Yuletide letter
Dear Yuletide Author,
Firstly, I'm really sorry I didn't get around to editing my requests to put a link to my journal. Life's been a bit hectic so I signed up at the last minute, completely forgot to add the link and then ran out of time to edit it. If you're here, I assume you managed to find the link to my letter anyway but apologies for making that harder than necessary!
More happily, thank you so much for signing up for one of my mini fandoms! I've been doing Yuletide for a few years now and every year I get excited reading the list of fandoms and realising other people like those things too! <3
Ok, stuff I like: pretty much everything? This list includes things that may be more or less relevant depending upon which fandom you're looking at but I love characters interacting with each other, people exploring their worlds and possibilities, people chasing/ working towards dreams, friends and found families, mythology of all cultures, travelling and exploring different places and cultures, platonic and romantic relationships, people working through difficulties and misunderstandings, general fluffy happiness and excitement, AUs and crossovers (crackfic or ones that help to explore canon characterisation and plot), song and dance, quiet everyday slices of life, plotted adventure... Eh, I'll read most things to be honest and if you're writing in one of these fandoms? I'm 80% of the way to loving it just by reading the fandom and the characters.
Stuff I'd generally prefer that you avoid: I've been re-phrasing this for the past 10mins but basically, I'm aware there's violence in some of the canons I'm requesting and I'm fine with fics that involve that but please don't linger on the gory details unless it's important to the plot or characterisation?
I do also have a Tumblr if you're the kind of person who likes to journal-stalk to work out what I might like (goodness knows I've done some journal stalking in previous years!), which is here: http://franglemand.tumblr.com/
Request 1: Fionavar Tapestry - Guy Gavriel Kay
I've requested this in previous years (here, here and here) and just... I love this series so much, I think it's actually my favourite of all time. If you want to take inspiration from any of my previous letters or if you have another idea you'd prefer to write, please do feel free. Also I've read everything Guy Gavriel Kay has written, I believe, so if you want to include anything from others of his books you don't need to worry about confusing or accidentally spoiling me! A few prompt ideas in no particular order: Diarmuid and Alieron before Aileron's exile, Jaelle's background (childhood, rise to power, first engagements in politics or religion etc.), Dave's family (the differences time/ Fionavar made to his relationships, Dave and his blood brothers on the Plains, Kim meeting his family), Jennifer/ Guinevere (also Arthur and Lancelot) through time and incarnations, Dave and Kim adjusting to life back on Earth (what do they do, where do they go, do they travel, how easily do they become a romantic couple?), AU where the mythology Fionavar is based on isn't Celtic but is from another culture altogether (what does it look like if Arthur/ Guinevere/ Lancelot are characters from Indian mythology, or if the Wild Hunt and everything with Finn comes from a Chinese tradition?), Sharra's life after the final battle, Sharra and Jennifer (or any of them) when they're left on shore waiting for the ship to return, Loren and Matt teaching on the Plain...
Request 2: A Song for Arbonne - Guy Gavriel Kay
Yeah, that thing about Guy Gavriel Kay being my favourite author, that's becoming really obvious about now, isn't it? I've also requested this before (here) so again, I'm going to try not to repeat myself too much but if you want to take a prompt from there, please do. Music is so integral to this book that I'd love something where music is a part of it, be that as a plot point, a consious theme or just a background note. A few thoughts: Lisseut's first midsummer at the tavern (or her last), musicians on the road, Blaise going back to a Gorhaut that's missing most of the figures he fled from, Blaise and Rosala's relationship (not necessarily romantic but how their relationship changes over time), Blaise with Rudel before the novel opens, Aurélien and Remy deciding to work together (and spy together), the royal family of Arbonne (childhood, Beatriz's rise to priestess, Aelis being given in marriage to Urte (and meeting Bertran), Rinette adjusting to being a princess, rulings of the Court of Love (as presided over by either Sign de Barbentain or Ariane), something based on the history behind the fantasy that didn't make it into the book.
Request 3: Drina series - Jean Estoril
This series of books is one of my childhood favourites - I've nearly requested it so many years but kept switching it out at the last minute. Most things I've said of why I like Sadler's Wells in the past are applicable to this request too. I love Drina's drive as well as her romanticism when it comes to dance. I also love the contrast between her and Rose, though the distance that springs up between them towards the end of the series makes me sad. Anything exploring their friendship would be amazing. Also just anything based around the school and the theatre. A few ideas: putting together a ballet, Drina or Rose's first classical lead role, Rose getting married, Igor Jr. adjusting to the school or to the company (we know he finds it hard but what makes it worthwhile? Does he like spending time with his father and Marianne Volonnaise? Does he actually love dancing? What does dancing mean to him? Is being in London exile for him in the same way that being at Chalk Green was for Drina?), Drina trying her hand at choreography in a professional setting, Grant learning to live with (if not in) the world of the theatre, Marianne Volonnaise and Igor Dominic Sr. (when they were young, discussing the school and the students, organising the company, making decisions about changes for the future).
Request 4: Elenium/ Tamuli series - David Eddings
I had to stop reading these books for a couple of years because I realised I was coming very close to be able to recite large chunks of them by heart, that's how much I love this series. I love all the characters so honestly, I'll be happy whatever you want to write but I requested Sephrenia because I'm going through a phase of being fascinated by her at the moment. Her relationship with Aphrael over the years, her meetings with the other high priests and priestesses of the Thousand, her developing relationship with Vanion, seeing Sparhawk/ Ehlana for the first time, training Sparhawk and Kalten, whatever she and Vanion get up to after the end.
Request 5: Emelan - Tamora Pierce
I only discovered these books last year or the year before and I've already re-read them so many times. I just love all the characters and their interactions with each other. I would love something featuring all four of the main "children" at any point in their relationship with each other, if that's something you'd want to do. I love the way they club together to help each other so really anything with them doing that, regardless of if that "help" means "help get someone though a hard time," "help someone learn to swim" or "help organise a birthday celebration." Anything featuring Lark and Rosethorn would also be happily and gratefully received. How do they meet, when do they start living together, what adventures do they have after the children leave, do they ever visit any of the children in their new homes, surprise birthday party for one of them.
Request 6: Bunheads
I was so happy to see this on the list again - I thought last year would be the only year it was there and I missed my chance to prompt it! It's a ballet series and a series with friends and found family, of course I love it. Plus it's very funny and beneath all the wackiness, there's a fair bit of darkness and a lot of heart. Anything featuring dancing and/ or friendship would be wonderful here. What did Sasha get up to at Joffrey and how did she persuade the other Bunheads to hide her when she got back? Does she actully want to dance in the future or is it just an escape from her homelife? First time all four bunheads actually audition for a show (with or without Madame Fanny's permission - does the USA have an equivalent to pantomime that they could all try to audition for?). Does Melanie go on her date and if so, how does it go? (Does she actually want to date boys, or date at all? Does Cozette sweep by with more leaflets for her when it turns out the date's a failure and Ginny, Sasha and Boo just don't seem to understand?) Who is Ginny's next crush? Does she actually take part in the school musical and if so, how does it go? Do she and Melanie fall back into each other's orbits or do they continue to be a bit at odds with each other, neither really understanding what the problem is? At the first Joffrey audition, Boo just wants to be seen. Does she get any further at another audition? Does she stick with ballet or does she consider other forms of dance, or something else entirely? Does she continue having fun with Carl or do they end up drifting apart? What does Michelle do after the end - settle into teaching or continue auditioning (and why/ how)? Michelle and Truly having adventures (either in town or away - going to visit Talia perhaps). Fanny and Michelle putting together a ballet.
Firstly, I'm really sorry I didn't get around to editing my requests to put a link to my journal. Life's been a bit hectic so I signed up at the last minute, completely forgot to add the link and then ran out of time to edit it. If you're here, I assume you managed to find the link to my letter anyway but apologies for making that harder than necessary!
More happily, thank you so much for signing up for one of my mini fandoms! I've been doing Yuletide for a few years now and every year I get excited reading the list of fandoms and realising other people like those things too! <3
Ok, stuff I like: pretty much everything? This list includes things that may be more or less relevant depending upon which fandom you're looking at but I love characters interacting with each other, people exploring their worlds and possibilities, people chasing/ working towards dreams, friends and found families, mythology of all cultures, travelling and exploring different places and cultures, platonic and romantic relationships, people working through difficulties and misunderstandings, general fluffy happiness and excitement, AUs and crossovers (crackfic or ones that help to explore canon characterisation and plot), song and dance, quiet everyday slices of life, plotted adventure... Eh, I'll read most things to be honest and if you're writing in one of these fandoms? I'm 80% of the way to loving it just by reading the fandom and the characters.
Stuff I'd generally prefer that you avoid: I've been re-phrasing this for the past 10mins but basically, I'm aware there's violence in some of the canons I'm requesting and I'm fine with fics that involve that but please don't linger on the gory details unless it's important to the plot or characterisation?
I do also have a Tumblr if you're the kind of person who likes to journal-stalk to work out what I might like (goodness knows I've done some journal stalking in previous years!), which is here: http://franglemand.tumblr.com/
Request 1: Fionavar Tapestry - Guy Gavriel Kay
I've requested this in previous years (here, here and here) and just... I love this series so much, I think it's actually my favourite of all time. If you want to take inspiration from any of my previous letters or if you have another idea you'd prefer to write, please do feel free. Also I've read everything Guy Gavriel Kay has written, I believe, so if you want to include anything from others of his books you don't need to worry about confusing or accidentally spoiling me! A few prompt ideas in no particular order: Diarmuid and Alieron before Aileron's exile, Jaelle's background (childhood, rise to power, first engagements in politics or religion etc.), Dave's family (the differences time/ Fionavar made to his relationships, Dave and his blood brothers on the Plains, Kim meeting his family), Jennifer/ Guinevere (also Arthur and Lancelot) through time and incarnations, Dave and Kim adjusting to life back on Earth (what do they do, where do they go, do they travel, how easily do they become a romantic couple?), AU where the mythology Fionavar is based on isn't Celtic but is from another culture altogether (what does it look like if Arthur/ Guinevere/ Lancelot are characters from Indian mythology, or if the Wild Hunt and everything with Finn comes from a Chinese tradition?), Sharra's life after the final battle, Sharra and Jennifer (or any of them) when they're left on shore waiting for the ship to return, Loren and Matt teaching on the Plain...
Request 2: A Song for Arbonne - Guy Gavriel Kay
Yeah, that thing about Guy Gavriel Kay being my favourite author, that's becoming really obvious about now, isn't it? I've also requested this before (here) so again, I'm going to try not to repeat myself too much but if you want to take a prompt from there, please do. Music is so integral to this book that I'd love something where music is a part of it, be that as a plot point, a consious theme or just a background note. A few thoughts: Lisseut's first midsummer at the tavern (or her last), musicians on the road, Blaise going back to a Gorhaut that's missing most of the figures he fled from, Blaise and Rosala's relationship (not necessarily romantic but how their relationship changes over time), Blaise with Rudel before the novel opens, Aurélien and Remy deciding to work together (and spy together), the royal family of Arbonne (childhood, Beatriz's rise to priestess, Aelis being given in marriage to Urte (and meeting Bertran), Rinette adjusting to being a princess, rulings of the Court of Love (as presided over by either Sign de Barbentain or Ariane), something based on the history behind the fantasy that didn't make it into the book.
Request 3: Drina series - Jean Estoril
This series of books is one of my childhood favourites - I've nearly requested it so many years but kept switching it out at the last minute. Most things I've said of why I like Sadler's Wells in the past are applicable to this request too. I love Drina's drive as well as her romanticism when it comes to dance. I also love the contrast between her and Rose, though the distance that springs up between them towards the end of the series makes me sad. Anything exploring their friendship would be amazing. Also just anything based around the school and the theatre. A few ideas: putting together a ballet, Drina or Rose's first classical lead role, Rose getting married, Igor Jr. adjusting to the school or to the company (we know he finds it hard but what makes it worthwhile? Does he like spending time with his father and Marianne Volonnaise? Does he actually love dancing? What does dancing mean to him? Is being in London exile for him in the same way that being at Chalk Green was for Drina?), Drina trying her hand at choreography in a professional setting, Grant learning to live with (if not in) the world of the theatre, Marianne Volonnaise and Igor Dominic Sr. (when they were young, discussing the school and the students, organising the company, making decisions about changes for the future).
Request 4: Elenium/ Tamuli series - David Eddings
I had to stop reading these books for a couple of years because I realised I was coming very close to be able to recite large chunks of them by heart, that's how much I love this series. I love all the characters so honestly, I'll be happy whatever you want to write but I requested Sephrenia because I'm going through a phase of being fascinated by her at the moment. Her relationship with Aphrael over the years, her meetings with the other high priests and priestesses of the Thousand, her developing relationship with Vanion, seeing Sparhawk/ Ehlana for the first time, training Sparhawk and Kalten, whatever she and Vanion get up to after the end.
Request 5: Emelan - Tamora Pierce
I only discovered these books last year or the year before and I've already re-read them so many times. I just love all the characters and their interactions with each other. I would love something featuring all four of the main "children" at any point in their relationship with each other, if that's something you'd want to do. I love the way they club together to help each other so really anything with them doing that, regardless of if that "help" means "help get someone though a hard time," "help someone learn to swim" or "help organise a birthday celebration." Anything featuring Lark and Rosethorn would also be happily and gratefully received. How do they meet, when do they start living together, what adventures do they have after the children leave, do they ever visit any of the children in their new homes, surprise birthday party for one of them.
Request 6: Bunheads
I was so happy to see this on the list again - I thought last year would be the only year it was there and I missed my chance to prompt it! It's a ballet series and a series with friends and found family, of course I love it. Plus it's very funny and beneath all the wackiness, there's a fair bit of darkness and a lot of heart. Anything featuring dancing and/ or friendship would be wonderful here. What did Sasha get up to at Joffrey and how did she persuade the other Bunheads to hide her when she got back? Does she actully want to dance in the future or is it just an escape from her homelife? First time all four bunheads actually audition for a show (with or without Madame Fanny's permission - does the USA have an equivalent to pantomime that they could all try to audition for?). Does Melanie go on her date and if so, how does it go? (Does she actually want to date boys, or date at all? Does Cozette sweep by with more leaflets for her when it turns out the date's a failure and Ginny, Sasha and Boo just don't seem to understand?) Who is Ginny's next crush? Does she actually take part in the school musical and if so, how does it go? Do she and Melanie fall back into each other's orbits or do they continue to be a bit at odds with each other, neither really understanding what the problem is? At the first Joffrey audition, Boo just wants to be seen. Does she get any further at another audition? Does she stick with ballet or does she consider other forms of dance, or something else entirely? Does she continue having fun with Carl or do they end up drifting apart? What does Michelle do after the end - settle into teaching or continue auditioning (and why/ how)? Michelle and Truly having adventures (either in town or away - going to visit Talia perhaps). Fanny and Michelle putting together a ballet.