GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Need Fanfic Recommendations for PICKY reader

POSTED BY: LEEH
UPDATED: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 07:16
SHORT URL:
VIEWED: 19726
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Monday, January 30, 2006 10:37 AM

NOSADSEVEN


Hey LeeH,

Your fanfic preferences seem to be very much in line with my own. So...after you've had an opportunity to read some (most) of these fics, be sure and post "The PICKY Reader's Guide to Mal-Angsty Fanfic". I've got this thread bookmarked so that when I have some time, I can find something suitable to read - so definately bring back your impressions!

I leave you with this exerpt:
Quote:

From "Truthsome, Part III: Confessions" by Guildsister:

Mal stood in the center of his bunk, eyes closed, quelling all what was churning around inside him. Best to just go to bed and forget about it. The crew wouldn’t bother him about it, knew better than to ask, and in a day or so the puzzled, questioning looks would go away. Hell, they all knew he and Zoe had some dark, nasty history behind them. That weren’t no secret. It was just the details they were fuzzy on.

He paused. Yeah. They did know. They knew and they didn’t turn away, or bother him about it. Or get all sappy and sentimental. Accepted and went on. A good bunch. Powerful odd bunch, he’d heard it told. But good. Trusted each other for the most part. Maybe he owed them just a bit more than he gave. Maybe he owed them a bit of his own self, so they knew who and what it was they were dealing with. Maybe. Maybe it’d be good for ‘em.





~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ain't. We. Just.

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Monday, January 30, 2006 10:51 AM

LEEH


Aw, man, I need to read THAT one. . . .

Will try to post my "Picky Reader's Guide" one day, but I kind of hate to do it, as people do have different tastes, and I don't like to offend by exclusion or open criticism.

Btw, can anyone tell me how to do a Blue Sun Room search for an author by name? At this point I just find myself scrolling down the list of fics until I see the author I'm looking for (as with Guildsister). There must be a better way. . . .



"Well, my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle. . . ."

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Monday, January 30, 2006 10:55 AM

LEIASKY


I've tried to repost that link multiple times but it doesn't work for some reason. It does if you copy and past the URL, tho'.

For the other fic, click on romance and then the first initial of the story. It should be there.

Tammy

"A government is a body of people usually notably ungoverned."

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Monday, January 30, 2006 11:13 AM

MAL4PREZ


I'll back up the guildsister recommendation! I loved the Blue Sun Job. Ite's not so big with playing off humor Joss-style, but the Mal angst is fabulous and there's a very interesting Mal/Zoe backstory.

These recs are great! It'll take some time to read them all, but having them listed in one thread is great. Thanks LeeH!


Ask Dr. Science ... he knows more than you do.
"I have a Master's degree ... in science!"

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Monday, January 30, 2006 4:06 PM

CHRISPV


Well, I was hesitant to post and play myself up here, but I figure that it can't hurt me any. As such, feel free to check out my stuff in the Blue Sun Room. Probably easiest to find me by clicking on my profile. And, if you like what you see, there's a third work on the way to a server near you featuring Mal.

Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal, Fox!

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Tuesday, January 31, 2006 1:08 AM

AGENTROUKA


And another couple:


"Ice In Crystal" by Julie Fortune is a bit of an action/adventure piece, dealing with the unfilmed plot line that was recently in discussion.

Part1: http://juliefortune.livejournal.com/43425.html
Part 2: http://juliefortune.livejournal.com/43740.html

I love this story because it approaches the plot from every POV (except Kaylee's, but that's not of importance) and especially Zoe's is wonderful here.

Point of interest: I hated the proposed plotline when it was discussed but in this story, the writer managed to sell it to me as plausible.



Jayne and Inara bonding, and it's actually, you know, serious and insightful?

"Unbalanced" by ana_grrl http://community.livejournal.com/ff_fanfic/169395.html



It doesn't get much more "horror" than this:

"Broken like Dolls" by alianora - Jayne and River centric.
http://aliaspiral.livejournal.com/106436.html



"Ain't No Soldier" by Rinny
http://rinalin.livejournal.com/27810.html#cutid1

Lovely look at Mal and Jayne in a new situation. (Note: not slash. I'm sure others can reccomend more than enough stories of that persuasion.) :)



Have some humor: Matinee by Maystone http://community.livejournal.com/ff_friday/33797.html



This is a pretty good recc site: http://fireflyrecs.diaryland.com/

And another: http://www.neon-hummingbird.com/storyteller/links/firefly.html


There is not one story here that is not good, some are downright dizzying: http://remix.illuminatedtext.com/dbsearch.php?search=fandom&var=6&var2
=Firefly



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Tuesday, January 31, 2006 6:16 AM

LEEH


Wow--thanks! Very thorough!

"Well, my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle. . . ."

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Wednesday, March 8, 2006 9:15 AM

MORBIDANDCREEPIFYING


Quote:

Originally posted by AgentRouka:
And another couple:


"Ice In Crystal" by Julie Fortune is a bit of an action/adventure piece, dealing with the unfilmed plot line that was recently in discussion.

Part1: http://juliefortune.livejournal.com/43425.html
Part 2: http://juliefortune.livejournal.com/43740.html

I love this story because it approaches the plot from every POV (except Kaylee's, but that's not of importance) and especially Zoe's is wonderful here.

Point of interest: I hated the proposed plotline when it was discussed but in this story, the writer managed to sell it to me as plausible.



I wholeheartedly second that. What a great story. So well-done.

On a more selfish note, I mostly just wanted to resurrect this thread so I can hopefully get some more recs, seeing as how I've read most of these already. :)

* * * * *

Mal: You are very much lacking in imagination.
Zoe: I imagine that's so, sir.

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Wednesday, March 8, 2006 2:32 PM

KAELE


And I need an objective beta reader.

Anyone up for the job?

FollowMal keeps saying how good my writing is, but I think those pics of the Cap'n are getting to her brain. :)

~Kaele

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Wednesday, March 8, 2006 6:52 PM

ALGUS


I'm always willing to look at stuff Kaele. Spent several semesters working in a creative writing class doing workshops and evaluation. I enjoy it myself.

Also want to thank everyone for all the recommendations, I've just been trying to get my feet wet. Frankly, I don't feel I've got the characterizations of the people down yet, I think I started to big with my first bit of fic. I just stare at the second chapter, nearly finished, thinking "Wow, this is just not going to work out right at all."

I guess I'm much more critical of myself because I try to take the art seriously. Never thought I'd write (edit: no one saw that typo right? man that made me look bad >.>) fanfic again after I started doing my own stuff, but damn I love Firefly...

Anyway, like I said Kaele, I'd love to read for you, if you ever want to ship anything over to my email addy endlessinstant@gmail.com I'll be glad to give it a lookover. And thanks to everyone else for giving fic recommendations, I think I'll be best served by spending some time doing some reading on my own and getting a better feel for the Verse.

---
Where's the KABOOM?! There was supposed to be an earth-shattering kaboom! *sigh* Delays...delays...

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Thursday, March 9, 2006 9:18 AM

MORBIDANDCREEPIFYING


No new recs? Really? Come on guys, I know you can do it. OK, OK. I'll make a few of my own, see if that gets the ball rolling.

http://www.flower-and-leaf.com/viewstory.php?sid=83 - Beginnings, Middles, Endings by rivendellrose -- an excellent Zoe/Wash/Mal story (but not like that!) that perfectly characterizes all three of them

http://www.flower-and-leaf.com/viewstory.php?sid=84 - She's also got another one - Absence of Sound - that's just a very well-written bit of Zoe angst

So, who's next?


* * * * *

Mal: You are very much lacking in imagination.
Zoe: I imagine that's so, sir.

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Thursday, March 9, 2006 10:50 AM

LEEH


Quote:

Originally posted by morbidandcreepifying:
No new recs? Really? Come on guys, I know you can do it. OK, OK. I'll make a few of my own, see if that gets the ball rolling.

http://www.flower-and-leaf.com/viewstory.php?sid=83 - Beginnings, Middles, Endings by rivendellrose -- an excellent Zoe/Wash/Mal story (but not like that!) that perfectly characterizes all three of them

http://www.flower-and-leaf.com/viewstory.php?sid=84 - She's also got another one - Absence of Sound - that's just a very well-written bit of Zoe angst

So, who's next?


* * * * *

Mal: You are very much lacking in imagination.
Zoe: I imagine that's so, sir.



Ah, that hit the spot--especially the first of the two. Lyrically written, with a good ear for the character's voice. Thanks for reviving this thread for me; I'd about given up on finding any new readable fic!

"Well, my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle. . . ."

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Thursday, March 9, 2006 11:31 AM

ELOISA


One that I've recently found is Family Dynamics by Tamsibling. One that I forgot to rec. last time is Choices by 2x2.

http://www.fireflyfans.net/showprofile.asp?un=TamSibling
http://www.fireflyfans.net/showprofile.asp?un=2x2

***
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Creative Writing

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Thursday, March 9, 2006 12:26 PM

LEEH


Quote:

Originally posted by Eloisa:
One that I've recently found is Family Dynamics by Tamsibling. One that I forgot to rec. last time is Choices by 2x2.

http://www.fireflyfans.net/showprofile.asp?un=TamSibling
http://www.fireflyfans.net/showprofile.asp?un=2x2

***
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Creative Writing



Almost, but not up to the standard I set in my original post. It's not bad from what I can see, but the writing is just stiff enough to put me off. I'm looking for writers with a genuine command of their tool--language--not just the ability to use it without doing damage (although the writer you recommend is competent, which is more than can be said of many who write).

Story's not enough for me; the how-its-done is part of the what-is-done.

Thanks anyway!

"Well, my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle. . . ."

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Thursday, March 9, 2006 12:32 PM

ELOISA


*grins* Then I won't be overly self-aggrandising and point you at my own solitary oneshot. I go over the top when I'm writing short fiction, largely because I'm more used to the space a novel affords me, and I can't get Mal's speech patterns right.

***
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Thursday, March 9, 2006 12:58 PM

DIZ


LEEH, you have discerning taste, as do I. Jacqui is a favorite (Adams Rib is very good), and I don't think anyone has come close to matching the brilliance of the fic LJC has written. But I'm a little surprised to see a few of my favorites yet to be recommended, so here they are:

Antebellum, by TheSoapBoxer is wonderful. It reads like a second season after Serenity. Hard to believe this guy is so young and new to the 'verse. I'd consider his stuff almost on par with LJC's fic. http://www.fireflyfans.net/sunroomitem.asp?i=6402

And Channain's stuff is really solid. Her stuff was some of the first fic I read, and I was so impressed I sent her a fan letter. I'll give you a link to her Blue Sun room. http://www.fireflyfans.net/fulluserbluesunlist.asp?un=Channain

---------------------------------
Welcome to Serenity - Joss Whedon

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Thursday, March 9, 2006 2:56 PM

CHRONICTHEHEDGEHOG


My one and only fanfic (how's that for a recommendation?) can be found in my signature. It's script format and based on an episode premise Tim Minear claims they wanted to make but never got the chance. I'd love for you (and also everyone else) to read it.

-------------------------------------------------

Read my fanfic!
http://www.fireflyfans.net/sunroomitem.asp?i=8267

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Thursday, March 9, 2006 5:53 PM

LEEH


Quote:

Originally posted by chronicthehedgehog:
My one and only fanfic (how's that for a recommendation?) can be found in my signature. It's script format and based on an episode premise Tim Minear claims they wanted to make but never got the chance. I'd love for you (and also everyone else) to read it.

-------------------------------------------------

Read my fanfic!
http://www.fireflyfans.net/sunroomitem.asp?i=8267



Thanks, but I'm not looking for script format; I want writing that involves character development, and that's hard to do in a script without actors to flesh out the basic script.



"Well, my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle. . . ."

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Friday, March 10, 2006 11:51 AM

MORBIDANDCREEPIFYING


bump?

* * * * *

Mal: You are very much lacking in imagination.
Zoe: I imagine that's so, sir.

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Tuesday, March 14, 2006 11:50 AM

ELOISA


Leeh - just realised you might like Next of Kin. It's on the author's Lj at http://eustacia-vye28.livejournal.com/212973.html#cutid1. Main focus is a very plausible River/Jayne (it's been nominated for a Rayne award) but also involves S/K and, lately, M/I. IMO the first chapter is slightly weak but the rest is great.

***
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Creative Writing

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Tuesday, March 14, 2006 11:58 AM

ARCADIA


Well, now I want to know if I'd live up to your standards, so if you wouldn't mind: http://www.fireflyfans.net/sunroomitem.asp?i=7808 this is chapter on of my fanfic "Over the Hills and Far Away". I originally intended it to be Mal/Inara centric, but then... well, it doesn't really feel like Firefly unless you've got the whole crew together. I have five chapters up right now.

I'm very interested if it is up to your standards. Please, let me know.

Also, do you have a list of fic you like? I think that would be a quality list. You should put it in your profiel or something.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Objects in Space"
River: It's just an object. It doesn't mean what you think...

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Tuesday, March 14, 2006 1:25 PM

SQUISH


Quote:

Originally posted by Eloisa:
Leeh - just realised you might like Next of Kin. It's on the author's Lj at http://eustacia-vye28.livejournal.com/212973.html#cutid1. Main focus is a very plausible River/Jayne (it's been nominated for a Rayne award) but also involves S/K and, lately, M/I. IMO the first chapter is slightly weak but the rest is great.

***
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Creative Writing



This link takes you to Ch. 17 of the series, can you post a link to the first chapter? I have yet to figure out how to navigate easily through LJ (is there even a way??) and couldn't find my way to the first chapter. I'm really interested in reading a plausible Rayne fic, mainly because most of what I've read in that area hasn't been plausible (authors tend to take these two out of character too much to make this pairing).

Thanks!

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Tuesday, March 14, 2006 2:05 PM

LEEH


Quote:

Originally posted by Arcadia:
Well, now I want to know if I'd live up to your standards, so if you wouldn't mind: http://www.fireflyfans.net/sunroomitem.asp?i=7808 this is chapter on of my fanfic "Over the Hills and Far Away". I originally intended it to be Mal/Inara centric, but then... well, it doesn't really feel like Firefly unless you've got the whole crew together. I have five chapters up right now.

I'm very interested if it is up to your standards. Please, let me know.

Also, do you have a list of fic you like? I think that would be a quality list. You should put it in your profiel or something.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Objects in Space"
River: It's just an object. It doesn't mean what you think...



This thread seems to have turned into an opportunity for people to plug their writing and to try to get me to tell them that their fiction is up to the standard I set in the originating post. (With a few exceptions none of it has even come close, leaving me to find a polite way to say so after reading exactly the kind of writing I said in the original post that I am trying to avoid.) As a result, I'm not going to read posts to it anymore--so those who hope to get me to read their work, don't bother. If people find the thread helpful for recommendations, and want to read self-promoted work, that's great, but I'm finding that it's been twisted to uses other than those I intended.



"Well, my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle. . . ."

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Wednesday, March 15, 2006 4:23 AM

ELOISA


Squish - http://eustacia-vye28.livejournal.com/?skip=60 is the page with it on, about halfway down.

If that doesn't work you could just go to http://eustacia-vye28.livejournal.com/ and surf back via the "back" button below the user picture till you get to the entry that includes chapter 1. At the moment you have to go three pages back to find it.

***
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Creative Writing

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Wednesday, March 15, 2006 7:16 AM

LEIASKY


Eloisa,

Thank you for the link. 'Next of Kin' is a lovely story. Though I don't normally read anything Jayne/River centric, its amazingly held my attention. I've been thoroughly enjoying the Simon/Kaylee and family parts.

The recomendations people have made have been great. I spent all last night searching through some of the sites posted here and found some great stories.

Perhaps someone should start another thread for story recomendations so the originator of this one can stop having to wade through the unsatisfactory recomendations posted by so many people.


"A government is a body of people usually notably ungoverned."

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