Dear Yuletide Author (updated 11/22/11)
Nov. 20th, 2011 03:31 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
eirenicalSo… I've trolled the Yuletide archives for fanfiction for years. And every year I've thought to myself, "Wow. This is great… but I wish they'd had __x__ fic, too." And I'd think about offering to write for the Yuletide challenge so that I could request __x__ fic… and then run away scared from actually doing it. So, this year, I decided to try a challenge and see how it went. It went well. Still… I wasn't going to sign up for Yuletide. Why? The thought of writing a "Dear Yuletide Author" letter was too intimidating, of all things. O_o;;; Then ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
zoicite informed me that someone had nominated the Newsies musical for Yuletide this year. Well, that was the end of my making up excuses. So, here I am, signing up for my first Yuletide and writing my first Dear Author letter. I babbled way too much and I hope you'll forgive me.
So, without any further ado (because believe me, there's more than enough already)…
Dear Yuletide Author,
First and foremost I'd like to offer up a huge "Thank You!!" to you for writing for me. I know how difficult it can be to put any part of your creative process into the hands of another individual, so I will treat that trust with the care and respect it deserves by not being too greedy or selfish. I am already happy that you are willing to write me a story in a fandom of my choosing and with characters of my choice. It would be the icing on the cake if you are willing to include my other requests, as well, but ultimately if they don't work for you, please feel free to ignore them. ^_^ (And I apologize in advance for the upcoming babble… it's 2:30 AM here and I'm a little punchy. O_o;;;)
11/22/11 (heh ^_^ 11/22/11 -- that's a cool... -.-;;; Sorry, number-happy math geek. Ignore me. *sheepish grin*): So, after reading a post on the Yuletide comm, it occurred to me that I maybe should clarify one or two things in this letter, because I don't want a careless word or thought on my part to cause hurt feelings on someone else's. O_O That is so not what Yuletide is about. First of all, just because Newsies was the fandom that piqued my curiosity enough to make me look at the fandom list and sign up, that does not mean in any way that that's the "story I want most". I am equally as excited by the other three choices I made and a story for any of these four fandoms would have me equally over the moon with joy. So, please, don't let that be a determining factor if a different fandom speaks to you more strongly. ^_~
A note on rating and kink:
Pretty much any rating can fly. I'm always up for a good PWP, but I love a good G-rated piece of fluff just as much. My general reading preferences tend towards slash (or femslash), and unless it's a personal pet pairing (which I will list), I'll confess that het doesn't do much for me. I honestly prefer a good gen story to het these days (and wow, that was weird to admit O_o;;;). If NC-17 is your writing poison of choice, I'm certainly OK with that ^_~, but there aren't too many kinks that work for me. I like my fic sex fairly vanilla (with the exception of the odd dub-con/non-con/bondage/angry!sex ones that work for me, idon'tevenknow >.<;;;).
*coughs* Movingonnow.
A note on general fic likes and dislikes:
I love a good angst-fest. I really do. Hurt-comfort? Yes, please. Unrequited love? Oh, absolutely. Mental and emotional trauma? You had me at "Me--". Boys who can't seem to get a clue and when they do have trouble holding on to it? My bread and butter. Thing is… I love my fluff just as hard. Cuddling in front of a fireplace? Oh, please, gimme. Romantic moonlit walks on the beach? No problems there. Domestic bliss of any kind? Oh, no question. ;) The punchline? I'm in most fanfiction for the character development and interaction. Fight/action scenes? They're OK, but not really my thing. Give me a good navel-gazing, introspective character study with almost no dialogue and a boatload of self-analysis and I'm happy as a clam. Of course… I'm just as thrilled with interactive witty banter and shenanigans. ^_^ Ultimately, it's about the characters for me, though, so I prefer them in-character, even if the setting or situation isn't straight out of the original (though AUs like high school AUs aren't really my thing, either). Also, since it really is all about the characters for me… I'd prefer no original characters.
(Oh, one really strong dislike... please no mpreg. O_o;;;)
I like my stories to have at least the flavor of the original fandom setting/universe, but if you want to change it up within that or set it in the future of the universe, I'm OK with that, too. Excessive dialect use is a bit of a turn-off -- a touch for authenticity is OK, but once it crosses the line into making the dialogue difficult to understand, it's just irritating. Honestly… just about anything else can fly. Like I said, I'm not in this to be too greedy and even though I'm the one requesting this story, you're ultimately the one writing it. I'm not the only one who should be happy with how it turns out. ^_~
Specific Requests:
1. Newsies! the Musical -- Fierstien/Menken; Jack Kelly
Optional Details: This. Musical. *_* I have been waiting for it for 19 years and fell so hard in love with it that it's temporarily eclipsed my love of the original movie. I love the new spin on Jack and how much more sensitive and quick to beat up on himself that he is and I'd love a story that has him doing some introspective angsting. ^_^
(And now you'll forgive me for attempting to backdoor in a character that isn't in the drop-down list… If you saw the musical -- and hopefully you have if you're willing to write for it ^_~ -- you may have picked up on the whopping huge Jack/Crutchie vibe laced throughout it. I would love to see something dealing with Jack's feelings about the failed protest at Newsies Square -- bonus if his angsting has anything to do with Crutchie's arrest and injury or if you want to take on Jack and Crutchie's reunion at the end of the show, double bonus if you write me the missing scene of Jack visiting Crutchie at the refuge. ^_~)
11/22/11: *coughs* I realize that that last paragraph was kind of unfair. No, no kind of. It was unfair. O_o;;; Especially as reading through other Yuletide letters of people who requested this fandom, it seems that I'm the only one who picked up the slashy undervibes. O_o;;; And I do not want to force you into writing slash if that's not something you're comfortable with. If it's not your cup of tea, please, by all means ignore I said that.
What I said in the first paragraph (my actual optional details from the request) is the main thing -- anything with Jack being his extra thinky and sensitive self would be fantastic. The one thing I will ask is if you're going to include Katherine (and I adore her, too, so I'm completely OK with that, even though I didn't list her), don't focus overly much on the romantic aspects between them, please? I'd rather a gen, character-driven, Jack-centered fic if you're going to go in that direction, or something just exploring Jack and Crutchie's friendship/family vibe. And do not mistake me, a gen, character-driven, Jack-centered fic would thrill me beyond belief, even if Crutchie is in no way involved. ^_^
Of course, if you're as slash happy as I am, then your eyebrow has probably been twitching for the last two paragraphs over how unnecessary this whole addition is. So, if the prompts in the crossed out paragraph speak to you in some way, please feel free to run with them. *coughs* I won't mind. ^_~
I will maybe stop babbling, now. O_o;;;
2. Hair - MacDermot/Rado/Ragni, Claude Bukowski, George Berger
Optional Details: Claude/Berger, slash. Please. *_* That about covers it. ^_^
(Honestly, that's the only specification I would make for this fandom. Claude being saved, Claude dying and Berger's reaction to it, Claude/Berger snuggling fluff, whatever strikes your fancy. Mainly I'm a little tired of re-reading my own fanfiction over and over -- and that of the few other authors who write for Hair -- and anything new would be beyond welcome. ^_~)
3. Dollhouse, Alpha, Adelle Dewitt, Topher Brink
Optional Details: Oh… the Epitaph storyline. *_* I love the Epitaph storyline. Anything having to do with Alpha set within that timeframe would make my life. Something about how he ends up working with Echo and the others, how he ends up coming back to the LA Dollhouse to shepherd all the dumbshows, what makes him decide to leave before Topher sets off the device to reset the world or something looking at what happens to him afterwards (i.e. whether or not he re-evolves as Echo says he will -- bonus for him reuniting with them afterwards or any kind of discussion between he and Echo about their unique natures and evolution).
and/or…
I also adore the demented mother/son/beloved mess of a relationship between Topher and Adelle in the Epitaph storyline and would love to see a story dealing with some aspect of that.
(Actually, I think that was plenty detailed enough already. Moving on. ^_^)
4. Flatliners (1990), David Labraccio, Nelson Wright
Optional Details: David/Nelson, slash or friendship. This entire relationship fascinates me from start to finish. They hate each other, but in just as many ways they're envious of each other and can't stay away from one another. I love how, even though he knows he doesn't deserve it and is normally so macho, Nelson still clings to David for comfort and protection. Anything dealing with that would be welcome.
(I just love these two and the push-pull-I hate you-I need you thing they have going on. Messed up unhealthy relationships are definitely something I like and these two have it in spades. ^_^)
*deep breath* And I think that's it. Like I said, if any of the details I provided don't work for you, feel free to toss them out the window and write what's most comfortable for you. If you are happy and excited about what you're writing, I'm sure I will love it. Passion comes across and I did not in any way want to dampen yours. ^_^ I certainly won't object if you want to accommodate me in my far-too-verbose additional requests, but as stated many times, totally not a requirement. ^_^ Go with your gut. The fact that you're writing in one of these fandoms for me, at all, is plenty enough to have me thrilled and excited and bouncing for joy. ^_^
Thank you, again, and HAPPY YULETIDE!
A grateful recipient
zoicite informed me that someone had nominated the Newsies musical for Yuletide this year. Well, that was the end of my making up excuses. So, here I am, signing up for my first Yuletide and writing my first Dear Author letter. I babbled way too much and I hope you'll forgive me.So, without any further ado (because believe me, there's more than enough already)…
Dear Yuletide Author,
First and foremost I'd like to offer up a huge "Thank You!!" to you for writing for me. I know how difficult it can be to put any part of your creative process into the hands of another individual, so I will treat that trust with the care and respect it deserves by not being too greedy or selfish. I am already happy that you are willing to write me a story in a fandom of my choosing and with characters of my choice. It would be the icing on the cake if you are willing to include my other requests, as well, but ultimately if they don't work for you, please feel free to ignore them. ^_^ (And I apologize in advance for the upcoming babble… it's 2:30 AM here and I'm a little punchy. O_o;;;)
11/22/11 (heh ^_^ 11/22/11 -- that's a cool... -.-;;; Sorry, number-happy math geek. Ignore me. *sheepish grin*): So, after reading a post on the Yuletide comm, it occurred to me that I maybe should clarify one or two things in this letter, because I don't want a careless word or thought on my part to cause hurt feelings on someone else's. O_O That is so not what Yuletide is about. First of all, just because Newsies was the fandom that piqued my curiosity enough to make me look at the fandom list and sign up, that does not mean in any way that that's the "story I want most". I am equally as excited by the other three choices I made and a story for any of these four fandoms would have me equally over the moon with joy. So, please, don't let that be a determining factor if a different fandom speaks to you more strongly. ^_~
A note on rating and kink:
Pretty much any rating can fly. I'm always up for a good PWP, but I love a good G-rated piece of fluff just as much. My general reading preferences tend towards slash (or femslash), and unless it's a personal pet pairing (which I will list), I'll confess that het doesn't do much for me. I honestly prefer a good gen story to het these days (and wow, that was weird to admit O_o;;;). If NC-17 is your writing poison of choice, I'm certainly OK with that ^_~, but there aren't too many kinks that work for me. I like my fic sex fairly vanilla (with the exception of the odd dub-con/non-con/bondage/angry!sex ones that work for me, idon'tevenknow >.<;;;).
*coughs* Movingonnow.
A note on general fic likes and dislikes:
I love a good angst-fest. I really do. Hurt-comfort? Yes, please. Unrequited love? Oh, absolutely. Mental and emotional trauma? You had me at "Me--". Boys who can't seem to get a clue and when they do have trouble holding on to it? My bread and butter. Thing is… I love my fluff just as hard. Cuddling in front of a fireplace? Oh, please, gimme. Romantic moonlit walks on the beach? No problems there. Domestic bliss of any kind? Oh, no question. ;) The punchline? I'm in most fanfiction for the character development and interaction. Fight/action scenes? They're OK, but not really my thing. Give me a good navel-gazing, introspective character study with almost no dialogue and a boatload of self-analysis and I'm happy as a clam. Of course… I'm just as thrilled with interactive witty banter and shenanigans. ^_^ Ultimately, it's about the characters for me, though, so I prefer them in-character, even if the setting or situation isn't straight out of the original (though AUs like high school AUs aren't really my thing, either). Also, since it really is all about the characters for me… I'd prefer no original characters.
(Oh, one really strong dislike... please no mpreg. O_o;;;)
I like my stories to have at least the flavor of the original fandom setting/universe, but if you want to change it up within that or set it in the future of the universe, I'm OK with that, too. Excessive dialect use is a bit of a turn-off -- a touch for authenticity is OK, but once it crosses the line into making the dialogue difficult to understand, it's just irritating. Honestly… just about anything else can fly. Like I said, I'm not in this to be too greedy and even though I'm the one requesting this story, you're ultimately the one writing it. I'm not the only one who should be happy with how it turns out. ^_~
Specific Requests:
1. Newsies! the Musical -- Fierstien/Menken; Jack Kelly
Optional Details: This. Musical. *_* I have been waiting for it for 19 years and fell so hard in love with it that it's temporarily eclipsed my love of the original movie. I love the new spin on Jack and how much more sensitive and quick to beat up on himself that he is and I'd love a story that has him doing some introspective angsting. ^_^
11/22/11: *coughs* I realize that that last paragraph was kind of unfair. No, no kind of. It was unfair. O_o;;; Especially as reading through other Yuletide letters of people who requested this fandom, it seems that I'm the only one who picked up the slashy undervibes. O_o;;; And I do not want to force you into writing slash if that's not something you're comfortable with. If it's not your cup of tea, please, by all means ignore I said that.
What I said in the first paragraph (my actual optional details from the request) is the main thing -- anything with Jack being his extra thinky and sensitive self would be fantastic. The one thing I will ask is if you're going to include Katherine (and I adore her, too, so I'm completely OK with that, even though I didn't list her), don't focus overly much on the romantic aspects between them, please? I'd rather a gen, character-driven, Jack-centered fic if you're going to go in that direction, or something just exploring Jack and Crutchie's friendship/family vibe. And do not mistake me, a gen, character-driven, Jack-centered fic would thrill me beyond belief, even if Crutchie is in no way involved. ^_^
Of course, if you're as slash happy as I am, then your eyebrow has probably been twitching for the last two paragraphs over how unnecessary this whole addition is. So, if the prompts in the crossed out paragraph speak to you in some way, please feel free to run with them. *coughs* I won't mind. ^_~
I will maybe stop babbling, now. O_o;;;
2. Hair - MacDermot/Rado/Ragni, Claude Bukowski, George Berger
Optional Details: Claude/Berger, slash. Please. *_* That about covers it. ^_^
(Honestly, that's the only specification I would make for this fandom. Claude being saved, Claude dying and Berger's reaction to it, Claude/Berger snuggling fluff, whatever strikes your fancy. Mainly I'm a little tired of re-reading my own fanfiction over and over -- and that of the few other authors who write for Hair -- and anything new would be beyond welcome. ^_~)
3. Dollhouse, Alpha, Adelle Dewitt, Topher Brink
Optional Details: Oh… the Epitaph storyline. *_* I love the Epitaph storyline. Anything having to do with Alpha set within that timeframe would make my life. Something about how he ends up working with Echo and the others, how he ends up coming back to the LA Dollhouse to shepherd all the dumbshows, what makes him decide to leave before Topher sets off the device to reset the world or something looking at what happens to him afterwards (i.e. whether or not he re-evolves as Echo says he will -- bonus for him reuniting with them afterwards or any kind of discussion between he and Echo about their unique natures and evolution).
and/or…
I also adore the demented mother/son/beloved mess of a relationship between Topher and Adelle in the Epitaph storyline and would love to see a story dealing with some aspect of that.
(Actually, I think that was plenty detailed enough already. Moving on. ^_^)
4. Flatliners (1990), David Labraccio, Nelson Wright
Optional Details: David/Nelson, slash or friendship. This entire relationship fascinates me from start to finish. They hate each other, but in just as many ways they're envious of each other and can't stay away from one another. I love how, even though he knows he doesn't deserve it and is normally so macho, Nelson still clings to David for comfort and protection. Anything dealing with that would be welcome.
(I just love these two and the push-pull-I hate you-I need you thing they have going on. Messed up unhealthy relationships are definitely something I like and these two have it in spades. ^_^)
*deep breath* And I think that's it. Like I said, if any of the details I provided don't work for you, feel free to toss them out the window and write what's most comfortable for you. If you are happy and excited about what you're writing, I'm sure I will love it. Passion comes across and I did not in any way want to dampen yours. ^_^ I certainly won't object if you want to accommodate me in my far-too-verbose additional requests, but as stated many times, totally not a requirement. ^_^ Go with your gut. The fact that you're writing in one of these fandoms for me, at all, is plenty enough to have me thrilled and excited and bouncing for joy. ^_^
Thank you, again, and HAPPY YULETIDE!
A grateful recipient
