katayla | Entries tagged with dear yuletide writer

Happy Yuletide season!

Thank you so much for writing for me! I'm katayla on AO3 and have the treat box ticked. You can find past letters under this tag.

This year, I'm asking for all repeat fandoms that I love very much. They've each sparked something in my brain, mostly on the relationship level, and I'm excited to see them explored, added to, filled in . . . I have some suggestions, but I'm mostly just looking for something with a happy and hopeful note, so feel free to come up with your own thing

General likes (not all will apply to these fandoms, but I'm hoping they'll still be helpful): Touching, playing with hair, secret relationships, fake relationships, outside perspectives, enemies to lovers, forbidden relationship, five things fic, angst that ends happily, romance, banter, characters laughing together, cats, books, baseball, hope, missing scenes, future fic.

Dislikes: Unrequited love, time loops, prequels unless otherwise noted, animal cruelty/death, character death, misunderstandings/miscommunication, AU's

Message (Podcast)
Robin Lyons, Ty Waldman

When I went back to look at my previous request, I was SHOCKED to discover I'd made it in 2019! This is still a fandom/pairing I think about regularly. This is a short podcast with a large cast and yet the intensity of the bond between these two comes through so clearly and I'm fascinated. They've worked together closely for so long and yet married other people. Ty has at least one kid! So . . . what's that about? Is this a case where they were in denial the whole time? Or did they not want to risk the friendship/business partnership? Did they ever talk about their relationship at all? Ever have a moment or maybe more than a moment? (This is my "prequel" exception. I'm very okay with stories set before the podcast begins!)

This would also be a good one for missing scenes! DID Ty ask for a divorce? What did they talk about in all those times when we observed them, but didn't hear them? And in the last episode when they leave them alone to "say whatever they need to say to each other"?

And, of course, what happens NEXT? They survived! Are they together now? What's the transition like? How does it affect the dynamic of the team? (I would also be into the plotty details here? What's next for the whole world?) This entire podcast is an outside perspective of them, but I'd very happily read other outside perspectives of them, especially from the people who've worked with them so long!

Canon: This podcast was first released in 2015. It's 8 episodes of about 15 minutes late (the finale is the longest at 24 minutes). You'll find this in your podcast app as LifeAfter/The Message because it's been bundled with what is billed as a sequel series, but isn't really. (It seems to be set in the same world and . . . that's about it. I'd rather not have anything from it included.)

The President's Daughter series - Ellen Emerson White
Preston Fielding, Meghan Powers

I'm pretty fascinated by how aware Meg was of the press's awareness of them in the fourth book. Do they try to sneak around when they first get together? If they do, does Meg's family know? Or do they hide it because they're worried what everyone will think (but everyone already saw it coming)? How does this fit in with Meg's political career? (We all know THAT's coming, too.)

Speaking of that political career, I'd also be into seeing them as established political power couple! Does Meg run for office, with Preston managing her campaign? Or does she end up behind the scenes? Is that choice hard for her? When does she fully accept and own that, yeah, her place is in politics?

Or maybe one of her brothers gets in trouble and they have to deal with that. (Maybe it's not even trouble. Maybe one of them comes to them for advice. Maybe Steve comes and yells at them because he's STILL in the public eye and do they have to keep making the press write about them?) And, of course, there's always outside perspective . . .

Canon: Four books! I find them fast reads, but the last book IS over 700 pages (the first few are much shorter).

The Skylarks' War Series - Hilary McKay
Clarissa "Clarry" Penrose, Rupert

When I read The Skylarks' War, I was just so blown away by the INTENSITY of these two's relationship. Especially given that Rupert ends up not being physically THERE for a lot of the book! So one maybe obvious request here is Rupert's POV, especially near the end of The Skylark's War. Did he take much convincing to meet up with Clarry? What was his emotional journey like throughout the years? I'd also be into a glimpse into their reunion!! Tell me more!

And I'd happily take any missing pieces between The Skylark's War and The Swallows' Flight. Tell me about their adventures! Why didn't they get married years ago? And I love the glimpses we see of them in The Swallow's Flight, but I'd love to hear even MORE about them during all the book's events.

We got outsiders' perspective of them in The Swallow's Flight, but I'd be very open to more of that, maybe from one of the adult characters. Stories set after The Swallow's Flight would also be welcome! What is actual married life like for them? How does their relationship change (or not change!)?

Canon: Two short-ish books. You might find the first one as Love to Everyone in the US. The first book is from Clarry's POV and the second book is set years later with new POV's. You'll also find mentions of these characters in Binny in Secret, but that's not necessary to read.

Happy Yuletide!

I'm katayla on Ao3 and you can find me on GoodReads here. My previous letters are here. I'm happy to receive treats!

General likes: secret relationships, fake relationships, outside perspectives, enemies to lovers, forbidden relationships, age differences, five things fic, angst that ends happily, romance, banter, characters laughing together, cats, books, baseball, hope, missing scenes, future fic, playing with hair, and touching.

DNWs: character death, animal harm, unrequited love, misunderstandings/miscommunication, character bashing, time loops, sad endings, infidelity

I'm happy for you to include any other characters from these fandoms in your story.

The Skylarks' War Series - Hilary McKay
Clarissa "Clarry" Penrose, Rupert

I was just so blown away by the INTENSITY of these two's relationship. Especially given that Rupert ends up not being physically THERE for a lot of the book! So one maybe obvious request here is Rupert's POV, especially near the end of The Skylark's War. Did he take much convincing to meet up with Clarry? What was his emotional journey like? I'd also be into a glimpse into their reunion!! Tell me more!

And I'd happily take any missing pieces between The Skylark's War and The Swallows' Flight. Tell me about their adventures! Why didn't they get married years ago? And I love the glimpses we see of them in The Swallow's Flight, but I'd love to hear even MORE about them during all the book's events.

Stories set after The Swallow's Flight would also be welcome! What is actual married life like for them?

The President's Daughter series - Ellen Emerson White
Preston Fielding, Meghan Powers

I will probably request this every few years forever!

I'm pretty fascinated by how aware Meg was of the press's awareness of them in the fourth book. Do they try to sneak around when they first get together? If they do, does Meg's family know? Or do they hide it because they're worried what everyone will think (but everyone already saw it coming)? How does this fit in with Meg's political career? (We all know THAT's coming, too.)

Speaking of that political career, I'd also be into seeing them as established political power couple! Does Meg run for office, with Preston managing her campaign? Or does she end up behind the scenes? Is that choice hard for her? When does she fully accept and own that, yeah, her place is in politics?

Wintle's Wonders - Noel Streatfeild
Rachel Lennox, Tom Lennox

Oh, determined, fierce, misguided Rachel! She's my favorite of the Streatfeild heroines. What's it like now that she's in the spotlight? I asked for Uncle Tom because I love him and am so glad Rachel had him in his corner, but Rachel is my main interest here, so if it makes sense to leave him out, I'm okay with it.

Does Aunt Cora maybe eventually realize the benefits of having a successful actress under her care and try to take over Rachel's career? Does this make Uncle Tom finally stand up to Cora? What's the nitty gritty of making a film like? I've always enjoyed all the Streatfeild details of life as a performer, so what's the nitty gritty of making a film like?

And then, of course, there's those brighter electric lights than Dulsie's. Let's see that! It doesn't have to be literally in contrast to Dulcie, but I'd like to see Rachel's shining future. An awards show? A movie premiere? Something else? (Hilary and her hordes of children could be fun here!)

Thanks so much for writing for me! Looking forward to December 25th!

Happy Yuletide!

I'm katayla on Ao3 and you can find me on GoodReads here. My last four letters are here and the ones before that are over on LJ.

This year, these are all requests I've asked for in the past, but haven't received. I'm so excited for that to change this year!

General likes: secret relationships, fake relationships, outside perspectives, enemies to lovers, forbidden relationships, age differences, five things fic, angst that ends happily, romance, banter, characters laughing together, cats, books, baseball, hope, missing scenes, future fic, playing with hair, and touching.

DNWs: character death, animal harm, unrequited love, misunderstandings/miscommunication, character bashing, time loops, sad endings, infidelity

I'm happy for you to include any other characters from these fandoms in your story.

Betsy-Tacy Series - Maud Hart Lovelace
Katie Kelly, Leo

So Leo just suddenly shows up in one book and then it's always "Katie and Leo." And I want to know more! How did they meet? Was it at school or somewhere else? Was it love at first sight? It kind of seems like it because, again, we never heard about him until it became "Katie and Leo" all the time. Did they ever fight? Break up? Sit around and gossip about Tacy and Harry?

This is a repeat request and I've also asked for other things in this fandom because, really, I want to know more about alll the characters. But I'm really interested in Katie in general. I like how practical she is. And I LOVE that line in one of the early books about how everyone, even "big boys" minded Katie. And she doesn't seem to dream of the "Great World" like her best friend, Julia. Is that true or does she have ambitions the books don't tell us about? Either way, how does that affect her friendship with Julia?

That last paragraph was very focused on Katie, but we just don't know much about Leo! So tell me about him! What's his life like? Was he at the same school with them all along? Were they actually friends before and we just didn't hear about it?

Overall--I'd just love to have some of these blanks filled in!

Chime - Franny Billingsley
Briony Larkin, Eldric Clayborne

I love how the book ended. It's the kind of ending I love, that leaves me wanting more without feeling unfinished. I long for a glimpse of Briony and Eldric's happy ending. I'd love to see them immediately after the book, years and years in the future, somewhere in between . . . I am open to it all!

I'm pulling this request from 2012! It's a book that's really stayed with me. I love Briony. I love how hard she tries and how her self-perception is so different from how I, the reader, saw her, even though the book is in her point of view. And I love that, at the end, she works to change her self-perception. That's something I really take heart in.

While I only requested these two and optional details are optional, I'm very open to seeing other characters. I love Briony and Rose's relationship, the way Briony loves Rose SO MUCH, even though she won't admit it. I love how their father tried so hard to protect them and how it created so much misunderstanding between them.

If you want to explore Briony as Chime Child, that would be awesome, too! Basically, I just want MORE.

Wonderfalls
Mahandra McGinty, Aaron Tyler

Things I like in a ship: best friend's sibling, accidental relationships, secret relationships. So you can see how I fell for these two! I love how much history they have tougher and, of course, the bond of knowing Jaye's secret. The immediate thought here is what happens next now that their relationship ISN'T secret? (Jaye's expression was just perfect.) How is it being a "real" couple?

In addition to the above, this is also one where I'd love to see more scenes set during the show. More sneaking around! More catching feelings! Or what happens if they go out of town for a vacation? (Do they stumble on some kind of mystery to solve, even without Jaye there?) Does one or both of them leave town for good?

I'm primarily interested in something set during or after canon, BUT a glimpse into their past might be fun, too. What was their relationship like growing up? Maybe something showing glimpses of that before returning to the present?

I'm also happy to receive something that doesn't follow any of these prompts! All I ask for is a happy ending, with no permanent breakups.

Thanks so much for writing for me! Looking forward to December 25th!

Happy Yuletide!

I'm katayla on Ao3 and you can find me on GoodReads here. My last three letters are here and the ones before that are over on LJ.

General likes: secret relationships, fake relationships, outside perspectives, enemies to lovers, forbidden relationships, age differences, five things fic, angst that ends happily, romance, banter, characters laughing together, cats, books, baseball, hope, missing scenes, future fic, playing with hair, and touching.

DNWs: character death, animal harm, unrequited love, misunderstandings/miscommunication, character bashing, time loops, sad endings, Trump, Covid

I'm happy for you to include any other characters from these fandoms in your story.

I was wordy in my signup this year, so am just copying and pasting my signup this year

Hadestown - Mitchell
Persephone, Hades

I've long been a fan of the Persephone/Hades myth and I also enjoy a marriage in trouble story, so this version of them was right up my alley! So they're going to try again. What does that look like? What is their next meeting like? Do they immediately jump into each other's arms or immediately fall back into back habits? Another thing that intrigues me about this kind of story is the possibility of future fic set WAY in the future. Is there another Eurydice and Orpheus someday? Does it end the same way? (Maybe it has to.) Do Persephone and Hades act the same way?

I'd also love to see your version of their first meeting that the musical hints at. It's not the traditional myth, I think. Did Persephone fall in love right away on this version? They've also been together for a REALLY long time by the time this story begins and it sounds like some of that really was happy. So . . .what's Persephones/Hades fluff like? Do Greek gods go on honeymoons? What was their first six months apart--and their reunion!--like?

If something else about these two intrigues you, feel free to insert ignore these prompts! I'd like them to be more or less together and at least vaguely happy at some point (angst along the way is totally okay).

DNW: Trump, Covid

Every Series - Ellie Marney
Rachel Watts, James Mycroft

I love that the books set up the possibility of Rachel and Mycroft living together after they graduate. What's that like? Mycorft can't be the easiest person to live with. Or maybe Rachel is the one who is the bad roommate! I usually don't ask for porn, but we know they were both virgins, so . . . something about them exploring the physical side of their relationship? What we get in the books is just SO INTENSE and I'd love to see more of that.

And case fic!!! I'd be okay with something in the tone of the books (no major character death), but something low key might be fun, too. Missing pet? Or maybe they have to go back to their high school and solve a crime. What's THAT interaction with their principal like?

And what are their professional lives like? Do they ever take up the offer to go London? Or student lives? For example, stressed out med student Rachel and Mycroft doing his best to take care of her.

Or insert prompt of your choice! For these two, I would prefer something set after canon.

DNW: Trump, Covid, breakups.

Wonderfalls
Mahandra McGinty, Aaron Tyler

Things I like in a ship: best friend's sibling, accidental relationships, secret relationships. So you can see how I fell for these two! I love how much history they have tougher and, of course, the bond of knowing Jaye's secret. The immediate thought here is what happens next now that their relationship ISN'T secret? (Jaye's expression was just perfect.) How is it being a "real" couple?

But this is also one where I'd love to see more scenes set during the show. More sneaking around! More catching feelings! Or what happens if they go out of town for a vacation? (Do they stumble on some kind of mystery to solve, even without Jaye there?) Does one or both of them leave town for good?

I'm primarily interested in something set during or after canon, BUT a glimpse into their past might be fun, too. What was their relationship like growing up? Maybe something showing glimpses of that before returning to the present?

Here, too, I'm happy to receive something that doesn't follow any of these prompts. Please let me have a happy ending, with no permanent breakups.

DNW: Trump, Covid.

Wintle's Wonders - Noel Streatfeild
Rachel Lennox, Tom Lennox

Oh, determined, fierce, misguided Racehl! She's my favorite of the Streatfeild heroines. What's it like now that she's in the spotlight? I asked for Uncle Tom because I love him and am so glad Rachel had him in his corner, but Rachel is my main interest here, so if it makes sense to leave him out, I'm okay with it.

Does Aunt Cora maybe eventually realize the benefits of having a success actress under her car and try to take over Rachel's career? Does this make Uncle Tom finally stand up to Cora? What's the nitty gritty of making a film like? I've always enjoyed all the Streatfeild details of life as a performer, so what's the nitty gritty of making a film like?

And then, of course, there's those brighter electric lights than Dulsie's. Let's see that! It doesn't have to be literally in contrast to Dulcie, but I'd like to see Rachel's shining future. An awards show? A movie premiere? Something else? (Hilary and her hordes of children could be fun here!)

What about an AU where neither of Rachel's parents die and her talent is recognized early on? (Does she still try to control Hilary's dancing?) Or something I haven't thought of! I'd love some focus on Rachel's acting, but feel free to ignore these prompts for one of your own!

DNWs: Trump, Covid

Thanks so much for writing for me! Looking forward to December 25th!

Happy Yuletide! I'm so excited for this year.

I'm katayla on Ao3 and you can find me on GoodReads here. My last two letters are here and the ones before that are over on LJ.

General likes: secret relationships, fake relationships, outside perspectives, enemies to lovers, forbidden relationships, age differences, five things fic, angst that ends happily, romance, banter, characters laughing together, cats, books, baseball, hope, missing scenes, future fic, playing with hair, and touching.

DNWs: character death, animal harm, unrequited love, misunderstandings/miscommunication, character bashing, unhappy endings

I'm happy for you to include any other characters from these fandoms in your story.

I was wordy in my signup this year, so I don't have a lot to add, but read on for some notes on each canon!

Message (Podcast)
Robin Lyons
Ty Waldman

This is a short podcast with a large cast and yet the intensity of the bond between these two comes through so clearly and I'm fascinated. They've worked together closely for so long and yet married other people. Ty has at least one kid! So . . . what's that about? Is this a case where they were in denial the whole time? Or did they not want to risk the friendship/business partnership? Did they ever talk about their relationship at all? Ever have a moment or maybe more than a moment?

I'd also be into missing scenes! DID Ty ask for a divorce? What did they talk about in all those times when we observed them, but didn't hear them? And in the last episode when they leave them alone to "say whatever they need to say to each other"?

And, of course, what happens NEXT? They survived! Are they together now? What's the transition like? How does it affect the dynamic of the team? (I would also be into the plotty details here? What's next for the whole world?)

So! This podcast was first released in 2015. It's 8 episodes of about 15 minutes late (the finale is the longest at 24 minutes), so pretty easy to sink into, which is good because it is a wild ride. This is the description:

In The Message, an alien transmission from decades ago becomes an urgent puzzle with life or death consequences.

You'll find this in your podcast app as LifeAfter/The Message because it's been bundled with what is billed as a sequel series, but isn't really. (It seems to be set in the same world and . . . that's about it. I'd rather not have anything from it included.)

October Daye Series - Seanan McGuire
Walther Davies, Cassandra Brown

When we saw the promise of these two in the Once Broken Faith novella, I felt like, "oh, of course!" They have a lot in common and I'd love to see that explored. How often do they hang out late at night anyway? Do they do experiments together? I really love how they're both pursuing science and magic and the intersection between the two. Maybe they make a big discovery together?

And what's they're getting together story? Does Cassandra go to Toby for advice dating someone much older than her? Or does she decide that maybe she should just do the opposite of what Toby and Tybalt did? Does Arden do some matchmaking? (I didn't request Toby or Arden, so those are both very optional prompts.) Or maybe Walther is the catalyst--is he as oblivious as he seems?

Also! They're both working for the queen! A glimpse of that life would be awesome, especially for Cassandra, who is just striking out on her own. She's also just exploring her powers. (And don't forget Walther already knew about them! Maybe a scene of them talking about her magic?)

This is a repeat from last year and my desire for it has not waned! October Daye is a 13 book urban fantasy series, so not the easiest canon to pick up, but the relationship building for this ship (what little there is of it) is "Dreams and Slumbers," the novella published with Once Broken Faith. Which means there is plenty to play with! And also plenty left to explore with each character.

The President's Daughter series - Ellen Emerson White
Preston Fielding, Meghan Powers

This is a frequent request for me, but I've taken the last few years off because of real life politics. But Elizabeth Warren is giving hope again and I'm back. (That said: No Donald Trump, please.)

I'm pretty fascinated by how aware Meg was of the press's awareness of them in the fourth book. Do they try to sneak around when they first get together? If they do, does Meg's family know? Or do they hide it because they're worried what everyone will think (but everyone already saw it coming)? How does this fit in with Meg's political career? (We all know THAT's coming, too.)

Speaking of that political career, I'd also be into seeing them as established political power couple! Does Meg run for office, with Preston managing her campaign? Or does she end up behind the scenes? Is that choice hard for her? When does she fully accept and own that, yeah, her place is in politics?

This is a four book YA series about a girl whose mother becomes the first female US President. The difficulty of that is explored in many, many ways. And as for this ship, we go from Meg having a crush on him at 16 years to her being in college and them having a very real connection. I've received this before, but will probably always want more.

Thanks so much for writing for me! Looking forward to December 25th!

( Dear Yuletide Writer )

Happy Yuletide! I'm so excited to read what you write me.

I'm katayla on Ao3 and Twitter and you can find me on GoodReads here. My past letters are over on LJ.

I usually request shippy fic and this year is no different, but, for me, ship doesn't need to mean porn (though I am okay with it). It can just be a quiet night in or little hints like the couple touching each other a lot. I like canon-typical stories (exception: higher ratings are okay) and would prefer no AU's this year. I like future fic, but not prequels. For Yuletide, I want happy endings.

Cainsville - Kelley Armstrong
Gabriel Walsh, Olivia Taylor-Jones

More established Gabriel/Olivia, please! I loved what we got of their relationship in Rituals, but I want more. I'd love to see them take that vacation they talked about in Rituals. Or maybe they go back to the cabin? I'd also enjoy seeing them work together on one of Gabriel's "regular" cases (The ones that don't involve fae and/or Olivia's parents.) Or maybe continue making Olivia's house their home?

Kelley Armstrong is one of my favorite authors and when I fall for one of her ships, I fall HARD. (I like Ricky, so please don't demonize him, but I don't want OT3.) A lot of my life this summer was re-reading these books and, in particular, my favorite Olivia/Gabriel parts, in preparation for Rituals. (And my life since has been a lot of re-reading Rituals!) So to a large extent, this is a "give me anything Olivia/Gabriel and I'll be happy!" request. I would rather avoid much angst, since they've gone through a lot to get to where they are, but feel free to include some "Gabriel doesn't understand relationships" moments.

Hidden Legacy Series - Ilona Andrews
Catalina Baylor, Alessandro Sagredo

Arranged marriage fic, please! It seems like they would be a good genetic match and that's something House Baylor probably does need to consider. And I think Catalina is old enough that those conversations are probably going to happen pretty much right away. I'm interested in anything having to do with that--the actual marriage, the engagement, the discussions leading up to it.

Ilona Andrews is (are?) another one of my favorites and WOW this series was amazing from the beginning. The last book seemed to be setting up at least the potential of a relationship between these two. And, given the world, an arranged marriage seems like a very likely possibility, especially since Nevada isn't going to pursue one. And I could see Catalina very much feeling it is her duty to ensure a good genetic match, as much I imagine her family will be very clear she doesn't have to do it. Maybe Catalina is the one to pursue the match (he shrugged off her magic! That's got to be VERY appealing). Maybe her family tries to talk her out of it. Maybe they get married as soon as she graduates high school. I'm very happy to see other characters in the story. Maybe Neveda/Rogan as a contrast to them.

Mamma Mia! - Andersson/Ulvaeus/Johnson
Donna Sheridan (Mamma Mia! Musical), Sam Carmichael (Mamma Mia! Musical)

Post-canon fic, please! I ship it and I want a happy ending, but I'm so curious to see how they make their marriage work. They hadn't seen each other for TWENTY YEARS, they spend a few days together, and then they get married without any discussion. They both have these established lives. How do they make it work? Is Sam moving in with Donna? What about his kids and work? Or is Donna leaving the island? Basically, I'm interested in some of the nitty-gritty details of how they're going to make it work (and I do want them to make it work!).

I saw the touring production of this in the spring and Sam (played by Shai Yammanee ) was particularly amazing and his and Donna's (Betsy Padamonsky's) chemistry was fantastic. So I came out of the show shipping it hard. But I'm also nearly 10 years older than I was when I saw the movie, so it also made me go, "Wait, but how will this really work?" So I want to see them making it work. I want to see them figuring out how to make their lives fit together. I could also be into future fic for this prompt and fast-forwarding to when they've done all that hard work and are now super-established together.

October Daye Series - Seanan McGuire
October "Toby" Daye, Tybalt (October Daye)

Happiness, please! Maybe there's a 24 hour period where Toby and Tybalt both somehow avoid any threat of death? Maybe they go on one of those vacations they mention from time to time or maybe they just hole up in one of their bedrooms (higher ratings okay here!). Maybe they have a family night. I'm guessing Toby will eventually turn herself all the way fae, so far-future fic would also be awesome.

This is one of those book series I've been meaning to read forever, so I checked out the first book at the end of August . . . and finished them all within two weeks (including The Brightest Fell). And I loved them and I'm not immune to the angst, but they also left me wanting just a feeeeeeeeeew more fun, happy moments between Toby and Tybalt. So, please, show me what it's like when they get a little break! I am happy to see other members of their found family here.

Looking forward to December 25th,
katayla

( Yuletide Letter! )

Dear Yuletide Writer,

Hi! Thanks for writing for me! I'm excited to see what you come up with. If you already have an idea, please feel to run with it. In terms of DNWs, I'd rather not get anything that wouldn't appear in the canon.

Things I like are romance, banter, characters laughing together, cats, books, baseball, hope, missing scenes, future fic, outside POVs, playing with hair, and touching.

You can find past letters and and other Yuletide things under my Yuletide tag. My Twitter and GoodReads are both public. My AO3 name is Katayla.

Requests are in alphabetical order.

Casson Family - Hilary McKay
Cadmium Casson, Michael

I'd love to get to see some of the events between the fourth and fifth books!

So I read these books for the first time this year and fell hard for Caddy/Michael in the first book. (Loved his fake girlfriend!) And I liked where they ended up, but I wanted to know more about what happened between books four and five!

Clearly she caught up with him and some things happened that wouldn't fit into a children's book series, but . . . they weren't on good terms in book four. And then they weren't on good terms again in book five. So what happened there? Was all forgiven as soon as they met up post-book four? What was the fight over? I want to know more!

If that doesn't spark you, feel free to tell another story about them. Maybe something after book 1 when they're together for the first time? Or more of Caddy's thoughts throughout the series. I feel like we kind of lost track of her after the first book. But look at her! She got the career she wanted. That's awesome! OR more about Michael! We don't really know a ton about him outside his feelings for Caddy. What's his family like? I'd also love future fic. Do they have more kids? What will it be like growing up with Caddy's siblings as aunts and uncles?

Appearances and meddling by other Casson family members is welcome!

President's Daughter series - Ellen Emerson White
Meghan Powers, Preston Fielding

I'd love established relationship fic for these two. Maybe there's a political crisis they have to deal with together. Or maybe one of Meg's brothers gets into some kind of trouble and they help him through it.

I've asked for these two before here and here, and I still want all of those things, too, so feel free to draw prompts from there.

This year, though, I also have a craving for established relationship fic. In ten or so years, they'll be a political power couple, right? What does that look like? I mentioned maybe one of Meg's brothers getting into trouble, but it doesn't need to be serious trouble. What if they just do something that gets them extra media attention? Maybe Steven gets drafted by a baseball team. That would be quite a conversation.

I'd also be interested in slice of life fic for them. What do date nights look like? Do they have to duck the media or are have they become a boring established couple the world doesn't care much about? I'd also be interested in seeing them at a family gathering (maybe with Preston's family?).

Mostly, I want a fic that says, "yes, they'll get together and be happy."

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - Ann Brashares
Paul Rodman, Lena Kaligaris

Remember Paul and Lena’s awesome meeting in book 2? And all their great scenes in book 3? It seemed like it was going to be a lovely story of moving on from your first love and finding a new relationship. But instead, that story thread was completely dropped. It would make me very happy if you gave me a little Paul/Lena! Whether it’s a getting together story or a glimpse of an established relationship, I just want to see what might have been.

I was super-into what book 3 seemed to be selling for Lena and Paul, and then it went away! I don't hate Kostos, but I thought he and Lena missed their chance and grew apart. And that can be a really cool story to tell. People DO move on from the first loves. People change from who they were were at age 15. (So I'm not really looking for a fic that villainizes Kostos. Feel free to ignore everything after book 3!)

So . . . what would it look like if Lena/Paul had happened? How would they get together? What would they look like as a couple? Or maybe a look into Paul's head? Or maybe someone else's perspective on them? Does the Sisterhood think he's a good choice for Lena? Or maybe another moment between the two of them that's full of tension?

Looks forward to December 25,

katayla

Hi Yuletide Writer!

I'm really excited about these requests and I hope you're excited about them, too! Most of my requests this year are of the "tell me more" variety, so if you already have a "more" in my mind to write, then feel free to go off and start writing. If you'd like more guidance (I usually do), keep reading.

I like PG 13 stories best, but it's okay if you want to go higher or lower. I like shippiness and friendship (and shippy friendship!). My requests are on the shippy side, but gen works for me, too. If you want to write a big epic, I’m all for that, but I also really love slice-of-life fic. Just a little glimpse of characters hanging out or talking or doing what they do. I also like future fic! What do these characters’ lives look like in 10 years? 20? Further?

My LJ is pretty locked up (and not terribly active these days), but you might be interested in poking around my Yuletide tag, which includes past letters and recs. And my Twitter and GoodReads are both public. My AO3 name is Katayla and that's where you'll find my fic.

Requests are in alphabetical order!

( The Requests )

Thanks you for writing me a story! I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

Dear Writer,

Hi! Thank you for writing a fic for me! Mostly, I’m excited to read what you’re excited to write, so please don’t feel too worried if you have an idea that’s just slightly different than my ramblings.

I’m a shipper, so some of these requests are on the shippy side. BUT I’m also fascinated by what draws people together in general, so it doesn’t have to be a romantic story. (And I’m fine with or without sex.) (Romantic stories are very welcome, though!)

If you want to write a big epic, I’m all for that, but I also really love slice-of-life fic. Just a little glimpse of characters hanging out or talking or doing what they do. I also like future fic! What do these characters’ lives look like in 10 years? 20? Further?

My LJ is pretty locked up, but I have a public blog here and you can also find me on GoodReads and Twitter. Oh! And I am also Katayla on Ao3. Feel free to poke around my fic!

Requests are in alphabetical order!

( The requests )

Looking forward to December 25th,

katayla

Dear Yuletide Writer,

Is it December 25th yet? I'm so excited to read what you write for me! So my actual requests were on the short side and if that's enough inspiration for you, AWESOME! Go write! If you're like me and do better with more ideas to bounce of, well, this is the letter for you. I've written lots and lots!

( General likes and dislikes )

( Where to find me )

And now on to more about my requests! Optional details are optional, so feel to disregard as needed. I've added a little about each canon, in case you want to write something other than what we matched on or if you're just curious.

( Fandom specifics )

In the end, my requests basically boil down to, "Tell me more!", so anything you write will be awesome!

Thank you,

katayla

( Dear Yuletide Author )

Dear Yuletide Writer,

First of all, thank you so much! I love each of these fandoms and I'm super-excited that I get a story for one of them!

I'm a huge fan of happy or at least hopeful endings (angst is cool along the way!) and, as you can probably tell from my requests, I tend to lean towards canon or close-to-canon pairings, and I love me some romance. I'm not much for smut, though. I prefer banter or longing or some good, old-fashioned making out. So write me a super-shippy, pg 13-ish story and I’ll be happy!

But if that’s not your style, I'd love some gen! I tend to prefer stories that stick fairly close to canon, but if you have a really awesome AU in mind, I could be into that, too.

I'm not sure if I'm coming off as flexible, but I promise I am! I haven't read much fic at all for any of these fandoms, so mostly I'm just ecstatic that I get one for Yuletide! ETA: Also! There are no characters I dislike in any of these fandoms, so if you want to include more, feel free! (Which, of course, is entirely up to you. Optional details are optional! But don't feel like you need to include only my requested characters.)

Anyway, here's some more about my requests (feel free to skip if you work best without much direction).

(Also, if you matched me on something you’re not so sure you can write, I tried to provide enough detail so you could potentially write another one of my requests. None of them have that much canon.)

16th Century CE RPF
Characters: Charles Brandon, Mary Tudor (Queen of France).

Basically, I just really love their love story. Of course, details on it are pretty scarce, so I'd love you to tell me your version of it!

I’m amazed that there isn’t a ton of fiction out there already about these two! As much as I love fictional romances, the real life ones might be even better and these two had a good one. I mean, defying Henry VIII for love and getting away with it? How are there not thousands of books about this?

Of course, maybe the real problem is there just isn’t enough information out there about them. If you want to refresh your memory (or, if you matched me on something else and want to know the heck I’m talking about), I’ve found Wikipedia to be the best overview of their story: Mary’s page. Charles Brandon’s page. (And, to contradict myself a little, there ARE some books about them. I just haven’t found any I like.)

What I’d really love to read about these two is their “falling in love” story. I can think of so many ways it could’ve went and I’d love to hear your take on it.

Women of the Otherworld - Kelley Armstrong
Characters: Hope Adams, Karl Marsten

These two are my favorite couple of the series and I just want to know more about them! Nothing too angsty, please.

Kelley Armstong was one of my big obsessions this year and Karl/Hope are my favorite! I’m not even sure I can articulate why. Maybe it was the fun of first meeting Karl as a villain and then falling in love with him through Hope’s eyes. Maybe it’s my slight tendency to fall for older man/younger woman romances. Whatever it is, I love them and I want MORE.

I’m not very picky. If you’ve read their latest short story in Blood Lite 2, a follow up to that would be awesome! Or maybe see that dinner they were going to have with Hope’s mom after Personal Demon? (Or anything at all with Hope’s mom/family.) Or their reunion after Living with the Dead? What did Hope decide? Or them hanging out with the Pack or, or, or ANYTHING really! (As long as it’s not sad.)

If you want a refresher on them, their first real appearance is in No Humans Involved, their main story is in Personal Demon and they also get significant screentime in Living with the Dead.

President's Daughter series - Ellen Emerson White
Characters: Meghan Powers, Preston Fielding

I ship these two wildly and would love a fic that reflects that. But I also love their bond as a whole, so gen is cool, too!

So, as I said above, I lean towards canon pairings. I’m also generally not someone with a lot of personal canon. I like to stick to what we got on screen or on the page. BUT. After reading Long May She Reign? NO WAY MEG AND PRESTON DON’T END UP TOGETHER.

Ahem. Hopefully, since you matched me on them, you agree.

More specifically:

I was really fascinated by this part of Long May She Reign:

”You made Page Six again,” Beth said, as soon as she picked up.

*snip*

“You and Dashing-Man-About-Washington Preston Fielding were spotted canoodling for hours Saturday morning in a hotel dining room at a cozy Berkshires hideaway,” Beth said. “He was also seen leaving your dormitory in the wee hours on Friday night.”

Meg is under a national spotlight. Any relationship she’s in will be under scrutiny, and, if it’s Preston, close family friend and a pretty powerful political influence? Even more so. How do they enter into a relationship with all of that? How do they sustain one? (And what does Meg’s family think? Both from a political and personal standpoint, since one of my favorite themes of the book is the difficulty of untangling those two.)

BUT if you don’t want to write that, I’d love some established relationship fic! Or, if you don’t want to do anything shippy at all, just friendship stuff would be awesome.

(And, if you haven’t read the series, the books are: The President’s Daughter, White House Autumn, Long Live the Queen and Long May She Reign. Meg and Preston are in all of them, but it’s the last one that got my shippy thoughts started.)

Austin & Murry-O'Keefe Families - Madeleine L'Engle
Characters: Meg Murry, Calvin O'Keefe

These two were one of my big childhood ships! I'd love a fic that fills in some of the blanks between their high school relationship and their marriage.

Meg/Calvin! Probably one of my first ever ships. What I’d really love is to have some of the blanks filled in between A Wind in the Door and A Swiftly Tilting Planet. I mean, I know we get a brief mention in Many Waters, but, aside from that, they go from teenagers in A Wind in the Door to married with a child on the way in A Swiftly Tilting Planet. A lot of story, a lot of their romance, must have happened between those two books. Tell me about it!

(I know that’s a little vague, but I’d be happy with any stops along the way. More of their high school romance, college, early adulthood, whatever!)

(If you haven’t read any of the L’Engle books, the other relevant book to check out is A Wrinkle in Time, although Meg/Calvin do make later appearances in other books.)

ANYWAY! I know I talked a lot, but all you really have to know is I love all of these fandoms and since we got matched, you must love one of them, too. I figure that's enough for me to enjoy whatever you come up with!

And it can't be said enough: THANK YOU!

Looking forward to December 25,

katayla