Hello to my lovely and wonderful 2020 Yuletide writer!
(Yes, I've signed up as well. But this is for whoever is writing me something for Yuletide this year.)
First of all, you are a lovely person. And thank you for taking on my requests. Now, in case you wondered, the names are different. My LJ/DW name is Reynardo but my Ao3 name is Mary West. And one day very soon now I'll have my genuine author name too and if I'm very lucky, someone writing fanfic for my book at Yuletide. That would be so cool.
***** EDIT - I've discovered by accident that you are pinch-hitting for me. You are so Sweet! And doubly lovely. Thank you! *****
So - the scary stuff! I want characters to be themselves. Are they tapping you on the shoulder and saying "Like this. That's right. I would have done *that* in those circumstances"? I love origin stories and filling in the gaps. I love "But what if..." If, instead of my prompts, something other ferocious plot bunny comes along and bites hard, go with it. Plot bunnies are to be respected.
A Queen from the North - Erin McRae and Racheline Maltese Characters: Hon. Nicholas Brockett, Macsen Jones, Priya Joshi, almost anyone else from the book. The two main characters are sweet enough, but I would love to see if the sweet and adorable Macsen Jones and the wonderfully bouncy Priya Joshi get together. Or does Edward Glynne (not named in character set - Amelia's bodyguard and a really nice man) lose his partner but find a new love in the Hon Nicholas Brockett? The main statement still applies though - if any other matching up or friendship calls your plot-bunnies, then go with them.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - Oh how I love this movie, and I still can't believe we've lost Glenne Headley. I adored her work. So - Janet Colgate. She took on the persona of a naive lass from the Midwest when she met the lads. But who was she really? Why did she turn into an amazing con artist, and has she ever regretted it?
The State Within George Blake, Nicholas Brocklehurst. They're not romantically attached. But they're a mental match. It's ten years later, and a mystery surfaces that involves a missing car with Diplomatic plates from the British Embassy, and a tape purporting to have enough evidence to discredit the atypical yet strangely popular Democratic candidate for the presidency who turned up from nowhere. Our two protagonists know when to call on each other - or is this one case where they should not? (I apologise - this might actually be a good lead for a full novel - if it gets out of control, just go with it and throw me a thanks when you create a bestseller.)
Wellington Paranormal (TV) Officer Kyle Minogue (WPTV) Officer O'Leary (WPTV) Sergeant Maaka (WPTV). Reports of a horse on the hillside at Maupuia Park are coming in thick and fast. But has someone dressed the poor horse up for Hallowe'en? Because horses don't normally have horns on their heads. Bonus points if a) there's a My Little Pony - Friendship is Magic reference, b) Suspicions that someone's made a prop at the nearby Weta Workshop and c) only Office Minogue is able to get close to it, which tells you far too much about Officer Minogue.
A Little Princess - Ram Dass. Using any or all or no other characters, tell me about him. Either how he came to work for Mr Carrisford, or what his life was like after Sara was found. Did he always stay in service? Did he have family left back in India? Did he ever marry, have children? Or was he in love with someone he couldn't be more than a ... no, I want *you* to tell who this is.
All fics - use any other characters that make sense to you in the story. You know them. You are listening to their voices, so write who they are.
If they lead down the path of heat and fire and bodies clashing, let them. But there's no need to force it. I'm quite as happy with G rated as I am with M. Or even E. Again, let them lead where they will. Stick your nose in this ratings list and I would prefer we stay inside green, blue and purple at the most, just this time. There are times for the others, but not this time.
Or friendship fic. It can be just friends. That would be fine too.
And don't worry too much if your fic starts straying outside the boundaries. They do that. It's all the characters' faults. You are making something for me, and I love you anyway. Write me a story, leave me going "yes, they totally would have done that!" and you will have a happy, happy recipient.
Thank you. Just so you know, Yuletide writers are amazing. (Posted on Dreamwidth, shared to Live Journal)
First of all, you are a lovely person. And thank you for taking on my requests. Now, in case you wondered, the names are different. My LJ/DW name is Reynardo but my Ao3 name is Mary West. And one day very soon now I'll have my genuine author name too and if I'm very lucky, someone writing fanfic for my book at Yuletide. That would be so cool.
***** EDIT - I've discovered by accident that you are pinch-hitting for me. You are so Sweet! And doubly lovely. Thank you! *****
So - the scary stuff! I want characters to be themselves. Are they tapping you on the shoulder and saying "Like this. That's right. I would have done *that* in those circumstances"? I love origin stories and filling in the gaps. I love "But what if..." If, instead of my prompts, something other ferocious plot bunny comes along and bites hard, go with it. Plot bunnies are to be respected.
A Queen from the North - Erin McRae and Racheline Maltese Characters: Hon. Nicholas Brockett, Macsen Jones, Priya Joshi, almost anyone else from the book. The two main characters are sweet enough, but I would love to see if the sweet and adorable Macsen Jones and the wonderfully bouncy Priya Joshi get together. Or does Edward Glynne (not named in character set - Amelia's bodyguard and a really nice man) lose his partner but find a new love in the Hon Nicholas Brockett? The main statement still applies though - if any other matching up or friendship calls your plot-bunnies, then go with them.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - Oh how I love this movie, and I still can't believe we've lost Glenne Headley. I adored her work. So - Janet Colgate. She took on the persona of a naive lass from the Midwest when she met the lads. But who was she really? Why did she turn into an amazing con artist, and has she ever regretted it?
The State Within George Blake, Nicholas Brocklehurst. They're not romantically attached. But they're a mental match. It's ten years later, and a mystery surfaces that involves a missing car with Diplomatic plates from the British Embassy, and a tape purporting to have enough evidence to discredit the atypical yet strangely popular Democratic candidate for the presidency who turned up from nowhere. Our two protagonists know when to call on each other - or is this one case where they should not? (I apologise - this might actually be a good lead for a full novel - if it gets out of control, just go with it and throw me a thanks when you create a bestseller.)
Wellington Paranormal (TV) Officer Kyle Minogue (WPTV) Officer O'Leary (WPTV) Sergeant Maaka (WPTV). Reports of a horse on the hillside at Maupuia Park are coming in thick and fast. But has someone dressed the poor horse up for Hallowe'en? Because horses don't normally have horns on their heads. Bonus points if a) there's a My Little Pony - Friendship is Magic reference, b) Suspicions that someone's made a prop at the nearby Weta Workshop and c) only Office Minogue is able to get close to it, which tells you far too much about Officer Minogue.
A Little Princess - Ram Dass. Using any or all or no other characters, tell me about him. Either how he came to work for Mr Carrisford, or what his life was like after Sara was found. Did he always stay in service? Did he have family left back in India? Did he ever marry, have children? Or was he in love with someone he couldn't be more than a ... no, I want *you* to tell who this is.
All fics - use any other characters that make sense to you in the story. You know them. You are listening to their voices, so write who they are.
If they lead down the path of heat and fire and bodies clashing, let them. But there's no need to force it. I'm quite as happy with G rated as I am with M. Or even E. Again, let them lead where they will. Stick your nose in this ratings list and I would prefer we stay inside green, blue and purple at the most, just this time. There are times for the others, but not this time.
Or friendship fic. It can be just friends. That would be fine too.
And don't worry too much if your fic starts straying outside the boundaries. They do that. It's all the characters' faults. You are making something for me, and I love you anyway. Write me a story, leave me going "yes, they totally would have done that!" and you will have a happy, happy recipient.
Thank you. Just so you know, Yuletide writers are amazing. (Posted on Dreamwidth, shared to Live Journal)