300 Members

[wendelah1]

It took us nearly six years, but we made it. And for us to hit 300 members today, on The X-Files 20th anniversary, somehow it feels like it was meant to be. You know. "Oh, the usual — Destiny, Fate, how to throw a curve ball... the inextricable relationships in our lives that are neither accidental nor somehow in our control either."




Some time ago, a member asked to have a more general post, so we could discuss our favorite genres, ships, tropes. This seems an opportune moment.

It's not a secret that I like gen fic best and PWP least. I love case files. I love humor. I love colonization stories. I love the kind of alternative universes that ask impossible questions. What if the real Fox Mulder wasn't returned during "Deep Throat"? What if after William's birth, Mulder didn't leave. What if he stuck around and bought a Volvo and then, before they had a chance to become a family, Scully was taken again. What if Scully had accepted the transfer to Salt Lake City? What if Mulder had been taken as was originally planned, and Samantha grows up and becomes an FBI agent?

So, what's your favorite kind of fanfic to read? To discuss? Is there a difference?

Is there a story you wish someone had written? If there is, please tell us and then go add it to the Wish List post at xf_is_love. I can't make any promises, but maybe you'll get lucky.

Thanks to everyone who has participated over the years, to the people who keep showing up, story after story, and of course, to the wonderful XF fanfic writers who made it possible to have this discussion group in the first place. Much love to you all.

Comments

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

For reading, my favourites are dark-ish gen AUs or casefics, especially postapocalyptic. I like shipping, but within the story frame, not a romance story by itself. I'm okay with MSR or M/K (with varying combinations thereof). For discussion I'd rather have gen of varying kinds, but I still lean toward the dark. One fic I like for reading and/or discussing is Oklahoma (http://www.annex-files.com/annex/annex/covers/oklahoma.html), by Amperage and Livengoo. I usually don't like Muldertorture, but this is a really good read. Definitely not for depressed people, though, one should be in a good mood to read it.

[wendelah1]

The best post-apocalypic fic we've read was "Life During Wartime." Prufrock's Love wrote a very dark fic we discussed, "Negative Utopia." It's been long enough that we could post it again. CazQ took most of her fic offline but I think her post-colonization fic, the one that's an M/K story, is still around. It would get back to her if I posted it for discussion, I'm certain of it. I'll think about it. In any case, if I can remember the name, I'll find the link and put it here for you.

Oklahoma I have not read in a long, long time. It has two problems for me as a moderator: one is the length and the other is the complete lack of Scully and of MSR. I know those last two items will discourage participation for certain. However, it's a classic, one of the few we haven't dissected, and you're not the first to ask for it, so I would be willing to post it if you could commit to the discussions. I think we'd have to tackle it the way amyhit and I did with "Life During Wartime" and Khyber V. Season 7. We'd have to divide it into sections. Maybe two per week for a month? Half one week, half another? What do you think?

Editing to add: I can read romance but I like it when it's integrated into the story line. syntax6 is a genius at this.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

I'll have to look into those stories! I completely understand if you can't do it. I'd participate in the discussions, for sure, though, unless the sky fell (I work eves EST, but I don't think it would need to be a real-time thread) I'd also have to read it again, it's been awhile.

[wendelah1]

Those stories are in the Fic Discussion Master Post. If the links are broken, let me know. I can probably find a working one.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

Yay, thanks!

[wendelah1]

That was even easier than I thought: Zahgruda by CazQ is still at ephemeralfic. First link that came up when I typed in her name.

[estella-c.livejournal.com]

Well, I think I'm an MSR/first time slut. Can I say that? But I'm no pushover as to quality, so that limits my enjoyment. Khyber and Penumbra for choice, Jess M for riotous fun, Kel for even more riotous fun though she avoids the sexual/sentimental. Syntax6 for expert one-stop shopping and--if you examine closely--Kel can tickle your fancy and strike you dumb with poignance without warning. Come to think of it--as in The Other Man--so could Jess. Which brings me to admit: I ADORE good comedy. And I truly believe that good, smart, literate comedy can only be written by someone who can also, when they're in the mood, tear your heart out.

For a light-hearted though piquantly cynical return to early ship, Mustang Sally's "Diamonds and Rust" is a non-guilty pleasure. Guilt, moi? I really like the sex.

Can I say that?

[wendelah1]

For a light-hearted though piquantly cynical return to early ship, Mustang Sally's "Diamonds and Rust" is a non-guilty pleasure. Guilt, moi? I really like the sex.


I've been holding the songfic aspect against this story. I will get over myself and post it.

Can I say that?

I think you just did. :D

[estella-c.livejournal.com]

I forgot it was songfic, which I guess is considered declasse. Which just goes to show that I have a blind spot for popular music. A blind ear.

[wendelah1]

It's not that. The problem is I can hear Joan Baez warbling away as soon as I hear the title. I have the same problem, only in reverse, with "Belmont, Ohio, 3:36 P.M." If I hear that song, "I can see clearly now the rain is gone," I start getting teary, even though Mulder and Scully and William all running together would have been a better ending than the one we got.

[(Anonymous)]

Amazing page you guys! Thanks for the work!

And I have a recommendation of my own:

http://fluky.gossamer.org/display.php?Transfers1

3-parter, very strange story, but somehow in a good way...