She's a Pirate! (Pirates of the Caribbean)

update on this story and generally my account

Okay, so I abandoned Wattpad back in 2019, only occasionally reading random comments when they were in my email inbox (some of them made me smile, thanks you guys) and it's honestly really weird to see this story again after years. It's so cringe! 

(It also makes me question a lot of things, because I've improved greatly in my writing over the past years and yet this is the most visited and liked thing I have ever published and it just feels kind of strange. But whatever. that's just the internet for you, huh? A story for another time.)

I know that I said I'd write a sequel, but I really don't think it'll come to that. This has got several reasons, and I will explain them here, but if you're not interested, feel free to ignore it  and go on in your life, either accepting that there won't be a sequel and moving on, or cursing me for being a lazy piece of shit that won't write a sequel. (Which I'm not, by the way. I have reasons. They are as follows.)

Firstly, my goals and priorities have changed. I now know what it is that I want to do with my art. And (surprise, surprise!) it's actually not writing PotC fanfiction. This was fun and I owe a great deal to "the world of fanfiction" because it was what got me into writing. But I want to focus on different things now. Writing a whole novel-like story like this one takes a lot of time and energy that I need in other places in my life. I'm also not that into PotC anymore and don't want to invest so much time into it anymore. Therefore, no second part of this fic. And yet, I do still write and read fanfiction. I know, I'm contradicting myself. Let me explain this in the next paragraph. 

So, secondly, I dislike Wattpad. I don't like the algorithm, I don't like the layout, I don't like the fact that basically every story is so full of clichés, I don't like the constant changes and updates and the new function of spending/earning money, I don't like my personal experiences attached to the platform, I simply just don't like it. Of course I want to support writers publishing their stories, and sometimes I'd also like to do that financially, but if Wattpad really is supposed to be used as a platform where you can make money, then it shouldn't be a platform for fanfiction. This is just my opinion. (And I know, there are fics that have been turned into novels, etc. etc. but that's not what I mean. What I mean is this:) The functions of this platform are too much "professional freelance writer" for me and my content, while at the same time I have the feeling that this platform is incredibly immature, full of false pretense, and just overall kind of weird. (I mean no offense, it's just the vibes I get.) In conclusion, I don't like Wattpad.

But here's the thing. I love fanfiction. It's a way for me to relax and it's helped me improve my writing so so much. It's also a way to discover other people's writings and enjoy their ideas and talents and it's a way to find your own writing style and get immediate feedback from people who like the same things you like. So, when I came to terms with the fact that I dislike Wattpad, I obviously wasn't going to give up on fanfiction altogether.

Therefore, I have switched to a website I am much more comfortable with: Archive of our own. (Short: ao3) It's a platform by fic writers for fic writers, you are not allowed to make profit from your work, it's all just for fun. This platform has been around for what feels like ages (and the design hasn't been changed once) and it feels more like the right place for my fanfictions than whatever this website is supposed to be. I have found true gems on archiveofourown.com and amazing writers that use better grammar than anyone on Wattpad tbh XD (should I laugh or should I cry?) If you're looking for quality content concerning fanfiction, I recommend you go look for it on ao3. It's just superior. I'm sorry, Wattpad lovers. I know what I said. 

Thirdly, I am gay as fuck. Now you might think, "what has that got to do with anything?" Good question. Well, I am female and for a long time I had myself convinced that I was straight, (because what else are you gonna do when you grow up in this heteronormative society that gives you internalised homophobia?) and so obviously, the stories I wrote were also straight. I cringe today at the fact that I wrote this from a female perspective, falling in love with a man. I was lying to myself quite formidably. It's almost impressive. Even if I wanted to, I don't think I could still write a sequel to this, because I wouldn't have fun, because I'm not able to relate to my own story anymore. 

Fourthly, this story is stereotypical and silly. And that's okay! Look, this was never meant to be a story to be taken seriously. But it seems like many people have taken a liking to this story and that is also the reason why I feel the need to upload this chapter. Guys, it's just a fic. I subconsciously stole the plot from The Little Mermaid and pretended that I was straight. I created a character that screams white supremacy and I hate it! I created a character that is a horrible cliché! And a story that is horribly cheesy and stereotypical! And you know what? That's fine. It's fine, because it wasn't meant to be a masterpiece. It's fine, because I was young and dumb. It's fine, but it makes me sad that of all the things I've posted (esp. talking about my fics on ao3 here), I did not put a lot of thought into this one, it just kinda happened, and yet it was read by so many people. I am mainly in bemused (also a little amused) disbelief. 

So yes, it's okay that this story is as bad as it is - with all its clichés and grammatical errors and spelling mistakes and plot holes. I am still grateful that I wrote it. Because everything you write is  practice and brings you a little closer to being the author you want to be. But my point is, this story is not good enough in my eyes anymore to be a foundation that I can build a sequel on. 

So, folks, I thank you all for supporting me and leaving funny comments and votes. Don't take it too hard that there won't be a sequel. I'm sorry I got you excited and left you waiting for such a long time, just to then disappoint you, but I should hope you can understand my reasons now. 

Don't spend too much time in fictional worlds, my dear readers. Reality can be a beautiful, kind place, if only you give it the chance and look at it with the courage to see it in all its tainted beauty. Stop fleeing for a while and return to the real world. There are treasures here as well, you know. Most people just don't see them, but I'm sure you're alert enough to notice. ;)

Stay safe. 

- wolf