At least for the time being, I am changing the status of my journal to friends-only. If you would like to be added, please, comment below with a note, including how I do or should know you, and why you would like to be friended.

Am working on writing stuff again, so tried to log into lj on my lunch break to post some things, and it was a horrible pita. I had to chane my password, the app still didn’t work, couldn’t find the log in area in my bowser/or it wouldn’t let me access it and the whole thing is infested with ads and popups. I kind wanted to hit things.

Happy New Year, everyone! I'm not quite ready to sit down and do a year in review type thing - mostly because thispast year has been so very difficult for me, but I will probably tackle it.

I've been having a nice weekend. I did get called into work to work overnights to cover a coworker whose home was flooded, but I volunteered to do so, so I am good with that.

For New Year's Eve, DH and I splurged on Domino's and watched Season 1 of Stitchers. We liked it. It's a pretty short series, and the science is a little annoyingly impossible/wrong, but it's fun. I'm interested enough to be curious about a season 2, if there is one. Though, it could have been cancelled, and I'd have no clue.

I was checking out links in my sidebar to see what worked, what didn't, what needs to be updated. I've been reading Enterprise fic and really enjoying some of the story lines I've found. Might have to recc some. I also got Enterprise Season 1 (used) for the holidays. May have to plan a rewatch.

Here's some canon I've explored in the last while that I might talk about play with. I'm looking to update my "About Me" page, but first I have to figure out what to say, so I will ramble at you guys.

Blacklist - I have seen the first two seasons of this. I recently bought the DVDs so that DH could watch them too. It became a thing. I love the Red/Liz interaction, but all of the team members are great. I remember getting annoyed recently because Agent Navabi wasn't being utilized at all over an arc of episodes. I've read Red/Liz fiction,and would probably read others. I like how a certain character developed in the second half of the second season, and would like to see more of him. I might try my hand at writing this, if I can find the write entry. (Season 3 is currently in progress)

Hannibal - Intriguing and interesting. I am a huge fan of Thomas Harris's series - since before Silence of the Lambs was made into a movie. This expansion of the canon is really good. I have yelled at my TV and gotten mad a few times when I thought they were messing up my perfect canon, but I like this a LOT. I don't know if I could ever write this. It would have to be a MONSTER plot bunny - no pun intended. I used to say I watched Dexter for therapy, because it made me laugh. This is tons better - it draws you in and gets in your head. It's totally gross and creepy sometimes, but always awesome. (I have seen the first two seasons of this.There are three total.)

Revenge - I liked this show and tended to binge on it, when I did watch it, and then ignore it for months and months. I watched it until some time in season 3. There were four total seasons. I will probably pick it up sometime.

Elementary - I bought the first two seasons, so that everyone could catch up on them, I have seen the first. I always like Sherlocke Holmes. I like this incarnation better that the British one, I think, though that is awesome, too. I have read fic for the British show, but none for Elementary. Don't know if I could/would write this.

Marvel Avengers - Like many, many other fangirls, I am head over heels for the cinemaverse, and related tie-ins. I have watched a bit of the Shield TV series, and it is in my queue to catch up, as soon as I have internet set up at the house. I haven't seen any of Agent Carter - but that two.

Nikkita - I watched until part of the third season, recently bought the DVDs for DH.

Hawaii 5-0 - Total love!!!! Want to write in this verse. Have started some things in a notebook somewhere. Expect this to come up.

I know there is other things I've seen or been interested in seeing, but these are at the top of my mind. What are you guys into, currently?

So, DH and I have moved back to Missouri from Oregon, to be near his mom. I took a huge detour in my career to accomplish it, but I feel good about it, anyway. Family has to come first.

Looking back over the journal, I realize that while I was in Oregon, I was working so hard, and so much of the time, that I hardly ever posted the entire time I was there. My friend's list now, is mostly deserted. Though, I am very glad to see and catch up with those of you who remain. I am trying to get back into the swing of things and find time once again for the creative outlets in my life. They were sorely missed. Also, I'll need them to stay sane back on this side of the country :)

I joined a friending meme, as well, to reach out and get to know some new people, so if you are here from that, "Welcome!"

If you would like to go check it out:


multi-fandom friending meme

This entry was cross-posted from my Dreamwidth journal. Feel free to reply on this entry there, using OpenID, or to read those comments.

Title: Infinite Opportunities
Author: syrenslure
Fandom: Revenge (Emily Thorn)
Rating: G
Summary: The possibilities are endless; the outcome is inevitable.
Spoilers: The first half of Season 3
Notes/Dedications: The first of my Tarot inspired stories. Card: 10 of Coins (Gateway to the Divine Tarot) Description: An open box of treasure lies before us, its mysteries unlocked, and resources available to us. Delicate tulips rest on top, reminding us to tread carefully, as while we have untold resources at hand, if we do not tread carefully, they could also be lost to us.  (594 words, 14 January 2014)

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This entry was cross-posted from my Dreamwidth journal. Feel free to reply on this entry there, using OpenID, or to read those comments.

Day 9

In your own space, rec at least 3 fanworks you thought you wouldn't like (because they weren't your fandom or they pushed against your boundaries or you thought you just wouldn't be interested) but you ended up loving. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.

I recently had this experience not with a fanwork, but with a fandom. I was telling a friend at work about it the other day. A couple of years ago, when Revenge first started, I had a coworker in Arkansas pitch the show to me, telling me that I really should watch it, but I was pretty "meh" and dismissed it. Sometime in 2012, I caught the show on netflix/hulu and mainlined everything that was available. It was pretty awesome. Then, I didn't watch TV again for about 6 months.

Last week, I decided to catch up on it all. The show is amazing! DH says that it's a bit soap-opery (from what he's overheard) but the writing it tight and twisted, and I love the premise, and the planning and the ways things go wrong almost even more than when they go right. The latest bombshell of the story has left me wondering where this is all going next, and so happy that there is more to come. I'm totally fangirling the show, though I haven't looked into any fan fiction (yet). It's almost so awesome that I am just starting to let it sink in about the little holes and flaws that can be explored that way, because the writing of the actual show is so engaging.



As for fanworks I didn't think I would like but got sucked into, I don't know any specifics off the top of my head. There are a few concepts that I didn't think I would like that somehow sucked me in.

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This entry was cross-posted from my Dreamwidth journal. Feel free to reply on this entry there, using OpenID, or to read those comments.

Day 8


In your own space, create a love meme for yourself. Let people tell you how amazing and awesome and loveable you really are. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so. Surf the comments and find people to give love to.Day 8


In your own space, create a love meme for yourself. Let people tell you how amazing and awesome and loveable you really are. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so. Surf the comments and find people to give love to.


This is tough, and even more personal than posting fic which people might like or not, comment on, or not. This is asking for personal interaction and confirmation. It's putting yourself out there and hoping that people respond to you personally. But here goes, anyway.

I've turned on anon commenting, so if you want to say anything anonymously, that's ok, too. :)

Day 7

In your own space, create a fanwork. A drabble, a ficlet, a podfic, or an icon, art or meta or a rec list. A picspam. Something. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.

Wow, I wrote a story... and I'm posting it. Awesome. It's out of order in my series, but I think it stands alone well enough.

Fic: Home for Christmas (Xander/Riley, NC-17)

Title: Home for Christmas
Series: Series: Home #5
Follows: #1 - You Can’t Go Home Again
#2 - Keeping Secrets
#3 - Kiss the Rain
#4 - (Unposted Story / Timeline: Hell's Bells)


Author: syrenslure
Fandom: BtVS, Xander/Riley
Rating: NC-17
Notes: This series has been a around for a looong time. I think I got the idea shortly after “Into the Woods” aired, and posted the first story in early 2001, or somewhere near there, but the thought of Xander/Riley hotness had been percolating for a while. This particular installation has been sitting on my hard drive unfinished for several years, while I tried to pick apart the problems I have with part four. Today, I decided to go ahead and post it out of order, because it’s the story I wanted to tell today.
Spoilers: Post-Series (with a vague nod to fanon and the comics’ canon, but not really following either, as I haven’t really read the comics).

Summary:Home isn’t always the place you expect it to be. Sometimes it’s the people you find there. (2762 Words – 10 January 2014)

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Day Six


In your own space, share a book/song/movie/tv show/fanwork/etc that changed your life. Something that impacted on your consciousness in a way that left its mark on your soul. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.

This is hard, I am not sure what to write about, and this post has been sitting open for the better part of a day while I think about it. I could name some of my favorite things... my favorite book, my favorite song, songs that play like the soundtrack through my life, even moments in fandom when things opened up and changed for me, finding a new sandbox, finding new friends. They didn't so much change me, as become a part of me, part of the stories and tapestry that made me who I am

I think I am good at leaving this open-ended like that, for now.

Day 5

In your own space, talk about a creator. Show us why you think they are amazing. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.

This is a tough one, because I love all you guys, and it's hard to single anyone out. All of you guys are awesome. So, I picked out a few that always are on my mind (and if you aren't following these guys, you should be!)

geonncannon is a bit of my hero. He is an awesome writer, and one of the most prolific writers that I have ever heard of. I discovered him in the Stargate fandom, but stick around for his novels. He is dedicated to his dream of being a professional writer, and has totally worked toward that end. And his most recent news writing an official Stargate novel and writing episodes for a web series of his Riley Parra series. He totally rocks!

xanthe is probably the author that I have been following the longest in fandom. I have been reading her stuff for like 15 years now. Her work is engaging and beautiful. She is also the founder of the BDSM-universe that is engaging fandom. She has even given me permission to play in it, and I'm working on a long Hawaii 5-0 fic in it.

Day 4

Comment to someone you haven't ever interacted with before or introduce yourself to someone you've interacted with and friend/follow them. Afterwards, leave a comment in this post with the equivalent of "I did it!"

It doesn't have to be anything complex - it can be feedback for a fanwork or discussing something you might have in common or even simply admiring their icon. The point is to reach out to someone you normally wouldn't and connect with them, even if it's only for the briefest moment.

I will, if you will... Anyone out there, want to step and say hi? Heck, even if I know you very well... say hi anyway. I don't bite... (not unless you ask nicely, anyway)

Day 3

In your own space, post a rec for at least three fanworks that you did not create. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so. See if you can rec fanworks that are less likely to be praised: tiny fandoms, rare pairings, fanworks other than stories, lesser-known kinks or tropes. Find fanworks that have few to no comments, or creators new to a particular fandom who maybe aren't well known or appreciated. Appreciate them.

This is tough, you guys know all my stuff... You are my stuff.
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Day Two

In your own space, promote three communities, challenges, blogs, pages, Twitters, Tumblrs or platforms and explain why you love them. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.

#1 Has to be Heliopolis. I took over as archivist for this site in 2003, and it has brought me such joy, and allowed me to get to know so many people. I have learned so much while coding and keeping this site. It is one of my proudest accomplishments, and favorite places on the net.

#2 I know lots and lots of people will have this, but I love Archive of Our Own. Anything I am looking for, I can find here. It has drawn together so many people, with so many divergent interests and challenges, that I can not imagine fandom without it these days.

#3 That being said... livejournal/dreamwidth. They made fandom personal for me, in ways that mailing lists could not have even begun to. Words and stories became people and friends and communities. I never go long without thinking of this space, whether I am actually posting or not.

Day One

In your own space, post a rec for at least three fanworks that you have created. It can be your favorite fanworks that you've created, or fanworks you feel no one ever saw, or fanworks you say would define you as a creator. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.

Hmm, I think I have done this before, or something similar, but it is a good time to do it again, as I try to bring my personal archive into some semblance of order...

1) Because the challenge creator was very specific about including all kinds of fannish works, I want to include a link to my icon archive. Working on these little 100x100 art pieces allowed me to expand my digital graphics skills in so many ways, and to learn so many new skills and techniques, though experimentation and tutorials. I don't know if I could ever pick a favorite, as that is sooo dependent on my moos (and why we all have so many of them :), but I loved making the icons and working on the challenges, as well as talking with other fans, as they created enviable 'competition.'

2) My favorite fic I wrote: Faded Prayers
This is the story that automatically comes to mind when I think of my best/favorite stories - whether it actually is or not.
Cordelia waits for Angelus and reflects on what has happened and what is to come. (Post-Awakening.)
This was a challenge for YGTS? and was probably not at all what was expected. I don't remember the whole prompt, but it was something about sushi, and this ep, having just aired was very prominently on my mind. It's dark and twisted, but hopeful, and I am really proud of the imagery, and loved the way it just flowed. I loved writing for this group, and turned out some things I'm very proud of. (Pre-livejournal story on my archive)

3) My favorite other thing created for fandom: The Almost Totally Random Writing Exercise Generators
While this wasn't entirely my own creation, The Almost Totally Random Writing Exercise Generators are based on the random pairing Generator by Glowstick Chick (and tweaked by others, including docmichelle), I took the idea and ran with it, creating several versions of the generator for my own and others use. I even created some individual ones for some friends. While what I wanted sometimes changed between versions, I couldn't give any of them up, and still use them when looking for inspiration. I created this page to keep track of my versions.

Something to Talk About
Fandom: Grey’s Anatomy
Pairing: Derek Shepherd / Meredith Grey
Spoilers: 8.23 Migration
Rating: PG
Summary: Derek knows what to do.
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This entry was cross-posted from my Dreamwidth journal. Feel free to reply on this entry there, using OpenID, or to read those comments.

So, as I started this, I couldn't figure out if I should try some of the obscure fandoms, first, to try to make it easier later, or start off with the easier ones now, and possibly get screwed later, when my muse isn't having fun any more. I decided to try and just go with the flow and see where my prompt generator and my inspiration take me.

This one ended up in a very different place than at first blush (River-centric).
Prompt: Firefly/Serenity * character study * wings

Serenity
Fandom: Firefly/Serenity
Pairing: Mal/Serenity [Kidding :) it's Malcolm Reynolds -gen, but come on, you know she's his first love]
Rated: G
Inspiration: Out of Gas
225 Words (+ lyrics)

"Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose;" he heard that tune in a bar once. He was laying low on an Alliance planet, and the establishment what had looked like a bit of rough and tumble to hide out in, was just dusty gos se, for fancy folks playing at being on the wrong side of the shipyards, trying to look like authentic Earth-that-was for those who didn't care no different. The sentiment was kind of like that, too. Shiny and all at first glance, but a damn lie all the same.

Freedom's a whole lot of something to lose, and nobody knows that better than anyone who ain't got it.

Sometimes, the lie works the other way, too. The barker may have thought he was fahng-tzong, in turning down the bright, shiny (relatively) new ship for this broke down, old firefly (didn't stop him from driving a tough bargain), but Mal knew a little something about looks, though, and about freedom. That pretty, new bucket would be on some back-world scrap heap by now, with him no better to show for it, but Serenity was still here, would still be here, 'til he took his last breath.
Serenity is what you have, when you have nothing left to lose. If you're lucky. Freedom - that's just the dream that gets you there.

Lost my soul, lost my dream
You can't take the sky from me...
Since I've found Serenity.

This entry was cross-posted from my Dreamwidth journal. Feel free to reply on this entry there, using OpenID, or to read those comments.

So, I didn't get anything written yesterday, because I worked yesterday am without sleeping the night before, so I was pretty worthless and ended up crashing early. Today, though, I pulled two things out of my WIP folder and made good progress on both, including finishing this one. I'm very happy about that.

Title: Sleepless Nights
Author: syrenslure
Fandom: Supernatural
Pairing: Dean/OFC (explicit), Sam/Dean
Rating: NC-17
Word count:
Warnings: Contains het, slash and incest, for anyone wanting to avoid one of those. Voyeurism.
Summary: A dead-end in his research leads to Sam learning some things that he really didn't want to know.
Disclaimer: Supernatural and its characters are copyright
Author's Note: I originally started this for The Kink and Cliché challenge, where my prompt was "sleep and bedding themes," but ended up writing something else and putting this on the back burner. It was my first Supernatural story. 10_random : Sam/Dean Winchester : 05. Invisible.
Completed Mon, 26 Sep 11 (1837 words)

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Title: Breathe Again
Author: Syrenslure
Rating: PG
Fandom: Castle
Character: Richard Castle, Kate Beckett, het
Summary: And I shall never breathe again.
Spoilers: 04x01 Rise
Sat, 24 Sep 2011 (345 Words)

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