Measured Words

Dear YT author,

Thanks, first of all, for writing! That is really the most important thing, and I will be delighted with whatever I wind up getting.

Generally speaking, I like stories that tell me a little bit more about the characters or the world they live in. Since I have requested Worldbuilding in a couple of fandoms, I feel like I should elaborate on that a bit! I am a historian and an anthropology person, so I love to understand how things came to be - I like to ask questions. Sometimes canon gives you little crumbs to follow and you can play connect the dots and fill in the missing picture. Sometimes it doesn't, and it can be fun to take what is known about the canon world and invent whole cloth an explanation that fits those rules. Even canons that are very tight often leave questions hanging about their details, like 'hang on, who is making all these magical weapons' or 'who exactly is paying for this millenia old conflict?' I am happy to have original characters, or for you to use named canon characters (if there's anyone I do not want, I'll say it in the specific fandom, but I'm pretty easy going). I'm happy to have an exploration of a question that doesn't have a clear resolution, and I'm open to whatever formats you want to use that is appropriate to the canon - epistolary, data logs, academic debates, journal articles, diaries, epic poems, whatever - go nuts! I will also appreciate a regular prose story.

I like stories with plot - with adventure, intrigue, and wacky hijinks/crack. I also like stories that are more focused on character exploration – I don't need action if I have interesting introspection. I like both insider and outsider PoV stuff, and I feel like it is perfectly legit to write a story about a character that isn't from their perspective. I enjoy stories that are very emotionally intense, whether that means they are spilling over with ~feels~ or dark and unrelenting in tone – I enjoy horror, especially psychological horror, but also feel-good fluff and total cracky silliness. I am into both Crueltide and Yuleporn, so if those are your jam, please have at! I'm also open to other sub-challenges, if my requests fit the bill and you're inspired :) I am up for IF and other format shenanigans outside of worldbuilding as well, including poetry.

I like porn, but I do not require it. If you have a preference for or against in whatever you wind up writing, knock yourself out, I will appreciate it. If you include porn, I prefer it to be somehow relevant to the story – either it develops character relationships, or is vital to some zany caper or what have you. I’m not a big fan of pwp, though I think porn can certainly *be* the main action, so to speak, as long as it is showing me something new about characters or their relationship. I'm really hard to squick, so don't be afraid to show me your kinks! More than anything, when it comes (heh) to porn I want to be able to believe that the sex I'm reading is in character for whoever I'm reading about – not necessarily that it is something they want, but that the reactions I'm reading are true to whoever is having them, if that makes any sense.

If you are looking to find out more about me, I have a somewhat chaotic tumblr, and a neglected rambling personal journal. I am also Measured_Words on AO3 :) I may make occasional forays into the discord(s) as Elanya, but no promises.

Fandoms!
( The Locked Tomb Series | Gideon the Ninth Series - Tamsyn Muir )

( Katmai National Park Bear Cams - Explore.org )

( The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf (2021) )

( What We Do in the Shadows (TV) )

Thank you! <3

Thanks, first of all, for writing! That is really the most important thing, and I will be delighted with whatever I wind up getting.

Generally speaking, I like stories that tell me a little bit more about the characters or the world they live in. I like stories with plot - with adventure, intrigue, and wacky hijinks/crack. I also like stories that are more focused on character exploration – I don't need action if I have interesting introspection. I like both insider and outsider PoV stuff, and I feel like it is perfectly legit to write a story about a character that isn't from their perspective. I enjoy stories that are very emotionally intense, whether that means they are spilling over with ~feels~ or dark and unrelenting in tone – I enjoy horror, especially psychological horror, but also feel-good fluff and total cracky silliness. I am into both Crueltide and Yuleporn, so if those are your jam, please have at! I'm also open to other sub-challenges, if my requests fit the bill and you're inspired :) I am up for IF and other format shenanigans, including poetry, as well

[note: this year this is really only relevant to one request but I'm leaving it anyway.] I like porn, but I do not require it. If you have a preference for or against in whatever you wind up writing, knock yourself out, I will appreciate it. If you include porn, I prefer it to be somehow relevant to the story – either it develops character relationships, or is vital to some zany caper or what have you. I’m not a big fan of pwp, though I think porn can certainly *be* the main action, so to speak, as long as it is showing me something new about characters or their relationship. I'm really hard to squick, so don't be afraid to show me your kinks! More than anything, when it comes (heh) to porn I want to be able to believe that the sex I'm reading is in character for whoever I'm reading about – not necessarily that it is something they want, but that the reactions I'm reading are true to whoever is having them, if that makes any sense.

If you are looking to find out more about me, I have a somewhat chaotic tumblr, and a neglected rambling personal journal. I am also Measured_Words on AO3 :) I may make occasional forays into the discord(s) as Elanya, but no promises.

On to the Requests!

( Katmai National Park Bear Cams - Explore.org )

( Lovecraft Country (TV) )

( Knitting (Anthropomorphic) )

Dear Amazing Yuletide Author:

Thanks, first of all, for writing! That is really the most important thing, and I will be delighted with whatever I wind up getting.

Generally speaking, I like stories that tell me a little bit more about the characters or the world they live in. I like stories with plot - with adventure, intrigue, and wacky hijinks. I also like stories that are more focused on character exploration – I don't need action if I have interesting introspection. I like both insider and outsider PoV stuff, and I feel like it is perfectly legit to write a story about a character that isn't from their perspective. I enjoy stories that are very emotionally intense, whether that means they are spilling over with ~feels~ or dark and unrelenting in tone – I enjoy horror, especially psychological horror, but also feel-good fluff. I am into both Crueltide and Yuleporn, so if those are your jam, please have at! I'm also open to other sub-challenges, if my requests fit the bill and you're inspired :)

I like porn, but I do not require it. If you have a preference for or against in whatever you wind up writing, knock yourself out, I will appreciate it. If you include porn, I prefer it to be somehow relevant to the story – either it develops character relationships, or is vital to some zany caper or what have you. I’m not a big fan of pwp, though I think porn can certainly *be* the main action, so to speak, as long as it is showing me something new about characters or their relationship. I'm really hard to squick, so don't be afraid to show me your kinks! More than anything, when it comes (heh) to porn I want to be able to believe that the sex I'm reading is in character for whoever I'm reading about – not necessarily that it is something they want, but that the reactions I'm reading are true to whoever is having them, if that makes any sense.

If you are looking to find out more about me, I have a somewhat chaotic tumblr, and a neglected rambling personal journal. I am also Measured_Words on AO3 :) If I pop in to discord, you can look for me asLan or Elanya.

On to the specifics! Please note that these are in no meaningful order. Some of these requests are more elaborate than others, but that doesn't mean that I want them any less! Also, Optional Details are Optional - I hope these will give you some ideas if you need them, and some helpful insights into what I love about the canons and the characters, but if you have other ideas I haven't thought of feel free to run with them as well :D


( The Shrouded Isle )

Dear Amazing Yuletide Author:

Thanks, first of all, for writing! That is really the most important thing, and I will be delighted with whatever I wind up getting.

Generally speaking, I like stories that tell me a little bit more about the characters or the world they live in. I like stories with plot - with adventure, intrigue, and wacky hijinks. I also like stories that are more focused on character exploration – I don't need action if I have interesting introspection. I like both insider and outsider PoV stuff, and I feel like it is perfectly legit to write a story about a character that isn't from their perspective. I enjoy stories that are very emotionally intense, whether that means they are spilling over with ~feels~ or dark and unrelenting in tone – I enjoy horror, especially psychological horror, but also feel-good fluff. I am into both Crueltide and Yuleporn, so if those are your jam, please have at! I'm also open to other sub-challenges, if my requests fit the bill and you're inspired :)

I like porn, but I do not require it. If you have a preference for or against in whatever you wind up writing, knock yourself out, I will appreciate it. If you include porn, I prefer it to be somehow relevant to the story – either it develops character relationships, or is vital to some zany caper or what have you. I’m not a big fan of pwp, though I think porn can certainly *be* the main action, so to speak, as long as it is showing me something new about characters or their relationship. I'm really hard to squick, so don't be afraid to show me your kinks! More than anything, when it comes (heh) to porn I want to be able to believe that the sex I'm reading is in character for whoever I'm reading about – not necessarily that it is something they want, but that the reactions I'm reading are true to whoever is having them, if that makes any sense.

If you are looking to find out more about me, I have a somewhat chaotic tumblr, and a neglected rambling personal journal. I am also Measured_Words on AO3 :) I used o hang out in Yulechat more when it was on IRC and will probably try to be around on the discord, but no promises. It I do, I will probably be there as Lan or Elanya.

On to the specifics! Please note that these are in no meaningful order. Some of these requests are more elaborate than others, but that doesn't mean that I want them any less! Also, Optional Details are Optional - I hope these will give you some ideas if you need them, and some helpful insights into what I love about the canons and the characters, but if you have other ideas I haven't thought of feel free to run with them as well :D

( letter! )

I have been Sick as Heck, so I am not going to have time to do a proper recs post this year, but I did want to take time to call out my three lovely gifts! All are in Murderbot :3

Two were written to basically the same prompt, but went in different directions with it. The first is more about Murderbot being in fandom and participating in an exchange - the second story has Murderbot get roped into *running* one - plus space pirates! They both have some great meta commentary about fandom in them though, and I liked them both immensely.

Sanctuaryfest (1653 words)

The Exchange (5814 words)


The third fic is the tale of how and why Murderbot hacks it's governor module, and it is really great and really captured the feel of the book I think. And also it has an amazing summary. I will have summary envy forever.

Terra Nova (7748 words)

-So basically I was very spoiled this yuletide and had all my Murderbot desires fulfilled and then some <3

I posted a few recs over at my other journal (elanya), but reveals seemed to make the most sense in here. So!

( This year I wrote... )

( Read more... )

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( Read more... )

And that was my yuletide..... other than all the reading I've done in both collections! I wish I had more time as I'd have loved to make a proper recs post before reveals, but that doesn't seem to have happened :/ Maybe after? There are just so many great stories to chose from, though! I guess we'd better all get reading...

TA DAHHHHHHH!

Yuuuuletiiiiiiiiide!

So! I actually managed to write a fair amount this year – more than I'd expected, in any case! I got extra betas for everything, but as usual naryrising provided constant encouragement, handholding, and initial SPAG assessment. Well, for almost everything....

( Assignment: Return to Night, Since We Must Part, Drown Night for Naraht )

After finishing that beast, I actually managed to score two(!) pinch hits! I didn't know the recips in either case there, so there was somewhat less pressure. I am quite happy with both stories.

( Pinch Hit #1: Arkham Horror – Encounters at the Witch House for barometry )

( Pinch Hit #2: Othello – Girl Talk for afewreelthoughts )

( Treat #1: Books of the Raksura – Claimed, for Nary )

( Madness Treat #1: MST3K/Ghost Soup Infidel Red – Robots Crying on Beds for Elfwreck )

( Madness Treat #2; Drabble #1: Arkham Horror – Sweet Harmony for Lirillith )

( Madness Treat #3; Drabble #2: Hark! A Vagrant! – Infidelity for afterism )

And that was my yuletide! I kind of feel like there may have been something else, but it has been completely wiped from my mind...

I am always so excited and delighted with the things that Yuletide produces!

This year I got two gifts - one in each collection. Both are character sketches of Shirley Wilson from In The Flesh. I knew I could trust the rest of the fandom to ask for lots of fic for the main characters/pairings, but I am a lover of minor characters, and I love Shirley. She's so earnest and well intentioned even if she is not always the absolutely most competent.

Anyway! ( My gifts! )

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I also have a pile of other recs I've accumulated - I am going to group them into two sections: one that are fics I have stumbled across on my own or have been recced to me informally, and then a second batch that are re-recs I've found from more formal sources (recs posts, the recs collection, and such) but that I endorse completely!

( Group one - Independently Discovered awesomeness! )

( Group two - Rec Corroborations! )

Yuletide has been weird for me this year, as I mentioned before. I haven't read a fraction of what I'd like to read, and it feels strange to only be settling down to do so after reveals. Ahh well! I do plan to read around a lot, but I admit I may be beelining for some authors I know I love!

In any case, I managed four stories this year - two for the main collection, and two drabbles. All of them are in small or YT-only fandoms, so I have been trying to keep my expectations in terms of comments, kudos and hits low. They seem fairly well received by their recipients, and that's what counts!

( Stories! )