| SHOW & TELL: LICKS, LICKING, LICKED |
[Jul. 3rd, 2009|09:00 pm] |
Please don't ask me to pick just one because I CANNOT, I tell you. I CANNOT. LOL
However, I left tons of good ones to you guys.
There's oh so many in the first few episodes to chose from but here's one of my faves:
 by ![[info]](http://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) ohfreckle
And I'm an equal opportunity licking voyeur, cuz this one from 110 makes me burn!
 by zaipixie
And hello, ice cream kisses anyone??????? Got more of these?
 by qafmaniac
And just to prove that art does imitate life, it's Rage, licking JT.
 by not_yet_defined
Now, please, break out all the others and SHOW ME YOUR FAVORITE LICKING SCENES, whether it's Brian licking Justin, or Justin licking Brian...I don't care, bring it on! |
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| Calling All Authors! |
[Jun. 30th, 2009|11:08 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  contemplative | ] |
I am a new writer. I have written a few drabbles and one ficlet. Mostly well received, but I have gotten a few comments that let me know that the reader wasn't quite in sync with the story, and it threw me into a quandary.
How do you respond to constructive criticism in feedback? (This is not about corrections, which I have been given.)
The concrit I have received was given in a VERY positive manner, and I was not AT ALL upset or offended by it, but I simply did not know how to respond to it without coming off defensive. I rely very heavily on physical cues when I talk and often worry about being taken the wrong way in computer conversations.
My first instinct was to try to explain where I was coming from in the story and to let the reader know the mindset of the character, as I saw it, and why I felt they would have done what they did, like I would do with a beta, but I was afraid of sounding defensive (which I wasn’t). I also thought, well if my story doesn't say it for itself, and I have to explain it, I really haven't done as good a job as I should have. And too, I certainly didn't want to come across as bitchy with someone who was not only, kind enough to read my writing, but also thoughtful enough to give me good solid feedback that I can learn from. And then too I thought, does this little bit of fluff writing warrant more debate than there are words in the actually story? Not at the risk of upsetting someone.
So what did I do? I erred on the side of not opening a can of worms that I wasn't sure I knew how to handle, and simply thanked them for commenting and giving feedback. When what I really wanted to do was pick their brains about where it went wrong for them. So in the end, I ended up not learning as much as I could have and will probably make the same mistake again.
I have since tried giving my perspective to a reader about a story, but I still don't know if I am doing the right thing. Don't get me wrong! I'm sure I would be crushed if someone told me they hated one of my stories, and no one wants to get flamed, but I also don't want to miss out on opportunities to learn and improve.
So what do I do now? Did I do the right thing? What would you have done? What have you done? If you wanted to hash out something with a reader, whose opinion you really respected, is the comments to your fic the place to do it? Is there a better forum? Should I have asked them to PM me? Should I PM them? As a reader what do you expect when you give feedback? Ack, it's so hard to know!
Okay, SUN! But, seriously, help a newbie writer out! |
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| SHOW & TELL TIME |
[Jun. 26th, 2009|08:32 pm] |
TONIGHT'S TOPIC IS: DANCING*
Now, there's lots of dancing out there so bring it on. I was torn between going with one from season one that I'm ultra fond of or this one. I opted for this one since it's not often talked about, but DAMN they're so sexy here and so comfortable with each other.
*(thanks to noteverything for the idea! and brianslave68 for the icon! |
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| My first post here *waves* |
[Jun. 26th, 2009|11:27 am] |
After the BJ reunion in Season 3, I didn't realize they weren't living together until the end of S4 when Brian specifically asked Justin to move back in. Did anyone think they had already been back to living together?
ETA- Ok, this question was a bust. LOL. *sneaks away* |
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| 101 REASONS WHY I LOVE MICHAEL |
[Jun. 21st, 2009|01:34 pm] |
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OK, maybe not that many, but still. A whole buncha reasons, only a few of which are included here. This is a coffee club and we’re all just kvetching, so I’ll dispense with formalities such as citing chapter, verse, season, and episode of QAF because we ALL know this stuff. Did Michael fuck up big time during the series? Hell, YES he did.
Did Michael fuck up big time more than Justin and Brian during the series? Hell, NO he did not. |
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| Show and Tell |
[Jun. 20th, 2009|01:56 pm] |
Sorry I missed this yesterday, RL threw me a curve.
SHOW AND TELL: the RARE Weekend Edition
From very early on, Brian and Justin comfort each other. Sometimes it's in their own unique way that speaks only to them and sometimes it can be traditional, either way, it's a joy to watch.
This week's theme is COMFORT and here's mine:  by qafmaniac
This scene is so amazing to watch as Justin tells Brian he's not a shitty father and proceeds to kill him with kindness. hee You can practically see the wheels in Brian's head turning as Justin talks.
YOUR TURN! |
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| it's just so wrong |
[Jun. 17th, 2009|09:09 am] |
While probably no so egregious an error, but jarring just the same is those little things that just push the envelope when it comes to suspension of disbelief.
I'm talking about that descriptions of personal habits and traits that just really *aren't* truly Brian or Justin.
I've recently been reading a fic that was rec'd to me where Brian's hair is describe as wavy - I know of no instance that Brian's hair was ever wavy. Straight? yes, Stringy? yes, Bed Head? yes, but Wavy? no.
Okay, I can live with that, but then there is a description of Brian in a Navy Blue Herringbone suit (do Herringbone suits even come in Navy?). Wait a sec, hold on here, Blue is not part of Brian's color palette. Okay, I can possibly see Brian in a Herringbone suit in predominate browns, tans, golden tones, maybe even some heather or green blended in, but I don't see Brian wearing blue.
So I can forgive the author and read on, but it is rather jarring.
But some other things - like taking a stroll in Central Park after dinner - IN THE DARK. I don't care how safe Manhattan has gotten, that's asking to be mugged. No one in their right mind, unless they possibly are visiting Wollman Rink, goes into Central Park after dark.
It's the little things. Perhaps the person really hasn't been to NYC, but there are general public safety rules that need to be followed in cities.
So what is it that you are willing to forgive and write off to fiction, and what is it that you can't forgive because the author should have known better? |
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| QaF fic on Geocities |
[Jun. 14th, 2009|12:58 pm] |
Geocities will be shutting down permanently soon -- at the end of this year, I believe. And there are quite a few QaF authors whose stuff is housed there.
Thyme just announced that all of Morpheus' stories are now archived at Moonshadow in the Lost Authors section. JustVisiting (a.k.a. Visitingagain) has moved there now too.
Some other authors are starting move their stories off Geocities as well, but some probably don't even know about it, and others have long since abandoned their stuff. So if there's anything you want to save from other QaF authors on geocities, either save it soon, or even better, help those authors find new sites to be hosted on. |
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| Show & Tell |
[Jun. 12th, 2009|10:15 pm] |
It's time for FRIDAY SHOW & TELL!
Todays category is PDA! (aka public displays of affection).
Here's mine:
  
*icons by rebeccama, pfodge, & callie89
Watching their love and affection for each other shining out for everyone to see makes me all warm and melty inside.
Now, you show or tell me yours. :D
(hint there's another great one from this episode)
~~~~~
OT PIMPING:
DETAILS |
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| Episode 406 |
[Jun. 11th, 2009|04:48 pm] |
I put something in my journal that I've cross-posted here. The reason I have put it up for further discussion is that vl_redreign raised very convincing arguments against my statement. I am not changing my mind, but I really enjoy and cherish her insights and would welcome yours as well. My view of this scene will definitely be more balanced and enriched now.
Here's what I had posted about the tragically timed fight between Debbie and Vic:
Debbie was gracious about Vic leaving, and then allowing him to set-up house before coming by to see it. He could have invited her over for dinner before the party, no matter how much he understandably was averse to it; after finally feeling free and trying to start anew. So he fucked up. He had a party first. She found out. Fine. He tried to make up with her, she wasn't having it. Debbie was wrong, there. Fine, whatever. But when she went over there to apologize, Vic acted like a royal ass. It really was both of their faults, but Vic was the worst one.
Here's the conversation between Red and me |
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| Let's talk about hair baby... |
[Jun. 5th, 2009|11:04 pm] |
So, you know how Brian loves to play with Justin's hair...and how sometimes Justin likes to play with Brian's?
Well, it's show and tell time. Show me your fave hair porn and tell me what you love about it.
Is it during sex? Is it angsty? Is it comforting? Is it playful? SHOW ME! TELL ME! |
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| Because I am Just a Poser... |
[Jun. 6th, 2009|11:26 am] |
Writers out there, how do you get in the mood to start writing a new fic? How do you get your ideas?
Do you watch episodes? Read fic? Read your own fic? Meditate, levitate, hyperventilate?
Obviously, "I have talent and I just do it" won't work for me.
Thanks! |
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| this ever happen to you? |
[Jun. 1st, 2009|02:07 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | contemplative | ] |
I'm in a bit of a quandary. I've recently finished reading a fic that was well written, plot well constructed, characters in cannon, but I really didn't like it.
Anyone else find this happen to them when they read a fic?
Just a note - Brian and Justin were together at the end.
( link to fic behind cut ) |
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| PSA: Firefox Add On lets you read fic, blog off line |
[May. 31st, 2009|09:23 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  bouncy | ] |
Okay, so normally I wouldn't post this here, but it is basically a public service announcement.
There is a nifty bookmark add on feature for Firefox that let's you grab anything you read online and save it to read offline.
Think about all the times you would like to read something, but don't have the time. And, when you do have the time - like when you are on a plane or train and don't have access to the Internet, being able to read the day's blog postings or some majorly great fanfic?
The tool called "Read It Later" has the advantage of collecting what is in your tab, or window and adding it to a reading list. In other words, you can open up a bunch of tabs, with your friends journals and favorite asylums and capture them to read off line later.
Yes, finally for all of you out there who want to your fic at the places that there is no internet connection, you can take it with you.
It integrates with standard book marking tools such as del.icio.us, digg, stumbleupon, etc or the bookmark feature in Firefox itself.
This also will allow you to save fic to pdf (print to pdf) or word processor (select all, cut and paste) at a later date for those things you absolutely must save to your harddrive.
To get this add on, first of all you need to be using Firefox - it can be downloaded from: http://mozilla.org
Once Firefox is installed, use the drop down menu for Bookmarks and click through on the link:
+ Get Bookmark Add-ons
Scroll down the list of add-ons about 3/4 of the way.
Click through on the link for:
Read It Later by Idea Shower
Once you add it to Firefox, there is a link to a two minute demonstration of how to use the add-on.
It's worth watching, but is probably PC, because I had to do a little fiddling around to get it to work on my mac.
You can set it up to save everything you tag with Read It Later to be available to be read off line.
You do need to toggle the Work Offline switch to read what you have saved to read off line. It's off of the File pull down menu.
Good luck, I hope others here find it as useful as I do. |
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| Need help regarding canon references to PIA |
[May. 27th, 2009|11:34 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  hopeful | ] |
What is known about how far Kinnetik is from the Pittsburgh Int. Airport? And does anyone know if Brian and/or Justin would use a smaller local airport? And if they would, how far away from Kinnetik is it? And does it matter that much? I can't really remember anything, but would appreciate any input. Thanks! |
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| Potentially dumb questions |
[May. 23rd, 2009|05:44 pm] |
I hope I'm posting this in the right place.
I'm writing (more stuff for the CF Challenge) and I'm second-guessing myself. Sorry if these are stupid/trivial questions, but I'm drawing a blank.
When is the last time we see Justin's parents' house?
I assume, because we've seen a realtor, that they sell the house at some point?
Do we ever see Jennifer's new place -- or hear about Justin going over there?
Any other thoughts on this subject?
Thanks! :) |
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| Yes, More About Drabbles |
[May. 23rd, 2009|10:38 am] |
There have been a few posts about drabbles recently which made me think not about the writing of drabbles, but what function they serve. I’ve come to the conclusion that in a lot of ways drabbles are fandom’s little in jokes. In a different way than “teh love” (which I still don’t get) or Justin’s Magical Heart Shaped Ass Day, drabbles operate on assumptions of knowledge – about the show and the characters.
Drabbles are not for casual fans. I know this from experience. It took me a long time to become interested in drabbles partly because the first drabbles I read were for fandoms where my canon knowledge was rather weak. I thought they might be a good way to get introduced to the dynamics in a few new pairings I was interested in. But that is not the function of a drabble. While we often encourage new writers to try drabbles as a way to start writing, I wouldn’t recommend reading them as a way to try out a fandom.
By necessity, drabbles require a bit of short hand. One hundred words leave little room for explanations or backstory. I read in fandoms where I am not familiar with canon sometimes simply because a fic was recced. Most of the time I can figure out character relationships and histories through context. You can’t do that in a drabble. I mentioned in another post, I like to write drabbles where you are dropped into a moment. If a reader doesn’t already know the characters, what they are to each other, and how they interact, that moment means nothing. Or a drabble can be built from the emotion of a scene from the show where understanding of that emotion might come from a one word reference. noteverything has a favorite drabble of mine that takes place during Stockwell’s GLC appearance. If you don’t know who Marguerite Lopez is or if you’ve never watched that scene, the drabble is basically meaningless.
Someone could read on of my longer fics or one of many longer fics in QAF without ever seeing the show and probably enjoy them despite not getting the subtleties. The same is not true of drabbles, and I think that leads to a more intimate feel. There is a level of trust between reader and writer required. When I’m trimming words in drabbles, the first thing to go are physical descriptions of dialogue. “Brian smirked” “Debbie laughed” “Justin glared” etc. The success of the drabble depends on two things-my ability to write dialogue in character enough that the reader can see what the character is doing without my saying it, and a reader who knows the characters well enough to recognize what they are doing.
There is something magical about reading a drabble and being completely in that moment because I know exactly what they characters look like, sound like, and feel. With only 100 words, a complete story is opened up for me. As an author, nothing makes me happier than knowing I’ve been able to do that for someone. This type of bond between reader and author isn’t unique to drabbles, but essential to a drabble’s impact.
Do you feel that connection when you read a really good drabble? Do you appreciate how only a few tiny details can place you completely in a character’s head? What are some of your favorite drabbles? |
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| Annoyances. |
[May. 21st, 2009|01:04 am] |
I went stumbling around on LJ tonight, looking for fics I haven't read yet. I found a few, one horrible thing and a couple other quite well-written post-513 fics. They weren't new, but they were new to me.
The thing they all had in common was that they had an estranged B/J who reunite.
I'm talking post-513 B/J who either, quite quickly, or gradually, stop talking completely, don't see each other any more and Justin goes on to have relationships with other men but eventually B/J get back together.
So we've got a post-513 Justin who pursues relationships with other men, we've got a post-513 Brian who lets Justin go to New York and never speak to him again.
We've got another post-513 Justin who is surprised when Brian shows up years later, telling him he misses him and wants them back together. Surprised, because apparently post-513 Justin thinks Brian doesn't really miss him or love him or doesn't make grand gestures...
I'm confused. And annoyed. So annoyed I had to get out of bed at 1am and make this post because I couldn't sleep.
So, WTF is wrong with this picture? That's not right, is it? I mean, Brian already, told Justin that he loves him, propsed to him, bought him a house, told him he looked beautiful, opened up about his "feelings" (although these post-513 Brian's apparently aren't supposed to have feelings beacuse that's "not Brian Kinney"), so why is this post-513 Justin so disbelieving that Brian does actually say ILY and make a grand gesture?
Are we really supposed to think the ILY and marriage proposal was purely out of shock from the bombing? Therefore, he doesn't actually love Justin? I mean, the wedding - bad idea. They acknowledged that, they called that off, but does that therefore also mean we pretend Brian never said ILY? That Brian would never repeat that post-513?
That Brian would happily let Justin move to New York and never speak to him again? Is it really so incredulous that Brian, having already said ILY once and exhibiting all that new and outwardly loving behaviour in season 5 would do it again post-513?
Are we really to believe post-513 Justin, who finally got a verbal acknowledgement that Brian loves him - DUH, he's known it for years anyway - are we to believe he happily goes off to New York and says oh well, Brian's cut me off, it must be over so therefore I'll just start dating new people?
Oh! Also, we have a 50-year-old Brian who isn't tricking much anymore and Justin is shocked that Brian's not tricking much because "that's not Brian Kinney".
Um, I'm not saying that BJ have to be monogamous, but come on, he's FIFTY! Don't you think he'd stop tricking incessantly sooner or later?
Did I miss something, or do I need to just put up with the fic drought and stick to writers I know and trust, because this has messed with my mind!!
What's your take on post-513 Brian? Post-513 Justin? Who are they? What do they want from life? From each other? Your realistic vision of who they are.
Brian is NOT who he was in season 1 anymore, even if some of his actions post-bombing were borne of shock or whatever, it's not realistic to pretend those actions NEVER happened, right? Right? Please help me restore correct world order to my poor sad brain.
And now that I have that off my chest, I'm going to attempt sleep again. |
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| Play! Hurry! Time is running out! |
[May. 18th, 2009|09:04 pm] |
Remember... Tuesday night at 8 PM Eastern Time is the deadline for the trivia game with the prize of a Permanent Account (or alternate prizes if you already have one!)
We've had some submissions but there are still prizes available... hurry hurry hurry!
Play here! |
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| How old was Debbie at the beginning of the series? |
[May. 17th, 2009|04:49 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | thoughtful | ] |
Michael was 29 turning 30 at the beginning of the series.
We find out Michael's dad was Debbie's classmate.
So if Debbie was 18 or 19 when she had Michael, that would make her 49/50 at the beginning of the series.
Does that seem right?
So what would you say is Vic's age?
For some reason I didn't see Debbie on the cusp of 50, I kind of got the feeling that she was mid-fifties and that Vic was in his early 50s.
Was Vic older or younger than Debbie? |
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