Firefly Fic Fest 05: Recs in effect by Cub

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Cub

Firefly Fic Fest 05: Recs in effect
Friday, October 28, 2005

As a relatively new browncoat I've gone through the cycle of wild excitement at discovering the series, desperate frustration for new episodes, and turning to fanfic to ease the pain. All in about three weeks. I highly recommend it.

So I wrote my own pseudo-episode in four acts - http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=5431 - the last of which was posted today. And in the process I gained a whole new level of respect for the young men and women who do this on a regular basis. Sacrificing sleep on the altar of fichood may be fun and rewarding in that good, deep-down way (I wrote the final chapter from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., then went into work) but it's definitely not good for the long-term health.

After a ton of reading over the past few weeks, I've seen a tiny fraction of what's out there in fic land. Now I'm going to be presumptuous enough to introduce you to the best fics/authors in my narrow little subjective world - the borders of which are this site, the past month, and mostly one-chapter stories. Curse you, short attention span!

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Most ambitious: ScrewtheAlliance http://www.fireflyfans.net/showprofile.asp?un=ScrewtheAlliance

I start with this category because constantly churning out quality content is HARD. And this Kaylee's Lament/Treasure of Lei Wong Fu author is a friggin' update machine. It's like having your own personal TV show.

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Best imagery: Taen http://www.fireflyfans.net/showprofile.asp?un=Taen

Taen's got descriptive skillz. Note the "Z" indicating edgy emphasis. A little sample from "Benediction":

While inwardly he balms his soul in the jewelled tones of concern that spill from her votive-candle red lips, outwardly he can only make himself say, "It's not so bad."

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"Warping my mind in a good way" award: RinnyPJ http://www.fireflyfans.net/showprofile.asp?un=RinnyPJ

Almost every story is a Jayne/Kaylee shipper fic (which really doesn't appeal to me) but she's just such a great writer that I devour every word. Her world is so well-realized that I now forget Jayne and Kaylee weren't a straight-up couple on the TV show. Personal fav is "Bel Canto" http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=5378 - although my wife is in love with the ultra-depressing "The End of All Things," which I won't link here to spare you the pain. If you think you can handle it, seek it out in the Blue Sun Room. Don't say I didn't warn you.

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Best audience: AMDOBELL http://www.fireflyfans.net/showprofile.asp?un=AMDOBELL

She's everywhere, like some kind of fic-reading Santa Claus. And if you've got a good story to share, she's got a bag of smileys with your name on it. She's also a pretty prolific writer. People like her are why the fic community is thriving.

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Coolest crossover fic idea: A little fall of rain by idiotchild http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=4101

Firefly and Les Miserables? C'mon, man! It doesn't get any better than that.

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Funniest fic: Whiskey Bears by Jacqui http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=5455

Kaylee and Jayne get drunk on the ship. That's it. And it's one of the funniest things I've ever read in my life. Drunk Kaylee imitating Mal over the ship’s com: "This is your canpin speaking. Shush Jayne. Your canpin and I wanna say, no yellin' on my ship! And no fun! S'all the fun's locked up with my nethers, ain't no one gettin' any 'till I do!"

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Best point of view fic: No Touching Guns by cottonwoolfairy http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=5428

My puny words are useless in telling you how cool this short one-shot River POV is. It all flows so well together that it's almost poetry in narrative form. Go read now.

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Best characterization: belasera for Kaylee, notably in the "Slim as Dimes" series. http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=5364

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There are tons of others worth mentioning, but I'll save that for another day.

I know I'm not exactly "discovering" these people. But maybe some of you will.

COMMENTS

Friday, October 28, 2005 6:15 PM

TAEN

I'm really incredibly flattered, dear one, and my words fail me as I can only humbly say thank you very much.

*blushes and smiles*

I'm honoured to make the recc list and I hope you continue to enjoy my offerings.

Friday, October 28, 2005 6:13 PM

RINNYPJ

Awww, you just made me ten different kinds of giddy!

I agree with all of your recs. I can't say enough about Taen and Belasera and Jacqui (Not least of all because I stalk Taen on a regular basis).

Thanks for the mention!

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