Fandom Gives Back: Eclipse edition

It's hard to contain the happy...
Fandom Gives Back starts tomorrow!!!


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soundtrack for this post
(don't judge. it's my go-to happy song)
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Seeing this fandom come together as a force for good makes me burst with pride. Underneath the snark and drama there is mad heart. We raised over $86,000 last time and it's looking like FGB: Eclipse edition is gonna trump that total. Woot!


I'm not alone in my love for the ladies behind this effort. Nina, Christina and Lauren who started this madness, AngstGoddess003 who hooked us all up with a truly amazing website, and all of the team leaders, participants and soon-to-be bidders who have collectively taken this thing to another level. Thanks for all the hard work!


This time around I am a buyer AND a seller. I'm thrilled to be throwing down 2 auction offerings as a member of The TwiFicPimps. I'm gonna lay them out in detail and hook up the links below. I wrote the following for the pimps' site but I want it here as well.


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more sountrack
Cake - You Part the Waters
(don't mind the words, just rock the fuck out)
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The Pimps are in play! 

We've got 2 unique offers up on the auction block. The first is a guest spot on the Fic Pushin' Podcast. You can choose to guest host an episode, or, if there's a fic we can agree upon, join the pimps for a Straight to the Vein. The second item up for auction is directed at authors. We are offering you the chance to show big love for your readers by taking over a Hump Your Readers Wednesday.

We're set, we're psyched, and we're ready to roll. Here are the deets:

Fic Pushin' Podcast guest spot

Come hang out with us as a guest on the Fic Pushin' Podcast. Each episode we tackle a theme and rec stories that are related to that theme. Our 1st episode, The First Hit is Free, touched on what makes twific addictive. Future episodes include Rosalie: the Ice Queen Cometh and the role of music in twific. The highest bidder will help us choose a theme and then join us (via skype) to chat about it and pimp the hell out of some great fic.

>>>>UPDATE: Instead of an episode, the winning bidder can choose to join us for a Fic Pushin' segment that we call Straight to the Vein. This is where we choose one fic that we love and go balls out talking about it. Wanna dish about MotU? Wanna show inappropriate love for Wide Awake? It has to be a fic that one or more of the pimps have read and loved. But try us - between the 4 of us we've covered a lot of ground. 

Come toss around ideas on our discussion thread!

Fic Pushin' Podcast guest spot - FORUM DISCUSSION THREAD

Fic Pushin' Podcast guest spot - AUCTION

To sample the goods, hit up our BLOG.

Take over a Hump Your Readers Wednesday

What is Hump Your Readers Wednesday?

Hump Your Readers Wednesday is a public forum for authors to show their love for the readers who hooked it up with a stellar review. We ask authors to submit the reviews that are particularly funny, heartwarming, or insightful. Every Wednesday we post the reviews that are submitted and shine a spotlight on the readers behind them.

What are you bidding for?

We are offering authors a chance to take over a Hump Your Readers Wednesday. That means you can use our website to make public declarations of love to your readers. Some examples:

Post your all time favorite reviews - The ones that gave you warm fuzzies. The ones that made you laugh out loud. The ones that motivated you to keep writing. You can also use the space to give shoutouts to reviewers who are special to you. Or send a message of inappropriate love to your readers. Whatever you want to do, as long as it's in the spirit of showing appreciation for readers of twific.

Hump Your Readers Wednesday - FORUM DISCUSSION THREAD

Hump Your Readers Wednesday - AUCTION

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soundtrack to bring it home

The JB's - Pass the Peas
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And, in case you were wondering...


The TwificPimps are Kari, Jess, Flanny, and Althea. We host the Fic Pushin' Podcast and run a website where we deal only the best twific. We are all about recognizing the contributions that readers make to the twific community. The TwificPimps site has features like reviews of stories rec'd by our readers (the Friday Fic Fit, what what) and Hump Your Readers Wednesday.

. . . Looking back on May

In May, I wrote more than I read. Now that I work full time I often find myself coming up with any excuse at all to avoid doing the work I'm supposed to do. Procrastination = many blog posts.

WHAT I WROTE IN MAY

I talked about fics that are in "critical condition" as in so dormant that they appear abandoned by their authors. My conclusion is that these authors could MAKE BANK for The Fandom Gives Back if they were to offer their fans a taste of the stories that are desperately missed.

I also broke down what makes a fic unique and original in a feature called "Why is This Fic Different From All Other Fics?" which is a reference to Passover that nobody but Flanny caught. Anyway, this post looked at 3 fics which illustrate what it is to be unique and awesome: The Blessing & The Curse, Becoming Bella Swan, and Tropic of Virgo.

There was another installment of the HOTNESS Hall of Fame which highlighted the absolute fuckhotness of a Vamp Edward who is driven to extreme measures in order to appease his man-lust without giving in to his bloodlust. I call these Show Me lemons because he needs her to do what he can't trust himself to do. I highlight 2 drool-worthy oneshots and a chapter from The List.

I am SO proud of this last featured post: Althea Jams, Blogs, and READS.
I am not 'just' a reader. I am pro-reader. I think readers should be honored for their contributions to our community. Check out how we're using the Fic Pushin' blog as a way of celebrating stellar reviews written by readers of Twific.

This is what I'm passionate about these days. Finding ways to show love to the readers of the Twific Community. I started a reader-focused podcast and blog with my girls the Twific Pimps. This post explains where I'm coming from with this.

Also in May, I wrote for the Twific Pimps. I Profiled a Reader and suggested fics for Shawna, a listener who wrote in asking for recs for her mom, who she just got hooked on Twific.


WHAT I READ IN MAY

I started the WIP Strange Bedfellows by the bouquet. This is sweet and mysterious. I got pulled in by the premise of a human Edward trying to figure out what happened to the daughter of the Chief of Police.
Here's the official description: As Edward Masen uncovers the details of the incident that took Chief Swan's beautiful daughter Bella away from him, he soon begins to wonder why the weirdly perfect Cullen family seems too involved for coincidence.




I also read The Long Goodbye by EJ Santry. Really loved it, shed a few tears, and finished it within an hour. Great, super quick COMPLETE read with an interesting premise.
Here's the official description: Over seven decades has past since Bella chose Jacob. Edward has tried not to look back, but now Alice receives the vision of the event Edward has been dreading since the day he met Bella Swan all those years ago.

And I found my new favorite Vamp Darkward. And With Thee Fade Away by Derdriu oFaolain has PWNed my ass hard. I need to write a long and proper review of this story but real quick...

1. You got the richest character development in Edward as his history is revealed in his own words and via flashback. And what a frickin character he is!

2. The way she uses 3rd person is fascinating to me - she heightens the funny/snarky by using the insider access that a 3rd person narrator has. I found that interesting and so effective!

3. I LOVE the way this author plays with canon! This dark Edward turns the canon Edward super seriousness, stalker weirdness, and self-hatred and turns it on its head for sport. 


Here's the official description: On her first day of school, Bella stands up to Edward: Forks' own psychotic jerk. Little does she know, Edward is a centuries-old Englishman with a taste for human blood. Will they fall in love, or kill each other first? Rated M for violence.

This story is COMPLETE and it's frickin fantastic, so go read it.
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The Cullen Campaign, by belladonna1472

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5853742/1/The_Cullen_Campaign

Official Description: Edward Cullen and Isabella Swan both have parents who are powerful on Capitol Hill. Problem is, their families are political enemies. What happens when Democrat!Edward and Republican!Bella bump into each other at Union Station in D.C.? AU/AH. ExB  WIP

I just joined this party. It's 11 Chapters in and I'm frickin hooked. Let me tell you why...

This story has the same qualities that I look for in a man: smart-as-hell and hot-as-fuck.

belladonna1472's Edward is to die for. I mean seriously. I'm about to show my hand, but he is a Cullen Democrat sculpted in the likeness of JohnFKennedyJr. I swoon just thinking about him. I've only started reading this story a couple days ago and I've already had a crazy dream involving this Edward, myself, and a Congressional podium. Too much information? And Isabella is no slouch. She is as inhumanly smart as Edward and not afraid to assert herself.

I keep rec'ing this to people describing it as West Wing meets Romeo&Juliet.

The Romeo&Juliet-factor gives the story this great forbidden love element that makes the sexual tension even hotter and gives the lemons a delicious "We shouldn't be doing this!" naughtiness.

And when I say this story reminds me of  West Wing, I mean that it uses Washington and politics as a rich landscape in which to tell a story while including details about the process and the issues that make it almost educational. But not in a "Sit down and do your homework!" kind of way. More like a "Huh, that's interesting! I didn't know that." kind of way.

Edward and Bella come from rival political dynasties. I am a lover (and hater) of politics and for me, there is something romantic about the idea of people who wield power in America in the interest of the good of the people. In real life it never ends up like that as power corrupts and self-interest prevails. But so far in the TCC world, our players are well meaning. And I enjoy that.

Just Wait, by InstantKarmaGirl

Just Wait by InstantKarmaGirl

Official Description: AH AU OOC In a world saturated by vices, Bella is forced to move in with her father to avoid the repercussions of her past deeds. But after she meets the socially withdrawn adopted son of the town's doctor, will she allow herself to open up and heal?

I saw that this has been a juggernaut due to the massive number of people who tweet about it. I was told there is major heartfail, so as a precaution, I planned to wait until it was Completed. But when it was chosen as the first Fic Club selection, I decided to get on board. I literally read this puppy all. night. long. I couldn't stop. I knew I had shit to do the next day, but I had to know what happens for these two damaged but lovable characters.

I'm going to write a full on post for Just Wait, but in the meantime:

I was obsessed with knowing the secret behind Bella and StutterWard's brokenness. I also 'had to know' if their relationship would progress. If they are going to be able to find salvation in each other. What I really like is that I don't think IKG is going to offer her characters salvation. I think she is presenting us with 2 people who are trying to survive their drama, not working to solve it outright. And I also respect how they are not 2 injured birds reconciling with their pasts, they are individuals whose everyday lives are a continual struggle. Edward continues to face the daily torment and social disconnect of having a speech impediment. Bella continues to suffer a cycle of having no regard for her own well being, thus finding herself in situations in the present that reverberate the trauma of the past.

I like how Edward and Bella's issues are sort of extensions of personality types exhibited in Twilight. In Twilight, Edward is completely isolated from his peers. He is unable to relate to their trivial minutia, largely because of his "gift" of being able to see into their mundane minds. Just Wait's Stutterward isn't exactly isolated because of a "gift" but rather an affliction that prevents him from freely expressing himself. Twilight Bella and Just Wait Bella share a common disregard for their personal safety. In seeking out what they want, both Bellas end up putting their well being on the line.

Extracurricular: Birth and Girl

As part of the Extracurricular section of my blog, I occasionally post about things that aren't directly related to fanfic. Today, we have

The movie: Birth, with Nicole Kidman and Cameron Bright.

The song: Girl, by a small band called The Beatles.

BIRTH

I just rewatched Birth for the millionth time and this movie continues to amaze me. The pace is slow as the story unfolds, the acting and direction is not in any way in-your-face. It immerses you into the artistry of it: each shot is a painting and the music carries the weight of the emotion.  

The beautiful music throughout the movie is its own character, the way it drives the pace and mood. All composed by Alexandre Desplat (the same guy who did the music for New Moon. But in Birth there are more original compositions and its more at the root of the emotion of the scenes than it is in New Moon.)

The director, Jonathan Glazer, builds the story in such a compelling, visual way. I haven't read the script and it's always hard to tell where original story leaves off and the director's vision begins. But either way, the intrigue and emotional tension is deeply rooted in both the story itself and the visual manifestation of it. 

The premise of this movie could have easily come off as very creepy, weird and off-putting. A woman, Nicole Kidman, has lost her husband. Ten years later, when she is finally happy and engaged to a man she loves, she is approached by a little boy who claims to be Sean, her dead husband. The little boy is played BRILLIANTLY by Cameron Bright (who now happens to play Alec in the Twilight Saga). Check out the trailer, you'll see what I mean:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OfjZ5Msdb8

The acting in this is UNBELIEVABLE! There's a shot that is a close up on Kidman - I don't even want to talk about it because you should experience it yourself. But the way it was shot and the incredible nuance of her performance, especially in that moment, is something that has stuck with me since I first saw this movie several years ago. And that example speaks to the way this director and those actors complemented one another to a gorgeous end.

There are so many interesting themes that are explored, and I'm hesitant to blather on with my analysis, because you should go see it and see for yourself what it means to you. But quickly, there are questions about the inability to let go of love, the depth to which love can overpower your rational self, the durability of one's spirit, the notion that love is a subjective experience that's not dependent on the reality of the love that's being returned.  <--- if you've seen the movie, I'm dying to know how other people perceived it!

It's not for everyone, but if you are a lover of films that are art, go check out Birth! And then come tell me what you thought :)

GIRL

Girl, The Beatles   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZshCZndWmco

Girl is on the album Rubber Soul. Since the first time I heard it, I loved Girl because of that sound he makes in the chorus. It's one of those sounds that's an involuntary response to seeing something that turns you on. The deep intake of breath through your teeth. When John breaks it out in this song, I always thought is was hot. It's a cool way to capture the essence of that raw reaction. 

In the song he's talking about this woman who he's drawn to. Even though she treats him badly, he is helpless to resist her. Just like a bunch of the songs on Rubber Soul, Girl talks about a relationship that's complicated. Just like real life relationships are complicated. 

He's listing all of these terrible qualities and he makes her sound like a wretched person. But then in the chorus John sounds like he's thinking of her quite fondly. It seems to indicate that she's so hot that despite these dispicable qualities, he stays with her anyway. I always saw his listing of her faults as, "Oh look at what I'm willing to put up with in order to tap that ass."

But recently I realized it's more than that. He's lamenting about his situation. That he's taken by this girl who's so wrong for him. He lists all of these things he hates about her. But what he hates about her most, is that he can't stay away from her. Have you ever had a boyfriend who is so wrong for you but you keep going back because the sex is too frickin hot. It's like you hate yourself for not being able to resist it and walk away even though you know you should. And then you hate the other person for being so irresistible. A terrible scenario for those of us who are hedonistically inclined!

My love for this song grew as I saw it as a little window into this internal struggle:

This song starts as an agitated "Won't someone listen to this terrible situation I've gotten myself into!" but even as he's spewing these complaints, he keeps coming back round to the chorus and fond thoughts of this girl and what she does to him. By the end of the song he seems like he's chilled out a bit and not as willing to act on the problem. More willing to accept his fate. And be with this girl. He'll stay.

P.S. If you haven't really hit up Rubber Soul, I highly rec!!!

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