The Exchange at Fic Corner - Dear Writer Letter
Dear Fic-Corner Author:
Thank you for writing my request. I really hope you have fun with it, enjoying the prompts you received. I provided optional details, because I understand they can be helpful. If you prefer to write something different, I am sure I will enjoy that too.
What I like:
• I like stories that are character-driven and also those that are plot-driven (though I prefer the former), but as long as something is well-written I usually like anything (so I suggest you just opt for what you like to write).
• With one exception (the Kipling), I have no preference about the story being serious or humorous; I think that sort of decision is best left to the author. Witty repartee in dialogue does appeal regardless of whether the theme of the story is serious or funny.
• I generally prefer stories that are true to canon.
• Within the context of children’s or teen/young adult fiction, I think sexually explicit stories are distasteful.
My Requests
Downright Dencey - Caroline Dale Snedeker
I don’t know of any fan-fic written based on this book so anything you write would be a joy. Perhaps a story set after Jetsam after he returns from his first trip to sea. He will have grown up a lot and while I think they would still be friends, the friendship between Dencey and Jetsam would certainly be different. Something more about Lydia and Tom? Give us some insights into Hopestill and Dencey’s friendship; Hopestill seems such a shadow compared to Dencey - tell us more about her.
Poo-Poo and the Dragons - CS Forester
Similar to ‘DD’ (above), I don’t know of any fan-fic based on this book (and in fact know precious few people who ever have read it). It was always a favourite of mine as a child. Here are some ideas: What does Mrs Brown really think about a house full of dragons? Mr Brown decides he needs to educate Maximilian so he doesn’t make the same mistakes his parents did (and he makes all new ones based on misunderstanding Mr Brown). Ermyntrude goes up the fuchsia bush; Horatio has to rescue her.
Flambards - KM Peyton
My favourite book is the Edge of the Cloud, although I do enjoy them all. Some ideas: Something which explores any or all of Will’s radical social politics, his obsession with planes. The fight for women’s suffrage, and the social restrictions on Christina. Dick and Tizzy as uncle and nephew - either when Tizzy lived with Violet or after he moved to Flambards - Dick sees Mark in Tizzy but loves him anyway. Mark Russell in the army; he hates what it is doing to his horses.
Jungle Book - Rudyard Kipling
Just another story please - preferably humourous. Perhaps one which introduces a new animal not already in the stories (your choice) to the ones Kipling wrote, with unexpectedly upsets abounding.
The Lantern Bearers - Rosemary Sutcliff
If you are stuck for a beta, I recommend you try sutcliff_swap, as one of the members of that community may be able to help you locate someone. Ideas for stories: Flavia’s relationship with her son as he grows up; how does she feel when she realises he will be fighting her own people?. Ness coming to love Aquila. Ness caught between her duty for family and her own wishes.
Thank you for writing my request. I really hope you have fun with it, enjoying the prompts you received. I provided optional details, because I understand they can be helpful. If you prefer to write something different, I am sure I will enjoy that too.
What I like:
• I like stories that are character-driven and also those that are plot-driven (though I prefer the former), but as long as something is well-written I usually like anything (so I suggest you just opt for what you like to write).
• With one exception (the Kipling), I have no preference about the story being serious or humorous; I think that sort of decision is best left to the author. Witty repartee in dialogue does appeal regardless of whether the theme of the story is serious or funny.
• I generally prefer stories that are true to canon.
• Within the context of children’s or teen/young adult fiction, I think sexually explicit stories are distasteful.
My Requests
Downright Dencey - Caroline Dale Snedeker
I don’t know of any fan-fic written based on this book so anything you write would be a joy. Perhaps a story set after Jetsam after he returns from his first trip to sea. He will have grown up a lot and while I think they would still be friends, the friendship between Dencey and Jetsam would certainly be different. Something more about Lydia and Tom? Give us some insights into Hopestill and Dencey’s friendship; Hopestill seems such a shadow compared to Dencey - tell us more about her.
Poo-Poo and the Dragons - CS Forester
Similar to ‘DD’ (above), I don’t know of any fan-fic based on this book (and in fact know precious few people who ever have read it). It was always a favourite of mine as a child. Here are some ideas: What does Mrs Brown really think about a house full of dragons? Mr Brown decides he needs to educate Maximilian so he doesn’t make the same mistakes his parents did (and he makes all new ones based on misunderstanding Mr Brown). Ermyntrude goes up the fuchsia bush; Horatio has to rescue her.
Flambards - KM Peyton
My favourite book is the Edge of the Cloud, although I do enjoy them all. Some ideas: Something which explores any or all of Will’s radical social politics, his obsession with planes. The fight for women’s suffrage, and the social restrictions on Christina. Dick and Tizzy as uncle and nephew - either when Tizzy lived with Violet or after he moved to Flambards - Dick sees Mark in Tizzy but loves him anyway. Mark Russell in the army; he hates what it is doing to his horses.
Jungle Book - Rudyard Kipling
Just another story please - preferably humourous. Perhaps one which introduces a new animal not already in the stories (your choice) to the ones Kipling wrote, with unexpectedly upsets abounding.
The Lantern Bearers - Rosemary Sutcliff
If you are stuck for a beta, I recommend you try sutcliff_swap, as one of the members of that community may be able to help you locate someone. Ideas for stories: Flavia’s relationship with her son as he grows up; how does she feel when she realises he will be fighting her own people?. Ness coming to love Aquila. Ness caught between her duty for family and her own wishes.