Yuletide 2011!
Dear Yuletide Writer,
Hi there! :) First of all, I wanted to thank you so much for volunteering to write in one of the fandoms I've requested. I have actually never read fic in any of these fandoms, so I'm positive I'll love whatever you come up with! This is my first time participating in Yuletide, and I can already tell it's going to be awesome.
I want to state, right off the bat: it's very important to me that you have fun writing a story for me. I know how impossible it is to be assigned to someone where you feel restricted or cannot find any inspiration in their requests. Like I said, I'm new to Yuletide, so this is my first letter I've written of this nature and I'm still getting the hang of things. I tried to give you a full picture of the kinds of fic that I enjoy reading, but please do not feel tied to any of my prompts, suggestions, or requests. I'd rather you write something you enjoy and are proud of than something on my suggestions that you really hate. So if nothing here strikes your fancy, feel free to find inspiration elsewhere. Honestly, as long as any of these three fandoms gets written, I'll love whatever it is you come up with.
-------------------------------------
Likes & Dislikes
I'll try and give you an idea of the type of fic that I enjoy. My biggest thing is that I will usually fall head over heels for any sort of character-based fic. If the fic is more character-based than plot-based, I am A-OK with that. I love the idea of "little moments" - small instances, almost snapshots, occurring over a period of time/a person's life to show who they are or what their relationship is like.
I am open to just about anything, genre and pairing-wise. I am open to angst, romance, fluff, and smut fic - whatever you're comfortable with and inspired by, go for it. I'll also read gen, het, slash, or femme, so again, whatever floats your boat! Please don't feel tied down by any of the suggested pairings down below. If they don't work for you, gen or friendship fic is always welcome. And I love strong women like crazy, so the more awesome you make the women in your fic, the more I will love it!
In terms of tropes - things like crossovers, kidfic, hurt/comfort, etc - I am open to basically anything, so long as it's done well. (I know that's subjective, but I trust you - if you feel you've done a good job, I bet you have!) I've included a list of things that I like for each fandom, so maybe that will give you a clearer idea. (Also, I haven't mentioned this anywhere else because I know there is less than a zero percent chance that anyone would write this, but I would DIE to get a Never Let Me Go/Zombieland cross-over in which Tommy & Kathy end up running into Columbus & Wichita. I know that's ridiculous, but so is my brain. Anyway, carry on!)
Also? Holiday fics, whether they be Christmas/New Years or just winter-centric, are amazing. If you're so inspired, go for it. I'd love to see any of the characters in these fandoms celebrate the holidays.
I have almost no triggers that you need to worry about, although I do have some strong squicks. Most notably would be non-con/dub-con and watersports/scat/bloodplay - I'm not sure how those would come into play in these fandoms, but I wanted to mention them just in case. Please, if it's at all possible, stay away from those.
I also have a couple things that make me uncomfortable to read, so I figured I'd note them down:
- crying men (I just can't handle it unless it's incredibly justified. It usually just makes me laugh uncomfortably.)
- songfic (Using a set of lyrics at the beginning is definitely fine - I do it myself sometimes - but lyrics interspersed throughout the fic just pulls me out and breaks the flow.)
- all action and no characters (This would really only apply to two of my fandoms, but I much prefer fics that focus more on the characters than on the big action sequences. Action sequences are completely fine to put in, unless it's 95% of the fic.)
If you still need help, or want more of a picture, all of my own writing can be found over at wakeyourheart. None of it is in these fandoms, but it might help show what tone I usually like in fic. I also have some fics bookmarked here @ Delicious, although Delicious sucks now and there are plenty of fics I've liked that I haven't bookmarked. But maybe that will help anyway!
And now that I've totally rambled your ear off, let's get to the fandoms, shall we?
-------------------------------------
Never Let Me Go
Tommy/Kathy. Little moments showing the growth of their relationship over the years - Hailsham, the Cottages, when she's his Carer, stuff like that. They truly were meant to be.
The world of "Never Let Me Go" is heart-breaking, not only because Tommy and Kathy didn't get all the time together they deserved, but because none of those children got the lives they deserved. And it's that tragedy that fascinates me - I think it sets an amazing backdrop for a character study, for learning more about why the characters interact the way they do. I've both read the book and seen the movie, so if you've done both as well, feel free to settle the differences between them however you like - I genuinely liked both versions. And if you've just seen the movie, that's quite fine with me! As I mentioned above, my main pairing for this fandom is Tommy/Kathy, but if you aren't comfortable with that, then don't force yourself to write it. I'm just as happy with a friendship fic with Tommy, Kathy and Ruth - they all had such interesting dynamics. Het or gen would be my preference, although if you have a real penchant for Ruth/Cathy and feel the fic warrants it, I trust you.
Prompts and Suggestions: What if Kathy and Tommy got a whole day in town, away from the Cottages, to themselves? What if Tommy was physically and emotionally involved with both Ruth and Kathy at the same time? What if Kathy didn't become a Carer, and all three were sent to different Care facilities? How did Kathy and Tommy's relationship grow and change over their years together?
Go For It: Fic that acts as snapshots into a character's life, Tommy POV, bittersweetness, angst, lighthearted moments, a ticking clock, death, sex, angst with a hopeful ending.
Please Stay Away From: Too much Ruth/Tommy (they can be a side pairing, part of the love triangle, or part of the past, but a solely Ruth/Tommy story wouldn't be ideal for me), crack.
-------------------------------------
Zombieland
Columbus/Wichita. Any and everything about them, really - just them spending time together and being their ridiculously opposite selves. Road trip fic is amazing!
"Zombieland" is so much fun. I love everything about it - running away from zombies, the boys vs girls dynamic, the characters themselves, and the humour. I'd love to see fic much in the same vein of the movie - four crazy characters running away from zombies and bonding! My only real pairing in this fandom is Columbus/Wichita, because they're the only ones that are close in age. But don't feel held to that - if you'd rather just write the four of them up to some hijinks, by all means! Whether you set it during the movie or after is totally up to you. And you don't have to include all four characters - if you want to just write a couple of them and have one of the others, like, off sleeping somewhere, that's okay too. I'd just prefer none of the four of them become zombie food.
Prompts and Suggestions: Have I said "road trip fic" too many times? :p What if the movie was told from Wichita's point of view? How does Wichita fall for Columbus? What would happen if Columbus and Wichita go off together for the day and leave Tallahassee and Little Rock behind? What if Columbus and Wichita try and keep their relationship a secret from the other two? What if one of the four gets hurt and they have to help their friend before it's too late?
Go For It: Fluff, lighthearted moments, angst or drama with a happy ending, Wichita POV, road trips, sex, hijinks.
Please Stay Away From: Death, either Tallahassee or Little Rock in a romantic pairing, excessive gore descriptions.
-------------------------------------
Captain America (2011)
Steve Rogers/anyone. Or even just Steve Rogers by himself. Basically, I am just a little in love with Steve and want all the fic centered around him.
I have decided that Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, is one of my favourite superheroes. He is just so good, and someone that genuine really interests me. I love his backstory - I love that he was just this small, kind-hearted boy who wanted to do good and help people and serve his country, and how those qualities turned him into the brawny, big-hearted Cap that everyone loved. Just so you know, I am relatively new to all this Avengers business, so if you're only familiar with the "Captain America" movie, don't worry! I won't know that anything in it was incorrect! But if you have more extensive knowledge of the comics and want to include that, by all means. I am probably most interested in fics that involve Steve back when he was just Steve - when he was small, picked on, and unliked. I love that both his best friend, Bucky, and his gal, Peggy, liked him before he got all big, handsome and famous. I am honestly torn on pairings - I love Steve/Peggy and Steve/Bucky, and I don't think I'd say no to Steve/Howard, either. Whether you'd rather just write gen/friendship fic or focus on actual relationships (het or slash) is totally up to you - I'd love either one. You're also welcome to focus lots on Peggy here, too - I love a strong female character and think she's great. If there are any of these people that you don't feel comfortable including - or you want to include characters from the film who I haven't mentioned - you're welcome to do whatever you like! Honestly, so long as Steve's in it, I'm good. Also, out of all the fandoms I requested, this is the one I'd most like smut for, if one was so inclined. They're all really hot people.
Prompts and Suggestions: Who is Steve, through the eyes of Bucky, Howard, and Peggy? What if something happened and Steve and Peggy did get their dance, after all? What was Steve and Bucky's relationship like before and after the Captain America business? What if Steve woke up earlier than 2011, and Peggy was old yet still alive? What went on when Steve went to Howard for armour and suit fittings?
Go For It: Humour, fluff, smut, angst, strong women (Peggy is a BAMF, let's be real here), happy endings, character studies, snark, bittersweet memories.
Please Stay Away From: Death, crack.
-------------------------------------
So there you have it! I've completely bored you, I know. I sincerely hope you don't find this letter too confusing or restrictive - I'm going with the idea that too much information is better than not enough. Hopefully you agree. As I mentioned at the beginning, do not feel tied to anything I've mentioned here. Please just try and write a story in one of these fandoms that you're proud of and happy with, and I can promise you that I'll love it.
I'm so excited! Thank you so much, Yuletide Writer! Happy writing!
♥, kissoffools
Hi there! :) First of all, I wanted to thank you so much for volunteering to write in one of the fandoms I've requested. I have actually never read fic in any of these fandoms, so I'm positive I'll love whatever you come up with! This is my first time participating in Yuletide, and I can already tell it's going to be awesome.
I want to state, right off the bat: it's very important to me that you have fun writing a story for me. I know how impossible it is to be assigned to someone where you feel restricted or cannot find any inspiration in their requests. Like I said, I'm new to Yuletide, so this is my first letter I've written of this nature and I'm still getting the hang of things. I tried to give you a full picture of the kinds of fic that I enjoy reading, but please do not feel tied to any of my prompts, suggestions, or requests. I'd rather you write something you enjoy and are proud of than something on my suggestions that you really hate. So if nothing here strikes your fancy, feel free to find inspiration elsewhere. Honestly, as long as any of these three fandoms gets written, I'll love whatever it is you come up with.
-------------------------------------
Likes & Dislikes
I'll try and give you an idea of the type of fic that I enjoy. My biggest thing is that I will usually fall head over heels for any sort of character-based fic. If the fic is more character-based than plot-based, I am A-OK with that. I love the idea of "little moments" - small instances, almost snapshots, occurring over a period of time/a person's life to show who they are or what their relationship is like.
I am open to just about anything, genre and pairing-wise. I am open to angst, romance, fluff, and smut fic - whatever you're comfortable with and inspired by, go for it. I'll also read gen, het, slash, or femme, so again, whatever floats your boat! Please don't feel tied down by any of the suggested pairings down below. If they don't work for you, gen or friendship fic is always welcome. And I love strong women like crazy, so the more awesome you make the women in your fic, the more I will love it!
In terms of tropes - things like crossovers, kidfic, hurt/comfort, etc - I am open to basically anything, so long as it's done well. (I know that's subjective, but I trust you - if you feel you've done a good job, I bet you have!) I've included a list of things that I like for each fandom, so maybe that will give you a clearer idea. (Also, I haven't mentioned this anywhere else because I know there is less than a zero percent chance that anyone would write this, but I would DIE to get a Never Let Me Go/Zombieland cross-over in which Tommy & Kathy end up running into Columbus & Wichita. I know that's ridiculous, but so is my brain. Anyway, carry on!)
Also? Holiday fics, whether they be Christmas/New Years or just winter-centric, are amazing. If you're so inspired, go for it. I'd love to see any of the characters in these fandoms celebrate the holidays.
I have almost no triggers that you need to worry about, although I do have some strong squicks. Most notably would be non-con/dub-con and watersports/scat/bloodplay - I'm not sure how those would come into play in these fandoms, but I wanted to mention them just in case. Please, if it's at all possible, stay away from those.
I also have a couple things that make me uncomfortable to read, so I figured I'd note them down:
- crying men (I just can't handle it unless it's incredibly justified. It usually just makes me laugh uncomfortably.)
- songfic (Using a set of lyrics at the beginning is definitely fine - I do it myself sometimes - but lyrics interspersed throughout the fic just pulls me out and breaks the flow.)
- all action and no characters (This would really only apply to two of my fandoms, but I much prefer fics that focus more on the characters than on the big action sequences. Action sequences are completely fine to put in, unless it's 95% of the fic.)
If you still need help, or want more of a picture, all of my own writing can be found over at wakeyourheart. None of it is in these fandoms, but it might help show what tone I usually like in fic. I also have some fics bookmarked here @ Delicious, although Delicious sucks now and there are plenty of fics I've liked that I haven't bookmarked. But maybe that will help anyway!
And now that I've totally rambled your ear off, let's get to the fandoms, shall we?
-------------------------------------
Never Let Me Go
Tommy/Kathy. Little moments showing the growth of their relationship over the years - Hailsham, the Cottages, when she's his Carer, stuff like that. They truly were meant to be.
The world of "Never Let Me Go" is heart-breaking, not only because Tommy and Kathy didn't get all the time together they deserved, but because none of those children got the lives they deserved. And it's that tragedy that fascinates me - I think it sets an amazing backdrop for a character study, for learning more about why the characters interact the way they do. I've both read the book and seen the movie, so if you've done both as well, feel free to settle the differences between them however you like - I genuinely liked both versions. And if you've just seen the movie, that's quite fine with me! As I mentioned above, my main pairing for this fandom is Tommy/Kathy, but if you aren't comfortable with that, then don't force yourself to write it. I'm just as happy with a friendship fic with Tommy, Kathy and Ruth - they all had such interesting dynamics. Het or gen would be my preference, although if you have a real penchant for Ruth/Cathy and feel the fic warrants it, I trust you.
Prompts and Suggestions: What if Kathy and Tommy got a whole day in town, away from the Cottages, to themselves? What if Tommy was physically and emotionally involved with both Ruth and Kathy at the same time? What if Kathy didn't become a Carer, and all three were sent to different Care facilities? How did Kathy and Tommy's relationship grow and change over their years together?
Go For It: Fic that acts as snapshots into a character's life, Tommy POV, bittersweetness, angst, lighthearted moments, a ticking clock, death, sex, angst with a hopeful ending.
Please Stay Away From: Too much Ruth/Tommy (they can be a side pairing, part of the love triangle, or part of the past, but a solely Ruth/Tommy story wouldn't be ideal for me), crack.
-------------------------------------
Zombieland
Columbus/Wichita. Any and everything about them, really - just them spending time together and being their ridiculously opposite selves. Road trip fic is amazing!
"Zombieland" is so much fun. I love everything about it - running away from zombies, the boys vs girls dynamic, the characters themselves, and the humour. I'd love to see fic much in the same vein of the movie - four crazy characters running away from zombies and bonding! My only real pairing in this fandom is Columbus/Wichita, because they're the only ones that are close in age. But don't feel held to that - if you'd rather just write the four of them up to some hijinks, by all means! Whether you set it during the movie or after is totally up to you. And you don't have to include all four characters - if you want to just write a couple of them and have one of the others, like, off sleeping somewhere, that's okay too. I'd just prefer none of the four of them become zombie food.
Prompts and Suggestions: Have I said "road trip fic" too many times? :p What if the movie was told from Wichita's point of view? How does Wichita fall for Columbus? What would happen if Columbus and Wichita go off together for the day and leave Tallahassee and Little Rock behind? What if Columbus and Wichita try and keep their relationship a secret from the other two? What if one of the four gets hurt and they have to help their friend before it's too late?
Go For It: Fluff, lighthearted moments, angst or drama with a happy ending, Wichita POV, road trips, sex, hijinks.
Please Stay Away From: Death, either Tallahassee or Little Rock in a romantic pairing, excessive gore descriptions.
-------------------------------------
Captain America (2011)
Steve Rogers/anyone. Or even just Steve Rogers by himself. Basically, I am just a little in love with Steve and want all the fic centered around him.
I have decided that Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, is one of my favourite superheroes. He is just so good, and someone that genuine really interests me. I love his backstory - I love that he was just this small, kind-hearted boy who wanted to do good and help people and serve his country, and how those qualities turned him into the brawny, big-hearted Cap that everyone loved. Just so you know, I am relatively new to all this Avengers business, so if you're only familiar with the "Captain America" movie, don't worry! I won't know that anything in it was incorrect! But if you have more extensive knowledge of the comics and want to include that, by all means. I am probably most interested in fics that involve Steve back when he was just Steve - when he was small, picked on, and unliked. I love that both his best friend, Bucky, and his gal, Peggy, liked him before he got all big, handsome and famous. I am honestly torn on pairings - I love Steve/Peggy and Steve/Bucky, and I don't think I'd say no to Steve/Howard, either. Whether you'd rather just write gen/friendship fic or focus on actual relationships (het or slash) is totally up to you - I'd love either one. You're also welcome to focus lots on Peggy here, too - I love a strong female character and think she's great. If there are any of these people that you don't feel comfortable including - or you want to include characters from the film who I haven't mentioned - you're welcome to do whatever you like! Honestly, so long as Steve's in it, I'm good. Also, out of all the fandoms I requested, this is the one I'd most like smut for, if one was so inclined. They're all really hot people.
Prompts and Suggestions: Who is Steve, through the eyes of Bucky, Howard, and Peggy? What if something happened and Steve and Peggy did get their dance, after all? What was Steve and Bucky's relationship like before and after the Captain America business? What if Steve woke up earlier than 2011, and Peggy was old yet still alive? What went on when Steve went to Howard for armour and suit fittings?
Go For It: Humour, fluff, smut, angst, strong women (Peggy is a BAMF, let's be real here), happy endings, character studies, snark, bittersweet memories.
Please Stay Away From: Death, crack.
-------------------------------------
So there you have it! I've completely bored you, I know. I sincerely hope you don't find this letter too confusing or restrictive - I'm going with the idea that too much information is better than not enough. Hopefully you agree. As I mentioned at the beginning, do not feel tied to anything I've mentioned here. Please just try and write a story in one of these fandoms that you're proud of and happy with, and I can promise you that I'll love it.
I'm so excited! Thank you so much, Yuletide Writer! Happy writing!
♥, kissoffools