Prisca's Home

In your own space, talk about an idea you wish you had the time / talent / energy to do.

I guess this one is easy to answer. Already when I was about 14/15 years old, I figured out what I wanted to do with my future. Writing! Not just for fun but as an author who would fascinate many people with her stories and maybe make enough money with it to make it a full-time job. Writing like my favorite author back then, Enid Blyton, whose books I devoured not only once but multiple times. I would have given a lot to write like her.

To make a long story short: yes, I did start playing around with words back then, not perfect but with love and passion. Until finally reality caught up with me, and I had to admit that a decent education was not the worst idea. For a while, I lost interest in writing and only came back to it years later, when I discovered the infinite vastness of fan fiction.

Since then, I am playing around with words again, lightyears away from talent and energy to make it a full-time job, and for sure, I am not Enid Blyton. But writing has already helped me through some rough times. Even if I will never publish a novel and never make money with it, that's totally okay because writing can be a hell of a lot of fun also when you are writing just for yourself.

In your own space, put some favorite characters into an AU, fuse some famous canons together, talk about your favorite AU/fusion tropes, or tell us why AU/fusions aren’t your cup of tea.

Great challenge; thank you so much for this idea.

Okay, where do I start? So many thoughts are crossing my mind right now.

Alternate Universe

Do I love it? Yes... and no. Depends on the fandom. While I can accept various kinds of AU stories for most fandoms, there are some which seem too deep to my heart that I would dare to 'fuck around with them.'

Yes
Most of the stories I write and read for my favorite fandom „The Faculty, “ are slightly AU. Because, c'mon, have you ever watched the movie? Casey and Deliah??? Who would want to read (and write) about this pairing?

My love belongs to 'my boys,' Casey Connor and Zeke Tyler, and even if they are not lovers in all of my stories, it is a given that they belong together. Most of the stories I write about them occur after the movie, but I rarely put the boys into a completely different setting.

That doesn't mean, though, that I don't love to read a good, totally AU story. I mean, who would not want to read about two young boys who are working in a gay whore house during the Great Depression? Or would you mind finding out more about the hard life on the roads after they both were turned into vampires?

No
Another fandom I love, maybe the fandom, which finally made me realize that something extraordinary like this exists, is 'Lord of the Rings.' A big fandom, with lots of communities, many artists, and fan fiction writers. One should expect that I did jump into the pool full of excitement.

But no. I made more than one try, but it never felt right for me. Don't get me wrong; I don't mind that others had/have tons of fun with writing and reading LotR fanfiction. There are many brilliant writers and (I am sure of that) lots of funny, touching stories. But for some reason, I can't stand the way, many stories bring Sam and Frodo together as lovers. It just feels wrong for me.

Of course, I know there is always the chance to write fanfiction that stays closer to canon. And yes, I did write little snippets now and then. But to be honest, it's not the same as if I write about 'my boys'. Deep inside, I always feel a tiny bit uncomfortable at the thought of playing around with the unique words of Tolkien.

Crossover/Fusion
Finally, let me say some words to crossover stories, which are, as I see it, nothing else than a special form of AU's.

Though I think crossover stories can offer a lot of fun, I only rarely write them. But there is one universe I created some time ago, which brings the events happening in 'The Faculty' together with my second fandom love 'Jeremiah.'

The alien incident happening in 'The Faculty' doesn't end well but causes the death of all adults (which happened in 'Jeremiah' because of a virus). Now Casey is, accompanied by Zeke, on a mission to save the future.

It is so much fun to bring the boys together with Jeremiah's most interesting characters. In this case, I am not writing a continuous story, though I try to follow a loose storyline with the main chapters. But there are also short snap-shots that just want to be written when an idea crosses my mind. And who am I to start a fight with my muse?

I was not around often this year, and I didn't comment as often as I should have on all your wonderful posts. But at least I want to come here today to wish you a Happy New Year.

A new beginning and a fresh start, full of inspiration and positive thoughts.
Let’s begin this year with an optimistic thought.
Gone are the days of regret and guilt, those rooms full of darkness. It’s time to move on with courage, full of confidence and hope.
Let’s begin this year with an optimistic thought.

Love you all, my friends.

Dear Addie,

I'm so sorry, but



I hope your day was a great one. Hugs.

My opinion: 5/5 Points

This book fills the prompt: crime.
The (german) narrator is Tanja Geke. She does a good job; I like her way of telling the story.

The book is part of a series by J.D.Robb (also known as Nora Roberts). The series takes place in the near future, but first of all, it's the story of Eve Dalles, an NYPSD-Leutnantin, and her husband Roarke (much too rich, much too smart, and much too good looking to be true ;) )

I like the mixture of 'soft crime' and the backstory of the characters. Not the kind of book you should take all too seriously, but it is fun to listen to.

Purity in Death is one of the best books of the series so far, I would dare to say. A fascinating plot about a computer virus that can kill people.

If you are interested in reading/listening to the book, I would advise starting with the first one of the series because there is a continuous character development you should not miss.

:::


My opinion: 2/5 Points

This book fills the prompt: Movie tie-in.
The (german) narrator is Robert Frank. I can't say I liked the way he did read the book. It was too slow, without many emotions, and I have to admit that I fall into sleep more just once (so, at least listening to the book was good for something)

Maybe you already heard about the movie Mortal Engines, which is based on the book. I admit I haven't watched it so far, and I don't think that I will, after listening to the book.

The book is the first one of a short series written by Philip Reeve. It takes place in a steampunk setting in the future, where the world we all know doesn't exist any longer.

You will already have noticed that I am not very enthusiastic about the book. Yes, there is an interesting plot. There could have been interesting characters, but they stay pallid most of the time, with only a tiny bit of backstory and character development. They are not dislikable but too boring to really feel with them. The story itself has its thrilling and emotional moments, but they are told much too rushed and sketchy to reach me in which way ever.

So, no, I will not listen to the other parts of the series because I'm not very interested in finding out how the main characters' lives will go on from now on. Other books are waiting for me, which hopefully will be more fun.

Challenge #10
In your own space, write a love letter to Fandom in general, to a particular fandom, to a trope, a relationship, a character, creator, episode, or it could be your fandom friends. Share your love and squee as loud as you want to.

This is an interesting challenge, though I have to admit that I had to think about it for a while.

Dear Fandom,

I am so happy to have you in my life for so many years already. I guess my first contact with you was when I was about 10 years old. I didn't even know back then that something like 'Fandom' exists, but I can tell you that I already was addicted.

I was so in love with my favorite author Enid Blyton; I read all her books and loved her characters so much that I started to write my own little ficlets. Of course, without knowing anything about fanfiction.

When I got older, there were other authors and movies I did love. The first crush on an actor = I guess it was... hmmm... Robert Wager as Al Mundy? Tony Curtis and Roger Moore from the TV series The Persuaders.

But the first time I was ready to admit that I'm a fandom girl through and through came years later with Lord of the Rings. Actors I "fall in love with", internet platforms, fanfiction, conventions. People I met, online and in RL; people which I would never have gotten to know without fandom. You opened a new world for me.

So, I guess, it is time to say thank you to you. Fandom, with every kind of possibility you offer, gave me some of the best times of my life. And you still do; without you, I wouldn't sit here right now, writing this letter, thinking back to a lot of wonderful moments.

I hope we can stay friends forever.

Love,
Prisca

Challenge #9
In your own space, brag about yourself. Tell us what things you've done that you're proud of; the things that make you the wonderful person you are.

This one is a bit tricky. But to make a long story short:

1. I'm proud of reaching my getyourwordsout Habit goal last year (120 days of writing; I did write about 170 days) though there were lots of months with almost no word written.

2. I am proud of finishing the 1oo Fandom Table for 100fandomicons, especially because I am just a beginner when it comes to making icons. But it was so much fun, that I have already started with the 2021 table.

I've seen some people on my F-list doing a Book Bingo every year and I thought it might be fun to create a similar card for audiobooks.

After making a list with about 30 prompts I created a small card randomly by a bingo generator. I am curious how long it will take to complete it (or if I give up without finishing it).


Audio Book Bingo Card 1 / 2021

crime/mystery	longer than 12 hours	romance
fantasy	a book you've already heard	a book by your favorite narrator
TV/movie tie in	color in the title	a book by a new narrator

Table finished.

Books I listened to

1. Crime
Purity In Death: Eve Dallas 15 by J.D.Robb
My opinion

2. Longer than 12 hours
The Hanging Girl: Department Q 6 by Jussi Adler Olsen (15 hours)
My opinion

3. Romance
Als ich dich traf (Irish Feelings) by Emma Wagner
My opinion

4. Fantasy
The Hobbit by J.R.R.Tolkien

5. A book you've already listened to
Das Lächeln der Frauen by Nicolas Barreau

6. A book by your favorite narrator
Portrait in Death (Eve Dalles 16) - J.D. Robb

7. TV/Movie tie in
Mortal Engines 1 by Philip Reeve
My opinion

8. Color in the title
Das Mädchen mit dem rotem Schal by Michel Bussi

9. A book by a new narrator
Miss Merkel: Mord in der Uckermark by David Safier (Narrator: Nana Spier)

Time for catching up.



Challenge #5
In your own space, promote a canon/talk about a part of canon that you love.

This year I have decided on

Lord of the Rings
I remember that I tried to read the books when I was about 16/17 years old... and I failed miserably.

Some years later, Peter Jackson's movies resounded to the lands, and it was impossible to escape them. I watched a trailer more accidentally (Gandalf and the Balrog at Khazad-dûm), and I knew I had to watch the movie.

I was intrigued from the very first moment. The Shire, the music, the Hobbits. Sam. I admit, I like Frodo, but my heart always belonged to Sam. The way Peter Jackson brought Middle-earth to life. It was the beginning of a great journey.

I finally read the books - and nowadays, I am glad I watched the movies first because I could enjoy them without thinking about the changes PJ made. It doesn't mean that I don't have learned to love the books, too; some parts are better than the movies. Sam in the ork-tower, god, it always breaks my heart to read these chapters.

I started to visit internet forums; usually, I am a shy person who doesn't like to interact with strangers, but suddenly it was easy to overstep my lines because we all shared one big love. I started to visit small gatherings with fans at first, later my first Ring Con in Bonn. I made new friends; I met some of the actors; I even got the chance for a photo with Sean Astin (which I hate, because I look like a dork, but I would never ever want to miss the memory **grins**).

All this is about twenty years ago, and even if the fandom faded away over the years, Lord of the Rings is still a part of my life. I re-watch the movies, I listen to the music, I re-read the book. And for now, I am curious where the journey will go when the new Amazon series come out.

Challenge #3: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

In your own space, tell us who, from one of your fandoms, would you most want to have dinner with (or tea, or a random afternoon visit), And why? This could be a creator, an actor, a costumer, a set designer, a director, a character, a composer, anybody! What would you talk about? What are you dying to know?

Hmmm. Sean Astin came into my mind at first, then Viggo Mortensen or maybe Tom Ellis?

But then ... boom ... the answer is so easy. Elijah Wood and Josh Hartnett. Josh, because I think, he's hot, and Elijah because of his amazing blue eyes. Besides that, both of them are really interesting characters and have done some not so popular, but even more interesting movies. Would be fun to chat with them about their work and their future plans.

Speaking of future plans: I would try all to convince them, that a sequel to "The Faculty" is long overdue. After all the years Casey and Zeke are meeting again in Herrington. They have to fight another alien invasion, or, to keep up with the times, maybe there are zombies overrunning the town?

Whatever, of course, at the end of the movie they will save the world once again. And, most important, they are finally ready to admit that they had never stopped thinking of each other. Casey will leave Delilah behind and finally they are living happily together until the end of time. And everything is like it should be!

**Grins** Would be fun to find out what Josh and Elijah are thinking about this idea, don't you think so?