. . . Looking back on October

October seemed to be the month of AU. Totally unintentional, and I'm just now realizing how, aside for a handful of stories, I ended up reading predominantly vamp fics all month.

Some were enjoyable:
- Dark Cravings
- Vicissitudes
- Lesson in Release (until later chapters, but I now see that she has posted an alternative ending that I'll have to check out)

Some were really really good:
- Subjugation (outtake from Emibella's Constellations)
- A Madman's Mercy (which I was really getting into but the authors totally left it hanging)
- Abbracciare il Cantante
- Daedalus in Exile

And some blew my mind and I still think about them a lot:
- My Yes, My No
- Beautiful Beat (I usually am turned off my any mention of Renesmee, but for some reason, everything americnxidiot does, I love. Probably because she is awesome.)
- Choice and Consequences (this story has grown on me)

I also found that while I enjoyed Canon fics, like Dark Side of the Moon by blondieAKArobin, I don't find them nearly as inventive and compelling as AU and AH.

I think I finally understand the appeal of following stories that are WIP. I used to get really annoyed at the idea of having to wait for the next chapter to be posted. I preferred to tackle stories that were already completed. Plus, given my lack of attention span, I imagined that I'd get an update for a story and not remember what had been going on. I have found that if I go back and skim the previous chapter, my memory is jogged. It's true it's hard to keep track of the nuances, especially with mysteries or stories where you pick up important clues along the way. But for the most part, my memory has served me well enough. I think it also helps when a story is updated regularly!

Besides, I have come to realize that it is totally worth that little memory hurdle in order to be a part of the energy of the fanfic reading community as we collectively anticipate an update from our favorite stories. I've gotten into the story threads over on the Twilighted forums, even if I don't actually post. I haven't really had anything I needed to say. I think I enjoy the excitement people express for stories I am also pumped about, and the appreciation being given to the authors that I think deserve the love. For stories that have big reveals or several theories of interpretation, I do skip over posts that discuss or put forth theories about what's going to happen. I'm happy for them to use the space for that, I just personally like having to come up with these things for myself. I try to avoid spoilers of any kind. I like to feel my natural response of surprise when things are revealed in a story.

There are a few stories that, had I read them while they were still updating, I would have probably enjoyed them more. Abbracciare il Cantante and Deconstructing Dracula were both highly recommended. I can imagine that having the suspense of wondering what was going to happen would have made an already enjoyable story all the more exciting.

October also marked the start of some new favorites. The Office. Ohmyfuck The Office. I also got into ItzMegan73's stories A Rough Start and The Cannabean Betrothal - both of which I jones for on a daily basis. I finally started Hydraulic Level 5 which surprisingly lived up to its hype!

I enjoyed updates from some of the WIP stories that I follow and love: The Lost Boys, Edward Wallbanger, Choice and Consequences, Nice Catch

In Septemeber I was very moved by americnxidiot's Cascade and Cyanide. In October, I really enjoyed Boy in the Red Sweater, and look forward tp updates of its EPOV, Girl with the Red Notebook. I suppose I am drawn to a mysteriously flawed Edward. Perhaps I might enjoy me some angst afterall. I tend to avoid seeking out the dark, but I have found that I enjoy it when it's done well. Will November be the month that I bite the bullet and start Wide Awake? We shall see.