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Dear Yuletide Writer
First of all, thank you in advance for the story, dear writer! I'm really excited to participating in Yuletide again this year and can't wait to see what you will come up with for me. I can be found on AO3 as deliarium. I’m also on tumblr at amorbidlonging.
General likes: introspective character studies and backstories, complex and intense relationships, hurt/comfort, angst (with happy ending), humor and clever dialogue (when appropriate), historical detail, competency, loyalty, tender caretaking, pining (mutual or unidirectional), characters undergoing some sort of emotional journey or transformation throughout the story, characters grappling with their feelings or with difficult situations, characters working through past trauma or emotional baggage, unstated/understated feelings and emotions, quiet expressions of intimacy or vulnerability.
Sexual content: Feel free to include it if you wish, though certainly don't feel obligated to. I am fine with any level of explicitness; mild kink is generally okay, especially if it’s something the characters could reasonably be into based on their personalities or canon details (I’ll leave that up to your discretion). I do tend to prefer sex scenes that reveal something about characterization or relationship dynamics to a straight-up PWP, and I would not like to read anything non-consensual.
Mini-challenges: Totally optional, but here are my sign-ups for Yuleporn (any fandom) and Crueltide (TSH-only) if you're interested in participating in either of those challenges.
The provided prompts are merely suggestions; if you happen to think of another idea that you are really burning to write, please go on ahead! If you need clarification on anything, don’t hesitate to shoot me a question through the mods.
The Charioteer - Mary Renault
Ralph Lanyon, Laurie Odell
I would love any story about these characters and their relationship - pre-canon backstories, missing moments during the book, canon-divergent AUs, domestic fluff, plot-driven fic, shameless smut, snapshots of their lives and relationship during or after the war, etc. All I really ask is that Ralph and Laurie are still alive and together by the end (unless it’s a pre-canon fic, of course) and that the conclusion is relatively happy/hopeful. I generally prefer stories in the canon setting, but if you happen to have a really good idea for an AU that stays true to the characters, I’d be happy to read it. Feel free to incorporate additional characters, especially Alec or any of the Bridstow crowd.
Possible ideas:
- A pre-canon story about Ralph during his teenage years - I'd love to read something that explores his home life, his developing interest in sailing, his realization about his sexuality, him meeting and falling for Laurie, etc.
- A school story about Ralph and Laurie (maybe something touching on the line “Lanyon likes you, and other people have noticed it if you haven’t”).
- Ralph fighting in the Battle of the Atlantic and exchanging letters with Laurie throughout the war. Or Ralph escaping from a POW camp.
- Ralph temporarily being missing-in-action/captured/presumed (but not actually) dead at some point during the war, and Alec helping Laurie cope through it.
- Ralph and Laurie learning to navigate their shared life together, and Laurie becoming more familiar with the Bridstow gay community (perhaps even acquiring a slightly more sympathetic view of its members than Renault allowed).
- Ralph, Laurie, and Alec reacting to the passage of the Sexual Offenses Act of 1967.
- Something that more explicitly fills in one of the fade-to-black moments in the novel (e.g. "come and say goodbye to me," wedding night, "conditions best suited of all to unreserve").
- If you’d like to go the AU route, I’d really love to read a Persuasion AU with these characters (or a general regency AU). Alternatively, a magical realism or superhero/Marvel AU could be interesting.
DNWs: breaking up Ralph/Laurie, infidelity, tragic/unhappy endings, domestic abuse, sexual assault, major character deaths, modern/mundane AUs, a/b/o, Andrew returning just to cause drama between Ralph and Laurie.
Secret History - Donna Tartt
Henry Winter, Richard Papen, Camilla Macaulay, Charles Macaulay
I'd like a story that explores the complicated and dysfunctional dynamics between any of these characters, especially in a way that the reader doesn't get to see due to the limits of Richard's (highly unreliable) narration. Feel free to include as few or many characters as you wish (and you can also include Francis if you like, though he isn’t a nominated character). In terms of romantic/sexual pairings I tend to be interested in Henry/Camilla, Henry/Richard, Francis/Charles, or Francis/Henry; however, I'd be completely fine with a gen story as well. I'd prefer not to have a story centered specifically around romantic Charles/Camilla, though I'm not asking you to ignore the incestuous aspect of their relationship, more not to have it as the focus. For this fandom I am perfectly okay with angst, violence, darkfic, or unhappy/bittersweet endings, as befitting the tone of the novel.
Possible ideas:
- What actually happened during the bacchanal. The novel leaves the somewhat mystical elements up to interpretation (did they really see Dionysus?), and of course there's Henry's infamous line about there being a "certain carnal element to the proceedings."
- Anything set in the aftermath of the bacchanal, while Richard is still unaware and the others are still grappling with the direness of their situation. I would particularly be interested in seeing the subtle changes in all their relationships due to the life-altering experience they shared, which may not be apparent to Richard.
- A post-canon story with Richard, Francis, Charles, and Camilla encountering each other years later, their lives by now greatly diverged, but unresolved feelings and tensions still linger.
- Henry and Camilla's relationship throughout the novel, from Camilla's view.
- Anything really from Camilla's perspective, especially something that shows a deeper side of her that Richard and the other boys don't (or refuse to) see.
- Henry or Francis’s POV during the last third of the book, as Charles deteriorates and Camilla goes to Henry for protection.
- Anything exploring Henry and Richard's relationship. Richard is obviously fascinated by Henry in a Nick Carraway-like fashion, but what does Henry really think of Richard? Was he manipulating Richard towards the end of the book (as Charles seems to think)? Alternatively, a Rope-inspired AU where Henry persuades Richard to commit a murder with him.
- Anything about Charles and Francis. We get Francis's side of the story wrt their occasional flings, but what is Charles's take on it?
DNWs: AUs (other than canon-divergent AUs or those specified in prompts), PWP, sexual assault (dubcon e.g. where both parties are under the influence of drugs/alcohol is ok, but please nothing explicitly non-consensual), fluff, pairings other than specified.
Swordspoint Series - Ellen Kushner
Richard St Vier, Alec Campion
I recently read these books for the first time and found these characters and their relationship utterly and morbidly fascinating, particularly their intense loyalty/codependency towards each other and general amorality towards everyone else. I would love just about any story that focuses on their relationship - pre-canon events or backstories, missing moments, domestic fluff, angst, hurt/comfort, explicit smut, AUs, etc. Alternatively, I'd also take a Richard-centric story that delves more into his character or background.
Possible ideas:
- Any story about their relationship set between Swordspoint and The Privilege of the Sword before Richard and Alec's breakup, or at the end of The Privilege of the Sword when they have run off together.
- Richard discovering and coming to terms with his blindness.
- A pre-Swordspoint story after Richard and Alec have moved in together and are adjusting to their new relationship and to each other.
- Alec’s visits to Richard at Highcombe (with lots of angst and/or hurt/comfort).
- The first time Richard killed for Alec (and Alec's reaction to it).
- Hurt/comfort fic with Richard taking care of Alec, or vice versa.
- Any sort of backstory for Richard - his home and upbringing, learning to swordfight, his past relationship, his life before meeting Alec, etc.
- If you have any interesting AU ideas, I'd love to read them! Other than modern/mundane AUs or a/b/o, I'm pretty open to most themes. (Some random ideas I'll throw out if you want inspiration: superhero/Marvel, space opera, spies, heist, bodyguard, magical realism.)
DNWs: tragic/unhappy endings (bittersweet is okay), infidelity, sexual assault, domestic abuse, major character deaths (other than canon deaths), modern/mundane AUs, a/b/o.
General likes: introspective character studies and backstories, complex and intense relationships, hurt/comfort, angst (with happy ending), humor and clever dialogue (when appropriate), historical detail, competency, loyalty, tender caretaking, pining (mutual or unidirectional), characters undergoing some sort of emotional journey or transformation throughout the story, characters grappling with their feelings or with difficult situations, characters working through past trauma or emotional baggage, unstated/understated feelings and emotions, quiet expressions of intimacy or vulnerability.
Sexual content: Feel free to include it if you wish, though certainly don't feel obligated to. I am fine with any level of explicitness; mild kink is generally okay, especially if it’s something the characters could reasonably be into based on their personalities or canon details (I’ll leave that up to your discretion). I do tend to prefer sex scenes that reveal something about characterization or relationship dynamics to a straight-up PWP, and I would not like to read anything non-consensual.
Mini-challenges: Totally optional, but here are my sign-ups for Yuleporn (any fandom) and Crueltide (TSH-only) if you're interested in participating in either of those challenges.
The provided prompts are merely suggestions; if you happen to think of another idea that you are really burning to write, please go on ahead! If you need clarification on anything, don’t hesitate to shoot me a question through the mods.
The Charioteer - Mary Renault
Ralph Lanyon, Laurie Odell
I would love any story about these characters and their relationship - pre-canon backstories, missing moments during the book, canon-divergent AUs, domestic fluff, plot-driven fic, shameless smut, snapshots of their lives and relationship during or after the war, etc. All I really ask is that Ralph and Laurie are still alive and together by the end (unless it’s a pre-canon fic, of course) and that the conclusion is relatively happy/hopeful. I generally prefer stories in the canon setting, but if you happen to have a really good idea for an AU that stays true to the characters, I’d be happy to read it. Feel free to incorporate additional characters, especially Alec or any of the Bridstow crowd.
Possible ideas:
- A pre-canon story about Ralph during his teenage years - I'd love to read something that explores his home life, his developing interest in sailing, his realization about his sexuality, him meeting and falling for Laurie, etc.
- A school story about Ralph and Laurie (maybe something touching on the line “Lanyon likes you, and other people have noticed it if you haven’t”).
- Ralph fighting in the Battle of the Atlantic and exchanging letters with Laurie throughout the war. Or Ralph escaping from a POW camp.
- Ralph temporarily being missing-in-action/captured/presumed (but not actually) dead at some point during the war, and Alec helping Laurie cope through it.
- Ralph and Laurie learning to navigate their shared life together, and Laurie becoming more familiar with the Bridstow gay community (perhaps even acquiring a slightly more sympathetic view of its members than Renault allowed).
- Ralph, Laurie, and Alec reacting to the passage of the Sexual Offenses Act of 1967.
- Something that more explicitly fills in one of the fade-to-black moments in the novel (e.g. "come and say goodbye to me," wedding night, "conditions best suited of all to unreserve").
- If you’d like to go the AU route, I’d really love to read a Persuasion AU with these characters (or a general regency AU). Alternatively, a magical realism or superhero/Marvel AU could be interesting.
DNWs: breaking up Ralph/Laurie, infidelity, tragic/unhappy endings, domestic abuse, sexual assault, major character deaths, modern/mundane AUs, a/b/o, Andrew returning just to cause drama between Ralph and Laurie.
Secret History - Donna Tartt
Henry Winter, Richard Papen, Camilla Macaulay, Charles Macaulay
I'd like a story that explores the complicated and dysfunctional dynamics between any of these characters, especially in a way that the reader doesn't get to see due to the limits of Richard's (highly unreliable) narration. Feel free to include as few or many characters as you wish (and you can also include Francis if you like, though he isn’t a nominated character). In terms of romantic/sexual pairings I tend to be interested in Henry/Camilla, Henry/Richard, Francis/Charles, or Francis/Henry; however, I'd be completely fine with a gen story as well. I'd prefer not to have a story centered specifically around romantic Charles/Camilla, though I'm not asking you to ignore the incestuous aspect of their relationship, more not to have it as the focus. For this fandom I am perfectly okay with angst, violence, darkfic, or unhappy/bittersweet endings, as befitting the tone of the novel.
Possible ideas:
- What actually happened during the bacchanal. The novel leaves the somewhat mystical elements up to interpretation (did they really see Dionysus?), and of course there's Henry's infamous line about there being a "certain carnal element to the proceedings."
- Anything set in the aftermath of the bacchanal, while Richard is still unaware and the others are still grappling with the direness of their situation. I would particularly be interested in seeing the subtle changes in all their relationships due to the life-altering experience they shared, which may not be apparent to Richard.
- A post-canon story with Richard, Francis, Charles, and Camilla encountering each other years later, their lives by now greatly diverged, but unresolved feelings and tensions still linger.
- Henry and Camilla's relationship throughout the novel, from Camilla's view.
- Anything really from Camilla's perspective, especially something that shows a deeper side of her that Richard and the other boys don't (or refuse to) see.
- Henry or Francis’s POV during the last third of the book, as Charles deteriorates and Camilla goes to Henry for protection.
- Anything exploring Henry and Richard's relationship. Richard is obviously fascinated by Henry in a Nick Carraway-like fashion, but what does Henry really think of Richard? Was he manipulating Richard towards the end of the book (as Charles seems to think)? Alternatively, a Rope-inspired AU where Henry persuades Richard to commit a murder with him.
- Anything about Charles and Francis. We get Francis's side of the story wrt their occasional flings, but what is Charles's take on it?
DNWs: AUs (other than canon-divergent AUs or those specified in prompts), PWP, sexual assault (dubcon e.g. where both parties are under the influence of drugs/alcohol is ok, but please nothing explicitly non-consensual), fluff, pairings other than specified.
Swordspoint Series - Ellen Kushner
Richard St Vier, Alec Campion
I recently read these books for the first time and found these characters and their relationship utterly and morbidly fascinating, particularly their intense loyalty/codependency towards each other and general amorality towards everyone else. I would love just about any story that focuses on their relationship - pre-canon events or backstories, missing moments, domestic fluff, angst, hurt/comfort, explicit smut, AUs, etc. Alternatively, I'd also take a Richard-centric story that delves more into his character or background.
Possible ideas:
- Any story about their relationship set between Swordspoint and The Privilege of the Sword before Richard and Alec's breakup, or at the end of The Privilege of the Sword when they have run off together.
- Richard discovering and coming to terms with his blindness.
- A pre-Swordspoint story after Richard and Alec have moved in together and are adjusting to their new relationship and to each other.
- Alec’s visits to Richard at Highcombe (with lots of angst and/or hurt/comfort).
- The first time Richard killed for Alec (and Alec's reaction to it).
- Hurt/comfort fic with Richard taking care of Alec, or vice versa.
- Any sort of backstory for Richard - his home and upbringing, learning to swordfight, his past relationship, his life before meeting Alec, etc.
- If you have any interesting AU ideas, I'd love to read them! Other than modern/mundane AUs or a/b/o, I'm pretty open to most themes. (Some random ideas I'll throw out if you want inspiration: superhero/Marvel, space opera, spies, heist, bodyguard, magical realism.)
DNWs: tragic/unhappy endings (bittersweet is okay), infidelity, sexual assault, domestic abuse, major character deaths (other than canon deaths), modern/mundane AUs, a/b/o.