Taken from ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
sholio, who credits muccamukk.
( Cut for length )
( Vague, grumpy nattering with older spoilers )
sholio, who credits muccamukk.( Cut for length )
( Vague, grumpy nattering with older spoilers )
Anyone want to talk characterization? I'm trying to figure out why a Welcome to Night Vale / Dresden Files crossover fic grabbed me so hard, because there are elements of the characterization of Carlos that I didn't think were really my thing, but they definitely work for me here. This is mostly just me trying to work something out for myself, so feel free to skip, but I'd love to chat about this stuff if anyone is interested.
The fic is Love Is All You Need to Destroy Your Enemies. I'm a fan of WtNV, but I don't know that I'd say I'm a hardcore fan or anything; I've never read "Dresden Files", and haven't really planned to, to the point that I've spoiled myself for numerous series developments. (I'm sure it's fine for the folks who like it; I don't mean to slam it or anything.) I try to avoid actual spoilers for the fic here, but there are some vague premise-and-characterization spoilers in my ramblings. ( Cut for rambling ... )
The fic is Love Is All You Need to Destroy Your Enemies. I'm a fan of WtNV, but I don't know that I'd say I'm a hardcore fan or anything; I've never read "Dresden Files", and haven't really planned to, to the point that I've spoiled myself for numerous series developments. (I'm sure it's fine for the folks who like it; I don't mean to slam it or anything.) I try to avoid actual spoilers for the fic here, but there are some vague premise-and-characterization spoilers in my ramblings. ( Cut for rambling ... )
Cross-promoting: ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
sga_genficathon signups are underway and close in a week. All categories are welcome, but we could use some more folks writing for "Team", and we could really use some more folks to join the, well, none we currently have signed up for "Humor".
(I personally find humor one of the hardest kinds of writing to get right — and possibly the hardest — so I wouldn't say I'm surprised, exactly.)
I know a lot of people have drifted away from SGA; I know real life is in the way for a lot of others who might otherwise sign up. But if you're wavering, please consider this a friendly nudge; and if you know anyone who might be interested, please consider givin them a nudge!
sga_genficathon signups are underway and close in a week. All categories are welcome, but we could use some more folks writing for "Team", and we could really use some more folks to join the, well, none we currently have signed up for "Humor".(I personally find humor one of the hardest kinds of writing to get right — and possibly the hardest — so I wouldn't say I'm surprised, exactly.)
I know a lot of people have drifted away from SGA; I know real life is in the way for a lot of others who might otherwise sign up. But if you're wavering, please consider this a friendly nudge; and if you know anyone who might be interested, please consider givin them a nudge!
SGA books TAKEN!
19 October 2011 03:16 pmThe books have a new home! The original post is below for, I don't know, posterity or something, but this is all set now. Thanks, folks!
( Original post )
( Original post )
Trolling the storyfinders
11 August 2010 02:21 pmSo, Toft has been trolling** sgastoryfinders for the past two years.
(ETA 1749 EST: Now flocked.)
I can't say I'm offended or hurt, exactly, at least not on my own behalf. I only expend so much effort searching for fics I haven't read myself; if I don't trip over a useful search string early, well, I can't afford the time.
But. Some people make the time, because the whole point of the comm is helping out one's fellow fans. If I recognize the poster and have good associations — for example, if the seeker is a writer of stories (in and out of SGA) that I've enjoyed — I'm more likely to put in extra effort myself. I feel very sorry for anyone who has been hurt by this nonsense, and all my sympathies are with them. I do hope the community as a whole will not be adversely affected.
I honestly don't see any way in which it's funny or entertaining. Trolls are a waste of time and energy, and I have little respect for anyone who finds trolling entertaining. (The posts themselves are ... there, for me. I have no use for toilet/naughty "humor", though. I am not entertained as a seeker or as a finder.) I can sort of understand trolling a hate community, but trolling a good-faith mutual-assistance community is inexcusable. It's not cool or edgy or funny; at best, it's a sign of emotional and social immaturity.
It's interesting that this follows so soon after![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
mabfan's Reading Writers You Hate. Make no mistake: I do not in any way think that inane trolling is remotely equivalent to such offenses as Holocaust denial. I will extrapolate, however, that I am unwilling to offer profit to anyone who knowingly acts to hurt others. The currency of fandom, for its writers, consists largely of feedback and recommendations; and I will no longer be providing either to Toft, who should be ashamed (for reasons far more fundamental than the contents of the faked searches).
sgastoryfinders for the past two years.(ETA 1749 EST: Now flocked.)
I can't say I'm offended or hurt, exactly, at least not on my own behalf. I only expend so much effort searching for fics I haven't read myself; if I don't trip over a useful search string early, well, I can't afford the time.
But. Some people make the time, because the whole point of the comm is helping out one's fellow fans. If I recognize the poster and have good associations — for example, if the seeker is a writer of stories (in and out of SGA) that I've enjoyed — I'm more likely to put in extra effort myself. I feel very sorry for anyone who has been hurt by this nonsense, and all my sympathies are with them. I do hope the community as a whole will not be adversely affected.
I honestly don't see any way in which it's funny or entertaining. Trolls are a waste of time and energy, and I have little respect for anyone who finds trolling entertaining. (The posts themselves are ... there, for me. I have no use for toilet/naughty "humor", though. I am not entertained as a seeker or as a finder.) I can sort of understand trolling a hate community, but trolling a good-faith mutual-assistance community is inexcusable. It's not cool or edgy or funny; at best, it's a sign of emotional and social immaturity.
It's interesting that this follows so soon after
mabfan's Reading Writers You Hate. Make no mistake: I do not in any way think that inane trolling is remotely equivalent to such offenses as Holocaust denial. I will extrapolate, however, that I am unwilling to offer profit to anyone who knowingly acts to hurt others. The currency of fandom, for its writers, consists largely of feedback and recommendations; and I will no longer be providing either to Toft, who should be ashamed (for reasons far more fundamental than the contents of the faked searches).
So, I'm a writer. I get how that works; I hope that I'm steadily improving and learning, but I'm not worried about the basics. I'm also a lazy bastard; writing doesn't feel much like work to me, even when I'm cursing and laboring through difficult passages, but I really don't have the tenacity for anything that requires dedicated time, or a complex sequence before real results can be seen.
So of course I keep getting ideas that don't work as straight text.
The first is along fanart lines. My drawing skills are Stick Figures 101, and as much as I would love to be able to sketch, the little time I put into trying to learn was enough for me to realize that's never happening. So if I have an idea for something that's a cross between a PostSecret and a collage, or if I want to create graphics to go with a story series I'm developing ... what do I do? Would I pick up Photoshop? (If so, what version?) Would other software be better? Would any software help me find the images I'd need, or would have to be one of those folks who trolls through Google Images and "borrows" them? Would I be able to produce decent-looking stuff reasonably quickly, or would I need to spend weeks or months learning and practicing first? (Because I'm one of the more annoying kinds of perfectionist: I'd rather not do it at all if I can't make it look good.) Or should I just see if I can find someone who knows what they're doing and provide my rough layout ideas?
The second is vidding. [Insert hysterical laughter here.] I've randomly started having ideas for fanvids to go along with various songs, and for one I have a very, very rough storyboard. Is there something easy out there to use; is it good? I'm talking something with moving video and cuts timed to the music, by the way, not just music and stills (which I've also seen). I have video-capture software (InterVideo WinDVD) that I've barely poked at; is that useful, or would the Windows ... thing ... be better, or ...? (I'm on WinXP SP something-or-other.) How finicky or time-involved would it be? Because I can work through plot or dialogue problems as I drive or walk to the caf, but software tweaking ... not so much.
For either of those, are there any primers out there? "Fanvids/Fanart for the Lazy Beginner"? Some sort of dos-and-donts or general advice post would be simply fantastic.
What say you, flist?
So of course I keep getting ideas that don't work as straight text.
The first is along fanart lines. My drawing skills are Stick Figures 101, and as much as I would love to be able to sketch, the little time I put into trying to learn was enough for me to realize that's never happening. So if I have an idea for something that's a cross between a PostSecret and a collage, or if I want to create graphics to go with a story series I'm developing ... what do I do? Would I pick up Photoshop? (If so, what version?) Would other software be better? Would any software help me find the images I'd need, or would have to be one of those folks who trolls through Google Images and "borrows" them? Would I be able to produce decent-looking stuff reasonably quickly, or would I need to spend weeks or months learning and practicing first? (Because I'm one of the more annoying kinds of perfectionist: I'd rather not do it at all if I can't make it look good.) Or should I just see if I can find someone who knows what they're doing and provide my rough layout ideas?
The second is vidding. [Insert hysterical laughter here.] I've randomly started having ideas for fanvids to go along with various songs, and for one I have a very, very rough storyboard. Is there something easy out there to use; is it good? I'm talking something with moving video and cuts timed to the music, by the way, not just music and stills (which I've also seen). I have video-capture software (InterVideo WinDVD) that I've barely poked at; is that useful, or would the Windows ... thing ... be better, or ...? (I'm on WinXP SP something-or-other.) How finicky or time-involved would it be? Because I can work through plot or dialogue problems as I drive or walk to the caf, but software tweaking ... not so much.
For either of those, are there any primers out there? "Fanvids/Fanart for the Lazy Beginner"? Some sort of dos-and-donts or general advice post would be simply fantastic.
What say you, flist?
I will not write BSG fanfic!
27 May 2010 02:17 pmSo, chatting with ninjamonkey73, I came up with the start of a "Five Things" fic for BSG. Which I don't wanna write, but hey, fun thoughts, and if anyone wants to pick this up they can feel free.
( Plotbunny! )
ninjamonkey73, I came up with the start of a "Five Things" fic for BSG. Which I don't wanna write, but hey, fun thoughts, and if anyone wants to pick this up they can feel free.( Plotbunny! )
I might as well give it a try. If genfic is your thing, please consider polyfandom_gen for your announcement, rec, search, or prompt needs. Rules/guidelines are in the welcome post or at the profile page. Feedback, advice, suggestions, or anything of that ilk is very welcome.
Feel free to pass word. Once the comm qualifies (ten members, five posts), I'll announce it over at the SGA Noticeboard ... and if it hits that point, I'll upgrade the account so that folks don't have to deal with ads.
polyfandom_gen for your announcement, rec, search, or prompt needs. Rules/guidelines are in the welcome post or at the profile page. Feedback, advice, suggestions, or anything of that ilk is very welcome.Feel free to pass word. Once the comm qualifies (ten members, five posts), I'll announce it over at the SGA Noticeboard ... and if it hits that point, I'll upgrade the account so that folks don't have to deal with ads.
Idle question for genfic fans
4 March 2010 11:43 pmI thought about making this a poll, but I'm too lazy.
I'm involved in a few (a very few) cross-fandom comms, and in a recent discussion, multiple people asked where they could find more genfic.
We have the wonderfulstargategenrec comm for the Stargate 'verse, of course, and its sister comm psychgenrec for Psych. (Thank you for those, sgatazmy!) We also periodically get recs for gen as a category in stargateficrec, and of course we have quite a lovely group of writers producing and reccing more gen. We're lucky, in SGA; genfic might be in the minority but it's still represented.
Would anyone have use for a polyfandom genfic comm? This would be for announcements of new fic (and possibly art/vids/icons). Rec postings might also be encouraged, depending on traffic and interest. Searches could also be permitted. Tagging would have to be in use, helping track fandoms at a minimum. Guidelines would provide the format for posting, including how to handle borderline-gen questions or background pairings.
The comm would not condone bashing of slash or het fic; the point would be to promote genfic and allow folks a place to find it when they're in the mood, not take up sides.
Good idea? Nice but unnecessary? I don't really need a new project, but at the same time, if launching a new comm and setting up its guidelines would really fill a need, I'd be willing. So if you think it would be redundant or unnecessary, please feel free to say so ... but if you'd actively use it, please let me know that, too.
ETA: I went for it. If gen's your thing, check outpolyfandom_gen.
I'm involved in a few (a very few) cross-fandom comms, and in a recent discussion, multiple people asked where they could find more genfic.
We have the wonderful
stargategenrec comm for the Stargate 'verse, of course, and its sister comm psychgenrec for Psych. (Thank you for those, sgatazmy!) We also periodically get recs for gen as a category in stargateficrec, and of course we have quite a lovely group of writers producing and reccing more gen. We're lucky, in SGA; genfic might be in the minority but it's still represented.Would anyone have use for a polyfandom genfic comm? This would be for announcements of new fic (and possibly art/vids/icons). Rec postings might also be encouraged, depending on traffic and interest. Searches could also be permitted. Tagging would have to be in use, helping track fandoms at a minimum. Guidelines would provide the format for posting, including how to handle borderline-gen questions or background pairings.
The comm would not condone bashing of slash or het fic; the point would be to promote genfic and allow folks a place to find it when they're in the mood, not take up sides.
Good idea? Nice but unnecessary? I don't really need a new project, but at the same time, if launching a new comm and setting up its guidelines would really fill a need, I'd be willing. So if you think it would be redundant or unnecessary, please feel free to say so ... but if you'd actively use it, please let me know that, too.
ETA: I went for it. If gen's your thing, check out
polyfandom_gen.Fanfic Year in Review
1 January 2010 08:28 pmI've seen this from a few other writers, and I figure, why not? Meme Meta discussion format borrowed from frith_in_thorns.
( 2009 Fanfic Review (aka I'm Wordy, Y'all!) )
frith_in_thorns.( 2009 Fanfic Review (aka I'm Wordy, Y'all!) )
Sanctuary 2x10 "Sleepers": Tesla (Jonathon Young) makes everything better. Everything. Even truly bizarre direction and editing.
Cats: Jenny is in heat. Jasper is de-equipped but still willing to give it the old college try. Helllllp.
Holidays: I grew up with eggnog (non-alcoholic), fruitcake (by reputation only), and figgy pudding (mythical for all I knew) as the only distinctive Christmas foodstuffs. I keep being surprised by what seems to be standard in the British (or just English?) verson of Christmas, which seems insanely codified and entrenched. I didn't even know what a satsuma was until David Tennant's first full "Doctor Who" episode. And now ... sprouts? Really? Weird.
Fandom: From the Mick LaSalle review of the new Sherlock Holmes movie:
Fandom 2: At Writercon, some of the bigger names in SGA were worried the fanworks would peter out and the fandom would die. I scoffed. "Have you seen the 'Firefly' newsletter?" I asked. "Compare the SGA one. I can't keep up! We're fine!" Anything over 10k immediately went into my "read later" bookmarks, and even then I was overwhelmed. Then the newsletter grew sparser. I figured that was just Big Bang preoccupation. Then days went by with nothing for me to read (because I've figured out that certain pairings do nothing for me, so if the rating is above Teen/PG13, I shouldn't bother), and I thought "NaNo? Maybe?" but figured maybe the fandom really was dead after all. Nope. It was preoccupation with writing and/or beta for Big Bang and NaNo and SGA Santa and who knows what, because now I'm back to drowning. Gah! I can't win!
Cats: Jenny is in heat. Jasper is de-equipped but still willing to give it the old college try. Helllllp.
Holidays: I grew up with eggnog (non-alcoholic), fruitcake (by reputation only), and figgy pudding (mythical for all I knew) as the only distinctive Christmas foodstuffs. I keep being surprised by what seems to be standard in the British (or just English?) verson of Christmas, which seems insanely codified and entrenched. I didn't even know what a satsuma was until David Tennant's first full "Doctor Who" episode. And now ... sprouts? Really? Weird.
Fandom: From the Mick LaSalle review of the new Sherlock Holmes movie:
In this version, he [Holmes] is a sensitive neurotic who completely falls apart between cases. He stays in his room and doesn't wash, and his only contact with the world is Watson, who is not a bumbler (like Nigel Bruce in the old movies), but a handsome and capable fellow, a physician and a war hero. In fact, Holmes depends on Watson so much that he is terrified of losing him and does his best to sabotage Watson's relationships with women.And of course, on seeing that last line, my first thought was "Norina!". Except for the swapping around of details — because McKay would be the tortured genius and Sheppard his savvy, dashing assistant — this sounds like about half the Earth-AU fics I've read. Countdown to fusion fic in three ... two ... one ....
Fandom 2: At Writercon, some of the bigger names in SGA were worried the fanworks would peter out and the fandom would die. I scoffed. "Have you seen the 'Firefly' newsletter?" I asked. "Compare the SGA one. I can't keep up! We're fine!" Anything over 10k immediately went into my "read later" bookmarks, and even then I was overwhelmed. Then the newsletter grew sparser. I figured that was just Big Bang preoccupation. Then days went by with nothing for me to read (because I've figured out that certain pairings do nothing for me, so if the rating is above Teen/PG13, I shouldn't bother), and I thought "NaNo? Maybe?" but figured maybe the fandom really was dead after all. Nope. It was preoccupation with writing and/or beta for Big Bang and NaNo and SGA Santa and who knows what, because now I'm back to drowning. Gah! I can't win!
The great SGA rewatch!
24 August 2009 03:37 pmHave you thought to yourself, gee, that SGA fandom really is vibrant, but I'd want to see the show myself before jumping in?
Have you thought, wow, I really miss SGA and wish I had an excuse to watch it again?
Either way,sga_rewind is for you! It's a standard rewatch community, just launching now, so you have time to get involved. The current plan is to start discussion of the first episode, "Rising (Part 1)", beginning this coming Saturday, August 29. (Rather than having everyone watch at a certain time, folks are encouraged to watch whenever their schedule permits.) New episode discussions will start weekly.
I'm helping with organization, at least to get things started. I'll start each discussion post with a brief summary and with links to transcripts, for those who don't have access to the episodes but still want to participate. I'll also be encouraging folk to post links to episode-related fanworks. I will keep discussions open for at least a week. (It's LJ, so it's not like there's a feasible way to close discussions cleanly, but in terms of setting expectations: active discussions for one week. Posts will be around for those who want to join a bit late and catch up.)
Come play!
(ETA: Waiting for the full series box set? Amazon says it releases October 6. They also presently list it at $170 as the pre-order discount; for reference, they're asking $97 for the first four seasons and $22.50 for season five -- so, you can save a good $50 by getting the individual seasons instead. I have no idea what special features the box set will include; the studio doesn't seem to be saying yet. If you do want to wait, I'm trying to draw up a catch-up scheme, since the comm will be only six-seven episodes in by that point, so if you're willing to tackle the first several episodes at two per week to catch up, you can still play.)
Have you thought, wow, I really miss SGA and wish I had an excuse to watch it again?
Either way,
sga_rewind is for you! It's a standard rewatch community, just launching now, so you have time to get involved. The current plan is to start discussion of the first episode, "Rising (Part 1)", beginning this coming Saturday, August 29. (Rather than having everyone watch at a certain time, folks are encouraged to watch whenever their schedule permits.) New episode discussions will start weekly. I'm helping with organization, at least to get things started. I'll start each discussion post with a brief summary and with links to transcripts, for those who don't have access to the episodes but still want to participate. I'll also be encouraging folk to post links to episode-related fanworks. I will keep discussions open for at least a week. (It's LJ, so it's not like there's a feasible way to close discussions cleanly, but in terms of setting expectations: active discussions for one week. Posts will be around for those who want to join a bit late and catch up.)
Come play!
(ETA: Waiting for the full series box set? Amazon says it releases October 6. They also presently list it at $170 as the pre-order discount; for reference, they're asking $97 for the first four seasons and $22.50 for season five -- so, you can save a good $50 by getting the individual seasons instead. I have no idea what special features the box set will include; the studio doesn't seem to be saying yet. If you do want to wait, I'm trying to draw up a catch-up scheme, since the comm will be only six-seven episodes in by that point, so if you're willing to tackle the first several episodes at two per week to catch up, you can still play.)
