Archive of Our Own meandering thoughts...

[marguerite_26]

I am so in love with AO3.

I'm an LJ-girl, don't get me wrong. I post the odd thought on twitter, do most of my talking with friends through email, and I jump into chats when the moon is blue ... but LJ is my home. First thing I check in the morning, last thing at night and all that. It's how I find out what is happening in your lives, and in fandom.

LJ is where I decide what to read.

But when I actually go to read it? I do a dance of joy when I see it's on A03. The formatting is perfect for reading on the Playbook and since we got one for my birthday, I have taken it to bed every night with a list of fics to get through.

On the flip side, I have never been a person to archive anywhere but LJ. Too much work (especially hex files, where I found the proofing process painful and mortifying, and so many archive were too specific about pairings, or ratings) and I'm not great at keeping up with comments on LJ, let alone anywhere else. anyway... I've been uploading a fic a day to A03. It's been painless... just a few clicks while I'm having my morning coffee. [Arthur/Merlin fics are almost done, just finishing off my other pairings and I'll start the daunting task of my HP fics ---- btw, if you have a fic of mine that you'd like to see uploaded earlier, rather than later, let me know.]

The other interesting thing about A03 is seeing what is popular on there vs on LJ. I'm not sure why... but a there is definitely a difference which is really ... idek... refreshing? to see a fic that you thought bombed do much better with a different set of readers. Basically, kudos are better than chocolate.

Anyway... I'm rambling. but just... YAY!!! A03 ... please to be putting your fic there. <3


eta: I sent a request to A03 for some invite codes, but if you have some you are willing to share, you comment here. it looks like a few people are looking for some.

Comments

[marguerite-26.livejournal.com]

re: you and your Mom watching Merlin...
\o/ \o/ \o/ \o/ \o/ \o/ \o/ \o/ \o/ \o/ \o/ \o/ \o/

If you need recs LET ME KNOW. ;)

and that's great about the Buffy archive, I would love for it to be something easy that have be mass uploaded.... especially if it's doesn't have to be done by me. ;)

[thisgirl-is.livejournal.com]

Argh, I was mistaken, sorry! However, you can just go to the main page (http://archiveofourown.org/) and click the button. I didn't have an invitation from anyone. I think it took a few days to go through and it was all go from there!

[minuialeth75.livejournal.com]

Just did as you said. Wow, AO3 is certainly popular these days! They said I should have an invitation around April 11, 2012, lol. There are almost 3.500 people before me!

[merryrose11.livejournal.com]

I meant to leave a comment yesterday but got distracted and never came back. Hope it's not to late to put my 2cents in.

I'm sure this has been said above but I haven't read every comment. I do sometimes comment on fics but since what I have to say is usually trite (how often can you say 'Gee, I really liked that, thanks' :) )and since I'm not a writer I would never comment on writing style etc. This is why I like the kudo's option...I can 'say' I liked this without having to have a reason and put it into words. That said, I do like seeing what other people have to say usually so I check the LJ too.

I find physically reading the fiction much easier on AO3 and you can choose to read the whole thing rather than chapter by chapter if all chapters are posted. Also on LJ and this is just an 'age thing' but I am getting a bit weary of seeing printing that's really tiny and/or white on black or worse...purple on black or an odd font. Not that this happens much anymore because I usually keep checking on the same people who I know I can trust (like you!) :) :) but it does make the reading harder.

[marguerite-26.livejournal.com]

hey, if you are still looking send me a PM with your email and I'll get you a code. :)

[darksagegrl0.livejournal.com]

AO3 is like my second home for fic. I didn't have much to transfer to begin with, but now whenever I post on LJ I simultaneously post to AO3. And I have to agree with you on the readability of AO3 vs LJ, I defo like that better. Not to mention that I can get pdf versions of everything on AO3 automatically. ^-^

[thisgirl-is.livejournal.com]

Urk! I seem to remember it didni't actually take as long as they said ot would to get the invite, but that's kinda crazy!

I see Maggie has sorted you out for a fast-track. Sorry to have misled!

[minuialeth75.livejournal.com]

It's not important, it made me laugh more than anything else.
I'm all sorted out indeed, just have to see how to upload all my junk there now :o)

[alba17.livejournal.com]

Well, this is really after the fact, but one of the things I like about A03 is that people seem to find old fics and leave kudos for them, whereas I rarely get a comment on an old fic on LJ. I definitely prefer that people post long fics on A03 so I can download them more easily.

[(Anonymous)]

Some stories have tons of comments and kudos. Some sections of fandom are pretty much based on AO3. Yuletide maybe isn't the best test as your audience for those is usually going to be smaller.

[gmth.livejournal.com]

I'm glad for those writers. That has not been my experience.

And my Yuletide fics actually have the most feedback of the stuff I've posted there, so.