Yuletide Letter
Oct. 26th, 2012 01:13 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
selenakDear Yuletide Author,
thank you so much for writing a story for me! We share at least one fandom, and so I hope my request(s) are somewhat enjoyable to write for you. As far as general likes and dislikes go, I'm not that hard to please: gen, slash, het, any combination thereof, whatever floats your boat is fine with me. The same goes with tragedy versus fluff. I'm as prone to wish happiness upon my favourite characters as the next fan, but let's face it, sometimes the story just demands angst, misery, or even death. So whether you write something cheerful or absolutely heartbreaking or a mixture of both is entirely up to you; as long as the characterisation is good; I'm game.
As for my idea re: good characterisation: something that neither edits out flaws - and considering one of the canons I requested had the two characters I requested casually discussing their dinner arrangements while raping a helpless third party, the term "flaw" can be an euphemism with some of the characters - nor ignores layers, conflicting motivations, more dimensionality etc. I dislike vilifying a canon partner in order to bring a 'ship about, but since none of my requests lends itself to such a plot, that should not be a problem.
Fandom: Classical Greece and Rome History & Literature RPF
Characters: Julia Augusti, Lesbia | Clodia, Terentia Ciceronis
Julia and two legendary ladies from the previous generation, both of whom were probably alive and well (?) when Julia was young. Clodia and Terentia had history with each other via Cicero. They both must have known Julia's mother Scribonia as well as her stepmother Livia. And more likely than not had a firm opinion on Julia's father. Julia as someone other than a young brainless nymphette or a shy innocent would be great, and any interaction between any of these women is bound to be, oh Yuletide writer!
Footnote: this request isn't a Bechdel-Test passing challenge. If you want them to discuss Augustus or any other male in their lives, go ahead. Similarly, if you can see Clodia and Terentia, but not Julia, or Julia and one of the two older women, but not both: whatever your muse dictates!
Fandom: Spartacus (TV Series)
Characters: Lucretia, Quintus Lentulus Batiatus, Titus Lentulus Batiatus, Gaia
The story of how Quintus Batiatus and Lucretia came to marry against Titus' wishes, and/or the early years of their marriage pre-Gods of the Arena. They were two of the most interesting characters of the show to me; incapable of understanding that the world isn't there to be exploited by them, but also sincerely in love and capable of doing just about anything for each other. How was this bond created?
This would be me requesting romance for the show's villains. As mentioned earlier, you don't have to gloss over what they're capable of, or ignore the pain they cause others. But how their relationship came to be is really want I want to read about, so I do want them to be the central focus (not somewhere in the background). As far as historical accuracy is concerned: not exactly what Spartacus is famous for, so don't worry about nitpickyness on that account. As long as Lucretia doesn't whip out a mobile phone to text Gaia about this Batiatus fellow she just met, we're good.
Fandom: Breaking Bad
Characters: Skyler White, Marie Schrader, Hank Schrader, Walter White
Skyler is my favourite BB character, so any story which explores her would be great. If you can in particular manage exploration of her relationships with her sister and brother-in-law, I'd be even more thrilled! But really, anything Skyler-centric would be awesome.
Let me add that I'm intrigued by all the Breaking Bad characters, so if you'd rather write about Skyler and Jesse, or Skyler and Saul, or Skyler and whoever, I'd still be very happy.
Fandom: Literary RPF:
Characters: Anne Bronte, Charlotte Bronte, Branwell Bronte, Emily Bronte.
My dream would be a story about the young Brontes creating Angria and Gondal. Maybe the time when Charlotte was at school, Branwell walked forty kilometres to visit her and bring her up to date with the plot, while Emily and Anne separated from Angria and declared Gondal independence. It would be lovely to see all four Brontes interact if you can manage that, but any sibling relationship exploration is welcome. If you'd rather write about the adult Brontes, I'm fine with that as well; again, sibling relationship exploration, and the clash between their rich inner life and creativity and the way they try to handle (or not) real life would be great. Also, I'm rather fond of Patrick Bronte as well, so no evil Papa, please?
In fact, if you were to write a Patrick pov on his children, I'd be fine with that, too. Or Aunt Branwell's, or Tabitha's; there was a limit to the characters I could nominate, alas.
thank you so much for writing a story for me! We share at least one fandom, and so I hope my request(s) are somewhat enjoyable to write for you. As far as general likes and dislikes go, I'm not that hard to please: gen, slash, het, any combination thereof, whatever floats your boat is fine with me. The same goes with tragedy versus fluff. I'm as prone to wish happiness upon my favourite characters as the next fan, but let's face it, sometimes the story just demands angst, misery, or even death. So whether you write something cheerful or absolutely heartbreaking or a mixture of both is entirely up to you; as long as the characterisation is good; I'm game.
As for my idea re: good characterisation: something that neither edits out flaws - and considering one of the canons I requested had the two characters I requested casually discussing their dinner arrangements while raping a helpless third party, the term "flaw" can be an euphemism with some of the characters - nor ignores layers, conflicting motivations, more dimensionality etc. I dislike vilifying a canon partner in order to bring a 'ship about, but since none of my requests lends itself to such a plot, that should not be a problem.
Fandom: Classical Greece and Rome History & Literature RPF
Characters: Julia Augusti, Lesbia | Clodia, Terentia Ciceronis
Julia and two legendary ladies from the previous generation, both of whom were probably alive and well (?) when Julia was young. Clodia and Terentia had history with each other via Cicero. They both must have known Julia's mother Scribonia as well as her stepmother Livia. And more likely than not had a firm opinion on Julia's father. Julia as someone other than a young brainless nymphette or a shy innocent would be great, and any interaction between any of these women is bound to be, oh Yuletide writer!
Footnote: this request isn't a Bechdel-Test passing challenge. If you want them to discuss Augustus or any other male in their lives, go ahead. Similarly, if you can see Clodia and Terentia, but not Julia, or Julia and one of the two older women, but not both: whatever your muse dictates!
Fandom: Spartacus (TV Series)
Characters: Lucretia, Quintus Lentulus Batiatus, Titus Lentulus Batiatus, Gaia
The story of how Quintus Batiatus and Lucretia came to marry against Titus' wishes, and/or the early years of their marriage pre-Gods of the Arena. They were two of the most interesting characters of the show to me; incapable of understanding that the world isn't there to be exploited by them, but also sincerely in love and capable of doing just about anything for each other. How was this bond created?
This would be me requesting romance for the show's villains. As mentioned earlier, you don't have to gloss over what they're capable of, or ignore the pain they cause others. But how their relationship came to be is really want I want to read about, so I do want them to be the central focus (not somewhere in the background). As far as historical accuracy is concerned: not exactly what Spartacus is famous for, so don't worry about nitpickyness on that account. As long as Lucretia doesn't whip out a mobile phone to text Gaia about this Batiatus fellow she just met, we're good.
Fandom: Breaking Bad
Characters: Skyler White, Marie Schrader, Hank Schrader, Walter White
Skyler is my favourite BB character, so any story which explores her would be great. If you can in particular manage exploration of her relationships with her sister and brother-in-law, I'd be even more thrilled! But really, anything Skyler-centric would be awesome.
Let me add that I'm intrigued by all the Breaking Bad characters, so if you'd rather write about Skyler and Jesse, or Skyler and Saul, or Skyler and whoever, I'd still be very happy.
Fandom: Literary RPF:
Characters: Anne Bronte, Charlotte Bronte, Branwell Bronte, Emily Bronte.
My dream would be a story about the young Brontes creating Angria and Gondal. Maybe the time when Charlotte was at school, Branwell walked forty kilometres to visit her and bring her up to date with the plot, while Emily and Anne separated from Angria and declared Gondal independence. It would be lovely to see all four Brontes interact if you can manage that, but any sibling relationship exploration is welcome. If you'd rather write about the adult Brontes, I'm fine with that as well; again, sibling relationship exploration, and the clash between their rich inner life and creativity and the way they try to handle (or not) real life would be great. Also, I'm rather fond of Patrick Bronte as well, so no evil Papa, please?
In fact, if you were to write a Patrick pov on his children, I'd be fine with that, too. Or Aunt Branwell's, or Tabitha's; there was a limit to the characters I could nominate, alas.
no subject
Date: 2012-10-26 12:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-26 05:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-26 05:25 pm (UTC)Actually, thinking of the killing of Clodius, and Cicero's remark about how unusual it was for him to travel without his wife... why has no one written a novel about Fulvia? Or have I missed it? Married to three leading political figures, conducted a war against Octavian, issued coins with her head on them...
no subject
Date: 2012-10-26 06:22 pm (UTC)re: Fulvia: unfortunately, to my knowledge she only ever has been a guest star in novels about other people (usually Cleopatra, but I've also read one about Octavia) and hasn't had one about herself yet. Including, btw, A Murder on the Appian Way, where she and Clodia are the main "guest" characters (in addition to Cicero, Milo and Fausta, of course); Fulvia is the one to hire the series' detective, Gordianus, in order to find out what exactly happened to her husband. (Saylor has fun with a bit of foreshadowing as Antony briefly shows up to pay a visit to Fulvia, which makes Gordianus wonder whether due to his obvious interest in the widow he could be a suspect, but then realises he's not.)
no subject
Date: 2012-10-26 06:33 pm (UTC)I know of A Murder on the Appian Way but haven't read it. [Glares at huge pile of books-to-read.]