"fic writing practice as a radical recontextualization of an existing work" and "let us live more beautifully a second time" reminded me of natalie wee writing "we arrive at a kinder fiction by surrendering the self to a new era." which is more about growing and moving past but our minds are actively transforming, growing, and accepting new canons... this to say, i was kind of down on myself last year on how many media aus i've written (among other things!) but reading this felt like pulling my own process into focus. so thank you.

other than that i remember you saying that you were going to write a basketball fic so a CYOA was such a fun surprise! i used to read so many of those books as a kid, first to see the paths, then straight through. i think that it's moving? also a little terrifying? seeing where the arcs remain the same. in a media landscape where we seem to be obsessed with time and multiverse and the ability to change things, it feels like a small breath of fearful relief to see that even in a fictionalized future that some things will not change. this is "canon" because it falls in line with what we know and understand. i do mean what i say in that i think this is my favorite scoupsfic of yours - though i do still need to finish happiest moment!