a little surreal when you realise that your words are in someone else’s mind, but still amazing. And the ability to take an idea, no matter how outlandish and unrealistic, and slip your OTP in there, is a joy that I haven’t found elsewhere.
The community of Shadowhunters fanfiction writers inspired me to get back into writing fanfiction and also just writing in general again. I’d taken sort of an extended break from writing while in classes and having to write there. I kind of worried that I’d lost that spark for writing. But everyone in the Shadowhunters fandom is so creative and dedicated. Just reading all of their work and ideas and prompts had my head filled with ideas. The sheer amount of beautifully written AU fics is astounding, not to mention all the fantastic canon ones. I read so many of them before deciding to nervously add in my own. But the wonderful responses I got from people in the fandom keeps me writing.
[Writing fanfiction] wasn’t easy. I used to be obsessed with my statistics; hits, kudos, comments, and bookmarks, and was often sad when they didn’t meet my expectations. I spent countless hours researching obscure miniscule details that most readers normally don’t notice. Yet, here I am now, still writing. I’d like to share something to my fellow writers out there, if you’d allow. There will always be someone, somewhere, out there who will like your story. But, better yet, write for you. Write because you want to. Write because you like it. Write because it’s freeing. Numbers don’t matter.
Aruella Myuca / Astoria Gracewell (AO3)
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Shadowhunters will always have a special place in my heart, because it’s the show that inspired me to write again, back when I’d had a very bad couple of years due to depression, and I’d lost all my writing mojo. But the show, and Alec and Magnus in particular, revived my mojo, and continue to inspire me to write and be creative to this day. Without fanfiction, my life would be less creative and a whole lot sadder, and I’m sure I would be in a worse place mental health wise. So thank you to everyone who encourages me to write, who reads, kudoses and comments, and who writes fic of their own, because as much as the show inspires me, fandom and other fanfic definitely does as much.
Because of Shadowhunters I started to write fanfics. I have seen many shows that have more than pleased me (Supernatural), but I have never been so involved in (or rather addicted to) a show like this. For me writing fanfics or creating fanart in any form is an expression of the love and adoration that we cherish as a FAMdoms for our cast, crew and writers. Every author and every reader has their own notions about the characters, whether they are based on the books or the show, or an alternate universe. This diversity, which exists peacefully and in addition to each other, has captivated me. English isn’t my native language but so far every reader has treated me kindly. Without the encouragement and support of my readers, I probably wouldn’t have written many things the way I did. Someone wrote, ‘Feedback is the writers live blood’ and I can only agree with that. Thank you very much for any comment, correction, kudo or bookmark. It means a lot to me and I’m very agitated each time when I receive an AO3 mail.
I started as a reader after the show finished the first season. I was amazed by the talent that people had. It brought me joy and all the effort put into them showed. I found amazing writers and love when their fan fics update. The way they can create stories and ideas by using words made me think of writing one. I’ve gotten to know some amazing people because of their writing and love all of them dearly. Thank you to every writer for giving me joy even on a bad day. #SaveShadowhunters.
There is no reader more generous, invested, and gracious than fanfic readers. You offer your heart to me every time you read a fic, and there are no words adequate enough to say thank you for being so open to every fic experiment I’ve dropped on you for the last two years. Thank you for each and every kudo, comment, reblog, tweet, fanart, meta and general flailing you’ve shared with me. Thank you for trusting me and supporting me. As much as I love Malec, I love y’all more. Thank you.
Sam / otppurefuckingmagic (AO3)
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Malec Fic Library 