greerwatson on AO3.

First, let me thank you for writing me a story in one of the fandoms we share. I'm excited about all of them. They're listed in alphabetical order, so as not to play favourites. (Treats are enabled and always welcome!)


GENERAL POINTS:

• I love stories that explore canon more deeply, whether through backstory, or elaborating the setting/history/culture, or exploring people's motivations and personal interactions.


• I prefer gen. DNW non-canon relationships unless requested. I'm not asking you to ignore canon relationships; but please don't make them the focus of the story. I don't care for anything more than PG-13: explicit sexual detail is definitely a DNW for me.


• I love casefic; and, more generally, I like stories that are canon-compliant. The general exception to this is ignoring canonical character death if you want. Canon-divergent AUs are also okay. (There may be other specific exceptions.)


• I'm okay with violence if necessary to the story; but not gore for the sake of gore. On the whole, I prefer not to have characters die in the story; but references to canonical deaths are okay. (I'm fine with having original characters murdered in casefic, and that sort of thing.)


• I enjoy comedy—being able to recognize the ridiculous when it pops up; also wit and wordplay. Having said that, I totally leave it up to you whether you write a serious or comic story—or a serious story with comic interludes.


• No second-person fic, please. First person is definitely okay for book canons that were written that way by the author. However, I don't generally care for it with TV fandoms. Epistolary fic is fine.
  

REQUESTS:


Astreiant Series - Melissa Scott & Lisa A. Barnett (Nicolas Rathe, Philip Eslingen, Worldbuilding (Astreiant))

The worldbuilding in this series is fascinating in its detail. On the one hand, you have the mundane aspects of Astreiant culture: points and politics across all the books; but individual books introduce dog races, theatre, and flower symbolism. There is the magical side: the astrology that rules everyone's lives, the ghosts and the gods. I'd like a story that expands on either (or both!) aspects of worldbuilding, whether a deeper look into canon or something new.

I've also asked for Rathe and Eslingen. Their developing romance runs through the series; and I'd like to see something of this. However, I DNW smut. Casefic would be wonderful; but so would character-oriented genslash.

I don't like anything more than PG13: explicit sexual detail is definitely a DNW for me. DNW first or second person fic. Feel free to include other characters from the series if you want.

When I first encountered this series, there were only two books (which I reread multiple times). Since then, the world of Astreiant has been expanded with new aspects of its culture in each book. Consistent throughout have been casefic plots and astrology-that-works. I'm not into RL astrology; but this is fantasy, which has its own rules. Each time I read the books, I realize just how complex (and consistent!) the worldbuilding is, a real joy and delight. Each volume makes its own contribution to a wealth of detail on life in the world of Astreiant. However you tackle the worldbuilding is up to you, whether it's an expansion of canon or something new.

Whatever you do with that side of my request, I want to see it through the eyes of Nicolas Rathe and Philip Eslingen. Their canon relationship is not without its own complexities, as they come from very different backgrounds. Rathe is by way of being a policeman, Astreiant-style; and Eslingen somehow also gets involved in crime-solving. In and around the mystery plots, though, we get their evolving romance. Of course, I'd love casefic! (I always love casefic.)

There are numerous recurring supporting characters in the series; so feel free to work any of them in as well.

Availability: Amazon.com link



Biggles series - W.E. Johns (James "Biggles" Bigglesworth, Algy Lacey)

The Biggles books span a hefty chunk of the 20th century, from World War I to the 1960s; which time period you prefer to write about is up to you. However, I have a soft spot for the WWI period, not just because of the authenticity of the flying scenes but also because of the all too believable shift in Biggles himself from a daring, gallant, and very young hero to a tired, burnt-out veteran. At the other end of his long and active career, he becomes leader of a team of special service police officers during the Cold War. I find the close friendship among the colleagues with whom he shares digs to be very appealing. Especially fascinating also is his evolving relationship with Erich von Stalhein as they "bury the hatchet" of their antagonism, ultimately becoming friends.

I've only requested Biggles and Algy because they're the ones who appear through the whole series. Feel free to include any other canonical characters appropriate to the period in which you set your story.

I don't like anything more than PG13: explicit sexual detail is definitely a DNW for me. DNW crossovers or AUs, except canon divergence. DNW first- or second-person fic. DNW actual supernatural activity. I'm fine with having original characters murdered in casefic or killed in battle; and references to canonical deaths are okay. However, DNW any requested characters dying in the story. Holiday fic is fine.

I only got into Biggles last year, after reading the recent spate of fanfic. I quickly found that almost all the books are available on line (legally out of copyright, since I live in Canada); so, at this point, I've read everything except some of the posthumously collected stories in Biggles: Air Ace. I'd heard of Biggles, of course, when researching children's fiction back in the 90s—even bought a few, which I promptly hunted off the bookshelf. (They didn't look as if I'd ever got around to actually reading them.) For a mid-twentieth century adventure series, mostly aimed at boys, it's stood the test of time remarkably well.

As I'm more into worldbuilding than romance, I tend to approach the series that way; so, although there are definitely slashy overtones here and there (and a lot of excellent slash fanfic), I tend to approach Biggles more from an historical perspective. The World War I stories, in particular, are very evocative of the period—and come across as authentic, since the author was himself in the Royal Flying Corps. In this respect, the World War I books stand apart, since Biggles is explicitly only a teenager at the time, and there is something of a hiatus between those stories and the later ones, in which he is an adult. However, Biggles' career continues into the '60s, shifting goals and antagonists to match world events, through World War II into the post-war period and the Cold War. Some books do suggest that Biggles ages, albeit a bit slowly, over the decades of his career (most obviously in one mid-60s book where he fakes being forced to take retirement); but he is always an active, experienced adventurer, even when he also operates as a police officer.

Much of the appeal comes from the cameraderie; and Biggles' companions also shift over the course of the series, with only Algy appearing with a fair consistency throughout. There is one cast for the squadron at Maranique in World War I, only a few of whom recur. In the Thirties, Ginger is added. After the first year of World War II, Biggles leads a new fighter squadron with a new cast, most of whom are barely mentioned in the post-war books. Instead, he works with Algy, Ginger, and one of his squadron mates, Bertie, in the newly formed Special Air Police. For this reason, I haven't requested anyone besides Biggles and Algy. However, I do enjoy stories that develop characterization, especially through the interaction of an ensemble cast.

Availability: There's a lot of information in the Biggles Wiki and the Biggles Information Site. Most of the stories are available on line, and may be out of copyright depending on what country you live in.



The Charioteer - Mary Renault (any nominated characters)

Quite a lot of fan fiction focuses on the canonical romances; so I'd prefer a story that's a bit different. Perhaps a gen school story or other backstory? Or war-time futurefic: e.g. Ralph's future in the Navy, Laurie after he's mustered out; life for the Straikes &/or Aunt Olive during the war; Andrew with the Friends Ambulance Corps; Alec or Sandy as army doctors (or any combination thereof)? Other possibilities: an insider's view of the Bridstow scene, Bunny getting his comeuppance (or Bunny's p.o.v.), a slice-of-life at the E.M.S. hospital; Ralph in a P.o.W. camp. Feel free to include other characters besides those nominated.

I prefer gen-type plots; but I'm not asking you to ignore canon relationships, since they're integral to the book. However, I don't like anything more than PG-13: explicit sexual detail is definitely a DNW for me. I prefer not to have characters die in the story; but references to canonical deaths are okay. DNW second person fic. Epistolary fic is fine.

The Charioteer is the last contemporary book written by Mary Renault before she shifted to writing historicals. What do I like about it? Well, it was one of the first stories I ever read that had explicitly gay characters in it, let alone a gay hero. The characters are eternally fascinating. In addition, it's set in Britain during World War II, which makes it an intriguing period piece.

The prompts I listed in the sign-up are only suggestions: I'm not wedded to any of them. If none hits the spot, then write me something different. On the whole, though, I'd prefer a story that is more-or-less gen—though that depends, of course, on what characters are included during which period in their lives. I certainly don't want canon ignored; it's more a question of focus. Backstory, missing scene, an exploration of characters often overlooked....

Total longshot (which I only mention since I know a lot of Renault fans are also into World War II history): Sandy Reid shares a surname with Pat Reid, who was Escape Officer at Colditz. This is obvious crossover material. (Cousins, maybe?)

I'd prefer something canon-compliant. Futurefic is okay; but I'd rather not have an AU.

Availability: The preferred edition is always the 1953 Longman (or its 1973 reprint); but the paperback is a lot more available, being in print. Also, Renault's books are often in libraries.



Forever Knight (any nominated characters)

Casefic is always a treat; and I enjoy ensemble stories, both in terms of the interplay back at the station and also the detective story plots. If you prefer to focus on an individual, perhaps family/personal life/backstory (for police characters), or history/backstory (for the vampires, whether Nick's "family", Vachon's crew, or others). By all means include characters who weren't nominated if you want. I like all three seasons equally.

I prefer gen; but I'm not asking you to ignore canon relationships. However, in that respect, I don't like anything more than PG-13: explicit sexual detail is definitely a DNW for me. You can go higher rated for crime scenes. I'm fine with having original characters murdered in casefic, and that sort of thing. I prefer not to have canon characters die in the story; but references to canonical deaths are okay. DNW AUs or crossovers. However, feel free to ignore "Last Knight" if you want. DNW first- or second-person fic.

If you've never heard of Forever Knight, it's a '90s TV series whose hero is a homicide detective on the Toronto police force who was turned into a vampire in 1228.

I prefer stories with a modern setting to focus on Nick as a detective, with vampires on the side, so to speak. I love the cop aspect of the series, both the interplay back at the station, and also the detective story plots. I like both Tracy and Schanke as Nick's partner, all the captains, and Natalie's role as pathologist. Of course, you may prefer to explore one or more specific characters. Both Tracy's and Schanke's families are familiar from hints, but largely unseen. Natalie's family is only slightly better explored; and we know little about the family life of any of the police captains.

You might, on the other hand, prefer to write something with an historical focus. LaCroix in the Dark Ages, before he brought the others across? Nick's years as a crusader? Janette managing on her own (since they did not always travel together as a family)? Yet another of Nick's attempts at a mortal career? Or any combination of them during an actual period of history, whether war or peace? There has been much speculation about LaCroix's motives in bringing Nick across: was it purely for Janette's sake, or also his own? I enjoy historical fiction, whether as the main focus of the story or as a flashback.

And then there are the vampires introduced in Season Three. The series only told their "origin stories": much remains unknown. What was Vachon's life as a conquistador, or shortly after he was brought across? How did he get together with Screed (or any other member of his crew)? What was it like for Screed as a carouche among vampires who prefer human blood? Indeed, what's it like being a carouche? And then there's Urs: what was her life like, say, during the flapper era, World War 2, or the Sixties? Or you might prefer to write about the lives of these characters since coming to Toronto—whether on their own, or as affected by Vachon's friendship with Tracy, their acquaintance with Nick, or events at the Raven.

Regarding one particular nominated vampire character: I'm a keen gardener, so I've a soft spot for Feliks Twist, even though I do my planting outdoors and he, being a vampire, has to use grow lights.

Basically, I'm pretty easy on what you write, though my preference is for gen. (If romance does sneak in, please stick to a PG13 rating at most.) Any other characters you want to include would be fine. I'd prefer something canon-compliant, but do feel free to ignore "Last Knight" if you want.

Availability: Most of the series is available on DVD, and some episodes are on YouTube. There's a Forever Knight wiki, if you just want to check details.



New Tricks (Characters: Brian Lane, Gerry Standing, Jack Halford, Sandra Pullman)

This was always very much an ensemble show; and I'd like something similar to canon. Casefic would be delightful; but, if you don't feel like tackling a plotty fic, it's the banter between the team that made the show so appealing, whether at the station, in the car, or in the pub at the end of the day. Feel free to expand to include other characters from the show, including family members. I'm especially fond of Brian's wife, Esther.

I don't like anything more than PG13: explicit sexual detail is definitely a DNW for me. DNW romance between the requested characters; but canon-level flirting from Gerry is okay. I prefer not to have characters die in the story; but references to canonical deaths are okay. DNW AUs or crossovers. DNW second person fic.

In some ways New Tricks went on just a bit too long: by the end, the original cast had been pretty well all replaced; and, although it was done gradually enough to be palatable at first, the dynamic inevitably shifted. I don't think I'm alone in missing Sandra, Gerry, Jack, and Brian.

If you matched with me on this, it's possible that you were thinking of writing casefic; so let me say that I'd be utterly delighted. However, I do appreciate that that sort of thing tends to be more than mere "Yuletide length"; so let me be clear that it's very much the ensemble relationship that appeals to me. Cop shows are a dime a dozen; but this one stands out—not least of all because of the age of the characters, which matches increasingly well with my own. Each of them is, indeed, very much a "character". They mostly work well together as far as solving the case is concerned; but, they don't only contribute their varied talents, but also bring to every interaction all the accumulated baggage of decades, in and out of the job.

Family is part of the lives of each of them. Gerry has a multitude of exes, all of whom appreciate his culinary talents; widowed Jack still deeply misses his wife; and Brian is married to the long-suffering Esther, who tries to cope with his eccentricities, his hobbies, and his recurrent alcoholism. (I love Esther!) Seriously, though none of the family members is nominated this year, I would have no objection whatsoever—quite the contrary—if somehow one or more of them found a way into the story.

Availability: Some episodes are on line.



Prehistoric Park
(Characters: Worldbuilding (Prehistoric Park))

Dinosaurs! Or mammoths, trilobites, or what have you. Your choice of time period, but I'd prefer something as-yet-unvisited. Ideally, something along the lines of a new episode—well, a single time trip plus a bit back at the park.

Canon-compliant gen, please. I don't like anything more than PG13. DNW romance/smut involving human characters. However, it's okay to mention the animals at Prehistoric Park having offspring. I prefer not to have canon characters die in the story; but references to canonical deaths are okay. DNW first- or second-person fic. DNW any screenplay or transcription format.

Wikipedia describes this six-part series as a "mockumentary", which is fair enough. It is about a team of scientists who use a time portal to bring back extinct animals to a huge park where they hope, in time, to breed them. Each episode focuses on a different period, to which they go in search of some particular species, though they do tend to bring back more than they originally intended. Intercut with their trips to the past are scenes in the present: either problems coping with the new arrivals, or follow-ups about animals featured in previous episodes.

Why do I love it? Well, the time travel adventures are fun; the notion of saving these fascinating species from extinction is appealing; and the human touches bring it all to life, especially the scenes back at the park. (Also the animation was brilliant; but that's not exactly relevant to your writing me a story.)

Obviously, what I'd really like is the resurrection of the series and six more episodes. Realistically, you're writing me a Yuletide fic, so I couldn't expect more than a single time trip plus a bit back at the park. Nigel is the one who takes a team through the portal; Bob and Suzanne are the ones who primarily deal with the animals at the park. However, I only asked for worldbuilding, not because I don't like them (I do!), but in order to focus my request on the time trips and park, i.s. the world of the series. Your choice of time period, of course; but, if you can manage it, I would prefer an era that is as-yet-unvisited.

Availability: The series is available on DVD as a boxed set, and the episodes are often up on YouTube in their entirety. (As usual, this is bound to vary depending on where you live. Google is your friend.)