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clachnaben) wrote2021-10-20 10:26 pm
clachnaben) wrote2021-10-20 10:26 pm
Entry tags:
Yuletide Letter 2021
Hi! Thanks so much for signing up for yuletide and offering one of of my requests. I hope you have a good time writing, and can find something in my letter that you will enjoy. Don’t feel you have to do everything, or even most of what I talk about here! Find an element that speaks to you. Please know that whatever you choose to write will be an amazing gift and I’ll be really pleased with it. Write something that you enjoy writing, and I’ll love it - my favorite fics are ones that the writers clearly had an amazing time writing, so please do what makes you happy.
General Likes / Dislikes / Elements and Tropes I Enjoy:
I especially enjoy fics that are about a characters deep, intense feelings. I like the tropes that go well with that - pining, friends to lovers, fake dating. I’m not necessarily a huge fan of miscommunication tropes, but ones where, for reasons of their own vulnerability, or introspection, not everyone has laid everything on the table, are very good. I like themes of place and location - this doesn’t always have to be nature, though it often is, but I love stories that feel connected to the setting and place, and communicates the character’s sense of place. I love fics that have been clearly set in somewhere the writer knows well! I love polyamorous ships, especially established relationships but also new relationship negotiation/addition of new partner negotiation. The ebb and flow of loving more than one person is one of my favorite things to read about. In the same vein, I love queer fics and queer characters, talking about being queer, just being queer without needing to talk about it. Don’t feel every character needs to be waving the pride flag, but I love a diversity of queer experiences! In general, stories with arcs towards hope are my jam. I’ll be real with you, I really need a happy ending. I’m okay with a fic that starts out in a grim situation and ends on an uplifting note where things are better but not perfect. To me, that’s a happy ending! I'm ok with fic of any rating, and, for all my requests, would be very happy with explicit rated fic (and would actively prefer it in some cases I've highlighted). but I really enjoy both gen and shippy fic. So unless you're really unsure about something then just go for it.
I Would Prefer Not To: use of ableist slurs, use of misogynistic or homophobic or transphobic slurs
Do Not Want/Dealbreakers: mention of suicide and suicidal ideation, mention of overdose, themes of psychiatric care and medication, bestiality. Character death (especially of the requested characters), painful infidelity, homophobia, sad coming out stories, queer tragedy
Extra detail for explicit stories: I am 100% okay with you writing something explicit for any of my requests, and would be really happy to read it! If that's something you enjoy or you feel it works for the story, please run with it. I like explicit stories that are about the connection of the characters - maybe it marks a step forward in their relationship, maybe its offering comfort, maybe it's purely to have fun. I don't like a/b/o, or animal characteristics, but if you're writing Left Hand of Darkness, please feel free to run with alien biology. I don't love excessive body fluids, but otherwise enjoy physicality in sex - the way other people's bodies which are usually gross are transformed by affection and chemistry to something amazing. You can read all the explicit fic I've written here, if you want to get a taste for my wide ranging interests!
Fandom: Hild - Nicola Griffith
Characters: Hild (Hild - Nicola Griffith), Cian (Hild - Nicola Griffith)
I dont't feel like I read this book, I feel more like I sank into it, like a deep pool. It's so rich and full, absolutely packed with detail and Griffith's intense research and imagination that creates this absolute complete world. Hild's sense of a world constantly showing her signs really adds to that. I love the atmosphere of constant watchfulness, the way Hild feels she must always be on her guard, the ground constantly shifting underneath her feet, often dominated of impacted by forces outside of her control. I'm especially interested in her relationship with Cian, and the way their asymmetric knowledge makes the relationship deeply charged. Cian is, in many ways, more knowledgeable about some things - he definitely seems more in tune with his feelings than Hild is, and has a better sense of their mutual attraction and relationships. But Hild knows the truth of Cian's parentage, the political danger he's in, the truth of the blood relationship. I'm really into the fact that Hild seems to understand, instinctively, that their relationship is both deeply dangerous for them, and also for other people because of what a force they could become.
I would love something set post-the book, about Cian and Hild's marriage/relationship, or set in the later quarter/third of the book, when they are young adults/adults and coming into themselves. I also love the competence porn of the book. Cian is a powerful and capable warrior. Hild is brilliant intelligent, with an intuitive grasp of leadership and power. Together, they discomfort each other while pushing each other to greater heights. I want more of that, especially how charged and powerful and fucked up their romantic and sexual attraction is. I'd love something about Hild and Cian building up their estate/land together, or political scheming together, or doing those things while blowing hot and cold with each other because they don't know why they're so drawn to each other. Them being worried about being married and then fucking all over their lands? Them scheming and then finding themselves making out? Sparring and it being very sexy but both of them trying to resist?
I am (I think obviously?) okay with incest, since that's kind of part and parcel with these characters, but I'm not interested in it being traumatic or deeply painful for either of them. It can be unpleasant, or create conflict, or misunderstanding, but I don't want it to drive a permanent wedge between them. I'd be interested in stories where Cian knows, or where Cian never knows, or where Cian sort-of knows but it goes unspoken, and all the shades of grey there. I'm also very good with explicit - either deliberately sexy, or not sexy but character building, or not sexy but then becomes sexy, whatever you think works.
Fandom: The Dark Star Series - Marlon James
Mossi (The Dark Star Series - Marlon James)Tracker (The Dark Star Series - Marlon James)
It took me a little while to get into Black Leopard Red Wolf, but then about halfway through I suddenly stopped being able to put it down, and just was absolutely gripped right until the end. I loved Tracker, who is a massive dick and stubborn and unkind, determined and talented, desperate to hide how much he cares, and yet still full of empathy. I loved his journey from abandoning his adopted children to finding love and meaning and returning to care for the children he had left. I loved his 'fuck you' attitude, papering over all his issues and hurt. I loved his relationship with Mossi, who doesn't take any of his shit, who is also capable and talented, and doesn't let Tracker be his own worst enemy.
I know this is a tall order, but I would love something that mimics James' style in the book, where Tracker is narrating to the reader. I think it'd be awesome to read something from Mossi's perspective, either on Tracker or on the life they build after the main action finishes. You could take the perspective of one of the children, of maybe the Sangoma, whatever takes your fancy. I am honestly a bit of a sap and love reading about love, especially the kind of love Tracker and Mossi have - very hard won, sometimes unspoken, but a deep bond.
(Spoiler) Obviously, the ending is a sad ending, about Mossi's death and Tracker's dedication to revenge. I would prefer something set either in the period of time when the main action is over, but before Mossi's death/the ending, or something that ignores the bit about Mossi & the children dying entirely. I just want to read about the life Tracker and Mossi build, and how they become parents to these children and lovers to each other. I'm very happy with explicit, gory, or otherwise consistent with the book's high body count and fucking death and murder approach to plot, but would like something more focused on Mossi and Tracker's life post-main action, as opposed to during it.
Fandom: The Left Hand of Darkness - Ursula K. Le Guin
Characters: Genly Ai, Therem Harth rem ir Estraven
The eternal book of my heart. I read Left Hand of Darkness at just the right formative time, and Genly and Estraven so imprinted in my heart. I love the richness of the world Le Guin creates in the story, and also how Genly tried over and over to penetrate that richness, yet keeps finding himself further and further on the outside. Every time he thinks he's figured out Gethen, he's confronted with the fact that he actually hasn't, that he's more of an alien than he thought. And it just keeps happening to him, in small and big ways, over and over! and yet, despite that alien-ness, despite that isolation and fear and seperation, he still manages to make this beautiful connection with Estraven. I'm most interested in their relationship, and would like you to either set the story during the book, or in a post-canon AU where Estraven is alive. Because I want to read about Genly and Estraven's future! I want them to confront all the ways they are alien to each other, and still find a way to reach across that divide and find love. I'd love to read Estaven's point of view, or more about their future. I'd love to read about Estraven finding out more about Earth and Genly's background, or even just more about their moments of love, the moments when they learn to pull together. I'd love to hear about Genly interacting with Estraven's family, whether that's Estraven's children, both of their body and not, or their parents, or their partner, or somehow working with Estraven to excavate and work through Estraven's painful history with his brother. All of it's good!
Fandom: The Roads of Heaven - Melissa Scott
Characters: Denis Balthasar, Julian Chase Mago, Silence Leigh
These books were exactly what I needed this past month. Some up-front bonkers mystical 80s scifi about being a space wizard. And then I found myself falling head over heels for Silence, Julian and Denis' relationship. I love reading about poly relationships, and I loved the hero being at the centre of one, I loved all their quiet moments, like sleeping together in the same bed during the journey to Earth. I love how they compliment each other - Silence's determination, Denis' hot-headedness, Julian's steadyness. There's a bit of competence porn there too, where they all have this mutual respect for each other talents. I love that Denis and Silence connect over being pilots, and Silence and Julian over their shared cultural heritage, and Denis and Julian have a shared history. One thing that really struck me in the book is how vulnerable they are with each other - they spend a lot of the books at the mercy of others, or extremely afraid, and they don't hide that from each other, just own up to their fears and pains and work through it together. I really want to read more about the ebb and flow of their relationship - either set during the books or afterwards, and how they support each other. I'd love to read more about Silence's studies - do Julian and Denis feel excluded from that? Does Julian feel excluded from Silence and Denis' work as pilots? What do they spend their free time together doing?
I would prefer their relationship be a triangle, not a V, meaning that Julian and Denis are also in a relationship with each other, not just with Silence.
I hope something in my letter jumped out to you, and that you have a good time writing. Thank you for offering one of my fandoms, and have a good yuletide!
General Likes / Dislikes / Elements and Tropes I Enjoy:
I especially enjoy fics that are about a characters deep, intense feelings. I like the tropes that go well with that - pining, friends to lovers, fake dating. I’m not necessarily a huge fan of miscommunication tropes, but ones where, for reasons of their own vulnerability, or introspection, not everyone has laid everything on the table, are very good. I like themes of place and location - this doesn’t always have to be nature, though it often is, but I love stories that feel connected to the setting and place, and communicates the character’s sense of place. I love fics that have been clearly set in somewhere the writer knows well! I love polyamorous ships, especially established relationships but also new relationship negotiation/addition of new partner negotiation. The ebb and flow of loving more than one person is one of my favorite things to read about. In the same vein, I love queer fics and queer characters, talking about being queer, just being queer without needing to talk about it. Don’t feel every character needs to be waving the pride flag, but I love a diversity of queer experiences! In general, stories with arcs towards hope are my jam. I’ll be real with you, I really need a happy ending. I’m okay with a fic that starts out in a grim situation and ends on an uplifting note where things are better but not perfect. To me, that’s a happy ending! I'm ok with fic of any rating, and, for all my requests, would be very happy with explicit rated fic (and would actively prefer it in some cases I've highlighted). but I really enjoy both gen and shippy fic. So unless you're really unsure about something then just go for it.
I Would Prefer Not To: use of ableist slurs, use of misogynistic or homophobic or transphobic slurs
Do Not Want/Dealbreakers: mention of suicide and suicidal ideation, mention of overdose, themes of psychiatric care and medication, bestiality. Character death (especially of the requested characters), painful infidelity, homophobia, sad coming out stories, queer tragedy
Extra detail for explicit stories: I am 100% okay with you writing something explicit for any of my requests, and would be really happy to read it! If that's something you enjoy or you feel it works for the story, please run with it. I like explicit stories that are about the connection of the characters - maybe it marks a step forward in their relationship, maybe its offering comfort, maybe it's purely to have fun. I don't like a/b/o, or animal characteristics, but if you're writing Left Hand of Darkness, please feel free to run with alien biology. I don't love excessive body fluids, but otherwise enjoy physicality in sex - the way other people's bodies which are usually gross are transformed by affection and chemistry to something amazing. You can read all the explicit fic I've written here, if you want to get a taste for my wide ranging interests!
Fandom: Hild - Nicola Griffith
Characters: Hild (Hild - Nicola Griffith), Cian (Hild - Nicola Griffith)
I dont't feel like I read this book, I feel more like I sank into it, like a deep pool. It's so rich and full, absolutely packed with detail and Griffith's intense research and imagination that creates this absolute complete world. Hild's sense of a world constantly showing her signs really adds to that. I love the atmosphere of constant watchfulness, the way Hild feels she must always be on her guard, the ground constantly shifting underneath her feet, often dominated of impacted by forces outside of her control. I'm especially interested in her relationship with Cian, and the way their asymmetric knowledge makes the relationship deeply charged. Cian is, in many ways, more knowledgeable about some things - he definitely seems more in tune with his feelings than Hild is, and has a better sense of their mutual attraction and relationships. But Hild knows the truth of Cian's parentage, the political danger he's in, the truth of the blood relationship. I'm really into the fact that Hild seems to understand, instinctively, that their relationship is both deeply dangerous for them, and also for other people because of what a force they could become.
I would love something set post-the book, about Cian and Hild's marriage/relationship, or set in the later quarter/third of the book, when they are young adults/adults and coming into themselves. I also love the competence porn of the book. Cian is a powerful and capable warrior. Hild is brilliant intelligent, with an intuitive grasp of leadership and power. Together, they discomfort each other while pushing each other to greater heights. I want more of that, especially how charged and powerful and fucked up their romantic and sexual attraction is. I'd love something about Hild and Cian building up their estate/land together, or political scheming together, or doing those things while blowing hot and cold with each other because they don't know why they're so drawn to each other. Them being worried about being married and then fucking all over their lands? Them scheming and then finding themselves making out? Sparring and it being very sexy but both of them trying to resist?
I am (I think obviously?) okay with incest, since that's kind of part and parcel with these characters, but I'm not interested in it being traumatic or deeply painful for either of them. It can be unpleasant, or create conflict, or misunderstanding, but I don't want it to drive a permanent wedge between them. I'd be interested in stories where Cian knows, or where Cian never knows, or where Cian sort-of knows but it goes unspoken, and all the shades of grey there. I'm also very good with explicit - either deliberately sexy, or not sexy but character building, or not sexy but then becomes sexy, whatever you think works.
Fandom: The Dark Star Series - Marlon James
Mossi (The Dark Star Series - Marlon James)Tracker (The Dark Star Series - Marlon James)
It took me a little while to get into Black Leopard Red Wolf, but then about halfway through I suddenly stopped being able to put it down, and just was absolutely gripped right until the end. I loved Tracker, who is a massive dick and stubborn and unkind, determined and talented, desperate to hide how much he cares, and yet still full of empathy. I loved his journey from abandoning his adopted children to finding love and meaning and returning to care for the children he had left. I loved his 'fuck you' attitude, papering over all his issues and hurt. I loved his relationship with Mossi, who doesn't take any of his shit, who is also capable and talented, and doesn't let Tracker be his own worst enemy.
I know this is a tall order, but I would love something that mimics James' style in the book, where Tracker is narrating to the reader. I think it'd be awesome to read something from Mossi's perspective, either on Tracker or on the life they build after the main action finishes. You could take the perspective of one of the children, of maybe the Sangoma, whatever takes your fancy. I am honestly a bit of a sap and love reading about love, especially the kind of love Tracker and Mossi have - very hard won, sometimes unspoken, but a deep bond.
(Spoiler) Obviously, the ending is a sad ending, about Mossi's death and Tracker's dedication to revenge. I would prefer something set either in the period of time when the main action is over, but before Mossi's death/the ending, or something that ignores the bit about Mossi & the children dying entirely. I just want to read about the life Tracker and Mossi build, and how they become parents to these children and lovers to each other. I'm very happy with explicit, gory, or otherwise consistent with the book's high body count and fucking death and murder approach to plot, but would like something more focused on Mossi and Tracker's life post-main action, as opposed to during it.
Fandom: The Left Hand of Darkness - Ursula K. Le Guin
Characters: Genly Ai, Therem Harth rem ir Estraven
The eternal book of my heart. I read Left Hand of Darkness at just the right formative time, and Genly and Estraven so imprinted in my heart. I love the richness of the world Le Guin creates in the story, and also how Genly tried over and over to penetrate that richness, yet keeps finding himself further and further on the outside. Every time he thinks he's figured out Gethen, he's confronted with the fact that he actually hasn't, that he's more of an alien than he thought. And it just keeps happening to him, in small and big ways, over and over! and yet, despite that alien-ness, despite that isolation and fear and seperation, he still manages to make this beautiful connection with Estraven. I'm most interested in their relationship, and would like you to either set the story during the book, or in a post-canon AU where Estraven is alive. Because I want to read about Genly and Estraven's future! I want them to confront all the ways they are alien to each other, and still find a way to reach across that divide and find love. I'd love to read Estaven's point of view, or more about their future. I'd love to read about Estraven finding out more about Earth and Genly's background, or even just more about their moments of love, the moments when they learn to pull together. I'd love to hear about Genly interacting with Estraven's family, whether that's Estraven's children, both of their body and not, or their parents, or their partner, or somehow working with Estraven to excavate and work through Estraven's painful history with his brother. All of it's good!
Fandom: The Roads of Heaven - Melissa Scott
Characters: Denis Balthasar, Julian Chase Mago, Silence Leigh
These books were exactly what I needed this past month. Some up-front bonkers mystical 80s scifi about being a space wizard. And then I found myself falling head over heels for Silence, Julian and Denis' relationship. I love reading about poly relationships, and I loved the hero being at the centre of one, I loved all their quiet moments, like sleeping together in the same bed during the journey to Earth. I love how they compliment each other - Silence's determination, Denis' hot-headedness, Julian's steadyness. There's a bit of competence porn there too, where they all have this mutual respect for each other talents. I love that Denis and Silence connect over being pilots, and Silence and Julian over their shared cultural heritage, and Denis and Julian have a shared history. One thing that really struck me in the book is how vulnerable they are with each other - they spend a lot of the books at the mercy of others, or extremely afraid, and they don't hide that from each other, just own up to their fears and pains and work through it together. I really want to read more about the ebb and flow of their relationship - either set during the books or afterwards, and how they support each other. I'd love to read more about Silence's studies - do Julian and Denis feel excluded from that? Does Julian feel excluded from Silence and Denis' work as pilots? What do they spend their free time together doing?
I would prefer their relationship be a triangle, not a V, meaning that Julian and Denis are also in a relationship with each other, not just with Silence.
I hope something in my letter jumped out to you, and that you have a good time writing. Thank you for offering one of my fandoms, and have a good yuletide!