What inspired Me to start this project as a solo dev on mobile?
I've always wanted to do something in tech or electronics, but I needed something accessible—something I could truly be passionate about, not just for the lifestyle but for the work itself. That led me to coding. Once I realized the possibilities of building things for myself and others, I knew I wanted to create something unique that actually served a purpose.
The idea started as a guide to the internet but shifted into a character hub—focusing on deep dives into characters and their differences across media. However, I realized the internet guide was beyond my scope for now, so I reevaluated. Who was this for? What problem was I solving?
That’s when FanArcs was born (sort of, nothing is techinally official yet). It evolved into a place that aims and plans to blend deep-dive analysis with fan culture—a site that explores worlds, characters, and lore while also supporting fanfiction, fan art, and community engagement. Creators keep ownership of their work, newcomers to fandoms can find their footing, and readers, writers, and lore enthusiasts get a fun, engaging, and well-organized space to explore the things they love.
What’s been the biggest challenge working on FanArcs as a solo dev?
A lot—seriously, a lot. First, I had to learn how to code in general. I originally started with Python because of its practicality and wide range of uses, but as a beginner, that was a rough start. The learning curve was steep, so I pivoted to web development with HTML and CSS. That shift helped reshape my mindset, even though CSS alone gave me plenty of WTF? moments.
No one really masters CSS—it’s too vast. But instead of just memorizing things, I focused on understanding why something works (or doesn’t) rather than just how to do it. That shift made it easier to troubleshoot issues, use snippets effectively, and make better use of AI and other tools.
On top of that, finding a tech stack that worked for both my device and my workflow was a whole process. I cycled through at least half a dozen tools before landing on something functional. Then, of course, there’s everything else—web standards, accessibility, content creation, image handling... Tackling all of this as a one-person team has been overwhelming, but I keep pushing through.
What keeps you motivated to continue working on FanArcs despite the challenges?
It’s the only time I’ve ever felt like I’m truly contributing to something meaningful. FanArcs isn’t just a project—it’s something that can genuinely help fandoms, creators, and artists. It’s my way of setting a new standard for what people should expect from a site, even if it’s built by just one person and isn’t perfect at first.
I’m not a rocket scientist, I don’t know machine learning, and I’m not creating life-altering software. But other people out there are—and those are the people we should strive to be like. So I’m doing that the best way I know how.
I’m taking platforms like Fandom and AO3 and bringing them into the present with a fresh perspective—one that understands what it’s like to be at the mercy of big companies and the tools they control. There’s nothing particularly revolutionary about the idea itself, but at its core, I’m just trying to re-humanize creation and the internet again.
What makes FanArcs different from existing platforms like Fandom or AO3?
Hopefully? Everything. By the time this project is built the way I envision it, I want FanArcs to stand apart in every way—search, filters, accessibility, accountability, monetization, ease of use, depth, and community.
Of course, I’d like to profit from my work, but not by making it the only option or locking basic features behind paywalls. I’m not Jeff Bezos running Amazon, nor Elon Musk with Tesla—I’m just one person trying to build something the way it should have been done from the start.
I can’t put my name on something I don’t stand behind. And right now, that name is all I have.
In Conclusion..
First off, thank you if you’ve made it this far. It means a lot that someone out there can relate or is willing to understand my struggles, no matter how "first world" they may seem. If you’re in a similar position, have tips or tricks to share, or maybe even want to help out with the project, feel free to reach out, comment, or connect in whichever way works best for you. Again, thank you so much for reading! 🙏
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