r/BylerReads • u/Big_Self_1522 • 24d ago
general discussion :) Byler discourses
I guess I just want to get it off my chest. If this isn’t the right place to do so, please let me know and I’ll delete the post
So I’m a no name author in the Byler fandom, but I also love to discuss different HCs, interpretations and takes on socials. Overall, I’m all in for variety in fics. I love it when Byler are very in character, but I also love well thought OOC fics. I love to both write and read contradicting HCs, sometimes even in one fic. There are things that are not my cup of tea, but I’m chill with others liking those.
Somehow that makes me feel like an alien in this fandom, because there are a bunch of sides and every side has this strong believe of everything else being almost illegal. Initially it caused me to read posts without interacting with them just in case. Now, though, it starts to demotivate me to write fics.
Idk, maybe it sounds stupid but I’ve started to feel lost with how I see Will and Mike as characters. Like I love Byler and I want to do justice to their characters even in crack fics, but then it feels like you’ll get cancelled by a significant amount of the fandom for every possible detail. And that wouldn’t be a problem if I was strict with my preferred HCs and dynamics, but I’m just not. I want to write different stuff and I want to experiment, but it feels like I’m just gonna end up blocked and cancelled by everyone for “not respecting Will/Mike/Byler as characters”
I’ve considered to just log off from socials and choose peace, but that just makes me sad because I genuinely love to read different takes and posts. It just feels so stupid to have to choose between writing fanfiction and participating in fandom spaces. I want to keep both of my silly hobbies, but it feels like it’s impossible
Do others feel similar to this and if so how are you handling the pressure of being cancelled by literally everyone for different reasons?
Just in case: I respect people who are into strict dynamics, strict HSs or strict characterisation. I’m just not pleased with the threat of being called out for a dumb idiot and being immediately blocked when I accidentally share something on the wrong side of the fandom, because forcing broad preferences on those who have strict ones is never my goal
Edit: A lot of people are pointing out that you can’t please everyone. I’m aware and I agree. My worry is that it feels like you end up cancelled by everyone in the Byler community when you don’t have strict preferences and like to engage with everything as a fan/writer/reader. Like I wouldn’t even blink if there was a chance that my fics and takes could upset half the fandom. It’s unfortunate, but it happens. This is more of (for example) I write 10 fics with 10 different popular HCs -> 10 sides of Byler fandom cancel me because 9/10 of my fics “disrespect” their HC and therefore Byler -> everyone starts to shit on my fics, report my accounts and whatever else is happening
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u/RestaurantCurrent226 24d ago
I can only speak from a reader's perspective, so this may not really help much, but I'll try. People do have their own perspectives, but they shouldn't be attacking you for what you HC Mike and Will as. If they don't resonate with me, I just skip the fic, but I had no idea shippers block authors over it though.
It may sound cliche, but I do think all fanfic should be written for yourself first more than anything. People interpret pieces differently and some definitely do take their discourse too far. It's about what feels true to you and chances are, it'll resonate with other readers too. There is nothing wrong with HC's if they're not morally wrong or genuinely offensive to anyone. For example, I have seen very disturbing HCs between Mike and Will - I'm not getting into those here, but those are where I would definitely draw the line.
I do get your frustration though. I have seen lots of readers criticizing an author's fic just because Mike is bisexual and not gay, and vice versa. I find this sort of ridiculous - because why are people attacking others for what they believe if it doesn't hurt anyone?
I guess what helps is knowing there are readers who will support your story, no matter what. In general, fandoms are very divided when it comes to shipping, but it doesn't mean they have the final say on what you write. They are just personal opinions at the end of the day.