crumb dumpster

Day 8

Talk about a talent (or talents) you have

Once upon a time, I was a musician.

( details, details )

Day 6

Rec at least three fanworks you thought you wouldn't like but did.

Exorcism by cluegirl [Harry Potter; Harry/Ron, adult]

I wasn't into Harry/Ron for a long time, mainly because the little bit I'd read was overly fluffy, and extreme fluff doesn't agree with my digestion.

Anyway, this fic. I started reading it accidentally. No, really. It was a thousand years ago, so I don't know exactly how it happened -- either it was mistagged on a newsletter/recs post, or I just can't read. However it went down, I didn't realize it was Harry/Ron until I was already five or six paragraphs in, and by that point, I was already sold.

I'm so glad I kept reading it, because it's flawless.

Nightblooming Heartsease by julad [Harry Potter; Neville/Snape, adult]

So, yeah. Snape/Neville is one of those pairings that just doesn't do it for me. Most of the time, anyway. With that in mind, I had no intention of reading this, even though I'd heard really wonderful things about it.

I eventually caved, though, because it's a prequel to Transfigurations, and my love for that fic cannot be textually rendered. I'm really glad I did cave, because it's brilliant.

A God Amongst Men by floweringjudas [Harry Potter; James/Remus, adult]

I saw this recced in a few places when it was first posted, and I was pretty excited about it, because James/Remus is always in short supply. However, a couple people told me flat out that I wouldn't like it, given my usual fic preferences and my unholy love for James Potter. The Marauders are not a happy family here -- a premise I actually like from time to time, provided it's done well -- and the characterization of James is fairly brutal. In short, he's a complete ass.

Eventually, I just couldn't help myself. Like I said, I do occasionally like fics where the Marauders are not really BFFs. This is really, really well done. Particularly the way it includes Lily and Sirius, and the events of the first war.

Truck Driving with the Dead by kennahijja [Harry Potter; Ron, gen]

Second-person POV is usually a deal-breaker for me. I just can't handle it. I'm not sure what the problem is, exactly -- I just don't enjoy it. Maybe my brain doesn't work that way. If I do sit down and read a fic written in second-person, usually what happens is about three paragraphs in I start trying to transpose it into third-person in my head just so I can understand what's going on, and I end up with a headache.

Several people told me I should read it anyway. Turns out, they were totally right. It is beautifully done.

The Way We Live Now by kabeyk [Harry Potter; Draco/Remus/Snape, adult]

My initial issue here was the pairing.

I mean, the idea of Remus/Draco interests me strangely¹, but I'm not all that big on Remus/Snape or Draco/Snape, and I didn't think the mixed bag approach would work out any better for me. However, I've always liked kabeyk's writing, and this fic has werewolf!Draco². Believe me, werewolf!Draco was enough to tip the scales.

And I totally loved it. It's clever and hot and Snape is fantastic.




¹ Don't lie. Now that I've mentioned it, it interests you strangely, too.
² So does this.

Day 4

Introduce yourself to someone you admire and friend/follow them on whatever platform you use.

I finally followed docfunk @ Tumblr, because his NBA photo/captions own my soul.

Day 2

In your own space, post a rec for at least three fanworks that you did not create. See if you can rec fanworks that are less likely to be praised: tiny fandoms, rare pairings, fanworks other than stories, lesser known kinks or tropes. Find fanworks that have few to no comments, or creators new to a particular fandom and maybe aren't well known or appreciated. Appreciate them.

The Man in the Gaberdine Suit by mtgat [American Gods; Shadow, gen]

I know I recced this very recently, but I'm going to talk about it again, because it's flawless.

The hardest part of I've always had with writing American Gods is capturing that sense of displacement that follows through the entire book. Ibis and Jacquel have found a niche that seems to work for them, and Easter does all right for obvious reasons, but by and large, these people just do not belong. They don't fit in anywhere, so they live on the fringes and wander from place to place. I know Shadow falls into a routine when he gets to Lakeside, but even there he isn't really settled. It's like he knows his time in Lakeside is just luring him into a false sense of security.

Shadow spends a majority of this fic hobo'ing across America, and it's perfectly done. And the ending... wow. I don't even know. It hits me hard every single time. I'd never consider things working out that way, until I read this fic, and then I thought WELL YES. OF COURSE.

Curds and Whey by deskclutter [Anansi Boys; Fat Charlie, Daisy, Marcus, gen]

I'm not really big on domestic!fic as a rule, but I came across this the other day and decided to give it a whirl, because there is a dire shortage of Anansi Boys fic. I mean, dire. I know that means I should probably shut my piehole and write some, but that is totally not the point right now.

Anway. This fic. I love it. It picks up right where the books ends, and it doesn't miss a beat. The premise is delightful -- that Fat Charlie tries to explain something important to his son through stories and songs, instead of, you know, a regular explanation, because it means Fat Charlie has finally accepted who he is. At the same time, he's perfectly and adorable awkward, just as Fat Charlie should be.

Also, Daisy is gold.

A Soliloquy in Eight Words by snegurochka_lee [Harry Potter; James/Snape, adult, NSFW art]

I'm sure you're all familiar with Lee's usual fare, so I probably don't need to tell you this is fabulous. But I will. THIS IS FABULOUS. I remember being so excited when this was first posted, because it was Lee and James/Snape. There will never be enough James/Snape.

Based on The Prince's Tale chapter of DH, this is a glorious AU that supposes Snape was friends with James since childhood, not Lily. Event unfold from there, building into a wonderfully hopeless and poisonous relationship. Each memory is perfectly done, and the last section makes me cry every single time.

Goat Song by delphi [Harry Potter; Aberforth/Snape, adult]

Full disclosure: I nearly didn't read this when it was posted at merry_smutmas, because the pairing didn't really interest me. But it was recced heavily on my friends list, and I liked both Snape and Aberforth separately, so I decided to give it a whirl.

I'm so very glad I did. It's wonderfully done. Aberforth's personality is awesome and very distinct, and his observations on Snape are just spot on.

Sentimental Reasons by frostfire [Casablanca; Rick/Sam, adult]

Look. Casablanca is my favorite move of all time.

Okay, that's not entirely true. It's tied with The Big Sleep for my favorite movie of all time, but that's not the point. The point is, I really, really like Casablanca a lot. I seriously watch it like three times a week. If Humphrey Bogart was alive right now and making movies I'd probably flail and picspam and fangirl about him the same way I do about Gerard Way.

All that said, I didn't realize I wanted Casablanca fanfic until I read it. I didn't realize I wanted Rick/Sam slash, either. I mean, the thought never occurred to me, maybe because I ship Rick/Ilsa so hard.

This is beautiful. It's Sam's POV, which is just bloody fantastic, and it starts well before the movie canon, and it sketches out Rick's shady past in a completely believeable way, and it spans until after the movie, with bonus points for Louis Renault making an awkward and terribly nosy third wheel.


--

In other news, today is looking like it might be awesome. fandom_stocking went live last night, and I also have a bonus round fic waiting for me over at rs_small_gifts, courtesy of midnitemarauder!

ETA: With a Little Help From My Friends. It's James/Remus/Sirius and it's by Lisa and it's amazing. I just left her a comment full of keymash and capslocks, because I can't actually form words.