Wake the Sun

Firstly - Hi! Hello! I'm really excited about Yuletide and finally getting to write this letter, thank you so much for participating! And for writing me a story!

Secondly - Feel free to ignore the following. I'll be happiest with a story you were happy to write, please go wherever inspiration takes you.

That said, here are some things I like: adventure, happy endings, explosions, romance, crossovers, mad science, banter, friendships, mountains, oceans, queer gen, well characterized characters (heh), animals, shenanigans, magic, families, libraries, food, swearing, first times, sex that *don't* involve penetration, laughing during sex, superpowers, spaceships, explorations of sexuality and gender and race and culture and politics and privilege, plots that make me think, or cry, or laugh, or (best of all) all three.

I prefer stories that don't have: sad/dark/angsty/unresolved endings, mpreg, soul-bonds/destined lovers, character bashing, consent issues, slavery, sex without preparation/protection, 'perfect' sex, or kinks involving excretion.

I'm very much a slash fan but I've chosen fandoms where gen would also make me happy so, please, have at. I'm comfortable with any level of sexual explicitness and most kinks.


( Hayate x Blade )


( The Yogscast )


( Blue Beetle )


( Runaways )

And that's it! Thank you again - I hope your Yuletide is absolutely fantastic :D :D :D

Just submitted my Yuletide noms, all of which I'm pretty sure meet the qualifications. They are:

* Hayate x Blade (of course)
* Blue Beetle (of course)
* The Yogscast (...the heart wants what it wants, okay)
* Motorcity (..................yeah)


I always have the lingering feeling that my nominations/requests aren't really obscure enough but fuck it, Hayate x Blade only has 5 Ao3 fics (and Blue Beetle only has 51, what). I'm good.

Happy (Gregorian) New Year's, folks! 2010 out, 2011 is in, and I am glad. It's been an intense year.

Also, Yuletide author reveals are up! I wrote Idiots are always moving forward, a Hayate x Blade fic for Sumiregawa. There's femslash (Sae/Akira, hints of others), Takarazuka references, dancing, plotting, and general shenanigans! I had a blast writing it (when I wasn't tearing out my hair).

And while we're talking fic, let's do that meme. In 2010, I wrote:

* Untitled Arhur/Eames drabble (Inception)

* Idiots are always moving forward (Hayate x Blade)

* Untitled Yusuf/Saito drabble (Inception)

* The Coffeehouse Crossover Confrontation (Middleman/Losers)

* Masks, Robots, Coffee (A ZapBamPow Exclusive Interview) (Sky High)

For a total of...9,575 words. A personal finished, posted, non-original fic best!

I put serious thought into writing another 500 words of something last night, after posting that second Inception drabble. Get my word count up to 10,000 just in time for the new year. I decided to play Mirror's Edge and watch Castle with my family instead. I don't regret it :D Besides, 10,000 words makes a great goal for 2011.

( Other things I want to do in the new year. )

Like I said up top, 2010 was a hard year. My grandparents are doing badly, my job's exploitative, and I've struggled a lot with anxiety and depression. BUT.

It's also been a good year. My family and friends have been spared the worst of the financial crisis, I've got a job to complain about, I got a second awesome roommate, I learned a shit ton about social justice issues, I've been more active in fandom than I've ever been before.

There was a lot of good in 2010, and I'm glad of it. It's finally fucking over and I'm glad of that, too.

I did some archive hopping, trawled other people's rec lists, and finally settled on systematically working my way up from Z (I'm currently in S!), so this first set is a bit of a grab bag:

History of Film (Community, gen/bob): "Awesome," Jeff says. "Listen, Troy, you can stay here and worry about how gay you might look in those chaps, or you can come watch a man – maybe two – take a pie to the face. I know which one I'm going to do." || For me! So nice I've recced it twice.

Special Seminar in Romantic Comedy (Community, Troy/Abed): Abed realized he loved Troy when the two of them were standing in Shirley's kitchen. He was placing a precise line of candies across the top of a cupcake when it occurred to him that they were decorating six dozen of those cupcakes for a bake sale, to raise funds for a purpose that defied easy explanation, which was why Annie was in the next room making posters that lied about it.

Halves and Holes (Final Fantasy 6, Terra/Shadow): She could tell the exact minute the magic had left her, its last life-throes, because her body would relax – but there was no release in it; it was the softening of defeat, a dull ache of loss, and Terra would lie in bed with her muscles throbbing an awkward symphony and stare at the ceiling. || I'm not sure I can coherently express how much I love this fic. FF6 is one of my oldest and most beloved canons and this story does it justice - magic has left the world and everything (and everyone) is a little broken, but that doesn't stop them from moving forward. Amazing world-building, amazing characterizations, and *long* (27,000 words long).

Wizards in Winter (Birds of Prey (DCU)/Young Wizards, gen): It was a simple assignment--clean a lake of toxic sludge. But when Kit & Nita decided to try a more 'creative' solution, they ended up chasing a garbage-eating alien through an impossible town, with the help of some rather unusual new friends. || I didn't know I wanted this crossover until I got it.

Four Seasons (Oglaf, Lesbian Mercenary/Snow Queen): “Really.” Oyun sighed. It just wasn't working. “Look, drop the shape. Do the one you had before. The hot fiscal one. No - not the moneybag head! A real head! A human head, Aron!” || Glee, glee everywhere - the hot lesbian mercenary and the snow queen are my two favorite Oglaf characters and this is an excellent continuation of their stories. Plus world-building! And a surprise crossover near the end!

Love Like a Cannonball (Sky High, Will/Warren): Being a superhero is harder on some days than others. Being a superhero in love with your best friend never gets easier. A series of scenes in the progression of Will and Warren's relationship.

Tales of the Bathhouse (Spirited Away, gen): Three stories of the bathhouse and its inhabitants. Gorgeous, gorgeous expansion of canon.

Like A Fairytale With Combat Boots (The Losers, Cougar/Jensen): the one where Jensen plays Sleeping Beauty, Pooch bakes, and everyone totally doesn't panic.

Moil and the Man: Sixty-Three Ways to be Heard Over the High King of Hoovers (Un Lun Dun, gen): Revolution seemed pretty easy sometimes, compared to all the work that came after. || Extreme bookaneering is my favorite forever.

Rasa (Un Lun Dun/Haroun and the Sea of Stories, Deeba/Haroun): See, here, there was a city — 1100 years ago they had baths and street lights and tooth paste. It was Islamic Spain then, and people went to Baghdad and they had libraries and factories and a port and markets. But it fell apart. Got sacked and burned. And the abcity's been getting smaller for 900 years, but it's still been here. || The language and imagery here is lovely and perfect for both canons.

Grandpa (Up, gen/bob): "I was wondering if I could call you Grandpa. It's okay if I can't. It's just, both my grandpas that I already have are dead, and I sort of think of you like one and you show me stuff and you let me come over and you help me with my homework and you know everything and--"

Relative Terms (or, Not Exactly Christmas Elves) (Young Avengers, Billy/Teddy): It started, like a lot of things, with Teddy being the best boyfriend ever.

Yay!

Happy Christmas Eve, folks who celebrate! I'm at work until 4pm, because that's how we roll at [my company], but after that my parents are swinging by to grab me and then my Aunt and Uncle (the groovy Berkeley ones) from the airport and it will officially be Christmas Time. Sweet.

ALSO, IMMINENT YULETIDE IS IMMINENT! I will be posting a shit-ton of recs all weekend, as per tradition. In the meantime, don't forget about the dark_agenda Yuletide challenge - check it out, see if your story or prompts qualify, add to the joy <3

On a random note: I finally got around to checking out the webcomic Digger. It is fantastic, I highly recommend it!

Firstly - Hi! Hello! I'm really excited about Yuletide and finally getting to write this letter, thank you so much for participating! And for writing me a story!

Secondly - Feel free to ignore the following. I'll be happiest with a story you were happy to write, please go where ever inspiration takes you.

That said, I like stories with: adventure, happy endings, explosions, romance, crossovers, mad science, banter, friendships, mountains, oceans, well characterized characters (heh), animals, shenanigans, magic, families, libraries, detailed (and accurate) settings, food, artists, swearing, first times, first times that *don't* involve penetration, frottage, superpowers, spaceships, explorations of sexuality and gender and race and culture and politics and privilege, plots that make me think, or cry, or laugh, or (best of all) all three.

I prefer stories that don't have: sad/dark/depressing/unresolved endings, mpreg, soul-bonds/destined lovers, character bashing, slavery, petnames not taken from canon, romance without development, unexamined privilege, excessive emo, sex without preparation/protection, 'perfect' sex (coming at the same time, please no) kinks involving bodily fluids, and the word 'cum,' *ever* (unless, idk, someone's reading email spam).

I'm very much a slash fan but I've chosen fandoms where slash, gen, or het would also make me happy so, please, have at. I'm comfortable with any level of sexual explicitness and most kinks.

If you really want to know more about me and my tastes/preferences, you can read my about me post, browse my delicious tags, or watch me ramble on twitter.

Right! On to the fandoms:

( 1) Hayate x Blade )


( 2) Dostana )


( 3) Community )


( 4) Sanctuary )

Thank you again! May your Yuletide be a good one :D :D

And the nominations are [drumroll]:

Blue Beetle
Hayate x Blade
The Losers (movie)
The Middleman (tv show)
Natsume Yuujinchou (anime and manga)
Undercovers (Any one have a link to an overview? I thought about using Racialicious, but the joy, it is not there.)

Hurray!

I have lots of comments about the way Yuletide is being run this year but I'm gonna wait to see how things play out and resist the urge to nominate, like, Digimon. Or Sailor Moon. Or Dragon Ball or Legend of Zelda or Trigun or Ranma 1/2 or Pokemon or WORLD OF WARCRAFT and okay, I'm stopping now.

It looks like they might close the 'new fandom' loophole, though? Most excellent.

-*-

As you might guess from the list, I am watching Undercovers! And enjoying the heck out of it - it's cheesy and ridiculous and doesn't make a lot of sense and Sam and Steven (and Hoyt, though the boy needs to get laid) are so awesome and all of that works for me.

Also started watching Noah's Arc with the roommates to counteract the lack of gay in our current lineup. So far it is silly and charming!

-*-

We're also working our way through S's Bollywood collection - we just finished Veer-Zaara and are about a third of the way through Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham..., which I suspect is made out of sunshine and joy.

Oh man, I am nowhere near finish trawling the Yuletide archive - apperently I rellay do have too many fandoms. Or they keep sneaking new stories in when I'm not looking (which wouldn't give them much time but it could theoretically be done), one of the two.

But I do have a couple to highlight - three four short stories and three lovely long ones, a convenient and varied selection to fit your New Years schedule! /dork

* all your heart-melodies - Lilo & Stich: At seven, Lilo wants to grow up to be an intergalactic space hero. This is my so-far favorite Yuletide story - it's quick and simple and very powerful. On growing up and childhood dreams.

* Four Times Hardison Told His Nana He Was Sorry, And One Time He Said He Was (But Totally Wasn't) - Leverage: Sometimes, a geeky fanboy has to do what a geeky fanboy has to do. Oh, Alec. You are my favorite <3 <3 <3.

* Synthesis Song Soul and Thousand Voices, One Fight - Metropolis the Chase Suite (Janelle Monae): Music is the lens through which we view the soul; music is how we make ourselves whole. | The revolution started with Cindi Mayweather, but it will not end there. Two really, really nice ficlets for Janelle Monae's amazing Metropolis album (and if you don't own it, you need to get on that stat. I'll wait). I'm 90% sure they were written by the same person but, even if not, they really should be read together. The first is a closer look at Cindi, how she was made and where she's going, the second a wider look at the revolution. Top notch stuff, very lyrical, a must read even if you haven't heard the music.

And the longer (15K+) fic:

* No Man's Land - Crossover: Torchwood, Doctor Who, Lord Peter Wimsey: "We're all dead to you, aren't we?". This hits all my long!scifi!plot! buttons with a vengeance (there are not nearly enough fics that do). Takes place during Jack's second time through World War I.

* Clean Linen - Heyer novel crossover: April Lady and The Unknown Ajax: Claud Darracott isn't looking forward to going home for Christmas: for a Dandy like Claud, there's nothing to do in the country, and on top of that, the Darracotts will be a sorry bunch, because his cousin Richmond, in Paris with Wellington's Army of Occupation, has still not returned. Being trapped by a blizzard at a country inn on the way turns out to be a blessing in disguise, when he meets Felix Hethersett. But inviting Hethersett to the family home seems to have been a mistake: something's afoot there, and whatever it is, with the Darracotts, it's bound to be a mess.... The author has a really fantastic period voice - the idioms, fashions, and attitudes of the time roll off the page effortlessly. If you're a fan of period romance (and I know I am) but wish it was queerer (and I know I do), this is the story for you. Also, there are hijinks.

* Not Gonna Write You a Love Song - American Idol RPS: "Adam can never write a song about this." Speaking of queer romances, this is a fun'n'sweet one starring his Glambertness and Dustin Lance Black (screenwriter for Milk) [pets them both].


I'm tagging Yuletide favorites as I read them on delicious, if you want recs in real time.

----

And while I'm here - Happy New Years, folks! I'mma go out tonight with a bunch of friends (if they aren't all housebound due to flu), will let you know if adventure and/or hijinks ensue.

Dear Yuletide Author,

Firstly - Hi! Hello! It's so fantastic to. Well, to write to you - I'm really excited about Yuletide this year, thank you so much for participating! And for writing me a story <3 <3.

Secondly - If you've already started, or settled on an idea, or none of this tickles your fancy, please ignore the following. I'll be happiest with a story you were happy to write, so feel free to go where ever inspiration takes you.

So! I like stories with: adventure, happy endings, explosions, crossovers, genderbending, first times, mad science, banter, strong women (please, please, please), strong men, cats, shenanigans, goggles, magic, libraries, detailed (and accurate) settings, tea, swearing, first time sex that *doesn't* involve penetration (or heals or Makes Everything Better), frottage, superpowers, plots that make me think, or cry, or laugh, or (best of all) all three.

I don't like stories with: sad/dark/depressing endings, mpreg, soul-bonds/destined lovers, female bashing, petnames not taken from canon, romance without proper development, sex without preparation/protection, 'perfect' sex, kinks involving bodily fluids, excessive use of the words 'giggle,' 'smirk,' and 'weep' (and all variations thereof), and the word 'cum,' *ever* (unless someone's reading email spam or something).

I'm very much a slash fan but I've deliberately chosen fandoms where slash, gen, or het would make me equally happy so, please, have at. I'm also comfortable with any level of sexual explicitness and most kinks.

For the comics - I am totally up on Blue Beetle and Runaways canon, don't worry about spoiling me on anything. Ditto for the DC and Marvel universes as a whole - even if I'm not following a given title, chances are pretty good I'll know who the characters are.

If you really want to know more about me and my tastes/preferences, you can read my about me post, browse my delicious tags (♥ fanfiction here), or watch me ramble on twitter.

[dusts off hands] Right! On to the fandoms:

( 1. Un Lun Dun )

( 2. Night at the Museum )

( 3. Runaways )

( 4. Blue Beetle )

Thank you for reading this and thank you again for being my author, and just generally for being your awesome self. Woohoo, Yuletide!

Just got my Yuletide assignment so it must be time to post my DYA letter, right? Right! This is my first Yuletide (and my first Dear Yuletide Author letter) - forgive me if I get a bit wordy and effusive. Or incoherent :D .

To start: I'm fine with gen and slash/femslash of pretty much every type and rating, but am much pickier about het - the characters need to go above and beyond awesome-wise, both individually and as a couple, for it to work for me (Paco and Brenda, Jaime and Traci, Policeguy and Hipbone, Akira and Utako, as examples). [shrugs] It's because I'm queer myself, I expect, and prefer to see that reflected in the romance/sexin' I read. I'm good with... actually, it'll be easier to list the stuff I'm *not* good with, which is heavy angst, rape, dubcon, partner betrayal, a strong dom/sub dynamic, character death, song fic, and lack of research (I know a fair bit about Japanese culture, for example, and nothing will throw me out of a fic faster then improper use of honorifics, an inaccurate depiction of their school system, Americanisms, etc).

I prefer lengthy, plotty fics as a rule but would also be happy with something shorter and character-focused. Or crack, crack is always good. Also pwps, if you give it a little buildup first.

I like stories with: adventure, happy endings, explosions, crossovers, genderbending, first times, mad science, banter, strong women (please, please, please), strong men, cats, shenanigans, goggles, magic, libraries, detailed (and accurate) settings, tea, swearing, first time sex that *doesn't* involve penetration (or heals or Makes Everything Better), frottage, superpowers, plots that make me think, or cry, or laugh, or (best of all) all three.

I don't like stories with: a strict uke/seme (top/bottom) delineation, sad/dark/depressing endings, mpreg, soul-bonds/destined lovers, female bashing, threesomes, petnames not taken from canon, fades to black, romance without proper development (I want to *feel* it), sex without preparation/protection, 'perfect' sex, telling-not-showing, excessive use of the words 'giggle,' 'smirk,' and 'weep' (and all variations thereof), and the word 'cum,' *ever* (unless someone's reading email spam, or something). Also, and I mention this only because two of my requests are manga (and I'm a touch obsessive ^^:), I'd prefer you to avoid using Japansese words wherever possible (see here and the first paragraph here for why - did I mention obsessive?).

[dusts off hands] Right! On to the fandoms:

( 1. Blue Beetle )

( 2. Clamp School Detectives )

( 3. Girly )

( 4. Ranma 1/2 )

Whew! That's it, I think - time to stop poking at this and post it, already. Thank you so much, Yuletide Author - I know I'll love whatever you end up writing me.