Fandom nonsense: wuxia, xianxia, danmei, baihe, Kinnporsche. Also languages, writing, history, orchids. Yi Citizen. In my 30s.
AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/users/katzenfabrik/pseuds/villainousfriend


  1. @Forestofglory posted a list of DecRecs prompts for those of us who like to be a little bit more constrained, which definitely includes me. (Quiet in the back.)
  1. I also like @Essay's suggestion to call DecRecs a fest or a celebration, rather than a challenge, because reccing is enjoyable! There is certainly a lot of space for me to improve at it, but the act of sharing things I like, and think you might, is at base a pleasure. (Have you read Forest's thoughtful post at LadyBusiness, Reccing as Critical Practice? It really made me think about what a good rec is and can do.)

Today I am taking the prompt Ghost, and reccing a collection of stories that actually have very little to do with ghosts, except that they are co-written by one.

Yes. Yes, A-Yao is staying in his ex’s best friend’s apartment while said best friend is on an impromptu skiing trip with said ex because said ex needs to clear his thick fucking head. No, Mingjue doesn’t know that A-Yao is crashing at Xichen’s and ideally he will never find out.

Just the Way You Are is a unique modern AU for MDZS, in that the bulk of the story's action takes place on an artificial island in the Pacific Ocean. ("Just like in Distress!" I thought, gleefully, when I realised this.) I wouldn't necessarily classify this collection of fics as SF, despite the setting. JTWYA's characters are as tied in to our world as their island home is connected to the rest of the planet, through intercontinental travel and real_ghost's meticulously observed outfits and interiors.

Starting with the relationship drama described in the blurb, real_ghost and wayofcloudbrain have built out their universe spiderweb-wise until almost every MDZS character has a place in it. In the process, it's become an exploration of class and privilege, of the unexpected shapes family tends to take, and of yearning romance, self-deception and promiscuity. It's also bitingly funny! I am a fool for the mix of bone-dry observational humour and everyday absurdity in this series.

JTWYA itself is a WIP, at 14 chapters so far, but the collection contains (so far) ten other complete side stories, in every mood from scorching erotica, to the revelatory optimism of a new relationship, to the banal awfulness of being Jin Zixun. Jinzhu and Yinzhu are feminist porn directors; Su She is a driving instructor for juvenile delinquents; Xue Yang, reformed (?) delinquent and plastic surgeon, has the most horrifying pet name for nipples. This island is well worth a visit, and perhaps even an extended stay.


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in reply to @villainousfriend's post:

OH I love the idea of calling it a celebration! For my last couple of birthdays I've done rec threads on twitter and they have been super fun! I love recs! (Yes I'm very enthusiastic and also making this up as I go along)

Also I'm really enjoying people's different takes on these prompts