It is that time of year again

[beckyh2112]

It is time for Christmas/Yule/midwinter fandom gift-exchanges. This means many opportunities to answer the question of "what do you want created for you?".

DO NOT SAY 'ANYTHING'.

'Anything' is the most frustrating prompt to receive. 'Anything' is huge, especially when it comes from someone you don't know very well. As a writer, 'anything' fills me with a kind of dread - do they really mean 'anything'? Would my Iroh/Ozai foodie sexfest really be something that makes them squee? Would my fluff involving Ferak finding the perfect present for Alkali really make them happy?

If I know the person really well, I can take their 'anything' and figure out what all the limits actually are. F'r instance, yes, Luna probably would enjoy fluff involving Ferak finding the perfect present for Alkali. Pux would not, however, enjoy an Iroh/Ozai foodie sexfest.

Random strangers, though? Well, I can browse their lj to get some idea of what they're into. If they don't f'lock it. I can almost certainly rule out anything involving my OCs right off the bat. But otherwise?

Ask for something specific. It doesn't have to be very specific if you're uncomfortable with the idea of telling people what kind of gifts you want. But it's so much easier to be asked for, say, "Bato/Hakoda, 'we built this city on rock and roll'" or "something involving my OC Alkali and her awesome chemistry adventures!" than it is to be asked for 'anything'.

Additional details that I personally love: cool bits, those little things - details, themes, settings - that make a person squee to see them in stories. They don't have to be used, but they give an idea of what sort of elements would be really welcome in a giftfic, which is always a wonderful thing.

Comments

[weirdlet.livejournal.com]

"Cool bits"- is *that* what they're called! I've just been thinking of them as literary kinks.

[beckyh2112.livejournal.com]

Either/or, really. I just find calling them kinks gives other people weird expectations. *grins*

[weirdlet.livejournal.com]

*nod* Near as I can tell, it means 'something that, at the heart of it, you like for no other reason than you like it, whatever it may be'. The expectations attached to the word do kinda limit its use, though^^

[spyridona.livejournal.com]

Well, I'll take Iroh/Ozai sex fests, minus the foodie, tho.

But anything is truly a horrible word.

[beckyh2112.livejournal.com]

Prod Neld. She wrote some Irozai cocksucking for me. It was delicious.

Also, your icon? Adorable.

[spyridona.livejournal.com]

No url? *Fearfully IMs Neld.*

Isn't tho? I am still delighted Piccolo looks too damn cool for not only the series, but for the icon.

[beckyh2112.livejournal.com]

Neld just went to work. No url 'cause is in the Earthie comm, so is locked to your wanton Water Tribe ways.

I knows! ^__^ I just want to ruffle his antennae.

[spyridona.livejournal.com]

Weep. Oh well, perhaps tomorrow she might respond. >_> The Water Tribe is not wanton just in notable amount. I don't know how. Rin and D-Pak are there.

Piccolo suffers from being a Papa Wolf, and grumbles on that's why he wears the hat.

[beckyh2112.livejournal.com]

Wait, Spyri has IM? Why has this never been revealed to me before? Admittedly, I'm not sure what I'd do with it right now besides go "squee!" at you.

[spyridona.livejournal.com]

I meant LJ IM. But yes, I do have AIM IM. ^_^ Though I should be shuffling off to bed within a half hour.

dazzle them now (NOTHING to do with Twilight, I swear. I've been using it since 2004. ... thought maybe I could sell it off to Twilight fans...)

[beckyh2112.livejournal.com]

*goes to investimagate!* Heck, I've been using my own handle for, um, aeons. About all that I still keep from it is 2112.

[crystaldrake.livejournal.com]

ohh, the cool bits I have to keep those in mind.

[lunatron.livejournal.com]

Eee, you used me in an example! I feel loved!

[amethystlight.livejournal.com]

Pardon the last comment. I spent part of last night thinking about how I'd like to do a fic exchange with you, and then just made the comment, and then realized this may not have been an actual asking post. See me fail! *o.o*

[beckyh2112.livejournal.com]

Nah, it wasn't a call for entries. ^^__^^ On the other hand, I like doing fic-exchanges, so if you do want to do a one-on-one for Christmas, drop me a PM.

(Offer only open to Shiri.)

[dualistic.livejournal.com]

hmmm, other than the music I sent you I have another 3 ideas (pick whichever works)

# Oikodomopolis as a scary/powerful/overwhelming-but-revered deity

# what would happen if Ursa meets a post-mental breakdown Azula? Could there ever be a situation where Ursa is motherly/protective of her daughter, or would they just fight/ argue?

# those stories you mentioned about Alkali sound like fun

[beckyh2112.livejournal.com]

This isn't a post where I'm asking for requests. This is me ranting.

[dualistic.livejournal.com]

sorry, too many browser windows open -_-