Advent-ures in fanfic planning

[blamebrampton]

Right ... a confession. This year I have read about four fan fics I have not beta-ed or written. In fact, I'm not sure I read all the ones I wrote. I am hopelessly behind and will never catch up, but will, in a week or three, have space again to do some reading as I run out of Agatha Christies. Therefore, I come requesting recs.

I really only read Potter, though I suppose a spot of Merlin or some incarnation of Sherlock Holmes would be fine, too. A few criteria:

* Reasonably British -- I can live wholly with American English spelling and even gotten, but if people have therapists and want to talk about their feelings at length, it sends me on a hideous flashback to the time my mother was going out with a Californian psychologist and I will have to hide with a blanket over my head (no -- the blanket was NOT a repressed desire to return to the womb, it was the first convenient and effective hiding place, as I explained at the time.) Similarly, proms, obsessions with going on a date and the urgent need to be married and with child scare me and are likely to see a spot of blanky-reaching.

* PG is fine. I am not a big reader of smut, I tend to sort of skim it with my eyes semi-closed. Fully closed in the case of some art works. Just call me Sister Brammers ...

* Plot is lovely! As are any or all of the following: comedy, drama, politics, thrills, mystery, character studies, classic romance of the minimally mushy kind, adventure and even stories that spend oodles of time talking interestingly about something else, whether it be a country, cat or catamaran.

* Dark themes are fine, but preferably no sexual violence, unless it is something that is integral to a non-exploitative plot. I know that I am probably safe with my flist, but just in case, sexual violence as an expression of true love sends me into a frothing rant, as does sexual exploitation of children (obviously consensual sex with added pain or chain is a different kettle of fish entirely, as are fictional 15-year olds with each other). Incest themes just force me me make wholly inappropriate jokes about Tasmania, which causes treacle_tartlet  to thump me, and since she is an old RL friend, this is not to be encouraged. Before I learned about fandom, I would never have imagined writing the last two sentences ...

* Creature-fics and mpregs will be treated with suspicion, as will AUs, but you could convince me.

* Feel free to self-promote!

Comments

[quatrefoil.livejournal.com]

Add me to the thumping list, though I'd point out I was born but not bred there.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I can at least out-run the two of you. If I make the same jokes about the appropriate parts of the UK, I have friends who are marathoners from all of them, the bastards!

[cinnatart.livejournal.com]

Have e-mailed you, for obvious reasons =D ♥

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Thank you!!

[cinnatart.livejournal.com]

Have I mentioned lately that I'm jealous of both you and Tart? You guys can see each other IRL. *pouts*

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Very occasionally, there are about a thousand miles and a great big body of water between us. But she has my roaming modem dongle for the next few weeks, so I feel as though I am with her!

[cinnatart.livejournal.com]

So these days my job is to sell cruises (wretched job, btw). I was playing about in our inventory and there's a freaking fantastic month-long cruise around A & NZ that I would LOVE to take. It's only like, 20K USD... not including flights into Sydney. I'll be able to afford it when I'm 90. Looking forward to it!

/random.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Treacle and I should both still be alive by then. My family live forever and she has a very healthy lifestyle.

And for 20K, you may as well fly over business and fly between locations, staying at nice hotels!

[cinnatart.livejournal.com]

Ah, but then I have to pay for food/entertainment. For 20K, I can do a suite, have a free minibar, free food, free entertainment, be shuttled from locale to locale, and not have to do my own laundry - seeing as the price I quoted was for the top suite.

You two will join me, yes? (I love how we're volunteering Tart to join us - think we'll still be reading fic then? We could have long intellectual discussions while sipping drinks by the pool - if they still exist)

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

If there is a G&T in the offing, treacle is always in. Trust me, I once ended up spotting a TV personality in charge of her week-old infant in proof of this very rule!

[cinnatart.livejournal.com]

Is this when Squirt met GDL? Because, that was awesome, if I do say so myself.

She'll take the G&T's, I'll take the Rum. What are you in for? I need to make sure to order properly, of course.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

It was! And I hardly drink. A Pimms and ginger ale if it's hot, whisky if it's cold. Just the one!

[eanelinea77.livejournal.com]

I'd self pimp my fest fic (since I need love), but dunno if you'd want that.

I'm working on a loooong story arc that I'm hoping I can get through.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

If it's still anon, that could be dodgy ;-)

[eanelinea77.livejournal.com]

It is. But who'd know? =p

Anyway, I need to spend my holiday break on catching up with the latest hd_hols fics. I've been kinda blah these last few days. Which is odd since I was commenting on everything that came out the second it did.

[chantefable.livejournal.com]

In fact, I'm not sure I read all the ones I wrote.
Oh, good, it's not just me.

...if people have therapists and want to talk about their feelings at length...
Oh, yes. *sigh* Do you want to talk about it?

I received a brilliant gift in snaco_exchange, El Tango de las Serpientes. (This reminds me: I need to find the time to compose a rec post.)

And earlier this year, there was steampunk and pixies in The Great Pixie Dust-Up (Severus/Luna).

As for me, I seem to be have written quite a lot about the Ancient House of Black. (Nothing that requires closing your eyes, that's why I dare mention it...) So we have Walburga, Cedrella (the one who married a Weasley), Andromeda, Narcissa, and Bellatrix.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I've been meaning to catch up on your Blacks -- I think I beta-ed an earlier one, or maybe half-read it, the beginning of the year is a blur, and was hungry for more.

Severus/Luna sounds intriguing. I don't normally hold with student/teacher stories, but she is so outside the norms.

[chantefable.livejournal.com]

Yes, you beta-ed Abraxas Malfoy's letter! :) ♥

Severus/Luna was very post-Hogwarts. (It was a gift for me, and I don't really believe in teacher/student. Nor am I particularly interested in teenage problems.)

Ah, another PG-ish thing I managed, where a Curse-Breaker and an Unspeakable go to the beach... Though I'm mostly bringing it up because I hope to hear comments about my banter-writing and learn from you. ;)

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

On the list! Cheers, dear!

[maevemist.livejournal.com]

http://community.livejournal.com/hp_holidaygen/34543.html#cutid1

Amor Vitae - Professor Flitwick and assorted other teachers.

It will take you approximately 4 minutes to read and unfortunately my review only says it was amazing and that I experienced every emotion possible while reading it. :(

What I do know is that I still remember it was very good a whole year after reading it. It is also gen fic so hopefully it is squick free.

If I remember anything with a bit more substance that meets your requirements, I shall return.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I LOVE FLITWICK! He is my fave rare character. On the list! Thank you!

[darlulu.livejournal.com]

I haven't been reading much HP lately, but I have a few Merlin fic recs to offer.

A Matter of Duty - Summary: Arthur is sent to track down and kill a sorcerer.

The Student Prince - Summary: A Modern day Merlin AU set at the University of St Andrews, featuring teetotal kickboxers, secret wizards, magnificent bodyguards of various genders, irate fairies, imprisoned dragons, crumbling gothic architecture, arrogant princes, adorable engineering students, stolen gold, magical doorways, attempted assassination, drunken students, shaving foam fights, embarrassing mornings after, The Hammer Dance, duty, responsibility, friendship and true love...

Post hoc, ergo propter hoc - Summary: History books would not remember Gaius' death precipitating the greatest war Albion had ever seen. That blame lay entirely with an inexperienced sorcerer and the Prince whom he'd betrayed a hundred times over. Future!fic with a time travel twist. Inspired and loosely based on The Sword in the Stone.

In Want of a Wife - Summary: When Merlin first hears that Arthur has been betrothed, his ribs pull inwards with an odd little hitch, and he only allows himself a second—which he needs in order to coordinate spinning in place without falling on his face—before he’s running to Arthur’s chambers.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I love those summaries! All right, they're on the list, but if Merlin fandom seduces me, it will be ALL YOUR FAULT!

[winnett.livejournal.com]

The Student Prince was awesome. I need to go read these other ones. :)

[catsintheattic.livejournal.com]

If you would like to try a fic that is Draco-centric gen, AU and yet canon ... I'm sending you a link to the fic I wrote for springtime_gen.

Footsteps on Fallen Snow - the link goes to my fic journal, but if you like to read it at the community, you'll find a link at the top of the post.

The rating is R due to dark themes, but as it's gen, there is no sex. Don't feel obliged to read it though just because I'm on your f-list. If the story is not your thing, that's perfectly fine. :-)

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Oh thank you! I enjoy your style very much and had wholly missed this one, so that is on the list and looked forward to!

[catsintheattic.livejournal.com]

You're welcome, and I hope you'll enjoy the read.

[faithwood.livejournal.com]

From hd_hols:
The Waters Know Their Own One of the most gorgeous fics I've ever read. Beautiful writing.

And if you're in a mood for something very old-school:

Five Times Draco Malfoy Got Sacked (And One Time He Didn't) <3 <3 <3

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Your rec for your gift had already popped that one onto my list, even if I might need to squint at a few bits in it :-) Thanks!

[alex-s9.livejournal.com]

Heh, old-school - this is exactly as I recced it on my LJ. :D

[faithwood.livejournal.com]

It's SO old-school, I strongly suspect I know who wrote it.

[alex-s9.livejournal.com]

I had a feeling I know the author somewhere in the middle of reading but then it went away.

[absynthedrinker.livejournal.com]

I'm not certain this meets much of your criteria but I thought it extraordinary storytelling. Dark, imaginative and, one hopes, not prescient. 

Arcane Asylum by new_kate 

It's lovely to see you about.

I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year

Peace,
Bubba

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Sounds terrific -- and a quick read of the opening confirms. Waterboarding! On the list!

Thank you, it's lovely to be about. And a very happy Christmas and New Year to you, too!

[rickey-a.livejournal.com]

hey Brammers,
all my recs for the fest season are here: http://rickey-a.livejournal.com/tag/recs
it's a definite bizarre mix of feel good, humor, dark, and sexual - some short, some plotty. You can see what I said about them. My main problem I'm finding is that the more you read in fandom, the harder it is to find something you haven't read before. So I look for (besides decently written) is a spark of originality, something that was different enough to keep me engaged. A lot of what I've read, was good and entertaining, but I could name 10 other fics just like it. People can't even seem to think up original titles, some are completely rehashed and used 100 times.

If I were to pick 1 for you from hdholidays fics to check out, I'd say check out Life Lessons: The Flying Chapter NC-17 ~21k at hd_holidays
http://community.livejournal.com/hd_holidays/172945.html
I think you'll like the humor and some of the fandom parallels in Draco dealing w/Harry critique his brooms. Also Flint as a character and plot device is really well done. :) but do check out what I rec'd about some of the others and see if they pique your interest.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Cheers, dears! And I know what you mean. Sadly, I fear I the fics like the ones I have written lately were the fics I wrote before them ... I need either more time or a better brain ...

[nenne.livejournal.com]

This story is about Snape and Sprout. It is not a love story, but I thought it was just lovely. http://community.livejournal.com/severus_shorts/10411.html

This is a gen fic, maybe a little mushy, but I really enjoyed it:

http://community.livejournal.com/springtime_gen/72138.html

A story from this years Smoochfest. Of Mouslings and Men:

http://community.livejournal.com/hd_smoochfest/36927.html

I'll be back with more if you want.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

yes please! These all look very promising, thank you!

[pionie.livejournal.com]

Gotten and the rest immediately throw me out of the world the author's created. Speaking as a Brit who has written in a US fandom, I know the necessity of getting a local beta, and I find I just want to comment and say, I love your story, everything about it, so please can I britpick for you in future? But it seems so widespread I decided it must be accepted in h/d fandom.
Anyway, I prefer not to read sex scenes either so maybe you'd enjoy http://community.livejournal.com/serpentinelion/257141.html which is a murder mystery in the style of Miss Marple, with lots of fun, a smart and witty Draco and really very little squinting required.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Having spent so many years reading and writing for so many different Englishes, I can now just automatically translate idiom in my head. But you are right that it would be a better world if this was not necessary!

That one is definitely on my list -- HP and Christie = perfection!

[brissygirl.livejournal.com]

If you wander over to my fic journal brissy_digsu, I have a Snupin fic that should meet your requirements. Poor Severus he's been through so much and I torture him with a mouthful of bird poop! LOL!

There are some fabulous festive fics over at mini_fest, I highly recomend The Acursed Fruitcake of Camlann, it was one of the first fics posted and it's hilarious!

I can't think of anything else at the moment, so I'll email you some links later when I'm at the computer. :)

[spirillen.livejournal.com]

I can recommend the following HD fics:
Femme & Noeon's offering for the Glomp fest The Mirror Crack'd : “There’s a dead Ministry official sprawled across the sitting room floor,” I announce before collapsing into a chair at the kitchen table. “This can’t be good for bookings.”
http://community.livejournal.com/serpentinelion/257141.html - H/D a la Agatha Christie - made me giggle. A lot.

Off course anything by Sara's Girl - for a lengthy story from this year I'd recommend On a Clear Day http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5688056/1/On_a_Clear_Day - I can't imagine you haven't already read Foundations verse, in which case there are a few more snippets from this year.

Tigersilvers "When I'm old" - a bit soppy but in a really delightful way (and it is christmas)
http://tigersilver.livejournal.com/117408.html

Ishfael's "players" http://ishafel.livejournal.com/117932.html - more of a character study - a slightly different Harry & Draco to what you usually see, yet completely believable.

Hope you enjoy some of these. Merry christmas

[curia-regis.livejournal.com]

I haven't really been reading much this year either, so anything I rustle up would be probably written by me. So unless you're interested in a rather long, slightly silly Merlin/HP crossover or a fic where Minerva interviews Gilderoy... I'm afraid I'll have to be very unhelpful. *g*

The best fic I've read in the last few days was written in 2005. *g* Although! It is really awesome. It's Fred-centric and short. http://lydiabennet.livejournal.com/1786.html

[alicambs.livejournal.com]

Have you watched the BBC Sherlock? It's brilliant and well acted. The fan fic for it is pretty damn good. A lot of Sherlock/John which I find to my surprise I have fallen for - helped by the fact that I adore Martin Freeman's John Watson, but also some very good gen. Interested in any recs?

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I have, it was terrific! I think I would be interested in recs for that fandom, though I am not convinced the two of them would ever shag. Gen ones where they run around and solve mysteries or are startlingly brilliant friends who are simultaneously a bit crap would be fabu if they're an option!

[alicambs.livejournal.com]

Right! :-)

Well I have a recs LJ 0r DW as the case maybe. I'll give you the link. :-) There is a lot of J/S mainly because many people write it, but as I say I remained unconvinced until I read the splendid trio of fics by an author named wordstrings (An Act of Charity is the first part - it was heart-achingly good. Otherwise, go for the stuff marked gen. Sherlock recs

A couple are referred to as slash but I'd see them as more a damn good friendship. One in particular that I adore because the dialogue is just so wonderful is: Breakfast at 221B by A J Hall

Bujold

[jekni.livejournal.com]

Of course this is not a fanfic rec but your para re plot etc. reminds me forcibly of my favourite author Lois McMaster Bujold. Have you read any of her series? - she has 3 in distinct genres - and I can recommend them all wholeheartedly. Her Vorkosigan series (space-opera, kinda) has all those qualities you listed and contains about 17 books. The Chalion series is historical/fantasy and currently has 3 books of which the second, Paladin of Souls, is my favourite book of all time. The Sharing Knife series is 4 books set in an analogue of frontier-time mid-West America. All her books have great characters and wonderful world-building - and a whole lot of fanfic has been written on all of them (even some HP crossover by AJ Hall) and there is an LJ community called bujold-fic. Pls excuse me if you've already read them and know all this.

[tigersilver.livejournal.com]

Luv, for relief and because I am desperately in need of distraction...because Ben is hawt and Martin huggable, I well into Sherlock, BBC. Help yourself to my Memories and my bookmarks on A03, as you'll find lots.
I am into Avengers 2012 film version, also. You'll find reccs for those, too. The paradigm is similar enough to H/D to resonate. I find them pleasing. Like cousins, really. In a way.
If this helps, I am pleased. If not...ah. Know that I am in your boat and am frantically bailing, just as you.
Cheers! Wine and whinge together? Anytime!
Tiger