For the Love of Fanfiction

Fanfiction.

It's that little secret we ALL keep. That guilty pleasure that makes us excited, giddy, sad, depressed, aroused.... I mean really, its better than porn.

yes.
this has happened to ALL of us

When it comes to fanfic, I wish that I could honestly say its just a hobby. An occasional past time. You know, that I totally don't stop what I'm doing when my favorite fics update or halt traffic.

Well I'd be lying.

yes that is me reading MotU at a bar.
no I don't have a huge bottom lip.
that is my tongue. I was drunk.
I was having fun. I was dancing.
Then I was reading MotU in a corner.
I have a problem.

Luckily, while my friends that night do not read fanfic - they "get" it.

I mentioned recently that a year ago, a little fanfic by the name of Master of the Universe changed things in an insanely HUGE way for me.

Moving on with my life, post-breakup with the man I thought I'd marry, I decided to see what all the Twitter fuss revolving around Master of the Universe was all about. The particular fuss that week was huge - it seemed some people were highly offended by the swift removal of a tampon by Edward. Which once I caught up to that chapter, caused me to wonder, 'you weren't offended by anything up until this point, doms, subs, red room of pain, sex toys - but you're offended by a tampon?' REALLY?

But this little story, that turned into an epic one, really did change my life. Instead of crying myself to sleep every night over the hardest decision I'd ever had to make, I read. I read a lot. I read till five o'clock in the morning every night. And I healed. I became strong again. And I realized, that if *we'd* really loved each other in the almost four years we were together, we'd have loved each other unconditionally, in all our fifty shades....

So in honor of the anniversary of my dive into world of Twilight fanfiction, a dive I would not regret in a million years despite the hours, days, months of my life it seems to eat up, I have decided to dedicate an entire post to all of the stories that left an imprint on my heart in the past year.... Which, also gives you all some excellent recommendations in the process.

Shall we?

In my head, somewhere deep inside the realms of visual imagery, there is a bookshelf, and every single one of the stories I am about to mention, are on display, front and center.

Enjoy

Note: I made a lot of these banners using photos that reminded me of the characters. If I didn't make it, its taken from the authors fanfiction.net profiles or their fic websites. No copyright intended.

Master of the Universe
by SQicedragon

me

Ohhh Fifty. This story obviously had to come first because it really is one the most incredible stories I have ever read. While it served as a safety blanket at first, it has turned into so much more for me now. I definitely don't only speak for myself when I say that this story consumes my thoughts more often than not. I even introduced two RL friends to this fic, who read it, loved it, and are now seasoned fanfiction addicts like myself.

There aren't enough words to express what this story and these characters mean to me. I wish when people ask "whats your favorite book?" I could reply "Master of the Universe" and they'd know exactly what I'm referring to. More so, I wish when someone asks "Who is your favorite author?" I could respond, "Icy." because her talent and imagination are unparalleled. I can only thank @SQicedragon from the bottom of my heart for once upon a time, sitting down, and creating Fifty. It only takes a reminder of the dollars raised for Fandoms Give Back to see that Fifty and Icy have made a difference in more lives than just mine.

The University of Edward Masen
by Sebastien Robichaud

This story followed shortly after I began reading MotU and it holds a special place in my heart as well. I also had mad love for the fact that it took place in Toronto. While I've never lived there, I've always wanted to. Its one of my favorite cities in Canada and with all the references to Bloor street as well as my favorite Starbucks on Bloor - how could I not be sold? Add in tremendous angst, a less than perfect Edward, and some insatiable lemons, it was incredible WIN.

Retail Therapy
by Cosmogirl7481

me

I love shopping. SERIOUSLY love shopping. So when I began reading this story, which not only featured an Edward who is the ultimate Darcyward, a strong, ball busting career woman Bella, and the mention of tantalizing designer labels, I was SOLD. This fic is mostly light and fluffy, features delicious lemons, and is complete. So really, what are you waiting for?

Love in my Box
by Cosmogirl7481 & marvar29

me

When the aforementioned Retail Therapy completed, I will admit. I was a little dizzy. At the time, it was one of the only light, fluffy, with only a pinch of angst, fics that I was reading. Read: take away a girls Xanax, she's gonna want more! So when I learned that @cosmogirl7481 and her wifey @marvar29 were putting together their very own fic - I was intrigued (because these two together are PHENOMENAL) Did it deliver? Why else would I be mentioning it on here? In fact, I can honestly say this is the FUNNIEST fic I have ever read in my life. No lies. And not only is it sheer comic brilliance, it features lemons that will leave you weak in the knees. I promise.

A Matter of Trust

by QuietRuby

me

This fic, will forever be known to me as the story that caused me to burst into tears upon reaching the very last line. True Story. I have so so much MAD love for this story. I have since the first chapter. Everyone should read it. There's humor. There's angst. There's lemons so juicy you'll find yourself re-reading the chapter, over and over. I can only hope that there is a sequel in the near future because I think I might already be in Matter of Trust withdrawal. Did I mention the last line of this fic is PERFECT?

Guardian
by ChampagneAnyone

For reasons I don't remember, it took me a little while before I gave Guardian a chance but I'm ridiculously glad I did. This fic is incredible. The author is brilliant. You can tell that she is a smart, witty, career woman in real life because she writes the business related sides of this story to a tee. I even find myself learning a thing or two. This story is heartbreakingly beautiful and the lemons? Holy UNF. And Ally dear - you're always in my thoughts! Stay strong <3

The Education of Professor Cullen
by She_Viking
take me to bliss Review from Summer

me

A sexually inexperienced college professor Edward? A punk rock princess, sex kitten Bella? This story is pure innocence, fluff, and sex. Hot, pure, unadulterated, leave you panting as you read SEX. Seriously. I could not say enough about this fic when I rec'd it this summer. So if you haven't read it, you have NO idea what you are missing.

Second Chances
by EdwardsChipper

take me to bliss Review from Summer

I read a lot of fics this summer - this one still owns me. The author? @EdwardsChipper not only is an ANGEL to me - she also happens to be an absofreakinglutely amazing writer as well. The fact that this fic ISNT centered around E/B and still owns me - incredible. Their secondary roles in this story suit me just fine because she writes a Charlie that will make you NEVER look at movie-Charlie the same ever again. Trust me. *drools* Need further arguments? Read my review of it from this summer. Its BRILLIANT.

Under the Apple Tree
by Danieller123
take me to bliss Review from Summer

No words. Just. NO words..... This fic SLAYED me. If you asked me which fics completely did a number on me, I would say MotU, Under the Apple Tree, and Emancipation Proclamation (and OH trust me I'll get to that one...) This story brought out emotions I didn't even know I possessed. I cried reading it. I cried thinking about it. I cried dreaming about it. Its HEAVY on the angst. Yes, you will have to stop sometimes it gets so painful but EVERY, fucking word is brilliance. Read it. It'll change you. It'll live with you.

Edward Wallbanger
by feathersmmmm

me

Sex. Sex. Sex. Edward spends most of this fic screwing. It's what he does. Just not with Bella. Which is why this fic is a serious slow burn but a slow burn that is so, so, so worth it. This story might not have been life changing but it certainly provided endless hours of reading bliss. And the last few chapters? UNF.

Emancipation Proclamation
by Kharizzmatik

me

There is a reason this 80 chapter fic made it into the top three fanfics that have owned me. Because it is unbelievable. This story STILL haunts me. It's soundtrack, so perfectly chosen, HAUNTS me. The characters LINGER in your memory. I don't have one bad thing I can say about this fic - except that it ended. It's dark. It's angsty. It's unlike anything you will ever read again. And it might make YOU wish you were secretly a Mafia princess. I'm still reminding my parents to produce my birth records for proof.

Last Tango in Forks
by AwesomeSauce76

I don't know HOW I kept this fic at bay for as long as I did - I regret that decision because this story is to die for. Honestly. I made the mistake of reading most of it at work. Which pretty much led to me being doe-eyed and short of breath for eight hours and several straws were chewed to pieces during the process. If you haven't read this - do it. NOW. This is a guilty pleasure if I ever read one. And while it occasionally broke my heart, it mostly rose my heart rate to dangerous levels so read at your own risk.

And my two newest fics to recommend....

A Little Crazy
by tby789 & lolashoes

me

I must thank @MusingsonOther for rec'ing this to me. In doing so, she honestly introduced me to one of the most powerful stories I have ever read. It's a o/s. It's only 55 pages. It will break your heart and mend it at the same time. It will make you cry - more than once. You will crave it long after you're done. I don't even want to say anything more other than this. If you have not read this story, you owe it to yourself to do so. Trust me.

Righteous and Wicked
by cherry.blossomz

me

Again, I must thank @MusingsonOther for this rec as well. It is a relatively new fic, 20 chapters in, and my best endorsement for it, is exactly what KJ said regarding it: It will make YOU feel the need to go to confession. Edward is a sex-addict architect. Bella is a catholic girl's school teacher. Don't judge. This fic will suck you in faster than you can say one Hail Mary. And when it does, please email me to gush over it because trust me - you will need to. As KJ suggests, make sure you have something for oral gratification nearby.

Library is Closed.

did you know when you google image search "library closed"
THAT comes up?
True Story.

There... A years worth of stories that kept me intrigued until the very end, or still have me reading as they creep towards the end. Surely if you have a thirst for some new fics, you will be satisfied if you give ANY of these stories a chance. And when you do, please please PLEASE send me an email to discuss. I'd love to hear your thoughts! I leave you with an INSANELY hot picture of Rob that I saw for the first time on Twitter tonight.... You're welcome.

HOLY UNF

[A/N: to all of the amazing authors mentioned on this post - thank you thank you thank you for spinning the tales you tell, creating the Edwards and Bellas you write so well, and providing endless hours of reading bliss for me. I'm incredibly grateful - C]