dear yulegoat
Dear Yuletide Writer (aka my new favorite person),
Thank you so much for writing this story for me! The fact that you offered to write any one of these fandoms makes you inherently awesome and I can’t wait to read whatever you decide to write! Here is a little bit more about what I enjoy reading in fic before I get to the specific requests.
Likes: character-driven stories, romance (I tend to lean towards canon/het pairings), any friendships (especially female), slow burn UST, porn (if appropriate), backstory and missing scene fic, best friends who fall in love, banter and bickering. I lean towards happier/more hopeful endings.
Dislikes: misogyny, noncon or dubcon, major character death (you can use anything that’s already canon of course), character bashing, excessive embarrassment.
If you’d like to take a look at some of what I’ve written to get a better idea, my fic master list is located here and almost everything is archived over at for_the_coast. My journal is primarily locked, but I have a Tumblr account (here) and a GoodReads account (here), both of which are public, that are a pretty good reflection of what I like.
I’m the type of writer who likes more details rather than less when I’m writing a story for someone, so my requests reflect that. You can choose what you would like to take or leave based on what works for you. These are just some of my ideas, but they are certainly not the complete list of stories I would like to read for any of these fandoms. I know whatever you write is going to be great!
Request #1: Betsy-Tacy Series by Maud Hart Lovelace
Tacy Kelly
I would love to read any story that focuses on Tacy. Her life, her family, her relationships. Whatever strikes you as the story you would most like to write. See my Yuletide letter for more specific thoughts.
The Betsy-Tacy books were among my very favorite books growing up, and I’ve reread them twice in the past couple of years, first because it was my Yuletide assignment in 2010 and then this past winter, we read the series over at belovedbooks. I love everything -- everything -- about these books, except that there aren’t more of them. I would have loved more about ANY of the characters in this world, but Tacy is one who has always intrigued me.
Here are some of the things I would love to read about:
-Tacy’s family and how it shaped her. She’s shy, but she’s also one of the youngest of a large family. How did growing up in such a large family shape her? What is she like when she’s with her siblings? What are the different relationships she has with her siblings? We most frequently see her with Katie and Paul, as they’re the closest in age to her, but she has much older siblings too. What about her parents? I always got the idea that she was close to her father and learned her love of music from him, and we know her father’s death changed her wedding plans.
-Tacy’s friendships. With Betsy and/or Tib, or with other members of the Crowd. Carney is one of my favorite Crowd members, but I can’t remember seeing her and Tacy together much, although they must have interacted at one point or another. Tacy clearly had a special friendship with Alice Morrison. Even though Tacy was bashful, she was always dreaming up schemes with Betsy and was a part of all the Crowd festivities.
-Tacy and Harry. I requested this for last year’s Yuletide (here), and I would still love to read any story that filled in the gaps and focused on Tacy and Harry’s relationship.
-Tacy and Tom. I admit, as much as I love Tacy and Harry’s relationship, I have always enjoyed the idea of a relationship between Tacy and Tom. If you wanted to explore that in an AU, I would be all over it.
These are just a few ideas I’ve had that focus on parts of Tacy that I’d like to know more about. I know the majority feature characters you may not have offered to write or even thought about writing, so if none of this strikes your fancy, please feel free to ignore these and write whatever comes to mind.
Request #2: Bridgertons Series by Julia Quinn
Daphne Bridgerton, Simon Basset, Anthony Bridgerton, Kate Sheffield
I would love to read a story about Anthony and Simon truly becoming friends again (probably through interference and scheming on the part of their wives). Or just a story about Simon and Daphne, with Anthony and Kate as supporting characters. More details in my Yuletide letter.
I more or less inhaled the series in a 72 hour book binge this January and I have never looked back. I love the entire series, but the first two books happen to be my favorites, both in terms of couples and overall stories.
I apologize in advance for the specific story request, but I’ve had this in mind and if I don’t ask for it for Yuletide, I may not get another chance for a while. I would love something that follows up on the issue of Simon and Anthony’s friendship, which wasn’t fully resolved in The Duke and I and then never really got much attention after that, since Simon and Daphne weren’t around much in comparison in the latter half of the series unless Simon’s dukedom was necessary. (As opposed to, say, Kate and Anthony and Colin and Pen who seem to show up all the time. Not that I mind them being around so often, mind you! I just wish Simon and Daphne had come up some more too.) ANYWAY, Simon and Anthony were close friends before everything went down in The Duke and I, and I like to imagine that they eventually get over their stubborn selves and are close friends again. But how did it happen? How much did their wives (who, I have always believed, became good friends after the Pall Mall game in The Viscount Who Loved Me) have to interfere first? I would love to explore the resolution to that particular part of Simon and Daphne’s story.
If that isn’t a story that interests you, I would love to read anything about Simon and Daphne and their lives together. Anything from moments in their marriage to how they might handle it if one of their children has a stutter (or anything that deals with Simon’s worries about becoming a parent) to Simon adjusting to being part of her huge family now. Would love bonus appearances by Kate and Anthony (not only because they are my other favorites, but I think it makes sense given that Daphne and Anthony were the first to Bridgerton siblings to marry). I would also love a story that just involves general shenanigans between Simon/Daphne and Kate/Anthony, perhaps at a family gathering. The other Bridgertons can work in and out of this story as need be, as I really do love everyone in the family. For reference, my other favorite characters in the series are Violet, Colin and Pen (what, they are a unit), and Hyacinth.
I know that the Second Epilogue for The Duke and I is due out at the end of November, and I will have read it by the time Yuletide rolls around (let’s be honest, I will have read it within 24 hours of it being released), and I guess any of these COULD be what’s covered in the Second Epilogue. I’m thinking it’s fairly unlikely that the Simon and Anthony friendship thing will be what’s covered, but you never know. I’ve been surprised by some of the others. The second epilogue has been delayed until April 2013, so this is no longer an issue. I know I will love anything you write for me in this world, though. There is no such thing as too much Bridgertons.
Request #3: The Montmaray Journals by Michelle Cooper
Sophie FitzOsborne, Simon Chester
I’m interested in more on Simon and Sophie’s relationship, as their dynamic was one of the ones that really fascinated me over the course of the series. Whether platonic or romantic or somewhere in between.
Let me preface this by saying I LOVE THESE BOOKS. I absolutely adore them, and just about everything they are. I love Sophie FitzOsborne and her crazy mess of a family and her narrative voice and her adventures. The one thing I didn’t end up loving in the series was the way the romance turned out. I really enjoyed Sophie’s friendship with Rupert, but for me, as a romance, they did not not work. (I liked all of the other relationships, FWIW, although the dynamic between Simon and Sophie was my favorite.) I feel terrible saying that because I loved EVERYTHING ELSE about these books, but it’s how I felt. So with that said, my request is for Something Else. Or, at least, Something More by way of exploring this dynamic between Sophie and Simon that I found so fascinating as they evolved over the course of the series.
If you’re not into the idea of revising history, I would be interested in anything relating to Simon and Sophie post-series, renewing their friendship or maybe discussing lingering guilt over Toby and Henry, or discussing memories of Montmaray. Anything that expands on their relationship, which I found to be really complex and fascinating. I don’t buy that there was never anything between them, either, and even though it may have ended, it didn’t have to be nothing in order for the rest of the romances to work. One of the things that fascinates me about their dynamic was how he seemed to understand a part of her that no one else seemed to recognize, and she him. I’d love to see more of that, even on a friendship level.
If you DO feel like revising history a little (or a lot), I would definitely be interested in reading an AU where Sophie and Simon share more than just one night together. Whether it’s something that happens after the war when Simon comes home or if it’s a complete AU where Simon doesn’t end up off-page for the latter part of the story, I’d be happy with just about anything. I am also into the idea of Sophie/OMC, maybe an officer she meets through Toby or someone she meets through writing (it’s part of my headcanon that Sophie goes on to become a writer), with Simon and Sophie friendship on the side.
Essentially, I just want to read about Simon and Sophie’s relationship on any level, whether romantic or platonic. Any of the other characters (all of whom I love) can be present as well, as needed! The one thing I don’t especially want is Rupert. I was actually do like him and was really into his friendship with Sophie, but for the purposes of any fic I might be receiving for Yuletide, I’m not really sure he fits with what I would want to read.
For what it’s worth, I wrote Simon/Sophie postwar fic just before The FitzOsbornes at War was released. If you would like to refer to it for whatever reason, you can find it here.
Request #4: Seven Realms Series by Cinda Williams Chima
Raisa ana’Marianna, Han Alister, Amon Byrne
I just want more of Rai, Han, and Amon after the end of The Crimson Crown. What happens next? I would love focus on the relationships between the three of them as they move on to the next challenges that face them. For more details, see my Yuletide letter.
WARNING: Spoilers for The Crimson Crown
My general desire is to read a story about the three of them all ruling together post-series and how that works, with focus on the relationships between them. I love how The Crimson Crown wrapped up with Han and Rai together and married (he wants to breathe her in for the rest of his life!!), but not only do I love Han and Rai (separately and together) but I adore Amon unapologetically. I was thrilled with the romantic ending for Han and Rai, how much they love each other and how that all turned out, but Amon/Rai hits a lot of the right buttons for me too so I would want any story to respect their relationship.
I enjoyed Han and Amon putting their differences aside and become a team to protect Rai, so I would love to see that explored as it affects her relationships with both men, particularly in light of the action at the end of The Crimson Crown. It’s also really important to me that Amon is happy in this future, that even though he and Raisa will always love each other in their own way, he isn’t pining away for her while she and Han are happy together. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I love the potential for future-Han/Raisa/Amon OT3 friendship dynamics and I wouldn’t want it to be portrayed as a love triangle.
So, with all of that said, what happens next? Even though things are looking up for the Fells at the end of The Crimson Crown, there are major challenges still facing Raisa as queen, and Han and Amon will be right there beside her to face those challenges. I’d love to read about anything from them dealing with how to restructure the kingdom now that the Naeming is no longer in place to how they come up with a plan to outsmart Montaigne. I’m listing plot ideas here, but what they’re dealing with isn’t as important to me as how they interact with each other and how their relationships grow and evolve as they’re facing all of these challenges. I would love to read about something as simple as Han and Rai bickering on the throne about something fairly marginal and Amon putting them to rights! Anything that further explores their dynamic! Tell me something that happens in the future, and I will be thrilled.
I hope you found something in my requests that was helpful! I know I can't wait to read whatever you write, and THANK YOU AGAIN! You’re the best!
Happy Yuletide!
spyglass_
Thank you so much for writing this story for me! The fact that you offered to write any one of these fandoms makes you inherently awesome and I can’t wait to read whatever you decide to write! Here is a little bit more about what I enjoy reading in fic before I get to the specific requests.
Likes: character-driven stories, romance (I tend to lean towards canon/het pairings), any friendships (especially female), slow burn UST, porn (if appropriate), backstory and missing scene fic, best friends who fall in love, banter and bickering. I lean towards happier/more hopeful endings.
Dislikes: misogyny, noncon or dubcon, major character death (you can use anything that’s already canon of course), character bashing, excessive embarrassment.
If you’d like to take a look at some of what I’ve written to get a better idea, my fic master list is located here and almost everything is archived over at for_the_coast. My journal is primarily locked, but I have a Tumblr account (here) and a GoodReads account (here), both of which are public, that are a pretty good reflection of what I like.
I’m the type of writer who likes more details rather than less when I’m writing a story for someone, so my requests reflect that. You can choose what you would like to take or leave based on what works for you. These are just some of my ideas, but they are certainly not the complete list of stories I would like to read for any of these fandoms. I know whatever you write is going to be great!
Request #1: Betsy-Tacy Series by Maud Hart Lovelace
Tacy Kelly
I would love to read any story that focuses on Tacy. Her life, her family, her relationships. Whatever strikes you as the story you would most like to write. See my Yuletide letter for more specific thoughts.
The Betsy-Tacy books were among my very favorite books growing up, and I’ve reread them twice in the past couple of years, first because it was my Yuletide assignment in 2010 and then this past winter, we read the series over at belovedbooks. I love everything -- everything -- about these books, except that there aren’t more of them. I would have loved more about ANY of the characters in this world, but Tacy is one who has always intrigued me.
Here are some of the things I would love to read about:
-Tacy’s family and how it shaped her. She’s shy, but she’s also one of the youngest of a large family. How did growing up in such a large family shape her? What is she like when she’s with her siblings? What are the different relationships she has with her siblings? We most frequently see her with Katie and Paul, as they’re the closest in age to her, but she has much older siblings too. What about her parents? I always got the idea that she was close to her father and learned her love of music from him, and we know her father’s death changed her wedding plans.
-Tacy’s friendships. With Betsy and/or Tib, or with other members of the Crowd. Carney is one of my favorite Crowd members, but I can’t remember seeing her and Tacy together much, although they must have interacted at one point or another. Tacy clearly had a special friendship with Alice Morrison. Even though Tacy was bashful, she was always dreaming up schemes with Betsy and was a part of all the Crowd festivities.
-Tacy and Harry. I requested this for last year’s Yuletide (here), and I would still love to read any story that filled in the gaps and focused on Tacy and Harry’s relationship.
-Tacy and Tom. I admit, as much as I love Tacy and Harry’s relationship, I have always enjoyed the idea of a relationship between Tacy and Tom. If you wanted to explore that in an AU, I would be all over it.
These are just a few ideas I’ve had that focus on parts of Tacy that I’d like to know more about. I know the majority feature characters you may not have offered to write or even thought about writing, so if none of this strikes your fancy, please feel free to ignore these and write whatever comes to mind.
Request #2: Bridgertons Series by Julia Quinn
Daphne Bridgerton, Simon Basset, Anthony Bridgerton, Kate Sheffield
I would love to read a story about Anthony and Simon truly becoming friends again (probably through interference and scheming on the part of their wives). Or just a story about Simon and Daphne, with Anthony and Kate as supporting characters. More details in my Yuletide letter.
I more or less inhaled the series in a 72 hour book binge this January and I have never looked back. I love the entire series, but the first two books happen to be my favorites, both in terms of couples and overall stories.
I apologize in advance for the specific story request, but I’ve had this in mind and if I don’t ask for it for Yuletide, I may not get another chance for a while. I would love something that follows up on the issue of Simon and Anthony’s friendship, which wasn’t fully resolved in The Duke and I and then never really got much attention after that, since Simon and Daphne weren’t around much in comparison in the latter half of the series unless Simon’s dukedom was necessary. (As opposed to, say, Kate and Anthony and Colin and Pen who seem to show up all the time. Not that I mind them being around so often, mind you! I just wish Simon and Daphne had come up some more too.) ANYWAY, Simon and Anthony were close friends before everything went down in The Duke and I, and I like to imagine that they eventually get over their stubborn selves and are close friends again. But how did it happen? How much did their wives (who, I have always believed, became good friends after the Pall Mall game in The Viscount Who Loved Me) have to interfere first? I would love to explore the resolution to that particular part of Simon and Daphne’s story.
If that isn’t a story that interests you, I would love to read anything about Simon and Daphne and their lives together. Anything from moments in their marriage to how they might handle it if one of their children has a stutter (or anything that deals with Simon’s worries about becoming a parent) to Simon adjusting to being part of her huge family now. Would love bonus appearances by Kate and Anthony (not only because they are my other favorites, but I think it makes sense given that Daphne and Anthony were the first to Bridgerton siblings to marry). I would also love a story that just involves general shenanigans between Simon/Daphne and Kate/Anthony, perhaps at a family gathering. The other Bridgertons can work in and out of this story as need be, as I really do love everyone in the family. For reference, my other favorite characters in the series are Violet, Colin and Pen (what, they are a unit), and Hyacinth.
I know that the Second Epilogue for The Duke and I is due out at the end of November, and I will have read it by the time Yuletide rolls around (let’s be honest, I will have read it within 24 hours of it being released), and I guess any of these COULD be what’s covered in the Second Epilogue. I’m thinking it’s fairly unlikely that the Simon and Anthony friendship thing will be what’s covered, but you never know. I’ve been surprised by some of the others. The second epilogue has been delayed until April 2013, so this is no longer an issue. I know I will love anything you write for me in this world, though. There is no such thing as too much Bridgertons.
Request #3: The Montmaray Journals by Michelle Cooper
Sophie FitzOsborne, Simon Chester
I’m interested in more on Simon and Sophie’s relationship, as their dynamic was one of the ones that really fascinated me over the course of the series. Whether platonic or romantic or somewhere in between.
Let me preface this by saying I LOVE THESE BOOKS. I absolutely adore them, and just about everything they are. I love Sophie FitzOsborne and her crazy mess of a family and her narrative voice and her adventures. The one thing I didn’t end up loving in the series was the way the romance turned out. I really enjoyed Sophie’s friendship with Rupert, but for me, as a romance, they did not not work. (I liked all of the other relationships, FWIW, although the dynamic between Simon and Sophie was my favorite.) I feel terrible saying that because I loved EVERYTHING ELSE about these books, but it’s how I felt. So with that said, my request is for Something Else. Or, at least, Something More by way of exploring this dynamic between Sophie and Simon that I found so fascinating as they evolved over the course of the series.
If you’re not into the idea of revising history, I would be interested in anything relating to Simon and Sophie post-series, renewing their friendship or maybe discussing lingering guilt over Toby and Henry, or discussing memories of Montmaray. Anything that expands on their relationship, which I found to be really complex and fascinating. I don’t buy that there was never anything between them, either, and even though it may have ended, it didn’t have to be nothing in order for the rest of the romances to work. One of the things that fascinates me about their dynamic was how he seemed to understand a part of her that no one else seemed to recognize, and she him. I’d love to see more of that, even on a friendship level.
If you DO feel like revising history a little (or a lot), I would definitely be interested in reading an AU where Sophie and Simon share more than just one night together. Whether it’s something that happens after the war when Simon comes home or if it’s a complete AU where Simon doesn’t end up off-page for the latter part of the story, I’d be happy with just about anything. I am also into the idea of Sophie/OMC, maybe an officer she meets through Toby or someone she meets through writing (it’s part of my headcanon that Sophie goes on to become a writer), with Simon and Sophie friendship on the side.
Essentially, I just want to read about Simon and Sophie’s relationship on any level, whether romantic or platonic. Any of the other characters (all of whom I love) can be present as well, as needed! The one thing I don’t especially want is Rupert. I was actually do like him and was really into his friendship with Sophie, but for the purposes of any fic I might be receiving for Yuletide, I’m not really sure he fits with what I would want to read.
For what it’s worth, I wrote Simon/Sophie postwar fic just before The FitzOsbornes at War was released. If you would like to refer to it for whatever reason, you can find it here.
Request #4: Seven Realms Series by Cinda Williams Chima
Raisa ana’Marianna, Han Alister, Amon Byrne
I just want more of Rai, Han, and Amon after the end of The Crimson Crown. What happens next? I would love focus on the relationships between the three of them as they move on to the next challenges that face them. For more details, see my Yuletide letter.
WARNING: Spoilers for The Crimson Crown
My general desire is to read a story about the three of them all ruling together post-series and how that works, with focus on the relationships between them. I love how The Crimson Crown wrapped up with Han and Rai together and married (he wants to breathe her in for the rest of his life!!), but not only do I love Han and Rai (separately and together) but I adore Amon unapologetically. I was thrilled with the romantic ending for Han and Rai, how much they love each other and how that all turned out, but Amon/Rai hits a lot of the right buttons for me too so I would want any story to respect their relationship.
I enjoyed Han and Amon putting their differences aside and become a team to protect Rai, so I would love to see that explored as it affects her relationships with both men, particularly in light of the action at the end of The Crimson Crown. It’s also really important to me that Amon is happy in this future, that even though he and Raisa will always love each other in their own way, he isn’t pining away for her while she and Han are happy together. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I love the potential for future-Han/Raisa/Amon OT3 friendship dynamics and I wouldn’t want it to be portrayed as a love triangle.
So, with all of that said, what happens next? Even though things are looking up for the Fells at the end of The Crimson Crown, there are major challenges still facing Raisa as queen, and Han and Amon will be right there beside her to face those challenges. I’d love to read about anything from them dealing with how to restructure the kingdom now that the Naeming is no longer in place to how they come up with a plan to outsmart Montaigne. I’m listing plot ideas here, but what they’re dealing with isn’t as important to me as how they interact with each other and how their relationships grow and evolve as they’re facing all of these challenges. I would love to read about something as simple as Han and Rai bickering on the throne about something fairly marginal and Amon putting them to rights! Anything that further explores their dynamic! Tell me something that happens in the future, and I will be thrilled.
I hope you found something in my requests that was helpful! I know I can't wait to read whatever you write, and THANK YOU AGAIN! You’re the best!
Happy Yuletide!
spyglass_