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merle_p ([personal profile] merle_p) wrote2020-08-22 10:27 am
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Fic in a Box Creator Letter

Dear Creator: Thank you so much for going on this adventure with me. I am 100% excited to see what you create for this one, I just love the entire concept of the exchange so much. 

The different number of medium opt-ins necessarily mean that the fandom-related passages differ significantly in length, but this has absolutely nothing to do with how much I want the fandom/ship. I love them all equally. It’s just that for some of them I’m primarily interested in fic whereas with others I’m up for receiving a number of different things – again, this has zero to do with my love for the pairing.

I'm merle_p on AO3 as well (and on tumblr and on LJ, but I use LJ and Dreamwidth only for exchange letters these days). 


GENERAL (FIC) LIKES:

Feel free to pick and choose. These are all things I reliably love in fic, so I’ll be thrilled to receive a story that includes any one or two things from the list below. In general, please don’t feel like you need to fit as many likes or prompts as possible into your work if it doesn’t happen organically. I also enjoy a ton of other stuff, so don’t worry about including other tropes not listed in this letter as long as they don’t show up in my DNWs. Many of these likes may also apply to art, comics, fanvids, etc, so obviously if you are an artist or vidder, any of these likes are also meant as inspiration for you (medium-specific likes are further below).

Plot/Character-related:

  • Dialogue/banter
  • Any kind of hurt/comfort or angst with a happy/hopeful ending
  • Canon divergence (AUs in the regular canon setting which diverge from canon in small but significant ways)
  • Sidekick/underappreciated characters being appreciated
  • Competent people who are good at what they do without being super-human
  • People from different (social, national, political…) backgrounds being confronted with each other’s perspective on the world

  Ship/Friendship-related:

  • Getting together/first times
  • Friends-to-lovers and enemies-to-lovers
  • Friendships of all kinds (with a soft spot for male/female friendship)
  • Pining, jealousy, misunderstandings (as long as they get resolved in the end!)
  • People taking care of each other
  • People working well together as a team

  Sex/Porn-related:

  • Sex scenes of all ratings are lovely, but most definitely not a requirement to make me happy – allusions to potential future sex, fade-to-black, or whatnot are all equally welcome!
  • Spontaneous sex (I love sex happening spontaneously in the moment, including but not limited to: out of desperation, after a declaration of feelings, due to intoxication, in a somewhat unusual location …)
  • Passionate/rough sex
  • Messy/sloppy sex
  • Porn with Feelings
  • Size difference /Size kink
  • Loyalty kink and Praise kink
  • Kissing, lots of kissing (on the mouth or any other body parts)


GENERAL DNWs (for fic and all other media):

  • Devastating endings or hopelessly unrequited love
  • Permanent character death for requested characters (temporary death, or death of other characters is fine)
  • Character bashing
  • A/B/O-verse, Dom/Sub-verse, soulmate-verse
  • Mundane AUs (coffeeshop, highschool/college AUs, and similar scenarios)
  • Genderswap, bodyswap, mpreg
  • Non-canonical trans or ace headcanons for canon characters
  • Infantilism kink, Mommy/Daddy kink
  • Use of formalized safewords (I prefer the characters to say simply “stop” or “no” if needed), or explicit extended conversations about consent and kink (casually checking in with each other along the lines of “Is this okay?” – “Yes!” is absolutely fine)
  • Eating disorders, cutting as ritualized self-harm
  • “Shovel talks” (so, please no “They’ll never find your body if you hurt my friend/kid” conversations)
  • Accidentally acquired babies, children playing matchmaker (kids, especially canonical ones, appearing or being discussed in the story is perfectly fine; and so are background narratives about the requested characters’ childhoods)


FANVID/FAKE TRAILER LIKES:

  • Music: I like all kinds of music, and the most important thing to me is that you think the song/piece fits the canon/characters. So if you think the vid needs classical music or country or a children’s lullaby, that’s cool. Lyrics in languages other than English? Also cool. But if you are uncertain, then mainstream pop, indie, classic rock, and folk from 1970-present is a safe way to please me.
  • Dialogue/narration: I like all variations – vids that only have a music track, vids that have some or only dialogue, or vids with music and voice-over narration. I do prefer when voice track and music don’t overlap too much, or at least when the music fades into the background while characters are speaking.
  • Editing: I like vids where the on-screen action and/or the editing matches the beat of the music to a certain degree, but I also know that this is not always easy to achieve, so this is an extra bonus, certainly not a requirement.
  • Tone: Anything from dramatic to light-hearted to straight-up satirical is good.

FANVID/FAKE TRAILER DNWs:

  • Please no face morphing/distorting effects

 FANART/COVER ILLUSTRATION/COMICS LIKES:

  • Style: I generally like all art styles – impressionist, expressionist, realist, romanticist, neo-[whatever], manga- or comics-style, it’s all good, as long as it generally falls into the category of figurative art.
  • Colors: I like green and purple. I also like pretty much all other colors! And black&white art is also great.
  • Rating: Any rating is fine.
  • Hugs and kisses: I love seeing characters hug/cuddle/kiss/lie on top of each other/put their heads in each other’s laps ….
  • Hair: Curls, wavy hair, wind-swept hair, one character putting their hands in the other’s hair (but also beards, chest hair, other body hair …)
  • Symbolic imagery: If you associate specific symbols, animals, seasons, or whatever with the characters and want to include that in your art, that’s wonderful.

FANART DNWs:

  • Abstract art (by abstract, I mean art that is distinctly non-figurative).
  • Visual representations of characters under 15 in sexual(ized) poses and situations.  

 
FANDOMS/SHIPS/PROMPTS:

Banlieue 13: Leïto/Damien

Medium Opt-In: Fake Trailer
Medium Opt-In: Fanvid

What I like about them: For all that they are such opposite personalities, they are so in synch, so comfortable with each other, and seem to have so much fun together in pretty much every scene they share. Add to that the loyalty, the trust, and the willingness to put their lives on the line for each other … I’m here for all the hurt/comfort, the pining, the loyalty kink, the slow-burn romance as well as the adrenaline-fueled spontaneous post-mission sex.

Ideas/suggestions for fic (that doesn’t mean you need to include all or any of them, these are just some suggestions to give you a sense of what I’d enjoy):

  • Anything post-canon would be wonderful: How does Damien being in charge of rebuilding Banlieue 13 change their relationship?
  • One of them being on the run (from the police, from bad guys) and having to move in with the other
  • One of them getting seriously injured and having to cope with a slow recovery/not being mobile while the other one is taking care of them.
  • Sparring, working out together, fighting side-by-side …
  • Class differences - do they cause tensions between them, and how do they overcome those?

Ideas/suggestions for vids/fake trailers:

  • Any of the themes listed under fic, if you are interested in exploring one of those themes/tropes in a fanvid
  • Anything from their shared action/parkour scenes – I love seeing them move in synch
  • Anything that emphasizes the chemistry between the characters: the casual touches, the soulful looks, the banter
  • Bare arms/shoulders – always a plus.
  • French hip-hop or electronic dance are genres that suit the canon well, IMO, but I’m 100% open regarding your choice of music.

Fandom-specific DNW: Infidelity/Cheating. For fic, if the story is set post-Ultimatum, I’m okay with however you want to handle that: Damien and Sonya breaking up before he gets together with Leïto, Sonya being a casual fling that’s over now, or even just writing a universe in which the character doesn’t exist. For vids, just ignore the scene(s) with Damien and Sonya and you are good.

The Old Guard:  Booker/Copley

Medium Opt-In: Comics
Medium Opt-In: Fanart

What I like about them: Those two have so much potential! They both have their tragic backstories, they are both grieving, they both do things out of desperation that they later regret, they are both lonely – and clearly they have been communicating at some point pre-movie, perhaps even for a longer period of time? Any kind of hurt/comfort, comfort sex, awkward romance, pining is great in my book.

Ideas/suggestions for fic (that doesn’t mean you need to include all or any of them, these are just some suggestions to give you a sense of what I’d enjoy):

  • Maybe they were already in a relationship/sleeping together before the events of the movie? How would that have changed their feelings/reactions throughout the film?
  • Anything post-movie: Booker dropping in on Copley to ask how the team is doing … turns into them hanging out/getting drunk together … turns into more …
  • Sad, awkward, (drunk?) first-time sex turning out to be much, much better than they both expected
  • One of them is mortal, the other is not. What does that mean for them?
  • How does Copley respond to Booker getting taken by Quynh if they are already together/have feelings for each other?

Ideas/suggestions for art/comics:

  • Any of the themes listed under fic, if you are interested in exploring one those themes/tropes in an image or comic
  • Curling up on the couch with a bottle of wine
  • One of them watching over the other while they are sleeping (or even passed out from drinking)
  • Doing research together

Ship-specific DNW: The team officially “allowing” or “forbidding” the relationship. I’m perfectly fine with seeing the others’ (positive, negative, neutral) responses, but I don’t want them to imply that Booker needs their permission.

The Old Guard: Joe/Nicky

Medium Opt-In: Excerpts from a Character's Journal/Notebook/Sketchbook
Medium opt-in: In-Universe Poetry
Medium Opt-In: Fanart
Medium Opt-In: Comics
Medium Opt-In: Fanart Cover/Illustration of Recipient's Fic
Medium Opt-In: Remix - Art Remix of my Fic

What I like about them: I just love how they are so familiar with each other, how they know each other so well, and still are clearly so in love with each other and attracted to each other after such a long time. I love them fighting alongside each other, and the way they fear for each other’s lives every single time. A thousand years of relationship backstory – so many potential stories to explore.

Ideas/suggestions for fic (that doesn’t mean you need to include all or any of them, these are just some suggestions to give you a sense of what I’d enjoy):

  • A moment in their relationship that is complicated for whatever reason (physical danger, arguments, jealousy, misunderstandings, forced physical separation) but ultimately allows them to affirm their love for each other
  • Outsider POV from a person they save … and perhaps even run into again down the road?
  • Early (or not so early) days and talking about their past sexual/romantic experiences before they knew each other
  • Drawing or writing on each other’s bodies (with paint or ink, but something like charcoal, berry juice, or even blood is also good)
  • Historical caper: For [...] reasons, they have to impersonate a wedding couple, complete with crossdressing and veils

Ideas/suggestions for excerpts from journal or sketchbook/in-universe poetry:  

  • Joe’s love poetry dedicated to Nicky (I’m on board with any style from pretty much any historical period post-1100. Maybe Joe wrote all of Shakespeare’s sonnets and Shakespeare just stole them and filed off the serial numbers? Or if you would like to write something inspired by 12th century classic Arabic love poetry, please, go for it – I just need an English translation, too)
  • Pages from Joe’s sketchbook: Sketches of Nicky, random thoughts jotted down on paper, scenes from places where they have traveled …
  • An entry from Nicky’s personal journal from sometime in the 19th century (or whenever, really)
  • If you have other ideas, please knock yourself out!

Ideas/suggestions for fanart/comics:

  • Any of the themes listed under fic, if you are interested in exploring one of those themes/tropes in an image or comic
  • Any historical scene that appeals to you … Nicky and Joe as Jacobins? As farmers in the 14th century? As wedding couple in Mughal India? (Just please no WWII scenarios)
  • Carrying/brandishing/using their respective weapons (in whatever context)
  • Paintings of Nicky as drawn by Joe from different periods of art history

Note re: cover art/art remix:

  • I have written 10 The Old Guard fics, all of which are Joe/Nicky, and you are absolutely free to pick any of them (one is a threesome, one is a team orgy, but these are also fair game and tagged specifically with Joe/Nicky in addition to the other constellation). They are HERE.
  • Please, surprise me! I am just curious to see how one of my stories might inspire you, in whatever way. My other likes/fanart likes/fic likes (general and fandom-specific) all apply here as well.

Pilgrimage: Brother Diarmuid/The Mute

What I like about them: I love their character dynamic in canon, the fact that Diarmuid saved the Mute’s life, the Mute’s utter and blatant devotion to Diarmuid, Diarmuid being gentle with and protective of the Mute, the frequent touches and looks, their differences (in world experience, in physical appearance, in age). With those two, it’s all about the loyalty, trust, and devotion for me, about repressed emotions coming to the surface, and overcoming traumatic experiences with and for each other.

Ideas/suggestions for fic (that doesn’t mean you need to include all or any of them, these are just some suggestions to give you a sense of what I’d enjoy):

  • Anything touching on the contrast between the Mute’s capability for violence and his infinite gentleness when it comes to Diarmuid
  • But I would also love to see rough affection between them for a change, such as the Mute ravishing Diarmuid, who is very much into it … for example, something where the Mute is still coming down from his “fight mode” and he absolutely recognizes Diarmuid but hasn’t entirely calmed down yet and they have sex that way. Or, you know, simply because they both like it that way.
  • Post-canon fix-it or canon divergence: Give me all the happy endings for those two, whatever they may look like (goat farm fic is always good but I’m here for all kinds of other scenarios as well)
  • Celtic/Irish mythology/culture
  • Tattoos? (Something about the Mute’s back tattoo, or them tattooing each other for whatever reasons, or …)
  • Crossdressing on the run: they figure they'll draw less attention if Diarmuid pretends to be the Mute's wife

Fandom-specific DNWs:

  • Diarmuid being completely naïve when it comes to sex (I am fine with him not having any practical experience; I just don't want him to be oblivious to the realities of sex or his own physical desires).
  • Also reiterating my general “No permanent character death” DNW here. I’m totally on board with post-movie fix-it/recovery, canon divergence, pre-canon scenes, or scenes taking place during canon, whichever you prefer.

Dogs of Berlin: Erol Birkan/Kurt Grimmer

What I like about them: I am incredibly intrigued by the complicated dynamic between these two characters, the way they can’t seem to stop taunting each other, the push-and-pull they are engaged in, the teammates/sort-of enemies/allies-but-not-friends relationship they have. Give me all the sexual tension, the enemyslash, the hatesex, the enemies-to-lovers stories, the dramatic physical hurt/comfort scenarios for those two!

Ideas/suggestions for fic (that doesn’t mean you need to include all or any of them, these are just some suggestions to give you a sense of what I’d enjoy):

  • The two of them working together after their first case and grudgingly realizing that they make a good team.
  • Erol’s upstanding attitude “rubbing off” on Kurt who is suddenly developing ambitions to be a “good cop” but feeling (slightly) resentful about it.
  • The two of them developing an unhealthy obsession with each other (emotionally, sexually)
  • Saving each other’s lives on the job (+ Thank-god-we-are-alive-sex or Thanks-for-rescuing-me-sex)
  • One of them getting injured, the other one realizing how important he has become to him.
  • In case you are wondering, for this particular pairing I’m explicitly okay with the characters cheating on their significant others with each other. But if you would like to avoid that, feel free to give Kurt and Paula a divorce and have Erol and Guido break up, or find a different way to avoid themes of infidelity.

Fandom-specific DNWs: Romanticizing or excusing Kurt’s political past, romanticizing police corruption, Erol being explicitly submissive in sexual scenarios (but I don’t care about whose penis goes where), Paula in a major role (mentions and brief appearances are fine).

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015): Illya Kuryakin/Napoleon Solo

Medium Opt-In: Fanart
Medium Opt-In: Fanart Cover/Illustration of Recipient’s Fic
Medium Opt-In: Remix - Art Remix of my Fic

What I like about them: Those guys, so brilliant, so messed up, and so much in need of genuine affection and someone they can trust. I love that they both are very strong and independent individuals but also strangely needy in a repressed kind of way. I enjoy seeing how quickly they gravitate towards each other in canon, despite supposedly not liking each other. Anything that touches on issues of trust, loyalty, hurt/comfort, the fear of betrayal, the conflict between their professional duties and their feelings for each other … is wonderful.

Ideas/suggestions for fic (that doesn’t mean you need to include all or any of them, these are just some suggestions to give you a sense of what I’d enjoy):

  • Anything that explores their fear of betrayal, or a misunderstanding/political complication that leads to one of them temporarily doubting the other …
  • Illya holding down Napoleon roughly during sex and being gentle with him afterwards (and Napoleon enjoying it)
  • Illya starts buying/stealing/collecting little things for Napoleon because he thinks Napoleon will like them …
  • Napoleon feeling protective of Illya/taking care of Illya, and Illya having a hard time accepting his help/support/protection.
  • AU where Napoleon was caught by the KGB instead of the CIA and meets Illya during their training for the KGB.

Ideas/suggestions for art:

  • Any of the themes listed under fic, if you are interested in exploring one those themes/tropes in an image
  • Battle couple (during a mission, in a fight, post-battle … )
  • 1960s vibe (that could be anything … their clothing, the art style, brands, anything inspired by a specific song from the 60s …)
  • Dancing together

Note re: cover art/art remix:

  • I have written 6 Man from U.N.C.L.E. fics. They are HERE.
  • Five of them are Illya/Napoleon fics, but if for whatever reason you prefer to choose an Illya&Napoleon-centric moment from the one Illya/Gaby fic, that’s great too … you just may need to let the mods know that it’s “recip-approved” so they count it towards your assignment.
  • Please, surprise me! I am just curious to see how one of my stories might inspire you, in whatever way. My other likes/fanart likes/fic likes (general and fandom-specific) all apply here as well.