#bravenclawesome

[merlins-earmuffs]

I’m podficcing again!

Does anyone have good recommendations for Merlin fics under 5000 words? I’m bravenclawesome on AO3 and am starting to podfic stuff again (after a hiatus of 3 years!) but only have the time to record and edit short fics - they’re very time-consuming to make!

Send me your drabbles, your PWPs, anything, as long as they are strictly under 5000 words, and I will read and consider them :)

[lionheartlibrary]

Author: bravenclawesome

Rating: General

Setting: CanonAU

Word Count: <1k

Summary: Merlin and Arthur spend a lazy afternoon in the forest.

Comment: I liked the feeling of lightheartedness and love that is captured in so few words, as well as the glimpse into the happiness and comfort Merlin and Arthur find when they’re together.

[bottom-arthur]

embrocation (noun): a liquid used for rubbing on the body to relieve pain from sprains and strains.

Arthur requests for a massage after his evening bath, and Merlin is hesitant to comply at first. Features Arthur blatantly showing off his gorgeous physique and totally inappropriate erections on Merlin's part. But it all works out in the end.

Quick Kink List: Fingering, Prostate Massage, Rimming, Handjob

[merlins-earmuffs]

I just read your fic and I thought it was absolutely lovely! I was hoping someone would write it, & now you have and it was heartbreaking and beautiful! I'm working on exams and it brightened me right up! Thanks! *hug* :)

Thank you so much! Good luck with exams, my first one is in less than 24 hours...

read my fic!

[merlins-earmuffs]

I was having a bad day,but your fic totally cheered me up! :D

It makes me so happy to know that! Thank you :)

read my fic!

[merlins-earmuffs]

omg i just read your fic and i totally loved when you described arthur's eyes as "forget-me-not blue"; it hit me right in the feels LOL

Haha thanks, I live to hit people in the feels with my fics ;)

read my fic!

[merlins-earmuffs]

while making podfics, what do you consider as forgivable mistakes and what needs to be edited out? I don't make a lot of major mistakes which speaking, but even a slight pause or a barely noticeable slip of tongue makes me re-read the whole thing... its excruciating.. and my podfics come out sounding a lot less 'natural' or 'easy'... do you have any advice?

This is a great question, nonny. I’ll do my best to answer. Below is my opinion on forgivable and unforgivable mistakes in podfic, but please don’t treat it like a rulebook. Everyone has their own way of podficcing and I am by no means the best podficcer in the world (though apparently I’m one of the most prolific Merlin podficcers now).

FORGIVABLE MISTAKES:

Long pauses - as long as you don’t read too slowly, and the flow of the fic is generally held up, you should be fine.

Putting emphasis on the wrong word in a sentence - as long you don’t do it too often, the listener should be able to get the gist of what you’re saying.

Tongue clicks or lip smacking - I sometimes feel that hearing these noises gives the podfic a ‘homey’ sort of feel, and it draws me into the story more rather than distracting me. Of course, don’t go out of your way to click your tongue on purpose, because if it’s done too often it’ll ruin the effect.

UNFORGIVABLE MISTAKES

Reading like a snail during action scenes or smut scenes - I made that error when I first started out, and this really screws up the mood of the story the writer has tried to establish. The listener wants the story, and they want it fast. However, with practice you’ll be reading new material quickly, naturally, and clearly with barely any mistakes!

Mispronouncing names/words - make sure you go through the fic you’re reading with a fine-tooth comb and ensure that you know how to read all the words. It really pisses me off when people don’t do that, and it puts me on edge for the rest of the recording.

Background noise - DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT, record your podfic in a loud place. I haven’t heard any podfics that have really noticeable noise in the background so far, and I hope this continues. Background noise is distracting and ruins the mood of the podfic. An occasional low-flying plane is fine, but keep the noise to a minimum.

These are all the things I can think of right now; I’m not sure if I’ve covered everything but I hope this is sufficient. Don’t worry about making your podfic sound easy/natural - the more you think about it, the less natural your podfic will sound. Besides, it comes with practice! If you listen to my early podfics, I read so painfully slowly and the music breaks were far too long, but over time I learnt to speed up my reading and where to pause for dramatic effect.

listen to my podfics!

[merlins-earmuffs]

9, 10, 13

9. Which fic has been the hardest to write?

aeternus (eternal), hands down. I had to rewatch 5x13 to write it, and while it was a very cathartic process, it was also extremely painful. I’ve come to terms with Arthur’s death since writing it (I don’t cry when I see 5x13 gifsets anymore); obviously I still feel sad about it, but this fic has helped me a lot.

10. Which fic has been the easiest to write?

Surprisingly enough, my most popular fic, forget me not (and I’ll remember) was written in the space of a few hours and barely needed any editing.

13. What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever come across?I haven’t been given a lot, to be honest...but one that’s stuck is "don’t use epithets”.

fic writer meme