Dear Yuletide Author Letter, 2020 edition

[aegistheia]

Dear Yuletide Author,

Thank you for writing! Apologies for the delay in posting this; RL hit pretty hard last week. Please behold my trimmed standard letter for your reading pleasure, as archived on Dreamwidth and Livejournal.

1. ABOUT ME
2. PREFERENCES
3. FANDOM-SPECIFIC TALK
   i. Nirvana in Fire (琅琊榜)
   ii. Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex
   iii. Saiyuki Ibun
4. INSPIRATIONS

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1. ABOUT ME

Here are some general items of note about my current fandom and fic reading approach, in no particular order:

• I LOVE READING FIC. I repeat this every year, because it's true. I’m so excited! You are going to do so well. I love you and what you are going to write already. You are going to be okay. THANK YOU. ♥



• I prefer gen and/or plot/theme-focused fics.



• I’m largely in fandom for relationships in their basest definition: "the way in which two or more people, groups, countries, etc., talk to, behave toward, and deal with each other; ...the way in which two or more people or things are connected." (From the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, 2014/09.) When I mention “relationship” in this letter, please assume the broadest interpretation (i.e. characters interacting) unless otherwise specified.



• As long as a story portrays its characters and/or plot with coherent development with intact internal logic, I will read it, even if it contains viewpoints at vast odds with canon or general fanon or my own headcanon. Therefore please feel free to deviate from my suggestions/prompts without compunction. You’re going to have a hard time writing something I won’t enjoy!



• I love seeing implications that characters have lives and relationships beyond the ones in focus in the story.


You don’t have to stick to canon! Stories that are crossovers, AUs, or explorations that reflect and contrast the source’s main themes and/or plot in their alternate settings are most welcome.


2. PREFERENCES

My Likes, An Incomprehensive List:

• Character interactions of any sort, but especially:
  
  
  
  • Blatant respect between characters
  
  
  • Significant platonic/queerplatonic relationships
  
  
  • Family feels (especially found families)


• Conflict, developed or developing


• No conflict: slice of life; crack; odd happenings; Kishoutenketsu


• Snappy dialogue and/or sarcastic narrative


• Meditative moments filled with lyrical introspection


• Hurt/comfort


• NSFW: (though I’d prefer less focus on romantic/sexual relationships)
  
  
  
  • Consent
  
  
  • Important to character or story development


Do Not Wants:

• Unrelenting angst


• Infidelity or betrayals, unless directly relevant to story theme/development (or canon, depending on fandom)


• Lack of communication in supposedly healthy relationships unless justified


• Extreme embarrassment (I have a pretty sensitive embarrassment squick)


• Jealousy or envy that remains unresolved


• NSFW:
  
  
  
  • Lack of consent (dubcon is fine only if negotiations are also included or consent is clearly implied)
  
  
  • The word “cum”



3. FANDOM-SPECIFIC TALK


1. Nirvana in Fire (琅琊榜)
   
   Requested characters: Xiāo Jǐngyǎn, Lín Shū/Méi Chángsū/Sū Zhé
   Keywords: Gen (or mostly gen), Character Exploration/Development, World Building, Political Intrigue, Hijinks
   
   Honestly anything with the slightest whiff of these two idiots as they navigate the massive world and cast of palace intrigue before, during, or after the major story will be A+++. Ensemble cast most welcome, especially the awesome ladies! And if your heart or story calls for writing these two in varying stages of relationships/intimacy, go for it.



2. Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex
   
   Requested characters: Kusanagi Motoko, Aoi
   Keywords: Gen, Philosophy, Character Exploration/Development, World Building, Violence, Hijinks, Section 9 Ensemble Fic appreciated, may feature Aoi to a lesser degree if the story calls for it
   
   GitS wouldn’t be what it is without a heavy helping of philosophy and social commentary underlining its intricately interwoven cases and multiple plotlines. I’d super appreciate more stories of the oftentimes dystopic world with a dash of hope. I’d love anything with the Major as a major role (ha), but anything including the supporting cast would be wonderful too, such as Section 9 or Aoi. For a more direct prompt, what if Aoi had joined/occasionally worked with Section 9 instead of refusing?



3. Saiyuki Ibun
   
   Requested characters: Houmei
   Keywords: Gen (or mostly gen), Character Exploration/Development, World Building, Hijinks, Atmospheric Whiplash AKA Minekura-sensei's signature Mood
   
   Going to try my luck again this year to see if there’s more Saiyuki love! As per last year, anything resembling Minekura-sensei’s whiplash writing style will be ACES. Adventures! Case fic! Character study! Philosphical debates during ambushes! Foreshadowing as classic Ibun! Take your pick! Ensemble cast most welcome!
   



4. INSPIRATIONS

I keep accounts open on Tumblr, AO3, Dreamwidth, and Livejournal. I explore different fandoms on each account (except for DW and LJ, which are mirrors); though I haven’t been active for a while now, you are welcome to spelunk with impunity.

As per tradition, here are some interesting things to help jumpstart your creativity:



Click to view

Beethoven String Quartet no. 14 No. 14 in C♯ minor, Op. 131

"Time heals all wounds. And if it doesn’t, you name them something other than wounds and agree to let them stay."
- Emma Forrest, Your Voice in My Head

Visions of the future posters by NASA/JPL

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I hope you enjoyed the read! Thanks again for writing for me; I can’t wait! See you in December!

Aegis

This entry was originally posted at https://aegistheia.dreamwidth.org/22994.html. Please comment there using OpenID.