The Rec Center #362
Hi all! This week we have articles on fanfiction communities and some TikTok fandom “analysis”, DS9 fanart, and a multifandom rec list of humorous fic. — Elizabeth
new stuff
“Writing Fan Fiction Gave Me Community and Creative Freedom” by Sabrina Qiao at Electric Literature
“I write fanfiction for the same reason people join a recreational soccer league or enroll in a pottery-making class: to find a community where I could practice my passion and skills with like-minded individuals.”
“TikTok’s Low-Level Analysis of ‘The White Lotus’ Is Breaking My Brain” by Kady Ruth Ashcraft at Jezebel
“If you’re a TikTok creator and are explaining something in the show as ‘actually, on purpose!’ then I beg you to look up the definition of ‘subtext.’”
https://twitter.com/calebsaysthings/status/1600297797882105857
older stuff
“‘You’re My Present This Year’: An Oral History of the Folgers Incest Ad” by Gabriella Paiella at GQ
It’s that time of year again. :-))
tumblr & beyond
Star Trek: Deep Space 9 fanart by pien
“When life gives you lemons be like ‘wow this fic is really old’”
“i love vampirism being a metaphor for being queer bc it fits so well...”
https://twitter.com/babsbadgame/status/1493949193240645638
fanfiction
At first this week’s theme was going to be simply “humor,” but in my search through our submissions, I realized just how many people have sent in fics they deem “hilarious” So this, as defined by the (admittedly subjective, but isn’t that true of all descriptors!!) reccers, is a multifandom list of “hilarious” fic. Thanks so much to everyone who sent in a rec. — Elizabeth
“Infinite Coffee and Protection Detail” by Owlet. 265K words over 8 works, rated Teen and Mature.
Fandom: Marvel: Captain America /Avengers; Ship: Bucky Barnes/Steve Rogers
Recced by: songsugblue
Backstory: Amnesiac/split personality Bucky’s mission resets to PROTECT STEVE on the helicarrier. But without Steve knowing.
Rec: Grumpy Bucky and oblivious Steve (unaware of his stalker/bodyguard) is hilarious. Side characters are gems. Angst for essential mental health recovery and character growth adds depth.
Content warnings: Part 5 has “referenced past SA”
“not the nine o’clock news” by bysine. 22K words, rated Teen.
Fandom: Day6 RPF; Ship: Kang Younghyun/Kim Wonpil
Recced by: laiqualaurelote
Backstory: Day6 are a band. In this AU, loosely based on a K-drama called Jealousy Incarnate, Kang Younghyun is a TV news reporter returning to Korea after three years as the Southeast Asia correspondent, and Kim Wonpil is a weather anchor who dreams of becoming an announcer.
Rec: While I have no idea who any of these people are, bysine is magic at workplace AUs and this is hilariously bonkers and sweet.
Content warnings: N/A
“The General Putty Strike of 1993” by predilection. 2.3K words, rated Gen.
Fandom: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers; Ship: Gen
Recced by: pistolproof
Backstory: Rita Repulsa is the cackling villainess who sends her creatures down from her Moon Palace to fight and be defeated by the Power Rangers. This is going great for her, until her mass-produced underlings, the Putties, find out about human labor laws, go on strike, and bring in an arbitrator from Manitoba to help them negotiate.
Rec: You do not need to be a Power Rangers fan to find this story absolutely hilarious. Rita is the perfect over-the-top villain, the humor is spot-on, and even with zero context for canon, the union jokes alone are worth your time. My favorite line: “‘No labour laws!’ she shouts again. ‘We’re on the moon!’ She glares at every creature in her throne room. ‘And we’re evil!’ she adds for good measure.”
Content warnings: N/A
“Emergency Band Meeting” by beanplague. 650 words, rated Teen.
Fandom: Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure; Ship: Ted “Theodore” Logan/ Bill S. Preston Esq.
Recced by: anon
Backstory: Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure is a 1989 movie about two excellent friends destined for greatness. There’s also time traveling, crop tops, iconic dialogues and the best haircut Keanu Reeves has ever had.
Rec: I don’t usually read fics this short, but I thought this one was as hilarious as it was sweet. After reading “It has recently been brought to my attention that not all righteously heterosexual men ‘kiss the homies,’” I knew every line would be outstanding.
Content warnings: N/A
“Seire Kari, Horrible Goose Jedi” by Umei_no_Mai. 409K words over 8 works (series WIP), rated Teen.
Fandom: Star Wars; Ship: Multi
Recced by: anon
Backstory: Various ways a Jedi and the clones they contact mess up Sidious’ plans.
Rec: I can’t decide which iteration is my favourite but: the MC is agender and feral about negotiating consent. At turns hilarious and heartbreaking, because it’s focused on the clones and their role in the Clone Wars. And science is emphasised, and the writing is still compelling. Trans, queer, ace, and other marginalised groups rep and affirmation.
Content warnings: Canon-typical violence, explicit discussion of consent/traua/medical trauma etc resulting from Clone Wars, depersonalisation, war, slavery, trauma recovery
“Pass It On” by knight_tracer, thefourthvine. 9.2K words, rated Teen.
Fandom: Hockey RPF; Ship: Sidney Crosby/Evgeni Malkin
Recced by: Jules
Backstory: Sidney Crosby accidentally becomes a romance/sex counselor to younger players in the NHL over the course of a summer, while figuring out his own romantic life. You don’t need to know anything about hockey or hockey players to read this fic!
Rec: A hilarious and sweet read! I love that Sid is constantly bemused by other players’ ridiculous romantic woes, but tries his best to help them anyway.
Content warnings: N/A
“New York City Administrative Code §16-123” by burglebezzlement. 1.5K words, rated Gen.
Fandom: Ghostbusters (2016); Ship: Gen
Recced by: Penna Nomen
Backstory: Ghostbusting can cause significant property damage, and dealing with city officials about it can be annoying. You’d think those officials would be more forgiving when you’re saving everyone from monsters, unless you were sort of responsible for summoning those monsters in the first place...
Rec: In addition to giving us a hilarious story about a clash of egos, this author meticulously formatted the entire work as official notices and email exchanges.
Content warnings: N/A
https://twitter.com/chrismohney/status/1597749752707194880
FINAL THOUGHT
That’s all, folks! Have a relaxing weekend! — Gav