donutsweeper: (Default)
donutsweeper ([personal profile] donutsweeper) wrote2022-02-05 10:10 am
Entry tags:

ao3 changes babble and recs

There's been some discussion in some exchange circles I'm in due to AO3's plan to roll out changes to give users more control over who can give them gift works. On the face of it, it's a good way of dealing with the harassment some people have faced at being gifted things upsetting to them or that they do not want. When enabled (as it will be for all current AO3 accounts), it'll be like it is currently and will not affect your ability to be given gifts. If disabled (which it will be automatically for any account created after it goes into place) "the only users who will be able to give you works are users who have either been assigned to create a fanwork for you in a gift exchange or claimed one of your non-anonymous prompts in a prompt meme."

The problem I see with that is the assigned to aspect of it. If writing for an assigned recip it's fine, however treats are another story. It'll be possible to write something and then not be able to gift it because it's a treat rather than assignment and you won't know if you'll be able to gift it or not until you try. It'll also mess with the way some exchanges deal with late pinch hits and whatnot as well.

95% of what I write is treats. There's going to be so many kinks to iron out and worry about when AO3 implements it. I'm trying not to stress too much or be overly discouraged about it beforehand but that's not easy. SIGH

Anyway, have this week's [community profile] recthething recs (MDZS/The Untamed fic recs):
behind the words by sunflowersfield (3.7k, archive locked)
Summary: Wei Wuxian is searching for a little bit of happiness and the perfect bookstore. Along the way, he finds Lan Wangji. A bookstore AU loosely based on this tweet: “I went on a first date at a bookstore and he paid for all my books…” (tender and sweet)

Just Call by tinylilremus (2.5k)
Summary Snippet: Or, that time that Lan Wangji tripped over his pet rabbit, tried to call his brother to help him, and called Wei Wuxian instead. (utterly adorable)

an observer's guide to lovestruck cultivators by cafecliche (2.5k)
Summary Snippet: Or: Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji make one more stop at Luo Qingyang's home before their journey to the Burial Mounds, and her husband reflects on the world she left behind (wonderful outsider POV of WWX and LWJ)

the soft animal of your body by howodd5ever (21k, MDZS Reverse Big Bang)
Summary Snippet: Wei Wuxian sets off alone after the events at Guanyin Temple and finds himself in pretty serious trouble. (a lovely, sometimes injury muddled, WWX POV tale, told interspersed between letters)
laireshi: (Default)

[personal profile] laireshi 2022-02-05 04:48 pm (UTC)(link)
There's this comment: https://archiveofourown.org/comments/509502706

And I really wish they made the call to allow all exchange-related works instead :( or at least make it a third option in settings.
laireshi: (Default)

[personal profile] laireshi 2022-02-05 05:09 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm very jaded and have been doing exchanges for well over a decade and know that no matter how many posts mods make and no matter how clear the posts are there are some people who won't read/follow them so it'll still be an issue.
I've been modding exchanges too, and YEAH. My faith in this respect is non-existent. And either way, it'll add yet more work.
laireshi: (Default)

[personal profile] laireshi 2022-02-05 05:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Also honestly, it'd be pretty discouraging to write a gift and learn you can't actually gift it after that :/
laireshi: (Default)

[personal profile] laireshi 2022-02-05 05:30 pm (UTC)(link)
I write *for* someone; based off a specific prompt usually with someone's likes and requests in mind. I don't want to just toss it in the archive randomly after all that work.
Yeah, I feel the same :( Though at least in exchanges with letters, I'd like to assume that if someone goes to all the effort of writing one, they'll be open to treats...
laireshi: (Default)

[personal profile] laireshi 2022-02-05 05:35 pm (UTC)(link)
...a good point 😬