BBC Sherlock Fan Forum - Serving Sherlockians since February 2012 » Marvellous Midyear Fic Exchange 2016

SusiGo · July 11, 2016 3:28 pm

The thing is that no one participating in this exchange has stated that they are turned off by sexual aspects in general. It was explicitly about same-sex relationships.

Last edited by SusiGo (July 11, 2016 3:28 pm)

besleybean · July 11, 2016 3:28 pm

But this is what we were discussing...or I was. I don't know if it even stretches to kisses and cuddles...how much do we see of that on screen? We see a lot more in fics.
Susi, my whole point is that there may be asexuals who wish to take part in a fic exchange...I don't know, I was surmising- but they may have to accept they can't, if it would cause them problems.

EDIT: But Susi...(and I have just said all of this!) in reality, did any such individual only say that because they knew there would only be Johnlock in the fics...how many of them in the exchange had male-female pairings?
Possibly any individual wouldn't want to read those either- have you asked them?

Last edited by besleybean (July 11, 2016 3:31 pm)

Vhanja · July 11, 2016 3:37 pm

I do agree that if you take part in a challenge, you should read all the fics. If a Sherlock/Lestrade fic comes up in this challenge, I will read and review it like any other. (I might even become pleasently surprised, for all I know). If you think there are too many fics that will contain content that you find too uncomfortable to read, I think it would be wisest to not participate.

SusiGo · July 11, 2016 3:37 pm

Besley: No, I did not ask. Because I was baffled by this attitude. We have never had any problems before with our fic exchanges. The rules were clear. Most people commented on most fics which is fine. But I really do not think that we do have to discuss at length what is acceptable to one single participant who has said very clearly what turns her off. If someone is not willing to read and comment on the majority of fics even though there are rules in order to avoid any excessive triggers, they should maybe not join the exchange. If a story about true love is so offending just because the lovers happen to be men, I am really at a loss for words.

Last edited by SusiGo (July 11, 2016 3:39 pm)

ukaunz · July 11, 2016 3:38 pm

besleybean wrote:
But this is what we were discussing...or I was. I don't know if it even stretches to kisses and cuddles...how much do we see of that on screen? We see a lot more in fics.

Not in these fics, that's my point. If you can watch Sherlock, with its lack of actual sex scenes, I can't see why you can't read these particular fics.

besleybean · July 11, 2016 3:42 pm

I fear we are going in circles.
I reiterate. if the the rules are clear in the first place, it should help stop any further confusion....
Though I bet with the next exchange, I still see expressions of disappointment that not enough fics are being read or at least commented on- which is how all of this started.
Maybe there should be a quota?

Schmiezi · July 11, 2016 5:14 pm

besleybean wrote:
I fear we are going in circles.
I reiterate. if the the rules are clear in the first place, it should help stop any further confusion....
Though I bet with the next exchange, I still see expressions of disappointment that not enough fics are being read or at least commented on- which is how all of this started.
Maybe there should be a quota?

Let's stop beating around the bush: bb, we are debating kgreen's attitude that comes across as homophobic.

besleybean · July 11, 2016 5:29 pm

To some, I'm not certain.
Anyhow, it's up to both the board staff and fic exchange organisers what they do.

Yitzock · July 11, 2016 10:31 pm

I'm sorry to see that there was a lengthy discussion, that anyone was made to feel uncomfortable or offended. I hope nobody has left with hard feelings or feels left out or judged in any way, because I truly think our members are good people at heart and that everyone should be able to enjoy their experience here.

Anyway, now that I am back from my trip and have some time to read and comment, I will be making my way through what I have not yet reviewed. I will start with GimmeCat's painting of a sunset . What can I say that nobody else has already said? It's beautiful! You are a very capable painter. What a lovely contribution to our summer-themed exchange.

Last edited by Yitzock (July 12, 2016 12:33 am)

SusiGo · July 12, 2016 6:59 am

A Case of Identity, or: Life is a Masquerade

Thank you for this interesting read, dear unknown author. Ukaunz compared it with a rollercoaster which is true - so many events happen that can hardly breath in between. Lovely to see the budding love between Sherlock and John while Mary's presence is still looming in the background. And the shock moment with the shooting - this is something I really would not put past the show's creators. Wonderful touch that the baby is getting named after Sherlock after all.
I am still trying to wrap my head around the big surprise at the end. Wow! That was … how shall I put it … surprising. This is definitely something I do not want to see in the show ever but it made for a great climax, dear author.

ukaunz · July 12, 2016 11:54 am

I am thrilled to let you all know that I received the last of the fics today, so everyone will be getting the story that was written for them

Number 9 will be posted this Thursday and number 10 will be posted on Sunday. Then on the following Sunday (24th July) I will reveal all the authors. Well done everyone!

Lilythiell · July 12, 2016 12:02 pm

Fantastic news!!

Schmiezi · July 12, 2016 1:19 pm

That's great!

Yitzock · July 12, 2016 1:48 pm

A Day at the Beach - the Baker Street Way

This story was fun to read! I liked the dream of the Victorian times leading to John wanting to write stories like that, not just the blog, like Doyle's stories in the Strand.
I liked the comment about Mrs. Hudson knowing the actors and who was married to whom. I can just imagine her talking about those things as she recognizes the faces. I bet she does that while she watches TV.

Schmiezi · July 12, 2016 5:51 pm

A Case of Identity, or: Life is a Masquerade

Dear unknown author,

what a perfect fic you gave me. Thank you a thousand times.

I asked for a fix-it, and you definitely delivered: the boys back together at Baker Street, Mary out of the picture (definitely), the baby being named after Sherlock, their relationship finally turning into more. .. Wonderful!

But not only the plot is great, your writing is as well. I love the changing POVs, they add depth to the story. And the twist at the end definitely hit me by surprise.

I would love to see how the plot developes from here. If you ever decide to go on writing, I'd happily go on reading.

stoertebeker · July 12, 2016 6:19 pm

About the current discussion everything has already been said, I suppose. I think, what besley had tried to point out is that there might be other reasons apart from homophobia for not wanting to read any Johnlock/slash fics. The ‘problem’ in the current case is, we don’t know the reasons of this specific participant and as she doesn’t want to let us know it’s no use to drive each other up the wall furthermore IMO.

Personally I don’t think that we need more rules for the fic exchanges. We never had problems with the ‘rules’ or guidelines (as I would call them) so far and I’m afraid that every aggravation, like ‘Everyone must comment on every fic’ could scare potential new participants away. Yes, I also think it is only fair and respectful to read the other stories, to me this is even the main fun at these events. Besides, in my experience, even in stories which were not my cup of tea I could always find some aspects I enjoyed and could comment on. BUT to me it is also very important that people who takes part in a fic exchange takes it seriously enough and actually write a story. IMO it’s much worse if someone is left without a fic than having a participant who doesn’t comment.

(Just to be clear: Of course there can always be good reasons for not managing to write anything. It’s just important that any problems are addressed then in time so that someone else can stand in.

stoertebeker · July 12, 2016 6:22 pm

I started a new post because I don’t want to mix my opinion on the latest discussion with my comments for the fics.
I’m terribly sorry for not commenting for such a long time. Some unpleasant health issues left me with not much energy in the past two weeks to read or write anything. But now I finally managed to catch up with all stories posted so far.

First Time
Another fantastic story! I read the story with growing tension and dread waiting for the revelation what a terrible thing might have happened between Sherlock and John. And then the realization and relief that there was nothing to worry about – that gave me a huge grin. Sherlock really is a drama queen, isn’t he? I liked the description of Sherlock’s mood and his anger about the weather that just doesn’t want to cooperate and I loved the ending with sentences like ‘Our fight was stupid but can we have make up sex anyway?’ or ‘I am sorry that our first fight was so banal.’
I think ukaunz drawing matches the story ones again perfectly. Very well done to both of you.

Apollo and the Aluminium Crutch
It always amazes me to no end how one could construct a proper case fic. So first of all, a lot of kudos for that one! I usually prefer third-person-narration but in this story the first-person-narration was a really good choice as it transported John’s inner turmoil about the chaos in his life perfectly. It was heartbreaking to see how much he is still affected by Sherlock’s faked death. The story furthermore had some fantastic ideas and places in it, like the scenario with the London Eye, the chase over the Thames (I would really like to see something like that in the show!!) and the figure of speech about Apollo. As this wasn’t the main topic of the story it is reasonable that the circumstances about Mary’s departure were just implied but here we have yet another story with potential for a se-/prequel.

A day at the beach – the Baker Street way
This is just the kind of perfect little fic that conjures a smile on my face after reading. As I said in a previous comment the idea of Sherlock on the beach is just hilarious!! The request for a Victorian story was indeed very challenging but you found a very clever solution for it. I liked John’s reaction after awakening from the dream (‘I even had a wife! Can you imagine?’) and the idea that John might start to write Victorian detective stories. Great!

A Case of Identity, or: Life is a Masquerade
Phew, rollercoaster is a very very good description for this story. There are so much things happening and so many emotions bubbling on the surface but much more between the lines and the way this story is narrated matches its speed perfectly (I hope, you understand what I mean). Especially the second half of the story had a lot of dialogues - I like that, it brings a lot of dynamic in the story. The resolution was indeed a surprise and IMO an appealing idea - though I don’t think we will see something like that in the show. By the way, I really liked Willa as a name for baby Watson

Oh, and let’s not forget: Wonderful picture GimmeCat! The colours are fantastic and of course Sherlock is wearing purple trousers

Vhanja · July 13, 2016 5:53 pm

A Case of Identiy, or: Life is a Masquerade

I love these types of S3 fix-it fic, so this was a great joy for me to read. I liked how John defused the tension by asking about "Chinese". He knows Sherlock, much better way than starting a deep conversation or going into the drug use.

But, wow, there were a few twists in this one! Both the ending of Agra and the final twist was something I hadn't expected. Kept me on my toes! And Willa was a a cute name.

I also liked that John was so pro-active (well, except for THAT scene) in this story. I like it when John isn't just on the sideline and behind Sherlock, but when he is the one sometimes calling the shots because they have to be called. (And sometimes the Holmes brothers are very much out of their element).

Last edited by Vhanja (July 13, 2016 5:53 pm)

ukaunz · July 14, 2016 7:26 am

The second last fic should be one that everyone can enjoy, go check it out

Horsed

Dear author, you have an incredible way with words! I enjoyed this story so much. Sherlock and John were perfect, and your original character voices were incredibly distinct, especially the fanatical Mr Commodore. There was never a dull moment, with great pacing and a lot of fun despite the horror. I was chuckling with glee at many points. Loved the Holmesian banter, and Sherlock playacting the sentimental "Ryan" in love with "Matt" was hilarious. I could just imagine him fluttering his eyelashes and staring soppily at an inwardly fuming John. Greg and Gregson playing air guitar was quite an image... and of course Sherlock knows the name of his second-best friend but won't admit it, that has always been my headcanon

Last edited by ukaunz (July 14, 2016 10:19 am)

Schmiezi · July 15, 2016 5:02 pm

Horsed

Thank you, dear unknown author, for that fine time travel. Your fic reminded me of S1 or S2, with Sherlock appearing distanced and harsh and John being kind of his keeper. There was no mentioning of Mary, instead we get a great case that plays a more important role than relationships or character developement.

The scene at the pub even reminded me of an 90ies comedy. I think I haven't seen such a clichéd version of a gay couple since "The Birdcage".

The case made a great read, I would love to see something like that on TV.

And last but not least: Thumps up for clever Molly!