lin·gua·phile

You guys I actually don’t know how this happened but I got THE BEST STORIES for Yuletide this year! 

Young Wizards - Beyond Understanding - Lone Power & One’s Champion

We all remember how the beginning ended.

A really wonderful look at the cosmic scale of this relationship in its early days, beautifully-written, hits me right in the feels every time. No spoilers.

Clarissa - Undeath - Clarissa, Lovelace, Anna

AU. Clarissa Harlowe cannot die.

I am still screaming with joy because THIS FIC IS PERFECT. I mean. VAMPIRE CLARISSA AU. I realize I’m one of the only people who finds this as amazing as I do — and I’m really upset I can’t link this to some of the others (because I’m not entirely sure I want my professors to know who I am on the internet…) — but I actually can’t tell you enough how amazing it is.

I’m still working through reading the archive so I don’t have any other recs yet, but seriously, go read those, you will not be disappointed.

Unexpectedly sad that there are no mystery works in the Clarissa category on AO3 because I was kinda holding out on the teeny-tiny-totally-nonexistent possibility that someone other than me thought that the universe needed a Clarissa vampire AU. 

If you are a Young Wizards fan and interested in Dairine and/or Roshaun as characters at all and in the mood for something slightly melancholy and introspective and beautifully written, then you should go and read the wonderful Yuletide gift fic that I just received!

Title: a dust of snow
Rating: T
Pairing: Dairine/Roshaun (though if you are against this pairing might I add that it is very background and I don’t think it needs to be read as a ship fic?)
Summary: Dairine is feeling disconsolate on Christmas. 

And then when you’re done with that you should go read every other Yuletide fic for Young Wizards and for the Leviathan series because I have personally read all of them (and I think commented on most of them) and they are all A+ fantastic.

…and you think you’ve requested something in a fandom I might possibly write for (Young Wizards and Leviathan seem to be the big ones for me this year, but I am sure there are others! like pretty much every 19th century English novel ever written!) then link me to your Yuletide letter in case I have spare time this evening for spreading some Yuletide Madness cheer!

Obligatory sentence ending with a question mark so that you can reply to this hopefully with links since I don’t think my ask box allows links? Or if this doesn’t work you can reblog and add your link?

Dear Yuletide Writer:

First, thank you for agreeing to write me a story! Whoever you are, the fact that you agreed to do this already means you’re awesome, and I can’t wait to read whatever you’re willing to write for me. I’m going to talk a lot about specifics in the letter that follows, but the only thing that really matters is that we both appreciate the same obscure fandom. We’re friends already!

The kinds of things I like in fic differ somewhat between fandoms, but in general, I like fic that follows the canon pretty closely, or that works to develop ideas underrepresented/underdeveloped within the canon, or that takes place within the canon’s “blank spots” or “blind spots.” I like it when fics mirror closely the narrative voice of the original text, but I also like reading fic in somewhat experimental forms, provided thought has been put into the reason for narrative experiment. I don’t like OCs who serve no purpose, but I love it when the right well-written OC manages to bring about a deeper understanding or level of involvement between two or more canon characters, or serves to flesh out an interesting backstory.

When it comes to stories that deal with romantic relationships between characters, I’m just as interested in the more prosaic or difficult or just plain awkward aspects of building and sustaining a relationship as I am in first kisses and proposals of marriage and other such grand gestures. Because of this, I’m perfectly fine if you tell me an established-relationship story, even if the characters involved aren’t presently an established canon pairing, though again, it’s not like I mind seeing how two characters got together! When it comes to physical intimacy, I care far less about how explicit the writing is than I do about how good the writing is, so write what feels right for you, whatever that means, and I will be more than happy to follow along! The only thing I won’t be cool with is noncon/dubcon.

And don’t think that since there is a whole huge paragraph about romance, you have to write me a romance-centric fic! Gen is totally awesome, or even fic that involves some background pairings but isn’t really “about” them. Because as much as I love me some romance, I also love plot, especially plot that allows for the development of these worlds and their characters beyond what’s given in canon—whether that means more worldbuilding, or fleshing out character backstories, or even future-fic intended to explore the long-term ramifications of some canon decision. Said plot does not have to turn on major revelations in the cosmos, and can be something as small as a character working toward a personal realization or revelation, but I do like it when it’s there. I’m usually more interested in interpersonal conflict (two people sorting out issues they have with each other) than in galactic, world-is-ending conflict. The latter is perfectly okay as a backdrop to the former — end-of-the-world situations can produce really great character conflicts — but it’s certainly not necessary. I’m not a big fan of main character death (although there are times when it’s necessary) and in general I like “happy endings,” but I want to feel like they’ve been earned.

Some thematic things I love across all fandoms:

• strong and complex female characters who have complicated but more-or-less positive relationships with other women
• politics and politicking (anything from school election to inner workings of a royal court, either as backdrop or as motivator of plot), potentially including espionage or court intrigue
• the limits of magic; the intersections of magic, science, technology, and/or religion
• children and young adults who have honest, mature, complex, and ultimately positive relationships with their parents and/or mentors
• snark and banter and wordplay; whip-sharp back-and-forth conversational sparring (whether between actual adversaries or between friends only joking at being adversarial)

If you want more details, browse my livejournal and this tumblr and maybe even my “serious” blog (I’m a pretty obsessive tagger, so you’ll probably find things quickly), and feel free to check out the fanfic I’ve posted online.

That said, on to the fandom specifics!

Read more

Looked at my life, looked at my choices, and saw that they were good.

I should possibly worry at least a little about all the damage this will cause, and the people who will lose their homes or at least have to leave them for a while. And I am thinking about these things, really I am (as well as the fact that my flashlight needs new batteries, and maybe I should buy some bottled water).

But when I first heard this news, before I could think of anything else, my brain added up hurricanes and New York and made me think of nothing so much as this ridiculously awesome Young Wizards fic that is, I kid you not, a Regency AU in which Kit and Nita fend off a hurricane approaching 19th-century Manhattan. (And that also happened to be a gift for me in the 2009 Yuletide Challenge.)

So, if you are like me and end up stuck inside your building in the next few days due to torrential rain and screaming winds, do yourself a favor and curl up with this fic. It is lovely and also relevant. And did I mention Regency?

Dear Yuletide Writer,

First, thank you for agreeing to write me a story! Whoever you are, the fact that you agreed to do this already means you’re awesome, and I can’t wait to read whatever you’re willing to write for me. I’m going to talk a lot about specifics in the letter that follows, but the only thing that really matters is that we both appreciate the same obscure fandom. We’re friends already!

In general, I like fic that follows the canon pretty closely, or that works to develop ideas underrepresented/underdeveloped within the canon. I like it when fics mirror closely the narrative voice of the original text, but I also like reading fic in somewhat experimental forms, provided thought has been put into the reason for narrative experiment. I don’t like OCs who serve no purpose, but I love it when the right well-written OC manages to bring about a deeper understanding or level of involvement between two or more canon characters.

I love romance, but I love sexual tension almost as much as (if not occasionally more than) the fulfillment, and I think that stories can be perfectly romantic if they contain no sex whatsoever (especially when we’re talking about younger protagonists). I’m a big fan of small gestures that carry large meanings, and of tension that changes by the end of the story if it’s not actually resolved, not to mention a few awkward moments along the way! When it comes to sex, if the moments before the bedroom scene sizzle enough, I don’t mind at all if the camera pans away from the act itself. However, I’m not averse to well-written sex, provided it’s not overly explicit. I won’t say I’m easily squicked, but I’m not okay with rape, abuse, violence, etc., nor with character-bashing.

As much as I love romance, I also love plot. Said plot does not have to turn on major revelations in the cosmos, and can be something as small as a character working toward a personal realization or revelation, but I do like it when it’s there. Conflict is a must, but I’m usually more interested in interpersonal conflict (two people sorting out issues they have with each other) than in galactic, world-is-ending conflict. The latter is perfectly okay as a backdrop to the former — end-of-the-world situations can produce really great character conflicts — but it’s certainly not necessary. I’m not a big fan of main character death (although there are times when it’s necessary) and in general I like “happy endings,” but I want to feel like they’ve been earned.

A random list of other, unconnected things that I love: watching characters negotiate the beginnings of relationships, John Milton (and in particular Paradise Lost), Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, any and all variations on “Beauty and the Beast,” trips to the moon, politics and politicking (anytime someone says one thing and means another, it’s a great opportunity for fiction), the limits of magic, quests, worldbuilding, literary allusions (I am the stereotypical geeky English major, except with even more geek), soul-deep friendships, snark and banter, legitimate obstacles to romantic fulfillment (none of these silly little reasons why they can’t be together, give me something meaty!), genuine awkwardness, the importance of names and naming, the intersection(s) of science, magic, and religion…I’m sure I could think of more, but for now this is probably a good list to start with. If you want more details, browse my livejournal and this tumblr (I’m a pretty obsessive tagger, so you’ll probably find things quickly), and feel free to check out the fanfic I’ve posted online.

That said, on to the fandom specifics!

[placeholder - I really will come in and fill this out, I swear!]

Dear Yuletide Writer,

First, thank you for agreeing to write me a story! Whoever you are, the fact that you agreed to do this already means you’re awesome, and I can’t wait to read whatever you’re willing to write for me. I’m going to talk a lot about specifics in the letter that follows, but the only thing that really matters is that we both appreciate the same obscure fandom. We’re friends already!

In general, I like fic that follows the canon pretty closely, or that works to develop ideas underrepresented/underdeveloped within the canon. I like it when fics mirror closely the narrative voice of the original text, but I also like reading fic in somewhat experimental forms, provided thought has been put into the reason for narrative experiment. I don’t like OCs who serve no purpose, but I love it when the right well-written OC manages to bring about a deeper understanding or level of involvement between two or more canon characters.

I love romance, but I love sexual tension almost as much as (if not occasionally more than) the fulfillment, and I think that stories can be perfectly romantic if they contain no sex whatsoever (especially when we’re talking about younger protagonists). I’m a big fan of small gestures that carry large meanings, and of tension that changes by the end of the story if it’s not actually resolved, not to mention a few awkward moments along the way! When it comes to sex, if the moments before the bedroom scene sizzle enough, I don’t mind at all if the camera pans away from the act itself. However, I’m not averse to well-written sex, provided it’s not overly explicit. I won’t say I’m easily squicked, but I’m not okay with rape, abuse, violence, etc., nor with character-bashing.

As much as I love romance, I also love plot. Said plot does not have to turn on major revelations in the cosmos, and can be something as small as a character working toward a personal realization or revelation, but I do like it when it’s there. Conflict is a must, but I’m usually more interested in interpersonal conflict (two people sorting out issues they have with each other) than in galactic, world-is-ending conflict. The latter is perfectly okay as a backdrop to the former — end-of-the-world situations can produce really great character conflicts — but it’s certainly not necessary. I’m not a big fan of main character death (although there are times when it’s necessary) and in general I like “happy endings,” but I want to feel like they’ve been earned.

A random list of other, unconnected things that I love: watching characters negotiate the beginnings of relationships, John Milton (and in particular Paradise Lost), Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, any and all variations on “Beauty and the Beast,” trips to the moon, politics and politicking (anytime someone says one thing and means another, it’s a great opportunity for fiction), the limits of magic, quests, worldbuilding, literary allusions (I am the stereotypical geeky English major, except with even more geek), soul-deep friendships, snark and banter, legitimate obstacles to romantic fulfillment (none of these silly little reasons why they can’t be together, give me something meaty!), genuine awkwardness, the importance of names and naming, the intersection(s) of science, magic, and religion…I’m sure I could think of more, but for now this is probably a good list to start with. If you want more details, browse my livejournal and this tumblr (I’m a pretty obsessive tagger, so you’ll probably find things quickly), and feel free to check out the fanfic I’ve posted online.

I know some my prompts are specific. I have a hard time not being specific. But I by no means expect you to listen to me, certainly not entirely. The best stories are written by people excited about what they’re writing. If an idea doesn’t totally fit my request but is something you’re excited about, by all means take it and run with it. Be creative! This is as much your story as it is mine.

That said, onto the fandoms and prompts!

Diane Duane - Young Wizards series: Carl Romeo/Tom Swale

In Deep Wizardry, Carl tells Nita there’s only one price greater than a lifeprice. What is that price? Why does Carl know about it? And what does it have to do with his partnership with Tom? Tom/Carl slash and/or when Tom met Carl and/or college-years Tom and Carl friendship and bonding much appreciated but not required.

Basically, if you’re not comfortable with writing slash, don’t, but I would love you forever if you did, even if it’s just implied. I also love seeing interpretations of what Tom and Carl were up to before they became everyone’s favorite advisories, including how they became partners in wizardry (or even how they came into their wizardry to begin with).

Garth Nix - The Abhorsen series: Sabriel/Touchstone

Sabriel/Touchstone het, immediately after the first book ends. Teenagers in love attempting to restore the Old Kingdom agree (for some specific reason) to “take it slowly” — which is much harder than it looks. (Please, revel in the grammatical ambiguity of this sentence. I promise you, it is intentional.) Drama and comedy equally appreciated. Really, I just want some time to enjoy Sabriel and Touchstone being slightly awkward but also adorable around each other, because it makes me go awwwwwww and that’s a good thing. I wouldn’t mind some politicking about the rebuilding of the Old Kingdom, either.

Jim Butcher - The Dresden Files: Harry Dresden/Karrin Murphy/Michael Carpenter/Thomas Raith

Bookverse! Some case Harry picks up through the Paranet gets out of his hands and he has to call for some assistance. Drama and comedy appreciated in equal measure, Harry/Murphy banter and sexual tension a plus. Characters (not necessarily just Harry and Murphy) trapped in a confined space is also a plus. Really, anything with snark and banter between two or more of the listed characters is beautiful. Other characters I love include Molly, Charity, Mouse, Mister, and Bob, but feel free to pull in whoever you like to make it work.

Diane Duane - Young Wizards series: Christopher Rodriguez aka Kit/Dairine Callahan/Juanita Callahan aka Nita/Roshaun ke Nelaid

Budding romantic tensions (Kit/Nita and/or Dairine/Roshaun) + stuck in an alternate universe or historical time period (or genre?). Let the fun ensue!

This prompt was inspired by araine’s post about a Young Wizards/Pride and Prejudice crossover, which got me thinking about how great it would be to throw our favorites into new and different worlds (literally) and see how they managed. But please, throw our favorites wherever you like and see how they handle it—especially because in Young Wizards, it’s not always AU to have characters who wind up in alternate universes… Futurefic is okay, but I’d prefer to see them college-aged or younger.

Thank you, Yuletide Santa!

Cheers,

Reading Redhead