The Other Mythmakers
This is to be a sporadically updated sprinkling of random fanfic recs. Because the genres in which I read and I write don't always overlap, there's no telling what fandom these will be from. Maybe you'll find something you weren't expecting.
I'll be adding things that strike me as I read them, so I'll no doubt miss a whole lot of stuff I've read in the past. Just because it's not up here doesn't at all mean I don't think it should be. Instead it's just another example of my frighteningly faulty memory.
Remember: Authors love feedback. Even if it's just hearing that someone out there is actually reading what they write. Don't let your laziness deprive someone of much needed and deserved encouragement.
December 2003
- Understudy in .38 caliber, by elismor. (Firefly)
So much character crammed into so few words. Anything I say would give too much away, so take a moment to read this drabble. It's everybody just as you know them, and i's packed with humor and action and emotion. Go. Now.
September 2003
- Limits, by baba_kibbins. (Dead Like Me)
This is a drabble written for the LiveJournal deadlikeme100 community. Which means it's only 100 words long. But don't let that stop you - every one of those words does its work. It's a layered look at the Rube/George relationship that's definitely worth a read or three. (Wait - make it two hundred well-chosen words. Also check out Tiffany, another glimpse into Rube from the same author. This guy's my favorite DLM writer. No question.)
- Visual Aid, by Charlemagne. (Sports Night)
I found this fic in with Tobias Charity's recs. The summary there reads: With the best Dan/Casey kiss ever. Period. I agree completely.
August 2003
You know, I used to often not read fanfic if it looked to be "too short." I've since learned that a whole lot of good stuff can be fit into just a few words, if the author knows what they're doing. This is another vignette written for the LiveJournal ff_friday challenge, 476 words set during "Serenity." It's River's intro scene from River's point of view, and it's one of those things that I wish I'd done myself. Skripka spins it out exactly as I see it happening, while walking the delicate River Tam balance line. Not so clouded that you're completely lost, but unmistakably River with every breath.
- Wet/Red, by Syn. (Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle)
Remember that bizarre and tantalizing hint of a much bigger something between Dylan and The Thin Man in the movie? This short fic scoops that up and runs away with it. Dylan has a stalker, played out perfectly here through exquisite language and character work. I only wish I could write so well.
- Cruising, by Olivia V. (That 70s Show)
Another something I found on LiveJournal, this one off the contrelamontre slash flashfic community. (That 70s Show, you ask? And, wait - did you say slash?) I clicked on this link out of a traffic-accident kind of curiousity, totally unable to resist. And boy am I happy I did. It's marked Hyde/Fes, but I'd feel comfortable recommending it to non-slash fans as it's far more of a friendship thing than anything else. Hyde is perfectly in character (despite what the above might lead you to believe), and the dialogue and narration are as funny as anything written for the show. It's a sweet fic - without succumbing to sap - and so entertaining that I'm perfectly willing to overlook the tense jump somewhere around the middle.
July 2003
This is a heart-wrenching short fic about Sharona helping Monk through a particularly bad night. You won't find any of the show's humor in here, but you will get an insightful and well-written glimpse into the show's characters. You know, for all that Monk makes me laugh - and despite the fact that Tony Shaloub keeps (deservedly) getting nominated for comedy awards - it's often also quite painful to watch. Just like this fic. Wonderful, and I'm glad I got the chance to witness it...but now I really need a hug.
- Death Or Something Like It, by Princess Twilite. (Dead Like Me)
Have you seen this show yet? I'm having to rely on a friend's tapes since I don't have Showtime, and so I've only seen the first episode. Lucky lucky lucky for me, this amazing fic is based on that pilot. Princess Twilite nails both the dialogue and the scenery, doing such an excellent job that you'd swear this scene was cut directly from the script itself. George lost her cherry; Mason's there, but after the fact.
- Teenage Wildlife, by Colleen Unhinged. (Angel/Six Feet Under)
Yes, that's right - an Angel/Six Feet Under crossover. Follow the young Lilah through L.A.'s underground rave scene, and I swear you won't be disappointed. I usually stay far away from pre-show fanfic of any kind, but I count myself very lucky that I took the chance on this one. The vivid descriptions sent me reeling back into my past like it was just last weekend, and the ending was more perfect than I could have ever hoped. If you're a SFU fan, you definitely need to check this one out. I only wish Colleen would write the scene that came after.
- Before Sunrise, by Collie. (Tombstone)
I just rewatched the movie for the nth time, and went hunting for some fanfic. Sadly (though not really surprisingly), there's very very little out there. Happily, however, one of the few is actually really good. This is a first meeting between Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp, and Collie's got them down exactly like you remember from the film. As you may have noticed, I'm big on dialogue in fanfic - there's nothing worse than characters who don't sound anything like they're supposed to - and I could hear every line in this. Especially from Doc. It's like the author was channeling Val Kilmer himself, and I couldn't be happier. (Yes, it's another pre-show fanfic. Maybe I should change my policy?)
- Substance, by B. Cavis (Law&Order;: CI)
Brilliant. Can I say brilliant? I'd really like to say brilliant. Alex Eames has substance. If you've ever looked at her as nothing more than Bobby's Watson, read this fic and you'll never so much as consider it again. This story is in turns funny, sexy, harsh, sweet, sensual; there's so much complexity to these print characters that even the actors would be hard pressed to add more dimension. It's not always pretty and it's not always nice, but it's Real. Human. Brilliant. (Plus how can you not love something which has a drunk Bobby and uses the phrase "Nicole/Elizabeth/Skanky-ho"?)
June 2003
It amazes me that such a complete picture of a relationship could be crammed into so few words. This is a fic from the ff_friday challenge, on the subject of things taken and things freely given. It's Mal and Kaylee exactly as you remember and love them, in a scene I truly wish I'd written. I can only hope that Maystone graces us with a lot more of these two. (Well, hope and send stalker-type letters.)
- The Best Part, by LJC. (Firefly)
Okay, you know what I just said in the first line of the review above? I have to repeat it here, despite this fic being about both a different relationship and a totally different kind of love. But the statement still holds - I have never seen a better or more complete look at the Zoe/Wash marriage through Zoe's eyes. This made me feel so much that I hurt. It also made me rethink writing Zoe ever again. (Another from this week's ff_friday challenge.)
- Unchained Melody, by Bonibaru. (Firefly)
Jayne and... Vera? Yes indeed, and Bonibaru makes it work from every angle. This one flows along just like the title implies, while still managing to sound very much like Jayne. Telling it in the second person is a brilliant touch, weaving a spell around the reader from the very first paragraph. Sexy and tender - not words one usually associates with a man and his gun.
- The Prayer That Night, by Maystone. (Firefly)
No, Maystone does not pay me to say good things about her fic. I just find I can't help myself. This is another ff_friday fic, and another astounding success. We're back in Serenity Valley, but this time looking through the eyes of one of the minor players. Solid, emotional, human, real. Read it.
- Clear Connection, by Scribe. (TV Commericals)
Yes, commercials. In keeping with the theme of unconventional pairings, I offer up this slash fic involving - wait for it - the Sprint PCS guy and the Verizon guy. Uh-huh. That's what I said. I actually did enjoy this short piece, especially the last line. But hell, read it just for the novelty alone.
- Death Wish, by Joann Humby. (X-Files)
This isn't exactly the X-Files you remember - at the same time being more of an X-File than some of the canon episodes we saw. It was the excellent writing that pulled me in and the MulderAngst that kept me entertained - plus I do like me a Scullyless Mulder now and again - but it's the final scene that seared itself into my brain.
- Leave A Message, by Amanda Finch and Tim Scott. (X-Files)
A totally different direction than the fic above. This one's got Wet Mulder Underwear and Lone Gunmen Fun - no connection, really - and that's just in the first scene. Plus ScaryRevengeScully, proving once and for all that you do not want to mess with that woman. Expect random outbursts of uncontrollable giggling, interspersed with long segments that'll make you laugh 'til your eyes blur.
- Blackout, by Liberty Belle. (Pitch Black)
Okay, don't lose all respect for me because of this one. This was such a guilty pleasure that I almost couldn't stand it, and I'm recommending it on the off chance that there's another hurt-comfort/Vin Diesel/Riddick fan out there looking for the perfect fic. Yes, it's something of a gratuitous Sick Fic - but it's also well-written, and that helps matters considerably. Both Riddick and Jack hold true to character, never getting all gooey like H/C gone bad; I very much enjoyed this view of their relationship. And I had so much fun reading that I probably should've had to pay.
- Shopping List, by Carla. (due South)
This is an amazing and entertaining piece from the ds_flashfiction community over at LiveJournal. Just like the ff_friday challenge, there's a word limit and a weekly topic. This is - as the title implies - a shopping list. I'm so very impressed with both the amount of character voice (and even a hint or two at plot) that the author managed to work into this, as well as the fact that it made me laugh out loud with every single new addition. Take a few minutes to read it. You'll see what I mean.
May 2003
I've only seen a few episodes of this show, but I'm already way too addicted to these characters. (Especially Bobby Goren - though whether that's due to the talents of Vincent D'Onofrio or the fact that Goren has more angst potential than any law enforcement officer since Fox Mulder, I'm not sure. Probably a lot of both.) I've been devouring any fanfic I can find, and I got more than lucky with this brilliant story. Aching and sexy, it's a Goren/Eames fic that wrapped me up and refused to let go. Leather skirts mean date night.
- Onomatopoetic, by Tobias Charity. (Law&Order;: CI)
I don't think you really have to know much of anything about the show to enjoy this wonderful piece of writing. Such a short fic, but filled with so many eloquent sentences and delicious images that I couldn't not include it here. Read it just because it deserves to be read. If you're a person who loves the flow of well-chosen words, you'll enjoy this. CI fan or not.
- Mr. Monk and the NYPD, by Boom. (Monk/Law&Order;: CI)
A perfect crossover involving three very different detectives and one Sharona. Boom captures every one of Monk's tics and tendancies, and her Sharona could be standing right behind you talking in your ear. Goren and Eames didn't have any idea what hit them. And I couldn't stop laughing.
- Focus, by s.a. (Law&Order;: CI)
Yes, it's becoming an unintentional theme. I can't help it - I'm currently devouring anything I can find in this fandom, and I keep finding such good stuff. This short, fluid fic catches a glimpse of Goren both in and out of his partnership with Eames. Because everyone needs to get out of their head now and again.
- Pound of Flesh, by sangga. (Law&Order;: CI)
If I'd never seen this show before, I think this fic would have sold me all on the fandom all on its own. Goren and Eames undercover, with internal and external dialogue so sharp it sounds like it's coming straight from the characters' minds and actors' mouths. An exquisite look at the partnership and the partners, wrapped tightly in a vivid glimpse of life on the job. Add in rich desciptions of detail and action. Repeat reading as needed.
- Fateful Hours, by HawkMoth. (Firefly)
Mal and Zoe get some help from Book while on a job gone wrong. An exciting plot sets up some wonderful Mal exploration. This one's as complete and involved as any episode, and it made me feel like I was watching the show all over again.
- Scars, by Maystone. (Firefly)
So I just read this one again, for the umpteenth time. (I also kinda like being able to use the word "umpteenth.") A Firefly vignette, it is true, but the poetry and emotion in this really just supersedes any fanfic genre. A fan of the show or not, you should read this simply because it's a truly fabulous piece of writing.
- Black Market, by s.a. (Firefly)
Only four tight paragraphs, with not a single word wasted. This is a bleak look at Zoe, loyalty, and burdens that must be carried alone. I read it three times in a row, and each time the wave of goosebumps hit me on a different line.
- Touch, by Melody Clark. (Monk)
A short moment in time after the episode "Mr. Monk Meets Dale the Whale." Sharona's upset, and Monk - in his way - gets to be the strong one. A perfect sweet scene illustrating the relationship between them, complete with Monk's unique characteristics and manner.
- Unsaid, by s.a. (Monk)
A bittersweet look inside Monk's world. As he says in the first line: You don't understand what it's like to live in this mind.
- Perchance to Dream, by Nesabj. (Star Trek: TOS)
I've been a little obsessed with Mutant Enemy lately. I can't help it. But TOS is my first fanfiction love, and I know of no one better in the genre than Nesabj. "Perchance to Dream" is only one of the fabulous stories on her web page, but probably the one I've reread the most. Kirk facing the Klingons and their new weapon, standing strong in the face of their revenge and the threat of his own death. Nesabj writes Kirk exactly as I've always seen him, and her clever plot and storytelling talent make this (and her other work) a treat to read.
- Ritual, by Shay Sheridan. (due South)
The author's own summary says it all neatly: "Two men...one mirror. A ritual. Unexpected benefits." I'll add the word sensual. And the word hot. There might not be any actual sex in this slash fic, but often the tease can get you there just the same.
April 2003
Honestly, I have never read a fic by Maystone that didn't move me - usually in more ways than one. She knows these characters like she invented them, infusing them and their world with level upon level of insight and humanity. "Ghosts" is a haunting portrait of Simon and Mal, inspired by a found photograph.
- Theories of Flight, by lamardeuse. (due South)
I was just rewatching "Good for the Soul" and went looking for some episode related fic. I came across this sweet, slashy story about disillusionment and realizations. To quote RayK: It's all that crap you never want to admit you believe in, 'cause it's not cool, but you do...
- Give a Monkey a Brain and He'll Swear He's the Center of the Universe, by David Hearne. (Farscape)
A very funny look at Moya and her crew through the eyes of our pop culture. Go read it. It'll make you giggle.
- Big Damn Zombies, Sir, by Shrift. (Firefly)
Okay, speaking of giggling... This silly and supershiny fun made me giggle 'til my face hurt from all the smiling. One fabu line after another. And zombification - which, surprisingly, turns out to be not as catastrophic as one might think.