10 Answers
I tend to think like an artist hunting a community, so I recommend being proactive: make accounts where creators post, follow tags, and participate a little. Upload your own commentary or fan edits to get noticed and to build connections; that’s how I found recurring collaborators. When you post, tag generously and include alternate spellings and languages so search engines pick you up.
Also respect creators — credit, don’t rehost without permission, and check content warnings. Join niche Discords, small subreddits, and follow playlist-style threads; these are the places where lesser-known masterpieces hide. Finding a steady stream of new favorites makes late-night scrolling feel productive, and it always leaves me excited to see what the fandom cooks up next.
I usually approach this like a scavenger hunt and it works well for fanfiction hunting. AO3 and FanFiction.net have the broadest archives, so I filter by rating, language, and word count to find what matches my mood. If pairing is your thing, type ‘‘Cress x [other character]’’ into the search box or use tags; AO3’s tag system lets you follow or bookmark authors and works. Wattpad is better for long, ongoing serials and sometimes for experimental takes, while Tumblr still surfaces snippets and short explorations that might never go to AO3.
For fan art, Pixiv and DeviantArt are where artists post their portfolios; Instagram and Twitter are great for quick updates and sketches. I follow a few art trackers and small subreddits that repost with credit — they’re perfect for discovering artists I didn’t know existed. Finding something brilliant always brightens my day.
I do a lot of deep searches when I’m curating fan content for a community blog, so here’s a slightly more methodical route you can follow. Start by clarifying which 'Cress' you mean — the character from 'The Lunar Chronicles' will have different tag ecosystems than the 'Cress' from 'Pokémon'. Once you know the fandom, use site-specific searches: AO3’s advanced filters let you combine tags, ratings, and languages to find exactly the kind of fanfiction you want. FanFiction.net is useful for older, long-running fics, while Wattpad surfaces newer serial-style works.
For art, set up alerts or follow lists on Twitter/X and Instagram so you don’t miss new posts; on Pixiv and DeviantArt, follow artists and bookmark. Reddit communities (like the series’ subreddit) often compile fanart threads, and Discord servers sometimes host weekly art-sharing channels. If you’re nostalgic for older Tumblr posts, try searching via tag archives or the Wayback Machine; some creators keep mirrored galleries on Imgur or personal blogs. Personally, this kind of searching feels like treasure hunting — I love the little discoveries you make.
I like hunting for underrated gems, so my approach is a bit scattershot but fun. I search AO3 for 'Cress' and filter by hits or date to find recent fics, then cross-reference the authors’ profiles — many list Tumblr or Twitter where they post art or shorter scenes. For art I check Pixiv and DeviantArt tags, then follow links back to artist blogs. Pinterest boards and Tumblr tag pages are surprisingly useful for themed moodboards.
If you want to dive deeper, try joining niche Discords or subreddit communities related to 'The Lunar Chronicles' or 'Pokémon' because members often curate fanworks and organize fic exchanges. Buying or commissioning prints at conventions not only supports creators but also gives you access to exclusive pieces. Personally, collecting and supporting creators feels like building a little personal museum, and I never stop finding treasures.
Late-night tip: if I just want one quick hit, I use a mashup of search tricks. Type the character name plus the series in quotes in Google (for example 'Cress' 'The Lunar Chronicles'), then add words like fanart, fanfiction, AO3, or Pixiv. That usually surfaces an AO3 table of contents link, a Pixiv artist gallery, or a Tumblr tag page.
I also lurk on image boards and Reddit; sometimes people drop fanfic links in comment threads. For NSFW-aware searching, sites like Danbooru or Gelbooru can be useful if you know how to filter content. When I find an artist I like, I follow them across platforms — that way I catch art drops and fic recs without endless searching. Finding a favorite writer or artist always perks up my week.
I’m the kind of fan who treasures physical zines and print collections, so when I can’t find enough online I check convention artist alleys and fandom zine lists. Many small-press zines collect short 'Cress' stories or themed art, and creators often announce print runs on Twitter/X or Tumblr. If you’re after fanfiction, some writers serialize on Tumblr or personal blogs, and later migrate to AO3 or FanFiction.net with compilation posts.
Also, don’t underestimate community hubs: Discord servers dedicated to a series will have art channels, fic channels, and sometimes collaborative projects like anthologies. Participating in a prompt exchange can net you commissioned microfics or sketches from people who love 'Cress' as much as you do. I’ve picked up some of my most treasured pieces this way, and it always feels like collecting little, heartfelt gifts.
I get totally lost in rabbit holes hunting art, so here’s where I usually go when I want 'Cress' fan art and fanfiction.
First stop: art sites. Pixiv has tons of polished illustrations, especially if you search by the series name like 'The Lunar Chronicles' or by character tag 'Cress'. DeviantArt and Instagram are great for varied styles and process shots, and you can follow artists or save collections. Twitter/X still hosts lots of artists; look for hashtags like #Cress or #LunarChronicles. For Japanese-origin pieces, Pixiv is usually best; for Western fandoms, DeviantArt and Instagram shine.
For stories, Archive of Our Own and FanFiction.net are my go-tos. AO3 has excellent tagging, so search 'Cress' plus the ship or trope you want (hurt/comfort, slow-burn, etc.). Wattpad can have long-form serials and Tumblr used to be a treasure trove for microfics and headcanons (and some of that content survives in reblogs and archives). Don’t forget Reddit and dedicated Discord servers — they often have pinned threads linking to fanworks and creators. I love bookmarking creators and leaving kudos; it’s how I keep my favorites handy for rereads and to support artists and writers I adore.
When I’m in a rush for fresh content, I bounce between a few favorites. For fan art: Pixiv for polished pieces, DeviantArt for variety, and Instagram/Twitter/X for sketches, process shots, and commissions. Use hashtags like #Cress or #[seriesname] to filter. For fanfiction: AO3 is king for tag granularity, FanFiction.net for classic archives, and Wattpad for serialized, community-style reads. I also check dedicated subreddits and Tumblr tag pages for rec lists.
A practical tip I swear by: follow a couple of active creators and then skim their favorites/bookmarks — those often point to under-the-radar artists and writers. Supporting creators with likes, comments, or small tips helps keep that content coming. It’s a really cozy way to build a little corner of fandom you return to, and I always feel glad when I find a new favorite.
I like to be a little more practical when I’m on a tight schedule, so I build a small toolkit of go-to places. First I search image platforms: Pixiv for Japanese uploads, DeviantArt for diverse styles, and Instagram/Twitter for current trending pieces. I append keywords like ‘sketch’, ‘commission’, or ‘fanart’ and try the character’s name in different languages. Gelbooru/Danbooru help when I want exhaustive galleries, but use safebooru if you prefer SFW results. Reverse-image tools like SauceNAO or TinEye are lifesavers to trace reposts back to originals.
Fanfiction-wise I prioritize AO3 for tagging depth and FanFiction.net for older staples. If I’m in the mood for serialized reads, I check Wattpad; for short, weird experimental pieces, Tumblr and personal blogs often surprise me. Discord servers and dedicated subreddit threads can point you to freshly uploaded art and tiny ficlets that never hit bigger archives. I try to support creators by leaving kudos, likes, or small commissions when I can — nothing beats encouraging talented people.
I get way too excited tracking down fan art, so here's a neat roadmap that actually works for me.
If I want visual stuff first I usually hit Pixiv and DeviantArt — search the character name plus 'fanart' and then sort by newest or most bookmarked. Pixiv often has Japanese-tagged uploads, so try the katakana or kanji version of the name if you know it. For more anime-style indexing, check Danbooru/Gelbooru and their safebooru sibling; they're brutal but effective for finding variations and rare pieces. Twitter (now X) and Instagram are gold mines if you follow hashtags like #Cress and #CressFanart or the fandom-specific tag. I also save artists to a private board on Pinterest when I’m hunting thematic inspiration.
For fic, Archive of Our Own and FanFiction.net are my go-tos; use filters for ratings, pairings, and length so you don’t end up wading through one-shots when you want a long read. Wattpad sometimes has longer, serialized takes and Tumblr still houses lots of drafts and one-off gems. Don’t forget Reddit communities — small subreddits or character-specific threads often curate art and stories. Little tip: reverse-image search can reveal the original artist if you only have one reposted piece. I love finding a new creator and watching their feed grow; it feels like finding treasure.