Dear Yuletide Author Letter 2019

[aegistheia]

Dear Yuletide Author,

Thank you for writing! Please behold my standard four-part letter for your reading pleasure, as archived on Dreamwidth and Livejournal.

1. ABOUT ME
2. PREFERENCES
3. FANDOM-SPECIFIC TALK
   i. Laputa: Castle in the Sky
   ii. Lilo & Stitch
   iii. Song of the Sea (2014)
   iv. Saiyuki Ibun
4. INSPIRATIONS

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1. ABOUT ME

Here are some general items of note about my current fandom and fic reading approach, in no particular order:

• I LOVE READING FIC. I repeat this every year word for word, because it's true, and it's also my most concise expression of that truth: I am so excited! You are going to do so well. I love you already. I love what you are going to write already. You are going to be okay. THANK YOU. ♥



• I’m largely in fandom for relationships of all sorts. That said, I’m primarily not a shipper. I love relationships in its basest definition: "the way in which two or more people, groups, countries, etc., talk to, behave toward, and deal with each other; ...the way in which two or more people or things are connected." (From the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, 2014/09.) As long as the relationships make sense in context of the story, I’m on board. When I mention “relationship” in this letter, please assume the broadest interpretation (i.e. characters interacting) unless otherwise specified.



• I prefer gen and/or plot/theme-focused fics.



• As long as a story portrays its characters and/or plot with coherent development throughout its run with intact internal logic, I will read it, even if it contains viewpoints and interpretations at vast odds with canon or general fanon or my own headcanon. Therefore please feel free to deviate from my suggestions/prompts without compunction. You’re going to have a hard time writing something I won’t enjoy!



• I love seeing implications that characters have lives and relationships beyond the ones in focus in the story.


You don’t have to stick to canon! Stories that are crossovers, AUs, or explorations that reflect and contrast the source’s main themes and/or plot in their alternate settings are most welcome.


2. PREFERENCES

My Likes, An Incomprehensive List:

• Character interactions of any sort, but especially:
  
  
  
  • Blatant respect between characters
  
  
  • Important platonic/queerplatonic relationships
  
  
  • Family feels (especially found families)


• Conflict, developed or developing


• No conflict: slice of life; crack; odd happenings; Kishoutenketsu


• Snappy dialogue and/or sarcastic narrative


• Meditative moments filled with lyrical introspection


• Hurt/comfort


• NSFW: (though I’d prefer less focus on romantic/sexual relationships)
  
  
  
  • Consent
  
  
  • Important to character or story development


Do Not Wants:

• Unrelenting angst


• Infidelity or betrayals, unless directly relevant to story theme/development


• Lack of communication in supposedly healthy relationships unless justified


• Extreme embarrassment (I have a pretty sensitive embarrassment squick)


• Jealousy or envy that remains unresolved


• NSFW:
  
  
  
  • Lack of consent (dubcon is fine only if negotiations are also included or consent is clearly implied)
  
  
  • The word “cum”



3. FANDOM-SPECIFIC TALK


1. Laputa: Castle in the Sky
   
   Requested characters: Sheeta, Pazu, Dola
   Keywords: Gen (or mostly gen), Adventures/Hijinks, World Building, Coming of Age, Ensemble Cast welcome
   
   This is one of my favourite Ghibli films. Please tell me stories about life in a world like this! How life in the pirate ship would be like when Dola rebuilds her domain, Pazu and Sheeta as they regain their footing, how their paths cross, so on and so forth. One dear request: please let there be flight!



2. Lilo & Stitch
   
   Requested characters: Lilo Pelekai , Nani Pelekai
   Keywords: FAMILY FEELS!!, World Building, Character Exploration/Development, Home, Gen (or mostly gen), Coming of Age
   DNW: Incest; Unrelenting angst
   
   I cried the first time I watched Lilo & Stitch and I think I always will. Please tell me more about their family, whether in the past, present, or future, about how they are little, and broken, but still good. (Thanks Stitch.) I acknowledge and embrace that there may be angst and bittersweetness in the process, as their paths are not easy; just please, please, please let them be happy in the end.



3. Song of the Sea (2014)
   
   Requested characters: Saiorse
   Keywords: Mythology Expansion/Exploration, World Building, Character Exploration/Development, Family Feels, Home, Gen (or mostly gen)
   DNW: Incest; Unrelenting angst
   
   I adore mythology, family feels, and a splash of angst. The juxtapositions of families and their love was magnificent. I would love to read anything with one or a combination of these themes. I welcome any and all character involvement, and don’t mind that someone other than Saiorse be the main character, as long as she is even just mentioned. I don’t mind angst in this story (I cried at the end of the movie) but I’d prefer it to have a cathartic bend more than an unrelenting narrative of chaos.



4. Saiyuki Ibun
   
   Requested characters: Houmei
   Keywords: Gen (or mostly gen), Character Exploration/Development, World Building, Hijinks, Atmospheric Whiplash AKA Minekura-sensei's Mood
   
   Anything imitating Minekura-sensei’s whiplash writing style will be ACES in my books. Please have at it! Adventures! Case fic! Character study! Foreshadowing as classic Ibun! Ensemble cast most welcome!



4. INSPIRATIONS

I keep accounts open on Tumblr, AO3, Dreamwidth, and Livejournal. I explore different fandoms on each account (except for DW and LJ, which are mirrors); though I’m pretty quiet now, you are welcome to spelunk with impunity.

As per tradition, here are some interesting things to help jumpstart your creativity:



Click to view


Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story by the Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton

“The real issue in life is not how many blessing we have, but what we do with our blessings. Some have may blessings and hoard them. Some have few and give everything away.” - Mr. Fred Rogers

Julien “Kaalam” Breton’s Light Calligraphy

‘Once, Philip II of Macedon sent Sparta a letter threatening to raze the city if he captured it.

In response, the Spartans sent back a single word.

“If.”’
- Elizabeth Tammi, from a fight for the dawn

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I hope you enjoyed the read! Thanks again for writing for me; I can’t wait! See you in December!

Aegis

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