Optional details are optional. I know we all want to write a story that our recipient will like, but forcing yourself to write outside your comfort zone won't do your recipient any favors either. Don't force it.
Sometimes I write around things. My request last year was for a femslash pairing where one of the characters is canonically married to the hero pretty early on, and is someone I'd never considered as gay, or even subtexty. I wrote a story that was mostly about friendship and some unrequited feelings on the part of the other character, and my recipient seemed to like that.
I try to honor the optional details as much as I can, but only insofar as it makes for a good story.
I've gotten some truly hellacious prompts over the years, and I've had to do some hardcore spinning of the details in order to turn them into a story I wanted to tell.
That being said, just about every other year at Yuletide, I end up tearing my hair out trying to write what my recipient has requested while barely staving off an epic meltdown.
Last year was almost pleasant. This year, a little more tense. I think that means I'll be weeping next year.
I've been taking Dana's approach with my prompt--going with the pairing requested, but making it an intimate non-sexual relationship rather than an intimate sexual one.
Still, I've had cause to wonder. So much of what my recipient seems to like runs a bit counter to my tastes. Not
bad,
by any means, but just not my cuppa.
I really do like the story I'm writing for yuletide, but I wish it would just FINISH ALREADY.
Oh, look, I'm on the Yuletide Treats list. Which means my writer defaulted.
I saw that. I was last year, which wound up meaning I had something like seven stories to read on Christmas morning.
I strongly suspect you'll wind up with more than one.
Hmm... There's a request on there that would work as a prompt for a side story to the one I already submitted. I think I could put it together in a way that would work as a standalone.
ponders
I strongly suspect you'll wind up with more than one.
That is the upside. Plus, I have two pretty well known fandoms on my list, so that should help.
With a 10% default rate, it had to happen sooner or later, and this is my sixth year. I think.
I haven't snagged a pinch hit yet, but I've got my eye on a couple of treats.
