salt is a weapon

Aww, remember the days when my entries consisted of linking you to places?

dgficexchange: Sign-ups start Sunday, January 13 and run for a week. ARE YOU READY?

Tonight Means Somewhere Far From here is this AWESOME mix sandi_wandi made from this prompt:

we're not alone but no one speaks English, so we're free
to look into each other's minds
and see what we're thinking like we always used to
i miss talking to you
- Harvey Danger, Private Helicopter

From The Darkness is a Prison Break fic from greyskygirl, non-compliant with S3's "Good Fences" episode. But it should be how the show turns out. Michael/Sara, NC17.

"He wouldn't want you to do this," he says flatly. "Hell, he wouldn't even want me to tell you about it." He is challenging her, Sara knows, waiting for her to latch onto the first flimsy excuse he presents.

Harry/Ginny art from itsbeenvery! Ginny is SO pretty.

Two things I was thinking about (haha because I only had 2 thoughts all day): 1) You never read about a fugly vampire. SHOW ME. 2) What fashion designer/clothing brand is considered all-American? Like, VERY American? Tommy? Is it because of the models/ads they use? Whyy?

Title: UNTITLED!
Ship: Draco/Ginny
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Chance meetings at the bar.
A/N: This is INCOMPLETE! I just keep adding scenes as I go along. 3 short scenes behind the cut. It's also really unedited.

( She walked into a bar... )

Title: Naked-Eye Viewing
Ship: Draco/Ginny
Rating: R
Summary: Draco tries his hand at seeing the future.
A/N: How can I possibly write Draco/Ginny when I haven't, really, seriously, for months? Apparently, late nights and The Fader's "No Sleep 2Nite" will do it. Feedback is LOVE!

( On a clear night in September, this is what he will do: )

1. Thank you to everyone who filled out the poll! It was mildly surprising and very interesting.

2. Today by onecrimsontie. I've recced this before, but I'm doing it again because I just re-read it. This fic is an unbelievable piece of work. It's the trio, gen-fic, and you should read it because it is really, really good. It's also short as one-shots go, so definitely read and enjoy!

Here's the thing. I've been trying to write, really have, and I've scrapped everything I've started with. Something is not clicking, or something. I get to about 400 words and then I save it, and start something new. This could all be a lack of perseverance on my part, not enough effort, or it could be that I'm not inspired, or something. I tried writing every ship that even vaguely interested me.

I've seen this done many times in the past, called the drabble meme, but I'm not because what if I can't even work up 100 words or so? What if I can't even write a SENTENCE? That would be disappointing for both parties, I think.

It's like hitting the vending machines to see if something will drop down. Maybe it won't because it's just stuck there and that fucking sucks, but there's always the good day when you get a free Snickers/Twix/Lion bar/whatever candy/chips bag you like. I know I'm a dork.

So here's your mission (PLEASE PLEASE ACCEPT IT!):

The Vending Machine meme:
Please post 1) a pairing OR character of your choice, and 2) a line of dialogue.

I will then try my very best to write, erm, 50-100 words or so. But I make no promises! Maybe I'll suck and flop out and my brain can't handle anything. So don't expect a drabble. But maybe you'll get one. Maybe a drabble will become a fic (that would be the best scenerio). Maybe a fic will be good. Who knows?

Anything is game from these fandoms: Alias, Harry Potter, Prison Break, Veronica Mars. Okay, so just four fandoms. Darn, I thought there were more.

PLEASE FEED ME :D Or you, however you look at it.

( Economy in Love tidbit - just the Blaise )

Title: "After Sex"
Ship: Draco/Ginny
Rating: R
Summary: Exactly what the title says. A little conversation post-sex.
A/N: Oh my god, my first Draco/Ginny in a LONG fucking time. 498 words, small ficlet with no plot. Best I could do *weeps* I've got that longer D/G fic, it's about 5000 words right now, and will probably be posted in 3 or 5 parts. But I'm not going to post it until it's all done. And it's just not working right now.

( His voice was deeply irritated and tinged with complaint. )

mynuet has gathered all the nominated classics and voting as begun! You can vote for the long fics here and the short fics here.

Whoever nominated "Here, Tonight"...thank you. I did see that :P

Furthermore, I just learned from inkpuddle that the fandom newsletter sunday_prophet is looking for a third editor. If you're interested, send them an email at sundayprophet@gmail.com and let them know!

I've had an epiphany, although it's not really an epiphany, more of a lack of willpower, and that is that I'm just going to write what I can write. By that I mean I revoke my vow of not starting anything new until I complete something. For example, I discovered that while I'm stuck on a few fics, streetscribbles and I brainstormed and ended up working on a D/Hr piece that's coming along nicely. I've never been good at writing Hermione, but by following Bet's lead, I manage not to mangle her post-HBP-mangled character. Anyway, it's really fun.

Also, I began fixing up The Road Too Far. Slow going.

The beginning of my New Untitled D/G Fic, which is now titled. This isn't even a full chapter, but it's the set up, un-betaed and unedited.

( Great Romances )

I've spent most of the day outside these past two days, so I didn't get the chance I thought I would to finish a few one-shots. But nothing happened today, so I worked hard and finished chapter four of Economy, "Two Years," a Sarkney one-shot, and got a good headstart on another HP fic I'm working on.

And during Italian the other night, I had an idea for a new D/G fic (although I just might make it Blaise, I'd really like to, but I don't know who I want to ship Blaise with), involving a carnivale in Venice, a sort of masquerade over a period of 10 days where everyone parties and drinks a lot and forgets their inhibitions. Must do more research on it.

I also added more to my D/G fic recs list, which is in the making. All in all, productive day!

Title: Economy In Love
Ship: Draco/Ginny
Rating: R
Summary: Ginny needles Draco, Draco feels poked at, and Blaise is Forced Into Doing Something He Does Not Want To Do (Again)

( How to Make Perfect Sense )

I started to work on "The Secret Habits of Draco Malfoy," but halfway through, I quit because it wasn't turning out the way I wanted it to. So I thought, fine, to hell with that, I'm gonna write something today. Lost Causes / Stranger Still, my longer, WIP Sarkney, hadn't ever failed me yet, and I went to work on that...and found that I couldn't.

Because I felt vaguely guilty, I opened up Economy In Love Pt. 4 and stared at it. And then I actually began to work on it, which is, quite frankly, amazing. I've finally found the solution to the hole I dug.

And if this isn't a meme, it damn well should be. I think I did a meme like this before, actually. *ponders* But anyway, I just copied and pasted the last bit of what I wrote for each fic, and here it is, the lot of it. Minus two Sarkney fics that may not go anywhere, so I just left those out.

Cookies (but why? I like salted crackers and dip--salsa dip or sour cream and onion dip):

( Economy In Love )

( Lost Causes / Stranger Still )

( Two Years )

( Wild Horses )

( Untitled Fic For The Summer Sarkney Challenge )

( The Secret Habits of Draco Malfoy )

( Untitled Bellatrix/Rodolphus Fic )

( Untitled Sequel to The Best Subterfuge )

"Economy In Love" update should happen tomorrow, if I've nothing planned. I often don't know if I have plans until just before an event.

Title: "Follow"
Ship: Draco/Ginny
Rating: PG-13 (or whatever the equivilant is now; I'll look it up again later)
Summary: From one place to the next, it's always the same routine: a letter, a meeting, a memory modified.

A/N: Okay, so this plot occured to me first as the idea of Draco being like a sort of camp follower. I wanted to write it in sort of a minamalistic style, but I gave that up just because. Also, I have an exam on Monday, so if it feels unfinished, it's because I know, I had to leave it hanging a bit. I'll wrap it up some other time. It's also as polished as I'd like it to be.

( All the precautions they took couldn't take away the risk. )

Oh yeah! I just made a post requesting the need for a brainstorm-beta for a Sarkney fic* at proclivityfans. I wanted to link it here, too.

*Fear not, I have not forgotten my other WIPs. Those are still in progress, I just wanted to get the ball rolling on this one as well.

This is the fifth day of my Sarkney love. Still going strong.

I saw a Sark music video (I forget where - Pink-Martini.Net, I think) to Limp Bizkit's "Behind Blue Eyes". So then I realized that that song is so Sark that it borders on cheesy. It's like the redeemable!Sark song. I love it. But my dreams they aren't as empty / as my conscience seems to be

This is yet another pointless entry, mainly just because I really, really like Sark and had to talk about my liking for him. Yay. Stuck On Sark. SOS. Helllp.

Eugh. I really, really like this Sark icon I'm posting with. Going to see if there's a tutorial I can follow later.

Okay, so in HP news, I...did absolutely nothing. Except write this drabble.

Title: "Cold Crush"
Ship: Draco/Ginny
Rating: PG-13

( Pointless drabble faaaa lalalalala )

Sark is so cool.

Jenn: But how was Calcium Kid?
Leila: I told you!
Jenn: DISCOUNTING the Orlando-factor.
Leila: Oh fine. Then it was slow and corny.
Jenn: HAHAHA! HA!
Leila: Oh, shut up.

Leila: You know, in the movie, Orlando was to milk as Tom is to carp.
Jenn: HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA
Leila: Yeah, it got kinda weird near the end, but then he winked at the very very end, so that made it all all right.

Leila: I love Orlando. Remember how I told you -
Jenn: Many times.
Leila: - when I had that dream/hallucination of him singing "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and doing the sexy dance to boot and winking? Well, now I know how he really winks. And it was totally true to heart.
Jenn: Sigh.

And finally, fic. What I learned: I'm no good at writing Hermione. Anyway. This has gone so far past Valentine's Day, that it's a mockery to call it Valentine's Day ficlets. Nonetheless, for continuity's sake, I'll keep calling it that. I could just label it April Fool's ficlets, but I see no point. Also, am too lazy. Finished tamlane and shalei. Yay! And I'm nearly finished with all the rest, too *is pleased*

And heads up on all the cheese and corn you're about to get hit with. Fair warning. My excuse is that I'm still practicing with the fluff and it was written in the spirit of Valentine's Day. Ha.

Recipient: tamlane
Message: I’m ashamed to say that other than the basics, I know nothing of Italy, its history, and Italians, but pretend, okay? Other than my English teacher being Italian and he spouts the occasional phrase in the language, I’m a complete washout at this. Anyway, you leave me such great feedback, and I’m a big fan of your writing! You’ve got me looking forward to all those fics you’ve promised, and it was fun to write a smooth and sure Blaise :)

Title: Monosyllabic
Ship: Blaise/Hermione
Rating: PG-13

( The meter of it was all wrong, for one thing. )


Recipient:: shalei
Message: Hello, fellow D/G fan! I have no idea how you found my journal, but I totally cherish all the feedback you left me. By the way, I knew that “H/G is true love!” thing had to be a ruse ;)

Title: Stammer
Ship: Draco/Ginny
Rating: PG-13

( That voice did not permit anything but haughtiness and confidence. )

Oh no. Draco and Ginny couldn't stop provoking each other. I may or may not use this.

( In Which Ginny clutches at any excuse to swing by and Draco can't stop needling at her. )

I'm so tired, so that's gonna be it for me. But thanks to everyone who read and commented on my last post, made in delirius joy! Anyhow - GOOD NIGHT!

Right, so I just bawled my eyes out watching the last half an hour of Armageddon on TV. I don't care if the movie is cheesy and clearly for entertainment, it moved me, dammit. And I love Billy Bob Thorton and Jason Isaacs in the film. Hardcore nerds. Gotta love that!

Yesterday, I Am Sam was on TV, and I cried watching that, too. And last week, when Return of the King was on, I cried every 10 minutes. When the beacons were lit, when Pippin had to leave Merry, when Aragorn was being trampled by the war troll and Legolas was trying to get to him but couldn't because everyone was getting in the way, and Theoden's speech, and Eowyn, and Aragorn's speech, and Elrond with Arwen. I am SUCH a sap when it comes to movies.

I know I fell out of the Fan Fic Author Appreciation thing, but if anyone's really interested in what I love to read, you can visit the writer's on my flist.

( But My Favorite D/G Fics Of All Time Are... )

I'm usually pretty positive about fics I post, sometimes a little insecure, but never really negative about it (well, except for this BLECH D/G I wrote that is off the Internet and will never be posted again). However. Today I wrote the most boring, rambling piece of fic ever. It's also the longest one-shot I've ever written (I think), and it's about 3000 words all strung together and not in the good way. It's jerky and will read like it's unfinished and the Ginny/Sirius aspect of it could have been left out; it's that pointless and totally not integral to the story, but I'm sorry to say that I just gave up. And I'm serious.

Was vaguely inspired by this: “…the person Sirius cared most about in the world was you…the one person whom you would go to any lengths to rescue was Sirius Black.” - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JKR.

Title: "Strange Ways"
Ship: None, side Sirius/Ginny
Rating: PG-13
Summary: People have strange ways of coping with the trials in their lives.

( Strange are the ways of the grieving. )

good_dg is a new Draco/Ginny fiction community that promises quality fics, so that's the community to friend for your D/G fix :)

Harry with the golden egg is a new still from GoF, in case anyone hasn't seen it yet.

( So last night, I watched The Aviator. [MILDLY SPOILER-ISH] )

I just noticed, but for the past few days, despite the busy-ness with school, my first reflex is to always put "happy" down as my mood.

Right, so onto the fourth set of Valentine's Day drabble/ficlets (so much for the "I think it'll just be two installments" confidence *scoffs*). I think what I like about doing this is that I'm writing more and I've come to realize more how great and crazy talented the people on my flist are *is full of affection for flist*

I finished the ones for whirligigged, sionnain, and wendybird7 today. Bellatrix and Rodolphus were completely new to me, but I'm pretty proud of the final product. And Bill, for some reason (I swear it's because of greyskygirl), has become one of my favorite Weasleys to write. Same with Charlie after I reread OotP.

Recipient: whirligigged
Message: You’re sweet and very nice, and you put up with me being an awful commenter on LJ. Not as much Draco/Ginny interaction as you might like, but I wasn’t sure what to do with this one. *sheepish*

Title: The Nicest Dark Night
Ship: Draco/Ginny
Rating: PG-13

( In times like these, sometimes you just have to make do with what you have. )


Recipient: sionnain
Message: Hee! You’re talented at writing fabulous fics that are darker than what I normally read, but somehow, they don’t depress me – instead, you’ve offered a different take on the dynamics of your characters and made me look twice at ships. So, clearly, I was always going to write Bella/Rodolphus for you, but I’ve been holding back because the ship scares me to death. In the end, I decided to opt for something as close to Death Eater fluff as I could.

Title: A Lack of Sangfroid
Ship: Bellatrix/Rodolphus
Rating: PG-13 (or the mildest R possible)

( Sometimes, amidst all the death and revelry, Bellatrix finds pause to inhale. )


Recipient: wendybird7
Message: You’re utterly crazy, and I love that. Some Weasley interaction, for that new Weasley fix you seem to have developed.

Title: The One Where Bill Comes Back
Ship: N/A, Bill and Charlie
Rating: PG-13

( There are different kinds of twins and best friends and brothers in arms. )

ETA: I almost forgot: streetscribbles has asked me if there are any Ginny writing resources around (and I was ashamed to say that I was not aware of any, although greyskygirl gave a good link), and because it is a good thing to know, does anyone know if there is a Ginny-specific writing resource site? One that isn't limited to a Ginny pairing? Thanks!

Yeah, I've only got three today (fadedsouls, pardonthelitany, huffpuffkeeper) because I'm really tired and about to sleep. This may end up being more than three sets.

Okay, so yesterday’s messages weren’t that personalized, so I’m very sorry for that. Starting now, I’ll write my thoughts about each person in the message. I also tried to go alphabetical (yesterday I was all over the place), but I skipped some people for now because I couldn’t think of anything to write.

Plus, today I typed them in Word; yesterday I just typed them into LJ, and I caught loads of errors after I posted it. So yay to fewer mistakes!

And a note: you really don’t have to do or say anything in response to these drabbles. They’ve gotten me on this writing kick, and I’ve been inspired to both start and continue some new fics, and it’s all in good fun.

Recipient: fadedsouls
Message: One of my group chat buddies! I’m glad to hear that you’re feeling better, you crazy slash fan <3

Title: Popular
Ship: Harry/Draco
Rating: PG-13

( They were popular. Draco knew it. Harry was a little slower. )


Recipient: pardonthelitany
Message: See, you’re one of the reasons why I adore LJ. I meet sweet, thoughtful people like you. I love reading what you have to say in your entries. Plus, we have similar music tastes.

Title: Charmed, I’m Sure
Ship: Draco/Ginny
Rating: PG-13

( Don’t complicate it by hesitating. )


Recipient: huffpuffkeeper
Message: One of the most talented girls ever in LotR fandom. And because I adore you and your writing – some of the original that you’ve been asking for. It’s not that great and not that fluffy. Hit me online if you want the fluff :)

Title: N/A
Ship: N/A
Rating: PG-13

( They drove past the places that characterized home. )

First, really quickly, four recs:

"Cupid's Confections" by tamlane is Fred/Hermione and a scattering of other pairings and is by far the most hillarious HP ficlet I've read this week. This is the perfect Valentine's Day ficlet, honestly. It's sweet and George Weasley is one shameless man.

FANART: Fond Remberance by vivier is the colored version of the Lucius/Narcissa sketch she did a while ago for me. One word: lovely. Scroll up a bit for the L/N drabble by empressvesica, which is part of a series of Draco/Ginny drabbles for malfoy100.

"Back to Normal" by bubbleforest and myself. It's a BSB ficlet in present day and as she said, hopefully it'll make you smile <3 She writes a crazy cute Brian.

Okay, so it's Valentine's Day, so...loads of little drabbles for all you good and fun people! I was going to do the icon meme, where you comment with an icon of your choice and I write a 100 word drabble for it, but then I figured you know, it's Valentine's Day. Anyway, I meant to keep them around 100 words, short and sweet and all that, but then I lost my head and they got progressively longer. This is the first set. Second set will come either tomorrow or Wednesday. They're all fluffy, and that is indeed a warning. Fluff like cotton candy.

(YES, onecrimsontie, THIS IS WHAT I WAS DOING WHILE YOU WERE OUT RUNNING.)

So in the first set, I did bubbleforest, marshmallowmin, twinsofthesky, mynuet, and greyskygirl. May have to divide this into three sets. On with.


Recipient: bubbleforest
Message: Feel better, okay? Good times are ahead :) This was surprisingly easy to write, and I may want to continue it. Or if you'd like to continue it, I am SO down with that too <3

Title: You Do Stupid Things (When You're Drunk)
Ship: HA HA IT'S A SURPRISE <3
Rating: PG-13

( Imagine a note, handwritten, and reeking of alcohol. Jack Daniels, to be specific. )


Recipient: marshmallowmin
Message: Because you're in the Blaise Zabini fan club <3 Because you asked for Drunk!Blaise. Because you rock much, like a space ship :D

Title: Blaise Zabini, Leading Man
Ship: N/A
Rating: PG-13

( When you're drunk, you can make one color into loads of different colors. Or at least Blaise could. )


Recipient: twinsofthesky
Message: Sorry for the delay with "Economy" :) I'm very happy that you like it so much though! I seem to be on a writing kick, so who knows what'll happen.

Title: The One with the Rugby Shirt
Ship: Draco/Ginny
Rating: PG-13

( Every girl needs a boy's shirt to sleep in. )


Recipient: mynuet
Message: Fluff all the way :) Not enough D/G, but I think I'm going to continue this one later and make it a longer one-shot or ficlet or something. Have a good day!

Title: Something to Talk About
Ship: Draco/Ginny
Rating: PG-13

( Girls gossip in the bathroom. )

Recipient: greyskygirl
Message: I thought long and hard about what to write for you, and then I finally decided on some hobbit (and honorary hobbit) love :) I hope you had a fantastic weekend with John, and may this tide you over for an hour or so! Oh yeah, when you get back, I'll give you those LotR links. Those will more than make up for the not-so-good that this is, trust me.

Title: Dance, My Little Hobbits
Ship: N/A
Rating: PG-13

( They sure know how to shake it like a polaroid picture. )

AHA I FINISHED CHAPTER THREE! This chapter gave me all sorts of troubles, mainly because I had dug myself into a hole with some parts, but in the end I think I managed to get myself out of it. Well, sort of.

It's up at FIA, but I figured I'd just post it here for continuity's sake. Thank you to greyskygirl for the look-over!

Title: "Economy In Love"
Ship: Draco/Ginny
Rating: Overall R, but PG-13 for this one
Summary: Blaise is one cool clam, Draco goes on a rampage, and Ginny attempts a seduction.

( How to Seduce a Slytherin )

jade_okelani's Draco/Ginny fic, "Imperfect Interlude" has been posted at the_feast. It's not an entry though, but written in the spirit of The D/G Feast.

DUDE. You will observe my past three entry subject headings: Recs & Rants, Recs & Reminders, and I was going to title this entry's subject as Recs & Read, but that may be going too far so I didn't.

Anyway. mynuet asked for D/G with a happy ending, so this is it. It's not the holidays anymore, and we're not close enough to Valentine's Day. So I don't know what this is called, but here it is anyway! Thanks for all the fluff and giggles you've given me :)

Title: The Best Subterfuge
Ship: Draco/Ginny
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Draco Malfoy is so mean to Ginny Weasley.

( The week and the weekend were very different things. )

P.S. I hope this makes up for the lack of "Economy" updates. I am v. sorry.

bubbleforest - *SCREAMS* DUUDE. I HATE the time difference! Nighteyes! Oh, my dear! I ♥ him! "Little brother." *dies* Tassin was a bitch. Starling is really, really annoying. Even Kettricken started to annoy me, and I think I can see why you weren't gushing over Chade. Poor, used Fitz. I have to admit, I saw what was coming up, RE Molly and Nettle and the woman Burrich had gone to. I also suspected that the figure Fitz thought was Death was the Fool - the "ivory face" gave it away. ♥ ♥ ♥ It has indeed been made canon. I'm almost done with book three, and I think I'll cry. Oh well, good catharsis, right?

Title: "Quid Pro Quo"
Ship: Draco/Ginny
Rating: PG-13

A/N: I took a break from fixing up "Economy" and the other D/G war fic and decided to expend some pent-up words that wouldn't fit in either of those fics. Sooo. D/G drabble emerged. Very inconclusive.

( I know, I know, I know, you're still my love. )

secondservings has been updated with chapter 2 of "The Orli Fic," so please check that out!

Yet another crap summary. I think this is the raciest thing I've ever written, and I'm pretty nervous about it. The mood picture I have defined as 'nervous' isn't really representative of how I feel, but anyway, I'm edgy about it. I know it's really not much compared to other fics, but anyway, it was on the daring side for me. Thank you to huffpuffkeeper and mynuet for words of widsom and reassurance. Thank you also to mynuet for the beta and everything!

Title: "Singed"
Ship: Draco/Ginny
Rating: R
Summary: Ginny wants revenge, and she extracts it from Draco.

( She’s moving way too fast and all he wanted was to hold her. )

Heads up.

I won't be able to get all my Christmas ficlets done in time for Christmas. This sucks utter shit. I'm very sorry. I'm leaving on the 31st (spending New Years on a plane), and I have 4 apps due on Jan. 1st, so I've really got to get working.

Anyway, just think of how unexpected those ficlets will be when they come later.

Cheers,
Leila

ETA: You won't believe how I typed this.

I went to the commonapp.org, logged myself in, started filling it out, then started typing a drabble in the personal statement box, which limited me to a max of 500 words by "truncating text beyond the word limit." Very handy, the common app.

For pardonthelitany. *hugs* I'm sorry this seemed sort of open ended, but it's Draco/Ginny all the way, so I hope that makes up for it. Have a Merry Christmas!

Anyway, now I'm going to try and get bubbleforest's ficlet done tonight, since she celebrates Christmas on the 24th. I already started it, so I'm just going to wrap it up and continue working. Yep. Good plan.

Title: "Compatible"
Ship: Draco/Ginny
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Just another footnote in Draco and Ginny's relationship.

( He had stood her up. Again. )