Stocking for Shutterbug_12
(Can I just say that this absolutely made my night, perhaps my entire holiday? This is fantastic. A very enthusiastic 'thank you' to the mods and a proactive, very enthusiastic 'thank you' to all of the lovely, anonymous people who chose to put anything in my stocking! You're my favorites!)
To the stocking proper!
Favorite characters, pairings/dynamics:
Characters: Josh is my favorite by far, followed by Sam, Donna, Toby, Will, and POTUS.
Romantic pairings: Josh/Donna (definitely my favorite), Josh/Amy, Sam/Ainsley, Toby/Andy, Donna/Cliff, and CJ/Danny.
Friendships/platonic dynamics: Josh & Sam, Josh & Toby, Josh & Charlie (I love the brotherly dynamic there), Josh & Leo, and POTUS & Leo.
Note: I don't really like fics that take pairings in a overly sappy, melodramatic, or fairy-tale direction. That's not to say I like angst-fests for the sake of angst-fests, either. I love when there's a sense of realism to pairings, honest portrayals, where characters have all of their flaws as well as their positive qualities. Realistic relationship problems shouldn't be avoided and dynamics should be as true to canon as possible--good characterization is very important--and adhere to time-lines as well as possible. So, for instance, a Josh/Donna fic for my stocking wouldn't have them in an explicit sexual relationship until after Election Day, in keeping with canon. I guess what I mean is that pairings like Josh/Donna (prior to S7), Sam/Ainsley, etc., can certainly have an element of attraction that was clearly there in canon, but it shouldn't go beyond whatever canon showed. Strictly in-character, is what it really comes down to. I hope that makes sense.
Favorite canon story-lines:
I include this part because I enjoy post-episode/missing scene fics. Fics based around the Rosslyn shooting, Gaza, the Santos campaign, Josh's 'Constituency of One bungle, MS reactions/fallout (especially Donna's testimony/diary), and Donna's resignation arcs would be wonderful. I also like fics set around holidays. I love backstory, too. I'm not a fan of kid!fics, so I'd prefer if Toby-centric fics didn't include his children, or if post-series fics concerning any pairing not concern children.
Misc. notes:
It's fun to see them outside of the office, but I'm not averse to inside-the-office fics. They're great, too. I suppose I'm just saying that it need not be set inside the White House.
Any fic rating, from G to NC-17 is welcome.
I also welcome fic set post-series, during the Santos administration.
I'm from the D.C. area, so any local references/accuracies/details would be especially cool.
I don't really like first-person narratives; I'd prefer third, if possible.
I hope that's enough information (but not too restrictive)! I'm so excited about this! *dances*
To the stocking proper!
Favorite characters, pairings/dynamics:
Characters: Josh is my favorite by far, followed by Sam, Donna, Toby, Will, and POTUS.
Romantic pairings: Josh/Donna (definitely my favorite), Josh/Amy, Sam/Ainsley, Toby/Andy, Donna/Cliff, and CJ/Danny.
Friendships/platonic dynamics: Josh & Sam, Josh & Toby, Josh & Charlie (I love the brotherly dynamic there), Josh & Leo, and POTUS & Leo.
Note: I don't really like fics that take pairings in a overly sappy, melodramatic, or fairy-tale direction. That's not to say I like angst-fests for the sake of angst-fests, either. I love when there's a sense of realism to pairings, honest portrayals, where characters have all of their flaws as well as their positive qualities. Realistic relationship problems shouldn't be avoided and dynamics should be as true to canon as possible--good characterization is very important--and adhere to time-lines as well as possible. So, for instance, a Josh/Donna fic for my stocking wouldn't have them in an explicit sexual relationship until after Election Day, in keeping with canon. I guess what I mean is that pairings like Josh/Donna (prior to S7), Sam/Ainsley, etc., can certainly have an element of attraction that was clearly there in canon, but it shouldn't go beyond whatever canon showed. Strictly in-character, is what it really comes down to. I hope that makes sense.
Favorite canon story-lines:
I include this part because I enjoy post-episode/missing scene fics. Fics based around the Rosslyn shooting, Gaza, the Santos campaign, Josh's 'Constituency of One bungle, MS reactions/fallout (especially Donna's testimony/diary), and Donna's resignation arcs would be wonderful. I also like fics set around holidays. I love backstory, too. I'm not a fan of kid!fics, so I'd prefer if Toby-centric fics didn't include his children, or if post-series fics concerning any pairing not concern children.
Misc. notes:
It's fun to see them outside of the office, but I'm not averse to inside-the-office fics. They're great, too. I suppose I'm just saying that it need not be set inside the White House.
Any fic rating, from G to NC-17 is welcome.
I also welcome fic set post-series, during the Santos administration.
I'm from the D.C. area, so any local references/accuracies/details would be especially cool.
I don't really like first-person narratives; I'd prefer third, if possible.
I hope that's enough information (but not too restrictive)! I'm so excited about this! *dances*