Hi and welcome to Gen Work June, a month intended to share some Gen Work

(Gen as in relationship category, not rating)

To do something related to a gen work. There are some prompts below, you can write or draw or make something of any kind for one or however many you want of them. You can make something not related to one of them! You could make a rec list of some links to your favourite fics or artworks, you could share some old work of yours around again, you could just leave a comment on something you loved, you can set yourself a challenge, or you can keep it as easy as you like, it's down to you.

Gen is something not focused on a romantic relationship so sticking to that is pretty much the only actual solid rule here. Whether you want to focus on platonic relationships, familial, character studies with no relationships brought up, or something else entirely, as long as the main focus of whatever you're doing isn't on a romantic relationship, it counts (though mentions of background romantic relationships that aren't a main focus are fine for this event).

And, to make it clear, the Gen is only referring to the lack of romantic relationship, you work doesn't have to fall into what would count as a "General Audiences" rating (or relevant equivalents). Appropriate tagging for anything else, image descriptions, and read mores for long posts are all appreciated, though there is some slack allowed for older posts being reblogged.

And if you do want things reblogged here, feel free to tag this blog, and there is an AO3 collection with the same name if you want to use that

(These are intended as jumping off points only- you can interpret them however you want and you don't have to use them, you could use one of the Past Prompts or you can come up with your own)

Affection

Fire/Light/Warmth

Together/Apart

Identity

Kids

Home

Thanks for reading and I hope you have fun!

Note: Prompt suggestions will be open until 23rd March (direct to the inbox please!). The aim is the post for the year will be up during the first week of April

Always write the thing.

If you have to ask yourself, should I write the thing? The answer is yes.

BUT WHAT IF IT'S BEEN WRITTEN BEFORE?

You didn't write your version of it. Write the thing.

BUT WHAT IF NO ONE WANTS TO READ IT?

You want to read it. Write the thing.

BUT WHAT IF IT'S DUMB?

Lots of things are dumb. Write the thing.

BUT WHAT IF IT'S SUCH A POPULAR SHIP/TROPE/GENRE/FANDOM THAT IT'LL NEVER GET SEEN?

You'll see it. Write the thing.

BUT WHAT IF IT'S CORNY?

Corn is delicious. Write the thing.

BUT WHAT IF IT'S PROBLEMATIC?

People got problems. Write the thing.

BUT WHAT IF I HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT WHAT I'M WRITING ABOUT?

The internets has lots of resources. Write the thing.

BUT WHAT IF PEOPLE THINK LESS OF ME FOR IT?

They would have found a reason to think less of you anyway. Write the thing.

BUT WHAT IF--

Shh, shh. Stop prevaricating. I love you. Just write the thing, okay? The answer is always to write the thing. Write the thing.

People have written a lot of touchy-feely pieces on this subject but I thought I’d get right to the heart of the matter

[The artist, putting a simple cake next to a much fancier one: “Aw man, that guy’s cake is way better than mine.” The Audience, gleefully holding up a knife and fork “HOLY SHIT! TWO CAKES!”]

additions from the og artist (credit)

“Holy shit two cakes,” I mutter to myself as I do fucking anything these days, this post was a godsend

Note: Prompt suggestions will be open until 23rd March (direct to the inbox please!). The aim is the post for the year will be up during the first week of April

WIP Positivity

Repeat after me:

My story is worthwhile

My story has potential

I will finish this Work In Progress

And I will love it no matter what shape, size, or flavour it comes in

Pssst

Hey, are you an artist or writer with WIPs?

Come here… I got a secret for you pssst come ‘ere

waiting in deep suspense

Psst you ready here comes the secret

Here it comes

I am also very curious about this secret

Your time spent enjoying the creative process is infinitely more valuable that any final project you create. So stop putting yourself down for never finishing or posting those WIPs because every moment you spent creating something you loved is a moment not wasted. Your progress and talent is measured by your passion not your number of posts.

This post went from 3k to 7k overnight and that just goes to show how many of you need to hear this so make sure you don’t ever forget it

Multifandom Fanfic Event Calendar

An attempt at aggregating the events I’ve seen. Not affiliated with any event organizers. Key: ☼ Writing - ♥ Reading. (Updated: 2/4/25)

All Month :

♥ - FaFiCoWriMo / Fanfic Comment Writing Month ( @faficowrimo ) Challenge: Comment on every fic you read during the month of January ☼ - Whumpuary ( @whumpuary ) Daily whump-themed writing prompts

Last Two Weeks of January :

☼ / ♥ - Genuary ( @genuary-fic-event ) Authors / readers share favored Gen fics on social media & add them to the annual Genuary AO3 collection

shoutout to slow creators!

i know it can be disheartening to work so slowly when it seems like everyone around you works so fast and churns out great content left and right. i know it's easy to get frustrated with yourself for having to spend so much time on one thing and sometimes it's hard to stay motivated long enough to finish. but the things you make are so good, and taking lot of time on something isn't a bad thing. creation can be a very painstaking process, but the amount of love and care and effort and attention you pour into your work bleeds through. people can feel it. they appreciate it. they see how hard you try and they see how your thoughtful approach to creation affects the quality of the end product. speed is definitely a skill you can develop and chances are as you practice more and get more comfortable with things, you'll be able to work faster. but no matter what, the things you make are worth waiting for. keep creating! you are wonderful!

edit as you write. use adverbs. use said. outline. or don’t. plot it. pants it. make a mary sue. who cares! just write whatever makes you happy. that’s all this is about. be happy in what you make.

You all need to hear this:

1. You probably dont suck at your craft as much as you think you do, I bet a lot of people are amazed at what you can make, and

2. If you actually are the Literal Worst In The Whole Wide World at your craft... who the fuck cares? What are they gonna do, call the police on you? Keep making your shitty little things, youre the boss of you, fuck the haters.

Please make art. You don't have to bare your soul or make a masterpiece, you can be silly and you can be derivative if you want. You don't even have to show it to anyone. Just please make something, it's so good for you