#inspired by you’ve got mail (1998)

[th30ra3k3n]

“what about you? is there someone else?”

“no, but… but there is the dream

of someone else.”

for @disasterpenguin and @thiamsxbitch 🖤

[marjoch]

YOU’VE GOT MAIL

(or: jayvik inspired by the 1998 film starring meg ryan & tom hanks!)

CHAPTER TWO!!

early updates on ao3 @ josmarch

Over the course of the next few days, messages continued to be exchanged between NY1972 and Tinkerman. They exchanged stories of their college years, and talked about how they came to be in New York. On the morning of the inventor’s fair, Viktor considered mentioning the event to NY1972. He decided against it. He liked how intelligent their conversations seemed, and he didn’t want to make it awkward.

When he arrived at the Shop, Sky was waiting early and eager as always. Today she held two cups of coffee, one of which she offered to Viktor once they made it inside. Viktor accepted, but left it on the counter, much too distracted by his thoughts.

He spent time resting before the fair was set to begin, if “resting” meant pondering over the notes he’d dutifully been taking. He needed the chance to sit down, anyway. These days he was noticing a decline in his health, something he’d been warily anticipating. It was only a matter of time before he was using a crutch to get around anywhere, and the time accelerated faster each day. His research was becoming more dire by the minute.

Meanwhile, Mel was returning home from her business trip. Jayce was in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for her return. He had the day off, but he was planning to go down to the research facility and organize his office to make the upcoming work week easier. He was also finding it difficult to sit around these days: like it or not, the ongoing conversation on AIM was occupying his mind.

Mel seemed overwhelmed by the trip, rushing into the apartment in a mood. She was on the phone, passionately talking about something Jayce couldn’t make intelligible through her fervor. He loved how focused she was on her work. He also mourned life before the election, when his work felt just as important.

She looked beautiful as ever standing her ground on the call, and Jayce didn’t have the heart to interrupt her. He wrote her a note and left it on the counter, heading out for the day. The usual taxi ride to Brooklyn was notably longer today, the result of an accident on the bridge. By the time the driver was pulling up to the destination, Jayce was itching to get out of the car. Three blocks from Talis Technologies, he noticed the crowd around The Shop Around The Corner.

“Here is fine,” he said to the driver, who promptly pulled over. Jayce paid the fare and exited, looking around at the fair.

Tables had been set up outside the shop, expanding the space for new creations to be brought in by outside sources. People were walking around the inside and outside of the Shop, looking at everything, conversing amongst themselves. Passerby had trouble fitting through the crowd to continue their journeys. Jayce noticed a few opting to continue on the other side of the street. He was on his way to do the same when he heard a woman’s voice behind him.

“Hey!”

Jayce turned, and saw the woman who worked at the shop. He couldn’t remember her name. “Oh, hi.”

“Leaving so soon?” she questioned, raising an eyebrow.

“Just passing through,” he said.

The woman smiled. “That’s alright, he didn’t expect you to stop by at all.” Before Jayce could inquire what she meant, she continued, “I’m Sky, if you forgot. You’re…?”

“Jayce,” he responded, realizing she’d missed his introduction the first time. “I’m going to get going, but it was nice to see you.” He gave her a little wave before he crossed the street.

From the crowd, Viktor watched him go. He had something to say about it later that evening when he returned home.

Do you ever get the sense that people hide who they really are? I’ve had encounters lately that make me rethink my perception of humanity. I know a lot, but I cannot deduce what motivates my new neighbor. What motivates the city, even. Have you experienced this feeling before? Tinkerman

It wasn’t long before there was another response. Viktor was growing used to the accelerating rate of their messaging. It’d been awhile since he connected with someone like this, even if they were internet strangers.

I get what you mean. I believe we all hide ourselves in some way, even if just to protect who we think we are. The anonymity of the internet and the vastness of society make it easy, almost. It also makes me wonder who you really are on the other side of this. NY1972

Viktor read the message and sat, processing. He had the urge to open up, to tell NY1972 everything about himself. He refrained, though. NY1972 beat him to a response, a second message appearing on the screen.

I hate to cut our conversation short, but I have obligations. It’s bound to be boring, wish me luck. Talk to you later. NY1972

Viktor responded, just so NY1972 knew he had read it and was awaiting further conversation.

Good luck. You’re very capable of whatever it is you’ve got going on. Talk to you later. Tinkerman

As much as he already missed talking to NY1972, Viktor also had somewhere to be. In an effort to transition his research to a better facility, he’d found his way into a cocktail hour designed for business networking. It was in downtown Manhattan, so Viktor cleaned up and got on the metro within the next hour, planning to be fashionably late.

The event took place in a high-rise, and Viktor took the elevator up to the top floor. There was music playing, and tables full of finger foods, and an open bar off to the left. Viktor chose to visit the former, looking over the selection of fruit, cheese, and small sandwiches.

“You must be Viktor,” said a female voice to his right. He looked over, and saw a recognizable face. “Your mother and mine were close friends. I’m not sure if you remember me.”

“Senator Medarda,” Viktor said. “Of course I remember. It’s been a long time.”

“Please, call me Mel,” she responded, shaking her head. It was now that Viktor realized that the man behind her was also recognizable. He didn’t have to say anything, because Mel grabbed the man’s hand. “This is my boyfriend, Jayce Talis. Jayce, this is Viktor, an old family friend.”

“We’ve met,” Jayce said, nodding. He was holding a plate that he had been loading up with snacks. Viktor noticed the way he preferred to look at Mel, almost intentional. “It’s nice to see you again, Viktor.

“Do you want anything from the bar?” Mel asked, turning to Jayce.

“Cabernet,” Jayce responded. “Or just water, if they’re out.”

Mel gave him a kiss, and swiftly left the scene. Jayce picked up a spoon and used it to take a bit of caviar from a plate below him.

“You work for Talis Technologies,” Viktor connected the dots. “I don’t know why I didn’t recognize you before.”

“You keep stealing my grants,” Jayce remarked, taking another bit of the caviar and adding it to the rest of the growing pile on his plate.

“You moved into my area of town,” Viktor said. “If anything, you’re stealing my grants.” Another bit of the caviar made its way to Jayce’s plate. Viktor couldn’t remain silent. “That caviar is a garnish.”

Jayce made direct eye contact with him, scooped up the majority of the remaining caviar, and put it on his place before turning and crossing the room towards his lover. Viktor had nothing else to say, watching him go.

Viktor made his rounds circling the room, introducing and reintroducing himself to possible investors. In the midst of socializing, he found that he was tiring out much earlier than expected. He ended up in the bathroom, staring himself in the mirror, weighing the future possibilities of slowly declining into immobility and illness or ending it all before it got too bad.

Jayce was on the other side of the door when Viktor exited, so close that they nearly collided.

“Sorry,” was Jayce’s instinct response. Seeing who it was, Viktor sensed that he may have wished he could revoke the apology. Viktor pressed onward past him, making a beeline for the elevator.

The metro ride home was sobering, but Viktor had consumed no substances. When he made it home, he collapsed onto his bed, forgoing changing into something more comfortable before succumbing to sleep. He dreamt of Jayce, which was unexpected yet surprisingly welcome. Upon waking, he made a pact to erase it from his memory.

[elphabaoftheopera]

rereading lfay chapter one! was missing the fic so hard and couldn't help going back to it after getting more hyped about seeing wicked later this year :')

have any other little facts about lfay? maybe some specific unfound parallels to point out? did you intend to make elphaba left handed in the promo photo for the fic?

ps. congrats on the greg awards :))) 🎉🎉

Oh my gosh hi!!!! It's so good to hear from you! Thank you for letting me know that you're rereading, this message made my heart so happy. I'm so excited you get to see Wicked again this year! I just bought my tickets to see the tour again in a few months.

I'm actually so excited you asked about behind the scenes facts, I have a bunch of behind the scenes stuff that I haven't shared.And thank you about the awards, I was super flattered to be nominated/voted for in all of those categories!

Cover Art

As for the cover art, I've always had the head canon that Elphaba is left handed or ambidextrous. However, the real reason I made her left handed was because the cover art is actually a photo of my real hand painted green. I'm right handed, so it was easier to paint my left hand and take the picture with my right. I got black press on nails and everything. The "Love Fae and Yero" letter was paper I stained with tea and I hand wrote the title. I like to craft so I figured that was easier/more fun than photoshopping. It took many tries to find a good angle for the pic and I have a whole folder of the pics that didn't work as well.

Please let me know your thoughts if you continue to reread, and ask any questions you like. Thank you for giving me the permission to info dump about my story!!!!

Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Love, Fae & Yero"

References to source materials

The original characters were homages to famous pen pal stories (in name only, not in personality).

Amalia- Named for Amalia Balash from Parfumerie (1937 Play) and She Loves Me (1963 Musical) Vicar Mathias Popkin- Named for “Mathias Popkin”, the fictional name given to Klara’s anonymous suitor in The Shop Around the Corner (1940 Film) He is also intended to be the same “Owl in Munchkin Rock, a vicar with a thriving flock, forbidden to preach” from “Something Bad”. Lieutenant Jozsef Fox- Named for Joe Fox from You’ve Got Mail (1998 Film) Jerusha Pendleton- Named for Jerusha Abbott and Jervis Pendleton Daddy Long Legs (2009 Musical) Miss Garland- Named for Judy Garland who starred in In The Good Old Summertime (1949 Film) and of course The Wizard of Oz (1939 Film)

There were also some lines inspired by these stories. Elphaba says "I wanted it to be you so badly" in Chapter 17: See How Bright which is a line from "You've Got Mail", Glinda and Elphaba visit a Parfumerie, the last line of Chapter 14 is a nod to "She Loves Me", and Glinda says she got the dress for Elphaba at "The Shop Around the Corner". All of the references to them meeting at "eight o'clock" is a nod to the song "Tonight at Eight" from She Loves Me. Elphaba also says "Will he like me when we meet" in Chapter 11, a line and song from She Loves Me. There's likely more I can't think of right now.

In (almost) all of the versions of the pen pal story the girl waits for the guy at a cafe with a rose in a book so he knows it's her, so that scene in Chapter 11 is a nod to that as well. Except in those versions the guy *does* find out it's her but doesn't tell her he's the pen pal right away. I did consider keeping this story more true to that model (meaning Fiyero would realize Elphaba is the pen pal but wouldn't reveal it) but I'd already gotten the idea to have Glinda reveal it at the Ozdust and I didn't want to change that.

The sorcery is inspired by The Wizard of Oz. 

The magic I decided to incorporate into the story, primarily teleportation and crystal balls, were inspired by The Wicked Witch of the West’s magic in the movie. When The Wicked Witch of the West first enters she has a red cloud of smoke but when she exits there is fire. Then of course, there is her crystal ball she uses to spy on people.

The Epilogue: The Badlands

My decision to have Elphaba and Fiyero go to the Badlands was largely inspired by earlier drafts of the musical. 

In the San Francisco Tryout Elphaba has a conversation with Nessa during WWOTE about the Badlands. They call it “the bleakest most Ozforsaken place you can imagine” and how no one ever returns from there, and Elphaba says she could because she could fly. She said Animals fled to the Badlands and were so frightened they forgot how to speak.

I was also inspired by this passage in Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz by Carol de Giere about an ending in which Elphaba and Fiyero run into Doctor Dillamond in The Badlands and Elphaba helps him speak.

“It was to take place on a scruffy farm in an isolated area of Oz called the Badlands.” (p. 309)

“He [Stephen Schwartz] liked the down-to-earth feel of having her use natural healing abilities rather than magic. Dr. Dillamond then bleated with difficulty: “El-pha-baaaa.” 

“On some emotional and philosophical level, it was why I wanted to tell the story,” Schwartz later revealed about the last scene where Elphaba tries to heal the Animals who have fled to the Badlands. “It’s the fact that it’s completely anonymous and she’ll never get any credit or public affection for it, but she does it anyway.” (p. 310)

I felt the line about staying anonymous was particularly fitting, so I wanted to loosely incorporate his original vision into the epilogue.

Additionally, some other plot points/dialogue were taken from the San Francisco Try Out, particularly in Nessa and Elphaba's talk in Chapter 28: Sister Sunrise. Elphaba says "So it's you they're talking about, I thought it was another lie about me" and Nessa says "not everything's about you". Fiyero also originally had a line in the Lion Cub scene where he says "you cared about the cub so much it changed everything, what's it like to care about something that much?" which I used as well in Chapter 10: Fair Weather Friends.

It was really cool to see the different versions/drafts that didn't make the cut and use them for this mishmash of different canons.

The story was originally going to be *much* shorter.

I didn’t originally plan to set Elphaba off down The Wizard path. It was just going to be a Shiz-era story and I considered ending it after “An OzDust Do-Over”. I also considered ending it after “She’s Off To See The Wizard” on an ambiguous note, and then maybe continue in a sequel. Then ideas like the sonnet, cave, and trapdoor started coming to me and I realized I had to continue it through. As a writer, I usually tend to make a story darker/more dramatic than I originally set out to do lol.

Lost chapter

There is a “lost” chapter of LFAY that was originally between Chapter 19 “An Honest Go” and Chapter 20 “Out Loud” in which Elphaba helps Fiyero through his test anxiety. It was ultimately cut because it wasn’t serving the grander plot, but the current plan is to use a lot of the dialogue I wrote in a different story I have in mind. It still exists in my draft folder.

Parallels

As for parallels I'm sure there is many that I wrote and forgot about, I may have to reread myself. But one that I particularly like is a parallel between Chapter 17: See How Bright and Chapter 34: Dorothy and the Darkness. It repeats the line : "Fiyero had come…and he’d brought the light back with him."

Elphaba also says "Follow me, Yero?" to which Fiyero responds "Anywhere" three times. Once in the museum in Chapter 19: An Honest Go, once as they're heading into the seedy market in Chapter 27: Mockbeggar Market and once before they're about to leave Oz in Chapter 34: Dorothy and the Darkness.

I'm positive there are more I'm not thinking of, I really went off on the parallels. 😅 Let me know if you ever catch any more!

Bonus: I got bored once and created them on Sims...

Thank you again for reaching out, please do so again if you have other thoughts/questions!

[noisynutcrusade]

Episode #174: You've Got Mail - Comfort Rewatch

This week, we’re dissecting another favorite comfort watch movie for decor and home inspiration. This is an ongoing series for us, and this week’s selection is You’ve Got Mail, a Nora Ephron film from 1998. This is definitely a millennial comfort movie to THE CORE. You can find the podcast posts archive here. A big thank you to our sponsors! Check out the offers from Ritual, Shopify, BetterHelp,…

[heavenzscent]

When you guys want to see romantic comedy inspired content which are your favorite?

[everhaunts]

The rambling that came from Wes brought another smile to her lips, one that was smaller but that didn't mean it held less meaning. She hadn't realized her heart was beating a little faster, wondering if that had just been from the surprising hug earlier. Surely just that. Nonetheless, Whit's eyes seemed to light up when he asked what films were waiting in the bag, and the grin widened as she eagerly strolled into the place and spun around on her heel.

“Alright, the run down! You better be writing all of this down,” Whitney declared, but then smirked and playfully rolled their eyes. "Not really, but..." Setting the bag on the nearby table, she began taking the movies out one by one and had the intention of giving a quick summary. “The Princess Bride, 1987. An adventure chronicling the tale of a swashbuckling farmhand who goes to save his one true love. Cliché or not, it’s a beautiful, well-made film. A classic.”

“Legally Blonde, 2001. Starring the one and only Reese Witherspoon who plays Elle Woods, a true inspiration. She goes to Harvard for law school to get back a guy who’s an asshole but-” And to think... Whit used to date those kinds of guys. But anyway... “The point is, that movie was one of the inspirations for me to major in business and legal studies.” Well, that and her father going to prison for shady crime stuff but that was beside the point for the sake of this conversation.

“Clueless, circa 1995. The character Cher is an icon. The movie is about how she’s navigating popularity in high school, giving a makeover to a new student, and then-” Realizing she loves someone she didn’t realize she loved? Yeah, but Whitney didn’t finish the sentence. “You know, it’s just an experience. Whenever you watch it, you’ll see.” Another movie was plucked out.

“You’ve Got Mail, 1998. The story of a boutique bookseller and an owner of a chain store who opens across the street. They end up starting to fall for each other, not realizing that they’re actually business rivals. The drama, the intensity.” Whit showed the last movie. “And finally… Grease, 1978. The spectacular musical with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. I mean, out of all these, I would think you’d know about this movie at least. If not, we’ll eventually change that.”

Whitney then held all five movies together, fanned out in her hands as she raised an eyebrow to Wesley. "Choose your fate."

Was he filled with nerves? of course, whitney had that effect on him and he didn't know if it was because he found her so incredibly intelligent. or if it was that smile. both. he could easily have a conversation with her and that alone would also have him acting like an idiot. he hoped the hug didn't upset them he couldn't contain himself when he saw that they were okay.

he found himself relaxing when they returned the hug, maybe he was brave today, or just a bit more bold. whatever it was, he was glad he could express it. of course he was protective of whitney and he couldn't be with her at all times. knowing his friend was okay, mattered more than he can put into words.

"me?" he paused "oh yeah, yeah, of course. me, I'm am just dandy." he states with a smile, he was rambling, but oh well. seeing the bag in her hand, he was reminded of the deal they had made. "ah yes." he chuckled before raising a brow at the five movies. " well, let's see what you've got." he moved to the side so whitney can step inside, making sure to lock the door and secure it. "so what did you bring?"

[wolfstarhaven]

Dear Elliot.

I just watched 10 things about you and was wondering if you know of any fics based on some of the classic 90s movies?

Hi Anon🌸 A bit of a liberal interpretation of “90s”, but here you go!

There Are 10 Things I Hate About You, Sirius Black, by solangelosunangel (17k)

Sirius is paid to take Remus out on a date via a mixed up scheme from Peter, James, and Severus; the latter two wish to date Lily.

As you might guess: a fic inspired by 10 Things I Hate About You (1999). I was surprised how well the storyline fits with wolfstar!? Loved this!

You've Got Love, by Cruisinwritealong (33k)

Remus connects with an enigmatic stranger online, runs an amazing bookstore, and has his life flipped upside down when a Potter Brothers Books megastore opens up just a few blocks away. To makes things even worse the owner of the megastore is charming, funny, and hot as hell.

Based on You’ve Got Mail (1998), this fic delivers some lovely enemies to friends to lovers, and some sweet slow burn.

The Certainty of You, by uponavenueroad (2k)

Sirius is a Hollywood actor who has not been entirely forthcoming about his identity to an undeniably charming, befuddled antique book seller from Notting Hill. The truth comes to a head the morning after a steamy one-night stand.

A short, sweet and sexy fic loosely inspired by Notting Hill (1999).

Be My Baby, by pixelated (prettyremus) (22k)

It’s the summer of 1963, and 18 year old Remus Lupin discovers dance, love, and even himself.

You guessed it, a fic heavily inspired by Dirty Dancing (1987).

Make Much of Time, by WolfstarGarden (11k)

Irrepressible and determined Sirius Black will do almost anything to befriend reserved and secretive Remus Lupin. Being roommates and seeing each other naked helps things along.

Not really your 90s romcom, but I thought I’d add this anyway. A fic inspired by Dead Poets Society (1989).

xx Elliot

[swanqueenzine]

SQ Zine. Vol 2: A Mod’s Recommendation for Movies that make good SQ AUS

If you’re craving some good movies that you just KNOW are excellent and well, you know are favorite ladies would fit RIGHT IN. Here are some recs from one of our mods (we are all cinephiles). Feel free to add your own recommendations! 

10 Things I hate About You (1999).  High-school romcom inspired by Shakespeare’s the Taming of the Shrew. 

You’ve Got Mail (1998). Story as old as time. Gentrifying mega bookstore CEO and Small-bookshop owner despise each other but unknown to them, they’ve been falling in love via AOL chat. 

To Have and Have Not (1944). A romance-war-adventure film featuring real life iconic couple Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Boggart. 

The Mask of Zorro (1998). A swashbuckling, Western taking place in Mexico. A rugged orphan turned into a gentleman and masked vigilante fights the Spanish and American empires and falls in love with an upper class woman. The movie that made millennial women fall in love with Catherine Zeta-Jones. 

The Lobster. (2015).  A black comedy drama. People are taken into a hotel to find a partner by 45 days or else they’ll turn into the animal of their choice. But there is a pack of loners who refuse to submit--falling in love when you least expect it. Starring Rachel Weisz. 

Recommendations that have already been turned into SQ AUs:

When Harry Met Sally (1989) 

When You Were Sleeping (1995)

The Mummy (1999), The Mummy Returns (2001)

The Sound of Music (1965)

The Princess Bride (1987)

[marjoch]

YOU’VE GOT MAIL

Jayce and Viktor are instant-messaging anonymously after meeting in an AOL chat room. They're also research competitors in New York City, and have no idea that they're slowly falling in love with their would-be business rival.

Inspired by the 1998 film You've Got Mail.

early updates @ josmarch on ao3

CHAPTER ONE

Viktor had always loved New York. Growing up in Brooklyn it was just him and his mother, who had immigrated from the Czechia in search of business opportunity. She had owned a small shop selling quirky inventions, a place she called The Shop Around The Corner due to its proximity the apartment she spent the rest of her life in. She’d been building things all her life, but the business kicked off when he was in elementary school, and she focused on expanding access to mobility. When he wasn’t in school, Viktor found himself following the same path. Drawn to science and mathematics, Viktor worked alongside his mother until she passed away and left him the storefront.

These days he worked with Sky Young, a woman who helped show walk-in customers around the crowded shop. She was curious about inventing, but Viktor had yet to convince her to open up and try something on her own. For now, she was good at watching the merchandise while he worked on more important things in the office.

Viktor’s mother died five years ago in 1993, but her creations still littered the shelves of the store. In fact, it was almost certain that they outnumbered his own. To be fair, Viktor’s projects were often lengthy and risked failure, while his mother did work on the side for commission or personal interest. His current project was an expansion of her thoughts on enabling someone suffering from paralysis to have full autonomy. It was intricate: neuroscience, engineering, and anatomy rolled into one. It was costly and timely, taking him upwards of a season. He’d started in August, and the clocked still ticked onwards a week out from the holidays.

The shop was funded by scientific and engineering grants that Viktor spent long hours applying for. He was noticing that he had to put in more effort recently: a couple times now, he had been expecting for something to pull through, and they had gone in a different direction. Even one of his regular investors was supporting something newer, and it was beginning to stress him out. He had a nagging feeling that the newly-constructed research facility just blocks down the street had something to do with it. The newspaper headlines said something about an achievement related to transportation, but he hadn’t gotten the chance to read about it yet.

When he wasn’t at the storefront, Viktor was in the apartment down the street that he shared with his cat Rain. She was a black cat, practically nonverbal unless she was convincing him to feed her. Her hobbies consisted of napping, staring, and sitting in Viktor’s lap, which made her a very easy roommate.

The apartment was a two-bedroom unit with a small bathroom and a fire escape. He’d lived here with his mother, and he’d moved things around since it became his alone, apart from her bedroom. It was frozen in time, the same as the day she left, with the addition of a few boxes of her personal belongings from elsewhere in the house. He couldn’t bring himself to touch it, and he was too busy these days anyway.

The morning of December 18th, Viktor woke up early. He spent an hour working his thoughts out in a notebook before ever leaving the bed, and Rain showed up expectantly when he entered the kitchen to make coffee. He fed her and let her have her space to eat, heading to the computer in the living room and starting it up. In its own time, it displayed the AOL instant messaging login screen. He input the correct information (username Tinkerman) and the startup informed him “you’ve got mail”, a sound that should not have made his stomach flutter like it did. He ignored the feeling, clicking on the chat he’d been anticipating a response from.

NY1972 was a man from the Upper West Side. That’s about all the personal details Viktor knew about him, except that he lived with his long-term girlfriend, and he worked in technology. Opening the chat they communicated through, Viktor read the latest message:

Today’s rainy in this area of town. I find that I don’t mind the weather, it feels nostalgic as it reminds me of growing up in Seattle. I heard we’re due for a wet winter, so I should invest in a new raincoat. Work these days is repetitive, there are so many companies willing to fund technological advances but even more hoping applicants. I can only hope my proposal is good enough to convince them. How are you this morning? I imagine you’re reading this as you drink your morning coffee, preparing for what awaits. NY1972

Viktor looked down at his coffee mug, feeling a bit seen-through. He shrugged a little, took a sip, and got to writing back:

The weather’s not so bad here. It looks like rain, but I’m not convinced today is the day. It’s fascinating that you are also working to acquire funding for your projects. May I ask what your passion is? If it’s too personal, I understand. I’m interested in hearing about anything, from your current favorite book to the inner workings of your daily routine. My morning started with research, and will likely end the same way. How is your day? Have you been to Seattle recently? Tinkerman

He sat there after pressing send, and stood up from the desk. NY1972’s message had come in earlier in the morning, so it could be before the evening that he received a response. He was getting dressed for work when he heard the notification of a message coming through AIM chat. He nearly stumbled making his way back to the computer, expectantly looking for an update.

My family is still in Seattle, I sometimes visit for the holidays. My father also works in technology, but his company is based on the West Coast. I think he holds a grudge against me for moving this far away. I’m still learning to appreciate New York, but making connections within the community has helped. I’m working in renewable energy these days. I’m about to leave for work, but I look forward to hearing from you later this evening. NY1972

It was nice to know that this man wanted to speak to him as much as Viktor wanted to hear. He sat in front of the computer, hands lingering over the keys, before words found him.

I have the same busy day ahead of me. I fear my cat will be upset at the lack of my presence, but she’s good at keeping herself entertained. I am curious if you have any pets? Let me know when you do return, and work hard. Tinkerman

Viktor logged out of AIM before he allowed himself to waste time sitting around in hopes of another message. The pair of them had met in a larger chat server, and when they’d moved the conversation to a private window, Viktor noticed how NY1972 was driven by his work. Viktor worked long hours, even occasionally staying at the storefront overnight, and he had noticed that there was sometimes no message awaiting him when he returned. He tried not to allow any disappointment to cloud his judgment, but this internet stranger was captivating his attention. He pulled his jacket on, leaned on his cane as he locked the front door, and started his short walk to the storefront.

Sky was waiting outside, having arrived just before him. “Good morning,” she chirped, dressed in a warm sweater, navy trousers, with her hair pulled back and glasses sitting on the bridge of her nose.

“Morning,” Viktor responded, unlocking the door and pushing it open for her. She entered first, flipping on the lights. The dark shop was instantly illuminated, bright lights shining down on the shelves of metal. Sky pulled the curtains open, letting the natural light in. Viktor headed back towards the register, setting to count the drawer.

“You seem like you’re in a good mood,” Sky noted.

Viktor looked up at her, raising an eyebrow. “Do I?”

“You never seem this bright,” she clarified. “Did one of the grants pull through?” Hesitation, then: “Seeing anyone new lately?”

He shook his head and went back to counting the bills. As he worked, he answered, “I should ask you that question. I’ve yet to hear you speak of anyone, and you’re an attractive young woman. You’re intelligent. You could have men lined up down the block.”

“I could find someone if I was looking,” Sky said. She was watching him with some expression of longing, but Viktor missed the meaning in her gaze, focused. “So there’s no one? What’s got you acting all different?”

Viktor finished counting and put the cash drawer back in the register, closing it. “I’m not sure what you mean,” he feigned innocence. “I’m the same as I always am.” He straightened up the junk on the counter: sticky notes, a cup of pens, a stack of receipts. Sky didn’t go anywhere, staring as if it would reveal his secrets. It worked, because he sighed. “Alright. If I tell you, you cannot judge me.”

“Why would I judge you?” Sky laughed, leaning on the counter on the opposite side from where he stood. “I’m all ears.”

Viktor flipped through receipts as he spoke. “Last week, I had a night off. I ended up in one of the AOL instant messaging chat rooms.”

Sky laughed again, interrupting. “Oh, really?”

“Do you want to hear the story or not?”

She put her hands up. He continued on.

“I ended up talking to a man who is also in tech. He understands the work I do, it’s been a refreshing conversation. We’ve been messaging privately since that night.”

“And?” Sky pressed, never taking her eyes off of him. “What’s his name?”

Viktor met her eyes for the first time since he started sharing. Sky didn’t need a response to get the message.

“Oh my god,” she exclaimed. “You don’t know his name. You’re talking to a guy on AIM, and you don’t know his name.”

“No, I don’t know his name,” Viktor said, coming around the counter and fixing the flyers on the front windows. Each of them displayed information about upcoming neighborhood events. The most important was two days before Christmas, in which Viktor was hosting an inventor’s fair. His mother started the tradition, and for ten years now, inventors and engineers in Brooklyn would bring their creations to the shop and demonstrate their discoveries. “He has a girlfriend. It’s not a big deal.” He straightened the crooked poster announcing the date and time.

“Interesting,” Sky said. “What are you trying to get out of this?”

“Good conversation at the very least,” Viktor replied, putting the conversation to rest by walking back towards the office. “I’m going to keep working on the project. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Have fun,” was the response from his assistant. The amusement in her voice never faltered, and Viktor almost regretted telling her about his new friend. He lost himself in his equations, sitting at his workbench and carrying on what he’d been working on for months, forgetting about NY1972 as well as he could.

Jayce had always hated New York. The noise was constant, and the stench was even worse. Growing up outside Seattle, he preferred the quiet and clean streets. He missed a lot about the city: his family, his best friend who may as well be his sister, even the weather. While he’d been in New York for two years now, he was still adjusting. Things were starting to look up, as he finally acquired property for the research facility he’d always dreamed of.

Jayce’s routine was easy. He woke up at seven in the morning each day, even the weekends, and either worked out or worked on his current project (depending on what the day called for). He lived with his girlfriend, who’d he been dating since just before his cross-country move. Since they became official, Mel had been elected to the state senate, leaving Jayce alone on weeks when she was required to travel for work. He’d kept himself entertained with a multitude of books and his own projects, but he recently found himself in an AOL instant messaging chat room, in which he came across Tinkerman, a captivatingly educated personality who was also in New York.

On December 18th, Mel was out of town. Jayce woke up, worked out, and made breakfast before sending his morning message to Tinkerman. He was buttoning up his shirt when he heard the AIM notification from the living room. Against his better efforts to stay calm, he rushed to finish dressing and hurried back to his computer. He found himself smiling at the response before him. It was nice to know that someone cared enough to ask questions.

After responding, he turned off the computer and took a taxi to Brooklyn. He was living in the Upper West Side in Mel’s spacious apartment, but he’d gotten property in a different borough because it allowed him to get his research up and running.

Just down the street from The Shop Around The Corner, Talis Technologies was two-story building that replaced an old bookstore. The building had been gutted and redesigned to add research laboratories, offices, and a large room solely for a supercomputer and all its related gadgets and gizmos.

Jayce was pouring himself into a project he’d been focused on for the better half of the year. He had a concept for introducing new cross-country transportation ideas, but was just now securing the location and the funding to pick up the pace. He was expecting an investor to show up for a tour this morning, but the appointment time came and went, and he heard nothing. He ended up in his office, flipping through a business magazine that gave him an idea of potential investors to call.

His cell phone rang, then. It was the investor, an hour and a half late. Jayce answered immediately. “Jayce Talis speaking.”

“Hello Mr. Talis,” said the deep voice on the other end of the line. “Apologies for the miscommunication about our appointment this morning. We have already chosen to award this grant to someone else, but we encourage you to apply again in the future.”

Jayce deflated, but kept himself together on the call. “Thank you for letting me know.” Curiosity got the better of him, so he continued, “May I ask who the grant went to?”

“We have been a consistent supporter of The Shop Around The Corner throughout the years, so we’ve chosen to continue maintaining that partnership. They have an inventor’s fair coming up, perhaps it would be to your advantage to network with peers and other potential investors.”

Now he wasn’t disappointed, he was annoyed. He hadn’t been to The Shop Around The Corner yet, but he was under the impression it was less of a scientific facility and more of a knick-knack store. It felt like the investor only chose The Shop because of their history, and not due to any possible successes, but he couldn’t let that show in his tone. “I appreciate having the opportunity to apply, and hope you have an excellent rest of your day.”

“Take care, Mr. Talis.” The investor hung up.

Jayce sat at his desk for a minute, then stood and made his way outside. He had to get some fresh air. He’d been expecting this grant to work out, and it was taken from under him.

Since he’d never been to The Shop Around The Corner, he figured he would see what all the fuss was about. He knew exactly where it was, having passed it in the taxi many times before. Three blocks west. When he arrived, he peered inside, curious for a glimpse.

A woman was entering the shop holding hands with a young boy, and she held the door for him. Jayce refused her gesture and held the door for her, then thanked her anyway. He followed her inside, looking around for a better idea of what was going on. So many unintelligible things on shelves of various heights. Despite the critiques coming to mind, he could imagine his teenage bedroom, full of the same seemingly-nonsense useful tools.

The woman seemed to have a good idea of how to go about shopping here, because she headed directly to the counter. Another woman sat behind it, and she struck up conversation with the customer. Jayce was eavesdropping until he saw a man walk out of a door behind the desk. He was older than the woman helping at the counter, about Jayce’s age. The pair of them locked eyes, and the man stopped.

“Can I help you?” said the man to Jayce. He seemed so genuine about the inquiry, Jayce almost felt bad for intruding in his space. Before the silence grew too lengthy, Jayce thought of something to say.

“Yeah,” he finally spoke. “I’m new in the area. I’m stopping by all of the shops and stores and checking things out, trying to get familiar with my surroundings.”

The man’s face softened. “Welcome to the neighborhood,” he said. “I’m Viktor. I run this shop with Miss Young.” He gestured to the woman behind the counter, who was still assisting the customer.

“I’m Jayce,” he introduced in response. “I’m just a few blocks from here.”

“You should come by more often,” Viktor nodded. “We have an inventor’s fair coming up, it’s open to the public. It’d be a great time to meet your neighbors.”

So it wasn’t just knick-knacks, it was outreach. Jayce could understand how someone with deep roots in the community beat him out for a grant, he just couldn’t let it happen again.

“If I’m free, I’ll try to stop by,” was he response he offered. He stepped back, then. “I’ve got to get going, but thank you.”

Viktor said nothing, watching this Jayce leave with intrigue.

“Thank you for what?” said Sky when he was finally gone. She’d finished with the customer, who was now poking around the shelves with her son.

“I’m not quite sure,” Viktor answered, picking up the receipt from the latest sale and stacking it on top of the others. The growing pile was bound to fall over soon.

“Do you think he’ll show up?”

“Probably not,” Viktor shrugged. He looked around the store. Noticing it was empty, he put forth a proposition. “I can watch the store if you want to go get us lunch. Whatever you want.”

“I got you,” she said, popping the cash drawer open and taking a twenty. “Be back soon.”

The bell on the door rang as Sky exited. Viktor basked in the silence, intending to rest his wandering mind for a few moments, but instead finding himself wondering if there was a message waiting for him when he finally got home later.

Three blocks to the east, Jayce was doing the very same thing.

[suitofvibraniumarmor]

Rom-Com Writing Challenge!

We all love a good rom-com, amirite? They’re my favorite, and Chuck knows I’ve pulled inspiration from these movies more than once. Now, it’s your turn to do that! I’ll get right into it, but I’ll put info and prompts under the cut so no one has to scroll past a crazy long post. Please read all of the information carefully!

Rules, Guidelines, Important Dates:

Sign-Ups start when this post is live and will go through to June 28, 2020. I will accept two people for each prompt.

Please send your sign-ups to my ask box so they’re easier to keep track of. I will answer them privately so I’m not flooding anyone’s dash!

In your ask, please include your preferred prompt and a backup option, as well as your pairing (so I don’t take the same pairing for the same prompt). Also, please let me know if you’ll be posting from a URL other than one you’re asking from.

To be included in the challenge masterlist, please post your fic (or the first part, if it’s a series) by June 30, 2020.

Please include an author’s note tagging me and mentioning the challenge in your fic post; include #RomComWC or#RCWC in the first five tags. If the tag doesn’t work, you may DM the link to me, also. If you decide to write a series, please tag me in the masterlist.

Please give me up to 48 hours to read your fic before checking if I have seen it. If I have not liked it after 48 hours, please DO check. (You know, since we’re all aware of how unreliable tumblr is.)

The challenge masterlist will be posted between July 1 and July 4, 2020.

There are no word count limits, but please use the Keep Reading feature if your story goes beyond 500 words. Additionally, if your fic goes beyond 5000 words, please consider splitting it into multiple parts. This is not a requirement, only something to think about.

Yes, this is a rom-com challenge, but that’s only where your inspiration begins! Feel free to mold your story into any genre -- fluff, angst, smut, hurt/comfort, crack -- or any combination of genres.

HOWEVER. Since it is a rom-com challenge, your ending must be happy and/or hopeful.

Your fic does not have to be exactly like the movie. You can change up the ending, take one scene, one relationship, any one component of the movie you chose, and build your fic from there. As long as we can see notes of the movie in the fic, you’re good.

For personal reasons, I do not read and will not accept into the challenge stories that include non-con/dub-con, underage sex, adult-child romantic/sexual relationships, spouse-bashing, child abuse -- I could go on, but I think you get the idea. If you’re not sure about something, I’m always happy to answer questions.

Characters and RPFs are welcome.

Bring on the ships, OFC’s, reader pairings -- I’m trying to be more open-minded as of late, but I can’t promise that I will read everything. Again, for personal reasons.

I’m running this challenge on multiple blogs, and you’re more than welcome to sign up for more than one fandom!

Other fandoms: SPN | John Krasinski (Actor & Characters) | Multi-Fandom

Prompts:

License to Wed (2007)

Secret Admirer (1985)

10 Thing I Hate About You (1999) @harley-sunday (Bucky) 

Fools Rush In (1997)

Isn’t It Romantic (2019)

Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)

The Proposal (2009) @docharleythegeekqueen (Steve Rogers)

Sweet Home Alabama (2002) @captain-s-rogers (Chris Evans) | @fanfictionaries (AU Steve Rogers)

Sixteen Candles (1984) @past-perfect-future-tense (Bucky)

Better Off Dead (1985)

Pretty In Pink (1986)

Overboard (1987)

Look Who’s Talking (1989) @sunriserose1023 (Bucky) | @oh-its-nova (Steve Rogers)

The Wedding Singer (1998)

Never Been Kissed (1999) @captain-rogers-beard {Stucky)

One Fine Day (1996)

The Cutting Edge (1992)

Valley Girl (1983)

Pretty Woman (1990) @romaxnogersav (Steve Rogers)

It Could Happen to You (1994)

It’s Complicated (2009)

Something’s Gotta Give (2003)

You’ve Got Mail (1998)

Notting Hill (1999)

Serendipity (2001)

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) @alyxkbrl (Henry Cavill)

Love Actually (2003)

Wedding Crashers (2005)

The Holiday (2006)

P.S. I Love You (2007)

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

Easy A (2010)

Second Act (2018)

First Daughter (2004)

Music and Lyrics (2007)

What Happens in Vegas (2008)

He’s Just Not That Into You (2009)

The Prince & Me (2004)

Fever Pitch (2005)

Friends With Benefits (2011)

When In Rome (2010)

Letters to Juliet (2010)

Forces of Nature (1999)

200 Cigarettes (1999)

Reality Bites (1994)

Addicted to Love (1997)

Whatever It Takes (2000)

Can’t Hardly Wait (1998)

Coyote Ugle (2000)

America’s Sweethearts (2001)

@captain-s-rogers @the-murder-strut-murdered-me @captain-rogers-beard @star-spangled-man-with-a-plan

[iwantthedean]

Rom-Com Writing Challenge!

We all love a good rom-com, amirite? They’re my favorite, and Chuck knows I’ve pulled inspiration from these movies more than once. Now, it’s your turn to do that! I’ll get right into it, but I’ll put info and prompts under the cut so no one has to scroll past a crazy long post. Please read all of the information carefully! 

Rules, Guidelines, Important Dates:

Sign-Ups start when this post is live and will go through to June 28, 2020. I will accept two people for each prompt.

Please send your sign-ups to my ask box so they’re easier to keep track of. I will answer them privately so I’m not flooding anyone’s dash!

In your ask, please include your preferred prompt and a backup option, as well as your pairing (so I don’t take the same pairing for the same prompt). Also, please let me know if you’ll be posting from a URL other than one you’re asking from. 

To be included in the challenge masterlist, please post your fic (or the first part, if it’s a series) by June 30, 2020.

Please include an author’s note tagging me and mentioning the challenge in your fic post; include #RomComWC or#RCWC in the first five tags. If the tag doesn’t work, you may DM the link to me, also. If you decide to write a series, please tag me in the masterlist.

Please give me up to 48 hours to read your fic before checking if I have seen it. If I have not liked it after 48 hours, please DO check. (You know, since we’re all aware of how unreliable tumblr is.)

The challenge masterlist will be posted between July 1 and July 4, 2020.

There are no word count limits, but please use the Keep Reading feature if your story goes beyond 500 words. Additionally, if your fic goes beyond 5000 words, please consider splitting it into multiple parts. This is not a requirement, only something to think about.

Yes, this is a rom-com challenge, but that’s only where your inspiration begins! Feel free to mold your story into any genre -- fluff, angst, smut, hurt/comfort, crack -- or any combination of genres.

HOWEVER. Since it is a rom-com challenge, your ending must be happy and/or hopeful.

Your fic does not have to be exactly like the movie. You can change up the ending, take one scene, one relationship, any one component of the movie you chose, and build your fic from there. As long as we can see notes of the movie in the fic, you’re good.

For personal reasons, I do not read and will not accept into the challenge stories that include non-con/dub-con, underage sex, adult-child romantic/sexual relationships, spouse-bashing, child abuse -- I could go on, but I think you get the idea. If you’re not sure about something, I’m always happy to answer questions.

Characters and RPFs are welcome.

Bring on the ships, OFC’s, reader pairings -- I’m trying to be more open-minded as of late, but I can’t promise that I will read everything. Again, for personal reasons.

I’m running this challenge on multiple blogs, and you’re more than welcome to sign up for more than one fandom!

Other fandoms: Marvel | John Krasinski (Actor & Characters) | Multi-Fandom

Prompts: 

License to Wed (2007)

Secret Admirer (1985)

10 Things I Hate About You (1999) @official-and-unstable-satan (Jared) | @wingedcatninja (Dean)

Fools Rush In (1997)

Isn’t It Romantic (2019)

Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)

The Proposal (2009) @tumbler-tidbits (Dean) | @katymacsupernatural (Jensen)

Sweet Home Alabama (2002)

Sixteen Candles (1984)

Better Off Dead (1985)

Pretty In Pink (1986)

Overboard (1987)

Look Who’s Talking (1989)

The Wedding Singer (1998)

Never Been Kissed (1999)

One Fine Day (1996)

The Cutting Edge (1992)

Valley Girl (1983)

Pretty Woman (1990)

It Could Happen to You (1994)

It’s Complicated (2009)

Something’s Gotta Give (2003)

You’ve Got Mail (1998)

Notting Hill (1999)

Serendipity (2001)

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

Love Actually (2003)

Wedding Crashers (2005)

The Holiday (2006)

P.S. I Love You (2007) @deanwinchesterswitch (Dean)

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

Easy A (2010)

Second Act (2018)

First Daughter (2004)

Music and Lyrics (2007)

What Happens in Vegas (2008)

He’s Just Not That Into You (2009)

The Prince & Me (2004) @queen-serena88 (Dean)

Fever Pitch (2005)

Friends With Benefits (2011)

When In Rome (2010)

Letters to Juliet (2010)

Forces of Nature (1999)

200 Cigarettes (1999)

Reality Bites (1994)

Addicted to Love (1997)

Whatever It Takes (2000)

Can’t Hardly Wait (1998)

Coyote Ugle (2000)

America’s Sweethearts (2001)

@ashleymalfoy @busybee612 @mrswhozeewhatsis @atc74 @blacktithe7 @jerkbitchidjitassbutt @jayankles @evansrogerskitten

[lullabieswrappedinlies]

Rom-Com Writing Challenge!

We all love a good rom-com, amirite? They’re my favorite, and Chuck knows I’ve pulled inspiration from these movies more than once. Now, it’s your turn to do that! I’ll get right into it, but I’ll put info and prompts under the cut so no one has to scroll past a crazy long post. Please read all of the information carefully!

Rules, Guidelines, Important Dates:

Sign-Ups start when this post is live and will go through to June 28, 2020. I will accept two people for each prompt.

Please send your sign-ups to my ask box so they’re easier to keep track of. I will answer them privately so I’m not flooding anyone’s dash!

In your ask, please include your preferred prompt and a backup option, as well as your pairing (so I don’t take the same pairing for the same prompt). Also, please let me know if you’ll be posting from a URL other than one you’re asking from.

To be included in the challenge masterlist, please post your fic (or the first part, if it’s a series) by June 30, 2020.

Please include an author’s note tagging me and mentioning the challenge in your fic post; include #RomComWC or#RCWC in the first five tags. If the tag doesn’t work, you may DM the link to me, also. If you decide to write a series, please tag me in the masterlist.

Please give me up to 48 hours to read your fic before checking if I have seen it. If I have not liked it after 48 hours, please DO check. (You know, since we’re all aware of how unreliable tumblr is.)

The challenge masterlist will be posted between July 1 and July 4, 2020.

There are no word count limits, but please use the Keep Reading feature if your story goes beyond 500 words. Additionally, if your fic goes beyond 5000 words, please consider splitting it into multiple parts. This is not a requirement, only something to think about.

Yes, this is a rom-com challenge, but that’s only where your inspiration begins! Feel free to mold your story into any genre -- fluff, angst, smut, hurt/comfort, crack -- or any combination of genres.

HOWEVER. Since it is a rom-com challenge, your ending must be happy and/or hopeful.

Your fic does not have to be exactly like the movie. You can change up the ending, take one scene, one relationship, any one component of the movie you chose, and build your fic from there. As long as we can see notes of the movie in the fic, you’re good.

For personal reasons, I do not read and will not accept into the challenge stories that include non-con/dub-con, underage sex, adult-child romantic/sexual relationships, spouse-bashing, child abuse -- I could go on, but I think you get the idea. If you’re not sure about something, I’m always happy to answer questions.

Characters and RPFs are welcome.

Bring on the ships, OFC’s, reader pairings -- I’m trying to be more open-minded as of late, but I can’t promise that I will read everything. Again, for personal reasons.

I’m running this challenge on multiple blogs, and you’re more than welcome to sign up for more than one fandom!

Other fandoms: Marvel | SPN | Multi-Fandom

Prompts:

License to Wed (2007)

Secret Admirer (1985)

10 Thing I Hate About You (1999)

Fools Rush In (1997)

Isn’t It Romantic (2019)

Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)

The Proposal (2009)

Sweet Home Alabama (2002)

Sixteen Candles (1984)

Better Off Dead (1985)

Pretty In Pink (1986)

Overboard (1987)

Look Who’s Talking (1989)

The Wedding Singer (1998)

Never Been Kissed (1999)

One Fine Day (1996)

The Cutting Edge (1992)

Valley Girl (1983)

Pretty Woman (1990)

It Could Happen to You (1994)

It’s Complicated (2009)

Something’s Gotta Give (2003)

You’ve Got Mail (1998)

Notting Hill (1999) @justformyself2 (John)

Serendipity (2001)

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

Love Actually (2003)

Wedding Crashers (2005)

The Holiday (2006)

P.S. I Love You (2007) @justformyself2 (John)

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

Easy A (2010)

Second Act (2018)

First Daughter (2004)

Music and Lyrics (2007)

What Happens in Vegas (2008)

He’s Just Not That Into You (2009)

The Prince & Me (2004)

Fever Pitch (2005)

Friends With Benefits (2011)

When In Rome (2010)

Letters to Juliet (2010)

Forces of Nature (1999)

200 Cigarettes (1999)

Reality Bites (1994)

Addicted to Love (1997)

Whatever It Takes (2000)

Can’t Hardly Wait (1998)

Coyote Ugly (2000)

America’s Sweethearts (2001)

@ulovemelightsout @professorkrasinski @jackryanfanfic @i-am-a-stupid-robot

[whiskeyxcola]

Rom-Com Writing Challenge!

We all love a good rom-com, amirite? They’re my favorite, and Chuck knows I’ve pulled inspiration from these movies more than once. Now, it’s your turn to do that! I’ll get right into it, but I’ll put info and prompts under the cut so no one has to scroll past a crazy long post. Please read all of the information carefully!

For this blog, you may do any fandom and any pairing, as long as it falls within the guidelines! 

Rules, Guidelines, Important Dates:

Sign-Ups start when this post is live and will go through to June 28, 2020. I will accept two people for each prompt.

Please send your sign-ups to my ask box so they’re easier to keep track of. I will answer them privately so I’m not flooding anyone’s dash!

In your ask, please include your preferred prompt and a backup option, as well as your pairing (so I don’t take the same pairing for the same prompt). Also, please let me know if you’ll be posting from a URL other than one you’re asking from.

To be included in the challenge masterlist, please post your fic (or the first part, if it’s a series) by June 30, 2020.

Please include an author’s note tagging me and mentioning the challenge in your fic post; include #RomComWC or#RCWC in the first five tags. If the tag doesn’t work, you may DM the link to me, also. If you decide to write a series, please tag me in the masterlist.

Please give me up to 48 hours to read your fic before checking if I have seen it. If I have not liked it after 48 hours, please DO check. (You know, since we’re all aware of how unreliable tumblr is.)

The challenge masterlist will be posted between July 1 and July 4, 2020.

There are no word count limits, but please use the Keep Reading feature if your story goes beyond 500 words. Additionally, if your fic goes beyond 5000 words, please consider splitting it into multiple parts. This is not a requirement, only something to think about.

Yes, this is a rom-com challenge, but that’s only where your inspiration begins! Feel free to mold your story into any genre -- fluff, angst, smut, hurt/comfort, crack -- or any combination of genres.

HOWEVER. Since it is a rom-com challenge, your ending must be happy and/or hopeful.

Your fic does not have to be exactly like the movie. You can change up the ending, take one scene, one relationship, any one component of the movie you chose, and build your fic from there. As long as we can see notes of the movie in the fic, you’re good.

For personal reasons, I do not read and will not accept into the challenge stories that include non-con/dub-con, underage sex, adult-child romantic/sexual relationships, spouse-bashing, child abuse -- I could go on, but I think you get the idea. If you’re not sure about something, I’m always happy to answer questions.

Characters and RPFs are welcome.

Bring on the ships, OFC’s, reader pairings -- I’m trying to be more open-minded as of late, but I can’t promise that I will read everything. Again, for personal reasons.

I’m running this challenge on multiple blogs, and you’re more than welcome to sign up for more than one fandom!

Other fandoms: Marvel | John Krasinski (Actor & Characters) | SPN

Prompts:

License to Wed (2007)

Secret Admirer (1985)

10 Thing I Hate About You (1999)

Fools Rush In (1997)

Isn’t It Romantic (2019)

Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)

The Proposal (2009)

Sweet Home Alabama (2002)

Sixteen Candles (1984)

Better Off Dead (1985)

Pretty In Pink (1986)

Overboard (1987)

Look Who’s Talking (1989)

The Wedding Singer (1998)

Never Been Kissed (1999)

One Fine Day (1996)

The Cutting Edge (1992)

Valley Girl (1983)

Pretty Woman (1990)

It Could Happen to You (1994)

It’s Complicated (2009)

Something’s Gotta Give (2003)

You’ve Got Mail (1998)

Notting Hill (1999)

Serendipity (2001)

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

Love Actually (2003)

Wedding Crashers (2005)

The Holiday (2006)

P.S. I Love You (2007)

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

Easy A (2010)

Second Act (2018)

First Daughter (2004)

Music and Lyrics (2007)

What Happens in Vegas (2008)

He’s Just Not That Into You (2009)

The Prince & Me (2004)

Fever Pitch (2005)

Friends With Benefits (2011)

When In Rome (2010)

Letters to Juliet (2010)

Forces of Nature (1999)

200 Cigarettes (1999)

Reality Bites (1994)

Addicted to Love (1997)

Whatever It Takes (2000)

Can’t Hardly Wait (1998)

Coyote Ugle (2000)

America’s Sweethearts (2001)

[palindromeparadox]

top 8 comfort movies!

the wonderful @carryonmylovelies tagged me in this! (thank you for tagging me in these! i love doing them!)

These are in no particular order!

1 Pride (2014)

i saw it for the first time a few years ago and it has quickly entered my list of all time favorite movies. it’s a true story too! i love history and i have done a ton of research on the AIDS epidemic for a research paper and so this film is meaningful to me because i understand a lot of the backstory and the painful details that aren’t shown in the movie. but also it is just so well filmed and the writing is amazing. the ending scene (i won’t spoil it) is the first time a movie has made me cry. goodness i love this movie and will recommend it to everyone

2 Handsome Devil (2016)

queer coming of age story set at a boys boarding school in britain. a hard movie to watch at points but it has such an amazing theme and the message is so great. also (spoilers!) it is so great seeing two gay characters just stay friends in the end! its just ugh *chefs kiss* so important and not seen enough.

3 You’ve Got Mail (1998)

grew up watching this with my mom. its sad and bittersweet but lovely. i have dreamed about having my own little shop around the corner like Kathleen. the ending always makes me tear up. i think my favorite part will always be just before the ending where it shows Kathleen and Joe just purely becoming friends and having fun together

4 Thor: Ragnorok (2017)

just pure and funny. peak himbo hours. so good. I'm in love with Valkyrie. also loki. and bruce. and thor. I'm bi. whoops. but yeah the action is fantastic, the writing is high quality and the characterizations are amazing. the way they portray sibling relationships is so fucking accurate i love it. just so much to love

5 Stick It (2006)

I don’t remember the first time I saw this movie, just that I have watched it too many times to count. only this past year did i realize that part of my love for it was that i was so very in love with Hayley Grahm (the main character). whoops. i was still very in denial back then

6 Ocean’s 11 (2001)

all time favorite movie. i could watch it a million times and not get sick of it. don’t even know what to say. its just so good

7 Hitch (2005)

I grew up watching this movie with my dad. i have several of our favorite scenes down word for word and we quote them frequently. funny, wholesome (for the most part), and misunderstandings that don’t make you want to scream! also healthy masculinity and vulnerability!

8 Newsies: The Musical (2017)

okay, yes I know this is a musical, but the filmed version of the Broadway musical is so so so good. the music always makes me happy and it inspires me. the cast is amazing, the dancing is jaw-dropping, and watching it always makes me so happy

i would like to tag @yourbicky @will-o-the-worm @arituzz @amandaisnotwriting

and anyone else that wants to participate!

[bepoets]

Soft Asks: 2, 7, 12, 18, 30

THANK YOU STEPH

2.) what’s your feel-good movie?

- oh thank god. I was so hoping someone would ask me this question thank goodness. It’s the 1998 rom com classic starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks... “You’ve Got Mail.” I Don’t have a way to Easily watch you’ve got mail because I don’t have amazon prime and I don’t have a DVD copy of it or a DVD player for that matter so I hardly ever watch it. But when I do I CRY I love it more than anything and I don’t know the way that movie feels everything about it every last scene brings me such joy and feels so many feelings. Anyway I am Kathleen Kelly and I deserve to live a life in New York City where I own a little bookstore like Shop Around the Corner. Also I plan on getting a tattoo inspired by you’ve got mail because I mean come on. Nothing makes me happier than this film. Thanks for coming to my ted talk

7.) what color brings you peace?

- Navy Blue. I was thinking lavender because that’s my favorite color but then I realized no it’s actually Navy Blue. Like my bed sheets and some of my favorite flannels and some of the prettiest dresses I’ve worn. And like the blue corner of my picture wall.

12.) how are you?

- Tired. Very very tired.

18.) do you still love stuffed animals?

- Y E S oh my god are you kidding me I LOVE THEM. My Crookshanks plush is sitting right next to me on my bed right now

30.) Already answered!

[deancasbigbang]

Title: A Truth Universally Acknowledged Author: hullosweetpea Artist: DeanOh Rating: Mature Length: 38,020 Pairings: Castiel/Dean Winchester Castiel/April (Temporary) Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Dean is a children’s bookstore owner. Castiel is an executive for book superstore, Milton Books. They can’t stand each other. Little do they know, they’ve been corresponding through e-mail from months, their identities hidden by their rules: no names, no family, no work. Of course, there’s always nuances you’ll never know about someone until you get to know them. So while they couldn’t trust their professional selves farther than they could throw them, Dean and Castiel have relied heavily on their e-mail friendships. What happens when they plan to meet IRL? Inspired by the 1998 Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan Rom-Com - You’ve Got Mail

Link to fic

Link to art