30 Days of Who meme: Day 18: Whatever Tickles Your Fancy

[jjpor]

Day Eighteen: Whatever Tickles Your Fancy

Well, I did swerve the "Favourite Fanfic" question yesterday, partly because I didn't really want to go singling out just one out of all the fanfic I've read, because I didn't think  I could anyway, and you know what about all the other people who've written fanfic on their own time for the love of it, providing me with hours of free entertainment; I don't want them to think I didn't like theirs as much, do I?

Instead, and with a bit of arm-twisting from my associate lost_spook , it has to be said :D, have some recs. These are fics I've favourited on the Teaspoon that I think more people should read. I've tried to pick ones I've read a while ago and maybe forgotten about as opposed to well-worn favourites, things I think you my flist should read if you haven't, because I think they're kind of cool:

In no particular order:

A King is a King by Sheila Adamson. www.whofic.com/viewstory.php Because it has some lovely Jamie-ness in it, and because it's about history and how historical events are never as black-and-white as people assume, especially not civil wars. The people on the other side in the Jacobite rebellion weren't necessarily baddies (or non-Scottish, for that matter!) just because most popular accounts take the side of the rebels, basically. Very nice read, and the world needs more Two fic. (2565 words)

Threads by Vali www.whofic.com/viewstory.php Basically it's Four/Romana I, or more precisely, how Four/Romana I happened in the first place and how Romana I decided to become Romana II. It's lovely just on the level of Doctor/Romana shippiness (that's just how I roll!), but what makes it magnificent is a) the characterisation of Romana, and b) its take on Gallifrey and the Time Lords. I like fics that have author's-fanon versions of Gallifreyan society, the more repressed and horrible and dysfunctional the better, and this one certainly delivers on those grounds. (13,787 words)

Nothing gold can stay by Clocketpatch www.whofic.com/viewstory.php I didn't really want to pick anything by anyone from my flist for the spineless reasons given above, but this one made a big impression on me when I read it. It's a very dark Four-Romana II adventure, the sort of thing that would be very unlikely to be included in the actual S17, but still excellent. The world-building and plot are very good indeed, and the epilogue really did make me "get something in my eye" and make me want to write all sorts of Doctor/Romana TIme War fic. So, recommended. (16,535 words)

A Matter of Timing by Forge www.whofic.com/viewstory.php One of the first things I ever read on the Teaspoon, I think. It's Doctor Who-Firefly crossover fic. I love Firefly. And I love Seven and Ace, who form the Who component of the crossover. So, it's quite long and plotty and all of the large cast of characters are nicely in-character - what is there not to like about that? (13,000 words)

Damnatio Memoriae by mary_pseud www.whofic.com/series.php Another blast from the past - haven't re-read some of these in a couple of years...but basically this is a whole series of interlinked stories in which the Tenth Doctor makes a kind of Faustian pact with some ultra-powerful aliens to change Dalek history and prevent the Time War. So basically, a very long, complex AU about Skaro after the Thousand Year War has ended and people like Davros and Nyder are trying to adjust to peacetime under their new alien overlords but basically all is not as it seems and Ten has been duped... Various Doctors and other characters show up in some of the stories. Warning; while some of these stories are gen/all ages, others do contain sexually explicit slash etc, so if that's not your thing just avoid the ones marked "Adult"... (series; many, MANY words)

Valiant Tales by RobinC www.whofic.com/series.php Another series, this time of drabbles told from the POVs of various slaves/victims/collaborators of the Master's during the Year That Never Was as recounted in Last of the TIme Lords and The Sound of Drums.Generally as dark as fic set in that year tends to be, but also very good. There is a lot of thoughtful stuff here about the compromises people make to survive dictatorships etc, and how few people can come through a situation like that morally uncompromised, even if their actions are perfectly human and understandable at the same time. (series; 34x100 words)

And Seven for a Secret by Aeshna www.whofic.com/viewstory.php This is one I read not long ago and has stuck in my mind. Basically, Captain Jack Harkness vs the Nazis during WW2. I don't think I have to say any more! Oh well, in case some of you can't see the inherent awesomeness of that, it's very well-structured and the canon and original characters are all very well-drawn. But mainly - Captain Jack bashing Nazis in WW2! (57,073 words)

had we but world enough, and time-- by VegaOfTheLyre www.whofic.com/viewstory.php Because I am a sucker for doomed Doctor/Romana-ness against the backdrop of the Time War. This is the sort of stuff I almost don't like to read, because sometimes I find it hard to read things that affect me emotionally, being basically a bit of a wuss, really. But yes, very nice. There are quite a few fics in this sort of genre, and this is representative of them. This is the sort of thing I was trying to write when I was churning out all that Time War fic... (3388 words)

Burning Ground by Bagheera www.whofic.com/viewstory.php To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of Doctor/Master slash, it's not something I seek out, but this is really special. It's an AU in which the Doctor and Master wind up in Vedic India masquerading as gods, and it's very well-written. It really makes good use of the setting and of Hindu mythology and really deserves to be read, really. (2389 words)

Never a Wolf by jedi_penguin www.whofic.com/viewstory.php And finally a bit of nice Seven-Ace interaction. I love Seven and Ace - did I mention that? Anyway, this is set post-Curse of Fenric, and it's about Seven and Ace just kind of...being Seven and Ace at each other. Which is lovely! (2241)

Well, there are ten to be going on with anyway. I notice these tend towards the dark and/or sentimental end of the spectrum, but sometimes I find myself in the mood for that kind of thing... Other times I'm in the market for a bit of cracky humour, but that's another story.

The Rest of the Days:

Day 01 - Your Favorite Quote
Day 02 – Your Favorite Classic Series Episode
Day 03 – Your Favorite New Series Episode
Day 04 – Your Favorite Doctor
Day 05 – Your Favorite Companion
Day 06 – Whatever Tickles Your Fancy
Day 07 – Your Favorite Piece of Music
Day 08 – A Who-Related Photo That Makes You Happy
Day 09 – A Who-Related Photo That Makes You Angry/Sad
Day 10 – A Who-Related Photo That You Took
Day 11 – Your Favorite Season (Classic or New)
Day 12 – Whatever Tickles Your Fancy
Day 13 – Your Favorite Villain
Day 14 – The Villain Who Scared You the Most
Day 15 – Favorite Who-Related Tumblr
Day 16 – Your Favorite Who-Related FanFic
Day 17 – A Piece of Who-Related FanArt
Day 18 – Whatever Tickles Your Fancy
Day 19 – The Scene That Made You Cry the Most
Day 20 – The Character Who Is Most Like You
Day 21 – Your Doctor Who OTP
Day 22 – A Who-Related Fan-Site
Day 23 – A Who-Related YouTube Video
Day 24 – Whatever Tickles Your Fancy
Day 25 – Favorite Who Actor
Day 26 – Favorite Who Actress
Day 27 – An Episode You Wish Hadn’t Been Made
Day 28 – An Episode Idea You Created Yourself
Day 29 – Who You Think Should Be the Next Doctor
Day 30 – Whatever Tickles Your Fancy

Comments

[pitry.livejournal.com]

Vedic India? This needs to be read! *bookmarks*

[jjpor.livejournal.com]

It's a really good one, if you like Doctor/Master slash, and indeed even if you don't! I wish I knew more about things like the Mahabharata because I suspect there may be clever references that are going over my head when I read it.

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

Um, some indication of how long they are would've been nice. *is crankily demanding this morning*

[jjpor.livejournal.com]

Heheh ;D No problem - word lengths will be appended!

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

Aw, thanks. It's just that sometimes I only have time for a couple of thousand words, and sometimes I have time for 30,000 or more! So it's nice to know roughly how long a story is before I start clicking on links (I hate started a completed fic and then running out of time to finish it).

[jjpor.livejournal.com]

Oh no, I know what you mean - done now! :)

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

Cheers!

[akashasheiress.livejournal.com]

You're such a big ol' softie.:D

[jjpor.livejournal.com]

Shhhh! I'm trying to keep it a secret! :D

[thisbluespirit]

Yay! I've read and loved some of these, and am now very intrigued by those I haven't.

I'm very glad I twisted your arm. :-D (I did offer crazy fic, even if you didn't take me up on it, let's be fair. :lol:)

I especially like A King is a King - one of my faves, too, and The Valiant Tales are the best drabbles I've ever read.

I don't remember if I've ever read Never a Wolf though, so I am off to find out, because Seven and Ace being Seven and Ace at each other?

:-D

[Editing to avoid spammage] Looking at your likes here, have you not read this one, which I recced on Calufrax this week? The first chapter had me wondeirng how it was going to work, but then there was an OTT murder at the cliffhanger and it got more brilliant by the minute - it's plotty Seven and Ace, in character, with angst in something that really does involve Osirans and the Orient Express, and it has Litefoot and Jago. (I was left sulking that the author has only written one other thing - which I am saving, for the moment, cos if it's anything like as good, I don't want to rush things.)

Obviously, I know you're busy. I always forget the problem with you writing things is that you're not around to discuss Victorian housemaids, the awesomeness of Seven and Ace, Silver Nemesis commentaries and so on, so much as usual. :-(

I shall go back to editing UNIT peoples running away from aliens.

In the unlikely event that you read this and reply before I post things, is there anything I should include in a visit to 1980s Torchwood, just to make you happy? (Since I've been a bit demanding, just cos I'm on my hols and have far too much time on my hands. *whistles innocently*)

[jjpor.livejournal.com]

Ah, no I've been doing writing (finishing the Seven/Romana thing as you can see), but mainly been on my holiday jollies these past couple of days, explaining why I've been incommunicado...

I see you've already done 80s TW, but what I was going to say was they really need some oily creep with big hair, red braces, brick-sized mobile etc...which was the vibe I was getting from your Mr Harrison even if you didn't include the phone in the final cut. I sort of imagined him with an Essex accent and that Loadsamoney sort of attitude. And...I kind of liked him in spite of that, even as I despised him...I can be funny like that about unlikeable supporting characters. :D Mr Allan, on the other hand, is my image of the scary side of the Institute; the ones who actually have a clue what they're doing, and are all the worse for it... And those B team wags! ;D

I don't know...I wouldn't mind Col. Ashcombe noticing some very old dusty portrait of Enderby or Douglas or someone on the TW bod's office wall... XD

Ahhh...I saw your Calufrax rec and didn't get round to reading it, but...that looks pretty awesome! I'll have to take a look. And you were discussing Seven and Ace, Silver Nemesis etc? I need to get caught up...

[thisbluespirit]

V quickly because I am going to finally get my hair cut shortly, but saw this just in time last night & there was a perfect bit I could stick a portrait in (you will like it) & had to hastily look at the first TW fic so I could put some vague description of Enderby, but if in my haste and half-asleepness I actually nicked someone else's description, I will mend it once you tell me. But done! :-)

I'll do a proper reply later...

[jjpor.livejournal.com]

Heh - I read that just before, and it made me smile, in a good way! You know what you said below about feeling smug, etc, well that's how it made me feel! And yep, Colonel R.A.H. Enderby (1863-1935 - yes, I know too much about many of my characters) is the one with the ginger moustache; was probably drunk too, but I dunno if that'd come across in a portait... ;D

[thisbluespirit]

Aw. No, I think even if he were they would probably have the portrait make him look relatively sober. You can do that with portraits. :-)

[jjpor.livejournal.com]

That's how portrait artists earn their money... :D

[thisbluespirit]

Oh, holiday jollies, that's a good thing! :-)

Yeah, I saw - well done, that was an epic last part, going by word count. I am still managing to not read it. You'll be sorry about that, but I'm quite pleased with myself, because it's quite tough, you know. :lol: A large part of your output comes under th ehading of Stuff I Never Read... except when it's written by JJPOR. It's getting quite irritating. :-p I;m kind of amazed you read any of my stuff, because aside from the daft crossovers we rarely dovetail anywhere, even in why we like Seven best! I don't do Doctor/Romana, not really, I don't do dark, angst-laden plotty things, Dalek things, Torchwood things, dark Gallifrey theory-ish things. Luckily you're okay with Victorian housemaids and put upon UNIT Sergeants, too...

Talking of which: Heh. Yes, that was the vibe I was going for with Harrison, indeed. I had doubts about whether it was a bit early for Anna to be thinking of the mobile phone stereotype, but I don't think it was, at all, was it? And, yes, he definitely had red braces, dark hair, and oily is the word, among all the other descriptives I failed to use while getting carried away by dialogue as usual. I suppose they're both kind of people you'd have found in any 1980s City office, and it's all sort of petty and human, maybe? I don't know. But you have much too much sympathy for Torchwood! :-D

Anyway, as I said, you caught me in time to get the portrait in, so you'll get your nod to Enderby, who I don't think would approve of the chap who's got his office, at all. And what can I say? I ended up liking Enderby much too much.

I was... more making pretty pictures. But I will make prettier ones. They were very hasty, because I wanted to make them quickly.

[jjpor.livejournal.com]

Yes! I'm kind of resigned to picking up the Bore again next week, or maybe this weekend, having become mired in the world of fanfic again. You won't believe this, but somebody had me writing Torchwood/Upstairs Downstairs crossover fic! XD

Heh - I have fairly eclectic taste in fic, I think, but yeah, quite a lot of the ones I've favourited to have that sort of thing going on...and quite a lot of the ones I've written to! I...I don't think you'd approve of the Seven/Romana thing, tbh. I mean, read it by all means, but I think you'd think it was a bit "fanficcy" - well, it is fanfic, after all, but you know what I mean! ;D

I do...I'm the sort of person who when he sees that bit in the first Star Wars, where the two stormtroopers are having a little conversation while Obi-Wan's sneaking around behind their backs, thinks...aw, stormtroopers aren't all bad, are they? Apart from the working for an evil empire that blows up planets bit, of course... And so it is with Torchwood and the like, at least in my mind. I sort of imagine them drinking tea and filling in forms rather than rejoicing in their own badness, but I'm probably going too soft on them, the scumbags! ;D

Ah, good old Enderby... He's sort of represents the benevolent wing of the Institute in my mind; not because he's a particularly good person, but because he has certain vague well-meaning sort of ideas on the kind of activities that are "British", or not... So no, he wouldn't like Mr Mallowby. In fact, he'd probably consider him to be in the same mould as that bounder Caldicott - can't trust 'em, you know, Gerald old boy; damp palms, can't quite look you in eye...can never tell what they're thinking... Hmm, another drink? Don't mind if I do, old chap! Don't mind if I do!

[thisbluespirit]

No, really? Who would do a thing like that?

:lol: Yes, that does about sum me up, you're perfectly right. I sit around reading and writing fan fic and complaining when they're too much like fan fic... Yes. Also turning my nose up at anyone who writes endless stories with original companions in etc. Um, yes. Contradictory & awkward, or maybe just plain hypocritical, I don't know... :-D

Aw, yeah, but Stormtroopers. I think I know which ones you mean. They're obviously having a good old chat about something. See, this is what I like about B7 - the moment Chris Boucher has any padding in the script to fill out, all the Federation guards start having lives and families, and not being automatically evil. It's just I don't like TW, because they annoy me. In fact, other than your fic, I'd wish they'd never been invented. You could really have had lovely Victorian amteur-ish alien-fighting outfits in DW, and they'd have been huge fun, but TW brings with it all that baggage from the show. So I make them worse than they are half the time. And have UNIT show them what's what! ;-)

:-)

[jjpor.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know!

Lol - yes, original companions... *shakes head disapprovingly* :D

At moments like this I tend to blame Chris Chibnall...not for any particular reason, just because it's as likely to be his fault as anybody's. Yes...

[thisbluespirit]

Other times I'm in the market for a bit of cracky humour, but that's another story.

Is there going to be a part two some day?

*looks hopeful*

I mean, cracky!fic is always good. :-D

Not, as I've said elsewhere, that I'm demanding and / or indulge in bribery, flattery, co-ercion of any sort, or just sulk a lot when I don't get my way. *cough*

[jjpor.livejournal.com]

Well, I've got to save something for the next time that the meme says "Whatever Tickles Your Fancy..." But yes, I have some humorous fics on there too...not sure how many of them aren't ones you've recced to me/written by yourself and others on my flist, but I will trawl around when the time comes...

[thisbluespirit]

Wel, if you rec something new, I get a new fic. If you rec something I recced to you I get to feel happy and smug that you liked it. No worries from where I'm standing... :-D

[jjpor.livejournal.com]

Tis a win/win situation!