dragojustine: (writing)
dragojustine ([personal profile] dragojustine) wrote2008-06-20 12:27 pm

WIP babbling

Obviously, I am going to become one of those writers who will shove their WIPs at anybody who doesn't run away fast enough. I really really miss being in school, when I used to AIM with friends constantly and we would draft papers together and copy-paste paragraphs to each other and talk about our writing endlessly. I don't know anybody like that in fandom now.

These are the things I'm actively writing (as in, they're in my head ALL THE TIME and I'm pretty confident they'll get finished)

The SG1 "Absolute Power" kinkfic is giving me fits. Because I didn't set out to write porn- I set out to do something else, on this one. First of all, to not do some things that bug me in kinkfic, which means there are a lot of tropes I can't lean on. Secondly, to take Daniel in a completely different direction, which means that I really need to convince myself of this characterization before it will work. Also, this Jack is completely at sea, and it's hard to write that because Jack is so very *good* at being in command, at making firm and correct decisions in a situation where he's totally fucking lost, and it's a very hard balance to strike. Plus, of course, Jack and I need to have a long long chat about his limits and boundaries, and he's not really very forthcoming on that front. He wants *nothing in the world* more than to give Daniel what he needs, and I'm afraid he's going to fuck himself up doing it- and if he does fuck himself up, I'm afraid he won't let me know.

Have a snippet:
And then, slowly and a little awkwardly, Daniel sank to his knees.

This was going to be one of those times he thought he was keeping up (preparing more soothing litanies of "it wasn't you, you can't think you're a bad person") only to discover that Daniel's mind had sprinted past him long ago, leaving him stumbling awkwardly behind. Those were almost worse than the times he failed to understand all together.

Jack reached down, acting on his first impulse to pull Daniel back to his feet. But instead he let his hand fall on Daniel's shoulder, gave himself time to catch up. He moved his hand to Daniel's chin and gripped his jaw. Hard. Not hard enough for pain, but hard- unmistakable. Tilted Daniel's head up.

"What do you need from me?"

"Anything. Tie me. Fuck me. Or don't. Hit me. Hurt me, Jack." Daniel's mouth curled in a familiar wry smile, but that couldn't mask the darkness of his eyes or the way he didn't move a single muscle to flinch away from Jack's grip. "All yours."


The SG1 Daniel amnesia!fic is going great and I'm actually pretty proud of it, but I have to do some more close episode watching before I can finish it. And kind of screw with the timeline- I need there to be at least several weeks between "Homecoming" and "Fragile Balance." And I'm not sure of the structure of the thing, so I'm going to need to find a beta who can talk about that. But really, I'm happy with it.

Have a snippet:
Afterwards, they go to the gym. Teal'c assures him it’s part of his routine, and he doesn’t argue. They settle down on weight machines opposite each other, and Daniel once again finds himself needing to form and test and discard hypotheses, trying to determine how he’s supposed to act, what his relationship with Teal'c actually is.

Teal'c seems to be ignoring him, so he tries that, but that feels too cold and distant. Then he tries for buddy-buddy small-talk, but that is a spectacular failure. Confused, Daniel takes a vague stab at friendly rivalry, only to realize that Teal'c is so far out of his league physically the idea was laughable. By then his arms are starting to ache, and he concentrates on his breathing for a while. By the time his second set is over, they’ve lapsed into quiet companionship.

That’s right.


The SGA "Last Man" fic is another instance of, "oh God, everybody has already written this!" but I really want to do it. I am afraid my John-voice sounds melodramatic- I am convinced that in his head, John is eloquent, even a little poetic. There is, for me, a sharp division between how he sounds in his own mind and how he sounds out loud, and he's always been so ruthless about enforcing that division that he hardly even knows he's doing it anymore. I really like that version of John, but I don't know if I'll be able to convince anyone else of him.

Have a snippet:
He stumbles after Rodney through that red light and dessicated air to the gateroom, trying not to look at Atlantis lifeless all around him. It's like crawling through a lover's corpse. He feels the crazy urge to smooth his hands over her walls, speak soft words to her, try to coax her back to life- but she wouldn't warm beneath his touch. She was faithful for 58 millennia, sheltered him for seven centuries as the atmosphere burned away, remained steadfast through a depth of time that he can't begin to comprehend, and now he can ask no more of her. She deserves her rest.

They reach the gate at last, and John clears his throat, trying to shake the feeling of disturbing a holy place. "So, will it work?"

"Yes, yes. The flare is perfect, we're in plenty of time." There's a long pause, and Rodney adds, "Not long now. I mean, you must be eager to get back, to l-"

To leave, and John suddenly sees Rodney in his mind's eye, closing the wormhole and then simply ceasing to exist.


And these are the ones I've started but am not working on right this minute and may or may not happen.

The Pushing Daisies porn is the one with confident!Chuck and flustered!Ned and the hot go-between they pick up for the threesome, who thinks that this thing where they absolutely will not touch each other is some really hot kinky shit. It's decent porn, but there's not a lot of there there so it's abandoned for now.

The J2 not!bodyswap is the one where they film a bodyswap episode of the show. I tried to get too deep in Jensen's head for this one, and promptly RPS-squicked myself. Apparently fluffy porn about real people is okay, but digging into this Jensen's issues with his own acting? Not so much. Maybe I will unsquick at some point.

The HP epic of Teddy Lupin's life was going to be a short story of morphmagus porn, then it was going to be an adolescent coming-out novella, and now I've realized it's a novel. I do not have the skillset to write that right now.

The SPN Dean's-Deal fic has the potential to be incredibly good, I think, but it's carrying a lot of weight- I really, really want it to be good and I psyched myself out. This is the same thing I excerpted earlier, here. Goes AU early season 3. Interestingly, I am fairly certain its title is "By These Unworthy Means," which is odd because I never have titles for anything.

Have a snippet:
"My Lord," says the taller one, his voice a study in slime.

"Who holds Dean Winchester's contract?"

"Accept my humblest apologies, my Lord, but I can't tell you that."

Sam shoots him in the forehead and turns to the other one.

"I need to speak to whoever holds Dean Winchester's contract."

The other one claims not to know, a trace of real fear in his voice. Sam exorcises him, quickly and efficiently. No need for shouting or splashes of holy water, just send him down to bear witness. The demon howls and writhes and smokes, and Sam wishes he would cut the theatrics.

Dean is completely silent in the car, after, and won't even answer Sam's fast-food suggestions.

"Dean, this is what I'm doing. You don't get to be involved, and you don't get to be angry at me for it."

"Well, there's where you're wrong, 'cause I'm pretty sure I get to be angry at whatever the hell I want."

Sam's a little surprised by the emotion in Dean's voice. It makes him realize that his own has been completely flat all day. Just a tactic. Nothing to get worked up about.

It goes like that for a week, into Oklahoma and up to Kansas. Sam informs them that he needs to speak to whoever holds Dean's contract, and then he shoots some, exorcises others. Most of the time, they seem to know who he is before he asks. Usually that prompts only taunts, but in Nebraska, one strides straight into his trap, goes down on one knee, and offers allegiance.

Sam listens carefully to all he has to say, feeling clues slide into place, but when Sam asks who holds the contract, he begs mercy. Sam shoots him.
ext_847: shep actually asleep by ciderpress (dean oh yeah baby by graphixbyebonio)

[identity profile] miriad.livejournal.com 2008-06-20 05:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh my god. The SPN fic? Yeah, I'm all about that one.

Holy SHIT.

[identity profile] dragojustine.livejournal.com 2008-06-20 05:51 pm (UTC)(link)
GAH. But I have psyched myself out SO UTTERLY about that one that I just can't do it! *cries*

[identity profile] fakymcfakerson.livejournal.com 2008-06-20 05:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Sweetheart, you could probably just post what you have above as a snippet, and people would fucking love it. It's pretty, and captures the essence of it.
ext_847: shep actually asleep by ciderpress (Default)

[identity profile] miriad.livejournal.com 2008-06-20 06:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Talk to me, grasshopper. What ails you regarding this fic?

[identity profile] dragojustine.livejournal.com 2008-06-20 07:13 pm (UTC)(link)
What ails me is that I wrote this outline for a story, and then I looked at the outline and thought "HOLY SHIT that could be such a REALLY GOOD story!" and then I realized that it could be SO good that I wanted it to be written by somebody like, you know [livejournal.com profile] poisontaster. Not ME. Because I wouldn't make it good enough.

As soon as I finish one more 'gateverse fic, I swear I'll go back to it. I SWEAR. Then maybe you'll have to pet me and reassure me a lot.

*hugs* You are wonderful

[identity profile] fakymcfakerson.livejournal.com 2008-06-20 05:56 pm (UTC)(link)
I would be happy to offer my services as a "bounce something off of you" person, but to be honest, I'm not sure that I would actually be of use. I'm only into S1 on both SG-1 and SGA; SPN I'm only barely into S3. I'm unfamiliar with the SG-1 tropes you're trying to avoid, since I don't read much fanfic (generally speaking, though, if you or Alison recs something or writes something, I'll read it, which likely colors my perceptions of the characters in a way which may not be what you're looking for). I'd offer stylistic/grammar type beta, but you're so far beyond me on that level.

I suppose I could be a "glaring error" beta/bouncer, if you'd like. However, I do no writing which I could offer in some sort of "hey, let's spend three hours on AIM writing together!" ... unless you're into parking regulations.

[identity profile] dragojustine.livejournal.com 2008-06-20 06:10 pm (UTC)(link)
>I'm only into S1 on both SG-1 and SGA

*guilty* I just spoilered you all to hell, then. Sorry.

Don't worry- I wasn't being all "flist! Provide this!" though of course that would be nice. I just get all misty over What I Miss About College sometimes. That said, if you ever are on chat services, I should totally get your info!

[identity profile] fakymcfakerson.livejournal.com 2008-06-20 09:07 pm (UTC)(link)
No worries, no worries- I've been spoilered on both... well, no, I've been spoilered on everything, and I'm not really one who minds. Except for Dr Who, i suppose, because I do try to keep up on that. :) Alison's been talking about the SGs for so long, and I assumed I'd never watch them, so never minded the spoilers. And I do read everything you guys post/rec, so spoilered again.

When I see any sort of need, even just implied, on ye olde flist, I do try to check to see if I could reasonably fulfill it- it's a failing of mine, not of your phrasing. :)

I am on the gTalk usually, and on AIM in my own little way, so drop me a comment and I'll provide the info where it's flocked. :)

[identity profile] als-wonderland.livejournal.com 2008-06-20 06:15 pm (UTC)(link)
I'd be happy to read for you. I've beta'd for others before this and all I'd need was a deadline for when you'd want it back. I read everything, voraciously and am fairly conversant in these fandoms.

Hmm. Maybe we could even work out an exchange, your fic for mine.

[identity profile] dragojustine.livejournal.com 2008-06-20 06:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you for the offer! I'll keep you in mind the minute I have any of these finished.

And I'd be happy to beta for you. I'm a longtime English tutor, if that helps, so I can do a good spelling/grammar or structure/tone, maybe less so dialog and characterization. Plus, very nearly completely unsquickable.

[identity profile] als-wonderland.livejournal.com 2008-06-20 07:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Please do. And I don't mind getting snippets and orphan chapters either.

Yes, that would be immensely helpful. Especially the unsquickable, for I am as well. :)

[identity profile] princessofg.livejournal.com 2008-06-20 06:29 pm (UTC)(link)
You know me; Jack and Daniel on all channels, so those are the ones I'm looking forward to.

there are a lot of folks you can paste at or co-write with in this fandom! just holler.

The Jack/Daniel side of things is kind of quiet right now because of various things going on in RL and also the J/D Ficathon, which has sucked up a lot of the writers and whose stories will post July 14.

But be assured there are lots of people you can interact with over the J/D. Just post an invite on jackslashdaniel and you'll get lots of bites. or, you can email any of the writers whose work you love and who you'd really like to get a comment from. even the bnf's in this part of the fandom are very, very approachable. plus, you know, your work KICKS ASS and I'm sure all J/D fans want to encourage you to write more.

I can't really say a thing about the other fic, because I'm such the serial monogamist when it comes to fandom. But all your SG-1 bunnies sound splendid and just exactly like things I want to read.

GO YOU!!!

[identity profile] dragojustine.livejournal.com 2008-06-20 08:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Aw, thanks. And thanks for the pointer to jackslashdaniel- maybe I will try that.
paian: blank white (yeehaw! by Mish)

[personal profile] paian 2008-06-22 02:07 am (UTC)(link)
Ooh, really looking forward to the SG-1 and SGA ones, and also the Pushing Daisies, whenever it starts cooperating with you.