OCS Newsletter SMAU/AU Author Spotlight

Guest Interviewer: Ashley R (@asrobin37) 

The #SaveWarriorNun campaign is fought on many fronts. Today, we focus on the importance and overall impact of the SMAU/AU fanfiction community. Not only does SMAU/AU fanfiction allow people to come together to appreciate amazing stories, they keep the journey going about the characters we all love dearly. But another remarkable aspect of this community is the amount of #SaveWarriorNun tweets they continue to generate for the campaign. Between 12/13-4/3, the four authors highlighted here have contributed a total of 103,446 #SaveWarriorNun tweets!

What is a Social Media Alternate Universe?

A SMAU or (Scmeow as KTY called it) is a fanfiction written entirely using a Twitter thread and updated via posts. Writers use various apps to create fake twitter, instagram and texting conversations as if the story is playing out in the moment through social apps. It is a visual representation of what a character’s social media accounts would look like in an alternate universe.

What sets it apart from just reading a story?

SMAUs immerse readers in the story. It feels as if you are experiencing the story in real time with the characters and getting their inner thoughts. The Twitter posts can be linked to ‘private accounts’ which makes you feel like you are almost reading their diary. You get the characters’ immediate reactions and the story isn’t just blocked into a word of text; you experience it in multiple mediums.

Does it take extra time to use this medium?

100%. Because it takes more than just writing a block of text. You have to create the posts and find the pictures while still maintaining the story. It is about finding a flow with all the mediums that makes sense. SMAU writers use a variety of mediums including journal entries, music, calendars, emails, text messages, phone call dialogues, instagram posts, and tweets. It is more time consuming, but it is another form of art. The more visually appealing and unique, the more the readers get attached. The more in depth the story telling, the more readers fall in love with each character.

*Note: Authors Interviewed here have 18+ content notated. Please always take note of trigger warnings/age ratings.*

*Note: The data comes from custom data collection set up by @cspenn using TrustInsights.ai hardware and custom software. Data is collected every five minutes from the Twitter API, deduplicated, and then consolidated. The timeframe of the data is 13 December 2022 - 3 April 2023. Trust Insights is the sole sponsor of the study and neither gave nor received compensation for data used, beyond applicable service fees to software vendors, and declares no competing interests.*

OCS: Did you write fan fiction before WN?

Sei: Yes. I started writing for kpop first! That was around 2014..?

OCS: What inspires you to write?

Sei: I want stories I want to read. I also read lots of poetry and listen to music. 

OCS: Is it hard to share your stories?

Sei: There are some stories I’d rather not share. But in general, no. I find it interesting to see how people see the characters. 

OCS: Goals/Story ideas you are working on?

Sei: I have 2 stories I’m working on. Excluding the ones I have ongoing. The interactive murder one and Peer Pleasure Inc. 

OCS: What is the biggest obstacle you face when writing a SMAU?

Sei: Making sure that this character is unique compared to the previous version I’ve written. And of course, the huge urge to not write and just be a bum. Like for example, how is Beatrice from the office au different from Beatrice from the wedding au? Each character must be unique so that’s the biggest obstacle so far. Also, I want to make sure that aside from them being unique, they should be flawed but redeemable. Flaws make them human.

OCS: What is the best part about writing a SMAU?

Sei: Reading people’s reaction to it. It’s like seeing how they perceive certain situations. I like observing so when I see them react, I get ideas on how to tweak certain situations and make the readers feel things. 

OCS: Do you read other SMAU’s? If so, which one would you suggest people read?

Sei: I’ll be honest, I don’t read SMAUs or fanfics in general. But I like the angst in Vero’s fic. 

OCS: How many stories have you written?

Sei: for Avatrice, including unposted ones.. around 7. But if we include other fandoms, I stopped counting after 50. 

OCS: What story in your collection is your favorite? (Add link)

Sei: How Shall I Speak of Doom

https://archiveofourown.org/works/44274049/chapters/113316079?view_adult=true

OCS: What motivates you to keep releasing stories to the fandom?

Sei: My BulaTEAM, the Angst Team, Lovely Singing People in Spaces! And of course, the readers and their reactions. 

OCS: What advice/tips would you give for someone interested in writing a SMAU but unsure/nervous about it?

Sei: Before writing anything, ask yourself if it’s something YOU will read. Because if yes, that means you’ll enjoy writing it as much as you look forward to reading it.

OCS: Did you write fan fiction before WN?

Vero: I tried out fanfiction back when I was in middle school. I was very into 5 Seconds of Summer and Zayn, so I’d read a lot of fan fiction about them. I didn’t feel as inspired to write, though, which may just stem from me being lesbian.

OCS: What inspires you to write?

Vero: I get inspired by several things like music or scenarios/conversations I conjure while shampooing my hair.

OCS: Is it hard to share your stories?

Vero: I’m a perfectionist so it is difficult for me to put work out there for several people to consume when there may be errors. In general, though, I don’t find it difficult. One of my favourite things is discussing ideas with friends and seeing people’s reactions to my work, so really sharing my stories is a core part of the writing experience for me.

OCS: What goals/Story ideas you are working on?

Vero: Very focused on my current story but as for what’s next…

I’m thinking of doing a spy x government agent Avatrice smau.

OCS: What is the biggest obstacle you face when writing a SMAU?

Vero: I’d say time. I take a long time to write something and feel 100% confident in it.

OCS: What is the best part about writing a SMAU?

Vero: The best part about writing a SMAU, aside from creating this entire other universe and getting people invested in it, is the bonds I’ve made while writing it. My writing sessions with way too many friends to list here have meant the world to me.

OCS: Do you read other SMAU’s? If so, which one would you suggest people read?

Vero: Unfortunately, I don’t read many other SMAUs. The two SMAU writers whose work I gravitate towards the most are Bela and Sei, so I’d recommend one of their stories for sure.

OCS: How many stories have you written?

Vero: This is my first fanfiction story that I have developed so much and will be finishing!

OCS: What story in your collection is your favourite? (Add link)

N/A

OCS: What motivates you to keep releasing stories to the fandom?

Vero: When I started writing, I was motivated by the desire to contribute to the efforts and keeping the fandom engaged on Twitter. That motivation has definitely shifted, though. Now, after seeing how many people have engaged with the story and have become invested in this little alternate universe that I created, I do it for the readers.

OCS: What advice/tips would you give for someone interested in writing a SMAU but unsure/nervous about it?

Vero: Go for it! I spent a long time (Xander can attest to this) trying to decide whether I should write a SMAU or not. It is nerve wracking on several levels, so if you are someone who gets overwhelmed easily and/or likes to plan ahead, write out a general outline first. You don’t need to know every detail about your story before you start writing, though. The fun part of SMAUs is seeing how the plot will unravel itself over the course of updating and seeing people’s reactions.

OCS: Did you write fan fiction before WN? 

Ferron: I haven’t, matter of fact I never read fan fiction until WN.

OCS: What inspires you to write? 

Ferron: Movies, music and my love life. Typically being relaxed inspires me the most. I always wanted to type up a movie script but with my skills, I fear I cannot so I take to paper or google docs to express how I feel. My love life sometimes feels like a fan fic. So when you read my work some of the things I have typed up relate to my life.

OCS: Is it hard to share your stories?

Ferron: No. It’s hard when I have writer's block. I’m hard on myself because this is new to me. 

OCS: What goals/Story ideas you are working on? 

Ferron: A sequel to my first au ‘Frame of Mind’ where we get to see a slow burn from strangers to friends to lovers. Also in the works will be a team effort for my first time SMAU. Currently, nothing else is in the works besides those two. Who knows I am known to be full of surprises.

OCS: What is the biggest obstacle you face when writing a SMAU? 

Ferron: Writer's block and navigating where to begin because I may have a list where I want the story to lead but it never goes the way I intend and I have to learn to accept that because sometimes the places it leads us is where it needs to be at the most.

OCS: What is the best part about writing a SMAU?

Ferron: So far I am enjoying the presence of my team. I won’t name them because I don’t know if they want to be named. They know who they are and I love the time and the patience they have with me. I also can’t wait for others to join the story. I want the readers to be as much as in love and involved with the characters like we are.

OCS: Do you read other SMAU’s? If so, which one would you suggest people read? 

Ferron: Yes, oh my gosh. The lists I could give. (maybe I’ll just create a thread of the ones I enjoy the most) I am part of an angst team. So it would feel biased if I tell y'all which ones to read. So I’ll tell ya’ll don’t sleep on @danyrexcat ‘Puppy Love’ it involves dogs! I love dogs, okay? Okay.

OCS: How many stories have you written? 

Ferron: 1 full one complete and 2 are in the works!

OCS: What story in your collection is your favourite? 

Ferron: Link to Story 

OCS: What motivates you to keep releasing stories to the fandom? 

Ferron: I love to involve people. No matter what. So if that means to write a story with heartache to get y'all to yell at me and interact with me then I’ll do it. I want everyone to feel like they are a part of the stories I get to tell.

OCS: What advice/tips would you give for someone interested in writing a SMAU but unsure/nervous about it? 

Ferron: Beta readers. I don’t have any but I heard they’re nice to have! Don’t think too much about it, just do it. If you have writer’s block take a break and read something else also writer’s block can be due to pressure on yourself because you hold high standards. What helped me break through it was to type whatever comes to mind and allow myself to feel it out and then I would go back with my own critiques and change what I don’t enjoy. It’s your story, so enjoy it! Even if that means 1 person reads it or 10,000 people! As long as you are enjoying what you’re writing, that's all that matters in the end because this is your creative freedom. Never lose that. 

OCS: Did you write fan fiction before WN? 

L: Kinda. I wrote some camren fanfiction on Wattpad before that, and I currently have one that is on hiatus forever lmao. This SMAU is the first one I write in English, tho. All of the others are in Portuguese.

OCS: What inspires you to write? 

L: Honestly I always liked to write, and I don't exactly know where that comes from. But I love romantic comedies (that are actually funny) so maybe that's why? I just love making people laugh. 

OCS: Is it hard to share your stories? 

L: Sharing them is not hard. The pressure usually is, but I can also understand the reasons behind people wanting more. Is annoying sometimes but it also can be flattering.

OCS: What goals/Story ideas you are working on? 

L: Honestly my goal today is to just finish this smau lmao. But I would love to do something with crime/detectives involved. 

OCS: What is the biggest obstacle you face when writing a SMAU? 

L: My own anxiety, to be honest. I'm always pressuring myself to update as fast as I can. 

OCS: What is the best part about writing a SMAU? 

L: The feedback! Writing a SMAU is so different than writing fanfiction. The feedback is so instantaneous that it can be scary but it's also a lot of fun. Reading the QRTs is my favorite thing. 

OCS: Do you read other SMAU’s? 

L: If so, which one would you suggest people read? Above All Things by Sei and Life without a Hook by Lex are my favourites. 

OCS: How many stories have you written? 

L: About 10 

OCS: What story in your collection is your favorite? (Add link) 

L: My favorite is a short fic called "All I Wanna Do (is make love to you)", that I wrote inspired by a cover of a song (with the same name) by my favorite band (Halestorm). Also, it's in Portuguese, so :Link to Story

OCS: What motivates you to keep releasing stories to the fandom? 

L: The feedback, actually. I can see that people are just passionate about this story and the character as much as I am. And I really want to see how everyone feels with everything that's coming! 

OCS: What advice/tips would you give for someone interested in writing a SMAU but unsure/nervous about it? 

L: Write down every thought or idea and try to do bullet points on where you want your story to go. That always helps me. Also, try to not get nervous about people demanding updates, that's a small portion of your audience. Other than that, please go ahead! We're always open to new content of this couple we love so much.

Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, it has created a platform to connect with people from around the world, share ideas, and express ourselves. One of the most amazing parts of social media is its ability to give a voice to so many amazing writers. But it’s important to remember that writers don’t owe us anything. It’s easy to forget that writers are people too. They’re not obligated to respond to every comment, answer every question, or even update daily. As readers, we need to show respect and understanding for their time and energy. We should be grateful for the creativity and hard work that they put into their work.

The creativity, skill and dedication of social media AU writers are truly remarkable, and I think it's important to give them the recognition that they deserve. I want to take a moment to recognise the amazing work of SMAU writers. These individuals bring an immense amount of creativity and value to the online world and often go unrecognised for it.

Let’s show our appreciation by supporting them in any way we can.

EVA - @evvyi84

List of SMAU’s To Read:

Feel free to comment on other SMAU’s you love in the comments!

We would love to help promote them!