OMG! The Afterellen.com Hottest 100!!

Some surprises, some not so surprising. But mostly it's, HELL YEAH!! Let's hear it for Christina Cox at number 24! Woohoo! Nearly all my votees made it. I didn't vote for the number one, but I think she's an excellent choice.

And if you prefer to stare at hot boy bods, the Afterelton.com Hottest 100. It's like a salute to fandom! All your favourites are there.

ETA: Check out John Barrowman's response to his placing! And then check out Gareth David-Lloyd's! Bwa ha ha ha! (And then there's two very heartfelt responses from the boys from ATWT - aww!)

I've been meaning to post an update on WTFRU for a while now. It's amazing how time gets away from you.

Well, the basic problem with WTFRU is that I've put out ten interviews and none have been returned. They take a lot of time and thought (and often a complete reread of the author's fic) so I'm not keen to do more if they're not going to be answered.

Which is not to blame anyone. It's been brought to my attention that they're just as hard to answer as they are to write. So maybe it's just that it's a little too labour intensive for something voluntary.

Anyway, I'm looking for suggestions if anyone has any?

For anyone that has ever thought my fic would be great to work out to, general_jinjur has recorded a very lovely podfic version of my SGA/ Firefly crossover, The Big Bang and Everything After. You can download it here.

I'm thinking general_jinjur should read all my stories from now on because she makes me sound like I can write! Who knew a reader could do that?!

It's a very lovely recording and a very different way to experience fic. There's loads more at amplificathon. Check it out.

I recently poked my head out of my Blood Ties induced haze and decided there has to be more talk about this show on my LJ. I'll start:

(Minor spoilers below - But only the kind you'd find in a general review and nothing that would spoil your enjoyment of the show. My aim is to plug the show to those who are unfamiliar with it so it's very general information mostly.)

( The awesome characters )

( The awesome ships )

( The awesome vampire lore )

I could write an essay about Henry's (and Vicki's and Mike's) complexities and how it affects those around him, but I have a Civil Procedure problem to work on. Watch the show. It's the only solution.

The one thing I can not say is awesome is the fanfic. But only because I haven't come across the good shit yet. But it has to be out there, right? If anyone would like to rec me their favourite Blood Ties fanfic I would be most grateful. I like anything. Really. If pressed I would prefer Henry/ Mike and Mike/ Vicki (and any femslash should it exist) over Vicki/ Henry, but really if it's good, I want to read it.

Modernity
Queer as Folk (Brian/ Justin, NC-17)
Notes: This is the story I wrote for the Christmas qaf_giftxchnge. That community is gated so I've reposted the story here with some edits. The original version was written in a rush so it had typos and bad grammar and whatnot. I've fixed those. I hope. The prompt was "S & M." Bwah! This isn't a story for S & M lovers, but it's my take on the idea.

( The lights spin overhead and a voice in his ear asks him to dance. He’s come so far. )

With the authors revealed, I can tell you about the two stories I wrote for oz_magi this festive season. Yes, two! I did a pinch hit. OMG!

1.
Prayer
Oz, Keller/ Beecher, Keller/ OMC, NC-17
Notes: This was my original request so naturally it's had a lot more work put into it - two days instead of a morning. Seriously, all my Christmas fics were written fast. This was another attempt to write tangleofthorns's As Freezing Persons Recollect the Snow which is a story that obviously had a big impact on me because I've been trying to emulate it ever since This story doesn't recall that story at all (except maybe for the POV) but you can see the influence. I like it anyway - and Milo Ventimiglia makes an appearance. Look out for him.

Nothing I do makes sense anymore. Cigarettes give me something to do with my hands.

2.
Kenny Was Here
Oz, Kenny Wrangler, Sister Pete, R for language, I guess.
Notes: A pinch hit so it's short. I'm always astounded by requests for Kenny fic in the oz_magi list. Why Kenny? Still, I got to thinking about how Kenny's siding with Adebisi gets him nowhere as he's gunned down when phase 1 of Adebisi's plan goes into action. Poor Kenny is truly a waste of a life. It's sad.

What the fuck does it matter if McManus touched him or not? McManus is going home tonight

So the yuletide reveal is up and I can now whine openly about the story I wrote:

The War At Home (Janet Evanovich - Stephanie Plum Series).
R, A little Stephanie/ Ranger, 11 000 words.

The West Wing *and* Homicide references should have been a dead giveaway (the story is inspired by a storyline from the fifth season of H:LotS when Lewis gets the drugs lords to wipe each other out).

Also, having read the 13th book in the series, I now know there's a canon error. Tank's name is *not* James (but I chose a French influence - which is uncannily like his real name. Weird).

My recepient asked for "Lula/ Stephanie/ Ranger" and thus ensued a long dilemma about how I was going to get Morelli out of the picture. That part sucked, because I liked Morelli. Apologies to the Morelli fans. That was *not* my fault.I sent him to the FBI so he could meet Scully or Reyes. Isn't that nice of me? I was thinking of calling his fiance "Monica" but 1) I already did one sneaky crossover in my Christmas stories and 2) She's mine and I don't share.

Also hard was trying to write a short and sweet Stephanie Plum story. I couldn't see myself writing a short angsty piece - it would have been an injustice to Stephanie to have her suddenly navel gazing - and I couldn't see myself writing a short fluffy piece. So it was long and as angsty as I could make Stephanie Plum. And I got to throw out a few one-liners and that was fun.

Lastly, I respect Janet Evanovich and I didn't want to fuck around with those stories. After all, there's a message in the Stephanie Plum series, kids: get a hamster, not a partner. They're cuter. And they don't eat much.

*

Thanks to the lovely pinch hitters who wrote my two stories.

sherrold wrote Woman are From Mars, and Venus (Cagney and Lacey).

And the amazing Jayne Leitch (serrico wrote I Have Seen Your Claws and Sharp Teeth (Profit).

Happy New Year!

The Pretender

May I Feel Said He, A Poem By ee cummings.
I love the refrain from the movie here: "Make a choice." It's so skillyfully used and it becomes haunting. And Miss Parker on the edge of reason. Eeeee!

Little Miss Sunshine

a fucking conversation about whatever
If you couldn't get enough of the movie - and who could? - here's a little extra that slides perfectly in at the end. Great characters brought to life for an encore.

Mary Poppins

When you are young the world is a ferris wheel
Oh! This is beautiful - and mystical and magical and dream-like. Bert meets Mary (and George Banks) as a child and she keeps coming back for reasons that will only ever be her own. It's an epic idea in a short space yet conveyed expertly.

Slings and Arrows

Romeo's Glove
Slings and Arrows fans did pretty well out of this year's yuletide. I'm only vaguely familiar with the show, but I know the characters and I know this story fits right in. I love this story for it's deft touch with the writing. I'm sure there's a word or phrase for it... casual? Hmmm... It's sort of epitomised in this line (which I loved): He'll never talk about the things that you do in London, when you're in Rome. Great story. Beautifully constructed.

Those That Play Your Clowns
Unmissable. The theatre, the play, the people - all brought vividly to life by a 'clown' - because it's always the clowns in Shakespeare. And just goddamn touching too. A stand-out in a field of stand-outs.

RPF - The Office (US)

River
I wanted to say, 'these are stories about real people' but I thought that would sound - um - obvious. What I'm trying to say is that they are stories not necessarily about these people but about people like you, me or someone you know. They're not famous, just people. The writing brings to life moments you'll recognise and feel a part of.

Fray

Tell It Slant
Ever since reading Fray I wanted to see it tied to the Buffy-verse somehow. And here's an obvious solution - and yet one that is also *right.* It's a little sad - because you know this guy's been through a *lot* but it's also kind of hopeful because he's developed purpose too. Can't help smiling wistfully over this one.

Fried Green Tomatoes

We'll Take What We Can Carry, and We'll Leave the Rest
So you watched the movie (or read the book), went through half a box of tissues and thought, 'damn. I just didn't cry enough?' Here's the perfect companion piece to help you finish off the remaining tissues in the box. A guaranted weepie, but it feels good to dissolve into tears sometimes, doesn't it? Maybe we just like being affected? Anyway, something that gets at you so deeply you want to sob into your t-shirt is definitely worth reading.

Shakespeare - Hamlet

Before the End of All Things
Oh! I loved this idea so much I wanted to see it done over several generations not just one. You think you've seen Hamlet done every which way it could possibly be done, and then there's this. Brilliant!

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Boom Boom
I typo-ed "Kiss Kiss Bang Gang" at first - heh! Freudian! Here's the perfect solution to the Harry/ Harmony, Harry/ Perry debate. Yes, it ends *that* way. It's damned funny to boot and it all goes BOOM!

Scrubs

My Secret Magi
I couldn't get over how *perfect* all the present-giving was in this story. Every character did something very *them.* Sure, it might not be real, but dammit, it could have been. Very Scrubs.

Pretty in Pink

Tenderness
Apparently John Hughes intended Andie to end up with Duckie in the film, but then Jon Cryer played Duckie a bit *too* clownish and it didn't fly, so he left it until Some Kind of Wonderful to fix. Still, there were those who wisely thought Duckie was a much better choice for Andie and have been writing that sequel in their heads ever since. I think this story would have been John Hughes' sequel if he'd done one: Blane showing his true colours, a jaded Andie and a sophisticated Duckie returning from NY. It all falls into place.

The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert

A Fine Romance
I think it's been 13 years since I saw this film - and yet it all comes flooding back in this story - the characters, the costumes, the bus. Really great voices here and a perfectly credible insert too. Beautifully written.

Blackadder

Fast Away the Old Year Passes
Heh heh heh. Oh, Darling. With a name like that, there's no hope of you ever being straight. The war stops for Christmas and Darling gets a break. Good Blackadder fun.

Brick

Lady Sings the Blues So Well
I had to read this one several times to figure out what I thought of it. I like that. It's a story that haunts. Surreal and mysterious - a lot like the film.

How I Met Your Mother

Leave No Man Behind
I started watching this show on Boxing Day (it was a Christmas present) and yesterday I was half way through the first season and ready to check out the fic. There's just something *fitting* about Robin and Barney - something so right. And yet it couldn't happen in the ordinary fashion, it would have to go down something like this. Genius.

Charlotte Bronte - Jane Eyre

Mission
Utterly vivid. A subtle story that somehow highlights everything that's wrong with Jane and St John. Quite amazing that a short story could reveal so much.

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Reunification
Ford Prefect gets beat up and laid in the same breath - but then spacetime is relative so maybe it's not impossible. Not so much Douglas Adams as Arthur's life story if he were writing it.

Fairy Tales (trad)

After the Ball
Oh man, that's just dark and creepy. This is what fairy tales are all about.

Woah. Let's not talk about the weather because it's not fit for man or beast out there. On days like this you wonder why you make coffee on the stove because you could just stick it outside and it would brew in less time.

*

But the recs, baby!, the recs!

First up, my stories. I got two! Ho, ho, ho!

Cagney and Lacey
Woman are From Mars, and Venus
Holy crap, guys, it's Cagney and Lacey fic! Cagney and Lacey go to a spa and check out nekkid chicks. Hee! It's so them and their no-nonsense approach to everything including spas. It's delightful and a little bit sexy (with all those nekkid women, how could it not be?). I thought I was the only one to say I'd write Cagney and Lacey so I figured I wouldn't be getting C & L fic. So what a nice suprise!

Profit
I Have Seen Your Claws and Sharp Teeth
Yum! A deliciously layered take on Bobbi. I love Bobbi - anyone who knows my love of Profit knows this, so this complex take on her and how she functions is just up my alley. And in such a short space too! How do people do it? I can't write a short story to save my life! It's one of those stories that makes you want to watch the dvd again and think more about how freaking fascinating that universe was.

And on to the others:

Bones

Curriculum Vitae
Oh, Angela! I adore Angela and this understated and quiet portrait of her makes her even more enigmatic. Someone wrote Angela fic! Is yuletide amazing or what?

Black Books
A Purpose Driven Life
There's a fine collection of Black Books fic in the stocking this year. I've selected a few, and I don't think I've even read them all! This one is Fran looking for purpose in her life - that right there is already gold - and she figures it might all be at the bottom of a bottle of wine. Poetic *and* funny.

Cable Guys
Ah, this was brilliant! If Manny and Bernard ever do realise their deep and abiding love for each other, I want it to go like this - with aliens!! Also, here's a sample because it cracked me up no end:
Fran crossed her arms. "I think it's lovely that the two of you have finally got together."

"Together?" Manny said.

"Got?" Bernard said.

And All Your Girlfriends are Unfulfilled and Alienated
This one is a little melancholy - a little, because in the end, it's Black Books and it's still funny, but there was a hint of wistfulness in the end as everything came back to the beginning (I love the idea of a story being circular - it really appeals to me) and it was nice, you know?

Northern Exposure (with cameos from other fandoms)

Strangers in a Strange Land

Oh, clever. Recently, I was lamenting my inability to write a short story and here's a bunch written in a few lines. Not only clever but sweet and so, *so* right in so many places. I feel like I might know who wrote this one, which is mostly because I've seen this done before a couple of time. Hmmmm...

Weeds

If We Were
Doug/ Andy and how they're not gay. Bwa! A great dialogue piece. Fucking hilarious.

V For Vendetta (comic)

Nor Shall My Sword Sleep In My Hand
Woah. See, the thing about something like Alan Moore's V For Vendetta is that he wrote this brilliant, brilliant thing and that's it. No more. Sure, we get a movie (which I have in my dvd collection but have never watched) but it's really more of the same in a condensed version and it's not quite satisfying. So when someone does something like *this* story that is so rich and dark and powerful like the comic, you THANK GOD for fanfiction. Can't recommend it enough.

Homicide: Life on the Streets

Three Part Disharmony
Bayliss and Pembleton are like this sad song (a ballad - the traditional kind, not the pop-song kind) that you put on your itunes and play over and over because it's a great story, it's a love story and it's never going to end well but you can't stop listening. Yeah. Well, this story? It's all about that.

Mary Poppins

Where the Air is Clear
This story gave me goose-bumps (and a tear or two in my ear - you *know* what I'm like). So sweet, and so much like the movie but a little sadder and with the world a little sadder too. God, it makes you think there should be a sequel...

Y the Last Man

Ending/ Start
It's all about 355 - endings and beginnings, as the title says. The last part is so visual. It really hit me.

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

Five Things That Never Happened To Matthew Albie and Daniel Tripp in Hollywood, CA
Fabulously written, very Sorkin but with drugs and sex and death and just plain suprising. More show for those that miss it.

And there's more - there's *so* much more - to come (but right now Jennifer Beals and Marlee Matlin are making out on my tv and I have to go watch...)

Two Hundred Words
Part Two

(Headers in Part One)

( He doesn’t speak of Justin in short sentences )