DEADLINES:
ABYSMALLY LATE: femgenficathon: Great dreams...never even get out of the box. It takes an uncommon amount of guts to put your dreams on the line, to hold them up and say, "How good or how bad am I?" That's where courage comes in. -- Erma Bombeck.
Dec. 31: Snape genfic for omniocular
Jan. 8: bonking_tonks posting begins
Jan. 25: hp_valensmut
Feb. 1: wizard_love
Feb. 15: hp_springsmut

SANS DEADLINES:
Ficlet for archon

Well, that's one appallingly tardy fic down and only a gazillion more to go.

I've just been having the hardest time stringing words together and making them turn into an interesting and coherent fic. Rusty, I guess. I have three days off from Drugstore Work and hopefully that'll be enough to jumpstart some fic, because damn, do I need to write some.

Also behind on comments, and on reading other people's fic. And I only got about half of my Christmas cards done. *headdesks some more* I think at this point there will be Valentine cards. Hopefully not Easter cards.

I slept like ass last night and today I feel like, well, ass. Need more caffeine.

smutty_claus and harry_holidays reveals have gone up! You can assume that all of this is NC-17 and/or NWS.

Drawn and written for me (squee!):
Sweetest Perfection (Neville/Hannah) by tarotemp and a still-anon author
Claimed (Tonks/Fleur) by sweetcarolanne

Written by me:
Turn to Me With Frozen Lips (Luna/Dean) for bsafemydeers
The Claiming of (and by) Sleeping Beauty (Tonks/Narcissa) for ragdoll

Some Recs!

From smutty_claus, I bring you the following recs. Again, this is not a comprehensive list of Everything That's Good in SC. This is stuff I happen to have read recently and that hit my personal buttons, and that I haven't recced before. I'm still rather behind in my reading.

Things We Lost (and Found) in the War (McGonagall/Snape)

I started reading this fic a couple of weeks ago, and then some sort of RL crap came up and I didn't finish reading it, and by the time the real life crap stopped, I'd forgotten what-all I was in the middle of reading. This one came back to mind today because I was trying to guess what a particular writer wrote, and it occurred to me that there were elements of her style in this fic, and that I needed to go back and have a look and see if I was right about what I remembered.

Which is when I realized I'd never finished reading, or commented. *fails*

Anyway, I've read the whole thing now, and it's beautiful. Snape and McGonagall's complicated relationship (with some awesome smut, but really it's the talk that's the most important thing here, I think). If you were ever wondering what these two might have talked about behind the scenes during canon, click posthaste. The language is beautiful, too, and I love this author's Grimmauld Place. If I don't miss my guess, this author has been, over the last two years, the single biggest influence on my personal fanon about Grimmauld Place and what it must feel like to live there day in and day out. I think it was the author's GP that made me sure it was her.


Sweden, Snow, and Serenity (Dean/Luna)

Dean is burned out after the war. Luna invites him on a Snorkack hunt in Sweden. What follows is an absolutely gorgeous setting, a delightful Dean who wants to be a gentleman but has a pervy!Seamus on his shoulder, and a Luna who is pitch-perfect. There are a lot of Lunas that are too crazy and a lot that are too normal (and I don't pretend to have got her down quite right myself yet, for the record), but this author's Luna walks that line just right. Everything we see of Luna in canon--her crazy theories, her ability to cut to the uncomfortable truth, her compassion and ability to bring people out of themselves--it's all here.

Also, it's wicked hot. Yum.


Shelter from the Storm (Bill/Tonks)

OK, first of all, I love fics where we get to see Tonks actually doing her job. JKR never really showed much of that, and there's not enough of it in fandom either.

Second. What I really love about this fic, most of all, is a portrayal of a woman with realistic insecurities falling for a man she thinks is out of her league. She's so determined not to let him have a laugh at her expense that she very nearly misses what's obvious to the reader.

And guh, very very hot.



A Non-Fest Rec:

New Fragile Yellows by virginia_bell (Merope genfic)

The sheer unappreciatedness of this fic, and of a lot of things she writes, kind of boggles me. She does beautiful things with words. She's always been damn good at writing Merope, and no exception here. Merope's longing for color and beauty in her life just breaks my heart, and the victory she achieves here is more poignant since we know how her life goes afterward. Go read.

I have more for another time, but this is already getting a bit tl;dr.

Favorite story(ies!) of the year: Il Ravanello's Apprentice (though I think the scene where Dean plays calcio klunks a bit), Troy Town

The best story(ies!) this year: Angels in the Abattoir, The Elusive Snorkack (though there's a mistake in it), Troy Town

Most underappreciated by the universe: I'm not even counting stuff in obscure fandoms, because I *expected* little to no response to those. Maybe Troy Town or Green Water.

Most fun to write: So...Can I Watch? because I cracked myself up, Il Ravanello's Apprentice because I love history

Sexiest fic: That would probably be my still-top-sekrit!fem_exchange pinch hit. I don't know whether the fic is any good or not, but damn, I kept turning myself on writing the smut scenes. /TMI

"Holy crap, that's wrong, even for you!" Breaking Porcelain. Opalescent is a close second.

Fic that shifted my own perceptions of the characters: Incarnation, In Which Seamus and Dean...

Hardest fic to write: Green Water. It was spectacularly difficult for precisely the reason I thought it'd be easy as pie: I'd written the pairing a gazillion times before. I ended up putting myself through the wringer trying to find something to say about Bella and Cissy Shagging as Teenagers that I hadn't already said before, and failing. And I think it probably sucks ass, since the recipient never responded.

Biggest disappointment: I wrote two fics this year that probably will never see the light of day again because they're so bad, one because it's so OOC and the other because the prose klunks. Also Green Water, because it could have been so much better, and because the recipient didn't read it.

Biggest surprise: So...Can I Watch. Because I never, ever write crackfic.

Most telling fic: Probably my smutty_claus fic.

A story I want remembered: Troy Town

( Fic wot I wrote in 2007 )

Fic Meme, ganked from bitterfig

Stole this from bitterfig. Like her, I've chosen from among fics written in 2007 only.

(1) you would show your mom if you didn't think she'd freak out.

(2) is most representative of you as a writer (however you choose to define that).

(3) is your best shot at "ventriloquizing" a voice or style that you don't normally use.

(4) contains characterization you're proudest of.

(5) has the cleverest premise (in your opinion) or contains the cleverest ideas.

(6) feels the most emotionally genuine to you (however you choose to define that).

(7) you'd give to an editor as a writing sample (pretend that porn isn't an issue).

(8) you would actually reread for pleasure.

(9) contains your best sex writing.

(10) you really want somebody to illustrate.

(11) has the best title.

(12) you wish more people had read.

( see my answers )

OK. So. I've been really loud in the past in voicing my distaste for Harry/Draco. I'm beginning to think I need to eat at least a small helping of crow. Not the whole crow, mind you, as it's probably never going to be MyOTP4eva!!11, but at least a drumstick or two.

I was telling archon the other day, it's kind of like how when I was a kid I was dead certain I hated, loathed, and despised cheese with the fury of a thousand suns. Turns out what I hated was Kraft Singles, and I just needed to find some good cheese.

But back to H/D. I don't think anyone who came within ten feet of me in fandom two years ago missed the fact that I didn't like H/D. One of my biggest fandom o.O moments was being friended by the HD Prophet watcher list. I still wonder who that mod mistook me for. ;)

Lately, though, I've found myself enjoying various H/D fics. I think there are several reasons for the change. One, I don't newsletter nearly as much as I used to. Mind you, I loved newslettering for the most part, but one of the downsides (or sometimes, the comic relief) was reading some truly abysmal H/D fic. You know, the kind with no grasp of grammar, lots of OOCness...Just call those fics Kraft Singles. ;) And when you read enough shitty fic for pairing X, it can kind of sour you on pairing X.

And DH is part of it, too. The H/D fics I liked, back when I almost never liked H/D fics, were the kind that told a plausible story showing how the two guys came to actually like each other enough to have a relationship. Don't get me wrong, the hate!sex PWPs were sometimes really hot, but what I really liked was watching them go from enemies to wary acquaintances to friends and maybe, eventually, lovers. And DH, I think, has gotten the characters to "wary acquaintances" level, so it's easier for me to envision them one day actually getting along if the circumstances were right.

On that note, a rec.

Kiss A Boy In London Town (And Other Intimate Misadventures of A Society Whore) by Anonymous

Draco's a high-class prostitute after the war, with a divorced wife he's still friends with, a catty-as-ever Pansy he's also still friends with, and a son he adores. Harry's the head of the Auror Dept., also divorced and with kids, and none too fond of the publicity that follows his every move. The fic is hilarious and bittersweet and hopeful and sad and full of wonderful little details, and most importantly, kept me riveted every step of the way. I got kicked off the computer in the middle of reading it and was on tenterhooks until I could get back on, just waiting to see how it turned out. I highly recommend it.

And a few more recs; these are fics from early in smutty_claus that I meant to rec a while back when I had no time.

Veritas (James/Lily/Sirius)
What can I say, I'm a sucker for these three together. I think there was steam on my monitor.

such a beautiful blank (but smooth it) (Harry/Ginny)
I am so not into this pairing, but this one has Tam Lin and a poignant plot that made me root for the two of them.

War Wounds (Neville/Lavender)
Featuring if-I-can-slay-a-snake-I-can-talk-to-a-girl!Neville and nervous-about-her-scars!Lavender. Sweet and moving and hot.

Fire Call (Bill/Tonks, Bill/Tonks/Charlie)
There's a reason this one has been recced from here to next Tuesday, y'all. Hot as hell, and the BDSM elements are spot-on in terms of how the lifestyle really works and the misgivings people might have when getting into it.

Current Mood: mellow

I've got a few recs from smutty_claus and other places.

Disclaimer: Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of what is good at smutty_claus! There are lots of fics I haven't read yet, plus it's going to be kind of pairing-biased. Ergo, lots of weird rarepairs, because that's the way I roll. :) The very best Harry/Hermione fic in the universe could be posted there and it still wouldn't be my thing. These are just a few fics that are at the front of my mind right now, and there will be more at a later date.

All of these recs are rated R or NC-17.

Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat (Lucius/Narcissa)
This reminds me a lot of some of sionnain's old L/N fics, what with the beautiful weather imagery, the smart and strong Narcissa, and the deep-seated friendship and respect between Narcissa and Lucius, which is just as important to this fic--if not more important--than the sexual/romantic connection. I've finally figured out that what I really like with my pr0n isn't necessarily plot--though plot can be love--but emotion. Show me why this sexual encounter means something. This fic does that in spades.

What Makes All the Difference (Seamus/Padma)
This is going to stick in my mind as one of the best fics dealing with the students who were left at Hogwarts during book 7. Read this one for chilling ethical dilemmas, a wonderful coming of age story, and a sweet and slowly unfolding romance that helps to keep some of the horror at bay and inspires both partners to stay strong in the face of the Carrows.

Bittersweet Clarity (Luna/Bill)
I was saying to wook77 last night, Luna is really getting around in this fest! So far she's shagged Dean, Bill, Harry, George, Cedric, Snape twice....and probably a few others I'm forgetting. This fic has her in unrequited love with Bill; she's sure he only needs a little help to realize they're meant to be. Prepare to die laughing at Luna's...eccentric cooking. Warning for dub-con; it's more "well-meaning mistake" than rape, but the dub-con is there, so you've been warned.

And a daily_deviant rec. I missed this when I was on semi-hiatus and then stumbled across it last night while browsing some old entries.

In Death, We Create Our Own Peace by faire_weather (Snape/Lily) (NOT WORKSAFE, nudity and blood)
This is Just. Gorgeous. Snape has a vision of Lily as he dies. The color in this is stunning--Lily is like a bright flame against the darkness of the Shrieking Shack. Guh.

I got my smutty_claus gift!

Sweetest Perfection, Neville/Hannah, Not Worksafe. Ficlet and art. Just guh.

And it just occurred to me--I don't think I even said anything about Neville/Hannah in my request (Neville/Some Girl did come up, but this was before I admitted to being a closet Neville/Hannah shipper, which means this author/artist did some sneaky research. :)

So much love. Go read! Go look! Squee!

Ganked from snegurochka_lee and r_grayjoy. I seem to recall also doing this one last year.

Best first lines from my fics this year, IMHO, month by month:

January
Mother is dying, and Andromeda is ready to hex Father into oblivion.
The Ouroboros Ring (Andromeda/Bellatrix, Andromeda/Ted, R)
I think this was the only fic I wrote during January 2007, actually.

February
On the third night of their honeymoon, Bill and Tonks carried the blankets and the pillows outside the tent and spread them out beneath the endless desert sky.
Earth and Sky (Bill/Tonks, R)
I think Troy Town was a better fic, but just in terms of first lines, this one wins.

March
The sky over Hogwarts was grey and low the day Professor Slughorn sent them out onto the grounds in search of four-leaf clovers.
The Pedigree of Honey (Andromeda/Ted, NC-17)

April
As a rule, Percy didn't like to swear.
Strange Bedfellows (Percy/Tonks, NC-17)

May
Hermione walks out under the emerald stars, knowing she shouldn't be out of Gryffindor Tower this time of night, for once not caring.
Of Stars and Gorgons (Hermione/Luna, G)

June
They came for her at the crossroads.
Doulon (the saddest of kingdoms) (Carol Berg's Flesh and Spirit, Magrog/Nemelez)

July
They were gathering driftwood for Fleur's fire when it happened.
Tidal (Dean/Luna, NC-17)
Much as I hate to bring this one up again, all my other first lines that month fail like whoa.

August
With the strange sort of clarity that often comes at the bottom of one's third cup of wine, Dean finally realized what was wrong with the painting that adorned the taverna's back wall.
Il Ravanello's Apprentice (Dean/Luna, R)

September-November
FAIL

December
Er. *mumbles* Everything I've written in Dec. has been seekrit. So I might as well put FAIL here too.

I promised myself I wouldn't post fannishly until I'd finished a scene i was trying to write, but it's finally cooperating, and I've left this too long anyway.

I got my gift in harry_holidays!
Claimed (Tonks/Fleur, NC-17, BDSM)
Guh, it's hot. The author took some of the odd things I'd mentioned in my prompt and ran with them, to yummy effect. There is angst, and people writing on people with quills. FTW. As a result of a wee snafu i already know who wrote it (thanks hon! you know who you are), but I'll keep my lips sealed. ;)

Not really looking forward to when, inevitably, my own work will get posted in that comm. I'm not happy with what I wrote. I feel like it started OK, and then ended with a whimper instead of a bang and with one of my favorite characters randomly acting about as OOC as, say, Hermione in that one awful femslash fic where she emo'ed about not being pureblood like her twoo wuv Pansy. (Not that Hermione/Pansy is a problem per se, just that Hermione is about the last person I could see being emo about her lineage.) But this character, in the HH fic--I think I'd just written her into a situation that made her go "TILT" and she ended up saying something that made no sense. Gah.

I've been following the fests, pretty faithfully in some cases and more sporadically in others. I'm "only" about four stories behind in smutty_claus. (Eep.) There may be recs at some point when I get the chance to collect my thoughts.

Also, girls_today will be live again as of either tonight or tomorrow night, depending on how quickly I can get this scene whipped into shape.

Hey het writers! Go sign up for wizard_love! :) :) :)

I've been reading over the requests and prematurely bouncing and engaging in wild insane hopes. The kind that come from having someone who is made of awesome sign up and ask for...pretty much exactly everything I love. Eee. If I ended up writing for her...well, you know how sometimes you get a fest assignment and you know exactly what pairing you'll write because you only like one of the ones they requested? This would be the opposite, a huge case of "kid in a candy store" where I would probably spend a month deciding which of these amazingly right-up-my-alley things to write. Or find some way to cram three pairings into one fic. *nailbite*

Right. My fandom to-do list.

--Find some way to afford Terminus. This is getting procrastinated at the moment because I promised myself I'd do another important thing first, which I haven't been able to do yet.

--Beta that smutty_claus fic that's in my inbox. Maybe during lunch today.

--Write that scene from the collab that I've been hemming and hawing about for days. I know what needs to be in it, just not how to put it into words. Bleh.

--Write that absurdly late femgenficathon story.

--Get girls_today back on its feet. Because the onslaught is about to begin. The fest onslaught, that is.

--Apologize to someone I need to apologize to.

--Catch up on reading other people's fic. Probably impossible.

--Probably about 987648638947650834 other things I should have done ages ago.

--Write the two non-fest bunnies I have bouncing around in my head.

1. If it was written in the last few months, it's probably Dean/Luna, because I seem to have come down with a case of forgetting how to write anything else.

2. Sex scenes have ridiculously long sentences in them, with overuse of commas and the word "as."

3. How the hell did Andromeda end up in here? This fic is supposed to be about something else entirely!

4. Everything is spelled perfectly but the pub's name changes from one paragraph to the next.

5. It's probably late.

6. It starts sucking in the last two paragraphs because I got tired and wrapped it up too quickly.

7. It claims to be Harry Potter fic, but actually finding Harry in it is about like finding Waldo.

8. Andromeda. Go home. This fic is not about you.

9. The title is either one word long, or fifteen.

10. Lucius dies. Somehow.

bonking_tonks!!!

Sign up here!!!

Somebody hold my hand.

I have a bunny for DD. And I have to write it sometime tonight after Drugstore Work, because that's really the first chance I'll get. And it's weird and pretentious and fucked-up and will take some serious stretching to make it fit the prompts.

*wibbles*

Am I just a complete idiot, or is LJ down? I'm getting this random jpeg...

Aaaand it seems to be back. Never mind.

Daily Deviant in 2 days.

I've got nothin'.

Not even a bunny. *headdesk*

Got my harry_holidays assignment, and it is composed entirely of yayness.

*bounces*

I'm so glad I signed up. Now I just need a plot...

To whomever nominated Tidal and Circe for the Quill to Parchment thingy:

Thank you! ♥♥♥!!!!!!!!!!!

Working on my smutty_claus request.

It's over 600 words long. o...O

I hope I'm not turning into one of those people who ought to just go write their own fic and leave the fests alone. On the positive side, it's not like I outlined the whole plot in my request or anything, so maybe I'm still good. :)