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theladysnarkydameI just realized that I hadn't actually written this letter until now (Nov 17, oops). So sorry, Writer! I hope it wasn't too much of an inconvenience. . .
I put the broad strokes in my sign up form -- so if you've already started, you should be good to go. But if you want a bit more to go on, here are some things I particularly like about my requested fandoms:
H2 (manga) is as simple as a summer day, but it's profoundly moving, all the same. If you choose to write for this fandom (which you can read online here if you'd like) I'd love to read something that captures the feeling there -- the summer heat, the young love, the friendship, the rivalry. The ambition and the heartbreak. I honestly would enjoy a look at a baseball game, or a date, or a fight between friends, grown up protagonists or a slice taken between the chapters of the manga itself -- go nuts.
To the Hilt by Dick Francis is a great read -- if you're not familiar with Francis' books I recommend them. His protagonists are really the most sensible, clear headed group of people I get to read about, and I find that very refreshing. In this book, Alexander Kinloch adds to that a bit of deeply felt artistic solitude, and a bit of old fashioned family loyalty. I really enjoyed the friendship that built between him and the PI Chris Young, and I feel like there is quite a lot of opportunity there for further development, either in a romantic sense or one of camaraderie. Or both.
The Tower at Stony Wood by Patricia A McKillip is one of my favorite books. I've requested fic for it before with no luck, so I'll just quote myself here:
I adore this book. I love McKillip, in general, but I've reread this book in particular often enough that I fear for the binding. There's something about the weight of history in it, heavy with magic and wrapped in such ephemeral beauty . . . Really, anything you write that can explore some of that, even a taste of it, will be treasured.
I have requested this book before, though I've never gotten a fic for it. I keep finding myself drawn to this particular passage:
He could not move. More than an absence of light held him still. There were voices just beyond his hearing, words of immense and complex power and meaning. There were visions beyond the black: colors that had never existed before, places reached by endless, intricate paths, so beautiful he could search for them in one lifetime, then linger in them for another. There were promises of unimaginable rewards for impossible dangers overcome, for precious things found, for those in dire distress and mortal need rescued and made safe. They pulled at him with a hundred whispering voices, a hundred gentle touches. Come, Cyan Dag. Go there. Do this. Learn that. Take this path, find, fight, save, kill, kneel, swear, love. If he could only free himself and turn, he would serve the perfect king, do the impossible deed, achieve his heart's desire, transform his world.
"Come back."
The voices sounded very far away. He heard his breath suddenly, quick and sharp, as if he had been running. He had pushed his free hand hard against a post stone, using all his strength as leverage against the hand pulling him back into the light of day. He wrenched at it; it tugged as fiercely at him. Somehow, despite his formidable strength and longing, he was jerked across the threshold into light. He stumbled, caught his balance and his breath, his face slick with sweat or tears. He stared bewilderedly at the woman who had forced him back into the world. Behind him, his sword dropped to the earth with a clang.
What would happen if Cyan Dag wasn't drawn back into the world? What would happen if he was, but then, after the adventure, he came back to this tower? Would anyone keep him grounded this time? Would someone go after him? What would he find? There are so many possibilities!
I am hoping, most, for some Cyan Dag/ Thayne Ysse interaction -- i loved their chemistry. But like I said, all of the characters in this book are interesting so find someone whose voice you like! I know I didn't request Cria Greenwood this time, but I'd hate to see her fridged -- perhaps they were together, but Cyan Dag couldn't readjust to life in the courts? Perhaps Cria's father managed to marry her off while he was gone. Perhaps, to avoid a loveless marriage, she went on a journey of her own and made her way to the Bard's in McKillip's other book, the Song For the Basilisk? Or maybe she's right there with him, and Thayne Ysse goes to rescue them both?
Genfic is okay with me (I often prefer it!), but like I said, chemistry . . . and while all the characters are great, I can really only see Cyan Dag paired up with either Thayne Ysse or Cria Greenwood (or both. Threesomes are fine!)
Melanthos and Sel have such a powerful presence in this story, as well -- the same scenario (or one entirely different!) from their viewpoint would be fascinating too.
But the adventure is the most important thing! Adventure, and magic. <3
It all still stands really. :D
Most importantly, please have fun writing for any one of these tiny little fandoms. I do appreciate the fact that you chose to do so, and I look forward to reading your gift!
I put the broad strokes in my sign up form -- so if you've already started, you should be good to go. But if you want a bit more to go on, here are some things I particularly like about my requested fandoms:
H2 (manga) is as simple as a summer day, but it's profoundly moving, all the same. If you choose to write for this fandom (which you can read online here if you'd like) I'd love to read something that captures the feeling there -- the summer heat, the young love, the friendship, the rivalry. The ambition and the heartbreak. I honestly would enjoy a look at a baseball game, or a date, or a fight between friends, grown up protagonists or a slice taken between the chapters of the manga itself -- go nuts.
To the Hilt by Dick Francis is a great read -- if you're not familiar with Francis' books I recommend them. His protagonists are really the most sensible, clear headed group of people I get to read about, and I find that very refreshing. In this book, Alexander Kinloch adds to that a bit of deeply felt artistic solitude, and a bit of old fashioned family loyalty. I really enjoyed the friendship that built between him and the PI Chris Young, and I feel like there is quite a lot of opportunity there for further development, either in a romantic sense or one of camaraderie. Or both.
The Tower at Stony Wood by Patricia A McKillip is one of my favorite books. I've requested fic for it before with no luck, so I'll just quote myself here:
I adore this book. I love McKillip, in general, but I've reread this book in particular often enough that I fear for the binding. There's something about the weight of history in it, heavy with magic and wrapped in such ephemeral beauty . . . Really, anything you write that can explore some of that, even a taste of it, will be treasured.
I have requested this book before, though I've never gotten a fic for it. I keep finding myself drawn to this particular passage:
He could not move. More than an absence of light held him still. There were voices just beyond his hearing, words of immense and complex power and meaning. There were visions beyond the black: colors that had never existed before, places reached by endless, intricate paths, so beautiful he could search for them in one lifetime, then linger in them for another. There were promises of unimaginable rewards for impossible dangers overcome, for precious things found, for those in dire distress and mortal need rescued and made safe. They pulled at him with a hundred whispering voices, a hundred gentle touches. Come, Cyan Dag. Go there. Do this. Learn that. Take this path, find, fight, save, kill, kneel, swear, love. If he could only free himself and turn, he would serve the perfect king, do the impossible deed, achieve his heart's desire, transform his world.
"Come back."
The voices sounded very far away. He heard his breath suddenly, quick and sharp, as if he had been running. He had pushed his free hand hard against a post stone, using all his strength as leverage against the hand pulling him back into the light of day. He wrenched at it; it tugged as fiercely at him. Somehow, despite his formidable strength and longing, he was jerked across the threshold into light. He stumbled, caught his balance and his breath, his face slick with sweat or tears. He stared bewilderedly at the woman who had forced him back into the world. Behind him, his sword dropped to the earth with a clang.
What would happen if Cyan Dag wasn't drawn back into the world? What would happen if he was, but then, after the adventure, he came back to this tower? Would anyone keep him grounded this time? Would someone go after him? What would he find? There are so many possibilities!
I am hoping, most, for some Cyan Dag/ Thayne Ysse interaction -- i loved their chemistry. But like I said, all of the characters in this book are interesting so find someone whose voice you like! I know I didn't request Cria Greenwood this time, but I'd hate to see her fridged -- perhaps they were together, but Cyan Dag couldn't readjust to life in the courts? Perhaps Cria's father managed to marry her off while he was gone. Perhaps, to avoid a loveless marriage, she went on a journey of her own and made her way to the Bard's in McKillip's other book, the Song For the Basilisk? Or maybe she's right there with him, and Thayne Ysse goes to rescue them both?
Genfic is okay with me (I often prefer it!), but like I said, chemistry . . . and while all the characters are great, I can really only see Cyan Dag paired up with either Thayne Ysse or Cria Greenwood (or both. Threesomes are fine!)
Melanthos and Sel have such a powerful presence in this story, as well -- the same scenario (or one entirely different!) from their viewpoint would be fascinating too.
But the adventure is the most important thing! Adventure, and magic. <3
It all still stands really. :D
Most importantly, please have fun writing for any one of these tiny little fandoms. I do appreciate the fact that you chose to do so, and I look forward to reading your gift!
