Fandom Snowflake, Day 8

[martasfic]

After being sick (better but still on the mend) I'm horribly behind on the snowflake challenge. Today I'm supposed to:

In your own space, create a love meme for yourself. Let people tell you how amazing and awesome and loveable you really are. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so. Surf the comments and find people to give love to.

I'm not against this on principle or anything, but it does seem a bit artificial to ask people to do it at a certain time. It's just not my style, somehow. Plus, I already know I rock. (Kidding, kidding...) So I'm going to shake it up a bit. Rather than telling me how awesome I am, why don't you pick someone else, either a mutual friend or a complete stranger. Tell me why they're awesome and give me a story or fanart of theirs that I should really be familiar with. Then if you know them and feel comfortable, drop them a note on their blog to tell them they're loved and have them come check out what you said.

Bonus points if it's a fandom I'm interested in but less familiar with (Sherlock, House, Harry Potter, Star Trek, Hunger Games, etc.) and if you recommend something, that it's the kind of story I tend to like: reasonable length to read in a single sitting, character-driven, etc. But really, this isn't about me. Pay it forward.

Comments

[just-ann-now.livejournal.com]

Do you know fallingtowers? She has an interesting Sherlock-related post today (which I'm trying not to read SPOILERS). I think she'd enjoy your thoughtful discussions of Sherlock and other fandoms.

[marta-bee.livejournal.com]

I do indeed, but somehow I missed that post. Will have to check it out ASAP. Thanks!

[just-ann-now.livejournal.com]

♥

[shirebound]

mucun is regretfully not active on LJ any longer, but her incredible 'Japanamine' hobbit art (such as my icon -- one of many) was generously offered to anyone to use and enjoy. The love behind her art shines through in every drawing.

http://mucun.livejournal.com/

[marta-bee.livejournal.com]

What awesome artwork. I'll admit I don't care for the style that much (personal tastes - not a judgment), but the love just shines right through.

[lady-branwyn.livejournal.com]

This doesn't quite follow the rules, but it was an interesting article.

The C.S. Lewis You Never Knew

[marta-bee.livejournal.com]

I can't really complain on that front - I broke the rules myself. I'll check it out.

[sharpiefan (from livejournal.com)]

Heya! I'm here from the Snowflake Challenge and just wanted to say how awesome you are, especially for wanting to let others feel the love, too.

You probably know Beatrice_Otter, but I'd like to link A Space For Faith which is a really great DS9 fic with a strong cast of OCs.

Courage consists not in hazarding without fear; but being resolutely minded in a just cause. - Plutarch

[fallingtowers.livejournal.com]

My favourite Sherlock fic - a Molly-is-Moriarty AU set before the end of season 2:

http://rosa-acicularis.livejournal.com/30916.html (Warning: dark and gruesome)

And this is one of my favourite Hunger Games fics ever, about Peeta after the events of Mockingjay and how life goes on:

http://users.livejournal.com/wisteria_/1016038.html

[starbuckssue.livejournal.com]

Hello, we haven't run into each other before this as I don't think we share any fandoms but have you come across Xanthe (http://xanthe.livejournal.com)? I don't know if her fiction would be your cup of tea but she is really enthusiastic about Sherlock.

[marta-bee.livejournal.com]

I haven't, but I'm always willing to check out new Sherlock fanfic, or just get to know a fellow fan a bit better. Thanks for the pointer. And nice to meet you.

[aliana1.livejournal.com]

This isn't fanfic, but I came across this pair of opinion pieces in the NY Times book section that I thought you'd enjoy, especially. James Parker and Pankraj Mishra discuss whether or not popular culture has ended up becoming overly derivative and cannibalistic of itself. They touch on Sherlock, Tolkien, James Bond and a number of other works in a fun, witty, discursive tone.

"James Bond, Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot: Why Do We Keep Resurrecting the Same Literary Characters?"

While I'm at it, I'm going to go against your expressed wishes and tell you why I think you're awesome, anyway. You're intelligent, genuine, kind, and inquisitive. I love your philosophical posts, and your comments and questions about religion, ethics, TV and literature. (Not to mention, you're a great fiction writer!) You seem genuinely concerned about what is right and wrong in the world, and cognizant of all the grey areas in between; I've also learned a lot about philosophy, ethics and religion by reading your posts. Lucky to share this corner of the fandom with you!

[marta-bee.livejournal.com]

I said the asking felt artificial, not that I didn't want to hear it. You made my night with those compliments, Aliana, and I'm so glad you said them. You have good timing, too: it's been a mildly icky (though not emo-filter levels, don't worry) night in RL, which I'm sublimating into a more critical TEH review. That's 2,300 words and counting, and includes actual Aristotle. Also, Pirates of the Caribbean. I think I'm nearly done...

I will definitely check out the article you point to, because it's an interesting topic. The interesting thing is culture has been derivative for centuries. Look at all the retelling of the Arthur legend, and the way every medieval artist worked with Bible stories or Greek mythology. The difference, if any, is that too often we use those stories to make a quick buck off people familiar with the original, rather than using them as springboards into something original. On the other hand, I reckon in previous ages you had bards in every town doing nothing more than re-reciting bad copies of Beowulf and Chaucer. The difference was the wider culture wasn't really that aware of them.

That's my gut reaction without having read the article, at least. It looks good and I've definitely bookmarked it.

[marta-bee.livejournal.com]

Speaking of derivative culture and ironies: my first real introduction to the concept of fanfic comes from an adaptation of "Beauty and the Beast" by the author Robin McKinley, which was lovely and made me think I might want to do the same. Who has a firm (but pragmatically reasonable) stance against fanfic. Still, the book that made me love her is every bit as much fanfic as what I write. As I said, ironies...

[thelauderdale.livejournal.com]

Burial Ground at fanfiction.net is an author I have loved for over ten years. Much of her work hasn't been available since 2006, but she recently began posting again. The recently revised epic "Mock My Innocence," her long work-in-progress, may be a bit nichey for first-timers (OC-focused, Orc-centered, broadly farcical, and generally ridiculous), but she has a number of highly accessible one-shots. I particularly recommend The Sky under the Mountain and Night's Embrace, both translations from the original Finnish.

[marta-bee.livejournal.com]

Most excellent! I shall read them when I have the time - checked out the summaries, and they look fascinating.

[marta-bee.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for the recommendations. I'll definitely check those people out.