#deadheaddaisy

[curator-on-ao3]

fic author q&a

I was tagged by @deadheaddaisy for a fun and great fic author game. Thank you for tagging me, @deadheaddaisy! ❤️ As happy as I am to be tagged, the thing is, y’all, I’ve done that particular game a few times already and, even though it’s a great game, I was in the mood for something different. So, I’ve made new questions — and answered them — and I’ve tagged some folks in case they want to answer them, too.

1. Why do you write fanfic?

Life can be stressful, and writing fanfic can be like a little vacation. It’s not my life, anymore, it’s the characters’ lives.

2. Which of your posted stories do you think about the most, even though the story is “finished”?

I think about Malleable and Unmalleable Orders (Mirror Pikeone, E) probably because it’s so different from what I usually write. I also think about The Light Before Dawn (Pikeuna, M) because, even though it would have bogged down the story, I do think they eventually get married and the details of all that sometimes cycle through my brain.

3. If you could give yourself fic advice from when you first started writing fic, what would that advice be?

Enjoy this time of not really knowing fic conventions or expectations.

4. What’s your relationship to fic stats?

I try to avoid them. I love every kudos and comment and bookmark and subscription. But I don’t go looking for the numbers unless I have to.

5. Is there a pairing or scenario or friendship you miss writing? If so, why? If not, why not?

I miss writing Kathryn Janeway/Tom Paris. I had a lot of fun with that pairing for a while.

6. What motivates you to write?

If I don’t write the stories down, they get stuck in my brain. So I guess setting them free (in good ways) is my motivation.

7. Why do you write for the fandom(s) that you write for?

I really do believe in the ideals of Star Trek — IDIC and peaceful coexistence and all that stuff. Even though I often write for the spin-off series, not the original Star Trek, creating stories in that universe lets me be part of it, even in a small way. Also, as a bonus, I do think Trek readers are great about comments, kudos, etc., and that helps a lot.

8. If you’re stuck writing a WIP, what do you do?

I might work on something else or take a break. The problem will rotisserie in my head and probably work itself out if I don’t push it too hard.

9. What do you wish people knew about comments?

That any nice comment is welcome and appreciated and, if the person doesn’t want a reply to their comment, they can just say so and it’s easy enough for the author to honor their wishes.

10. Maybe there’s a question you wish had been on here. What’s that question (and answer)?

How about, “Do you read public AO3 bookmark notes on your stories?” Yes. Because of bookmarks like these on The Autobiography of Kirsten Clancy (Gen, T):

Tagging with no pressure: @deadheaddaisy, @iamstartraveller776, @fiadorable, @sun-lit-roses, @coffee-in-that-nebula, @grissomesque, @enterprise-come-in, @starrybouquet, @lorcaswhisky, @marymoss1971, @emilie786, @cnrothtrek, @elephant-in-the-pride-parade, @pc-corner, @divinemissem13, @meddow, @missparker, @jazzfic, @the-lady-general, and you. If my tag anxiety got the best of me and I didn’t put your name here, please consider yourself tagged. ❤️

[tinknevertalks]

"Trick or treat!"

Oooooooh, hello! Another trick or treater! I will admit, this was written more because I knew I couldn't do Atlantis characters justice, and because Rick/Evy is just 100% goals. I hope you enjoy this drabble, set some time soonish after the end of The Mummy, but long before they're super established. So super new!Rick/Evy.

--

“Americans are odd creatures,” Evy announced, as she and Rick exited the cinema. Dozens of people flowed around them, but all she saw was him. “Why on Earth would a mummy arise from the dead for secret treasure? It doesn't make any sense at all.”

“Honey, not everyone's been chased by a mummy raised from the dead.” Rick stopped, and turned back to face her. “What?”

She smiled. “Honey? That's a new one.”

He blushed. “Yeah, well… You are… If that’s… if that's fine with you.”

Linking her arm with his, she nodded happily. “Yes, honey will do quite fine.”

[marshmallow--shark]

Writer asks!

💖 What is your primary writing goal for this year?

🥵 Any plans to write steamy or spicy content this year?

🍄 Are there any fandoms you've never written for but want to try?

🌈 What research do you plan on doing for your writing?

🦷 Is there a chapter, scene, or WIP you're dreading to write (but is necessary to your plot)? Share a snippet or tell us about it!

💥Is there a chapter, scene, or WIP you're most excited to write? Share a snippet or tell us about it!

💌 Are you willing to take requests or prompts for writing?

💖 What is your primary writing goal for this year?

One is to finish my current series Tuckerreed series. Second to write at least one self indulgent thing with Chakotay, Boimler and O'Brien respectively.

🥵 Any plans to write steamy or spicy content this year?

I only make steamy content nowadays, I can't write something that isn't at least erotic if only to me. So yes, it's all I plan to do!

🍄 Are there any fandoms you've never written for but want to try?

Higurashi, Helluva Boss, Lost & Paradise are ones that come to mind.

🌈 What research do you plan on doing for your writing?

I'm one of the apparently few who don't do research for fanfiction. It would make writing too much of a chore, which is ironic because I love researching otherwise. My fanfic, my rules.

🦷 Is there a chapter, scene, or WIP you're dreading to write (but is necessary to your plot)? Share a snippet or tell us about it!

I have times where I just don't know how to write out something which is very frustrating. That's actually mostly what keeps me from finishing my countless wips..

💥Is there a chapter, scene, or WIP you're most excited to write? Share a snippet or tell us about it!

I have a veeery specific ending in mind for the final chapter of my Tuckerreed series, and I can't wait to see people's reactions to it. Only spoiler you get is that it'll be devastating~

💌 Are you willing to take requests or prompts for writing?

Both are technically only if they're good enough but as a general basis, yes for prompts and no for requests. I'm just very picky about being told what to do.

[the-haiku-bot]

(Nobody says all

of that is written well, but

that’s beside the point.)

Beep boop! I look for accidental haiku posts. Sometimes I mess up.

Women can write m/m. Men can write f/f. Asexuals can write filthy smut. Lesbians and gay men can write m/f. It's all arbitrary anyway. Who give a shit.

[curator-on-ao3]

@deadheaddaisy was kind enough to tag me in a writing questions game. The thread was getting a bit long, so I’ve started a new one. Thank you for tagging me, @deadheaddaisy! ❤️

1. What ratings do you write most of your fics under?

Evidently, Teen And Up Audiences at 73 — a surprise to me. Then General Audiences at 34, Mature at 17, and Explicit at 15. Frankly, I’m amazed. Author, know thyself? Apparently not.

2. What are your top three fandoms?

Star Trek: Voyager (73), Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (41), and Star Trek: Picard (27). At least no surprises there.

3. What is the top character you write about?

Kathryn Janeway at 67 stories. I know there’s some untagged Janeway stuff in there, too. (Looking back, I somewhat regret my bundling of stories and lack of tagging on Voyager Writing Game Prompts.)

4. What are your top 3 pairings?

Yeah, so like I said before, I don’t even know myself because these numbers are a surprise to me:

Number One | Una Chin-Riley/Christopher Pike (27)

Chakotay/Kathryn Janeway (21)

Kathryn Janeway/Tom Paris (21)

Pikeuna • Pikeone in top place isn’t a surprise. But J/C and J/P tied? Whaaaat?

5. What are your top 3 additional tags?

Love (22)

Post-Episode: s07e25 Endgame (Star Trek: Voyager) (21)

Established Relationship (14)

That makes sense. Also, the next two additional tags are Prompt Fic (13) and Kindness (also 13), which I think is nice.

6. Does any of this surprise you?

I’m gobsmacked. Truly. I thought I had written more E and less J/C. I also evidently have 11 stories tagged fluff and I had no idea I had written that much fluff.

7. Favourite tag you've used?

For Some Flowers Bloom in Winter, a T-rated, very TOS-style Pikeone one-shot, I gotta admit I love the tag: Phil Boyce just wants people to be sensible and he is sorely disappointed.

Honestly, I’d love to tag you all but my brain is full. Please, if you’re reading this and want to play, consider yourself tagged! ❤️

[themurdochmemesteries]

Ten people I'd like to get to know better

Tagged by @marshmallow--shark Thanks for the tag!

Last song: Intro/Chamber The Cartridge by Rise Against

Favourite colour: Orange!

Last book: A Brief History of Intelligence by Max Bennett

Last movie: That Christmas (it was kinda weird and we didn't finish it)

Last show: Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld

Sweet/spicy/savoury: I don't have much of a sweet tooth anymore, but I used to. Savoury!

Relationship status: Happily single

Last thing I googled: "quality" synonym

Current obsession: Star Trek: Enterprise. This is my fallback obsession. Close behind is Jentry Chau as a very recent one.

Looking forward to: Seeing a concert and a musical next year!

Tagging: @ionamalachite @peculiarreality @thetachapel02 @deadheaddaisy @papercranesong @talshiargirlfriend @glitter-and-metal @dragons-in-spaceee @pearlypairings @strze-lec

[papercranesong]

last line challenge

Thanks for the tag @unmaskedcardinal and @deadheaddaisy really fun reading what everyone is up to 😁

Rules: In a new post, show the last line you wrote (or drew) and tag as many people as there are words (or as many as you like)

So the last line l wrote in my current Enterprise WIP is sort of like a script jotting before I go back and write it properly -

Malcolm: “I dreamt I was on a boat.”

Trip: “And that's bad?”

Malcolm: “For me it is.”

(Okay so more like a last segment...)

Tagging: @saintzenni @bookq36artemis @themurdochmemesteries

@scatterbrainedcapybara @glitter-and-metal @queenspock @tuvok-enjoyer @ladyeverstark @hederigerenthag and basically anyone who wants to!, no pressure though.

[curator-on-ao3]

Oh my goodness, @deadheaddaisy, I’m crying happy tears to learn this. Thank you, thank you! I am deeply honored for any of my stories to be your comfort read. ❤️

people telling you they reread your fic is the biggest compliment you could ever receive. there are thousands of stories out there begging to be found, to be explored, but your story meant so much to someone that they came back to it eagerly, they went over every word again. to love is to return and loving a fic is rereading it. thank you to all readers and rereaders <3333

[talshiargirlfriend]

ENT folks you’re sleeping on this one. Do you enjoy fun hacker-spy AUs? Of course you do!

Cracking the Code by @deadheaddaisy

Not my usual fare (no T&T in sight - I know!!) but I’m really enjoying it 🖖

[lostyesterday]

gtkm questions, tagged by @mithrandirl!

Last song: Hollon – GloRilla (just listened to it for the first time)

Favorite color: Always a funny question for me since I’m completely colorblind, but I’ve always liked the vibe of dark blue.

Currently watching: Star Trek Enterprise season 2 (I am watching sooo slowly)

Last movie: All About Eve (I’ve been watching lots of Hollywood classics for the first time recently. I liked the women in this one, especially Margo <3)

Sweet/spicy/savory: Savory I guess? I’m somewhat sensitive to food being either too sweet or too spicy.

Relationship status: Single and happy with that

Current obsessions: Mostly Voyager, as has been the case for the last year at least. Also the rest of Star Trek secondarily. I tried to think of a non-Star Trek related obsession and was unsuccessful.

Last thing I googled: star trek discovery episodes (I wanted to check an episode title I couldn’t remember)

Tagging: @tea-earl-grey, @npdclaraoswald, @deadheaddaisy

[more-better-words]

She’d told him it didn’t have to be perfect, but that was absurd – of course it did. If he was going to help her adorn her body, he was going to do so as perfectly as possible, because her body deserved his utmost effort at all times.

In which Karveth provides excellent service.

AO3 link

@deadheaddaisy, @indignantlemur, @shadowinthefire, @pearlypairings, @1lostsoul0fishbowl, @pajamasecrets

[curator-on-ao3]

Thank you for tagging me, @deadheaddaisy! ❤️

We good. We real good.

Tagging anyone who wants to play! 🥳

Doing one of these but with my mutuals after seeing this image on my dash today!!

..Y'know he may be the god of war but.. I'm not mad. No, no not at all. :)

@xxgalacticambitionsxx @hatbox-apologist @ghostingyourass79 @kittieshauntedourfantasy @emerald194 @thatonerabbit @comical-icicle

[marointhemoon]

strong like glass

John’s going to be okay. Looking at Rodney, Elizabeth isn’t sure he can say the same. To be fair, neither can she.

Written for @deadheaddaisy. This work is also available on AO3.

Length: 300 words

As far as Elizabeth is concerned, Carson’s voice didn’t shake when he said he could hear John’s pulse, nor when he said it was growing stronger. The doctor was trying to focus. If pretending not to notice him on the verge of a breakdown was the same as not distracting him, so be it.

No matter what he, she, or anyone else thought three minutes ago, John’s going to be okay.

Watching Rodney as he leaves the room, Elizabeth isn't sure he can say the same of himself. As she rises, neither can she.

She finds him near her makeshift office, pacing.

He stares at her, incredulous and welling up, as if coming to find him isn't a matter of course.

“You okay?” she asks, her voice thin.

He could say something snarky. Something arrogant. Something to diffuse the tension. “Never better,” he manages, before letting out an equally watery chuckle of his own.

She bites her lip, takes a glance up and down the hall. He does the same. No one's coming.

As they look at each other again, Rodney breaks first.

She could say something about taking him down a peg. Something about how for all his condescension, he's crying too. Something to distract from how disconcerting that is. As she sees his head tip down, hears an apology under his breath:

Oh, absolutely not.

Elizabeth walks over and wraps her arms around him. He returns the tight hug, burying the lower half of his face to muffle a sob. Her face squishes into warm fabric that quickly gets stained with her own tears. They sag into each other, the tension of the last hour easing.

No one’s going to die today—John’s not going to die today—and that’s enough. Going back to normal is tomorrow’s problem.

[deadheaddaisy]

Have a bit of fluffy cuddle silliness!

[curator-on-ao3]

Tag Game: First 10 Lines Challenge

Rules: Share the first line of your last ten published works or as many as you are able to and see if there are any patterns!

Thank you so much for tagging me, @deadheaddaisy! ❤️

1. The fabric over her cage is supposed to be soundproof, but Number One burrowed a hole years ago, a toothpick plucked from the open-mouthed snoring of her then-owner and maneuvered to separate tightly knit threads just enough to be able to hear what’s going on. Toothpick returned, the owner none the wiser, Number One could better anticipate when she might be hit or pushed into or sold.

Malleable and Unmalleable Orders, Mirror Pikeone, E

2. The kitchen in their quarters is tiny, a prep island that serves as the main source of counter space hemmed in by the food storage unit and oven. Perhaps, if appliance doors could fully open without almost scraping the island, the whole thing might be charmingly cozy.

Or if the kitchen was for two people instead of the four pilots who live in the shared cabin, just one room with upper and lower bunks built into the bulkheads.

Something Sweet, Pikeuna, G

3. “Vulcan ship approaching to port. Not science or exploration, probably a passenger vessel.” Erica calls out the alert, fingers quick on the piloting console that once was Una’s. “This is weird.”

This Time: A Love Story, Pikeuna, E

4. The wall to my quarters opens. 

Not the door. 

The wall. 

99 Pegasi, Pikeuna, T

5. “It’s like shrinking,” Gloria says, and Phil could crawl inside a magician’s coffin, bang his fists on the interior lid (not to be confused with the secret divider that allows the magician’s assistants to appear to be one person to allow the trick to work) because Gloria is right.

Grief is like shrinking.

Real Estate, Gloria Delgado-Pritchett/Phil Dunphy, Modern Family, T

6. Her knees collapse, a crouch not a fall, her eyes searching for the source of the weapon. She’s highly trained, but his sniper position is almost invisible — the small, high window of a skinny tower on the periphery of the bazaar. 

Disarmed, Mirror Pikeuna, E, the start of what I wrote after prompt text began the story

7. “Do you think Paris has changed much?” Will’s gaze seems to follow the automatic watering vehicles that fly along the straight lines of vines that extend outward from Château Picard. The soil is spongy under Una’s boots, sauntering steps alongside Will, slants of afternoon sunlight, rainbows shimmering in moisture the watering vehicles apply to grape leaves, the dog Number One keeping pace with the two humanoids.

The animal’s species is a dog, right?

One to Make Us Whole, Number One | Una Chin-Riley & Number One | Will Riker & Number One | Jean Luc Picard’s Dog, friendship, G

8. “Try it like this.” Chris’ arm slides alongside Una’s, delicate fingers that slow her shake of seasoning into the simmering sauce. There’s a soft press of his chest to her shoulder blades, ballet-like movements of culinary reverence that help her faster reflexes find calm.

A Little Love, Here and There, Pikeuna, T, a “drabble pyramid” of a ficlet each at 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 words exactly; with five separate first lines I chose the opening I like best

9. Chris left that part out of the official report: the fantasies. 

Not Starfleet’s business.

Not anyone’s business.

Not even his business.

It’s cruel to plumb someone’s thoughts, to share their secrets and watch for a reaction — a reaction Number One barely gave; irritation, if that, not the red-cheeked humiliation he would have felt if that had been done to him. So it’s right to ban travel to Talos IV. No one should ever have to endure that sort of mental pillage ever again.

Nope, never again.

Ever.

Except … ahem.

Fantasies? About him? From the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen?

Truth is a Fantasy, Pikeuna • Pikeone, T

10. “This was amazing, Mom.” Chris settles back in his chair, pancake crumbs and a streak of leftover egg on his plate, the sun bright through the kitchen windows. “Thanks.”

Youthful Exuberance (Some Kind of Love), Pikeuna, E

Pattern analysis: These mostly begin with action or a scene-setting description or both. Descriptions are so the story start can convey that the setting is unusual and therefore relevant to the action about to unfold. Half are quotes and the other half are narrative. My dream is that all of them make a reader want to know more and therefore keep reading. 🫶

No pressure tags: @pc-corner, @divinemissem13, @elephant-in-the-pride-parade, @emilie786, @grissomesque, @fiadorable, @lorcaswhisky, @enterprise-come-in, @marymoss1971, @starrybouquet, @sun-lit-roses, and the many people I’m forgetting because I love to be tagged but get tag anxiety when tagging others. If you want to play, please consider yourself tagged! 🥳

[themurdochmemesteries]

Some surprise Malcoshi for @deadheaddaisy It's angsty, because that's what I do, but I hope you like it.

Also on ao3.

She finds him in the armoury, alone, picking apart a phase pistol. Exactly where she suspected he’d be. He has his back to her and doesn’t seem to hear her come in. Hoshi frowns. It’s not often one can catch the ever-perceptive Lieutenant Reed off guard, so she ensures her footsteps are loud as she walks closer. When he still doesn’t lift his head, she clears her throat.

He whirls around so suddenly he almost teeters off balance. Seeing her, he relaxes ever so subtly. “Hoshi,” he breathes.

“Hey, Malcolm.” For all her extensive vocabulary, Hoshi is, for once, at a loss for words. A dozen or so different things she could say crowd at the tip of her tongue—questions, apologies—but none of them feel right. So instead her eyes flick to the phase pistol lying in pieces on the desk. “What are you working on?”

Malcolm glances back, running his fingers through his hair. “Erm, replacing a power pack.”

“I see.”

He turns back around to face her. “Was there something you needed?”

“I just came to see if you were alright,” Hoshi says, and even as the words leave her lips, she notices Malcolm stiffen almost imperceptibly.

“I’m fine,” he says immediately.

Hoshi’s expression softens. “What you went through-”

“Was nothing.” And there’s another uncharacteristic moment, for Malcolm hardly ever interrupts anyone. “I’m fine,” he says again.

“Sure. But… it’s okay to not be, you know.”

“I know.”

They stare at each other for a few seconds.

Hoshi takes a deep breath. “Captain Archer told me. About your fear.”

And Malcolm stiffens again, his spine ramrod straight, jaw set, shoulders tense. “Is that so,” he bites out.

“The aliens… What they did was inexcusable. Regardless of whether or not ‘tests of strength’ are their tradition.”

“It was the only way to get them to talk to us.”

Hoshi frowns. “But we didn’t have to.”

“We needed the dilithium.” Malcolm turns back to the worktable, but Hoshi is nothing if not persistent—and stubborn.

“Someone else could have gone. But you volunteered. Why?”

Malcolm doesn’t answer.

Hoshi takes a step closer. “Why, Malcolm?”

Still not a word.

Hoshi grits her teeth, anger flooding through her—but not directed at the man she’s held secret affections for for the past two years. Towards the aliens who returned him to sickbay two days ago, sopping wet and borderline catatonic. “They locked you in a box and left you to drown!” she exclaims.

“I know that!” Malcolm hisses.

Hoshi grabs his shoulders and spins him around. “So why did you do it?”

He shuts his eyes.

She shakes him. “Why, Malcolm?”

He purses his lips, once again not responding.

“Do you know how difficult it was seeing you like that?” Hoshi whispers hoarsely.

He glances away. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry,” she says. “Tell me why.”

He’s silent for a moment, and Hoshi worries he’s not going to answer again, but then he opens his mouth.

“They told us, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link,” he says in a quiet voice. “If I couldn’t face my fears���” He swallows thickly, tears crowding at his eyes.

“You’re not weak,” Hoshi assures him. “It’s their system that’s bullshit.”

He shakes his head, hands coming up to rest on her own, which still grip his shoulders loosely. He hangs his head. “I cried for help,” he whispers. “When the water got too high. I cried out for someone to save me. I couldn’t handle it.”

“I’d do the same, if I was suddenly stuck in a shrinking box,” Hoshi points out.

“You’re not the security officer.”

“But we are both human.” She reaches up, cupping his face, and to her surprise he leans into it and closes his eyes. “We can’t help that.”

He draws in a shuddering breath. “I was scared…”

“I know,” she says.

And then suddenly he’s leaning forward, burying his face in the crook of her neck and soon Hoshi feels hot tears against her skin, dampening her uniform, and before she knows it her arms are wrapped around him. “It’s alright,” she murmurs, “no one can hurt you anymore,” and she holds him as he slumps in her arms and breaks down.