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Femslash Exchange: Dear Author Letter
Hello, mystery creator!
Firstly, allow me to thank you for writing for me! I'm sure whatever you choose to create will be wonderful. I'm writing this letter to give you an idea of what I like and dislike in fiction, and so long as you avoid my squicks and can pay loving tribute to these characters who are dear to my heart, I will love whatever you choose to write for me.
In general I adore stories with thoughtful characterization, good pacing, and strong worldbuilding. I love examinations of friendship and the ways people depend on each other. I like seeing tropes inverted or played with in unexpected ways. I also love caretaking and domesticity on the one hand, but on the other I love power dynamics and really sharp contrasts in how characters think or relate to each other.
When it comes to things I'd like to avoid, I'm not big on angst. I can happily read things about characters making tough choices or being in untenable situations, but I just really dislike tragedy for tragedy's sake, or anything really over-the-top horrible. I'd appreciate if you also avoid any content to do with rape, abuse, terminal or mental illnesses, or homophobia as a plot device. I'd also prefer not to receive anything with pregnancy or child-rearing, or foot fetishes.
In terms of technical things to avoid, I strongly dislike first person and would prefer not to receive a story in that POV. I'm picky with second person, so unless you're really confident writing it and want to do something innovative, I'd recommend avoiding that as well.
With the generalities covered, read on for specific prompt suggestions for each of my requested fandoms, if you'd like a more definite place to start.
Love Live
Canon-wise, I've watched both seasons of the anime and I play the game nigh-religiously. I consider nothing to be a spoiler and encourage you to bring in any canon influences you please.
Firstly: this is my one fandom this exchange where I would LOVE to see AUs! The canon itself gives me almost all the "idol" content I could desire, so what I want out of fandom is definitely "more romance" or "alternate universes!" My favorite settings are sci-fi, fantasy, or mob/crime/police procedural ones, but anything in an AU vein will be super neat to me, if you're excited about it.
Beyond that, some thoughts on the dynamic of each of these ships, just to give an idea of what I like:
-Eli/Umi/Nozomi. The "quiet understanding" ship. I love Nozomi as a mothering type, the gentle puppetmaster who prefers to be in the background, but who nevertheless understands so well what all of her friends need, especially Eli. But on the flipside, Eli is also incredibly clever and good at figuring people out, so I feel it goes both ways. I see Eli as better at assessing people's ambitions and capabilities, whereas Nozomi recognizes dreams and longings. And then there's Umi — hardworking, exacting, very much like Eli but not quite so comfortable in her skin. With this ship, I'd really love to see the balance of the relationship, and how each person learns to figure the others out and work with her needs for maximum comfort with each other.
-Nozomi/Maki. I love that each of them has a facade, and I love to see Nozomi getting underneath Maki's. Something I love in fiction is the contrast between someone's "outer face" and "inner persona" and I feel both Maki and Nozomi exhibit that a lot. I'd love to see that played with. I'd also love to see Nozomi deliberately taking Maki out of her comfort zone (in any way!) but doing it in a gentle, understanding way, and making sure that Maki enjoys the new things Nozomi pulls her into experiencing.
-Nico/Maki. The tsundere ship, I can't help not seeing it as anything else. I love them each pretending to be less invested than they are, and I really love how the age gap works out for them. Nico is the senior who feels she should be given respect (by her underclassmen in the group in general) and Maki just breezes right past that, teasing and prodding at her. I'd love to see anything that plays with how they are similar but also how they are different, and I'd also love to see them learning to rely on each other and figuring each other out.
Fate/Zero
Canon-wise, I've watched some of the original Fate/Stay Night anime, all of the Fate/Zero anime, and the new Fate/Stay Night anime. However, my ship requests are all from Fate/Zero and as I haven't touched any game/manga/supplemental canon content, I'd like a focus on the anime canon. If there is any supplemental canon you'd like to draw on, have at it, so long as your fic is accessible to someone who hasn't touched that canon.
With this fandom, I am definitely the most interested in canon-based work and would rather not receive an AU story. For each of these ships my desires are a little different.
-Maiya and Irisviel. This is the ship where, more than anything, I feel Kiritsugu needs to be in the picture, at least in silhouette. How do the two women who care so much for this man, in their own ways, feel about each other? How do they care for each other? It's implied in the show that Irisviel trusts Maiya quite a bit, to protect Kiritsugu and Get Things Done and I'd love to see fic that focuses on the trust and reliance between them.
-Irisviel and Saber. On the one hand: cute girlfriend dates! I love that they're each really new to the world at large; they may have technical knowledge of it, but they've been isolated from experiencing the world in different ways and I'd love to see them experience it together. On the other hand: Kiritsugu, again. I'd love to see fic that digs into how Saber feels about Kiritsugu, the ways in which her ideals do line up with his, and the ways in which she's disappointed by the reality of how Kiritsugu operates. And from a ship angle, does Irisviel see some of Kiritsugu in Saber? I love parallels, and feel anything that goes in that direction would be really fascinating.
-Irisviel and Maiya and Saber. This is the "I love polyamory, show me all the fascinating poly negotiations and boundaries and delicate checks and balances" ship. If you want to bring in Kiritsugu, even just as a pull on what Irisviel and Maiya prioritize in this relationship, I'd love that. If you want to leave him out, these three alone are plenty to dig into. Just: please give me fic that shows the differences in how each bar of their triad relates to each other, versus how each of the OTHER bars functions.
Chihayafuru
Canon-wise, I'm anime only. I've watched both seasons but I've yet to read the manga and would prefer if any major manga spoilers could be avoided. (I'm led to believe that there may be more canon basis for Chihaya/Shinobu which I just haven't seen yet? So feel free to draw on that for characterization if you're a manga reader, just try to avoid match spoilers or anything of the like.)
Some prompt suggestions:
-Chihaya and Shinobu having your typical awkward first date — they're both socially awkward so I'd be delighted to see them negotiate all the fumbles that entails.
-Chihaya and Shinobu bonding over their love for their respective mascot franchises. (Which probably means, Chihaya doing all the bonding and Shinobu Not Really Getting It, but I love unequal balances like that. Bonus points for established relationship where it is a little more even.)
-Chihaya and Shinobu bonding over karuta. Playing together while dating. Watching each others matches once they're a couple. Continuing to want to surpass each other and being a support for each other in how they challenge each other.
-Fic that addresses how Shinobu is more cold and aloof and how usually (see: Taichi, Arata) Chihaya can rely on the other person to put more into a relationship with her, but how with Shinobu she is often the one doing an uneven amount of the work. Bonus points for Shinobu learning how to give in a relationship and how to open up to someone more.
-With this fandom, I am not opposed to AUs, but would be most interested in something historical or fantasy-based, bonus points for incorporating themes or concepts from the hundred poems into an AU.
Madoka Magica
Canon-wise, I've watched the anime and the Rebellion movie. But I'm not particularly worried about spoilers for any supplemental canon or what have you, so have at it.
This is a hard fandom for me to really give specific prompts for. The ones in my signup were more about Homura/Madoka/Mami than simply Homura/Madoka, which I also requested.
I stated that I'd love a focus on Homura and that I love Homura's martyr-tier self-sacrifice, but I want to specify that I think that it is tragic. I'd love to read fic that doesn't exactly commend her for her choice, but recognizes that it's a choice she was entitled to make.
-Fic that contrasts how Homura relates to Madoka versus how she relates to Mami. Bonus points for choosing a timeline other than the primary anime timeline to explore this on.
-Fic that plays with the idea of Homura's experience versus Mami's experience, and what it means to learn in a situation where you can fail over, and over, and over and refine yourself through that, versus what it means to learn in a situation where any mistake is the end and where care and deliberation are therefore paramount to survival.
-Fic that focuses on Homura and Madoka's relationship along one of the alternate timelines.
-Fic that plays with the Rebellion concept of Homura knowing something is missing after Madoka is gone, but which takes it in some other direction.
-Anything that plays with the inevitability of Homura's timeloop. I'd love something in the style of 25 Lives reincarnation fic except with Homura and Madoka's relationship.
-With this fandom, I would prefer not to receive a canon-divorced AU.
Percy Jackson
Canon-wise, I've actually... Yet to finish the last book in the second series, in the spirit of full disclosure. But I intend to do so by the end of the exchange, so no worries about spoilers.
With this fandom, I'm not sure I have specific prompts so much as... Talking points and little details I'd like to request.
-With Annabeth, please don't discount her relationship with Percy. I admit that my initial response to their romance was "oh no, don't spoil the friendship," but with that said, they're deeply important to each other and I still want to see that in a story where Annabeth is involved with someone else.
-In that same vein: I like poly, so if you're interested in Percy/Annabeth/Reyna or Percy/Annabeth/Piper, I'd love to see how that works! I simply request (predictably) that the focus remain on Annabeth / the f/f ship.
-Likewise, for fic with Piper I would enjoy still seeing Jason present in some capacity seeing as he's a very important person to her.
-I really love Reyna! I love the way she operates as a leader and I love her outlook on the society she's a part of and how she orients herself within that.
-Basically just... Show me how these incredibly talented, intelligent, resourceful young women would navigate a relationship they have to timeshare against fighting monsters and ensuring they remain alive at all. Show me differences in opinion! Show me conflict! Show me little quiet moments in spite of that!
-With this fandom I am open to the possibility of AU fic, if there's an idea you love and want to run with. Make me love your AU vision, too!
Emelan
Canon-wise, I've read all the books in the original quartet, the follow-up quartet, and The Will of the Empress, so there should be nothing for you to worry about regarding spoilers.
For this fandom, I don't really have prompts beyond my signup, so if you have an idea of your own please do follow that inspiration! I am easy to please.
-Quiet, domestic, established relationship fic, bonus points for incorporating their magical specialties.
-Fic focusing on a stolen moment together in between raising a bunch of magical teenagers.
-Get together fic with young!Lark and young!Rosethorn first getting to know each other.
-Honestly anything with young!Lark and young!Rosethorn would be really interesting to me.
-Anything focusing on their backgrounds before Winding Circle! Especially Lark, I'd love to see more about hers.
-With this fandom, I would prefer not to receive a canon-divorced AU, as I'm really interested in the characters within their canon world.
With this all said, allow me to thank you for reading! I know all of this is optional, and I'm sure that you know this too. Nevertheless, thank you for considering my preferences and doing your best to make me a gift that I will love, I look forward to seeing whatever you create!
Firstly, allow me to thank you for writing for me! I'm sure whatever you choose to create will be wonderful. I'm writing this letter to give you an idea of what I like and dislike in fiction, and so long as you avoid my squicks and can pay loving tribute to these characters who are dear to my heart, I will love whatever you choose to write for me.
In general I adore stories with thoughtful characterization, good pacing, and strong worldbuilding. I love examinations of friendship and the ways people depend on each other. I like seeing tropes inverted or played with in unexpected ways. I also love caretaking and domesticity on the one hand, but on the other I love power dynamics and really sharp contrasts in how characters think or relate to each other.
When it comes to things I'd like to avoid, I'm not big on angst. I can happily read things about characters making tough choices or being in untenable situations, but I just really dislike tragedy for tragedy's sake, or anything really over-the-top horrible. I'd appreciate if you also avoid any content to do with rape, abuse, terminal or mental illnesses, or homophobia as a plot device. I'd also prefer not to receive anything with pregnancy or child-rearing, or foot fetishes.
In terms of technical things to avoid, I strongly dislike first person and would prefer not to receive a story in that POV. I'm picky with second person, so unless you're really confident writing it and want to do something innovative, I'd recommend avoiding that as well.
With the generalities covered, read on for specific prompt suggestions for each of my requested fandoms, if you'd like a more definite place to start.
Love Live
Canon-wise, I've watched both seasons of the anime and I play the game nigh-religiously. I consider nothing to be a spoiler and encourage you to bring in any canon influences you please.
Firstly: this is my one fandom this exchange where I would LOVE to see AUs! The canon itself gives me almost all the "idol" content I could desire, so what I want out of fandom is definitely "more romance" or "alternate universes!" My favorite settings are sci-fi, fantasy, or mob/crime/police procedural ones, but anything in an AU vein will be super neat to me, if you're excited about it.
Beyond that, some thoughts on the dynamic of each of these ships, just to give an idea of what I like:
-Eli/Umi/Nozomi. The "quiet understanding" ship. I love Nozomi as a mothering type, the gentle puppetmaster who prefers to be in the background, but who nevertheless understands so well what all of her friends need, especially Eli. But on the flipside, Eli is also incredibly clever and good at figuring people out, so I feel it goes both ways. I see Eli as better at assessing people's ambitions and capabilities, whereas Nozomi recognizes dreams and longings. And then there's Umi — hardworking, exacting, very much like Eli but not quite so comfortable in her skin. With this ship, I'd really love to see the balance of the relationship, and how each person learns to figure the others out and work with her needs for maximum comfort with each other.
-Nozomi/Maki. I love that each of them has a facade, and I love to see Nozomi getting underneath Maki's. Something I love in fiction is the contrast between someone's "outer face" and "inner persona" and I feel both Maki and Nozomi exhibit that a lot. I'd love to see that played with. I'd also love to see Nozomi deliberately taking Maki out of her comfort zone (in any way!) but doing it in a gentle, understanding way, and making sure that Maki enjoys the new things Nozomi pulls her into experiencing.
-Nico/Maki. The tsundere ship, I can't help not seeing it as anything else. I love them each pretending to be less invested than they are, and I really love how the age gap works out for them. Nico is the senior who feels she should be given respect (by her underclassmen in the group in general) and Maki just breezes right past that, teasing and prodding at her. I'd love to see anything that plays with how they are similar but also how they are different, and I'd also love to see them learning to rely on each other and figuring each other out.
Fate/Zero
Canon-wise, I've watched some of the original Fate/Stay Night anime, all of the Fate/Zero anime, and the new Fate/Stay Night anime. However, my ship requests are all from Fate/Zero and as I haven't touched any game/manga/supplemental canon content, I'd like a focus on the anime canon. If there is any supplemental canon you'd like to draw on, have at it, so long as your fic is accessible to someone who hasn't touched that canon.
With this fandom, I am definitely the most interested in canon-based work and would rather not receive an AU story. For each of these ships my desires are a little different.
-Maiya and Irisviel. This is the ship where, more than anything, I feel Kiritsugu needs to be in the picture, at least in silhouette. How do the two women who care so much for this man, in their own ways, feel about each other? How do they care for each other? It's implied in the show that Irisviel trusts Maiya quite a bit, to protect Kiritsugu and Get Things Done and I'd love to see fic that focuses on the trust and reliance between them.
-Irisviel and Saber. On the one hand: cute girlfriend dates! I love that they're each really new to the world at large; they may have technical knowledge of it, but they've been isolated from experiencing the world in different ways and I'd love to see them experience it together. On the other hand: Kiritsugu, again. I'd love to see fic that digs into how Saber feels about Kiritsugu, the ways in which her ideals do line up with his, and the ways in which she's disappointed by the reality of how Kiritsugu operates. And from a ship angle, does Irisviel see some of Kiritsugu in Saber? I love parallels, and feel anything that goes in that direction would be really fascinating.
-Irisviel and Maiya and Saber. This is the "I love polyamory, show me all the fascinating poly negotiations and boundaries and delicate checks and balances" ship. If you want to bring in Kiritsugu, even just as a pull on what Irisviel and Maiya prioritize in this relationship, I'd love that. If you want to leave him out, these three alone are plenty to dig into. Just: please give me fic that shows the differences in how each bar of their triad relates to each other, versus how each of the OTHER bars functions.
Chihayafuru
Canon-wise, I'm anime only. I've watched both seasons but I've yet to read the manga and would prefer if any major manga spoilers could be avoided. (I'm led to believe that there may be more canon basis for Chihaya/Shinobu which I just haven't seen yet? So feel free to draw on that for characterization if you're a manga reader, just try to avoid match spoilers or anything of the like.)
Some prompt suggestions:
-Chihaya and Shinobu having your typical awkward first date — they're both socially awkward so I'd be delighted to see them negotiate all the fumbles that entails.
-Chihaya and Shinobu bonding over their love for their respective mascot franchises. (Which probably means, Chihaya doing all the bonding and Shinobu Not Really Getting It, but I love unequal balances like that. Bonus points for established relationship where it is a little more even.)
-Chihaya and Shinobu bonding over karuta. Playing together while dating. Watching each others matches once they're a couple. Continuing to want to surpass each other and being a support for each other in how they challenge each other.
-Fic that addresses how Shinobu is more cold and aloof and how usually (see: Taichi, Arata) Chihaya can rely on the other person to put more into a relationship with her, but how with Shinobu she is often the one doing an uneven amount of the work. Bonus points for Shinobu learning how to give in a relationship and how to open up to someone more.
-With this fandom, I am not opposed to AUs, but would be most interested in something historical or fantasy-based, bonus points for incorporating themes or concepts from the hundred poems into an AU.
Madoka Magica
Canon-wise, I've watched the anime and the Rebellion movie. But I'm not particularly worried about spoilers for any supplemental canon or what have you, so have at it.
This is a hard fandom for me to really give specific prompts for. The ones in my signup were more about Homura/Madoka/Mami than simply Homura/Madoka, which I also requested.
I stated that I'd love a focus on Homura and that I love Homura's martyr-tier self-sacrifice, but I want to specify that I think that it is tragic. I'd love to read fic that doesn't exactly commend her for her choice, but recognizes that it's a choice she was entitled to make.
-Fic that contrasts how Homura relates to Madoka versus how she relates to Mami. Bonus points for choosing a timeline other than the primary anime timeline to explore this on.
-Fic that plays with the idea of Homura's experience versus Mami's experience, and what it means to learn in a situation where you can fail over, and over, and over and refine yourself through that, versus what it means to learn in a situation where any mistake is the end and where care and deliberation are therefore paramount to survival.
-Fic that focuses on Homura and Madoka's relationship along one of the alternate timelines.
-Fic that plays with the Rebellion concept of Homura knowing something is missing after Madoka is gone, but which takes it in some other direction.
-Anything that plays with the inevitability of Homura's timeloop. I'd love something in the style of 25 Lives reincarnation fic except with Homura and Madoka's relationship.
-With this fandom, I would prefer not to receive a canon-divorced AU.
Percy Jackson
Canon-wise, I've actually... Yet to finish the last book in the second series, in the spirit of full disclosure. But I intend to do so by the end of the exchange, so no worries about spoilers.
With this fandom, I'm not sure I have specific prompts so much as... Talking points and little details I'd like to request.
-With Annabeth, please don't discount her relationship with Percy. I admit that my initial response to their romance was "oh no, don't spoil the friendship," but with that said, they're deeply important to each other and I still want to see that in a story where Annabeth is involved with someone else.
-In that same vein: I like poly, so if you're interested in Percy/Annabeth/Reyna or Percy/Annabeth/Piper, I'd love to see how that works! I simply request (predictably) that the focus remain on Annabeth / the f/f ship.
-Likewise, for fic with Piper I would enjoy still seeing Jason present in some capacity seeing as he's a very important person to her.
-I really love Reyna! I love the way she operates as a leader and I love her outlook on the society she's a part of and how she orients herself within that.
-Basically just... Show me how these incredibly talented, intelligent, resourceful young women would navigate a relationship they have to timeshare against fighting monsters and ensuring they remain alive at all. Show me differences in opinion! Show me conflict! Show me little quiet moments in spite of that!
-With this fandom I am open to the possibility of AU fic, if there's an idea you love and want to run with. Make me love your AU vision, too!
Emelan
Canon-wise, I've read all the books in the original quartet, the follow-up quartet, and The Will of the Empress, so there should be nothing for you to worry about regarding spoilers.
For this fandom, I don't really have prompts beyond my signup, so if you have an idea of your own please do follow that inspiration! I am easy to please.
-Quiet, domestic, established relationship fic, bonus points for incorporating their magical specialties.
-Fic focusing on a stolen moment together in between raising a bunch of magical teenagers.
-Get together fic with young!Lark and young!Rosethorn first getting to know each other.
-Honestly anything with young!Lark and young!Rosethorn would be really interesting to me.
-Anything focusing on their backgrounds before Winding Circle! Especially Lark, I'd love to see more about hers.
-With this fandom, I would prefer not to receive a canon-divorced AU, as I'm really interested in the characters within their canon world.
With this all said, allow me to thank you for reading! I know all of this is optional, and I'm sure that you know this too. Nevertheless, thank you for considering my preferences and doing your best to make me a gift that I will love, I look forward to seeing whatever you create!