#geekmama

[geekparentingbook]

Happy First Contact Day!

May the force… just kidding! 😆 . . . Happy #firstcontactday! 🖖🏼 . . . #geekmama #geekmamablog #startrek #vulcans #trekkie #startrekvoyager #extraterrestrial #2063 #unitedfederationofplanets #warp #discover #voyager #contact https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv4Cs8OBcy-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15sbjdp9emo8w

[sewgeekmama]

First Impressions on the New Photoshop Beta

We have a guest contributor today! Regular GeekMamas contributor and photographer Al Butler gave the new Photoshop Beta a try and found the background generating tool pretty useful. As a photographer, I need to make edits on photos which can be very basic such as cropping photos to the more advanced techniques such as brush tools. Adobe puts out products such as Photoshop and Lightroom (while I…

[youknowmymethods]

Content Creator Interviews 2019: Master List (Complete with gratuitous gif of Sherlock looking hot, just because)

As some of you know, early this year a group of people in the Sherlock and Sherlolly fandom got together to conduct a series of interviews focusing on fan content and its creation. The result was twelve interviews, posted over three months, where writers and artists talk about their work, the fandom and show, and their own processes. I’ve finally gotten around to doing a master list of them to make it easier for anyone who’d like to read through them. Check out the links below:

OhAine interviews likingthistoomuch

 Likingthistoomuch interviews OhAine

 theleftpill interviews kstewmanipulation

 thisisartbylexie interviews writingwife-83

 ellis-hendricks interviews geekmama

 geekmama interviews ellis-hendricks

 ashockinglackofsatin interviews sunken-standard

 vermofftiss interviews mizjoely

 writingwife-83 interviews artbylexie

 OhAine interviews ashockinglackofsatin

 lilsherlockian75 and mrsmcrieff interview each other

 theemptyquarto interviews hobbitsdoitbetter

[mousedetective]

For the 30 Molly-centric prompts: 👏🏼sherlolly👏🏼

And I got it done in time for Valentine’s Day! This was based on one of the two prompts that @geekmama gave me for her Sherlolly Secret Santa fic to choose from which fit perfectly for @mollyappreciationweek . Enjoy, both of you!

Second Time’s The Charm - Sherlock surprises Molly on what would have been an awkward anniversary-slash-Valentine's Day for her since she and Tom had their first date on that day. But it turns into a chance at something with someone she cares about so much more...who apparently cares more about her than he usually lets on, except for tonight.

READ @ AO3 | HELP ME SURVIVE? | COMMISSION ME? | BUY ME A KOFI?

She should have been used to being alone on Valentine’s Day by now, but as she and Tom had had their first date as a blind date set up on the holiday, something she normally never would have agreed to, the fact she was single again was just that much more depressing. And now, it seemed as if one of the many reasons her relationship with Tom had failed wouldn’t even be bothered to keep her company.

She made her way to her front door of the flat and opened it. The entire place seemed dark, and she knew she had left at least a few lights on, hadn’t she? But no, the foyer and living room was pitch black. Wonderful, she thought to herself. Lighting fixtures and dead bulbs to deal with in the dark. She went ahead and set her handbag on the table and then took her scarf off, then her coat, and hung them up on the coat rack before walking past the living room entrance to get to where her spare bulbs were--

--and seeing a flash of candlelight in the dining area.

She stopped and then headed back to the living room entrance, and she saw Sherlock sitting at the table with candles around and food on the table, engrossed on his mobile. He hadn’t even realized she’d come in, apparently. She smiled and made her way over, and when she was about five feet away he looked up. “I planned it better,” he said, his eyes wide.

“No! No, this is really pleasant,” she said, looking at the food. There was a roast with veg, what looked like spinach souffle, rolls, and a huge pile of boxed candy in front of a chair that had the largest teddy bear she’d ever seen sitting in it. “Sherlock, really, this is absolutely lovely, thank you.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek before sitting next to him.

“I never realized you started dating him on Valentine’s Day. Mary told me a few weeks ago why you looked so glum, and I decided since it was partially my fault your relationship with him failed I’d try and fix things.”

“Well, I appreciate it,” she said, giving him a warm smile. “My plans were just for takeaway and romcoms.”

“I’ll sit through one or two with you if you still want to watch the films,” he said. “I watch them myself sometimes.”

“Yes, I’ve noticed my collection of DVDs has been pilfered through,” she said with a warm chuckle. “And do you have any favourites?”

“I’m partial to the Princess Diaries movies for some reason,” he mused. “And I suppose The Princess Bride as well.”

“Then we can watch those three if you want to stay for that many,” she said with a nod.

“Alright,” he said. He stood up then and began to serve her the food. She was touched that he did that. “I made most of it after watching tutorials on YouTube. The spinach souffle is the only bit I couldn’t master but Mrs. Hudson helped me with it.”

“Even the rolls?” she asked.

He nodded. “Mary gave me a recipe for those and walked me through how to do it. I may have gotten a tad impatient waiting for the yeast to rise the first time,” he said with a smile. “It won’t give you food poisoning, any of it, but I haven’t tasted it so I don’t know if it will be good.”

“I’m sure it will be fine,” she said. She cut off a bite of the roast from the plate he handed her and took a bite. “Just like my mum used to make.”

“Really?” he asked. She motioned for him to come closer and then cut off another bite and fed it to him. He chewed it, a speculative look on his face, and when he was done he grinned. “I did well.”

“You did, so I have high hopes for everything else,” she said as she waited for him to serve himself again before eating more. They kept up a rather fun conversation over cases and things she’s encountered at the path lab, a conversation that might have made others blanch if they’d been having it in public at a restaurant or something. When they were done he got up again and brought over a warm dish that had poached pears in some kind of puff pastry. “That looks lovely.”

“It’s some sort of twist on traditional poached pears,” he said. “I had to convert all the measurements but I think it turned out alright.”

She took a bite and then moaned slightly. “This is amazing, Sherlock. Please share the recipe?”

“I will,” he said, sitting next to her again. She took another bite and then gestured to the empty space in front of him but he shook his head. “I made them for you.”

“That’s very sweet,” she said, leaning over to kiss his cheek again. After a moment he pulled back but reached over for her, gently touching her face. “Sherlock?”

“I would like a regular kiss, I suppose, if you would like to thank me properly,” he murmured.

“I thought you’d never ask,” she said before leaning in and pressing her lips to his this time, kissing him softly. There was still sweetness on her lips from the pears and she felt Sherlock’s tongue flick out to capture it before she opened her mouth to him. The dessert sat momentarily forgotten until she pulled back. “That was sweeter than the dessert.”

“It was,” he said. “Do you...”

“We can snog more when we curl up to watch the films,” she said. “And I can take the dessert out with us so we can start on that sooner than later.” He had a wide grin on his face that time and, perhaps, maybe the second time would be the charm with relationships she started on this particular holiday...

[sunken-standard]

Prompts Round 3, pleeeease? Any or all: #69 "Bed. Now."; #90 "Road Trip"; #95 "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas".

“Bed. Now.”/ “Road Trip!”/ “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”

(set in the Vegas-married ‘verse)

“Get your keys,” Sherlocksaid as he threw back the blankets on the bed.

“Hn?”  Molly grunted, gropingfor the lamp.

“Clothing, keys,” Sherlocksaid, already on the other side of the room and pulling open drawers.

“What?  Why?  Is this is it?  Isit zombies?”

“Road trip!” he saidbrightly.

“Wh—” she was cut off by awadded-up something smacking her in the face.

*

“This isn’t legal, is it?”

“Pfft, legal,” Sherlock said,binoculars trained out the passenger window.

“Just tell me we’re not going tobe kidnapping anyone.”

“We’re not going to be kidnappinganyone.”

“Are you fibbing?”

“You wound me, Molly.  Oh, therehe is.  Keep the engine running,” Sherlock said before dartingout of the car and into the night.

*

“Should have known there was somemonkey business going on when you brought a car seat,” Mollysaid, looking in the rear view mirror at their new passenger.

“Really, that was the best youcould do?”

“I had two hours of sleep and I’mabout to get on Le Shuttle to France.  With a shaved chimp in mybackseat.”

“Bonobo.  And he’s not shaved,it’s from whatever they’ve been injecting him with.  You’re an animallover, you should be thrilled with this.”

“Just because I give to the RSPCAand have a cat calender on my desk doesn’t mean I’m ready to join theA.L.F.”

“He’s actually been grantedcitizenship in Belgium.  We’re repatriating him for my client,”Sherlock said, twisting to reach over the seat and do something withthe chimp.  Bonobo.  Whatever.

“Are you getting paid in bananas?”

“No, pounds sterling, and I wasgoing to split the fee with you and help you smuggle however muchbooze and chocolate from the duty-free we could manage until you madethat crack.  We need to get him dressed before they check ourpassports,” Sherlock said, unclipping the harness of the childseat.

“Does he at least have a name?”

“Quentin.”

Quentin shrieked at his name.

Molly wondered what life was like fornormal people.  Relaxing, probably.

*

The border officer looked at Molly,then Sherlock, then Quentin (now dressed in jeans and a jumper and arain hat pulled low over his face).  Sherlock scowled and shifted thebonobo in his arms.

“Is it cancer?” the womanasked, sympathy pouring off of her.

“Congenital,” Molly answered. “Beddoe-Clyde syndrome.  Very rare.  Incurable.  Runs on myhusband’s side.”

“Oh,” the officer said,hushed.  "Well, you have yourself a lovely time in France then,Mrs. Holmes, Mr. Holmes.“

"Oh, it’s not—”

Sherlock snatched their passports. “Come along, dear, you know what happens when baby doesn’t gethis snack,” he said, plastering on his fake smile.

“Did she even read the passports? I mean, one’s obviously a fake—” Molly started once they wereaway from the desk.

“Shh!”

“And she didn’t even get my nameright.  I’ll take mine back now, by the way.”

“It’s fine, I’ll hang onto ituntil we get to the Belgian border.  Travelling as a family, may aswell keep them all together,” Sherlock said too quickly.

“Give. It.”

“Promise you won’t be cross.”

“What did you do?”

“I… may have misplaced thedivorce papers.”

“Misplaced.”

“Misplaced, burned, whoremembers?”

“Sherlock, give me my passport,”Molly said calmly.

He handed her the passport afteranother moment’s hesitation.

It wasn’t her passport.  At least, notthe one she’d had for the last four years.  It was brand new.

Molly L. Holmes, it read.

“Your brother, I assume?”

Sherlock bounced Quentin into a morecomfortable position and walked away quickly toward the men’s room inthe terminal.  The bloody coward.

*

“Are you supposed to be feedinghim sweets?  Shouldn’t he have like, fruit or leaves or something?” Molly asked, leaning against the front fender of the car.

Sherlock handed Quentin (who was sat onthe bonnet) another Malteser and put one between his own lips, makingthe same kissy face the bonobo made.

“It’s fine,” Sherlock said,shaking some from the packet into her outstretched hand.

“Can he do any tricks?  Like, ifyou point your finger at him and say ‘bang,’ will he fall over?”

“He’s got a three hundred-plussign vocabulary and paints portraits as well as keeps perfect 6/8time on a drum.  He doesn’t do 'tricks.’”

Quentin reached over and put his handson Molly’s breasts, then signed something.

“Well, maybe he does one trick.”

“Grabbing my tits hardly counts asa trick,” she said flatly.

“He said you’re a B-cup.”

“You’re making that up.”

“Am I?”  Sherlock raised hiseyebrows and blanked his face.  Molly tongued the inside of hercheek.  The staring contest was only broken when she closed her eyesbecause Quentin had decided he needed to re-measure.

*

“I think we’re being followed.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, we’re notbeing followed.  It’s first thing on a Saturday morning, do you knowhow many tourists are—oh.  Right, no, that’s not good.  Changelanes.  Now.”

*

“Just a slight detour, Molly,”she said, doing her best I-am-a-posh-git baritone.  "We’ll stillbe in Brussels by noon.“

Sherlock ripped off a piece of ducttape with his teeth and put it over one of the bullet holes in theboot.  At least they hadn’t shot out the back window or hit the gastank, though both her tail lights were broken.

"Well, we’ll make it beforesundown at least.  Think of it as a second honeymoon, touring theFrench countryside.”

“We just got back from the firsttwo months ago.”  

“What can I say, I’m a romantic.”

Quentin blew a raspberry on Molly’scheek.  "I’m surrounded by them, apparently.“

*

Molly woke with a start; Quentin wasout of his seat and had his hand on her boob again.  It was darkoutside.

"Sherlock,” she said slowly,removing the bonobo’s hand from her chest, “why are we inGermany?”

“I’m not allowed in Luxembourg. Long story.”

*

“I am way too sober for this,”Molly said as she watched Sherlock being handcuffed.  "Quentin,so help me Christ if you do what I know you’re thinking of doing Iwill phone Proctor and Gamble myself and you’ll spend the rest ofyour very short life looking like a losing contestant in RuPaul’sDrag Race.“

"Molly!  Is that any way to talkto our only child?” Sherlock bellowed before he was stuffed intothe back of the police car.

*

“Mycroft? This is your sister-in-law.  Yes, I know what time it is.  We need afavour.  No, he can’t come to the phone because he’s currentlyworking his way up to another international incident.  We’re in apolice station in Fuck-If-I-Know-Where Germany and… yeah, no, just,um, bail, or diplomatic immunity, or whatever it is you do if youcould… I need to go to work Monday and we still need to get toAntwerp.  Fine, yes, I’ll owe you, you can have our firstborn,whatever Rumpelstiltskin.  Fine.  Thank you.”

*

“Whyis Quentin wearing lederhosen?  We’re not even in the right part ofGermany for that.”

“Funfact: bonobos really like beer.  Or at least, this one does.  Evenfunner fact: I’ve finally met someone who’s more of a lightweightthan you are.  Luckily, Frauline Mueller over there found these inthe lost property box.  Oh, and we have to name our first babyMycroft.”

Sherlockopened his mouth, but obviously couldn’t decide if he wanted tocorrect her grammar first or refute the possibility of ever naminghis offspring after his brother.  

*

“Chipsfor breakfast.  Healthy.”

“Yes,I suppose potatoes are healthier in their distilled form, if the wayyou prefer to consume them is anything to go by,” Sherlocksniffed before shoving a handful of still-hot chips in his mouth. “And they’re frites, not chips,” he added afterchewing and swallowing.

*

“This is not my Quentin.  What areyou trying to pull, Mr. Holmes?” Sherlock’s client said angrily.

“What’s he talking about? Sherlock?”  Molly looked between Sherlock, the client, and(not-)Quentin.

“Wh—no, this was the only bonoboin the facility.”

“That cannot be!”

“Mr. Orville, I can assure you—”

“Out!  Take this imposter and getout!”

*

“We’re not keeping him.”

“He’s toilet trained.”

“So he’s going to live at BakerStreet, then?”

“Don’t be silly, I can’t keep ananimal, Mrs. Hudson has limits.”

“So you think he’s going to livein my flat?”

“You had that cat once, hardly anydifferent.”

“Start calling zoos.”

“You are not the woman I married.”

*

“Don’t worry, Quentin, we’llvisit, we promise.  Isn’t that right, Molly?”

Molly smiled tightly at the bonobo,letting him have one goodbye grope.

*

“A single occupancy.  Wonderful. You know what?  I don’t even care.  Bed.  Now,” Molly said. They were lucky to even get a space on the overnight ferry from Hookof Holland to Harwick; she wasn’t about to drive back to London afteronly sleeping maybe five hours the entire weekend.  At leastthey didn’t have to take the ferry to Hull.

She peeled off her her shirt (whichsmelled vaguely of primate and beer) and wiggled out of her trousers,then figured to hell with it and flicked off her bra, too.  They weremarried, after all.  Not that they’d consummated it or anything; theyhadn’t even so much as kissed after that aborted fumble in the hotelroom in Las Vegas.  Probably would have shaken out a lot differentlyif his testicles hadn’t been so badly bruised.

She crawled into the berth andplastered herself against the wall to give Sherlock enough room tolay down; he shed his suit and joined her.  There was a bit ofshuffling until they got their arms and legs and the blanketsarranged, and then a new kind of awkward tension took over.

“Did you really burn the divorcepapers?” Molly blurted.

“Not intentionally.  Scienceaccident.”

“Uh huh.”

Sherlock sighed.  "If you reallywant a divorce, we’ll just get another set of papers from thesolicitor.  And you can keep them so they don’t get unintentionallydestroyed.“

"Don’t you?  Want one.  It wasjust for the case, right?  What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”

“You said it yourself, it’s just aslogan,” Sherlock hedged.

“Yeah, but you haven’t, uh, shownany interest since we got back, so I thought it was just a passingthing.  Caught up in the moment.”

“You didn’t show much interestyourself,” he countered.

“So if I were to show interestnow, what would you do?” she asked, twisting the curl at thenape of his neck around her index finger.  His fingers twitchedagainst her shoulder and he shivered.

He tilted his face down towards hers. “Probably kiss you and then ask for a rain check on anythingelse, considering the amount of sleep we’ve both had in the lastthree days,” he said frankly.

“It’s a start,” Molly said,giving him a half-smile.

[theemptyquarto]

Drabble Challenge? Pleeeease? Prompts: 41. "You're not going out dressed like that?" and 95. "You're cute when you're all worried."

Sherlock glared suspiciously at Molly as she applied her lipstick in the tiny mirror near the door.

“You’re not going out dressed like that, surely?”

Molly looked down at herself, but saw nothing alarming.

“Like what?” 

“All… alluring,” he said, waving a hand vaguely at her, “It’s meant to be a girls’ night out, not you going on the pull.”

Molly looked down again at her sensible brown trousers, ruffled pink blouse, and cherry-print cardigan.

“This… is what you find alluring?  I really used to be off on the wrong track with you, wasn’t I?”

“Cherries are extremely sexual fruit,” Sherlock snapped defensively.

“And drink one is going to be dedicated to forgetting you said that,” Molly said, popping the lid back on her lipstick, “You’re cute when you’re all worried, but I think probably the men of London will be able to resist the temptation implicit in my wearing produce. But play your cards right and when I get back you can have a look at my mangoes.”

[holidaysat221b]

Rec of the Week - 1/12/22

Over the years we’ve had a lot prompt fills submitted to us.  I thought it would be nice to shine a spotlight on those individual submissions.  Please give the author or artist a bit of love. 

A Seminal Moment by @geekmama - Post TFP established Sherlolly sexy times based on a prompt from tumblr's holidaysat221b

Original Prompt - Molly loves wearing Sherlock’s house robes.  -  @mel-loves-all  

[norribeth]

Happy New Year, everyone! We all made it to 2021!

Start the year off with some love (and a bit of angst because you can’t have this ship without it) with these fanfic recommendations!

Keep reading under the cut to see a masterpost of our favorite fics. But this is by no means an exhaustive list. Have a fic rec of your own? Contact us!

Be sure to check out each author’s other works in the Archive too! This fandom may be tiny, but it is very prolific. :)

(If you have a recommendation, please make sure it isn’t anti-other pairings. We are a 100% hate-free blog.)

COMPLETED WORKS: One Shots

Swann Dive by HolmesFan (G, 2.3k words, canon-divergent)

What if James dived after Elizabeth when she fell?

A Close Eye by sleepylotus (T, 3.4k words, canon-compliant)

Pre-TCOTBP fluff that is both figuratively and literally sweet.

rules of engagement by kuryakin (G, 1.9k words, canon-divergent)

During their engagement party, James receives an unexpected letter from his estranged brother.

He Went With Her by BuzzCat (G, 900 words, canon-divergent)

What if James had escaped from the Flying Dutchman with Elizabeth and her crew?

Reflections in Stained Glass by geekmama (G, 500 words, canon-divergent)

James attends Elizabeth and Will’s wedding. Angst ensues.

A Hanging Denied by MBlair (T, 950 words, canon-divergent)

Elizabeth is sentenced to the gallows, but can an old lover save her from this fate?

Backlit by rexluscus [locked] (G, 650 words, canon-compliant)

Pre-TCOTBP fluff in which Elizabeth receives a gift from Captain Norrington.

Say Yes to the Dress [orphaned fic] (G, 500 words, canon-divergent)

What if Elizabeth never fell?

Here is a truth (here is another truth) by SecondStarOnTheLeft (M, 650 words, canon-divergent)

A collection of vignettes of James and Elizabeth’s married life.

A second chance by azziria (G, 1k words, canon-divergent)

James returns to Port Royal after a 10-year absence and finds a widowed Elizabeth.

Moonlight by MBlair (G, 1k words, canon-divergent)

Elizabeth and James have a heartfelt conversation during their engagement party.

With No Rights In This Matter by rexluscus [locked] (T, 3.4k words, canon-divergent)

What if James and Will were friends? Post-TCOTBP with Mr. and Mrs. Turner.

Man Overboard by Siobhan_Schuyler (T/M, 400 words, canon-divergent)

James has a nightmare. This is the oldest fic for this pairing on AO3, dated October 2003!

COMPLETED WORKS: Multichapter

This Weight upon my Heart by snowbryneich (E, 53.3k words, canon-divergent)

James receives a blow to the head during a battle and loses his memory, no longer remembering that he married Elizabeth two years prior.

Redemption’s Promise by HolmesFan (E, 117k words, canon-divergent)

James is given the chance to relive his life when he is sent back in time, eight years before his death.

Fresh as a bridegroom by snowbryneich (M, 31.6k words, canon-divergent)

Post-TCOTBP, Elizabeth finds herself in need of a husband (and a father to her unborn child) when Will suddenly dies.

Duetto di Desiderio by HolmesFan (E, 20k words, canon-divergent)

A vampire/vampire hunter AU.

WORKS IN PROGRESS

riposte by kuryakin (G, 1.7k words, canon-divergent)

James enlists the help of his friend Theodore Groves to make sure that Elizabeth is doing well after the battle of Isla de Muerta.

Never Doubt I Love by vasilysa (M, 53k words, canon-divergent)

Cutler Beckett arrives and causes trouble for all. An arranged marriage AU.

Drawn to the Waves by LazuliBunting (T, 24k words, canon-divergent)

A retelling of the last half of TCOTBP from Elizabeth’s point-of-view.

A Chance at Redemption by MBlair (T, 5k, canon-divergent)

What if James survived in AWE?

Happy reading!

[miz-joelys-sherlollilists]

hello! im looking for a historical au where molly goes off on her own and sherlock is looking for her? i think she is pregnant and then she has to deliver another woman's baby. molly has her own baby in the epilogue i think? they are married the whole time

Hello, Mychakk here, the fic you are looking for is the fourth instalment in the series called A Fork in the Road by @geekmama and the fic itself is called Resolved. Happy reading!

[thisisartbylexie]

Sherlolly Appreciation Week - 2020 Fic Rec Post

@sherlollyappreciationweek is this week and I’ve had my head not screwed on straight and missed daily posting.  Which means y’all are going to deal with a single LONG post of Sherlolly Fic Recs. I’m making up for timeliness by dumping more recs than anyone asked for. Buckle up. 

(tl:dr - Listen, you can find every flavor of Sherlolly fic curated like a Willy Wonka’s factory over on @miz-joelys-sherlollilists, but I have curated a gourmet banquet for you right here. Please leave feedback for the creators.)

DAY ONE -  Gone But Not Forgotten (WIPs/Incomplete Fics)

I left a review and am also recommending The Ghost and Molly Hooper by doctor_WTF. This is the story of Molly who purchased 221B Baker St only to find that the last inhabitant died, but never really left. This is set as an AU with the context of TRF. 

Also gonna recommend A Line to Cross by @blogyourfeelingsaway. This is an AU where Molly doesn’t actually like Sherlock at first, much to his surprise...

Delayed For A Little While by @lono285. A Princess Bride AU we don’t deserve.

DAY TWO - Angst Fest 

Phoenix by @lono285. This is the author’s summary: Nothing could bring Molly Hooper back to life. He saw her final breath leave her body. But with a few short words from a nameless voice on the telephone, he realized the resumed beating of his heart had a name: hope.

Ghost of A Girl by Alethnya. Author’s summary: Death, as it turns out, wasn't quite as final as Molly had always believed. Fear not, you will smile at the end, I promise. 

 All You Ever Wanted At Just The Wrong Time by @soyeahso. This wasn’t what Molly expected being a relationship with Sherlock would be like. 

The Coffin-Maker’s Lullaby by @hobbitsdoitbetter. This is ANGST but it’s more like catharsis post-S4. 

But if you’re REALLY looking for The Pain Train, take the emotional tour via The Gods Have [No] Mercy by TuesdayTerrible. This is a soulmate AU.

Also, The Five Stages of an Illogical Death by AndInTimeThisTooShallPass. It’s exactly what you think it is. 

DAY THREE - When We Were Young (S1 & S2)

A Beautiful Mind by jankmusic. I have a theme for fics, apparently, because this one is also super emotional. This is set vaguely in the S2 timeline, but it’s an amnesia fic that starts with established Sherlolly. But then...

Her Last Bow by @PetraTodd. This is just after S2. Author’s summary: Like a knight going off to war, when Sherlock goes off to fight Moriarty's network, he takes a favor from Molly Hooper. (Of course, favors are normally *given* but Sherlock isn't really one for manners.)

All The Things Said and Unsaid by @elixirbb. Molly goes with Sherlock after The Fall. 

Every Time and Always by @flaignhan. Written just after S2.01 aired. 

Do I even need to mention The Full House  and Always Something by @emceefrodis? Because like, that should be part of the Sherlollian Bible or something. 

DAY FOUR - Bust Out (Comedy Gold)

Friends Like These by @elixirbb. Sherlolly post-S2 from Lestrade’s POV. 

A Little Inspiration by @lilsherlockian1975. Humor with some angst, but a fun read. 

If You Like It... by ll_again. ...put a ring on it. Post-S3 where Molly and the Holmes parents form a friendship. 

The New Conception by Quarto. Post-S3 ish. Author’s summary: It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single consulting detective in possession of an undercover assignment must be in want of a wife.

DAY FIVE - EPIC (Long Fics)

A Fearful Hope Was All The World by @miabicicletta . End of the world AU that somehow hits HARD especially now. Not for the emotionally fragile, but there’s still HEA. 

In matters of the heart by TheSapphireSky. Regency AU. There’s mystery and heart-wrenching emotion with our favorite idiots. It’s *chef’s kiss*. 

The Signs of the Four by Emma_Lynch. Victorian AU you’re looking for. 

The Necessary Mother by darthsydious. Victorian AU where Sherlock is a single father and Molly comes to help him. This isn’t on AO3, so I will tag with the warning of character death (secondary, but still gutting due to period typical mortality). 

Molly Hooper and the Flagon Nocturnal by Zoa. It’s a CRIME that this Indiana Jones AU doesn’t have more comments.

In general, if you’re looking for LONG fics, check out the 2015 Sherlolly Big Bang Collection. Every fic has a minimum of 25K. 

DAY SIX - Fluffy Friday

So I like my fluff with a side of angst (for ~flavor~).

Order From Chaos by MaybeItsJustMyType. Soulmate AU. 

Semantics by @geekmama. Sap everywhere. 

Intuit by ClassySpanks. Molly runs away to Switzerland. 

Zephyr by @writingwife-83. A Victorian AU arranged marriage. 

I also had to mention Wedding Day by floosilver8. This is Groundhog Day-set up, Molly POV, set at the Watson wedding. Not like 100% fluffy, but I love reading it when I need a pick me up. 

DAY SEVEN - Free For All

You guys know I’m a sucker for a period AU. So I’m going to recommend one of my favorite AUs: London Bridge Is Falling Down by @lono285. This is a WWII-era AU that I love to bits and pieces because it’s ADORABLE. 

Speaking of AUs, here’s a Victorian amnesia fic. Changing Faces by @likingthistoomuch

Also, there’s an S2-ish hasty marriage AU Band of Gold by @mizjoely and the 1940s AU remix With This Ring written by me. (yup, I am SHAMELESS. And quite proud of this one.)

I’m gonna add with a tear, the truth comes by broomclosetkink. Semi-angsty AU of the Watson wedding. Fix-it fic.

Looking for the Christmas Carol AU? Well, try A Knockout Christmas by Ellis_Hendricks.

Here’s Sherlock-Is-An-Actual-Moron. Unplanned pregnancy AU where Sherlock doesn’t realize it’s his. Hearts Don’t Break Around Here by darthsydious. 

OOOOOOOOF. I’ve been reading your Sherlolly fics since like 2011 and I have heaps more (SO many fantastic authors I didn’t even mention here!). 

Please check out the official post because the other half of this appreciation week is also leaving feedback for authors.  

Give them some LOVE! 

[dying-suffering-french-stalkers]

wendy’s great big pirates of the caribbean fic rec list

Hello, friends!  I’ve been meaning to make a Pirates fic rec list for years and the day has finally come.  This list is obviously in no way exhaustive and is very much indicative of my personal biases (*cough* lots of Norrington *cough*), but I can heartily recommend every fic that made this list and I hope you all enjoy it.  Making this was a labor of love and I would be thrilled to hear your thoughts on any you choose to read (though you should leave a kind comment for the author first)!

Other notes: I collected the bulk of these years ago, so there are a lot on FFnet and I have tried my best to screen them for various content warnings.  I believe only two fics on this list are explicit and are marked as such.  There is precious little slash on this list since that’s just not what I tended to read at the height of my Pirates phase; my apologies.

Under a cut to spare your dashes from this monster of a post.

“Mutiny on the Dauntless” by Marnie - Governor Swann and Lieutenant Norrington narrowly skirt disaster at the hands of a ruthless captain and dangerous crew on the crossing from England. [19k words. No ships. Warnings: seasickness, battle violence, minor character death, semi-graphic naval discipline.]

THE HONORAT COLLECTION in (hopefully) chronological order.  This author is my uncontested favorite Pirates of the Caribbean fic writer and I’m forever grateful to them.  Here’s to you, @honorat!

“Here’s Luck To You” - A collection of drabbles about Jack and Bootstrap Bill’s friendship, written in late 2005. [6k. Mind any posted warnings.]

“Homecoming” - Author’s summary: The young Captain Norrington has a rare moment alone with his beloved ship.  [1k.  No ships but the sailing kind.  No warnings.]

“Daring Rescue, Daring Escape” - A narration of Elizabeth's rescue following her tumble off the battlement and of Jack's attempted escape afterward.  [7k.  Can be read as Sparrabeth.  No warnings.]

“Worthy of His Steel” - Picks up where DR,DE left off, then flashes back to Will’s apprenticeship with Mr. Brown.  [44k.  Light Willabeth.  Mind any warnings: I remember minor character death, alcoholism, and general angst.]

“A Bargain At Any Price” - Elizabeth reflects on James’ interrupted marriage proposal.  [968 words.  Unrequited Norribeth.  No warnings.]

“Marooned” - A movie novelization of the time Jack and Elizabeth spent on Rumrunner’s Isle.  (If you haven’t seen the deleted scenes from CotBP, they’re now required viewing: Part 1, Part 2.)  [28k.  Can be read as Sparrabeth.  Warnings: alcohol; discussion of past injuries including burns, a brand, and a gunshot; discussion of death, murder, and suicide (latter related only to marooning and not seriously entertained or acted upon); mind any others.]

“Aboard the Dauntless” - Takes place directly after Marooned.  More movie/deleted scene novelization.  [20k.  Can be read as Sparrabeth and/or (unrequited) Norribeth.  Mind any warnings.]

“No Mercy” - Set aboard the Dauntless just after the battle at Isla de Muerta.  Have you ever been unreasonably hecked up by the sailor who rang the bell when he spotted zombie pirates?  I have because I’m Like That but now you can be too!  [1k.  No ships.  Warnings: blood, minor character death, funeral, survivor’s guilt, mention of execution by hanging.]

“For Remembrance” - Elizabeth visits Jack in prison the day before his pending execution.  [2k.  Can be read as Sparrabeth.  Warnings: brief mention of unsanitary prison conditions; death tokens; discussion of death, murder, and execution by hanging.]

“Balance of Justice” - The same night, Norrington struggles with the idea of Jack’s pending execution.  [990 words.  No ships.  Warnings: mentioned minor character death, survivor’s guilt, discussion of execution by hanging.]

“Crossing the Bar” - My all-time favorite PotC fanfic.  After the events of CotBP, Norrington thinks he has Jack cornered, but the pirate has other ideas.  A story of truly literary proportions ensues. [156k.  Canon divergent: written pre-DMC.  Light Jack/Anamaria.  Warnings: battle injuries, period-accurate first aid, minor character death. Other warnings posted in fic.]

“Just Between Us Dying Gods” -  Jack’s POV, takes place on the island of the Pelegostos just prior to Will's arrival.  [1k.  No ships.  Warnings: cannibalism, canon-typical ethnocentrism.]

“Bits of Shine” - A collection of drabbles (in the classic 100-word sense) spanning Pirates 1-3.  [14k.  Assorted canon ships.  Mind any posted warnings.]

“Christmas Reunion” - Author’s description: A Christmas reunion of several beloved characters set post-AWE. Jack's POV. Entirely fluffy.  [2k.  Willabeth.  No warnings.]

SCRUFFINGTON ANGST - Me, aged 15: but sir that’s my emotional support Good-ish Man Brought Low By Hubris (who am I kidding, that hasn’t changed a bit).  As you would expect, general warnings for this section might include minor character death, survivor’s guilt, self-hatred, alcohol abuse, unsanitary conditions, etc.  If you love Tortuga-related angst, this section is for you!  If you don’t go for whump and other unpleasant things, scroll on.

“Seven Deadly Sins: James Norrington” by Edoraslass - Classic drabble format, exactly what it says on the bottle.  Follows James’ DMC arc beginning in Tortuga.  [711 words.  No ships.  See tags on AO3.]

“Three Days” by geekmama - Several scene narrations following James from the pig sty to Isla Cruces.  Smelly bastard man.  [1k.  Several unrequited ships.  Warnings: unsanitary, alcohol abuse.]

“Interregnum: Icarus” by ConcertiGrossi - Follows James all the way from the hurricane to Tortuga, with an epilogue just after delivering the Heart to Beckett.  I dislike headcanons about Norrington ever employing sex workers - it seems very out-of-character to me - but other than that I stand by this fic.  Angst alert.   [16k.  Canon-divergent only if you read Sins of the Father.  Referenced unrequited Norribeth.  Warnings: near-drowning, vomit, mass minor character death, implied (but ultimately untrue) medium character death, funerals, survivor’s guilt, self-hatred, unsanitary, coughing, nightmares, pregnancy mention, parental death, under-eating, alcohol abuse, referenced suicide, suicidal ideation.]

“Birthday Wishes” by YouCantGetThereFromHere - A one-shot AU in which James has a twin brother and they celebrate their thirtieth birthdays, one in England, the other in Tortuga.  [4k.  Referenced OCxOC ship in the first half.  Warnings: alcohol abuse, self-hatred.]

“Eye of the Storm” by Edoraslass - Tortuga barmaid Kate is intrigued by the island’s newest barfly and strikes up a sort of friendship with Norrington until he moves on.  [4k.  No ships.  See tags on AO3.]

“Oil and Wine” by Argyle - Norrington’s descent during his time on Tortuga.  Everything comes with a price and a familiar face dogs his steps.  [500 words.  Norribeth.  See tags on AO3.]

“Absence and Memory” by Meddow - Post-CotBP, Elizabeth reflects on her relationship with Norrington over the years.  [3.7k.  Norribeth.  No warnings.]

“Penance More Will Do” by Meddow - Set directly after the hurricane.  While a wounded James is adrift at sea, he is visited by Hector Barbossa, who gives him a choice on behalf of Calypso.  [5.7k.  No ships.  Warnings: blood, vomit.]

“A Song for the Wretched and the Wrecked” by jadeddiva - Post-CotBP AU in which Will runs off to sea and Elizabeth consents to marry James after all.  They have a lot of growing to do, but it ends well.  [6.5k.  Norribeth.  No warnings.]

“Jack Sparrow’s Black Pearl” by Zath_Chauvert - A filk song in which Elizabeth and Will discuss Jack to the tune of “Tango: Maureen”.  [468 words.  Willabeth, J/W/E if you’re not a coward.  No warnings.]

“Of How a Lieutenant died at Sea” by YouCantGetThereFromHere - Foregoing the ending he's given in OST, Lt. Theodore Groves instead dies in the wreckage of the Endeavour in AWE and briefly greets Will in the afterlife.  [703 words.  No ships.  Warnings: implied major character death.]

THE ERINYA COLLECTION (I forgot that I saved a ton from this author as well!  Not arranged in any particular order.)

“Curiosity” - Elizabeth reflects on her growing feelings for Jack during DMC.  [828 words.  Sparrabeth.  Warnings: alcohol.]

“Sacrifice” - More Sparrabeth UST, Elizabeth’s POV.  [527 words.  Sparrabeth.  No warnings.]

“One Shot” - A collection of PotC drabbles, all written pre-AWE.  [6k.  Various pairings.  Warnings posted in fic.]

“The Game” - Jack and Tia Dalma play cards.  [600 words.  Can be read as Jack/Tia Dalma.  No warnings.]

“Frayed” - Will and Elizabeth, post-DMC, semi-compliant with AWE, but angstier.  I’m afraid this one isn’t very kind to Will but it sets up this author’s character dynamics/reasons for Sparrabeth.  [1k.  Willabeth, implied Sparrabeth.  Warnings: very poor communication.]

“Something Rich and Strange” - A Will/Tia Dalma one-shot, of all things.  A touch of destiny, indeed.  Written pre-AWE based on fan speculation.  [2k.  Canon-divergent.  Will/Tia Dalma, background Sparrabeth.  PG-13.]

“Ocean Heart” - Post-AWE, Elizabeth is visited by Calypso on that lonely beach.  [1k.  Implied Willabeth.  No warnings.]

“The Pirate’s Progress” - Post-DMC, Jack takes a jaunt through the afterlife, featuring all sorts of fun mythology/folklore.  [10k.  I’m gonna be real with y’all, I don’t remember if there’s anything shippy or triggery but I don’t think so?  Implied major character death I guess but he got better]

“Worlds Enough, And Time” - Futuristic AU in which Jack and Elizabeth both partook of the Fountain of Youth.  Our beloved pirates...IN SPAAAAACE.  Angst with a happier ending.  [3k.  Sparrabeth, implied Willabeth.  Canon-divergent in multiple ways.  Warnings: alcohol, discussions of death, suicidal ideation, referenced minor character death.]

“Janus and the Prodigal” - A conversation between Jack and Teague, a few years post-AWE.  [1k.  Can be read as Sparrabeth.  No warnings.]

“At Peace” by Rising Waters - Author’s summary: Elizabeth has been faithful for the allotted ten years, so Will is free of the Dutchman—but he is still plagued by thoughts of a man whose death he feels responsible for: James Norrington.  [1k.  Willabeth, unrequited Norribeth.  Warnings: referenced character death.]

“Second Chances” by geekmama - AU in which James was only wounded by Bootstrap, not killed, and Will drops him off at Shipwreck Cove to be with Jack and Elizabeth for the next ten years.  Fluff all around.  [1k.  Willabeth, can be read as Sparrington if you’re not a coward.  No warnings.]

“For Honour A Heart’s Demise” by Meddow - Another AU in which James is only wounded aboard the Flying Dutchman, only this time he gets to partake in the rest of AWE and becomes captain of the Dutchman instead of Will.  A goddess is defied and everything makes sense.  [10k.  Willabeth, unrequited Norribeth.  Warnings: brief suicidal ideation, survivor’s guilt, grievous bodily harm, major character death (but he gets better).]

“Between Wind and Water” by rexluscus - Author’s description: “England and Spain are at war, and Norrington needs a quick solution to the Jack Sparrow problem. Meanwhile, Jack discovers that the Caribbean he once knew is gone. The deal they make could solve both their troubles, or it might be the worst mistake of their lives.  This story is AU after the first film (sequels never happened). It's an experiment in dropping POTC characters into an actual historical event: the Battle of Cartagena de Indias in 1741.”  [90.3k.  Sparrington.  See tags on AO3.]

“betwixt the devil and the deep sea” by notbecauseofvictories - A character study of Jack Sparrow in an AU with angels and demons.  [2k.  No ships.  See tags on AO3.]

“coda” by notbecauseofvictories - Elizabeth during her time as the Pirate King.  [1k.  Willabeth, Sparrabeth.  See tags on AO3.]

FICS I HAVE NOT YET FINISHED but would nevertheless like to recommend:

The “Rash Actions” series by @blanketed-in-stars​ - I’ve been meaning to finish this for 7000 years but I thoroughly enjoyed the early chapters!  Nicole is a wonderful writer and is doing the Lord’s work in writing quality Turrington content.  [147k.  James/Will.  See tags on AO3.]

“In Service to the King” by sleepylotus/@apirateslifeforme123​ - An AU in which Elizabeth finds James in Tortuga after she becomes the Pirate King.  I loved the first few chapters!  [31.7k.  Norribeth, Sparrabeth.  Explicit.  WIP.  See tags on AO3.]

OTHER LINKS SINCE I HAVE YOU HERE

Curse of the Black Pearl early screenplay (first draft)

Dead Man’s Chest screenplay (final production draft)

At World’s End early screenplay (leaked draft)

Deleted scenes: (CotBP above in Marooned) DMC, AWE

[thegeekmamablog-blog]

It’s coming! Click on the link in my profile to sign up for notifications when the fun begins! . . Logo by @dc2designs . . . #geekmama #geekmamablog #coming soon #blog #parenting #geekparenting #geekmom #geekdad #homeschool #booknerd #naturalliving #ecofriendly https://www.instagram.com/p/BvtxKxjBFz1/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1vkoi4qc67jzk

[sewgeekmama]

Representin #GameOfThrones at the gym today! Got to have fun with the workout wear 😁 This one was a present from my friend Bridget. Thanks B! ❤️ There’s another shirt I’ve got my eye on at the gym that says Sweat Now, Wine later. Lol. 💪🏼🍷 @retrofitnessjax #retrofitness #geekmama #sewgeekmama #workout #workoutmotivation (at Retro Fitness- Harbour Village)

[youknowmymethods]

Content Creator Interview #8

Here we are again folks, number 8! This time we’re continuing on from last week’s interview with a bit of role reversal, @ellis-hendricks posing questions to her friend and beta @geekmama, chatting about Brit-picking, bad writing habits, favourite authors, and, most importantly, which of Sherlock’s shirts does it for her. 

But starting off with a recap of last week’s intro...

We are, respectively, a Californian and a Geordie, and we got to know each other through reading and reviewing each other’s fics (geekmama’s ‘Time of the Season’ series was one of the first fics I read and loved). Geekmama has been writing in the fandom for around 3 years, and I’ve been doing the same for around 2 years, spurred on by the end of series 4 (and the ILY scene in particular). We started beta-reading each other’s work around a year ago, and are always discovering new and unexpected words and phrases that don’t translate across the pond! Although we’ve used the same set of questions for these interviews, we haven’t seen each other’s answers – so it does mean that if nobody else is interested, at least we will be!

Series

 ellis-hendricks: Was there a particular moment in the series that set the ship sailing for you?

geekmama: I think it was A Scandal in Belgravia, and specifically Sherlock’s unprecedented apology to Molly, that got me thinking that the possibility was there, that it wasn’t just Molly’s schoolgirl crush vs. Sherlock’s needs when the game was on. I have to say, even though the Sherlock/Molly ship is easy to board, Mofftiss, etc., were very clever about leaving the way open for other pairings throughout the series. Even the ILY scene and its fallout could be interpreted very differently, if one was so inclined. It is really thanks to all the amazing fanfic authors out there that I jumped on board and took up residence on the good ship Sherlolly.

ellis-hendricks: What's your favourite episode and why?

geekmama: I love bits and pieces of all of them, but the one that I’ve watched more than any other is The Sign of Three. It’s heartwarming, hilarious, and only mildly heartbreaking. Even the villain of the piece, as little as we see him, has a motive one can understand.

ellis-hendricks: If you could ask/tell the series writers one thing, what would it be?

geekmama: Killing off Mary was a mistake, and I don’t care if that event sets up the entire story arc of season four, you should have thought of something else. Come on! You are brilliant writers, you could have done it.

ellis-hendricks: Do you have a controversial opinion about the series? E.g. a character who everyone else hates, but who you love?

geekmama: Or everyone loves but you hate? I’d say Moriarty qualifies. Andrew Scott is very cute, but though he’s in a number of the episodes we’re never given much insight to his character’s motives. Moriarty is pretty much just murderously insane in canon, and I don’t understand how one gets around that to write Molly/Moriarty or any of the slash pairings.

ellis-hendricks: Have you ever, when watching an episode, cracked a case before Sherlock?

geekmama: Well, if the writers want us to, then we’re given the information to crack the case before Sherlock.  The series is about him, after all. The cases are secondary.

ellis-hendricks: With whom would you rather be stuck at a wedding table –

Janine or Irene?

geekmama: Janine, she is just fun and rather ordinary, whereas Irene has numerous ulterior motives under her veneer of smug vanity.    

ellis-hendricks: Donovan or Anderson?

geekmama: Anderson, since he actually felt remorse for what they did to Sherlock, and came to admire him, too. There might be more to Donovan than what we’re given, and certainly that’s what fanfic is for -- I’ve made her a sympathetic character in a couple of my own fics. And apparently she and Sherlock have some pretty interesting history between them.

ellis-hendricks: Who would you rather bring back in series 5 - Mary or Moriarty?

geekmama: Mary, of course -- she is a far more well-rounded (and loveable) character. One wants to know more about her.

ellis-hendricks: Whose house would you prefer to live in - Sherlock's, John & Mary's, Molly's or Mrs Hudson's?

geekmama: Probably Molly’s, though Sherlock’s would be tempting. Molly’s looks pretty state-of-the-art in the ILY scene, if rather bland -- I couldn’t imagine Molly living in a place that’s all granite gray. It doesn’t reflect her personality at all, and I didn’t even think it could be her home the first time I saw that episode.

ellis-hendricks: In your opinion, who has been the best series villain - Jim Moriarty, Charles Magnussen, Culverton Smith, or Eurus Holmes?

geekmama: Eurus. We’re at least given some idea of her motives, and one can feel some sympathy for her, even though she is as insanely murderous as the other three. The other three are pretty equally revolting.

 Your writing

 ellis-hendricks: What was your first fic? What prompted it, and how do you feel about it now?

geekmama: My first in the Sherlock fandom was Visiting Hours, written in March 2016. I first watched seasons 1-3 of Sherlock in October 2015 and I’d been reading other authors’ work for several months. There were ideas I wanted to explore, and I wanted to see if I could still write at all, lol! I hadn’t written anything since July of 2013, when I celebrated a decade of being in the Pirates of the Caribbean fandom with a series of ten 50 word drabbles. Visiting Hours is only 100 words, official drabble length, and it’s held up pretty well, I think. I don’t hate it, at least.

ellis-hendricks: Which fic are you most proud of/most attached to, and why?

geekmama: This is a really difficult question since I’ve written quite a few Sherlock fics. If I had to narrow it down, maybe Idiots in Love, which is part of the Aftermath series and from Greg Lestrade’s pov, which is always fun, and The Kensington House, kid!fic from my Time of the Season series. But then there are all  the holiday fics… and the historical AU’s…

ellis-hendricks: You write great AUs set in other historical periods - do you prefer this or present day?

geekmama: I’ve read, and written, a lot of historical fiction, and certainly writing it comes much more easily to me than writing something set in the present day -- particularly current culture in the UK. It’s a good thing my dear Ellis_Hendricks is willing to Brit-pick for me. I did my best, but I’m sure my early Sherlock fic has plenty of errors in that regard. That was the most difficult thing for me when I was beginning to write in this fandom. However, I have grown to enjoy writing fic set in the present almost as much as writing historical fic.

ellis-hendricks: What are your worst writing habits?/What are your most overused phrases, plotlines, etc?

geekmama: Wow. There are probably a LOT of bad habits (run-on sentences, excessive use of parentheses and ellipses, etc. etc.etc.), and overused phrases/words. As for plotlines, I find the (comparatively) reality-based canon of Sherlock to be somewhat limiting to begin with (which is why AU’s were invented, I suppose). I try not to repeat plotlines, but of course I’ve used post-ILY scenarios multiple times (and no doubt will again -- the anniversary is coming up on the 15th), and I tend to overdo the h/c as that’s one of my favorite things.

ellis-hendricks: Do you have a writing routine? Where and when? And is everything digital, or are things ever handwritten first?

geekmama: Laptop, ideally in the morning, alone in bed (except for a pile of snoozing dogs), with no distractions like music etc. I can write with the TV or music on, but it takes a lot longer to produce anything. I haven’t produced finished handwritten works since I was in high school, and when I first got back into writing in late 2003 it was on a laptop I borrowed from work -- and it was a revelation! I wouldn’t bother handwriting more than a drabble or the outline of a story, now. Computers FTW!!!

ellis-hendricks: Who do you enjoy writing the most?

geekmama: Sherlock (if I have to choose -- I love Molly, Mycroft, and Lestrade pov, too).

ellis-hendricks: Who do you find easiest/hardest doing first person POV? - Sherlock seems fairly easy a lot of the time (hopefully readers agree -- I may be way off base, who knows?), and maybe Molly for hardest. We see so little of Molly over the course of the series it’s sometimes difficult for me to get a handle on her.

ellis-hendricks: Which fic would you recommend to someone who has never read your stuff before? - Benefit of the Doubt, maybe. I like the way it came out. It was one of those that practically wrote itself.

ellis-hendricks: What do you value most when it comes to feedback?

geekmama: Any feedback is very much appreciated, from Kudos to brief comments, but it’s always nice when someone references a particular phrase or idea they liked. I know how difficult that is to do, sometimes, though.

ellis-hendricks: Would you ever go back and revise old fics - or do you consign them to history once they're published?

geekmama: If I discover (or someone points out) an error I will go back and correct it, but I don’t really revise my stories once they are posted.

ellis-hendricks: What's the nicest/weirdest bit of feedback you've ever had? And does feedback ever influence what you write next, either within a story or in terms of future fics?

geekmama: I have to say I’ve had a lot of great, encouraging comments over the years, and maybe a few negative ones, mostly on FF.net, which I pretty much ignore, though one or two brought up interesting points. I think mostly people leave a comment if they really like something, or just go away if they don’t. Feedback does influence what I write to an extent -- say if someone really wants more of a certain story, or aspect of a story, that gets me thinking how it could be done.

ellis-hendricks: Do you - or would you - write other pairings?

geekmama: Well, yes, I’ve written Mycroft/Lady Smallwood, and John/Mary, and I have a few fics that reference Lestrade/OFC. And of course there are other F/M possibilities. But mostly it’s Sherlock/Molly.

ellis-hendricks: How would you define your style? (E.g. mine was called 'fluffy realism’, which I quite liked!)

geekmama: I agree with that ‘fluffy realism’ definition, the sweetest stuff and easily related to. I would call mine “Romance” if I had to choose a word, the old definition of romance that entails fluff, angst, humor, adventure -- all the stuff that makes a story interesting and fun to read.

ellis-hendricks: What's your method in approaching a story? Do you plan methodically, or wing it?

geekmama: I am somewhere in between. With longer fic I sometimes use an outline, but more often I have a basic plot in mind, complete with ending, and think about it until I’m finally ready (and have the time) to write it.

ellis-hendricks: Who do you write for? Is it you, or are you thinking about trying to please your audience?

geekmama: Mostly me. I started writing fanfic in the Pirates of the Caribbean fandom because I wasn’t seeing fic that went where I wanted to go with that story. With Sherlock it was some of that, and the fact that I wanted to further explore these compelling characters, and writing fic was the best way to do that. But I do write for my audience, to an extent, and it is fun to accept a prompt or theme from someone and write to it. In the PotC fandom we had a weekly drabble challenge for years, and I really miss that sort of thing.

ellis-hendricks: Do you have any WIPs, and do you think new chapters will ever see the light of day?

geekmama: I do have a WIP, Souvenirs, for which I’ve written a couple of additional chapters, and hope to finish some day. But it sort of got waylaid by the whole post-ILY thing. I may finish it. You never know. I also hope to write some more of that Regency AU, Uncertain Terms.

ellis-hendricks: Are you working on anything at the moment?

geekmama: I’m going to try to write something for the ILY Anniversay (January 15th).

ellis-hendricks: What’s harder for you - writing the start of a fic, or coming up with a decent title?

geekmama: Writing the start, I guess. Titles are usually easy. It’s plot and particularly a good ending that take a lot of work.

 Reading other people's fics

 ellis-hendricks: What are your favourite tropes in the fandom?

geekmama: Post-ILY scenarios, for sure, h/c, kid!fic, Mary is still alive, Christmas stories. Etc.

ellis-hendricks: What things are likely to turn you off a fic?

geekmama: Bad characterizations (we read fanfic because we want more of the characters we love);  poor editing / grammar; too many crazy tags; Intro posts that have TMI (I don’t want to know that you’re bad at titles/summaries/etc.), or that solicit reviews too blatantly. Well, those things and just stuff I don’t want to read -- bad porn, excessive violence (torture in particular), stories focusing on characters I dislike. I’m kind of picky, actually. But we write and read in a particular fandom for personal pleasure, and I think authors have to expect that their work won’t please everybody (or maybe anybody - who knows?).

ellis-hendricks: Can you recommend 3 favourite fics that aren't your own?

geekmama: Only 3??? Well, I’ve printed out miabicicletta’s A fearful hope was all the world, and sunken_standard’s Fumbling Toward Ecstasy, so I guess that counts for something. It’s virtually impossible to choose one of  Ellis_Hendricks’ fic, they reference so many of my favorite tropes and are all of them deliciously  memorable. But then, how can I leave out Quarto’s Competition? Or Emma_Lynch’s Quarantine? Or so many others?

ellis-hendricks: What compels you to leave comments on top of kudos?

geekmama: If some idea or turn of phrase stands out for me, and if the fic is well-done in general.

 ellis-hendricks: Quick-fire questions!

 John's TEH moustache or his TAB moustache?

geekmama: TAB (I don’t think we are meant to like his TEH moustache, are we?).

Sherlock's purple shirt or white shirt?

geekmama: Gah! Why do I have to choose? Purple, then.

Molly's stripy jumper or cherry cardigan?

geekmama: Stripy jumper, I think, as their relationship is more fully developed at that point.

Mary's christening outfit or black-ops gear?

geekmama: Christening outfit, for sure.

 Submitted by OhAine: this is a joint question for Ellis and geekmama: Do you feel that working together as betas has changed the way you both write?

geekmama: Not really, my process is the same and any input from Ellis_Hendricks is given after the fact. I edit the story accordingly, but there are usually only minor changes involved. I am particularly grateful for her “Brit-picking” skill, which obviously makes her far more valuable to me than I am to her -- it’s surprising how many little differences there are between the UK’s culture and California’s. I was woefully ignorant about that when I became involved in this fandom, and I don’t feel I’m much better now, really.

Next week, Friday 12th April 2019, @thisisartbylexie interviews @writingwife-83

[wickedrum]

Better late than never?! ;)

Hey all,

I thought I’d post this here, since quite a few of the posts seem to be about a shared love of fanfic - particularly of the whump variety.

So…as usual, I’m late to the party - but better late than never, I guess?

Anyway, in case anybody actually cares…I have FINALLY hopped on board the whump fanfiction train.

My desire to get a ticket started off when I was about twelve or so, I guess, and my family decided to introduce me to the marvel that is ‘50s-'60s western series: chiefly 'Bonanza’ and 'Rawhide’. It took less than five minutes for the whump to hit me (brace yourselves for a cringeworthy simile!) …you guessed it, like a train. I mean - cutiepie Michael Landon as Little Joe Cartwright everytime he got hurt/shot/beaten up?

And a young Clint Eastwood as ramrod Rowdy Yates (who knew he had such a baby face?!?!) that time everyone thought he’d contracted anthrax?

Fanfic emerged as a matter of course - first as something confined solely to the boundaries of my imagination, and then, gradually, as hasty, half-formed scribblings stashed away in the bottom drawer of my desk - seemingly fated never to see the light of day. I’d never heard of online sites where people just like me put up these thoughts and stories for others to read - and then, one fateful day in Grade 8, my best friend told me about a little thing called 'fanfiction.net’.

It was like the world opened up (not at all an overdramatic statement, I assure you!). All of a sudden, here was an entire virtual library of stories - ranging from pointed paragraphs to full novels - about my beloved characters…which not only included the Cartwright family and the Gil Favor drive, to my delight, but also Sherlock Holmes…Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin…the entire IMF team (original Mission: Impossible, anyone?)…David Janssen’s Dr. Richard Kimble ('The Fugitive’)…Obi-Wan Kenobi…Captain Jack Sparrow…and so many others.

At first I gravitated to fics that contained only characters I knew…but I soon branched out by browsing through the works and favorited stories/authors of my favorite writers. For example, I discovered a heretofore unknown love for LOTR through fanfiction - for which I must thank the very talented writing team of Cassia and Siobhan - and along with it, a passion for the previously-ignored Legolas:

As I matured, so did the nature of the fanworks I sought to read…and here I faced my first real quandary - my own writing wasn’t good enough! Fanfiction wasn’t merely a frivolous pastime, I had realized - for the serious authors, there was a drive to achieve a certain realism, an emotional depth, that I had erroneously thought could only be found in classic published literature. And things didn’t always have to get physical, either. Writers like geekmama, honorat (Pirates of the Caribbean), librophile, ruth baulding (Star Wars), St. Crispins (Man from U.N.C.L.E.), Thundera Tiger, telemachus and consumptive_sphinx from AO3, which I discovered only a few years ago (LOTR and Tolkien’s writings), and many, many more could torture and turn their characters into wrecks without laying a figurative finger on them…

These were people who wrote whump with style.

For several years, as a result, I was a silent participant in fanfic - remaining a reader only. The scant few works that I’d begun posting I either took down or left unfinished…

And then, in November of 2014, inspiration hit. In fifteen minutes I typed up what I understand is called a 'drabble’…and posted my first ever complete fanwork. It was for the 'Star Wars’ prequel trilogy, and I called it 'Travels’ (https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10811942/1/Travels). I asked for reviews - and got them! People actually liked what I had to say!

I tried writing again - and again, and again. My first attempts turned into the beginnings of novel-length stories that were destined never to be completed.

I grew discouraged…until I went back to basics. What had made 'Travels’ successful? Its simplicity - a focus on a single, overarching concept, and a setting limited to a brief moment in time. With that in mind, I sallied forth once more - and came up with 'Prima Facie’ (https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11637656/1/Prima-Facie-The-Scarlet-And-The-Ivory) and 'Rift’ (https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10897388/1/Rift). Much later, after discovering Tim Burton’s films, came a fic for 'Sleepy Hollow’ called 'Before the Half-Shut Eye’ (https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12900323/1/Before-The-Half-Shut-Eye).

I had discovered my strengths as a writer - character study and introspection - rather than extensive plot development…as always, it goes without saying, grounded in whump.

And then, last year…I finally watched 'The Hobbit’…

The rest, as they say…is history.

Move over, Legolas - I want more of pretty elf-boy’s prettier dad!

And did I get it…watching the behind the scenes videos on YouTube, I wound my way to:

ALL ABOARD FOR LEE PACE! 

What’s not to love? The drop-dead gorgeousness…the versatility…

…And, oh my sweet LORD - the potential for whump:

Consider this: I’ve written the same complete fanfics just from December 2018 that I wrote over the course of four years - every single one of them for Lee Pace characters. Two are for 'The Fall’ - 'Scraps of Orange Peel’ (https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13220805/1/Scraps-of-Orange-Peel) and 'Persephone’ (https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13151538/1/Persephone), one is for 'Halt and Catch Fire’ - 'Logic Error’ (https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13269415/1/Logic-Error), and one is a (rather dark?) reworking of another author’s fantastically sad 'Pushing Daisies’ all-normal AU - 'Baker’s Dozen or Life in Twenty-Six Parts’ (https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13199725/1/Baker-s-Dozen-or-Life-in-Twenty-Six-Parts)…which also happens to be, hands-down, the longest piece I’ve ever attempted.

And, if my brain has anything to say about it, there seem to be plenty more to come.

Hey, what can I say? Lee makes for the perfect muse.

Besides…how can you say no to this smile?

[sunken-standard]

How about #85 (If you die, I’m going to kill you.) and #100 (I’m sorry, but that was adorable.)?

“—and after subduing thewould-be murderer—”

“I’m sorry, but that wasadorable,” Mary interrupted with a laugh.

“Yes, almost being beheaded isabsolutely darling,” Sherlock groused.

“No, the way you stood there withthat trident—”

“Sasumata.”

“Wait, so, when did oranges comeinto the story?” Greg asked, wondering when he’d missed thatpart of it and if the ultra-posh just kept bowls of fruit lyingaround in every room of the house.

“Sa-su-ma-ta, not sat-su-ma,”Sherlock enunciated, looking annoyed.  Molly handed him a glass andhe thanked her absently, everything about him settling once she wasin his space.

“It’s a thing that looks a bitlike a pitchfork,” Molly supplied helpfully.

“It’s actually nothing like apitchfork, Mary was closer with trident.  It was used in feudal Japanto—”

“I’m sure if he cares he canGoogle it,” John piped up as he came back from Sherlock’sbedroom after putting Rosie down to sleep.

“Anyway, even after they took thebloke away in handcuffs, this one was roaming around with the thinglike he was on guard duty,” Mary said.  She handed Greg herphone; it was a picture of Sherlock standing, very seriously, with athing that did look a bit like a pitchfork, Molly next to him givinghim a look that was somewhere between fond exasperation and seriouslyquestioning her life choices.

Bit like that painting, Gregthought.  The one with the farmer and the house.  American Gothic,something like that.  Whatever.

“It isn’t every day one gets tohandle authentic samurai weaponry, I was making the most of it,”Sherlock defended, sipping his drink and then making a face.  "Didyou make this with paint thinner?“

"If you wanted a Shirley Templeyou should have said something,” Molly said.

“I didn’t realize the alternativewas a glass of pure ethanol.”

“It’s not pure ethanol, I used asplash of bitters,” Molly said, hiding her smile behind herglass.

Sherlock rolled his eyes and shook hishead, but took another sip of his drink anyway.

Greg wondered when the wedding was. Maybe this time he had a shot at groomsman.  'Course, Sherlock wouldhave to pull his head out of his arse first, which would probablyrequire a jemmy and possibly a winch.  "So, you, ah, going oncases more often these days?“ he asked, fishing.

"Mm, sometimes,” Mollynodded.  "Needed me to round out the numbers again.  I got to befake-married to Mary this time instead of John.“

"So you two—” Greg said,pointing between John and Sherlock.  He could only hope there was apicture; there was still a betting pool down the lock-up from yearsago and he wouldn’t mind coming away with fifty quid.

“Waiter,” Sherlock said.

“Bait,” John said.

Bollocks,Greg thought.  

*

“No, you said, ‘If you die, I’mgoing to kill you.’  Which wasn’t at all redundant,” Sherlocksaid, his cheeks slightly pink from his single drink.  He really wasa lightweight.

“Next time you’re hanging off abalcony by your fingertips, I’ll strive for 'precision in language,’”Molly teased in that impish way of hers.  

“Next time I’m hanging off abalcony by my fingertips, you could do something to help instead ofshouting at me.”

“Should I have tried to catchyou?”

“You easily could have, you’refreakishly strong,” Sherlock said, earning him a scowl.

Mary came back in the room with astill-sleeping Rosie, giving everyone a wave before headingdownstairs.

“That’s us, then,” John said,twirling his keys.  "Sherlock, behave.“

"Why do you always tell me tobehave?  She’s the one that starts it.”

“You’re older, act like it,”John said on his way down the stairs.

“Right, well, I should be headingoff, too,” Greg said, setting his empty glass on the desk. “Molly, you want a lift home?”

“Oh, ah, no, I’ll get a cab. Going to stick around for a bit and tidy up so Mrs. Hudson doesn’thave to,” she said, looking at Sherlock’s back.  It wasn’t thenormal annoyance because he made everyone else clean up after him;there was something a bit cagey about it.

Huh.  Maybe he’d pulled his head out ofhis arse after all.