YEAR IN FIC 2023
I managed to complete 33 stories this year! Also a pretty good word count!
By comparison (total words per year):
33 stories in 2023 - 150,355 words
3 stories in 2022 - 79,713 words
9 stories in 2021 - 112,032 words
11 stories in 2020 - 120,030 words
10 stories in 2019 - 94,781 words
3 stories in 2018 - 167,178 words
I want to extend my gratitude and appreciation to:
Reverse Bang Challenge
fulltobursting and Aussiefan70 for claiming my artwork for the Reverse Bang. It was my third time participating as an artist. I was happy to see both pieces were claimed! And to Rose Malmaison for beta reading my RB story.
Big Bang/Multi-Bang Challenge
rose_malmaison for all her beta help this year on my three Big Bang/ Challenge stories. My stories are always greatly improved by her input and typo-catching.
spuddoc and G_Love99for claiming my summaries and creating beautiful artwork for my Big Bang Challenge stories. I created my own artwork for my final BB of the year.
SeSa
Many thanks to rose_malmaison for the beta on my SeSa (Secret Santa) story this year.
General
A huge thank you to all those who participate in my challenges. Without participants, there would be no challenges!
And also many thanks to all my other fandom friends, chat buddies and those who read and comment on my stories. I would still write without it (maybe?), but having people enjoying my work always puts a smile on my face!
NCIS Big Bang Challenge (BB) 3 stories:
When Worlds Collide on AO3, 18,712 words
I'm not sure why this story wasn't received better. People like Tony, right? There are TEN Tonys in the story! It seems very Tony-centric to me. But yeah, what a bomb. It's the least popular Big Bang story this year out of 11 and hasn't even garnered 100 kudos in nearly three months. *sigh*
Death Runs in the Family on AO3, 20,930 words
TBH as this is a case fic, I expected THIS story to be at the bottom of the BB pile. It's actually the second to the bottom. I'm happy with the story IF you enjoy case fics created by the author and not rewrites of a series case. So, it is what it is.
Never Let Go on AO3, 43,001 words
This one baffled me. I actually created the original banner for the 2022 Reverse Bang, but Muse made grabby hands for it, so I kept it. I was going to use it for a Big Bang story, but by the time I finished writing Two Roads last year, I didn't think I had time to write a second Big Bang story. So I left this alone. I always want to write at least one story to put up in the art claims for the Big Bang each year, so I started writing When Worlds Collide, followed by Death Runs in the Family. By then, I didn't have a lot of time left, but I certainly did have a very good idea of where I wanted this story to go. So I started writing, and managed to finish it up in time to post. And also created a separate banner for each of the 14 chapters. TBH, I'm still baffled that this story didn't do better. I thought it was well written, people seem to like the artwork, plus it's a crossover with Criminal Minds, which usually brings in a few more readers. But no. For a couple of months, this one was the third to the bottom of the eleven 2023 Big Bang stories. It was just in late December that it began climbing a little and managed to go from number 9 to number 8. But I'm still very disappointed that none of my Big Bang stories did well this year. I'm actually very sad this one didn't do better. But it is what it is.
So it's a story where Tony is supposedly on vacation with his frat brothers, but he's not there when Gibbs goes to pick him up. Gibbs, Tim, Fornell and Morgan and Dave Rossi of the BAU all go looking for Tony together. The first 6 chapters are Gibbs' POV. The next 6 chapters is the same timeframe, but from Tony's POV. Then everything is resolved in the last two chapters. IMHO, this is my best story of 2023.
All three Big Bang stories were beta's by Rose Malmaison, who is my shining star for helping whip these stories into better versions of themselves.
NCIS Reverse Bang Challenge (RB) 1 story:
Escorting Abby on AO3 10,140 words
I did not make a claim for the 2023 Reverse Bang. However, a couple of people did have to drop their claims. This one was pretty last-minute as I claimed it around the rough draft due date. I wrote it in maybe 4-5 days. Oddly enough, it's done the best of all my 2023 stories! Basically, Tony is assigned to escort Abby to court. They're run off the road, abducted, held hostage, escape and are able to call Gibbs to come to their rescue.
Beta'd by Rose_Malmaison.
NCIS Secret Santa Challenge (SeSa) 1 story:
The Christmas Cat Complication on AO3 11,448 words
With a field of 8, I drew longtime friend Cutsycat. I've written 2 SeSa stories for her previously, Paw Prints (a backup story in 2016) and Operation Black Cat (2019). Both based around cats who found themselves in Tony's life. Like those other stories, The Christmas Cat Complication deals with Tony rescuing a pair of kittens. Although, it seems cat stories have fallen out of favor with general readers. I don't mind. Writing cats into stories is a lot of fun and I know Cutsycat will always appreciate a good cat story. *G*
Beta'd by Rose_Malmaison.
NCIS Happy Holidays Challenge (HHC) 24 stories:
While I do try to write something for the HHC each year, I generally only manage 1-3 stories. This year, I produced 24 stories, one for each theme, and three pieces of holiday artwork. The artwork was posted with a couple of the stories, but they can all be seen on THIS POST.
Anyway, I had been wanting to write something as a tribute to Ducky (DM) since he passed in September, but hadn't really thought of anything. But with the Happy Holidays Challenge, I thought, why not write 24 loosely connected ficlets where Ducky is remembered in each one? So they are written in the December 2023 timeframe. Some are focused on Jimmy and Victoria, others are Tony/Torres implied slash that can be read as Gen, and Gibbs also makes a few appearances, along with Tim and some other characters. They're written with the intention that any of the ficlets can be read alone and they can also be read as GEN, whether there is an implied relationship or not.
They're all holiday-themed and the series begins with Jimmy hosting a party where he has created a book with stories and photos of Ducky he's gathered from the others. Tony flies in to visit and he is staying with Nick. A group goes to a parade. Gibbs invites Tony to spend a few days with him at his cabin. They bring back a tree for Nick's apartment. Jimmy allows Victoria to adopt a pair of kittens, one is a gift from Ducky that he'd arranged shortly before his death. And then Parker hosts a Christmas Eve party at his apartment, with some help from Kasie. The final story is Gibbs, Tony and Nick, and is a follow-up to an earlier Christmas story I'd written in 2016 called Christmas Angel. But again, each story can be read as a stand-alone. The main tie-in is an original character, an orphan named Kendall whom Bishop helped get adopted in the 2016 story.
The Party Begins on AO3
The Keepsake on AO3
The Kiss of a Prince on AO3
Tony’s Baby Grand on AO3
The Italian Gigolo and the Pack of Yapping Hounds on AO3
Going Down a Slippery Slope on AO3
The Bourbon and the Christmas Elves on AO3
The Midnight Toast on AO3
The Holiday Parade and the Grumpy Elf on AO3
No Two Exactly Alike on AO3
Ducky and the Proper Earl Gray Tea on AO3
A Santa Hat and a Snow Shovel on AO3
Vintage Cards and Memories Past on AO3
Ducky’s Charity and Scholarships on AO3
The Festive Corpse on AO3
Jubilant Indeed on AO3
A Ducky Sweater on AO3
The Duck Pond Memorial on AO3
A Tree for Nick’s Apartment on AO3
Christmas Stockings and a Sofa Bed on AO3
Mango Grinch and Apple Max on AO3
Musical Notes Falling on AO3
The Earth Touches Us All on AO3
Ducky, Forever in Our Hearts on AO3
NCIS Non-Challenge Stories 4 stories:
Casting Lines on AO3 (8,851 words)
So this one, I was concerned we may have more artists than summaries (2022 NCIS Big Bang). I wanted something to offer if that were the case and all artists wanted to participate (like last year, when I offered up Temping Poses). I wasn't happy with where this one was. Also, I knew it was headed in the 5000 Micro-Bang level, and all the other stories are over 20K this year. I really had no interest in submitting a crappy 5K story in that field. My plan was to wrap it up in time to post for Father's Day in June. I made it, YAY!
Gibbs and Tony invite their dads to go fishing over Father’s Day weekend and decide to share the news that they are a couple.
The Pup Tent on AO3 (3,911 words)
While I didn't have any really strong feelings for the 2023 NCIS Reverse Bang Challenge, I did feel I could write a story for most pieces. I did decide to stand back and let other people make their choices first. I looked over the pieces left and decided I would pick up this very nice Tim & Jimmy camping piece. I loved the artwork, but Tim and Jimmy are background characters for me. I don't tend to focus stories on them. But I was all set to claim the piece. But then I heard someone else wanted to claim it as their second story. I let them claim it. I knew they'd do a better job remaining true to the artwork and what the artist would like to see. I was pretty confident I would manage to twist it into a Gibbs/DiNozzo story despite them not being featured in the artwork. So yes, a lovely story was written for the piece, with Tim and Jimmy bonding over camping with their kids. However, since I had a bunny hopping around my head, I decided to write it anyway. And this is it!
Jim and Tim bond over being fathers and Tony feels left out. Eventually, he claims to be watching “Charlie” for his recently divorced neighbor (Calli) in the afternoons until she is home from work. Unsure if Tony is actually being truthful, they invite him to bring “Charlie” on a camping trip along with Tim’s twins, and Jimmy’s daughter.
How Kate Got Off Sucked Off (The Rooftop) on AO3 (5,367 words)
I don't know why the idea suddenly hit me, but I got the idea that if Tony can now see and communicate with ghosts, he'd certainly see if he could track down Kate and hopefully help her ascend.
After meeting the ghosts at Woodstone Manor, and finding the ghost of Mike Franks living at Gibbs' house, Tony decides to return to the rooftop where Kate was shot and does indeed find her ghost there. After another visit to Woodstone Manor to talk to Samantha, Tony tries to help Kate get 'sucked off' (ascend) from the rooftop.
The Day Ari Went Down (To Hell) on AO3 (2,905 words)
One of the readers left a lovely comment on my Ghost!Kate story and suggested that I write a story about Ari (In the Kate story, it is revealed that Ghost!Ari is on Gibbs' property).
After assisting Kate to ascend, Tony decides to confront Ari Haswari's ghost.
NCIS Artwork - 6 pieces created:
Big Bang Challenge:
Lost Tony - Never Let Go by Jacie
on AO3
The original banner was actually created for the 2022 Reverse Bang. But my Muse made grabby hands for it. I intended to write a Big Bang story for it, but by the time I finished writing Two Roads last year, I didn't think I had time to write a second Big Bang story. So I waited for 2023. As I want to make sure I have something to enter for the BB art claims, I did write two other stories first that were submitted to the claims. Then this was my third and final Big Bang written for 2023. There's the original banner created in 2022, then the updated banner from 2023 that includes Tim and a few characters from Criminal Minds, and also 14 additional banners made for the chapters, which were also created in 2023.
Reverse Bang Challenge:
Tony and Cat - claimed by AussieFan70 (When One Door Closes, Another Door Opens)
on AO3
There's the original banner and an updated banner, plus 7 chapter headers.
For this one, I started with the winter theme for the background. I'm not sure if I started with "lost Tony" or adding in the cat first. The final thing added was the red cardinal for a pop of color as much of it is white snow/ice. My original prompt was that Tony was lost and alone. Then I decided to pull that back again and give the author a bit more freedom, so it was more, Tony is alone when he finds a cat. Aussie also wrote a sequel including the same cat for her firs Big Bang story of 2023!
Bloody Gibbs - claimed by FullToBursting/Unilocular (RipTide)
on AO3
I created an original banner, then updated it, and also added about 5 page breaks she could use.
I'm not really sure how or why I came up with this. I was thinking case fic and blood splatter. I guess I stumbled over the images of Gibbs shot and on the ground and decided to go from there. I was actually surprised this one was claimed!
Happy Holidays Challenge - 3 pieces
HHC artwork
Two are basically the same image of Jimmy and Victoria. One has a Christmas Tree in the background, while they other just has a holiday-inspired background.
The other image is of Jimmy and Jessica Knight as a couple.
I'm happy with them. They're not really assigned to any single story, but they were posted here and there with a handful of my HHC stories.
Many thanks again to my wonderful beta and artists, and the writers who chose my artwork.
Also many thanks to everyone who participated in the challenges and communities. Fandom is so much more fun with participation and people to chat with!
Annual reminder that jacie3 on LJ and jacie on DW are archives for my fanfiction. If you want to keep up and chat on a personal level, please friend my personal journal, solariana on LJ (which is mostly locked) and jacieleigh on DW. As slow as LJ and DW have been, I'm always looking for more people to chat with! If you're looking for me on AO3, I'm there as "Jacie".
As far as new writing plans for 2024, I have a couple of stories in WIP status, but only around 1000 words or so. I suspect I will sign up for the Big Bang and SeSa. I do have an idea for a Big Bang story. Will have to see if I can finish it on time. I don't anticipate writing three BB stories in 2024, but you never know.
As far as artwork, I have not yet created artwork for the 2023 Reverse Bang Challenge. And only a couple days before the due date. So, I don't know.
Once again, I failed to add any more of my PopSlash stories to AO3. If anyone has any favorites they'd like to see posted at AO3, please let me know. I'm happy to add things, but there's so much and I never know where to start! I'm really determined to start adding more of my PopSlash to AO3. I never wanted to have more PopSlash than NCIS Slash as that is my current fandom, however, with writing 33 NCIS stories this year, I now have more NCIS stories completed than PopSlash.
My 2023 Stories (for reference):
103) 04/16/2023 Escorting Abby on AO3 - written for 2023 NCIS Reverse Bang at ncis_bang
104) 05/13/2023 Casting Lines on AO3
105) 05/16/2023 The Pup Tent on AO3
106) 05/24/2023 How Kate Got Off Sucked Off (The Rooftop) on AO3
107) 05/28/2023 The Day Ari Went Down (To Hell) on AO3
108) 06/07/2023 When Worlds Collide on AO3 - written for the 2023 Big Bang Challenge hosted at ncis_bang
109) 06/12/2023 Death Runs in the Family on AO3 - written for the 2023 Big Bang Challenge hosted at ncis_bang
110) 07/24/2023 Never Let Go on AO3 - written for the 2023 Big Bang Challenge hosted at ncis_bang
111) 11/05/2023 The Christmas Cat Complication on AO3 - written for the 2023 SeSa Challenge hosted at ncis_sesa
112) 11/25/2023 The Party Begins on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
113) 11/25/2023 The Keepsake on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
114) 11/25/2023 The Kiss of a Prince on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
115) 11/25/2023 Tony’s Baby Grand on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
116) 11/26/2023 The Italian Gigolo and the Pack of Yapping Hounds on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
117) 11/26/2023 Going Down a Slippery Slope on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
118) 11/26/2023 The Bourbon and the Christmas Elves on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
119) 11/26/2023 The Midnight Toast on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
120) 11/27/2023 The Holiday Parade and the Grumpy Elf on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
121) 11/28/2023 No Two Exactly Alike on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
122) 11/28/2023 Ducky and the Proper Earl Gray Tea on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
123) 11/29/2023 A Santa Hat and a Snow Shovel on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
124) 11/29/2023 Vintage Cards and Memories Past on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
125) 11/29/2023 Ducky’s Charity and Scholarships on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
126) 11/29/2023 The Festive Corpse on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
127) 11/29/2023 Jubilant Indeed on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
128) 11/30/2023 A Ducky Sweater on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
129) 11/30/2023 The Duck Pond Memorial on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
130) 11/30/2023 A Tree for Nick’s Apartment on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
131) 11/30/2023 Christmas Stockings and a Sofa Bed on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
132) 12/01/2023 Mango Grinch and Apple Max on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
133) 12/01/2023 Musical Notes Falling on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
134) 12/02/2023 The Earth Touches Us All on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
135) 12/03/2023 Ducky, Forever in Our Hearts on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
By comparison (total words per year):
33 stories in 2023 - 150,355 words
3 stories in 2022 - 79,713 words
9 stories in 2021 - 112,032 words
11 stories in 2020 - 120,030 words
10 stories in 2019 - 94,781 words
3 stories in 2018 - 167,178 words
I want to extend my gratitude and appreciation to:
Reverse Bang Challenge
fulltobursting and Aussiefan70 for claiming my artwork for the Reverse Bang. It was my third time participating as an artist. I was happy to see both pieces were claimed! And to Rose Malmaison for beta reading my RB story.
Big Bang/Multi-Bang Challenge
rose_malmaison for all her beta help this year on my three Big Bang/ Challenge stories. My stories are always greatly improved by her input and typo-catching.
spuddoc and G_Love99for claiming my summaries and creating beautiful artwork for my Big Bang Challenge stories. I created my own artwork for my final BB of the year.
SeSa
Many thanks to rose_malmaison for the beta on my SeSa (Secret Santa) story this year.
General
A huge thank you to all those who participate in my challenges. Without participants, there would be no challenges!
And also many thanks to all my other fandom friends, chat buddies and those who read and comment on my stories. I would still write without it (maybe?), but having people enjoying my work always puts a smile on my face!
NCIS Big Bang Challenge (BB) 3 stories:
When Worlds Collide on AO3, 18,712 words
I'm not sure why this story wasn't received better. People like Tony, right? There are TEN Tonys in the story! It seems very Tony-centric to me. But yeah, what a bomb. It's the least popular Big Bang story this year out of 11 and hasn't even garnered 100 kudos in nearly three months. *sigh*
Death Runs in the Family on AO3, 20,930 words
TBH as this is a case fic, I expected THIS story to be at the bottom of the BB pile. It's actually the second to the bottom. I'm happy with the story IF you enjoy case fics created by the author and not rewrites of a series case. So, it is what it is.
Never Let Go on AO3, 43,001 words
This one baffled me. I actually created the original banner for the 2022 Reverse Bang, but Muse made grabby hands for it, so I kept it. I was going to use it for a Big Bang story, but by the time I finished writing Two Roads last year, I didn't think I had time to write a second Big Bang story. So I left this alone. I always want to write at least one story to put up in the art claims for the Big Bang each year, so I started writing When Worlds Collide, followed by Death Runs in the Family. By then, I didn't have a lot of time left, but I certainly did have a very good idea of where I wanted this story to go. So I started writing, and managed to finish it up in time to post. And also created a separate banner for each of the 14 chapters. TBH, I'm still baffled that this story didn't do better. I thought it was well written, people seem to like the artwork, plus it's a crossover with Criminal Minds, which usually brings in a few more readers. But no. For a couple of months, this one was the third to the bottom of the eleven 2023 Big Bang stories. It was just in late December that it began climbing a little and managed to go from number 9 to number 8. But I'm still very disappointed that none of my Big Bang stories did well this year. I'm actually very sad this one didn't do better. But it is what it is.
So it's a story where Tony is supposedly on vacation with his frat brothers, but he's not there when Gibbs goes to pick him up. Gibbs, Tim, Fornell and Morgan and Dave Rossi of the BAU all go looking for Tony together. The first 6 chapters are Gibbs' POV. The next 6 chapters is the same timeframe, but from Tony's POV. Then everything is resolved in the last two chapters. IMHO, this is my best story of 2023.
All three Big Bang stories were beta's by Rose Malmaison, who is my shining star for helping whip these stories into better versions of themselves.
NCIS Reverse Bang Challenge (RB) 1 story:
Escorting Abby on AO3 10,140 words
I did not make a claim for the 2023 Reverse Bang. However, a couple of people did have to drop their claims. This one was pretty last-minute as I claimed it around the rough draft due date. I wrote it in maybe 4-5 days. Oddly enough, it's done the best of all my 2023 stories! Basically, Tony is assigned to escort Abby to court. They're run off the road, abducted, held hostage, escape and are able to call Gibbs to come to their rescue.
Beta'd by Rose_Malmaison.
NCIS Secret Santa Challenge (SeSa) 1 story:
The Christmas Cat Complication on AO3 11,448 words
With a field of 8, I drew longtime friend Cutsycat. I've written 2 SeSa stories for her previously, Paw Prints (a backup story in 2016) and Operation Black Cat (2019). Both based around cats who found themselves in Tony's life. Like those other stories, The Christmas Cat Complication deals with Tony rescuing a pair of kittens. Although, it seems cat stories have fallen out of favor with general readers. I don't mind. Writing cats into stories is a lot of fun and I know Cutsycat will always appreciate a good cat story. *G*
Beta'd by Rose_Malmaison.
NCIS Happy Holidays Challenge (HHC) 24 stories:
While I do try to write something for the HHC each year, I generally only manage 1-3 stories. This year, I produced 24 stories, one for each theme, and three pieces of holiday artwork. The artwork was posted with a couple of the stories, but they can all be seen on THIS POST.
Anyway, I had been wanting to write something as a tribute to Ducky (DM) since he passed in September, but hadn't really thought of anything. But with the Happy Holidays Challenge, I thought, why not write 24 loosely connected ficlets where Ducky is remembered in each one? So they are written in the December 2023 timeframe. Some are focused on Jimmy and Victoria, others are Tony/Torres implied slash that can be read as Gen, and Gibbs also makes a few appearances, along with Tim and some other characters. They're written with the intention that any of the ficlets can be read alone and they can also be read as GEN, whether there is an implied relationship or not.
They're all holiday-themed and the series begins with Jimmy hosting a party where he has created a book with stories and photos of Ducky he's gathered from the others. Tony flies in to visit and he is staying with Nick. A group goes to a parade. Gibbs invites Tony to spend a few days with him at his cabin. They bring back a tree for Nick's apartment. Jimmy allows Victoria to adopt a pair of kittens, one is a gift from Ducky that he'd arranged shortly before his death. And then Parker hosts a Christmas Eve party at his apartment, with some help from Kasie. The final story is Gibbs, Tony and Nick, and is a follow-up to an earlier Christmas story I'd written in 2016 called Christmas Angel. But again, each story can be read as a stand-alone. The main tie-in is an original character, an orphan named Kendall whom Bishop helped get adopted in the 2016 story.
The Party Begins on AO3
The Keepsake on AO3
The Kiss of a Prince on AO3
Tony’s Baby Grand on AO3
The Italian Gigolo and the Pack of Yapping Hounds on AO3
Going Down a Slippery Slope on AO3
The Bourbon and the Christmas Elves on AO3
The Midnight Toast on AO3
The Holiday Parade and the Grumpy Elf on AO3
No Two Exactly Alike on AO3
Ducky and the Proper Earl Gray Tea on AO3
A Santa Hat and a Snow Shovel on AO3
Vintage Cards and Memories Past on AO3
Ducky’s Charity and Scholarships on AO3
The Festive Corpse on AO3
Jubilant Indeed on AO3
A Ducky Sweater on AO3
The Duck Pond Memorial on AO3
A Tree for Nick’s Apartment on AO3
Christmas Stockings and a Sofa Bed on AO3
Mango Grinch and Apple Max on AO3
Musical Notes Falling on AO3
The Earth Touches Us All on AO3
Ducky, Forever in Our Hearts on AO3
NCIS Non-Challenge Stories 4 stories:
Casting Lines on AO3 (8,851 words)
So this one, I was concerned we may have more artists than summaries (2022 NCIS Big Bang). I wanted something to offer if that were the case and all artists wanted to participate (like last year, when I offered up Temping Poses). I wasn't happy with where this one was. Also, I knew it was headed in the 5000 Micro-Bang level, and all the other stories are over 20K this year. I really had no interest in submitting a crappy 5K story in that field. My plan was to wrap it up in time to post for Father's Day in June. I made it, YAY!
Gibbs and Tony invite their dads to go fishing over Father’s Day weekend and decide to share the news that they are a couple.
The Pup Tent on AO3 (3,911 words)
While I didn't have any really strong feelings for the 2023 NCIS Reverse Bang Challenge, I did feel I could write a story for most pieces. I did decide to stand back and let other people make their choices first. I looked over the pieces left and decided I would pick up this very nice Tim & Jimmy camping piece. I loved the artwork, but Tim and Jimmy are background characters for me. I don't tend to focus stories on them. But I was all set to claim the piece. But then I heard someone else wanted to claim it as their second story. I let them claim it. I knew they'd do a better job remaining true to the artwork and what the artist would like to see. I was pretty confident I would manage to twist it into a Gibbs/DiNozzo story despite them not being featured in the artwork. So yes, a lovely story was written for the piece, with Tim and Jimmy bonding over camping with their kids. However, since I had a bunny hopping around my head, I decided to write it anyway. And this is it!
Jim and Tim bond over being fathers and Tony feels left out. Eventually, he claims to be watching “Charlie” for his recently divorced neighbor (Calli) in the afternoons until she is home from work. Unsure if Tony is actually being truthful, they invite him to bring “Charlie” on a camping trip along with Tim’s twins, and Jimmy’s daughter.
How Kate Got Off Sucked Off (The Rooftop) on AO3 (5,367 words)
I don't know why the idea suddenly hit me, but I got the idea that if Tony can now see and communicate with ghosts, he'd certainly see if he could track down Kate and hopefully help her ascend.
After meeting the ghosts at Woodstone Manor, and finding the ghost of Mike Franks living at Gibbs' house, Tony decides to return to the rooftop where Kate was shot and does indeed find her ghost there. After another visit to Woodstone Manor to talk to Samantha, Tony tries to help Kate get 'sucked off' (ascend) from the rooftop.
The Day Ari Went Down (To Hell) on AO3 (2,905 words)
One of the readers left a lovely comment on my Ghost!Kate story and suggested that I write a story about Ari (In the Kate story, it is revealed that Ghost!Ari is on Gibbs' property).
After assisting Kate to ascend, Tony decides to confront Ari Haswari's ghost.
NCIS Artwork - 6 pieces created:
Big Bang Challenge:
Lost Tony - Never Let Go by Jacie
on AO3
The original banner was actually created for the 2022 Reverse Bang. But my Muse made grabby hands for it. I intended to write a Big Bang story for it, but by the time I finished writing Two Roads last year, I didn't think I had time to write a second Big Bang story. So I waited for 2023. As I want to make sure I have something to enter for the BB art claims, I did write two other stories first that were submitted to the claims. Then this was my third and final Big Bang written for 2023. There's the original banner created in 2022, then the updated banner from 2023 that includes Tim and a few characters from Criminal Minds, and also 14 additional banners made for the chapters, which were also created in 2023.
Reverse Bang Challenge:
Tony and Cat - claimed by AussieFan70 (When One Door Closes, Another Door Opens)
on AO3
There's the original banner and an updated banner, plus 7 chapter headers.
For this one, I started with the winter theme for the background. I'm not sure if I started with "lost Tony" or adding in the cat first. The final thing added was the red cardinal for a pop of color as much of it is white snow/ice. My original prompt was that Tony was lost and alone. Then I decided to pull that back again and give the author a bit more freedom, so it was more, Tony is alone when he finds a cat. Aussie also wrote a sequel including the same cat for her firs Big Bang story of 2023!
Bloody Gibbs - claimed by FullToBursting/Unilocular (RipTide)
on AO3
I created an original banner, then updated it, and also added about 5 page breaks she could use.
I'm not really sure how or why I came up with this. I was thinking case fic and blood splatter. I guess I stumbled over the images of Gibbs shot and on the ground and decided to go from there. I was actually surprised this one was claimed!
Happy Holidays Challenge - 3 pieces
HHC artwork
Two are basically the same image of Jimmy and Victoria. One has a Christmas Tree in the background, while they other just has a holiday-inspired background.
The other image is of Jimmy and Jessica Knight as a couple.
I'm happy with them. They're not really assigned to any single story, but they were posted here and there with a handful of my HHC stories.
Many thanks again to my wonderful beta and artists, and the writers who chose my artwork.
Also many thanks to everyone who participated in the challenges and communities. Fandom is so much more fun with participation and people to chat with!
Annual reminder that jacie3 on LJ and jacie on DW are archives for my fanfiction. If you want to keep up and chat on a personal level, please friend my personal journal, solariana on LJ (which is mostly locked) and jacieleigh on DW. As slow as LJ and DW have been, I'm always looking for more people to chat with! If you're looking for me on AO3, I'm there as "Jacie".
As far as new writing plans for 2024, I have a couple of stories in WIP status, but only around 1000 words or so. I suspect I will sign up for the Big Bang and SeSa. I do have an idea for a Big Bang story. Will have to see if I can finish it on time. I don't anticipate writing three BB stories in 2024, but you never know.
As far as artwork, I have not yet created artwork for the 2023 Reverse Bang Challenge. And only a couple days before the due date. So, I don't know.
Once again, I failed to add any more of my PopSlash stories to AO3. If anyone has any favorites they'd like to see posted at AO3, please let me know. I'm happy to add things, but there's so much and I never know where to start! I'm really determined to start adding more of my PopSlash to AO3. I never wanted to have more PopSlash than NCIS Slash as that is my current fandom, however, with writing 33 NCIS stories this year, I now have more NCIS stories completed than PopSlash.
My 2023 Stories (for reference):
103) 04/16/2023 Escorting Abby on AO3 - written for 2023 NCIS Reverse Bang at ncis_bang
104) 05/13/2023 Casting Lines on AO3
105) 05/16/2023 The Pup Tent on AO3
106) 05/24/2023 How Kate Got Off Sucked Off (The Rooftop) on AO3
107) 05/28/2023 The Day Ari Went Down (To Hell) on AO3
108) 06/07/2023 When Worlds Collide on AO3 - written for the 2023 Big Bang Challenge hosted at ncis_bang
109) 06/12/2023 Death Runs in the Family on AO3 - written for the 2023 Big Bang Challenge hosted at ncis_bang
110) 07/24/2023 Never Let Go on AO3 - written for the 2023 Big Bang Challenge hosted at ncis_bang
111) 11/05/2023 The Christmas Cat Complication on AO3 - written for the 2023 SeSa Challenge hosted at ncis_sesa
112) 11/25/2023 The Party Begins on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
113) 11/25/2023 The Keepsake on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
114) 11/25/2023 The Kiss of a Prince on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
115) 11/25/2023 Tony’s Baby Grand on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
116) 11/26/2023 The Italian Gigolo and the Pack of Yapping Hounds on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
117) 11/26/2023 Going Down a Slippery Slope on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
118) 11/26/2023 The Bourbon and the Christmas Elves on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
119) 11/26/2023 The Midnight Toast on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
120) 11/27/2023 The Holiday Parade and the Grumpy Elf on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
121) 11/28/2023 No Two Exactly Alike on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
122) 11/28/2023 Ducky and the Proper Earl Gray Tea on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
123) 11/29/2023 A Santa Hat and a Snow Shovel on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
124) 11/29/2023 Vintage Cards and Memories Past on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
125) 11/29/2023 Ducky’s Charity and Scholarships on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
126) 11/29/2023 The Festive Corpse on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
127) 11/29/2023 Jubilant Indeed on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
128) 11/30/2023 A Ducky Sweater on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
129) 11/30/2023 The Duck Pond Memorial on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
130) 11/30/2023 A Tree for Nick’s Apartment on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
131) 11/30/2023 Christmas Stockings and a Sofa Bed on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
132) 12/01/2023 Mango Grinch and Apple Max on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
133) 12/01/2023 Musical Notes Falling on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
134) 12/02/2023 The Earth Touches Us All on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss
135) 12/03/2023 Ducky, Forever in Our Hearts on AO3 - written for the 2023 Happy Holidays Challenge hosted at ncis_discuss