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brightknightie) wrote2021-10-06 11:18 pm
brightknightie) wrote2021-10-06 11:18 pm
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Dear HLH_Shortcuts Author (2021)
Dear HLH_Shortcuts Author:
Thank you for sharing your love of HL! I’m sure that whatever you most want to celebrate in any of the requested characters will make a lovely story!
I love the underlying fable of the character who lives on and on, doomed to lose everyone, but somehow brave enough to care again. I love that this metaphor is for all of us real-world survivors, forging on through our losses in our own little time, maybe or maybe not that brave, or that lucky. I most enjoy the first two seasons, when there are more mortal than immortal characters, those themes are most explored, and the episode formula is not yet set. I prefer a focus on the immortal characters’ relationships with the mortality that surrounds them, as it surrounds all of us.
I also love the historical content, most especially when Duncan comes down on the right side of history as that history happens, not because the right is obvious in its day, but because justice, mercy, and service are so deep in his character. (I prefer our immortal characters on the edges of historical events and movements, not in their centers; mortal characters belong at the centers.)
Duncan/Tessa is not just my HL OTP, but one of the very few fannish ‘ships that I truly, dearly, reliably enjoy more than even gen. They are so good for each other, and for others through each other. Of course Tessa died long ago; I don’t want Duncan’s life to stop with hers, and I value a story with a memory of her as much as one with her present. If romance is your favorite, I’m happy to read any canon romance, plus Duncan/Methos, plus canon characters with original characters designed a la canon guest stars, as long as Tessa’s memory is honored.
I often love best stories with the feel of canon, whether as a tag, scene, episode, or prequel/sequel that could have been added seamlessly, or as a different choice or chance that would have branched and led on from canon to something new.
I usually prefer gen to romance. Mystery, drama, history, reflection, confrontation, growth, discovery, tragedy! And, of course, the quiet times between adventures! In romance, I have fairly vanilla tastes. Whichever flavor of romance best suits the characters, I especially value fidelity, mutuality, and complementarity, where each brings strengths and weaknesses to the relationship such as to grow stronger together than apart.
I opt in for sadness and tragedy including requested character death, as long as the loss is shown to be meaningful to the survivors; I often like stories of continuing on from grief.
Where applicable — not every character fits! — I especially adore protagonists who incidentally, without thinking they’re doing something special, show that they value others highly — that is, not only their own loved ones, but the dignity and abundant life of all people, especially those on the margins.
I love good guys. I really do love heroes being heroic, especially at a cost to themselves, especially in tiny ways that go unnoticed or uncredited by a larger world.
Just in case you'd prefer a pre-packed prompt:
Cross-reference: My fest sign-up
Thank you very much! See you come Duncan’s birthday. :-D
Thank you for sharing your love of HL! I’m sure that whatever you most want to celebrate in any of the requested characters will make a lovely story!
What I love in HL
I love the underlying fable of the character who lives on and on, doomed to lose everyone, but somehow brave enough to care again. I love that this metaphor is for all of us real-world survivors, forging on through our losses in our own little time, maybe or maybe not that brave, or that lucky. I most enjoy the first two seasons, when there are more mortal than immortal characters, those themes are most explored, and the episode formula is not yet set. I prefer a focus on the immortal characters’ relationships with the mortality that surrounds them, as it surrounds all of us.
I also love the historical content, most especially when Duncan comes down on the right side of history as that history happens, not because the right is obvious in its day, but because justice, mercy, and service are so deep in his character. (I prefer our immortal characters on the edges of historical events and movements, not in their centers; mortal characters belong at the centers.)
Duncan/Tessa is not just my HL OTP, but one of the very few fannish ‘ships that I truly, dearly, reliably enjoy more than even gen. They are so good for each other, and for others through each other. Of course Tessa died long ago; I don’t want Duncan’s life to stop with hers, and I value a story with a memory of her as much as one with her present. If romance is your favorite, I’m happy to read any canon romance, plus Duncan/Methos, plus canon characters with original characters designed a la canon guest stars, as long as Tessa’s memory is honored.
What I like in fanfic generally
I often love best stories with the feel of canon, whether as a tag, scene, episode, or prequel/sequel that could have been added seamlessly, or as a different choice or chance that would have branched and led on from canon to something new.
I usually prefer gen to romance. Mystery, drama, history, reflection, confrontation, growth, discovery, tragedy! And, of course, the quiet times between adventures! In romance, I have fairly vanilla tastes. Whichever flavor of romance best suits the characters, I especially value fidelity, mutuality, and complementarity, where each brings strengths and weaknesses to the relationship such as to grow stronger together than apart.
I opt in for sadness and tragedy including requested character death, as long as the loss is shown to be meaningful to the survivors; I often like stories of continuing on from grief.
Where applicable — not every character fits! — I especially adore protagonists who incidentally, without thinking they’re doing something special, show that they value others highly — that is, not only their own loved ones, but the dignity and abundant life of all people, especially those on the margins.
I love good guys. I really do love heroes being heroic, especially at a cost to themselves, especially in tiny ways that go unnoticed or uncredited by a larger world.
Some possible HL story scenarios & prompts
Just in case you'd prefer a pre-packed prompt:
- Duncan on the periphery of some historical -- or present or future? -- social transition, insight, or disaster is often my sweet spot!
- Perhaps a story with a mortal villain to be overcome (like "Bad Day in Building A" or "Deadly Medicine") with Tessa bravely involved (like "See No Evil" and "Eyewitness")?
- Greta is the psychic from “The Darkness.” Duncan promised to tell her what happened. Did he ever? (Does he even remember the promise?)
- How has Randi transitioned to today’s era of journalism? Did she become the intrepid investigative reporter she wanted to be? Or something else?
- Anne made her choice about how to live her values; she didn’t stop caring, and neither did Duncan… did she manage to stay in his life, and he in hers? (For example, when and what (if anything) does Anne learn about Richie's death and Duncan's breakdown?)
- When Michelle was a kid, Tessa and Duncan both were friends of her parents. How did Michelle see Tessa, or Tessa see Michelle?
- If you’re a crossovers fan and an MCU fan, how about old!Steve (Peggy’s husband) and Tessa crossing paths as artists? Or how about Duncan and Wanda crossing paths such that Duncan can share some wisdom, or at least empathy, about grief and also guilt? (I’m a lifelong Marvel comics reader, not only an MCU viewer. No Mephisto anywhere, please. No Loki except Sylvie.)
Cross-reference: My fest sign-up
Thank you very much! See you come Duncan’s birthday. :-D