recs

The recs...

The X-Files

Harry Potter

Labyrinth

RECS

I've read a lot of fanfic through the years, and I've explored a fair number of fandoms -- the ones above are the fandoms that I actively search through for good fic. And one of the things that I've learned as my, erm, hobby has broadened is that it's very common practice to give fandom newbies a list of 'recommended reading,' fics that the fandom could not do without. In fact, it's a good place to jump into a fandom -- there's just so much stuff out there and it's difficult to narrow it down any more. Moreover, these fics are usually consistently good as far as grammar and spelling are concerned, and quite often, they'll also have some great plot stuff going on as well. But not always...

Have you ever been recommended one of these 'classic fics' and been told, "It's the best?" And then you sit down to read it and you start thinking, "Man, this really, really sucks."

Boy, I have.

Or perhaps the opposite is true. You're reading a fic that you dug up on your own and no one else has heard of it, but you're telling yourself, "Wow... why hasn't anyone else read this? It's fabulous!"

That's what I'm basing my recs on. They're fics that I genuinely like -- not fics that I feel 'obligated' to pimp just because everyone else is. I'm not exclusive about 'hidden gems,' although I like to recommend those when I find them, just because I know the authors appreciate feedback like that. But more importantly, I'm shooting for honesty here. There are good classics, and bad classics, and I don't mind admitting it.

Also, I'd like to keep this as interactive as possible. If you've got a story that you think is absolutely fabulous and it's not up here, please, email me and let me know about it. I promise to at least read it, although I make no guarantee that I'll rec it. Or, if you disagree with one of my recs, please feel free to let me know about that, too -- honesty, remember?

There are a few rules that I follow, though:

     1. Unless it's the best thing since sliced bread, I prefer not to recommend WIPs. I'm willing to make
          exceptions here, but not often.

     2. If you're going to email me a rec, please give me as much info as possible -- author's name, title, and
          link are ideal, but two out of three ain't bad.

     3. Themes that I'm not fond of: Heavy bondage, rapefic, chan, incest (with one notable exception),
          songfic.

     4. No Snape slash. No exceptions.

Finally, I have a links page attached to each fandom. Please, feel free to submit any and all links and I'll put 'em up. I'm not particularly picky, although I reserve the right to discard it if I deem it necessary.