blamebrampton

Yes, it's me! My little doggie has the day off and the Oxfam goat is popping by to say hello.

I stated last year that I should never do any fests or so on ever again because I am simply rubbish at them. I was quite right. Nonetheless, I was swept up in a wave of enthusiasm, among with some of the girls and women on one of my writers' comms, and joined HP10K, where we all aimed to write 10,000-word stories, connected to awareness raising on some topic or other.

I have, as always, been a dreadful fest participant, failing miserably in the supporting and pimping, despite having several recs half-written for previous fics. But at least I managed to finish my story before it was due! It's gone up, and I warn you that it contains a whole lot of dystopian politics, is set in a version of the US, no-one tells anyone else they love them (well, I wrote it, so that's usually the case), and there is sod-all porn and only a bit of comedy.

Want to give it a go anyway? (Go on, you lot are brave!) You can find it here: And Save Me From Bloody Men, just 10,000 words, so, nice and easy!

And if you are shaking your head saying, 'Woman, I will put up with your political obsessions ONLY when you make them as comedic as Public Good', then hold off for tomorrow when I will be posting some apolitical comedy, but do me a favour and read about Oxfam over here. They are great, and you can buy goats for people all over the world instead of pieces of tat for those friends and family who are impossible to buy for.

A BIG KISS to bryoneybrynn  for the lovely goat, now I am off to work on some actual rec posts. Or read my new A.A. Gill book. Possibly both!

To start with well wishes, HAPPY BIRTHDAY kestrelsparhawk ! You're a great writer and a thoroughly decent human being. And I am sure it's still your birthday there!

Now, on to this hp10k thingummy you may have seen popping up on your flist today. I'm taking part because it is NOT A FEST! What is it then? You might well ask. I present to you a completely unauthorised and only mostly factual set of FAQs to help with any curiosity that may have been piqued.

What's it about?
A group of us who have all worked together on other projects, from writing comms to last year's worldcup, were having a chat about how we were mostly over the idea of fests, but how we'd really liked the idea of people donating fic and art for livelongnmarry last year. A couple of the more sensible members of the group (obviously, not me) said 'You know, we could do something like that'.

After some excited discussion, the decision was made to write fics that would be attached to causes, not necessarily by theme, and not asking or requiring donations, but by making you read a little blurb so the next time you have some pounds or dollars that need to go towards a tax deduction, you might consider sending them in one of these directions.

The stories are designed to come in at around the 10,000 word mark, and we are trying to produce works of the highest quality we can manage.

Who's doing it and what are their causes?
You can find an official blurb, along with the list of writers, artists and causes and charities here. There are some pretty talented people on that list!

Invite only? That's a bit cliquey, isn't it?
Not really, it was a first-time idea, which we wanted to work out to see how it went, hence the participants all being people who already knew each other and had already worked together.

Can I do the same thing with my friends?
Feel free! 

So are these causes of yours all a bit touchy-feely?
Most of them are public health related, because that's one of the areas where awareness and activism can make a huge difference. A simple look at the difference in heterosexual transmission rates of HIV between South Africa, where education was delivered poorly, and Australia, where it was delivered well makes clear the difference that knowledge can make.

The remaining issues concern themselves with human rights and the provision of housing and the essentials of life for individuals and communities around the world. So, less touchy-feely, more necessary.

What are you writing for?
Oxfam International. It's an NGO that works around the world to provide food, housing, education, and, above all, self sufficiency to communities that have been left in crisis by natural, economic or war-caused disasters. They help to build schools, rebuild agricultural stocks, teach skills and give members of the communities they work with the power to take control of their own life's needs.

So what do you want the rest of us to do?
Watch the comm, read the fics, see the art, think about the causes. That's it!

No, really, it's very cliquey isn't it?
Actually we're just doing it to annoy you. Yes, you. You know who you are. *Looks pointedly.*

Where's your ribbon banner?
Good people like the other participants wear ribbons and rubber bracelets and daffodils and bandaged bears and red noses. Horrid people like me throw money at the collector and say 'Keep it!' You're all here for the comedy, not the saintliness, don't pretend to be shocked.