Romance

[keiramarcos]

As a writer, I'm capable of writing in a variety of genres from historical to science fiction but one thing I can't seem to do is keep the romance out of my writing. I adore being in love and there is nothing more amazing to me than bringing two characters together and creating a world where they can come together and fall in love.

I write a lot of series work for fan fiction and by far the most romantic series (in my mind) is What Might Have Been. Lately I've been working on the novel follow up for that series (Ring of Fire) and honestly I've been putting off finishing this book because I know it's the last time I'll probably write a full on novella/novel for this series. I doubt I'll ever fully let go of this 'verse because as a writer I'm kind of in love with it. Maybe it's too sappy for words and the characters are larger than life but when I started writing it was because I wanted this big epic, surreal romance for John/Rodney and I'd looked around the fandom for a while and didn't find anything that exactly fit my want so I wrote it for myself. When I started posting it I wasn't even sure it was a series or what it was but then it turned into something really awesome and huge and a kid!fic which I don't even normally read.

So, what are the most romantic pieces of fan fic in the SGA fandom for you?

Comments

[keiramarcos]

:-)

[gwyneth-valora.livejournal.com]

I love that song. :D

As for most romantic pieces of fanfic for me, Sheppard's Law by Speranza would be fairly high on my list.

http://www.trickster.org/speranza/cesper/Sheppardslaw.html

Rodney travels throughout John's past to save him and prevent him from dying, and and and....*sigh*

Sorry for the ugly HTML, hopeless at that.

[keiramarcos]

Oh, I agree.

That is a very romantic fic for me.

What makes that fic better is the canon sacrifice Rodney made to save John in The Last Man.

most romantic McShep

[internetname.livejournal.com]

Yes, not all SGA fanfic is McShep, but it should be.

The Farm in Iowa series - http://sheafrotherdon.livejournal.com/105567.html

Freedom’s Just Another Word For Nothing Left to Lose - http://www.kekkai.org/synecdochic/sga/freedoms_just_another_word.html

Coming Home - http://www.wraithbait.com/viewstory.php?sid=9186&warning=12

Complementary Colors - http://yin-again.com/compcolors.htm

Re: most romantic McShep

[keiramarcos]

The Farm in Iowa does it for me. I LOVE FLYNN and like I said I'm not much for kid!fic normally despite that I wrote one.

Freedom rips my heart out. I get choked up just thinking about it.

[chris-king-2005.livejournal.com]

*snort*

WMHB is definitely the most romantic thing out there. There's a reason I wave my pom poms with pride!

But aside from your work? The Checkmate 'verse is, for me, one of the most romantic and entertaining tales around... even if there's almost no smut, and John isn't even human through most of it. (Shocking, I know!) The Iowa 'verse also delights me, as does the entire Nantucket AU - apparently I have a serious weakness for domestic fluff.

Hell, I've got so many bookmarks and favourites, I don't know where to begin. :-) I usually end up back at your site, because your stories are deeply satisfying.

[keiramarcos]

My favorite part of the Checkmate 'verse is when John is dragging his slipper bed down the hall because Rodney put him back in his own quarters and he's sooo pissed. LOL.

I laughed until I HURT over that.

[atuinsails.livejournal.com]

What might have been is my fave, with the Iowa and Fair Trade universes about even in second place. For some reason, I just can't think of anything that is said to follow canon as romantic. John Shepherd as he is portrayed in the show is too stunted emotionally to really be romantic. He definitely loves Rodney, but he wouldn't know romance if it hit him in the face with a glitter stick.

[keiramarcos]

LMAO at "glitter stick"

[ladyholder.livejournal.com]

Romance?

Yeah, WMHB is one of the all time highs for the fandom, and so is the Checkmate 'verse (http://beadattitude.livejournal.com/267757.html ).

And if it was later in the day & I was more awake, I might be able to find another few fic to post. I'll be thinking on this all day long.

Thank you.

~L

[diva0789.livejournal.com]

http://blueraccoon.livejournal.com/558127.html

Oasis by blueraccoon.

Amazing....the lengths that john and rodney go to for each other...its just so inredibly romantic to me.

[tamstercmt.livejournal.com]

OK, so I'm reading the Checkmate 'verse, which I'm still on, and it's great so far. Anyway, I saw this link in the middle and followed it:

http://shusu.livejournal.com/883385.html

not slash, but full of innuendo and an absolute riot - you know, the kind of stuff we like. :-)

[keiramarcos]

OMG. That might be the best post on all of Live Journal.

[danceswithgary]

I'm with you [Keira] on the need for romance in my writing, often with an emphasis on caring for each other. I guess that in my case romance and comfort are so closely tied together that I find it hard to separate them. I do admit that it's not always an easy road for the pairings in my stories, especially in the CLex - I've put those boys through hell a few times. Still a happy ending can make up for a lot in my opinion. :-D

My answer to you got incredibly long, so I ended up making a post instead, http://danceswithgary.livejournal.com/428740.html, if you're interested.

[keiramarcos]

:-)

It's a great answer!

[gail19.livejournal.com]

The first SGA I read that gave me the warm fuzzies (thats how I know its romantic *g*) was the checkmate_verse. I felt really guilty, but I'm all better now. Up to that point there was sex and drama and fun and crack and angst but not really romance.

I really didn't notice the lack until you started writing so much romance; canon John and Rodney - the closest either has ever been to romance is when they sneaked peaks at women's magazines because somebody told them it would improve their dating techniques.

WMHB is the pinnacle, because really how does one top a first date on Mars? Tangled Destinies is really close though.

Is it cheating on the romance scale when your partner can read your mind and emotional state?

[keiramarcos]

Vulcans do not cheat.

smirk

Romantic fics

[sgafan33.livejournal.com]

Besides the fics already mentioned, I love The Neighborly Detective and the Tragic Woobie Widower by Master Elayna (http://www.furholt.net/elaynas_den/_McShep_Woobie.htm). John, a police detective, moves next door to widowed astrophysicst Dr. Rodney McKay and his son Timothy.

Also, On Life and Living by WesleysGirl (http://home.comcast.net/~wesleysgirl/fanfiction/sga/life.html). John misses his wife, Elizabeth. Being a single parent to their daughter Kayla is not how John intended his life to go. But then McKay came into their lives.

Hmm, both fics are AUs and about widowers with a kid.

Re: Romantic fics

[gillianinoz.livejournal.com]

Just had to add a 'me too' - these are my two favourite romantic fics, and two of my favourite au's as well.

[phoenixflame1.livejournal.com]

What Might Have been by Keira Marcos is at the top of my list for most romantic SGA I've come across in my unending search for my next fanfic fix. It actually nocked A Better Fate by chelle down to the number two spot. That was my first SGA John/Rodney fic I read when I found the wonderfull world of Wraithbate.

[nephir.livejournal.com]

I have a horrible secret to share... I was not a SGA fan or a McShep girl before I was thrust into Keira's world. However, that being said, there was a SGA/Smallville crossover that had romance in it that I adore that made me want more romantic SGA fics (which I never really found... so thanks everyone!)

Gene Therapy by Lady Ra,/a> (http://www.visionsofprettyboys.com/Atlantis/Atlantisstories.htm)

[keiramarcos]

So I turned you to the dark side.

Here, have a cookie.

[tygtig.livejournal.com]

Honestly? I'm going to sound like a total suck-up, but: TTB.
I think it's romantic in the best way, with them both hurt from earlier relationships and entering a relationship for mostly professional reasons and then falling hopelessly in love. And for a great, big part of it not even noticing. Every single chapter of that fic makes me hurt in the best way. And it's not sappy.
I happen to think that TTB is one of the hottest fics I've ever read, but the sex is a bonus, I'm totally in it for the characters and the romance. (Ok, and I fell in love with Nori in the last chapter, so sue me.)

Other than that: the checkmate verse is absolutely lovely, too. The parts where they both realize that their relationship like this will end when John changes back? Ouch. Rodney is wonderful in that fic.

[keiramarcos]

I kind of love Nori, too. :-)

[veggiesueh.livejournal.com]

I am SUCH a sucker for romance. I'm sure that is why I love your works so much. As hot as you write sex, without the loving connection, the sex is pretty worthless to me.

So, for other works, A Better Fate by chelle is a favorite:
http://chelle.slashcity.org/atlantis/betterfate.shtml

And this very short piece, Safe by the cephalopod:
http://www.wraithbait.com/viewstory.php?sid=14312

Romances

[jx-walker.livejournal.com]

I have to agree with what has already been posted, so I'll add some that are different.

Promises Writ in Indelible Ink by Sardonicsmiley
http://smiley.zonezine.net/html/37160.html
It's sort of a everyones Love of Rodney but no sex.

But Never The Night by Lavvyan
When Rodney is culled, John suddenly has to deal with the loss of his best friend. As for Rodney he’s alone on a planet with no way home.
http://www.wraithbait.com/viewstory.php?sid=4627

I Am Your Image Dressed As The World by mirabile_dictu. I just love the Winnebago. John has Rodney's picture on the window of the puddle jumper.
http://mirabile-dictu.livejournal.com/66173.html

[seliki.livejournal.com]

I love Sardonicsmiley's High School Hero's I love the way she portrays the boys. http://smiley.zonezine.net/html/31806.html. Also, come on now...What might have been...

[influ-bad-ence.livejournal.com]

Most Romantic SGA fic... umm this is going to take a while, I don't actuallly read that much SGA... its totally YOUR fault. And WMHB is at the top of my list.

Now other fandoms i might be able to help with...

Star Trek,
Torchwood
Dr.Who
NCIS
Harry Potter (Yes I read it)
others
White Collar desperately needs some

[fanarts-series.livejournal.com]

For me it's WMHB, it's epic and i can say that for me nobody can make me smile, laugh or cry like this fic. I had a live before this fic, i've a different live and point of view now. It's a importante part of my emotionnal feeling as a fan and a reader.

I also love Slouching Towards Bethlehem by By MrsHamill
http://www.hawksong.com/~thammill/SGA_Fic/bethlehem.htm

It's an after trinity and it's wonderful, i love to see John giving up Atlantis for Rodney at some point.

And i forgot TTB, it's the smart BDSM fic ever with a lot of respect and love, the fic is smart and the characters aren't clichés, we saw taht you can have a strong relationship and dynamic and embrace your sensualism without lost the love. It's different it's not a BDSM fic for the BDSM, it's incredible.

[rivkaesque.livejournal.com]

SoA. Hands down. Especialy the femmeslash scene you did. I am constantly frustrated at the lack of romantic femmeslash out there, and you satisfied YEARS of cravings with that one short scene. Not that your boys aren't lovely and romantic - it's just, they're always such guys, y'know? And to me, two women are inherently more romantic than two guys.

(shrugs) Of course, that doesn't mean squat-all if the two women are written by a bad porn dialogue generator. or the guys are written by a mistress of the romantic literary arts.

[maine1898.livejournal.com]

The most romantic pieces of fan fic in the SGA fandom for you?
Mmmm, The Guide's series by liketheriver and koschla.
It's funny, romantic,and Rodney is.... so Rodney!

[gilesbabe.livejournal.com]

My favorite SGA romance is the Geeks and Goons series by the writing duo that went by the name of likethekoschka. Before that I never read slash. This series was the perfect way to ease into the genre. John and Rodney are a very loving, caring, married couple, but still their snarky selves. The sex was always in the background, never overt, and it helped to open my reading world. Without Geeks and Goons, I probably would have never read any of your stories, and I would have lost out on so much.

It's a shame that they don't seem to be writing any more in the series. It's hard to choose a favorite, but if I had to it would be 'A Date That Will Live in Infamy'. Rodney gets it into his head that he needs to take John on a date to prove that he loves him. You can just imagine the possiblities for disaster. Here is a small snipit from one of the chapters.

""Tomorrow," he ordered when he was done. "At five. You be home for a date you’ll never forget. Got it? Never. It’ll be so goddamn romantic you’ll probably come in your pants before you even get through the door."

Warily, I nodded. "Okay. Five. Bring extra pants. I got it."

The romance was apparently all for tomorrow, because Rodney was still on the computer when I fell asleep…I vaguely wondered if he were googling romance with a capital RO-in the mance. Then I drifted off, the cat kneading my leg. I didn’t mind so much the pinpoint claws as long as I got the body heat too—because I missed the warmth in the bed.

Great, we were dating now and I was sleeping alone.

God help me if we went steady."

I keep returning to these...

[cypriangadigan.livejournal.com]

Wow, so many...
Of course, there is WMHB.
Coming Home by Xanthe. Brilliant. First Author I read that did just to BDSM.
Make a Wish by Bluespirit. I always want to give this John a hug.
Story of a Girl by Jenn, because I love this Rodney and "his" description of the moment he realized he was in love with Joan (Yea, it's a gender switch story) is beautiful.
Fading Skies by Diamond Raven. Breaks my heart every time. I love how Rodney stands by his man, even when his man is holding the most frustrating, heart-rending, pity party ever. He gets over it.
Our Own Reality by Velocitygrass... John has a relationship with Rodney for nearly a year... and then he wakes up.
Every Day in Every Way by Velocitygrass... apparently it's her job to make me fall in love with these boys over and over again.
Glastonbury '87 - '07 by rasah. Adore this John, because he is so John and at the same time not.
The Short Botanical Courtship of Lorne and Parrish by slybrarian.... because Lorne is cute and Parrish is clever.

[tinanl13.livejournal.com]

I don't know if I would call it the most romantic SGA fanfic I've read but it's definitely in the top ten (along with What Might Have Been and really, all of Keira's fics), The Sweep of Easy Wind by Blackchaps

http://sgabigbang.talkoncorners.net/?view=fic&id=83

It has a socially inept yet deliciously devoted Rodney and a John that I just want to hug to bits.

[timespirt.livejournal.com]

What Might Have Been, Ties That Bind, Oh, hell all of yours first!

An Affair to Remember, Ordinary Life, Wolf in Sheeps Clothing, The Single Dad and the Tycoon, The Sheriff and the Physicist, The Proposition I and II, Sunny California, Stanley is Just a Cup, Rules of Engagement, Puddle Jumper Estates and ZPM Enterprises, Fading Skies, Converging, A Dangerous Desire or McKay Makes a Match, Clean Plate Club, The Neighborly Detective and the Tragic Woobie Widower Verse, Entangled Particals Verse, The On Life and Living Series, A Supermarket in California, Nantucket and Iowa AU Series, Out of Bounds, Who's Left and Who's Leaving.

anything by danceswithgary, Seperis or Speranza AKA cesperanza, Alburn, glitterati, sgamadison, ladyholder, chelle, C A Pierson and Darkmore, BluestarSpirit, Tarlan.

[taragreen89.livejournal.com]

aside from your work I have a strong fondness for "The Difference Engine" bysam_storyteller at http://sam-storyteller.dreamwidth.org/149077.html