Dear Yuletide Santa
Nov. 20th, 2011 05:19 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
brigdhThank you so much for offering one of my fandoms! You clearly have excellent taste. I am a firm believer of "optional details are optional", so feel free to use these comments as inspiration, or write something entirely else.
In general, I really admire any story that can do plot, action, and/or humor well, because I personally am bad at those things. On the other hand, I also like character studies, poetic language, angst, or introspection, which is why I write them. I like dark themes and happy endings (though probably not in the same story). I like fun stories, the sort that make you smile to read them, but am not so fond of fluff. I like nuances (hmm, that is probably the worst request ever. I like it when authors complicate things?). I really love stories that dig deep, exploring a world or a character's interior. Most of the characters I love are pretty fucked up on the inside, but are also capable of great strength. I like that balance, not a woobie but no a standard hero either. I tend to like a lot of dysfunction in my fictional relationships. They can be happy, but I'm not terribly fond of lots of sap or schmoop, or really any sort of overt romance. I much prefer the unspoken to the outright-stated. Do not feel obligated to include Christmas (or whatever fantasy-equivalent winter holiday is appropriate to the fandom), but if you want to, feel free. I love AUs, whether crazy ones like High School AUs (OMG! give all the characters daemons! That would be awesome!), or the sort of "what if this character had made a different choice?". Porn is always welcome, of any variety (m/m, f/m, f/f, poly, kinky, vanilla), but don't feel obligated if you don't like to write it. I don't have any squicks or triggers, so write whatever appeals to you.
My dislikes include OOC, even for the sake of humor. I don't like songfic? Man, dislikes are hard. In short, I will be pleased with any story you write. Thank you in advance!
I've written several meta posts about the sort of things that I love in stories. Feel free to use them if you want more information:
My Top 10 Story Kinks
My favorite 'cool bits'
What I look for in OTPs
If you're interested, my own stories are collected here.
Swordspoint Series - Ellen Kushner
I LOVE SWORDSPOINT SO MUCH OMG. Which is a loud way of saying, if this is the fandom we were matched on, you already have made me so happy! I particularly love stories set early in Alec and Richard's life, during the time they're still living in Riverside. At one point Richard mentions that he's been a highwayman; I WOULD LOVE A STORY ABOUT THAT YESSS. Either in his youth, or if for some reason he decides to go back to it after knowing Alec (or with Alec? So awesome!). However, I would also love a story about Richard and Alec scandalizing high society after Alec becomes the Duke. Maybe at a party? Some other suggestions: something exploring daily life in Riverside, what the dangerous part of the city is *really* like to its inhabitants. Richard and Alec's first meeting stories are always interesting (I know there is now an official version! I still love other tellings, or story weaving around "The Duke of Riverside"). Porn will be deeply appreciated, although is not required. Something that explores kink between these two would be very neat. The things I love about this fandom are the madness and dangerousness of both guys, the careful compromise of their relationship, the disintegrating, violent Riverside, the politics of it all, and the way everything is always taking place just below the surface, and nothing is ever quite obvious.
Mahabharata - Vyasa
These characters are selection of my favorites; feel free to focus on just one, or even choose another character! (I know she wasn't nominated, but a story about Satyavati would be really cool. How did it feel to go from a fisherman's daughter to queen?)
I love the Mahabharatha, and how dense it is. I love the fierceness of Draupadi, the totally tragic life of Karna, the combination of mischievousness and epicness of Krishna, and the strength of Kunti. A straight-forward retelling of any of their stories would be great, or pick one episode and really get into the character's thoughts and perspective. I'd love something on Draupadi's childhood, or her relationship with Krishna, in particular.
I'd also really love a postmodern take on the story. Make it realistic instead of fantastical! Set it in another historical time, or now, or in the future! Set it somewhere other than India! Put it in a different genre: steampunk Mahabharata! Cyberpunk Mahabharata! Gender-switch the whole cast! Mix it all up. The things I really like about the Mahabharata are ways gods show up in normal life, the secrets and backstories of so many people, and all the details, the huge sprawling cast.
Slenderman Mythos
Oooh, Slenderman! This is such a cool option for Yuletide. I don't follow the various blogs that closely (I know the basics- the three rules- and such, I've seen all of Marble Hornets, and read some things hear and there, but I don't know every single participant), so I'd prefer it if you didn't focus on them in your story, or at least made it a story that can also be read by someone not too involved with the fandom.
I'd really love a straight-up, creepy, horror story. I love horror, and the Slenderman is such a great addition to the horror mythos. I prefer psychological horror and hints (e.g., The Blair Witch Project, Paranormal Activity 1, House of Leaves) to gore or violence (e.g., Saw, Hostel). There's no such thing as too scary for me! You could write first-person story like a lot of the blogs, or feel free to go in a different direction and do something new. Some aspects I'm interested in: who is the Slenderman? I like the theories comparing him to the Fair Folk or a living tree. I really love the idea of belief in him is what gives him power. Why the focus on children? Another fun thing might be a crossover with another creepypasta. I'm pretty familiar with them, so feel free to choose your favorite, but some I particularly like are the Russian Sleep Experiment, Candle Cove, the Holders, and the tape (the videotape in the well one). If horror isn't your thing, a black comedy could be really great too!
What I love about Slenderman is the insidious horror of it, the feeling like it almost should be true (at least an older story than it is), the 'no fourth wall' quality, and the slow-growing terror of most stories.
Akkadian Empire RPF
Oh My God, this is such an awesome fandom! Really, I would be happy with a story about any of these characters, but Enheduanna is my favorite. You could also do a story about a typical (as in, not an elite) OC character and that would be fantastic! Or characters in older Mesopotamian history (Pu'abi OMG YES). Incorporating other cultures of the same time period would also be great, whether through traders or travel or however you like.
I'd love something that explores daily life in this place and time. You can make it realistic, or have gods and mythological creatures also showing up. If you chose Enheduanna, incorporating some of her poetry would be fantastic. I'm really interested in the world-building here. Bonus points for accurate depictions of the period, but I do not expect you to know everything.
In general, I really admire any story that can do plot, action, and/or humor well, because I personally am bad at those things. On the other hand, I also like character studies, poetic language, angst, or introspection, which is why I write them. I like dark themes and happy endings (though probably not in the same story). I like fun stories, the sort that make you smile to read them, but am not so fond of fluff. I like nuances (hmm, that is probably the worst request ever. I like it when authors complicate things?). I really love stories that dig deep, exploring a world or a character's interior. Most of the characters I love are pretty fucked up on the inside, but are also capable of great strength. I like that balance, not a woobie but no a standard hero either. I tend to like a lot of dysfunction in my fictional relationships. They can be happy, but I'm not terribly fond of lots of sap or schmoop, or really any sort of overt romance. I much prefer the unspoken to the outright-stated. Do not feel obligated to include Christmas (or whatever fantasy-equivalent winter holiday is appropriate to the fandom), but if you want to, feel free. I love AUs, whether crazy ones like High School AUs (OMG! give all the characters daemons! That would be awesome!), or the sort of "what if this character had made a different choice?". Porn is always welcome, of any variety (m/m, f/m, f/f, poly, kinky, vanilla), but don't feel obligated if you don't like to write it. I don't have any squicks or triggers, so write whatever appeals to you.
My dislikes include OOC, even for the sake of humor. I don't like songfic? Man, dislikes are hard. In short, I will be pleased with any story you write. Thank you in advance!
I've written several meta posts about the sort of things that I love in stories. Feel free to use them if you want more information:
My Top 10 Story Kinks
My favorite 'cool bits'
What I look for in OTPs
If you're interested, my own stories are collected here.
Swordspoint Series - Ellen Kushner
I LOVE SWORDSPOINT SO MUCH OMG. Which is a loud way of saying, if this is the fandom we were matched on, you already have made me so happy! I particularly love stories set early in Alec and Richard's life, during the time they're still living in Riverside. At one point Richard mentions that he's been a highwayman; I WOULD LOVE A STORY ABOUT THAT YESSS. Either in his youth, or if for some reason he decides to go back to it after knowing Alec (or with Alec? So awesome!). However, I would also love a story about Richard and Alec scandalizing high society after Alec becomes the Duke. Maybe at a party? Some other suggestions: something exploring daily life in Riverside, what the dangerous part of the city is *really* like to its inhabitants. Richard and Alec's first meeting stories are always interesting (I know there is now an official version! I still love other tellings, or story weaving around "The Duke of Riverside"). Porn will be deeply appreciated, although is not required. Something that explores kink between these two would be very neat. The things I love about this fandom are the madness and dangerousness of both guys, the careful compromise of their relationship, the disintegrating, violent Riverside, the politics of it all, and the way everything is always taking place just below the surface, and nothing is ever quite obvious.
Mahabharata - Vyasa
These characters are selection of my favorites; feel free to focus on just one, or even choose another character! (I know she wasn't nominated, but a story about Satyavati would be really cool. How did it feel to go from a fisherman's daughter to queen?)
I love the Mahabharatha, and how dense it is. I love the fierceness of Draupadi, the totally tragic life of Karna, the combination of mischievousness and epicness of Krishna, and the strength of Kunti. A straight-forward retelling of any of their stories would be great, or pick one episode and really get into the character's thoughts and perspective. I'd love something on Draupadi's childhood, or her relationship with Krishna, in particular.
I'd also really love a postmodern take on the story. Make it realistic instead of fantastical! Set it in another historical time, or now, or in the future! Set it somewhere other than India! Put it in a different genre: steampunk Mahabharata! Cyberpunk Mahabharata! Gender-switch the whole cast! Mix it all up. The things I really like about the Mahabharata are ways gods show up in normal life, the secrets and backstories of so many people, and all the details, the huge sprawling cast.
Slenderman Mythos
Oooh, Slenderman! This is such a cool option for Yuletide. I don't follow the various blogs that closely (I know the basics- the three rules- and such, I've seen all of Marble Hornets, and read some things hear and there, but I don't know every single participant), so I'd prefer it if you didn't focus on them in your story, or at least made it a story that can also be read by someone not too involved with the fandom.
I'd really love a straight-up, creepy, horror story. I love horror, and the Slenderman is such a great addition to the horror mythos. I prefer psychological horror and hints (e.g., The Blair Witch Project, Paranormal Activity 1, House of Leaves) to gore or violence (e.g., Saw, Hostel). There's no such thing as too scary for me! You could write first-person story like a lot of the blogs, or feel free to go in a different direction and do something new. Some aspects I'm interested in: who is the Slenderman? I like the theories comparing him to the Fair Folk or a living tree. I really love the idea of belief in him is what gives him power. Why the focus on children? Another fun thing might be a crossover with another creepypasta. I'm pretty familiar with them, so feel free to choose your favorite, but some I particularly like are the Russian Sleep Experiment, Candle Cove, the Holders, and the tape (the videotape in the well one). If horror isn't your thing, a black comedy could be really great too!
What I love about Slenderman is the insidious horror of it, the feeling like it almost should be true (at least an older story than it is), the 'no fourth wall' quality, and the slow-growing terror of most stories.
Akkadian Empire RPF
Oh My God, this is such an awesome fandom! Really, I would be happy with a story about any of these characters, but Enheduanna is my favorite. You could also do a story about a typical (as in, not an elite) OC character and that would be fantastic! Or characters in older Mesopotamian history (Pu'abi OMG YES). Incorporating other cultures of the same time period would also be great, whether through traders or travel or however you like.
I'd love something that explores daily life in this place and time. You can make it realistic, or have gods and mythological creatures also showing up. If you chose Enheduanna, incorporating some of her poetry would be fantastic. I'm really interested in the world-building here. Bonus points for accurate depictions of the period, but I do not expect you to know everything.
