Big Bang Wrap Up & Recs
I know that this year's BigBang continues posting but my involvement in it, as anything other than a reader, is done for the year. It was a LOT of fun fun I definitely look forward to being part of it again next year. I would LIKE to write for it but I'm not sure if or when that will happen as my fic writing is still limited to fairly short things and mostly Leverage based so far. If I can come up with a decent idea, we'll see. There is ONE prompt I came across quite some time ago that I would LOVE to take a crack at but I don't know if I could do it justice. :)
Anyway, I managed to be pretty involved this year...which was great considering this was my first time. Here's everything that I was involved with:
Beta~
The Nightporter by nightporters
Pairing: Jensen/Jared
Rating: NC-17
Summary: The nightporter sees many men walk through the door. Many of them excited, some scared. Most are looking for a quiet drink and someone to talk to in the quiet of the night. Jensen doesn't mind as long as he remembers the rules. Someone like Jared though, all Southern politeness and yessirs, is a man to make him forget the first rule.
Why You Should Read It: If you want an interesting story that's hot and sweet but also a tiny bit angsty, then this is perfect for you. One of those stories that your get into really easily and you really feel for the characters. PLUS, she has just done an awesome little timestamp for it called Tumbling Blindly Down a Hill that combines so much of what was great about the original fic with a little bit of hotness and sweetness and absolutely ADORABLE 'Princess Bride' references. I squeed.
Art~
In The Kingdom Of The Blind by by_starkiller
Pairing: Sam/OMC, Dean/OMC, OMC/OMC
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Dean Winchester is dead.
Alone for the first time, Sam slowly comes to terms with his life as a hunter on the road without his brother. One day, he meets a man who says his name is Blue. Sam finds himself growing more and more attracted to his companion and finding excuses to get him to stick around. One night, coming back to his motel, Sam notices a large white wolf... that mysteriously vanishes a few moments later. What follows are awkward conversations, Archangels Michael and Gabriel, and Blue's revelation that he is a Hound of God; Sam discovers his brother has been pulled out of Hell thanks to Castiel and Lucifer wants to use him as a vessel.
His life can't get any weirder, right?
Wrong.
Artpost Here
Why You Should Read It: A very interesting Spn Au involving some really interesting new characters as well as different takes on slightly more recognizable ones. No Wincest, which is great by those squicked by it, but still some really great relationships and character interactions along with a nicely different take on the Apocalypse/Lucifer plot lines.
Art~
What about now (What if you’re making me all that I was meant to be) by the_milky_way
Pairing: Jared/Jensen
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Jensen Ackles' life at college is a dream come true. Captain of the ice hockey team, rather good student and willing to explore new things. When new team mate Jared Padalecki shows up with a few secrets in his bag, Jensen is intrigued. He wants to know what’s up with the guy and why he vanishes a lot of time. And what is Parkour anyway? If he had known what’s in for him, Jensen would have probably thought twice about falling for Jared and this new mysterious sport.
Artpost Here
Why You Should Read It: Firstly, it has hockey and J2, so that right there should make you read it anyway! But if that's not enough, it's a really great, well written College!Au that also incorporates the crazy but amazing sport of Parkour alongside Jared & Jensen's relationship. It's one of those fics where it's so much fun to watch the two of them fumble their way to each other while enjoying the other stuff along the way.
Art (Pitch Hit)~
A Different Piece of Sky by lavendergaia
Pairing: girl!Sam/Dean
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Being the only girl in the Winchester family, Sam's always been an outsider in a family of outsiders. In her last year of high school, she struggles to find out who she is and what it is she really wants in life. The question is: how much of her heart is she willing to leave behind to get it?
Artpost Here
Why You Should Read It: I really lucked out when it comes to the Pitch Hit I got to do art for because this was a very cool story to read and work from. The story is an emotional, yet hot, look at pre-series Dean and Sam...or , I should say, girl!Sam, and the way they come together, feel about each other and the decisions that have to be made along the way. One of those fics that gives an interesting glimpse at how things might have been had Sam been 'Samantha' and not 'Samuel'.
So, as you can see, I was kept busy for a while but I really enjoyed every minute of it. I'm sure next year will be just as much, if not more, fun! In the mean time, I've signed up as an artist for the spn_reversebang and I'm already working on my three prompt drafts. Can't wait to see what the authors come up with from the images I give them! :D
Last but definitely NOT least, here's a couple more recs from my mems, outside of what I was involved with:
Echo by munibunny
Pairing: Jared/Jensen
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Summertime in California and Jared's life has just taken a turn for the better. He's got a new job, a new apartment, and a whole new outlook on life. The bad news? He thinks his apartment might be haunted. The good news? He just met this really hot guy. Jensen’s a man with a troubled past, but Jared’s already fallen hard. As he starts to uncover the truth behind what's happening in his home, however, Jared discovers that his and Jensen's lives are more intertwined than he ever imagined, and the path to Jensen's heart might just be helping the man find his way home.
Why You Should Read It: It's sweet and schmoopy and all about the boys helping each other deal with pasts and problems, so there is just the right amount of emotional angst thrown in. Just an great, interesting story that will make you smile.
Thespis by nicb0723
Pairing: Jared/Jensen
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Jared is a makeup artist and is hired for a new movie based in Vancouver. Jensen plays the part of a hardcore, punk-rock star, but he has a real-life attitude problem. Unfortunately, Jared can’t figure out why and still finds Jensen attractive. They have to work alone together; long hours and long days, in small quarters of the makeup trailer. During that time, Jared discovers the actor’s secret and wants nothing more than to break away the protective mask Jensen hides behind.
Why You Should Read It: Chock full of attitude!Jensen with a side order of punk!Jensen in guyliner, lots of hiding behind masks and dealing with perceptions, all mixed with a healthy dose of friendly, dorky, can't-help-but-love-him Jared. Just a really great read.
Nowhere Between Heaven and Hell by obsessed1
Pairing(s): Jared/Jensen
Rating: Adult (NC-17)
Summary: A psychic that gets by reading tea leaves and winning a few hands at poker as he helps people and fights evil things, Jensen is used to only having his spirit guide, Steve, as his occasional company. At a psychic fair in Kansas City, however, he meets a tiny girl with a huge problem, and takes a job in Nowhere, Texas. In Nowhere, Jensen meets two demons that have come to save the town just as much as he has. Jared's not your typical demon, but then again, it seems that Jensen's not your typical psychic, either, and they form a strange connection that might be their only hope in surviving the next twenty-four hours.
Why You Should Read It: The story has a lot of classic good vs evil elements in it that go really well with the interesting way J2 come together. Doesn't have a huge cast of characters but the ones it does have used very well. Just a nicely different story that I really, personally, enjoyed reading.
Ours is a Reciprocal Gravitation Orbit by silver_ariel
Pairing: Jared/Jensen (primary); Other pairings along the way: Jared/Sandy (blink and you'll miss it), Jared/OMC, Jensen/OMC, Jared/Justin, mentions of Jared/Tom/Mike, Jensen/Steve
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Jared and Jensen are in love, have been for most of their lives. There is just one tiny little problem: Jensen is imaginary and they can only be together in Jared's dreams. How can Jared ever find true love in the real world when his heart belongs to a figment of his imagination?
Why You Should Read It: Because its a really fantastic story. The whole story is just one that caught me from the very second I started it and I couldn't stop reading until it was done. And it's something I found quite different from usual in the way the boys find each other and how their relationship develops. You REALLY need to read it to see what I mean. Plus, I found myself admiring the artwork a fair bit and how it all fit in with the story. Gave me ideas on how I need to work on my stuff and maybe expand for next year.
When The Road Bends by sylvanelfqueen
Pairing: Jared/Jensen (past), brief Jensen/Danneel
Rating: PG-13
Summary: You never know where the road will take you when it bends. No statement was ever truer for Jensen. After a failed attempt at marriage and city life, Jensen decides to turn home to his roots, to his family and friends and the love of his life … whom he hasn’t seen in nearly 8 years. Jared’s had a rough ride since Jensen left, but his friends have had his back and have seen him through. Now it’s just him and his bike in the search for freedom. He’s surprised when he returns home after a few weeks away to find out that Jensen, his Jensen, has returned home and back into his life. Jared is less than thrilled and greets Jensen with hostility every time they cross paths until circumstances throw them together and Jared is forced to deal with his Jensen issue head on.
Why You Should Read It: Having only just recently read it myself, I know find myself recommending it to others. Something I found very interesting was reading the comments everyone left at the end and finding the very different reactions people were having to the characters in the story. Everyone seemed to like the story but their individual reactions to certain characters varied which is a great thing because it means people think and react to the story, rather than just read and forget. For that reason alone, I recommend giving it a go and seeing how you feel at the end. The fact that it's also a very heartfelt and moving story just adds to that!
So there you go! Now, I'm off to plot for the Reverse Bang. Would love to hear anyone else's thoughts on the stories above, though. :)
Anyway, I managed to be pretty involved this year...which was great considering this was my first time. Here's everything that I was involved with:
Beta~
The Nightporter by nightporters
Pairing: Jensen/Jared
Rating: NC-17
Summary: The nightporter sees many men walk through the door. Many of them excited, some scared. Most are looking for a quiet drink and someone to talk to in the quiet of the night. Jensen doesn't mind as long as he remembers the rules. Someone like Jared though, all Southern politeness and yessirs, is a man to make him forget the first rule.
Why You Should Read It: If you want an interesting story that's hot and sweet but also a tiny bit angsty, then this is perfect for you. One of those stories that your get into really easily and you really feel for the characters. PLUS, she has just done an awesome little timestamp for it called Tumbling Blindly Down a Hill that combines so much of what was great about the original fic with a little bit of hotness and sweetness and absolutely ADORABLE 'Princess Bride' references. I squeed.
Art~
In The Kingdom Of The Blind by by_starkiller
Pairing: Sam/OMC, Dean/OMC, OMC/OMC
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Dean Winchester is dead.
Alone for the first time, Sam slowly comes to terms with his life as a hunter on the road without his brother. One day, he meets a man who says his name is Blue. Sam finds himself growing more and more attracted to his companion and finding excuses to get him to stick around. One night, coming back to his motel, Sam notices a large white wolf... that mysteriously vanishes a few moments later. What follows are awkward conversations, Archangels Michael and Gabriel, and Blue's revelation that he is a Hound of God; Sam discovers his brother has been pulled out of Hell thanks to Castiel and Lucifer wants to use him as a vessel.
His life can't get any weirder, right?
Wrong.
Artpost Here
Why You Should Read It: A very interesting Spn Au involving some really interesting new characters as well as different takes on slightly more recognizable ones. No Wincest, which is great by those squicked by it, but still some really great relationships and character interactions along with a nicely different take on the Apocalypse/Lucifer plot lines.
Art~
What about now (What if you’re making me all that I was meant to be) by the_milky_way
Pairing: Jared/Jensen
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Jensen Ackles' life at college is a dream come true. Captain of the ice hockey team, rather good student and willing to explore new things. When new team mate Jared Padalecki shows up with a few secrets in his bag, Jensen is intrigued. He wants to know what’s up with the guy and why he vanishes a lot of time. And what is Parkour anyway? If he had known what’s in for him, Jensen would have probably thought twice about falling for Jared and this new mysterious sport.
Artpost Here
Why You Should Read It: Firstly, it has hockey and J2, so that right there should make you read it anyway! But if that's not enough, it's a really great, well written College!Au that also incorporates the crazy but amazing sport of Parkour alongside Jared & Jensen's relationship. It's one of those fics where it's so much fun to watch the two of them fumble their way to each other while enjoying the other stuff along the way.
Art (Pitch Hit)~
A Different Piece of Sky by lavendergaia
Pairing: girl!Sam/Dean
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Being the only girl in the Winchester family, Sam's always been an outsider in a family of outsiders. In her last year of high school, she struggles to find out who she is and what it is she really wants in life. The question is: how much of her heart is she willing to leave behind to get it?
Artpost Here
Why You Should Read It: I really lucked out when it comes to the Pitch Hit I got to do art for because this was a very cool story to read and work from. The story is an emotional, yet hot, look at pre-series Dean and Sam...or , I should say, girl!Sam, and the way they come together, feel about each other and the decisions that have to be made along the way. One of those fics that gives an interesting glimpse at how things might have been had Sam been 'Samantha' and not 'Samuel'.
So, as you can see, I was kept busy for a while but I really enjoyed every minute of it. I'm sure next year will be just as much, if not more, fun! In the mean time, I've signed up as an artist for the spn_reversebang and I'm already working on my three prompt drafts. Can't wait to see what the authors come up with from the images I give them! :D
Last but definitely NOT least, here's a couple more recs from my mems, outside of what I was involved with:
Echo by munibunny
Pairing: Jared/Jensen
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Summertime in California and Jared's life has just taken a turn for the better. He's got a new job, a new apartment, and a whole new outlook on life. The bad news? He thinks his apartment might be haunted. The good news? He just met this really hot guy. Jensen’s a man with a troubled past, but Jared’s already fallen hard. As he starts to uncover the truth behind what's happening in his home, however, Jared discovers that his and Jensen's lives are more intertwined than he ever imagined, and the path to Jensen's heart might just be helping the man find his way home.
Why You Should Read It: It's sweet and schmoopy and all about the boys helping each other deal with pasts and problems, so there is just the right amount of emotional angst thrown in. Just an great, interesting story that will make you smile.
Thespis by nicb0723
Pairing: Jared/Jensen
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Jared is a makeup artist and is hired for a new movie based in Vancouver. Jensen plays the part of a hardcore, punk-rock star, but he has a real-life attitude problem. Unfortunately, Jared can’t figure out why and still finds Jensen attractive. They have to work alone together; long hours and long days, in small quarters of the makeup trailer. During that time, Jared discovers the actor’s secret and wants nothing more than to break away the protective mask Jensen hides behind.
Why You Should Read It: Chock full of attitude!Jensen with a side order of punk!Jensen in guyliner, lots of hiding behind masks and dealing with perceptions, all mixed with a healthy dose of friendly, dorky, can't-help-but-love-him Jared. Just a really great read.
Nowhere Between Heaven and Hell by obsessed1
Pairing(s): Jared/Jensen
Rating: Adult (NC-17)
Summary: A psychic that gets by reading tea leaves and winning a few hands at poker as he helps people and fights evil things, Jensen is used to only having his spirit guide, Steve, as his occasional company. At a psychic fair in Kansas City, however, he meets a tiny girl with a huge problem, and takes a job in Nowhere, Texas. In Nowhere, Jensen meets two demons that have come to save the town just as much as he has. Jared's not your typical demon, but then again, it seems that Jensen's not your typical psychic, either, and they form a strange connection that might be their only hope in surviving the next twenty-four hours.
Why You Should Read It: The story has a lot of classic good vs evil elements in it that go really well with the interesting way J2 come together. Doesn't have a huge cast of characters but the ones it does have used very well. Just a nicely different story that I really, personally, enjoyed reading.
Ours is a Reciprocal Gravitation Orbit by silver_ariel
Pairing: Jared/Jensen (primary); Other pairings along the way: Jared/Sandy (blink and you'll miss it), Jared/OMC, Jensen/OMC, Jared/Justin, mentions of Jared/Tom/Mike, Jensen/Steve
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Jared and Jensen are in love, have been for most of their lives. There is just one tiny little problem: Jensen is imaginary and they can only be together in Jared's dreams. How can Jared ever find true love in the real world when his heart belongs to a figment of his imagination?
Why You Should Read It: Because its a really fantastic story. The whole story is just one that caught me from the very second I started it and I couldn't stop reading until it was done. And it's something I found quite different from usual in the way the boys find each other and how their relationship develops. You REALLY need to read it to see what I mean. Plus, I found myself admiring the artwork a fair bit and how it all fit in with the story. Gave me ideas on how I need to work on my stuff and maybe expand for next year.
When The Road Bends by sylvanelfqueen
Pairing: Jared/Jensen (past), brief Jensen/Danneel
Rating: PG-13
Summary: You never know where the road will take you when it bends. No statement was ever truer for Jensen. After a failed attempt at marriage and city life, Jensen decides to turn home to his roots, to his family and friends and the love of his life … whom he hasn’t seen in nearly 8 years. Jared’s had a rough ride since Jensen left, but his friends have had his back and have seen him through. Now it’s just him and his bike in the search for freedom. He’s surprised when he returns home after a few weeks away to find out that Jensen, his Jensen, has returned home and back into his life. Jared is less than thrilled and greets Jensen with hostility every time they cross paths until circumstances throw them together and Jared is forced to deal with his Jensen issue head on.
Why You Should Read It: Having only just recently read it myself, I know find myself recommending it to others. Something I found very interesting was reading the comments everyone left at the end and finding the very different reactions people were having to the characters in the story. Everyone seemed to like the story but their individual reactions to certain characters varied which is a great thing because it means people think and react to the story, rather than just read and forget. For that reason alone, I recommend giving it a go and seeing how you feel at the end. The fact that it's also a very heartfelt and moving story just adds to that!
So there you go! Now, I'm off to plot for the Reverse Bang. Would love to hear anyone else's thoughts on the stories above, though. :)