post-Yuletide post [palindrome title?]
Jan. 8th, 2023 10:22 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
nnozomiBecause I’m procrastinating on work and writing, my Yuletide post.
My gift: What Tomorrow Brings, by teyla, for The Rebel. Post-canon, a meeting again. Not a context for Chen Moqun and Lin Nansheng that it would have occurred to me to imagine, but it really works, the characterization is excellent, punches are not pulled but at the same time there’s a hint of hope and care. In general I’ve had three wonderful gift fics in a row for this fandom and I feel very fortunate. (The same applies to Yuletide in general, where I’ve always been very well done by.)
Things I wrote: I had three very kind recipients, all with fascinating prompts that really deserve way more fic… .
the casting-forward of desire, Teixcalaan duology. I found this a lot of fun but VERY difficult to write, I think partly because, while I love the Teixcalaan books a lot, they are relatively new to me, and so the tone isn’t embedded in my brain the way older favorites are; I had to keep on going back to the books to check both details and general atmosphere, and I kept finding more things that made me think, I can’t do that! Also I ended up writing THREE examples of Teixcalaan poetry, talk about playing to my weaknesses.
From where she stands to where I stand, Steerswoman series. This allowed me to try out one of my favorite characters, Reeder (and, offstage, his father), and to lean into experimentation with the steerswomen’s principles. Writing post-canon Steerswoman fic always makes me LONG for more canon, when, but that’s inevitable. (Also, a dash of pure unintended Yuletide comedy. My fic title, from an in-canon lyric: “From where she stands to where I stand.” The title of my recipient’s additional treat, not by me and in a completely different fandom: “There she stands.”)
not one jot less than I am, The Rebel. The idea for this came together in one neat sentence or so the day before Yuletide reveals, and I started writing at 11 at night and finished, 4K words later, at 4 am the next morning. This is not my usual writing practice at all and I don’t plan to make a habit of it, but it was fun. That being the case it is not the most polished or the best conceived of anything I’ve ever written, but there are a few lines I really like.
Other things I read, ie especial recs (among a larger number of really good fics):
My gift: What Tomorrow Brings, by teyla, for The Rebel. Post-canon, a meeting again. Not a context for Chen Moqun and Lin Nansheng that it would have occurred to me to imagine, but it really works, the characterization is excellent, punches are not pulled but at the same time there’s a hint of hope and care. In general I’ve had three wonderful gift fics in a row for this fandom and I feel very fortunate. (The same applies to Yuletide in general, where I’ve always been very well done by.)
Things I wrote: I had three very kind recipients, all with fascinating prompts that really deserve way more fic… .
the casting-forward of desire, Teixcalaan duology. I found this a lot of fun but VERY difficult to write, I think partly because, while I love the Teixcalaan books a lot, they are relatively new to me, and so the tone isn’t embedded in my brain the way older favorites are; I had to keep on going back to the books to check both details and general atmosphere, and I kept finding more things that made me think, I can’t do that! Also I ended up writing THREE examples of Teixcalaan poetry, talk about playing to my weaknesses.
From where she stands to where I stand, Steerswoman series. This allowed me to try out one of my favorite characters, Reeder (and, offstage, his father), and to lean into experimentation with the steerswomen’s principles. Writing post-canon Steerswoman fic always makes me LONG for more canon, when, but that’s inevitable. (Also, a dash of pure unintended Yuletide comedy. My fic title, from an in-canon lyric: “From where she stands to where I stand.” The title of my recipient’s additional treat, not by me and in a completely different fandom: “There she stands.”)
not one jot less than I am, The Rebel. The idea for this came together in one neat sentence or so the day before Yuletide reveals, and I started writing at 11 at night and finished, 4K words later, at 4 am the next morning. This is not my usual writing practice at all and I don’t plan to make a habit of it, but it was fun. That being the case it is not the most polished or the best conceived of anything I’ve ever written, but there are a few lines I really like.
Other things I read, ie especial recs (among a larger number of really good fics):
The Dark is Rising
What Sweeter Music, by sylviarachel The Will/Bran is very nice but the best part is Will as put-upon (but fulfilled) music teacher, obviously written by someone who’s been there.
Diana Wynne Jones
Gently Rise and Softly Fall, by liseuse. Post-The Lives of Christopher Chant, Tacroy and Rosalie work out some trust issues. Funny and also gently moving and thoughtful.
A Castle for a Romantic Poet and a Very Practical Witch, by redsnake05 Sophie and Howl get comfortable in the castle post-canon. Very good Sophie voice (“She very nearly forgave him”), sweet, romantic and funny.
Addendums, by ryfkah. The Homeward Bounders: letters to Jamie from his friends. PERFECT HELEN.
Waymarkers, by Izilen. Dalemark Quartet, Maewen growing up and learning how to live in both worlds. I like the modern-day worldbuilding, and the writing is lovely, just the right kind of spare.
Disco Elysium [I’ve never even played this game, just read enough about it to enjoy the fic]
Commute, by pomfret. Kim moves to the 41st Precinct, with some help. Lovely small moments of warmth and kindness.
Meticulous Attachment, by AntigravityDevice. Harry and Kim have an evening of intimate moments, involving sex, painfully attained shared understanding, and weird sandwiches. Gorgeous.
Lord Peter Wimsey
Some Like it Lukewarm, by Persiflager. Lord Peter and Charles Parker undercover in drag, finding their drab boarding-house-and-drag-show life unexpectedly memorable. Nice little cameos by canon and original characters, too.
Lost Tomb Reboot
Relatedly, by elenothar. Post-canon, Wu Xie spends some time with his uncle while Wu Erbai is recovering, and they practice communication in various languages. Such a good start on all the post-canon Wu Erbai fic I’d like.
Swallows and Amazons
all this covert of the blessed, by lastwingedthing. Nancy POV on a family vacation long after canon, with the torch passed to new pirates, and creative work continuing among the adults.
Tam Lin (Pamela Dean)
What’s to Come is Still Unsure, by edenfalling. A little bit of post-canon Molly and Robin, with a perfect Molly voice.
Teixcalaan duology
Yaotlek: A Retrospective, by poppyseedheart. Long after canon, Nine Hibiscus is officially, and unofficially, remembered. Really appealing original characters, elegant use of language and imagery, exciting ideas.
What Sweeter Music, by sylviarachel The Will/Bran is very nice but the best part is Will as put-upon (but fulfilled) music teacher, obviously written by someone who’s been there.
Diana Wynne Jones
Gently Rise and Softly Fall, by liseuse. Post-The Lives of Christopher Chant, Tacroy and Rosalie work out some trust issues. Funny and also gently moving and thoughtful.
A Castle for a Romantic Poet and a Very Practical Witch, by redsnake05 Sophie and Howl get comfortable in the castle post-canon. Very good Sophie voice (“She very nearly forgave him”), sweet, romantic and funny.
Addendums, by ryfkah. The Homeward Bounders: letters to Jamie from his friends. PERFECT HELEN.
Waymarkers, by Izilen. Dalemark Quartet, Maewen growing up and learning how to live in both worlds. I like the modern-day worldbuilding, and the writing is lovely, just the right kind of spare.
Disco Elysium [I’ve never even played this game, just read enough about it to enjoy the fic]
Commute, by pomfret. Kim moves to the 41st Precinct, with some help. Lovely small moments of warmth and kindness.
Meticulous Attachment, by AntigravityDevice. Harry and Kim have an evening of intimate moments, involving sex, painfully attained shared understanding, and weird sandwiches. Gorgeous.
Lord Peter Wimsey
Some Like it Lukewarm, by Persiflager. Lord Peter and Charles Parker undercover in drag, finding their drab boarding-house-and-drag-show life unexpectedly memorable. Nice little cameos by canon and original characters, too.
Lost Tomb Reboot
Relatedly, by elenothar. Post-canon, Wu Xie spends some time with his uncle while Wu Erbai is recovering, and they practice communication in various languages. Such a good start on all the post-canon Wu Erbai fic I’d like.
Swallows and Amazons
all this covert of the blessed, by lastwingedthing. Nancy POV on a family vacation long after canon, with the torch passed to new pirates, and creative work continuing among the adults.
Tam Lin (Pamela Dean)
What’s to Come is Still Unsure, by edenfalling. A little bit of post-canon Molly and Robin, with a perfect Molly voice.
Teixcalaan duology
Yaotlek: A Retrospective, by poppyseedheart. Long after canon, Nine Hibiscus is officially, and unofficially, remembered. Really appealing original characters, elegant use of language and imagery, exciting ideas.
no subject
Date: 2023-01-08 05:15 pm (UTC)Wow, that's a lot, I'm both impressed and mildly scared for your sleep schedule 😂
(Thanks for the rec <3)
no subject
Date: 2023-01-09 02:56 pm (UTC)Don't worry! That's an exception, I don't do this kind of thing as a rule
looking at clock, looking at today's 500 words not written yet...well, I definitely will be in bed well before 4 am...
(Thanks for the rec <3)
My pleasure!
no subject
Date: 2023-01-09 03:20 pm (UTC)That's number one reason I don't tend to try to set myself daily word goals. It'd just stress me out if I don't manage them, and I know I'm inconsistent about it to the point of writing loads one day and nothing others.
no subject
Date: 2023-01-14 11:33 am (UTC)I don't tend to try to set myself daily word goals. It'd just stress me out if I don't manage them,
I think it obviously depends hugely on how busy you are, other issues, etc. etc., but I've found that for original stuff--which doesn't have a deadline--I have to be strict with myself or it doesn't get written at all. (For fic I'm either writing for an exchange with a deadline, or it's just something that popped into my head and said Write Me Now, no goals needed :) )
no subject
Date: 2023-01-14 02:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-01-15 05:44 am (UTC)Fanfic, as you say, has the lovely promise of people reacting to it, providing motivation for writing and finishing! (ps I'm looking forward to your new Rebel fic, haven't gotten to it yet)
I'm finding that 500 words is a good daily goal--it's not so huge that it's daunting, but it's long enough that I have to plunge into the scene in my head as opposed to writing a couple of alibi sentences, so that I'm more engaged in the writing and the characters, more inclined to think about it when not writing and so on.
no subject
Date: 2023-01-15 02:35 pm (UTC)And it makes sense to keep the daily word count low but not too low. The one time I did this to myself was while I was on holiday and had nothing I needed to do except my writing plans, so I set myself 1000 a day - and even though it was my main 'scheduled' activity, I struggled with that some days, while other days produced more.
no subject
Date: 2023-01-08 10:07 pm (UTC)(I also enjoyed your gift a lot, so yay for your good Yuletide luck! :-D)
no subject
Date: 2023-01-09 02:56 pm (UTC)and yup, I think The Rebel had a lucky Yuletide all around!
no subject
Date: 2023-01-08 11:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-01-09 02:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-01-08 11:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-01-09 02:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-01-09 03:05 am (UTC)WOW. That story is so incredibly good and I am even more impressed now! Wow.
no subject
Date: 2023-01-09 02:58 pm (UTC)