Dear Yuletide Writer 2016
Oct. 9th, 2016 08:35 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
desertvixen Time flies when we're having fun. This will be my EIGHTH Yuletide, and I look forward to it every year.
I want to apologize for being a little late getting the letter open, but I've been busy getting married, so catching up now.
Optional details are, of course, optional - but I'm one of the people who always wants MOAR INFO on what you want, so I provide plenty.
General wants/DNWs:
Stories don’t need to be super sappy and sugary/fluffy, but please don’t get all grim and dark. Bittersweet can work if there are hopeful tinges.
I like humor, and I don't think I do a good job of writing it - sparkling snappy dialogue always works! (Especially if you are here to fulfill my Heyer request!)
Holiday-themed is always enjoyed if that’s where the story takes you, but not required.
I generally prefer het or gen. I'd rather not have too-explicit sex for Yuletide, but romance is always in - ESPECIALLY if you're going a holiday route because I love Christmas and mistletoe. The "fade to black" or implied sex is fine, or making out.
I'm a fan of AU, but prefer canon-divergence or "what-if" scenarios, rather than "all the characters are at boarding school together" types (Unless they ARE all at boarding school together...)
Stories where problems are solved by feminine insight/intuition rock! I think pretty much all of my prompts are good for the Misses Clause challenge if you're into that.
I participate in the Yuletide Madness Drabble Initiative, and I love to recieve drabbles as well!
If you know more than one of the requested fandoms, or some of my other fandoms (particularly Nancy Drew, Miss Marple, or And Then There Were None, which I nominated and then forgot to request), I love crossovers. But only if you like to write them!
Please no explicit violence/gore (nothing higher than what already exists in a canon) and no sexual violence. I'd also prefer you avoid major (i.e. nominated) character death.
On to the specific stuff. Prompts are in no particular order.
#1: Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
Park Sheridan, Min-dae Sheridan, Jamie Sheridan, Eleanor Douglas
Give me the AU where Jamie Sheridan uses his status in the neighborhood to put the fear of God into Eleanor's stepfather, or maybe the story where Park does help his mom get Eleanor ready for their wedding day (without seeing her)
These are the two prompts that are loudest in my head, but if you think of something else that works, that's awesome too. What I loved about this novel and these characters was how REAL they were. I really liked Park's dad, who was a little dubious about Eleanor at first, but had no real hesitation about supporting his son doing what Park saw as the right thing. I really really wanted the scene where he pounded on Eleanor's stepdad. I also loved the relationship between the parents - passionate and fun, like the whole interchange about how he'll use whatever language he likes and her threatening to send him to his room. I want a little of everyone, but show me a little of this relationship. Maybe post-Eleanor and Park marriage fic? I also really liked Park's grandparents and Eleanor's relationship with the black girls in her gym class. I really just wanted MORE.
If you go the route about the hairdo, don't let Min-dae make Eleanor too someone she isn't.
#2: The Nonesuch by Georgette Heyer
Patience Chartley, Tiffany Wield, Lady Lindeth, Mrs. Underhill
Tiffany Wield is one of those characters you just love to hate - I'd love to get a story where Tiffany gets what she deserves and where Patience gets to shine. You can toss Julian in, but I'm interested in how the women interact - especially how Lady Lindeth might react to Tiffany.
This one is a repeat request, but don't feel bad if this isn't what we matched on.
So, Tiffany Wield is one of the Heyer characters that many people (including me) love to hate. She’s strikingly beautiful, rich, self-centered, petted and spoiled beyond belief, but still young enough that she could change. She probably won’t though. When last seen at the end of the Nonesuch, she was off to London to wind a bachelor uncle or two around her thumb. I would be willing to bet, however, that she doesn’t stay there long… I envision her being sent back to Staples for either her own good or her guardian’s sanity.
Give me a Heyer-esque romp, possibly concerning Patience and Julian’s wedding (don’t let her ruin it, but comeuppance is always fun to watch) in the vicinity of Staples. I’m a big fan of Patience.
Maybe a story where Sophia, Lady Lindeth, realizes how awesome a choice Patience is instead of Tiffany (I know in the book Patience’s mother and Sophia were supposed to know each other).
Maybe a story where she *almost* creates havoc. Maybe Mrs. Underhill will finally get a little spine where little Miss Tiffany is concerned?
Basically, I want Patience to have a victory over Tiffany. Patience is a nice girl, but not so nice she wouldn't enjoy it a little. Especially if Tiffany makes a play for Julian.
This one is tied with Cotillion for my absolute favorite, and it's on my read when I'm depressed list. If I was going to step into a Heyer book, I'd pick this one. If only so I could strangle Tiffany.
If you feel like crossing over with other Heyers, that's cool too (I also enjoy A Civil Contract (Julia Oversley v. Tiffany Wield, I'd bet on Tiff), Cotillion, The Unknown Ajax, Venetia) but certainly not required.
I'd like to have all of them in the story, but if it works better for you to ditch Lady Lindeth, that is okay.
#3: Poirot by Agatha Christie
Colonel Arbuthnot, Mary Debenham, Hector MacQueen
Recently watched the movie and read the book (with my 10 year old) and started thinking about what the characters might have been up to in the time period between the kidnapping/deaths and the events of the book. I am specifically interested in the book version (i.e., Arbuthnot doesn't need a divorce, but is in love with Mary). How does Hector keep from killing Casetti?
Or if you want to tackle what happens after Orient Express, that could be fun as well.
#4: The Scoop by the London Detection Club
Geraldine Tracey, Beryl Blackwood, Mr. Hemingway
I really just want some fic for this - I'd love something about Geraldine Tracey and Beryl Blackwood somehow having an encounter - or Hemingway's issues
All right, so there is a computer game and the novel, but the two are very close. It's written by the London Detection Club, and is very focused on the newspaper business in 1930s-ish London. The game is available at Abandonia if you need something to goof off on. I had the computer game in 1990, and might have actually written my first (very bad) fanfic for it.
For "Mr. Tracey" (Hemingway), the book/game ends with him slipping and falling to his death. Give me another ending, preferably one with a big showy trial that the papers can cover! (Or even give me another killer who is framing him...)
Or maybe focus on Geraldine Tracey. Maybe he doesn’t successfully kill her, which makes the case quite different (see big showy trial). Maybe she is the killer instead, and leaves his dead body in her bungalow. (I like the Lonely Bungalow aspect.) I like to keep it in the 30s milieu. Maybe it’s not her real name and Beryl actually knows her.
Denis/Beryl is fun, but I’d like to see something more focused on the crime/trial aspect. Maybe Beryl does some more investigating on her own to help him out.
Link to the game: http://www.myabandonware.com/game/the-sc
The book is available from Amazon (actually a novella) for pretty cheap. It’s not available digitally as far as I know.
This one is also crossover-ripe.
#5: Vorkosigan Saga by Lois Mcaster Bujold
Delia Koudelka, Duv Galeni, Ivan Vorpatril, Tej Arqua Vorpatril
So I love both of these couples. I'd love a story where they're at a diplomatic function together... feel free to play up sexy/silly moments between each couple. I'd love some interaction between the 2 women and between the 2 men as well...
I want to apologize for being a little late getting the letter open, but I've been busy getting married, so catching up now.
Optional details are, of course, optional - but I'm one of the people who always wants MOAR INFO on what you want, so I provide plenty.
General wants/DNWs:
Stories don’t need to be super sappy and sugary/fluffy, but please don’t get all grim and dark. Bittersweet can work if there are hopeful tinges.
I like humor, and I don't think I do a good job of writing it - sparkling snappy dialogue always works! (Especially if you are here to fulfill my Heyer request!)
Holiday-themed is always enjoyed if that’s where the story takes you, but not required.
I generally prefer het or gen. I'd rather not have too-explicit sex for Yuletide, but romance is always in - ESPECIALLY if you're going a holiday route because I love Christmas and mistletoe. The "fade to black" or implied sex is fine, or making out.
I'm a fan of AU, but prefer canon-divergence or "what-if" scenarios, rather than "all the characters are at boarding school together" types (Unless they ARE all at boarding school together...)
Stories where problems are solved by feminine insight/intuition rock! I think pretty much all of my prompts are good for the Misses Clause challenge if you're into that.
I participate in the Yuletide Madness Drabble Initiative, and I love to recieve drabbles as well!
If you know more than one of the requested fandoms, or some of my other fandoms (particularly Nancy Drew, Miss Marple, or And Then There Were None, which I nominated and then forgot to request), I love crossovers. But only if you like to write them!
Please no explicit violence/gore (nothing higher than what already exists in a canon) and no sexual violence. I'd also prefer you avoid major (i.e. nominated) character death.
On to the specific stuff. Prompts are in no particular order.
#1: Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
Park Sheridan, Min-dae Sheridan, Jamie Sheridan, Eleanor Douglas
Give me the AU where Jamie Sheridan uses his status in the neighborhood to put the fear of God into Eleanor's stepfather, or maybe the story where Park does help his mom get Eleanor ready for their wedding day (without seeing her)
These are the two prompts that are loudest in my head, but if you think of something else that works, that's awesome too. What I loved about this novel and these characters was how REAL they were. I really liked Park's dad, who was a little dubious about Eleanor at first, but had no real hesitation about supporting his son doing what Park saw as the right thing. I really really wanted the scene where he pounded on Eleanor's stepdad. I also loved the relationship between the parents - passionate and fun, like the whole interchange about how he'll use whatever language he likes and her threatening to send him to his room. I want a little of everyone, but show me a little of this relationship. Maybe post-Eleanor and Park marriage fic? I also really liked Park's grandparents and Eleanor's relationship with the black girls in her gym class. I really just wanted MORE.
If you go the route about the hairdo, don't let Min-dae make Eleanor too someone she isn't.
#2: The Nonesuch by Georgette Heyer
Patience Chartley, Tiffany Wield, Lady Lindeth, Mrs. Underhill
Tiffany Wield is one of those characters you just love to hate - I'd love to get a story where Tiffany gets what she deserves and where Patience gets to shine. You can toss Julian in, but I'm interested in how the women interact - especially how Lady Lindeth might react to Tiffany.
This one is a repeat request, but don't feel bad if this isn't what we matched on.
So, Tiffany Wield is one of the Heyer characters that many people (including me) love to hate. She’s strikingly beautiful, rich, self-centered, petted and spoiled beyond belief, but still young enough that she could change. She probably won’t though. When last seen at the end of the Nonesuch, she was off to London to wind a bachelor uncle or two around her thumb. I would be willing to bet, however, that she doesn’t stay there long… I envision her being sent back to Staples for either her own good or her guardian’s sanity.
Give me a Heyer-esque romp, possibly concerning Patience and Julian’s wedding (don’t let her ruin it, but comeuppance is always fun to watch) in the vicinity of Staples. I’m a big fan of Patience.
Maybe a story where Sophia, Lady Lindeth, realizes how awesome a choice Patience is instead of Tiffany (I know in the book Patience’s mother and Sophia were supposed to know each other).
Maybe a story where she *almost* creates havoc. Maybe Mrs. Underhill will finally get a little spine where little Miss Tiffany is concerned?
Basically, I want Patience to have a victory over Tiffany. Patience is a nice girl, but not so nice she wouldn't enjoy it a little. Especially if Tiffany makes a play for Julian.
This one is tied with Cotillion for my absolute favorite, and it's on my read when I'm depressed list. If I was going to step into a Heyer book, I'd pick this one. If only so I could strangle Tiffany.
If you feel like crossing over with other Heyers, that's cool too (I also enjoy A Civil Contract (Julia Oversley v. Tiffany Wield, I'd bet on Tiff), Cotillion, The Unknown Ajax, Venetia) but certainly not required.
I'd like to have all of them in the story, but if it works better for you to ditch Lady Lindeth, that is okay.
#3: Poirot by Agatha Christie
Colonel Arbuthnot, Mary Debenham, Hector MacQueen
Recently watched the movie and read the book (with my 10 year old) and started thinking about what the characters might have been up to in the time period between the kidnapping/deaths and the events of the book. I am specifically interested in the book version (i.e., Arbuthnot doesn't need a divorce, but is in love with Mary). How does Hector keep from killing Casetti?
Either focus on Mary and Arbuthnot or focus on Hector. Or, you know, focus on all 3.
The request pretty much sums it up. I'm just really interested in how they got to the train, and what they went to beforehand - how Arbuthnot came up with the idea, how Mary dealt with her situation, although I am particularly interested in Hector. This story might be a great choice for epistolary fic, which I suck at. Or if you want to go to AU-land and crossover with And Then There Were None, Vera Claythorne and Mary Debenham could be epic.Or if you want to tackle what happens after Orient Express, that could be fun as well.
#4: The Scoop by the London Detection Club
Geraldine Tracey, Beryl Blackwood, Mr. Hemingway
I really just want some fic for this - I'd love something about Geraldine Tracey and Beryl Blackwood somehow having an encounter - or Hemingway's issues
I don't need all 3 characters, you can ditch one if it makes your story easier to work out (either Tracey or Hemingway)
I requested this one the last two years, with no luck. I just want fic in this fandom.All right, so there is a computer game and the novel, but the two are very close. It's written by the London Detection Club, and is very focused on the newspaper business in 1930s-ish London. The game is available at Abandonia if you need something to goof off on. I had the computer game in 1990, and might have actually written my first (very bad) fanfic for it.
For "Mr. Tracey" (Hemingway), the book/game ends with him slipping and falling to his death. Give me another ending, preferably one with a big showy trial that the papers can cover! (Or even give me another killer who is framing him...)
Or maybe focus on Geraldine Tracey. Maybe he doesn’t successfully kill her, which makes the case quite different (see big showy trial). Maybe she is the killer instead, and leaves his dead body in her bungalow. (I like the Lonely Bungalow aspect.) I like to keep it in the 30s milieu. Maybe it’s not her real name and Beryl actually knows her.
Denis/Beryl is fun, but I’d like to see something more focused on the crime/trial aspect. Maybe Beryl does some more investigating on her own to help him out.
Link to the game: http://www.myabandonware.com/game/the-sc
The book is available from Amazon (actually a novella) for pretty cheap. It’s not available digitally as far as I know.
This one is also crossover-ripe.
#5: Vorkosigan Saga by Lois Mcaster Bujold
Delia Koudelka, Duv Galeni, Ivan Vorpatril, Tej Arqua Vorpatril
So I love both of these couples. I'd love a story where they're at a diplomatic function together... feel free to play up sexy/silly moments between each couple. I'd love some interaction between the 2 women and between the 2 men as well...
Or if you wanted to do something about them in the era of Aral Vorkosigan's funeral, that would also be great.
This seems like it will be the Saga's last year of Yuletide eligibility, so I decided to throw it in (partly because I was forgetting And Then There Were None).
I love both of these couples, especially as they're all portrayed in Captain Vorpatril's Alliance.
I've also recieved a lovely Ivan/Tej story this year, called Till Things Are Brighter that pretty much summed up how and why I love this couple, if you're thinking of going the Aral-funeral route. There was also a great one about Duv and Delia and diplomatic stuff called Reception. I'd love something where the four of them are somehow together at a diplomatic thing (maybe doing some ImpSec stuff as well...)
I hope all this helps. And just remember, whatever you write, I am going to enjoy - because it's going to be good and it's going to be a gift just for me.
Good writing!
DV
